All About the Money

(Playing in the background: "It's All About the Money" by Meja)

We spent an hour or so discussing about the incentives and bonuses last night (or technically early this morning). Money matters bore me. It's not that I don't need money at all. It's necessary for my survival, for our survival but it's not the only thing we need. True that I am working for money but when one applies for a job, he has to reasons - is he merely looking for a job or is he craving for a career? If he opts for the first one, he's merely there for the money but if he goes for the latter, he is more on growth, on fulfillment, on satisfaction other than anything else.

Our trainer is not part of the company's incentive program but she seems so happy talking infront (even though she still commits a lot of grammatical lapses and mispronunciations) and I could feel her fulfillment as a person. A lot of people die in this world without having that feeling of being fulfilled and I don't want to be a part of them.

-o0o-

I'm always caught by our trainer sleeping in the class, while having classes. I'm not embarrassed. Ha ha ha! It's just that I'm too old to change my biological clock. I'm really a morning person and I could function well in the morning than during evenings. I remember when I was a student that I couldn't study well on the evening but I have that zeal when I woke up at around 3am to study. I also think that it has to do with my lifestyle... and with age. Ha ha ha!

-o0o-

I am more decided to not apply for UP-LAE this year. Deadline of filing will be this Friday but I haven't really prepared the requirements. First reason is, I'm on a tight budget. If I'll be spending my 1,800 for the application, that means I don't have anything to eat next week. Salaries in callcenters are delayed by one pay period so I have a lot of sacrifice to do. I don't want to ask money from my family anymore and I don't want to bother my friends, owing 1,800 from them, only to find out by January that I fail again, and making me feel I'm one of the stupidest people on earth. Plus I also have a lot of bills to pay on my pay day. Argh. It's still all about the money.

Secondly, I am starting to think that lawyering isn't for me. Maybe my negativity conquers me again but I don't know. Ms. Joy told me that the law profession is a dirty field where dogs eat their fellow dogs and I feel that I still have a minute heart for some people. I don't know.

I'm back in the limbo on uncertainty.

OA

Lee Dae Hae and her video had been passed around by Filipinos last week just like some hot scandal that [almost] everybody had been wanting to see it. But instead of drooling on the said medium, our co-Pinoys watched it and reacted violently, expressing their disgust and rage against the Korean actress.

Having the mind of a curious gossiper, I watched it and just like some apathetic individual, I wasn't offended at it even though the subtitle deliberately stated Philippines. Maybe it's because I don't understand Korean or I haven't heard the word "Philippines" being uttered by the actress.

On my opinion, our reaction was way over the top. I think that we are so fond of blowing things out of proportion that things as petty as this are given full attention when our economic and political crises remain unresolved. I believe that before we should be reacting on issues like this, whether or not the statement is true (and I must say they are partly true), we should also examine ourselves if we've been nice to other people. We are so onion-skinned when our race is given negative attention when, in fact, we rudely give nasty remarks on some races with regard to their accents, their smell and even their physical appearance. True that what Alec Baldwin's statement about mail-to-order brides was a false generalization but it is existing. Teri Hatcher's line in "Desperate Housewives" doubting the integrity of the doctor that he might be a product of some med school in our country might be offensive but undoubtedly, some schools in the Philippines are really substandard, not to mention that we could even get a college diploma along Recto.

I mean, come on. Philippines and Filipinos don't have a flat personality. We have our own negative sides and we're not expected to display an image of only those oh-so-great things because whether or not we admit it, we have our bad sides. In fact, we suck in a lot of things that's why we don't prosper as a country and we're stuck as one of the poorest ones in this world.

Most importantly, I've observed that we have a lot of free time passing on that video and talking about matters as irrelevant as this that won't even contribute to the development of our country. We better work our asses off and learn to just shake off things that won't help us as a country.

-o0o-

Speaking of free time, I had a lot before I have this new job, which, hopefully, will be something that I could have for the rest of my life, or at least, will be something I could see myself growing. I want to become a trainer because I really believe that I can be a great one. Manning a team is definitely not my forte. Educating people is something that I could do and I could give the best in me.

Anyway, I'm still addicted to Zuma and until now, I'm still attempting to break my own record. Being able to finish the game is sheer bliss. You don't know how happy I was last week when I finally saw the message congratulating me. I've been attempting to finish this game fore more than two years and finally I'm done. Gusto kong magpaburger pero wala akong pera. At nagluto na ako ng ginataan so I think I'm done. Ha ha ha!

MEAN

Here are just a few of the booboos that I've noticed from our trainer:

Equipments
Pace out (phase out)
One of the 20+ tool
The member are....
The filler "a'right"
Sometimes, portability is not good all the time.

So far, I have created two characters in our wave - so not beautiful characters. The others are, somehow, tolerable like their grammar and p and f problem and their being makulit and all.

Meet character 1. She's a she and she has proven it. She's got three kids but not married. To give her some credit, she's got nice hair but the moment she does a bun, the hideous tattoo on her nape disturbs me. I don't even want to take a look at the design. I mean, the location, the shape, the color, if that's what you call art, then that's bad art. Though she's nice to me, she asks too much that I feel she's being pabibo. I hate looking at her unaligned upper front teeth which are so evident when she speaks add it with lips that tend to devour your mouth whenever she opens them. I mean, they're really scary. While I appreciate eye contact, her bright eyes seem to be too eager and excited to stare at you so intently. I mean, I don't feel comfortable with her. And she talks like a palengkera even in English.

Character 2 is a guy. He looks like Jaime Foxx but shorter, fatter and in an irritating way. He said if given the chance to give himself a new name, he'd want it to be "Satan." Do you think that's what a sane man would think of? Our trainer is even scared at him that whenever she wants to correct him, she makes sure she's far enough from him because he's so defensive and it'll look like he's going to jump on her. He could be a model for Bibbo hotdog because he keeps on talking even though our trainer is trying to explain something. Fine, ikaw na ang marunong but better shut up. It was my task to discuss about the remote control this afternoon and I wanted to aim the gadget at him to shut him off from our room. Worse, I wanted to bonk his head with something heavier. To top it all, he doesn't even speak good English. He's got b, v, p and f frovlems maybe because of his overbite. Add it with his usual misses on the sounded th, and subject verb disagreement. I just hate him.

Anyway, I had an argument with the guard today. The company has this strict policy of having our bags to be left at the guard. I just found out this afternoon that he stapled the stub ON the bag's sling instead of stapling it AROUND it. It buried a hole. I mean it's not big but I'm really OC with my things. Worse, instead of apologizing, he was sarcastic in asking me "San nyo po ba gustong ilagay ko yung papel? Alangan na man dito? (pointing to the leather part.)" I told him that I'm so delicate in handling my things and the least that he could do is to apologize and ask me politely how he could have done it. The other day, he accused me of mislabeling my cellphone that's why it's misplaced. WTF! I already told my trainer about him and I wanted him reprimanded. Why am I a magnet of these kinds of insecure security?

Ranting - The Comeback

I am back to work - as a call boy again in some company nearby. This morning, I had to wake up too early to attend a new-hire orientation. Training will officially start tomorrow but I sense that the company is practicing austerity measures that they want to save a few hours of discussing the company background, benefits and giving out some forms so that they could start the client specifics right away by tomorrow. I left the house at exactly 7am, the supposed meeting time as what was indicated by the text message. I thought to myself, why should I rush? This is unpaid? And the real McCoy will start tomorrow, including every minute of tardiness being recorded and deducted from the salary. Indeed, I was right. I came 30 minutes late and a couple of minutes after, the new-hire personnel started to discuss. Even he was not in the mood because he just arrived all the way from the province because of All Saints Day. Some people even came later than I did.

I displayed my usual image to everybody, the kind that nobody would dare talk with nor smile at. I was just showing a blank, intimidating face that wouldn't even give a grin to some jokes. I was just there. If somebody would ask, I'd give him a few words as an answer. I don't know when this kind of front would last. Ha ha!

After around 30 minutes, the site director spoke welcoming us. He said he pampers employees but he demands excellence. Something that we really could get along well with. He doesn't demand for OT, which is another plus. There are also several organizations in the company such as the photography group, basketball and volleyball teams, GLEE CLUB, and some others. He said we could approach him anytime if we want to organize another group. Time for public speaking because one of the HR's kept on saying uhms and ahs after almost every word. Ha ha ha!

