Ms. Imelda

Brgy. Ayala Alabang brings us back to the Dark Ages

2011-02-25T11:44:00.003+08:00

It's been all over the news since yesterday. Baranggay Ayala Alabang has passed the Protection of the Unborn Child Ordinance. Under this, one must have a prescription to buy contraceptives such as a condom.

Using the argument of protecting unborn children sounds good, right? Who wouldn't want to do that? But don't be fooled. If you read the actual ordinance closely, it doesn't protect anything but the Catholic Church's ego.

Obstetrician/Gynecologists do ask female patients who have just given birth about their preferred family planning method, if there is one. From what some women have shared with me, their doctors favor the use of IUDs, which they turned down.

Tell me, besides this case, what illness would require a condom prescription? Libido? But if you prescribe condoms to someone who is "afflicted" with libido, that would be promoting it, not treating.

What about lack of libido? I guess the Ayala Alabang Baranggay officers only want their constituents to have a healthy sex life.

What about failure of marriage? Or protection against STDs? You need not protect yourself from STDs if everyone's faithful to one partner.

How does a doctor write a prescription for condom use, anyway?

"Use a condom every sexual intercourse until you feel better, but don't use more than four a day. Come back after one week for a follow-up."

So when does one actually need a condom for treatment or protection if not against unplanned pregnancies of married or unmarried first-time mothers?

If you need to protect yourself from STDs, that means one of you has or had multiple partners. Does that mean the ordinance's purpose is in fact protecting people with multiple partners or treating people with low libido?

This is all about the RH Bill, which, in my opinion should be passed right away. If they're saying the State has no right to promote the use of contraception, the State should have no right to discourage or ban it as well. The RH Bill only provides and informs people of their options, and making such options available to them, which is the State's responsibility.

Sex education is not educating children about sex or how to have sex. It is teaching the children about the reproductive system, which is a natural part of the human body. It is science. People like Catholic priests and supporters, including Baranggay Ayala Alabang officers, are the ones putting malice and meaning in neutral facts.

If you think about it, there is no unborn child yet in the use of oral contraceptives and condoms. There are egg cells and sperm cells. No person has been conceived yet. Besides, if the Constitution states that it "shall promote and protect … the physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual and social well-being" of its citizens, does not that include caring for one's body and safeguarding one's future?

Instead of protecting our rights, ordinances such as this stifle them.

Read the whole ordinance and weep: http://alabangbulletin.com/2011/02/24/barangay-ayala-alabang-passes-ordinance-protecting-unborn-children.html

It appears that the Baranggay Ayala Alabang Council confuses its personal set of morals for the Constitution.

Excerpts:

"...contraceptive pills and hormonal contraceptives and the IUD may kill children..."

"...denounces the use of condoms as far as they promote and sanction immoral sexual congresses among the unmarried and especially among the young..."

"...the right of the parents over their minor daughters with unborn children is superior to that of the State in instances involving the safety, protection and welfare of the said unborn children and their mothers of minor age..."

"...since life begins at conception there is no place for the so-called "free choice" argument to justify compulsory sex education in the schools..."

A nail cutter and a frat war

2011-02-01T08:42:00.001+08:00

This morning I stepped out of the house with a scarf around my neck, a maroon shoulder bag, a lunch bag and a nail cutter in my pocket.

I felt badass.

Many times in the past couple of weeks I looked at my nails and thought, I should cut them, now, but now never came.

This morning I accidentally cut a nail with a razor. I guess that's its way of forcing me to trim, but I didn't have the time, so I just grabbed the nail cutter and put it in my pocket.

I felt badass.

One, because carrying around a nail cutter in my pocket felt so barbaric, as if I was off to cut someone.

Move over, you clean and educated aristocrats. The unwashed is going to pass.

I also felt badass because I remembered this guy in college, who was a victim of a fraternity hit. Everyone with him was badly beaten. No one was able to fight back because the organized losers had pipes with them. No one was able to, that is, except for him. And what did he have? A nail cutter.

Yes, a nail cutter could save your life or at least hurt your opponent during a fight.

He pulled out the nail cutter, swung out the nail file and sawed into the other guy's eyebrow. The other guy needed stitches. He didn't.

One point for the proletariat. None for the wuss.

2010 Christmas gifts lineup

2010-12-09T13:53:00.001+08:00

This year I decided to go for DIY Christmas gifts for a touch of personalization and austerity.

I believe everyone should really start to minimize consumption and wastage, and focus on healthy personal relationships. This is very timely, not just because of our global situation but also my own. I had very little in 2010. The year meant starting from scratch. Although, when I think about it, I've always had very little and was meant to start from scratch. I just haven't gotten myself to. I hope this sentiment will stay with me for a long time, if not forever.

Simple things. Happy thoughts. Love. Comfort. Maybe in the end, all these will put things in their proper places. We have long forgotten to know and stand up for what is right that so many wrongs now lurk our world.

Back to my DIY Christmas, I am far from being done with my holiday workload. In fact, I have only started. Mostly, this cause lives in concept, but I'm confident that I can pull it off. I already know what to make for certain family members and friends.

For the others, I will just have to go through the usual holiday shopping. People need things, too.

Review: Ang Paglilitis ni Bonifacio

2010-07-30T08:53:00.003+08:00

Ang Paglilitis ni Bonifacio is the official entry of Mario O'Hara to the 6th Cinemalaya festival. It is the only film in the festival that I am able to watch, and I regret that deeply.

Sitting through the film is painful, to say the least. It is dragging and indulgent. There are too many unnecessary elements, and artistic techniques result in a hodgepodge. It is pure torture.

Parallelisms and symbolisms

The movie is about the untold story of Andres Bonifacio's trial in the province of Cavite, which I am very much interested in. That and the baffling fact that good (even great) reviews proliferated all over the internet convinced me to watch.

Ang Paglilitis ni Bonifacio starts not with the trial but with Andres' love story with his second wife, Gregoria de Jesus, a play that parallels the film's story and Andres' search for the Ibong Adarna, taking on the image of Juan.

In the epic, Juan is the bravest and greatest of three brothers. The two, Pedro and Diego, betray and try to kill him many times out of envy of his favors and achievements, which starts with Juan's successful capture of the mythical bird. Andres himself is shown to have been betrayed by most of his men, but it is up to the Filipinos to decide if he succeeded in his journey.

The trial

The story is pretty much written out for the filmmakers. The movie claims to be based on the transcript of Andres' real trial without adding or deleting significantly from it.

I would not know what has been added or deleted from the trial's facts. I would not know if indeed one of Andres' men did not witness what transpired on the morning of April 28, Wednesday, when Aguinaldo's soldiers attacked the resting place of Andres and his men.

Andres' brother, Ciriaco, and two of Aguinaldo's soldiers were killed.

Why doesn't he know of the battle that took place? He was defecating in a river or lake far away. He even asks to be excused from the trial because his stomach is hurting again.

If that particular fact were true, then I will only blame Mario O'Hara for the poor execution. But if it were not, it is another example of the elements added to the film that appear to be based on extremely crude judgment.

Slapstick and poor acting

The movie is injected with bits of this kind of slapstick comedy. They can surprise you and derail you. They may make you laugh for a quick second, but in the context of the scene, the story and the film, they are of bad taste. They do not add value at all. On the contrary, it brings the film several notches down.

Do not even get me started with the acting. The actors did not bother to even learn and understand the lines, which are in old Tagalog. Some are also in verses.

And Alfred Vargas does not look like a katipunero at all. It would have been more convincing for Janvier Daily, who played the role of Procopio Bonifacio, to take on Andres Bonifacio's character. He was able to show deeper emotions than Alfred Vargas.

Indulgence and egoism

I failed to count how many portrait shots I winced through. There are too many of them in the movie.

I do not have a problem with portrait shots per se, but in Mario O'Hara's film, they are stretched from way back 1800s. They seem to run for a century.

These minutes-long shots attempt to capture emotions in the quiet faces of the characters, including Andres and Gregoria. Unfortunately, the emotions are missing. If they weren't, the audience should be able to understand how the characters feel. Mario O'Hara does not need to shove them down our throats.