Generally, I have a positive feeling with the company except that this wavemate is too noisy and I hate his voice. Add it with his poor sense in fashion (too colorful abstract and oversized shirt, loose black slacks and oogly BROWN shoes). Anyway, the company has a lot of promise like huge incentives, fame, house and lot and to top it all, having Cris Av*so as my lifetime partner. Why should I think of resigning?

-o00-

The annoying thing about being attracted to somebody is that you see her face in everything everywhere. It's like her face pops out of nowhere just like this music video I used to see when I was a kid.

Hurray!

Call me evil. Call me insensitive. Call me anything you want (e.g. handsome, hot, very hot). I would just like to express how ecstatic I am that finally, our past mayor, who had been reigning in our city for 12 years, is FINALLY dead.

Reports said that he finally succumbed to whatever complicated disease that he has. I really don't care about his illness. What I care for is the fact that he has fled out of my beloved city FOR GOOD. I don't feel sorry for his bereaved family. They've led the town for 15 years and that's a huge amount of money that have fed them and made them really fat.

I am happy for Butuan. I see the sunshine. I see hope. And I hope more that this would be the end of their supremacy (fingers crossed including my thumb that my hands look like that of a crab).

Another Wedding

Fe, Janice and I had a lot of fun last night attending 1Lt Owen Monato's wedding. The latter had been our classmate for only a year in high school, first year high to be exact. Her grandmother who's an owner of a high school in a rural place had her transferred which was a bummer. Owen is really one brilliant person and I really thought that her grandmom trashed her chances of honing her to her best potential. But then again, what matters is the now. She graduated from PMA and is working at the Airforce.

Owen was one of those I got to get close during my who-are-my-real-friends days in high school. She wasn't the one I bullied nor did she hurt me despite her size. She's one of those intelligent classmates who wasn't boastful of her brains but still emerged as one of the top 10 in the class and in fact, being able to be part of the Math Olympiad qualifiers who underwent the exam to represent the school. The last time I saw her was when she visited the school in senior high where I strolled around the campus in this magenta loose shirt and blue shorts and slippers. Ha ha ha! Ginawang extension ng bahay ang campus.

The other week, I was very surprised when I received an email from her asking for my physical address because she wanted to send me her wedding invitation. I thought she was just kidding but knowing her, she's a serious person (though she smiles and laughs a lot). She even told me to invite whoever classmates we had that I could drag to her wedding. Unfortunately, only Janice and Fe were able to make it. I am in no position to talk about etiquette but I think that being able to grace one's invitation is a way of thanking the host and showing one's gratitude of being invited. I mean not all people are privileged to be invited and unless you really are busy, the best way to showing one's gratitude is to accept the invitation. Personally, I feel bad when somebody I invite declines my invitation even for a very simple celebration like my birthday. So, even without a gift, I immediately said I could make it not thinking that I don't even have a single penny for my transportation. Thanks to Janice who's been very generous in paying for my fare.

It's my first time to get into the Iglesia ni Cristo church. I was very much excited to witness a wedding ceremony done under the INC rites but because of the very heavy traffic and the scarcity of buses going to Lipa, we reached the church during the picture-taking part already. What I missed most was the exchange of vows, where I want to feel the love between the couple regardless of their pronunciation and grammatical lapses. (Why are you reacting that way? I mean it.) Owen's gown was very simple. I applaud the designer for crafting something that suits her personality - simple and on the go. Romil's military attire make him look so snappy. They both look good together. Anyway, I thought the venue of the ceremony was rather small and unappealing but when we got to the reception, it was WOW! It's so spacious, so huge and really romantic.

When we got inside, Janice was awed at the cupcakes. I got distracted immediately by the host who, to begin with, made me unsure if she's a she, a he or an it. She was in her executive attire which made her appear more stiff, not to mention her bulging abdomen which is more distracting to my very critical eyes and eating-disorder mentality. Though I commend the wedding coordinators for being so strict with the guest list and really doing their job in making everybody feel comfortable and ensuring that things are handled well and spontaneously, they were dressed in black skirt and blazers which made them look inappropriately dressed for the occasion.

Speaking of inappropriately dressed, some guests should really know how to define formal, from semi-formal to informal. As a sign of courtesy to the one who invited, it's really proper for the guest to know what the proper attire is, and if there is some theme or what. Weddings are not just some kiddie party that we could show up in mamantelahin polo shirts, kukurtinahin blouses and denim pants.

I like the decoration. The flowers were simple chrysanthemums and baby's breath but some lilies and bromeliads made them look special. I even thought they're fake but when I touched one, I realized they're real and the scent even lingered on my hands. The food were great and were gracefully served by the so-called "well-trained staff." The snappy PNP and PMA swordsmen were terrific! The brasses "kartet" (quartet) was splendid though I think nobody could beat the piano and strings combined. But oh, that was a military band so why did I expect something? The wedding singer was great as well.

What awed me was the awesome job of the videographers and the photographers. Their prenup photos were simple but extraordinary. Their guestbook was like WHOA! I was even amazed by the video shown because some of the clips were taken just a few minutes ago and the editor was so quick in doing his job. Ang linis! The chapel didn't appear small.

I think the major flaw, or if there's a five-star general flaw, was the host. He/she/it was really distracting. Her lines don't sound conversational but rather scripted. Everything was too impersonal. I don't even think she had the chance to talk to the couple so that at least she would know what to say about them. If I were her, I would really get the audience to give the couple a round of applause in every number they presented. We are aware that Filipinos are generally boring audience so we need some force to make them react and listen to what we say. In addition, the tossing of the bouquet and garter was monopolized by the couple's batchmates, who, obviously, are not the only singles in the crowd. Duh! I am a single guy and Janice and Fe are two single ladies. Ha ha ha! One of my objectives in attending the wedding is to get the garter but I wasn't asked to go to the stage. Anyway, what the host could have done is to go to each table and check who the single individuals are. Isn't it that the more participants are, the merrier it could be? But seriously, as in seriously seriously, I want to get her as a host for my wedding because she entertained me the entire evening (e.g. BITING of the cake, FAI-delity, principal and secondary spon-SOARs... and of course the kids, and of course and of course, blah blah). My friends and co-TM's would surely have a great laugh the entire evening when she'll be the host for my wedding. Ha ha ha! Bad.

Anyway, I was very surprised when Owen told me that they had a very short preparation for the event. I would like to congratulate her and her husband, Romil Avenido (I don't know his rank) of the PNP for the successful wedding and for having their marriage most importantly.

Conceptualizer

December 11 is more than a month away but I'm already excited for the Area 3 Christmas Party! When Zaldy told me about it, I could imagine the sparkle in my bright eyes with that huge smile and a lot of ideas going through my mind. I've already told him that wearing red and/or green would be the easiest way to make people dress up. The party will also appear more festive in pictures because of the lively color. Yesterday, I sent an SMS to the president of GHP asking who in their club could sing Broadway songs. I already have an idea for that number. I also thought of having a rock presentation with the rockers of different clubs. Laurence asked if she could make a number for their club alone and I told her that would be fine but I told her that having the members perform in one number would be a lot better because it would encourage unity among clubs which will make the area-wide contest next year more of a showdown and fun instead of a real stiff competition.

I don't have anybody in mind yet to act as hosts but I'm really excited for this. AVP's here I come!

-o0o-

I'm still not giving up on the possibility that Janice will sign up for Toastmasters. I really think that her awesome writing skills will be enhanced when she'll be working on her speeches. I always tell Zaldy that she's great at writing and I don't praise people just for the heck of pulling their legs. I am aware that the mere fact that we're friends make her feel pressured but I promise I won't be her mentor, nor will be evaluating her speeches (except the last one). And I would be giving my constructive and truthful evaluation when I'll be doing that.

-o0o-

I miss doing the blog of the month. When can we do it again guys?

The Rebirth

I am happy that the party turned out great last night. Despite the bed weather, the heavy traffic and the time that flies that quickly (I should be aware that at this season, the clock ticks faster than any other part of the year as it was discussed in Earth Science when we were in first year high), the party started terribly late but I THINK (in my opinion), it turned out successful. The food were all great. Although some people were last minute no-shows, a lot of them were able to come and party with us and I would like to thank them very much.