The narrator, who is much like Antonio Banderas' character in the movie Evita, saves each sequence, explaining to the audience what is really happening. In the end, however, she falls victim to the director's indulgence as well.

Nothing is safe from the O'Hara's egoistic masturbation, if there is something to masturbate.

I do not know whether O'Hara's intentions were to churn out a sincere art film from Andres' trial or a piece of junk and see how people will react. I do not know if I'm the first to say this, but I do have to let the people know that the emperor is naked.

I say this because what is more unforgivable than the film's execution is the great reviews it has received. Preposterous. The movie is so badly made, I feel insulted of its existence. The movie is so badly made, I cannot stop saying, it is so badly made. There is no moving on.

It would have been better if the trial was dryly demonstrated than presenting an awful mixture of rough techniques. It would have been better if I just read the transcript. Anything is better than torturing myself for two hours. I had to stop myself from screaming many times during the entire film out of pain, frustration and exasperation.

Enough already! Imagine my relief when I realized it is finally over.

Characters

As for my discoveries about Emilio Aguinaldo, Andres Bonifacio, the generals and the katipuneros, I realized how lopsided the war was. In the movie, our ancestors verily lack in strategy. They know very little about warfare. In a way, they are all lost.

Andres Bonifacio is blinded by his desire to attain freedom that he stops at nothing. His love for country and fervor for winning the war pushes him toward forgetting the people, who are the reason why the war is being fought in the first place.

As far as the charges in the trial go, however, I think he is innocent. Too many people are simply after his head.

Emilio Aguinaldo is a coward. He rambles and argues endlessly but never really does anything to set things right. At the end of the day, he gives in to other people's demands. He could be the first figurehead president in Philippine government.

The katipuneros are not a courageous bunch as well. They betray out of fear and assumption of personal gain. Only a handful of the katipuneros stay true to their supremo.

The generals are among the bottom feeders in the movie. They love having power and pass up nothing to keep it, even if it extends to killing the one person who started the revolution. They are afraid and poisoned by their envy and greed.

Sounds familiar, doesn't it? These people may no longer be permitted to use the wang-wang now, but the parasites of this country still live on, polluting the air that we breathe.

Of Benigno Aquino III's Presidency and 1st SONA

2010-07-27T11:56:00.002+08:00

Part I: Presidency

Before the elections, I was no huge Noynoy fan, but compared with how I felt toward the other candidates, not being a huge fan was much better.

There were candidates I was sure to never vote for. It was a process of elimination, which is sad because voting should precisely be about having a choice, not being left with none. At one point, however, I was torn between Noynoy and Richard Gordon, until I realized the latter was a Dick I cannot live with. In fact, many people I know from Olonggapo City and the Red Cross hate his guts.

Given the circumstances, I was left with no other option, but that doesn't mean the option was such a bad one. Apparently, everything else was worse.

Toward the end of the campaign, I decided to vote for Benigno Aquino III, the son of former president Corazon Aquino and former senator Benigno Aquino Jr. (I wasn't able to vote, though. I was one of the disenfranchised millions. All who registered during the extended registration mandated by the Supreme Court were not added to the list of voters.)

Yes, being the son of Cory and Ninoy was a factor -- one of the factors -- that influenced my decision. Even having Kris Aquino as his sister turned out to be to Noynoy's benefit. In my case, at least.

Here is my logic. Based on my judgment of Noynoy's person, I do not think he will have the brazenness to spit on his parents' graves and defy what they stood for. And with Kris Aquino being privy to some of his matters, any transgression or inconsistency will have the risk of being showcased to the world, which will be the fall of Noynoy and his administration. (Contrary to what may be public opinion, Kris doesn't have the stomach for much depravity, I think.) Such is the kind of transparency that will be inherent in a Noynoy-run government. None of them will be stupid enough to pull any stunt.

These are rationalizations, as you can see. But frankly, I trust Noynoy, which I think is the ultimate reason why I wanted to vote for him. Of all the candidates, I trust him the most. Many of them, in fact, I do not trust at all. (Confession: When there were only Mar Roxas and Manny Villar on the path to candidacy, I supported Manny Villar. That's how much I loathed and feared Korina Sanchez.)

I trust that, among the cadidates, Noynoy is the person who will not, or maybe the last to, sell our collective soul, as Filipinos, to the devil. He is the person who will not, or maybe the last to, bleed us as a nation dry. I trust that, among the candidates, he is the person with the good intentions. In fact, I believe he was the only candidate who meant well.

Being the only presidential candidate I can trust, I ended up wanting to vote for him. I wasn't able to, but still he won and he is now our president.

His victory, as it appears, was also ours. He won by a landslide, and many of those who voted for somebody else seem to be happy with Noynoy's victory as well. It is like saying to him, if my candidate doesn't win, I hope you do.

Of course there are equally as many people who dislike him. Some look verily down on him, while others simply doubt. There are also those who naturally oppose whoever or whatever is. I can't blame them. That is the essence of their existence.

But no one can deny the unmistakable fact that we, as a society, has once again learned to believe or at least give the benefit of the doubt that things can get better, that there is hope for us, for our country, for our government, that we can live better lives and that there is still honesty and goodness in the world, even in the third of it.

Clear signs of this feeling of deliverance first came about after the elections. No one said the all-too-familiar lines, pareho lang yan, walang magbabago and asa pa to the media. All were hopeful, and hope, although it can be a venomous weapon, nourishes.

We are a people in dire need of nourishment, that's for sure. Years of privation make us so eager and anxious to relieve our great thirst.

That is also one of the reasons why we clamor for change and aid and salvation from the one man that seems to be willing to bring just that. We expect so much, as we need so much.

We have become verily needy, and we know who to blame.

(To be continued...)

Wandering about

2010-07-26T15:49:00.002+08:00

It's odd. I miss reading and writing so much, but I actually read and write for a living.

It's odd that I spend so much time complaining about not being able to read and write as I want to, yet I do not devote this time to reading and writing instead.

That's the most difficult part: starting.

Case in point: Here I am blogging about wanting to read and write but not being able to, instead of grabbing a book or a pen.

The thing is, I only have the computer at my disposal. Although I do have e-books, I don't have them on my desktop. And although I can type away my thoughts, compositions and stories, I want to write, with my hand.

I know we are in the age of iPads, MMS and netbooks, but I just can't get over the serenity and genuineness that writing on paper brings.

I can type away maybe almost a hundred words per minute, and the muscles in my hands and fingers have taken the whole layout of the keyboard into memory. I can spend my whole waking life in front of the computer, to my astigmatic eyes' fury. But none of these things, albeit calming and pleasurable in their own ways, can measure up to the experience of writing on paper.

Okay, maybe I'm running to longhand to make up excuses for my unforgivable procrastination. I am trying to justify the unjustifiable. I can be arrogant like that.

Tonight I promise to write. Or read. Whichever I find more convenient. Look, that is a start.

Glee Season 1 Finale Is Painful

2010-06-09T21:16:00.001+08:00

I don't watch Glee regularly, but I've seen several episodes, and some of the performances I saw were awesome.

But the finale? Bad, if not painful.

The group's final performance for THE competition they've been waiting for was sub par. And that's an understatement.

Okay, fine. They sucked. Big time. It could've been acceptable if they sucked the whole season, but they didn't. Glee wouldn't be a hit if they did.

My biggest problem with their performance? It was worse than their performances during the regular episodes. Performances that weren't prepared for the regional competition against their greatest rival.

I don't mind them losing, really. It was not only expected, it's logical. They had to lose for the show to have any integrity at all. But they ruined that very integrity by losing too obviously. They sold out. They didn't even try.

Don't Stop Believin' vs. Bohemian Rhapsody? Seriously?? The whole wonderful, hyped up season came down to this? Blech.

The clever chair

2010-06-02T18:02:00.002+08:00

From http://dornob.com.

Shooting Down The Smoke

2010-05-25T12:08:00.003+08:00

The brouhaha on president-elect Noynoy Aquino III's smoking habit is too much for me to bear. What is the big deal? They are picking on the guy for being the "people's candidate," but that doesn't mean his whole life, especially what he does outside of his upcoming presidential duties, is our ownership.