Unfortunately, Jaja and I weren't able to rehearse our number. I was so much consumed with editing the videos that I wasn't able to write the script nor rehearse my solo part for Tita Liza (all because Cameron doesn't want to sing a ballad as part of the tribute for her) that's why I really messed up. Enough of being defensive. I really suck at singing. Ha ha ha! But I appreciate Tita Liza appreciating our tribute to her. That's something that I really love in her. She's so appreciative even with very simple things like that.

The supposed finale of the guys singing and dancing *NSync wasn't done. I think I had enough of the humiliation that I decided not to sing anymore. I might be blamed for the bad weather. Ha ha ha!

Nevertheless, I'm so happy that they liked the videos I made. It's the least that I could do to make the celebrators happy. They couldn't believe that I was able to ask a video greeting from no less than the next second VP of Toastmasters International. At least it's a good way of leaving an etch in their hearts that somehow, some noisy and hyper-active individual had exerted his efforts pestering all those people to make video greetings of themselves, browsing YouTube for clips of some celebrities greeting them, stalking their Facebook accounts for some pictures that I could use, thinking of the appropriate scores, and putting all the materials together. It's my way of parting from the club in a high note. It was just so high that I decided not to tell them that I'm leaving. I don't want all the drama and shit. I'll just be spoiling the evening which would really be a bummer. I'm not some old melodramatic person who would ruin all the fun because of being self-centered and all. At least, I exited in a very happy mood. Well I was just kidding. I can't leave CAMANAVA! I might be able to break-up with a girl but not with CAMANAVA. Ha ha ha ha!

Next Picture

Jaja and I will be hosting "The Rebirth," The Re-chartering Anniversary of CAMANAVA Brunch Toastmasters Club on October 23 at The Fortress⁺. We will be doing a song-and-dance medley on our opening and we haven't rehearsed yet so good luck. Ha ha ha! With our tandem alone, I'm sure it will really be fun. It won't be some normal TM meeting with the usual handshake and "round of applause please all the way" thingy. There will be a lot of surprises.

Did I say that the boys and that includes me will also be doing an *NSync performance as our finale? I'm excited. Ha ha!

The POSTER has a different version. Might as well comment which looks better.

+ - Zaldy's place at Sta. Mesa Heights

Social Networking

The birth of Facebook and Twitter made lazy people lazier. Thank goodness to mini-blogs which made people of less words type lesser words. For a few months, I was addicted to the former, posting my rantings multiple times a day. I loved the attention I got whenever comments start treading. There were even instances when I intentionally post provocative statuses so that people couldn't keep themselves from posting their comments. That makes me realize that I am suffering from attention deficiency.

But after a while, I grew tired of doing it. With the limited number of characters that one has to post, it impedes the expressionism in me. I suck at brevity and I feel I am less misunderstood if I soak my articles with my lengthy nature. Though there are only a few people who read my blogs, at least I am a little secure because only those people who I trust know its URL unless I have carelessly given it to somebody or that one curious and resourceful individual has checked Google.

Lately, I have observed that people have been seeing the existence of those social networking sites in a very different perspective to the point of abusing them. For weeks, I had read some statuses which are beyond rantings - something that talks about hatred, some drama and shit which shouldn't be accessed by ALL people. Sure it's a form of expression but it's not really a healthy thing for a person to read somebody's very negative statement when he opens his account. Though I admit that I'm guilty of contributing to this world hate, I don't remember posting in my wall something like "I HATE YOU EFFIN PERSON" or "PINAASA MO LANG AKO PI KA!" Oh yeah, I remember one. I just posted that about that insignificant it and telling it that it's doomed and stuff like that. I regret doing that act. But you know, I'm talking about something more serious.

Last week, I saw my friend's fiancee's status telling him that they are over and stuff like that. I called my friend and clarified things and he said things were just blown out of proportion. What made him mad is that some simple and petty issues like theirs were already broadcast publicly in the whole world-wide web that people, including those who are not even that close to them, have been diving into their private matters, which just worsened the case. A day after, they've made peace with each other (Whoa! That made us scared thinking that we might not be able to wear our rock attire for their wedding.)

Secondly, there are also couples who exchange their I love you's in their walls. I know I'm being a cynic again but then again, isn't it that love is not proud? Don't they know that there is a private message option in Facebook? Don't they have cellphones to text their loved ones instead? I know I sound like I'm envious because my life is like Coke - zero. But don't these people appreciate personal touch that they don't write each other cards or love letters anymore? Hay. Technology is making this world less lovely.

Sa 'Yo Lamang

After 10 years of waiting, Director Laurice Guillen has finally come up with another movie that centers around the basic unit of the society - the family. What made it more relate-able to the Filipino viewers is that it talks about love, hatred and forgiveness among family members which comprise the main ingredient of the most favorite genre of our race - mucus-stimulating melodrama that won't stop one's lacrimal glands from producing tears continuously.

The Cinema Evaluation Board gave it an A Grade which is not surprising perhaps because of hype, the name of the director and the film outfit that produces the movie. But personally, I think that it's just an ordinary film talking about a father who came back after after leaving them for a long time for another woman. Their mother, Lorna Tolentino, accepts him with open arms but the eldest child, Bea Alonzo lives in rage against him creating a conflict between the members. The second child, Coco Martin enjoys his Dad's company while the third and fourth children, Enchong Dee and Miles Ocampo, respectively, couldn't connect with him since they were too young when he left them. Then as expected, each member of the family has to adjust with the new set-up, causing a rift between the eldest daughter and her Mom.

What made the story more complicated is the presence of some other characters and other conflicts like the love triangle between Bea, Zanjoe and Diether, the so-so pacute-cute puppy love of Miles Ocampo and this other ugly Going Bulilit kid, Enchong's friendship-turned romantic love for Lauren Young and the much talked about five-second love scene of Coco and Shaina Magdayao. This ensemble syndrome causes lackluster performances of the actors and resulting to poor build up of their characters when those don't necessarily have to be there. The problem with us is that we cast so many stars to make the movie appear big to the point that the story loses its focus from the main idea, and in this case, the family.

I wasn't surprised with the ending of the movie because I know the cast prior to viewing it and so far I hadn't seen Empress Shuck yet so while Lorna and Bea where in the revelation stage, I already knew what Empress' character is and I wasn't wrong. What's funny is that there's that Laurice trademark that the lights are getting brighter as the character is already dying making his face appear sabog like Gloria Romero's scene in "Tanging Yaman" where she accepted the holy communion.

All in all, it's just a movie and I'd still love all Filipinos to watch it so that we could also help the local movie industry and encourage the filmmakers to keep on creating movies. I'd say I give three stars for the values it teaches the viewers but honestly, Laurice and the writers could have done better than that.

P.S.
As a Photoshop addict, I should know if the family portrait used in the poster is real or not. It appears that the actors' had their solo photos separately taken and assembled together to make it appear that they had a group picture. He he he. Look at Boyet's foot which appears floating.

The Second Wedding

This picture won't give justice to the one I've felt during the entire ceremony. I've realized romanticism still resides in my cynical hypothalamus. After all the tears I cried, I am still in love with love.

I will be posting my looooooooong review of the wedding once my mind would start working. As to the question when would it be, I don't know. Ha ha ha! But I will surely be writing about it.

As of now, I'm pretty exhausted. I'm getting sleepy and dizzy every hour and I need to recharge. Feed me. Ha ha!

Major Major

William Baldwin: What is the one big mistake that you did in your life? And what did you do to make it right?

Venus Raj: In my 22 years of existence, there is nothing major, major problem that I have done in my life. Because I am very confident with my family and the love they are giving to me. So thank you so much.

I wasn't really impressed with her answer. Among those questions given, this is the easiest one because it's something that could be drawn from a personal experience, from the heart, from something that one has felt. Unfortunately, our candidate failed to nail it. The moment I heard her answer the question, I already had accepted that she won't be the queen but I still hoped that she would win.