Leave the guy and his cigarettes alone.

I do not remember such issue on ex-President Fidel V. Ramos' love for tobacco. He always had one fastened between his lips, and this image of him has actually become his staple look. We know him as the president with the big ears and a tobacco in his mouth.

Enough already! We have so many things to deal with that are far more important than smoking. Our country is in shambles and we bother ourselves with a person's, albeit the soon-to-be president's, cigarettes? By george, we really are screwed!

Can you feel that burning sensation?

2010-05-19T20:35:00.005+08:00

No, it's not because of that night you spent inebriated in the backseat with that heavily perfumed guy who pulled you out of the trashy bar.

It's summer. And while it's killing my mood, I can only wish that it would literally rain on my parade.

I can't believe how hot it has been! It feels as if the past three days are the hottest Manila has been this whole summer, regardless of what the temperature readings are.

The other night I woke up a couple of hours into my sleep because it was preposterously hot. I tried to alleviate the heat with pathetic cooling solutions that I can think of while burning and sleeping, but all my efforts were for naught.

The heat was so bad that my skin felt as if it was ablaze. Everything I touched and that touched me were hot. I didn't know what else to do.

I wanted to cry. I almost did until I fell back to sleep after a few hours, but those hours spent inebriated in heat are lost forever.

Summer, end now. I don't like you at all.

The Third and Fourth Circles of Congress

2010-05-14T16:11:00.001+08:00

Now that the presidential race is almost over, and we see a firm outcome, the fight, which many have dubbed as that of good vs evil, will move to the Lower House.

As I see it, the presidential race did not successfully demonstrate a good-vs-evil battle, with so many anti-GMA candidates competing with each other. They could have united for a cause but chose to prioritize their individual careers. They were selfish.

More than ever, however, they need to unite in Congress and show selflessness. Gloria has been cooking up what could be her most contemptible potion yet. And, yes, she will shove it down our throats.

Let us not put anything past the despicable one. For sure she and her brainless, heartless congressional allies would rather amass more wealth and power in exchange for the country and the people's well-being. For sure she will give her opponents, which will then be the administration, hell.

I wonder, what role will the leftists, militants and activists play in this cruel game? There is Noynoy on one side, whom they have condemned for Hacienda Luisita, which is laughable compared with the Marcoses' Martial Law. On the other there is Gloria, whose mere mention encapsulates all the evils that she has done.

Where will they find themselves now? Probably in the third dimension.

The Noynoy-Erap conspiracy

2010-05-11T15:08:00.002+08:00

One of the most absurd conspiracies could also be one of the most clever.

Right from the beginning, Villar has paraded his relatively impoverished roots, although of course later on he shoved it down our throats to the point of nausea. We all know that Erap was first to champion the poor, with the "Erap para sa mahirap" tag line and Pwersa ng Masa. Say "mahirap" one zillion times and you bet in a big percentage of those instances, people thought of Erap, not Villar.

Ironically, Erap never claimed to be poor. He never was poor. He is simply their hero.

Villar, on the other hand, claims to be poor once, although that is to be qualified. After all, many middle class citizens today cannot afford to buy a house or get a loan to do so. They also will not be able to afford cancer treatment if the need for it comes.

Villar was a strong candidate, especially when it was still him versus Roxas. Even when Aquino stepped in, Villar was his biggest rival.

What to do to reduce Villar's votes? Split them. Take half of the poor's votes and give them to someone else. And that someone could very well be Erap.

At the end of the day, Erap saved the presidency, therefore saving the country. Who could've known?

Now, let's cross our fingers that they would all finally unite against GMA. They need to be stronger than ever.

Yes, She Would

2010-05-11T15:02:00.001+08:00

Gloria and the Arroyos will stop at nothing. They will be invading the Lower House, skipping probably only the family dog from grabbing a seat in Congress.

Let's brace ourselves for what seems to be the most tumultuous six years to come.

In Suspended Animation

2010-05-11T11:30:00.001+08:00

I am holding my breath, together with the rest of the country. So far the results have been not-so-disappointing. Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III is in the lead, with former president Joseph "Erap" Estrada in 2nd.

I wonder how Senator Manuel "Manny" Villar and his so-called Dragon Lady wife feel about this. The anti-poverty campaign was originally Erap's after all.

The surprise of surprises would be the vice-presidential race, with Mayor Jejomar Binay having a narrow lead over Senator Manuel "Mar" Roxas II. But supporters of the latter (and anti-Binay citizens) still believe that Mar, who made way for Noynoy and led in the surveys early in the campaign period, will pull through in the end.

The senatorial race is nuts, with Revilla, Estrada, Lapid and Marcos in the mix. No Satur Ocampo and Liza Maza anywhere. The two, who sold half of their souls for the elections, should've stayed in the Lower House where oppositionists will be very much needed this next term. Because of course there's Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who is sure to occupy a seat in the House of Representatives after her overextended presidency. Her son might even take one, too, through the tainted partylist system.

Switching camps?

2010-04-28T14:15:00.001+08:00

Is Adel Tamano laying the ground for a coming deflection by saying that he will resign if Nationalista Party turns out to be behind the black propaganda against Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III? To which side, we can't be sure. But if you're at #2, whereelse must you logically go but up?

It's also possible that it's a warning to the Nacionalista Party to get its act together and clear its name or a shrewd way of appeasing and assuring the public that he's on the good side.

The only way Gloria can star in this circus is by orchestrating a failure of elections. No, I don't want her in the spotlight at all.

Wanted: Sofa

2010-04-28T10:42:00.001+08:00

Does anybody know what this is? I'd love to have one, but I have no idea what type/style of sofa or whatever seating solution it is. If it were a simple mattress, will that possibly hold the shape (with the backrest and all)?

This one is by Sofie Lawett, and you can see more of her work on her site http://www.sofielawett.se.

Interior designing in my head

2010-04-28T10:17:00.001+08:00

I want:

1. a blackboard in the kitchen/dining area

2. a drop lamp overhead the sofa

3. a sofa

4. a huge mirror on the living room wall

5. a chair in the middle, seemingly out of place but not really

Where has critical thinking gone?

2010-04-22T10:53:00.002+08:00

A few days ago, peopledamned Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. held a press conference announcing his endorsement of Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III.

What an outrage! A soulless mass murderer endorsing a presidential candidate, ergo that presidential candidate is friends with the soulless mass murderer, ergo that presidential candidate is also a soulless mass murderer.

What would happen to us if he wins? Que horror!

The real question, however, is, what has happened to us? A soulless mass murderer, who is in jail, held a press conference, and we are outraged by trivialities.

That soulless mass murderer, Andal Ampatuan Jr., should not have been able to hold a press conference. He should not have been able to talk to the media. He should not have been able to step out of his jail cell, break free from his handcuffs, change his clothes and hold a press conference.

I'm sure these privileges are not accorded to all in prison, regardless of what Quezon City Jail Annex (QCJA) Camp Bagong Diwa warden Senior Inspector Lloyd Gonzaga says. So, why were these accorded to Andal Ampatuan Jr.?

Who arranged the press conference? Who allowed it to take place? Under whose authorization? And, why?

The answers are pretty easy to figure out. Think. Who is in charge? Who will benefit from this cheap stunt? Definitely not the candidate Andal Ampatuan Jr. endorses, and the peopledamned guy knows it. Oh yes, he knows it too well. That's exactly why he adhered to doing it.

The fact that Andal Ampatuan Jr. was able to do what he had done should outrage us, given the conditions he is in.

Yes, what an outrage! What an outrage that this isn't what got our attention in the first place.

Que horror!

Sweating off my ass

2010-04-15T19:23:00.000+08:00

I wish. Every day for the past month I've been feeling as if my flesh is burning but, without any need for close inspection, I'm not losing any inches. I thought that because I've been profusely sweating, my fats would melt away. I was wrong. Then again, I have been sweating less these days and it baffles me.

It's hot beyond humor, hotter than last week, which was hotter than the week before that. But why am I not sweating as much?