What happened these past two days have been a rollercoaster ride to us, Filipinos. Yesterday was a drama full of shit by this police officer who was so foolish by taking some foreigners as hostage. He could have just climbed on top of a billboard or perhaps use those useless craps called squatters as hostages. Add it with his brother and the latter's daughter who were successful enough in taking the limelight and took advantage of their much-awaited exposure. It's just a shame that a fault of one Filipino taints the entire nation. I also think that some of those shots were from stray bullets caused by the lack of skill of these so-called snipers.

This morning, I was able to watch the pageant real-time as it was broadcast via the internet. Thanks to the world-wide web that I didn't have to watch ABS-CBN and be drowned by numerous advertisements. Honestly, I started being pessimistic when the 10 semi-finalists were called. But when our country was announced as the 15th semifinalist, tension built up in me. Swimsuit and gown rounds followed. Philippines made through to the top five.

Then the question and answer. The so dreaded round that people, especially Filipinos are eying on, being too critical with the content, grammar and pronunciation.

If she answered that in a Toastmasters meeting, I'd say that there isn't any correct nor wrong answer anyway. But there is a wrong comprehension of the question. I commend her for standing there with utmost grace, poise and elegance. I didn't feel the nervousness in her face. I like the timbre of her voice. It could have been better had she really analyzed the question more. She could have played with it in a way that she won't sound self-righteous and that her answer won't be more of a series of greetings. She could have just answered it right away by saying that she couldn't have been where she is right now had she not been able to commit those mistakes. Or perhaps cite one mistake and then turn it around by seeing the lesson from that experience because after all, there are no mistakes in life, only lessons learned. Nevertheless, she made us proud as Filipinos. Advancing to top 15 is no easy feat walking in high heels, skimpy two-piece swimsuits and that hideous silver huge gown that might get attracted to a magnet. She has somehow slightly redeemed the bad image that we created yesterday. And I salute you for your "Major, major" performance.

As for those bashers who keep on saying that "Sayang" or that Venus is so stupid, you better shut up. It's not easy to be on stage. Had it been you who were up there, you won't even qualify for the top 15 so better be happy for her. At least she sort of redeemed us from the shame that we've gone through yesterday.

The "Major, major" thing isn't stupid. Not even foolish. Ignorance must have told those people that such expression sounds so lame but no. If you mean what you say, utter it twice. I say "Thank you, thank you" when I really mean it. Only sensitive people appreciate that.

Thank you Venus! You've really really got it.

Beauty Queen

I love the look of my facebook newsfeed this week. MOST of my friends changed their profile photos to their favorite cartoon characters when they were still children. Some did not follow the instruction that they posted a picture of a cartoon character when they were already grown-ups but what the heck? As long as there are cartoon characters, that's going to be fun.

The original campaign goes like this:

Change your facebook profile picture to a cartoon from your childhood and invite your friends to do the same. Until monday there should be no human faces on facebook, but an invasion of memories. This is for violence against children.

And with a creative Toastmaster friend, he changed it to:

Because I care about the welfare of children and do want to contribute to protect them from any type of abuse, I willingly changed my profile picture to a favorite cartoon character from childhood. I hope you will do the same...or else, your human face might be mistaken ... as a cartoon character. Ha ha ha!

That was highly effective because most of the people changed their profile pictures after then.

Then a high school friend, after ruthless criticizing some high school characters' appearance and Facebook posts, asked me:

Mai: How will changing our profile pictures into cartoon characters help prevent violence against children?

Me: It has a psychological effect. Seeing these cartoon characters will carry us to a retrospective journey, reminding us that once, we were also children, and that we wanted to be happy, we had shallow dreams, we appreciated simple things, we showed what love is in the best that we could and realizing this will make us think that the children of today also have to feel the things that we felt and the ideas that we thought of and this will make us not hurt them but instead love them with all our hearts. Since the children are the hope of our nation, the next generation will be full of love. And with that, there will be world peace. I thank you!

What makes an effective and winning answer in beauty pageants is to pinch the audience's hearts by including the the words love, children, nation and of course world peace. Ha ha!

Botch, Shuses and Stakings

While one's hair is his crowning glory (which I unfortunately lost after a few months of being a call boy) , his footwear are his stepping goodies. Being a person who is so highly critical, who studies people from head to toe, I really can't help but notice them from their hairstyle (or hair loss in my case) and hair color, to their beautiful or oogly faces, to the cohesive clothes to the floral blouse and printed pants (the so-called astronauts), and yes, one of the my gazillion pet peeves - their footwear.

Just a disclaimer, I'm not a fashionista. I have my own share of "what am I wearing" moments but I'm more of a safe casual person than a fashion-forward fashionably daring one. In the first place, I don't want to be noticed only because of my physical attributes but because they know me as a person.

These are the things that irritate me and when I say I'm irritated, I want to approach that person, take off what he's wearing, throw it, ruin it, have one truck run over it, or burn it. Worse, I want to stab that person to death so that he would bleed and liters of blood will flow down to what he's wearing. Morbid huh?! That's the reason I changed my blogsite. I don't want to be criminally liable though I know now that plain planning of an act does not constitute an overt act, thus, no crime has been committed yet. But I'd better be on the safe side.

• Boots - I call them botch for some reason that I don't know. My best girl friend endured months of being ruthlessly criticized because of her oogly botch. I even told her that I wanted to throw them away or put them on fire. I could not stand the unappealing chunky heels and the unflattering tip of the footwear. I believe that one can have good pair of boots by simply choosing the right style and it's even difficult to find one in shoe stores, how much more in ukay-ukays? Furthermore, I really think that there are only a few people who could pull off wearing boots - and those are the ones with long, slender legs, not like Charisse who's chunky and short, cutting her short legs shorter. And my God, Philippines is too hot to have boots worn everyday. Unless you're a celebrity or again, you really look good with boots. Other than that, better wear ...

• Havaianas - The first time I saw this brand made me think, "Okay, they're just like the usual 50-peso Spartan rubber sandals I'm wearing at home minus the very expensive name and the high price." I feel it's impractical to wear this brand because it just looks ordinary. Only a few people in the province appreciates this because people are more into aesthetics and not into brands. It's not even that soft. The only advantage that I know is that it lasts because my friend told me that her dog tried biting her pair of Havaianas but there weren't any bite marks traced on her footwear. I'm not that rich and curious to to try that with my dogs. And Bleach is not a bad dog to be biting anything he sees.

• Crocs - My initial impression on this brand was - bulldozer. I would only wear it when I'll go swimming in a beach full of corals so that I won't have another [very] close encounter with another sea urchin and be hospitalized and undergo surgery because of its deadly and transparent spines. Some friends tell me that it's so comfortable to one's feet but my slippers are comfortable so why should I try another one?

• Brown Shoes - Brown is the color I least like. I find it being worn by old people. I only had a pair of brown shoes to pair up with my khaki pants because khaki and anything with tint of brown is better worn with brown shoes (and belt). A lot of men I see wear brown shoeses [sic] with black pants which hurts my eyes. I want to bring that leather dye (lang king) and wipe it to those brown shoes. Ha ha ha! So bad! I see one in the class who does that. Ha ha ha! Another sign of bitterness. I've observed that fashion crime since first week of class but I still didn't dare to tell him. Who am I to do that? I'm not a legitimate stylist.

• Stockings - Although they are helpful to prevent varicose veins, they shouldn't be worn with open-toe sandals. Isn't the purpose of wearing open toes to show the toes and the newly-pedicured toenails? One more thing. Could girls have the decency to clean their feet when they wear sandals? I really think that hygiene starts with one's feet. If a girl takes care of her feet well, how much more does she take good care of the other parts of her body? (wink)

These and more than these are a few of the things I hate to see. I know I still have a lot of things observed but my memory degradation is preventing me from recalling them. I might write a part 2 of this once I remember them. You might have some things to add. I would surely appreciate it.

Reactive

Ladies and gentlemen, I'm back to the same me - the one who keeps on complaining. And here's the letter that I sent to the principal concerning my niece's teacher who appears incompetent to me.

December 14, 2009


(name of principal)
Principal
Butuan City SPED Center
A.D. Curato Street, Butuan City


Dear Madam:

This is with regard to the complaints that I would like to be heard by your office towards (name of teacher) who is my niece’s teacher in Kinder II PM.

My mother should have personally seen you as early as July but since we told her to give the teacher some time to improve, and the child to adjust, as well, we thought of deferring this but little did we know that this case is already getting worse.

These are the things that I would like to comment on the teacher:

1. She does not know how to motivate. The child’s nanny and I had been informed by the teacher that my niece fails to do some writing activities. When asked what she had done regarding this problem, she said she did nothing because she doesn’t want to get old scolding the pupils. I grew up seeing teaching as a noble profession which entails passion, patience and understanding and not some faux occupation rejecting the possibility of being deglamourized and her very lame excuse is a manifestation that she doesn’t have the capacity to handle challenges of being a teacher.

As a product of SPED, I decided to transfer my niece to your school thinking that there would be a higher leap regarding her training which would prepare her for grade one but I was totally disappointed with what I have observed. When I saw her report card, I was dissatisfied with her grades. Sure that they are based on the child’s outputs but shouldn’t we also consider the teacher’s methods which affect the child’s enthusiasm? Tracing my niece’s records, she emerged first honors from her former school and I could well remember how zealous she was in doing every assignment that was given to them. Now, she doesn’t feel motivated to go to school everyday.

I am not fortunate enough to have taken child psychology but my common sense tells me that in every child, there is a different method that would be applied to him. Preschool teachers play a vital role in the child’s learning process because they are the ones who see the child’s potentials and work on his points of improvements. Having failed to do this role weakens the child’s capacity to reach his potential level as a learner. These children may have reached their age of reason but they still don’t know what the outcome is if they won’t do what their teacher instructs them to do and this is where proper motivation enters.

In addition, I think that the second section of their report card wherein their physical activities are being rated is very subjective. How could the teacher just give her satisfactory marks in her writing ability when the child knows how to write without models? Let me point out that those are about the abilities and not the willingness of the child as the questions start with “Can” and not “Will.”

2. She needs to be reminded that she is a public servant. Quoting her, “I am only paid to teach 20 pupils.” This statement then leads me questioning where her sense of professionalism is. I am just wondering how she was able to muster all the guts to deliver that line infront of the pupils’ parents. As what I know, even teachers in FL have more than 20 pupils. Now what does that make the teachers in some public schools who deal with more than 40 students?

3. She does not have a sense of professionalism. I had learned that she had endorsed her pupils to another teacher more than a couple of times because she had to rehearse for their performance for the teachers’ day. I understand that she doesn’t want to put her terpsichorean skills into corrosion but isn’t she paid during those hours that she has been dancing? Should there be a need to showcase a magnificent number on that special day, she, together with the others, should be doing it after school hours where our kids’ well-being is not being jeopardized.

Though she had been directed by the District Supervisor, as according to her, to prioritize the dance practice and that she had properly endorsed these innocent and clueless children to another teacher, shouldn’t she be held liable for any accidents that might occur during the time that she is supposed to be with them?

4. She does not reply to our messages. There had been numerous instances where we sent her short messages asking for confirmation about the child’s assignments, matters that were agreed upon during emergency meetings where we were not even aware about and class suspensions but she never replied to any single one of them. In addition, there had been times when there were no classes but she failed to inform us beforehand, wasting our time and money in coming to school. Had she been proactive enough, she would have gone an extra mile to inform the parents via SMS should there be short notices on meetings and class suspensions.

5. She does not meet the standards of a SPED teacher. Granting without accepting that the preschool does not follow the standards of SPED, you still couldn't blame as for expecting a lot from it because it is part of the SPED Center and it will always be part of the entire entity as one SPED center. Else, it should be abolished or be founded separately. During short conversations with Ms. (teacher) and during PTA meetings, I had observed many grammatical lapses (e.g. “Irregard” instead of “with regard” and incomplete sentences like “You should pay your monthly.”) and interchanging short and long vowel sounds which does not serve as a good example to the children. These simple imperfections greatly affect the child’s foundation in learning which saddens me a lot because a teacher’s incompetence leads to a poor education system that contributes to the problems that are eating up our country today.

In addition, I saw her several times indiscreetly combing her hair and powdering her face in public when there is supposed to be a restroom where she could do her beauty rituals.


Madam Principal, I really think that matters such as these need to be addressed as soon as possible. These are not only my sole observations but of some parents, as well, who, the nanny, had the chance of talking with.

I genuinely believe in the quality of education your center offers to the students and I still believe that the teachers are moulders of golden brains that is why I am giving this feedback in order for the good reputation of SPED to not be tainted but instead maintain its credibility as an institution of excellence as I respectfully remain,



Very sincerely,


Me as usual

It's My Burthday!

Okay. So I'm already 28, single, broke and in the middle of the limbo. But right now, I'm okay. Happy even. Finally, after almost 28 years in the Philippines, I'm able to go to another country - Thailand. Though it's been only for three short days, at least I've been there and that's what's important to me.

Right now, I surely won't say I'm contented with my life. Since when have I been contented anyway? I just want to land on a job that I would like. Being an engineer is out. A callboy is so out. Being a priest is somewhat considerable. Ha ha! All I just want is to let people hear a good, logical and brief sermon... and of course me having great food always.

Seriously, I've realized that it's my childhood dream to become a lawyer. My aunt reminded me how I used to passionately scribble on used cigarette reams. I even have a picture of a barely one-year old me crying when the pen ran out of ink. My aunt used to ask me when I was a preschooler what I wanted to be when I grow up and I said I wanted to be a lawyer.

I also remember the incident when my cousins and I called this radio station announcer to check what's in store for us through numerology. We were doing it just for fun but the radio announcer seemed credible with what he was saying. The right jobs for me are being a writer or an attorney. I cannot make writing as my source of income. I mean, duh, I'm not one excellent writer. I just know how but I am not at par with those great writers I know.

So is being a lawyer the right one? I won't know until I won't try. I'm still 28 anyway.

MS Lives on

The "trip" from the church to the cemetery took more than nine hours. I can't bear that. My back would surely ache. I would have reached Ilocos already.

As for the ceremony, it's when I learned to appreciate Kris' sincerity in her speech. I ALMOST cried (darn, I'm very much insensitive nowadays). I was touched with Lea's patriotic rendition of "Bayan Ko" which really blew me away. Regine had "The Prayer's" Italian lyrics changed to English so that she won't mess up, which I appreciated more than doing the wrong thing. And I totally got lost with Piolo Pascual's number. Fine, it's the eagerness to sing for the late president that matters most.

-o0o-

I'm currently on my advanced communications track and I'm on my fourth speech in the interpretive reading manual. It's like I'm going back to my literature years where I read Khuswant Singh's "Karma" in the short story project, Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven" for poetry and "Valjean's Soliloquy" from the play "Les Miserables" for monodrama.

Last night, I got to present a play. And in coherence to our theme "Country Service" it's time to pay homage to the Filipino artists who have made our country proud for dominating in this play - "Miss Saigon." God! The time alloted for the project is 13-15 minutes which really made me combine "Who's in Town" and "You Will Not Touch Him" portions of the musical. And since it is indeed a musical, I got to sing the entire piece since it would be so weird to have them spoken.

Though I knew in myself that I really messed up, knowing that Toastmasters evaluations gives positive feedback with some points of improvement, they found it great. Besides, having the nerve to act out those three characters while singing in different pitch, in front of some people is already an achievement. I just needed proper pacing since they've also observed that I was rushing to finish the performance. Nevertheless, it was okay - not great as according to them. And I'm happy that it's over and that I could move on to the next project - the oratorical speech. Which should I choose, Obama's or Cory's inaugural speech?

Tita Cory

I grew up not looking at her with high regard. She's not a hotshot president. Her presidency had a lot of coups, the economy was down, and brown outs. To begin with, I live in a family where an authoritarian leader rules - my mom - who's a loyalist to Marcos.

Honestly I was just apathetic about her death. I mean it's sad that she passed away, but okay, at least it ended her suffering. I wasn't really affected... until this evening when I heard a portion of the necrological service.

A few days ago, people along Ayala Avenue had fallen yellow confetti along the street. TV specials were named "Salamat Tita Cory." If GMA will die, same thing might happen - there will be confetti and there are also TV specials entitled "Salamat Papa Jesus."

Seriously, people address her as Tita Cory not because she's related to them by blood. Being a president with the big heart, she had been the mother of the country for six years. And Tita, because she has been a symbol of a perfect mother for us - showering that unconditional love inspite and despite of all our imperfections.