I have a few theories.

It's so hot that my sweat evaporates instantly. Scary.
I get so dehydrated lately that I have nothing to sweat. Scary just the same.
They say this is how it is in the desert: hot and dry. So dry that you don't sweat.

I know sweating is not necessarily the most enjoyable thing in the world, but I'd rather be sweating now than having to wonder whether there is something wrong with me.

Is it because I changed my body wash?

Selective hatred and blame

2010-04-15T10:48:00.002+08:00

I wonder why these activists did not crucify Cory Aquino for the Hacienda Luisita Massacre, as they are crucifying Noynoy Aquino now. They even grieved and marched from Luneta during her funeral, mourning that Tita Cory's gone.

But, of course, that was a prominent event that anyone would want to be visible at, which was why Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was in such a dilemma. No one could possibly go against the flow then, in fear of being castigated by the whole world. Besides, it was uso, and so they waited and marched by the hundreds with their banners, flags and streamers. Very passionately, I might add.

They had to be there despite Hacienda Luisita. Who would want to be left out anyway?

For just that time, they conveniently forgot about Hacienda Luisita or the fact that Cory Aquino was once president but didn't divide Hacienda Luisita among its farmers and allowed stock distribution instead. They conveniently forgot that Cory Aquino was a Cojuangco, either.

Yes. Let us march to the Aquino residence posing as Hacienda Luisita farmers, just as they protested at Hacienda Luisita when the so-called massacre took place. These same activists were there then, as they were at Luneta.

Which side are they really on anyway? And what are the principles they hold on to? They couldn't ally with Noynoy Aquino and criticize him heavily because of Hacienda Luisita yet their protests escaped them at Cory Aquino's wake and funeral. They loved her then as they hate and criticize the Aquinos and Cojuangcos before and after her death. I'm confused.

I haven't even mentioned the huge irony in joining forces with Bongbong Marcos, the son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, who ruled the country during Martial Law.

If you can crucify one son due to affiliation, why not crucify another?

Hello, politics.

Google's office vs Facebook's office

2010-04-13T20:29:00.005+08:00

As if to fuel the competition between Google and Facebook, Chill Out Point published photos of Google's and Facebook's offices for its readers to choose from.

I, for one, would want to work for Google if given the chance. But upon getting a sneak peek into their offices, I no longer want to work for Google. I dream of it!

The site didn't publish its verdict, but based on the photos, Google's office is friendlier and more naturally fun. Facebook's office's design seems forced, snobbish and stiff. It looks like a school, while Google's looks like a cool place for friends to hang out in and be productive together. I love it!

Google

Facebook

Check out the whole post at http://www.chilloutpoint.com/science_and_technology/google-office-versus-facebook-office.html.

(Photos from Chill Out Point.)

SLAMAT LORRRD

2010-04-12T19:57:00.003+08:00

Seriously, ipilit daw ba.

I want these headphones!

2010-04-12T19:47:00.004+08:00

I searched for it online and saw WeAretheSuperlativeConspiracy at http://wesc.com and the official site at http://www.wesc.co.uk/ and their online shop at http://www.storetwentyfour.com/.

Crazy! I want all the headphones! They also sell clothes.

Does anybody know where I can get these headphones in Manila?

A suicide that has killed others

2010-04-12T14:33:00.001+08:00

Philip Medel's dead.

Do you even remember who he is? Or in this case, was, because he supposedly jumped off a building.

Philip Medel was the confessed murderer of Nida Blanca. The latter was brutally stabbed several times to her death in 2001. He implicated Nida Blanca's husband Rod Strunk, whom everybody have sentenced guilty in their minds. The case against Rod Strunk was too weak that the US judge dismissed it at once.

It was a shocking, sad and frightening incident because Nida Blanca was one of the most loved and respected veteran actresses of her time. Even more sad now is the possibility that, with Philip Medel's death, Nida Blanca's murder mystery will never be solved.

It's been nine years since her death yet the case never really progressed. This is not unusual in our country. Many cases remain unsolved not because we have the smartest criminals in the world but because our authorities and institutions are incompetent or simply apathetic. At least Nida Blanca, and her family and friends, had the sympathy, outrage and support of many others. Smaller people go through much worse.