To you Tita Cory, thank you and God bless. May you continue to pray for our country... and may you poke the head of that old dwarf woman.

Chirping

I'm trying this new fad called "Twitter" and see how it feels to be a celebrity (celebrities do it here). I must say it's easy and user-friendly. However, what I don't like in it is that it has a lot of limitations - the appearance of the page, one can't post a picture, and the number of characters one could type. Brevity is not really my thing so I have a hard time capsulizing my ideas.

As of this moment, I still don't have any follower, and if there would be one, I'm sure it's just a spammer and I don't encourage you to follow me either because... just because you won't like it.

Artist Wannabe

I've been to Cebu for more than two weeks and with a lot of things that had happened there beyond my control, one of them was having my camera lens damaged, I decided to bring the work here. And I was so embarrassed to learn that the entire corporation (I think it is) was the one who spent for my fare to and from Cebu. Given with the pressure that I can make a good print ad, plus the limitations of materials, I have to make it work. Here's what I decided to do. I hope this is acceptable. I don't know. I'm not confident with my work.

What can you say? I respect honesty. Be mean and harsh if you have to.

P.S.

Let me also take this opportunity to promote the said store. Biaño's Homemade Pizza is obviously a pizza business. It sells pizzas starting at 90 pesos (I think) up. Trust me, they really taste well and they're not expensive. Just don't overeat because it will lead you weak. He he. Call them at 3479677 or 09223636872 for deliveries. You may also visit their store at A.S. Fortuna Avenue, Mandaue City, situated beside KUMON and found near Shell gasoline station.

Kiddie Meal

Is my reflection totally different from what people actually see?

It's what crossed my mind when one child, a two-year old girl perhaps, looked at me, smiled, and laughed when I looked back at her. She kept on laughing while I was just looking at her with a blank stare. I thought to myself, is there a big letter L written on my forehead?

Then I remembered my experience in Cebu where, while inside the car, my friend's sister's nine-month old baby only stopped crying and went to sleep after I started singing while using the rattle as the accompaniment. He kept on crying while his mom was the one singing for him. Weird.

Then the one-year old cousin of that child also got closer to me than to her Aunt, who's that friend of mine, and learned a few English words from me like "yucks" with that gesture of putting one's index finger in the mouth and acting as if she's vomiting. She also said "NO!" when my friend asked to borrow her shoes, which, she calls "shoeses" after she heard it from me. Am I really that influential?

Of course, my nephews and niece who are so close to me. My niece would even tell my Mom that she's going to make sumbong to me because her Lola scolded her. And when my sister calls, they would often say, "Is that Uncle calling?"

I am vocal about how I don't like kids but these things make me think that I have given the passion and compassion to them, just unconsciously. Which really makes me ask, "Handa na ba ako'ng maging ama?" Ha ha ha.

MRT

Palagi ka ba'ng sumasakay sa MRT? Kung ang sagot mo ay "Oo," malamang naririnig mo ang mga impormasyo'ng paulit-ulit na pinapatugtog. Kung ikaw ay tao;ng mapagmasid, mapapansin mo'ng karamihan sa mga trivia na ito ay Pilipino o Pilipinas ang bida. Halos lahat ng mga ito ay nagsisimula sa parirala'ng "Alam niyo ba..." at sa kalagitnaan nito ay may malaking "PERO."

Halimbawa:

• Alam niyo ba na ang bansa'ng Pilipinas ay binanggit sa bibliya? PERO....
  
• Alam niyo ba'ng matinik sa mga babae ang mga Pilipino?
  
• Alam niyo ba'ng ang pinakamatamis na prutas na naitala sa Guinness Book of World Records ay nasa Guimaras?
  
• Alam niyo ba'ng ang tagasulat ng (pangalan ng Amerikano'ng Pangulo) ay isa'ng Pilipino? PERO....

Ipinagmamalaki talaga natin ang ati'ng bansa. Mayroon lamang akong idadagdag.

Alam niyo ba'ng noo'ng panahon ay ang Pilipinas ang pinakamalaki'ng bansa sa buo'ng mundo? PERO dahil sa nangyari'ng Great Flood, lumiit na lamang ito at naging pulu-pulo. Pagkahupa ng baha, naging mga bansa'ng Tsina, Estados Unidos at Hapon and malalaki'ng bahagi nito.

'Di ba ang saya?

-o0o-

Too much about that Filipino stuff, I am pairing two single friends who, I think, are compatible with each other. She's a pianist who doesn't want another musician/artist because of mood swings, kind of funny, sweet, nice and very patient youngest daughter. He's a licensed engineer who is so devoted to his job, has a business, a very responsible son, a strict older brother, and quite serious with mostly everything. The problem is he's a devoted Catholic and she's a Protestant. He's in Cebu while she's in Manila and will be flying soon to Pennsylvania for her doctorate. Will my plan be realized? Let's see what will happen to Ian and Michelle.

Adios Kiko

I shouldn't be affected by his death because I'm not really a big fan. Sure, I used to memorize the entire "Mga Kababayan" when I was still in grade school but I never had any moment where I really looked up to him. Fine, I couldn't help but be envious with his high-bridged, narrow-nostril nose and I even thought that he's been suffering from Peter Pan syndrome because he's getting younger. And hell yeah, he's too privileged to become an MTV VJ even if he was above 25 years old (the cut-off age for VJ hunt), or should I say it's MTV who's too lucky to have him. Darn. He he.

It's my luck to have met him personally during my "guesting" in Eat Bulaga where he was the one who asked me to sing a part of "Kami nga mga Butuanon" and gave me the question about my favorite fish - tuna.

Battling with cancer is surely a tough task to do and who are we to question God when everyone of us is only living our own borrowed lives? Sooner or later, everyone has to go. At least Kiko didn't have to struggle with the pain the Big C had to cause him.

God bless you Kiko!

What Now TMZ?

On the other episode of this TV show that I really hate because of its ugly host and contributors who don't deserve to star on a TV show (I think they're the American Christy and Jobert), they have shifted their attention to the kid stars of "Slumdog Millionaire" giving advice on how to act properly on the red carpet. Duh! Have they been invited ever to an awards ceremony in the first place to share a "helpful" advice? These are kids for Christ's sake and as far as I know, though it's obvious that they've been excited and overwhelmed to have walked on the red carpet and rub elbows with big Hollywood stars, they just behaved appropriately.

And as for their statement saying that these children have gotten in the US and toured in Disneyland but will be back as slumdogs once they're back in India, they deserve to be really slapped. One, though I'm not a child lover, it's not really nice to be hitting on these kids. Second, news say that they've already been given their new homes. So, what now?

Blog of the Month - Showbiz Predictions 2009

Kong Hei Fat Choi!

It's the year of the Ox and I've just learned from a Feung Shui expert in one of the Toastmaster meetings that I've attended that I will be lucky this year. Perhaps I just need to wait a little longer for me to get a better job.

Anyway, let me set this straight that this topic is totally not my idea. Ha ha! And I don't possess a single Watt of psychic power in my blood. This is just for fun so don't take me seriously.

• Another young actress will get impregnated due to premarital sex.
  
• Another actor will pass away.
  
• Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes will finally admit their relationship.
  
• Vicki Belo and Hayden Kho will be back in each others arms. Then they'll split. And get back together again. And the cycle goes round and round. Hayden will realize that his narcissism needs him to be worshiped by girls, old women and gay guys, thus, he will re-enter showbiz.
  
• Kapuso stars will jump over the fence and be a Kapamilya and the other way around. It's a career move.
  
• GMA and ABS-CBN's claim to be the number one network will still continue.
  
• Oh my God! Another sequel of Shake Rattle and Roll.
  
• Another non-singer will release his album.
  
• One more dance album.
  
• Lutuan issues on awards nights.
  
• Couples will get married. Married ones will separate.

Saan Darating ang Umaga

I was a preschooler when I first watched this movie and I must admit that it made me cry. It was my first time to hear the word "ampon" which made me think that I was an adopted child whenever my mom would punish me. He he. Anyway, like several movies that I loved, this flick has also been put into television which, again, made me feel mad about the idea. My rigid personality tells me that if the writers couldn't really stick to the same plot, make the title totally different and just specify in the credit "Adapted from the movie/book 'Blah Blah'."

• Maricel Soriano originally played the role of Shayne who is a bratinella, sosyal and Englishera sexy girl. Yasmien Kurdi reprised the role who looks like a maid in her clothes, doesn't possess elegance, jologs even when delivering those English lines (teraphy duh) and is fat.
  
• In the movie, Nestor de Villa and Nida Blanca played as Ruben and Lorie, respectively. It's undeniable that they have the chemistry. On TV, Joel Torre and Lani Mercado play the part of the couple. The former looks like the father of the latter.
  
• The cute Jaypee de Guzman played the orphaned boy, Joel, in the movie. He's charming, thin, and doesn't just cry but acted his part well, which, as far as I know, gave him several acting awards for this role. People could really feel for his being an underdog and all. In the TV version, it's Jacob Montes who gets the character - healthy, mestizo, still cute but doesn't look realistic enough for the role.
  
• The coño role of Raul landed to Raymund Lauchengco. Then there's Dion Ignacio in the TV version who couldn't pull the character off. Add it to his several scenes wherein he has to be shirtless showing his bulging tummy.
  
• A lot of characters to make the whole story as magulo as lugaw making the lead characters' life crazy as hell.

Surely, my life is as exciting as watching these kinds of trashes almost everyday, aside, of course, from doing my laundry or sleeping, or eating everything to my heart's content. I've even figured out that my stomach composes 90% of my body causing my very low IQ since it's not allowing my brain to get enough oxygenated blood.

Riddle

January 26, 2009 while watching the teaser of "My Dad is Better than Your Dad."

Paolo: Heto na si Kaka, bubuka-bukaka.

Thinkerthird: Unsa'y answer, zipper?

Jancieus: Pacman!

Ha ha! I've checked the answer and found out that it's "gunting" which was Janice's second answer anyway. Happy birthday Jan!

GMRC

Fairview-Cubao Jeepney, March 31, 2008

Bayad

Lagro-Delta Jeepney, January 14, 2009

Debede, Debede

DVD stall, Ever Commonwealth, January 10, 2009

Bisdak

Commonwealth Avenue, January 10, 2009

Nothing's for Free

Found along Quezon Avenue corner Banaue, June 7, 2008

"The Secret" Disciple

Found on the MRT, December 4, 2008

Madre Sandals

I hope this wouldn't be taken as a disrespect. I spent more than ten years of my life living across the convent of nuns. As a Catholic, I've had several encounters with nuns as well and as far as what my observation tells me, these are the kind of shoes that they wear.

I don't think four-inch stilettos are that expensive. In fact, these kinds of sandals shown in the picture are not cheap either so why not be fashionable while following their vow of poverty?

Sylvester Stallone

Photo studio, Makati City, January 16, 2009

Deceased

Marikina City, January 11, 2009

Pares Pares

Along Commonwealth Avenue, January 10, 2009

Parehas lang 'Ta Bai

Along Baan Highway, Butuan City

Welcome Indiana Jones

Taken at the Butuan City Airport

An Evening in December

Last night, my friends and I watched Nova Mancao-Ramirez in her benefit concert at the Almont Inland Resort. I, somehow, had a nice time - being with friends and picture-taking. Here are the uppers and downers:

UPPERS

• It is a benefit concert. Some people are still generous enough to share their talent for the sake of those streetchildren.
  
• The venue was okay. It was my first time to get into Almont Inland and I wasn't disappointed. The stage was simple but classy.
  
• The ticket looks good. Nova looks like Abegail Arenas there.
  
• Their male singers, especially the one who sang in "Miss Saigon," and "The Phantom of the Opera" medleys and "A Whole New World" deserve an applause - a roaring applause from the crowd. "Why God Why?" should have been sung with much intensity as it's the kind of emotion being warranted from the song.
  
• The dancer who had to do his own drama when putting up the set. He really ammused me.
  
• Marvin Gayramon is still Marvin Gayramon. No debate about it. And it's nice to hear that he's going back to school.
  
• Nova's dresses are nice.
  
• Butuan has artists! Wow!

DOWNERS

• The well-modulated voice-over person needs a thorough editing of his script. I know that he's a Pinoy and even a person in Butuan so why have the foreign twang when pronouncing those local names? And we're there to watch the concert and not listen to his frequent advertisement of those foods [sic] and drinks being sold at the counter.
  
• Though I love the repertoire since it contains mostly of Broadway songs, I was mad at how they interpreted the songs. Joanna and I couldn't help but look at each other with raised brows whenever she "murders" some of our favorite songs like in "Miss Saigon" and "The Phantom of the Opera."
  
• Nova often falls flat because she clenches her teeth. That also made her fail to enunciate the words properly making the long /a/ sound like long /e/.
  
• Her staccato part at the Phantom medley wasn't really neat. She should have cut that part out.
  
• That cute girl Nova had a duet with reminds me of Sharon's kids who have to go down of their normal comfortable pitch to make the frontline singer sing with ease.
  
• Marvin needs to be reminded that he's got a big head and that closed neck would emphasize his head. His pants and shirt would only work with tuxedo and boat tie with it, which were missing. He could have worn a different set of clothes.
  
• The slideshow. Shouldn't that be coordinated with the song as well? They were really fast that the show ended before the second song started. It could have been better that they would have shown Lea's pictures when she was a kid when those Little Miss Lea songs were sung, then a grown-up one during those songs when she was already grown up.
  
• Thanks to paying homage to those who have passed away. Aside from the fact that I don't know them, it's really creepy looking at those dead people's pictures being shown.
  
• Hasn't Christine Fernandez realized that she's not really a good singer? Come to think of it - she's been in voice classes for how many years, has joined Metropop Star Search, Star for a Night and Star in a Million, stars in a weekly variety show in Cebu where she could showcase her singing "talent(?)" but she's still off key.
  
• FSUU Choir has the voice. I would suppose that they are the college choir and not the high school one because I didn't see the class that our batchmates possess.
  
• What's something in common among Almont Chorale girls? Their bulging abdomens. Isn't empire cut designed to hide the tummy? Nice fabric, good concept of having their dresses different from each other, but the execution was poor.

So This is Christmas

Nakaraos din. I've been busy since I got here, attending my "kids'" Christmas Party, throwing a small dinner for my Mom's birthday, organizing my baby's anime-themed birthday bash, for their nanny, preparing the Noche Buena, seeing old friends and enduring the cold and cough. I haven't even practiced my song assignments nor have I vocalized. I know I'll be reprimanded once I'll get back.

I haven't received a call from my supervisor. I am aware that I've one NCNS (No Call No Show) because of my unapproved leaves. But being with my family is priceless. Spending the yuletide season with them is more precious than anything else.

I hope I won't be terminated.

Twilight

So the Twilight phenomenon is on. Where the plot is so shallow and the style is too simple. It's higher than Sweet Valley Twins but cornier than SV High. The romance between Isabella Swan and Edward Cullens is cheesier than the tuna omelette that I love to prepare. But still, I finished reading the first book and is in the middle of the second one and Janice and Joanna were able to convince me to watch the movie.

• As expected, the movie corrupted the book again. Things were so different from what I imagined - Swan and Cullen's houses, the supporting characters' faces, the ballet studio, the silver Volvo. Janice got irritated hearing me repeatedly saying that it's different from the book. What can I do? I haven't read and watched Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings?
  
• With the Cullen's faces, anybody born with the brain and curious mind would think that they are vampires. Unless people would think that they've been overdosed with Glutathione and color-stay lipstick or have it tattooed.
  
• Isabella's chin could stab my chest while Edward's eyebrows could slit my webbed fingers.
  
• Edward's lips remind of Gretchen Barreto saying "Am I pouting?! I'm not pouting!"
  
• I was glad when I heard "Libiamo" being played in the scene where the Cullens were preparing food while Janice exclaimed when she saw the Philippine flag along with the others being hung at ther cafeteria. It must have been there United Nations Month.
  
• I thought I've been already a stalker but Edward beat me. Ha ha! Isn't it scary knowing that somebody watches you while you sleep?
  
• Is that how a demi-god looks like - semi-dead looking? Edward looks and acts like a corpse.
  
• The actors haven't convinced me of their acting. I didn't feel the passion nor the rage.
  
• Whoever would fall in love with Edward and wouldn't agree with me is a typical girl.

Argumentum ad Baculum

Dear OM [Name of Operations Manager]:

Greetings!

With my attachment to my family in Butuan City who is longing for my presence during this Yuletide Season – a 58-year old mother who’ll be turning a year older this December 20, a 78-year old grandmother, together with my little nephews and niece, one of which will be celebrating his first birthday days before Christmas, and whom their parents are not around – are highly anticipating for my presence this Christmas. For the whole year round, it is only this time that I can be with them. It would therefore be devastating for me to be doing the countdown during eves of Christmas and New Year alone, and, at the same time, thinking the unhappiness I cause my family because of my absence.

As a Filipino, we have the culture to value much our family. I am fervently asking the honorable management to grant a request for a vacation from 18 December 2008 to 7 January 2009. Moreover, during my stay in the province, I also have to resolve those legal problems with the family properties which must be decided with urgency.

Furthermore, as a surprise Christmas present, my roundtrip plane ticket for the said days was already purchased by my sister who can’t be with her children because she is currently working abroad. Her earnest desire to have me sent back home in a few weeks, and, at the same time, get the cheapest rates, left her unaware that the inclusive dates are way too long, long enough for my left SIL credits.

Please find the above situations meritorious and let your decision be tempered with mercy, to that, I utmostly implore with all my heart, as I respectfully remain,

Very respectfully,

Eduardo R. Catayoc III

Unfortunately, our manager is good in logic and she found this letter as a fallacy of appealing to pity. She didn't approve my request for prolonged leave of absence. Waaa! She talked to me last week about it and explained the reason of her non-approval. I sincerely, deeply and very well understood her point. Fairness is something that a good leader must possess. If she'll give me this favor, then she'll be obliged to give the same favor to all other agents as well.

I'm still hopeful that my application for leave will be plotted. Else, I'll be absent for three weeks, come back to work with a suspension waiting, and perhaps, resulting to my resignation. But then again, there's the law of attraction so I have to stay positive that my leave will be plotted. But nobody could really stop me from going home. So there.

Good luck to me and Merry Christmas!

Life is a Mono

I'm stuck in this hour-long 32 bit hardware diagnostics with a nice customer. And it's a chance for me to blog this.

I've been pondering about it since I was a kid and after reading another blog about this matter, an imaginable large force struck my head that kept me thinking until now.

Why do people have to cheat with their partner?

I still have a young mind. I live in principles, in idealism, in perfection. But putting all those impossibilities and improbabilities aside, I still can't understand why infidelity exists and why some people love to be the other man/woman.

Why can't everybody just be a Penelope and be monogamous? The idea of "trying other kinds of food just because I am fed up with this dish for so long" is nothing but the reason of a sick and psychologically incapacitated person.

I shouldn't be commenting about this. My Kaballah says that in my 30's, I am destined to be an unfaithful husband, not once, but twice. I have been praying to God that it wouldn't happen. I would be a big shame to my father and grandfathers if that would happen. Never did I remember that my parents fought because of a third party and I grew up hating people who don't have to balls to stick to one partner.

Proximity is my weakness. The more time I spend with a girl, and the more time I look deeply into her eyes, the more my heart is drawn towards her. And if there's just physical attraction that I would feel towards her, which we call lust, and there she is standing naked infront of me, I don't have St. Benedict's resistance to roll into the thorny bushes to distract my attention. I'm not that strong.

I don't know what lies ahead of my life. The drama "Oedipus Rex" teaches us that one can't get rid of his fate. The only thing that he could do is battle all the tides and do all those twists in order to end up with that fate.

I don't know. I shouldn't be believing in predicting one's destiny but it still leads me to the hypothetical question that what if it would happen to me someday? Shall I curse myself to my last breath? I might not grant forgiveness for myself then. So help me God.

Blog of the Month - Survivor

Outwit. Outplay. Outlast.

After seeing several episodes of Survivor Philippines, I've realized that this reality show is not for me. Being very picky with everything, introverted, candid, outspoken and hard to please, I know my tribemates would immediately connive to have me ousted on the very first elimination. I don't think I could survive moving my bowel on a hole that I need to dig. That makes me different from cats. Sure I love the beach but I don't think I am capable of those physical challenges that await me (but then that's what I also thought before joining that rigid two-month CAT officership training but passed). So there. Patani has already gotten her much-awaited "exfosure" and I'm still here in front of the TV criticizing every teledrama I'm watching.

At this time where I'm being drowned with debts, and debts and debts and still haunted by guilt that I would be the reason for my sister's imprisonment, I have second thoughts of writing this blog. But since I have to start looking at a glass half full, I need to see the brighter perspective of everything. I have work, I am still breathing, I am healthy, I have somewhere to live in, I have family and friends who I think love me, and I know how to speak and write in English.

I am a survivor because the fact itself that I still exist right now is already a proof that I have survived from all the challenges death has threatened me. Enriqueta's so heavily-guarded egg cell was still penetrated by Eduardo Jr.'s sperm cell. During the first trimester of her pregnancy, she has tried to abort me, but still, she was able to born me - healthy and well. I've almost had a lockjaw, been almost drowned several times, had so many injuries, and got bumped by a speeding vehicle which led me unconscious for three days, but still I'm alive. Whoa! So I'm already living my nth life where n is approaching positive infinity.

I am a survivor because I was able to stand from my fall. I was kicked out of my the College of Engineering of my university because of so many flunked subjects. Bearing that very bad feeling, I transferred to a mediocre school and able to graduate on time. Among the 12 graduates of ECE from that school, I was the only one who passed the board exam. And one graduate from the university that kicked me out failed.

I am a survivor because I know that I am guided by special forces Science can't explain. Foremost, though I know that I'm a very very very bad person, God still directs me to the right path. I know that my father also guides me. As what my Mom said, "Hilabtunon ang Ginoo" (God meddles and interferes in a not so nice way).

And then again, I am a survivor because I can. Because surviving is a decision.

Eduardo's Got Talent

TL Tin and Diane are encouraging me to join our company's version of "America's Got Talent." I have second thoughts of joining because yes, I could carry a tune, but not to the point of singing like a pro.

My idea of that contest is to showcase one's extraordinary talent which I don't think I possess. Perhaps, if I could cook yema in two minutes, or ingest broken glass (not the food), or perform an acrobatic show, then I would be confident enough to register myself, even in "Talentadong Pinoy."

But I'm not really a singer. I added the adjective "frustrated" before that noun which gives it a different meaning. As Wyngard Tracy said during his interview before, it doesn't mean that if you could sing in the bathroom, you are given the license to sing on stage. In contrary to what people think of me, I'm not thick-skinned.

But I could give myself a try. I dared Diane to download a minus one copy of the song I sang in my recital. If she couldn't find it, then that means I couldn't join. But oh, I have the minus one of "A Whole New World." I might sing it solo. Ha ha.

Anyway, I already have an idea of our halloween costume. I'm so thrilled.

Connecticut, Here I Come!

Last Saturday, I was informed by our Division Governor that the upcoming district competition for four events - international, humorous, and impromptu speeches and speech evaluation - will be held March next year. Division contest will follow some time in April and the National convention to be held in Davao City will take place in May. Then in August 12-15, 2009, the international convention will be conducted at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mashantucket, CT, where several artists like John Mayer, Josh Groban, etc. have performed. I'm imagining myself wearing my tuxedo and having my picture taken at the red carpet.

I was told by our board review master that we should aim for the top so that in case we would miss it, we would still be close to it. I'm starting to review the law of attraction and I'm aiming to be a part of the international convention. That means I'm rooting for the championship trophy in at least one of the categories in the national contest.

They're constantly grooming me for the impromptu but I need a nice and touching piece for my international speech. The subject should get to the nerves of all the people in the world in order for me to win. I also need to have a very funny topic for the humorous one. The callboy thing is already out since I've already delivered it last September. I'm not really a funny person so I need thorough preparation for this. Plus everybody in the club affirms that I need to get out of my shell in order for me to deliver my piece properly. I also admit that I have a problem with my organization so I have to start as soon as possible.

Would anybody be kind enough to suggest some topics for me? I would really appreciate it. If I'll pick that topic and win in the national convention, I'll really treat you out for a meal. He he.