RTFM

2010-04-12T08:27:00.003+08:00

These people from Smartmatic are so smart I want to smack them around to get their smart juices out.

Two voting machines in Hong Kong broke down yesterday, stalling overseas absentee voting to the grief of Filipinos in Hong Kong.

We could be forgetting that many OFWs in Hong Kong are domestic helpers. Sunday is their only day off.

Fortunately, elections in Hong Kong will run until May 10. That is the luck of Comelec, Smartmatic and the voting public, but it doesn't discount the error and negligence of Comelec and Smartmatic.

According to Cesar Flores, Smartmatic Asia's president, the machines could have malfunctioned due to humidity acquired during storage.

Why, of course! Machines these expensive and essential need not be stored properly. If anything goes wrong, always blame the weather.

Didn't these machines come with a user manual? Didn't Smartmatic advise Comelec and the Philippine Embassy in Hong Kong on how to store and care for the voting machines? Really? Even my hoisin sauce at home has storage instructions.

Which left?

2010-04-11T19:09:00.004+08:00

"The Left in the Senate" group no longer knows which "left" they are.

They were in a quandary. There is Aquino of the dubbed Hacienda Luisita Massacre, then there is Marcos of the Martial Law regime. But they need the money and the machinery to push their mainstream political careers further and penetrate the democratic government.

Is it because the Martial Rule happened earlier that they thought of a Marcos alliance as the lesser evil or is it because they have noon else to cling to?

I am confounded. Didn't they become activists, didn't they fight back, because of the reign of the Marcoses? They are the "left", yes. They started out so because of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, the beloved father of their now ally, Ferdinand "Bong Bong" Marcos, Jr. How they can stand beside a Marcos to the Senate is beyond me.

If they can set that aside for the sake of pushing their political careers forward, it scares me to find out what else they can stomach and forget.

Howard Roark is alive!

2010-04-08T15:36:00.002+08:00

If Howard Roark, Ayn Rand's hero in her book the Fountainhead, were real today, this looks exactly like a house that he would build.

Read the whole post here: http://dornob.com/this-house-rocks-hilltop-house-cut-into-steep-stone-slope

(Photos from dornob.)

Asphalt mashphalt

2010-04-08T13:50:00.002+08:00

It's rush hour. Traffic gets really bad, especially on EDSA. Nearing Makati is one of the popular choke points. What can we do?

Let's make a road block.

I don't get it. Why do our elected, and their appointed, officials choose to, say, put asphalt on the road during rush hour? Is it their need for an audience? Do they want to do it so conspicuously in order to let everyone know that they are doing something as if no one would notice the next morning that the huge craters on the highway disappeared? Do they not want to wait another day for the work holiday nor start the night before? Do they just want to piss people off or are they simply stupid?

I. Don't. Get. It.

And I'm ranting because that's exactly what they decided to do this morning. At 7 a.m. on EDSA right after Shaw Boulevard, traffic wasn't moving, which was strange because the whole trip from Quezon City was a breeze. Yes, even on Cubao and Shaw underpasses. Then suddenly it stopped. And we were crawling. Intermittently.

I thought there was an accident of some sort. But lo' and behold, upon reaching the Rockwell area, I discovered that the only accident was pea-size brains. The right-most lane from Estrella toward Buendia was closed due to construction.

Thank you for the asphalt, incumbent officials. I'm sure it is a way for you to squeeze more money out of our pockets just before your reign ends. One for the road, pun intended. If not that, maybe you're vying for reelection and this is your last minute reminder to the people that you are still alive.

Whatever the reasons are, the whole project was stupid. Stupid at 7 a.m. on a work day. On EDSA. Near Makati.

Thank you for pissing us off and disrupting our morning schedules.

De Quiros' Peñaflorida Syndrome

2010-04-07T12:20:00.001+08:00

I admire and respect Conrado de Quiros. I can only wish I can write and be as witty as him. But, really, one can take only so much of his champion Efren Peñaflorida.

I recognize that Peñaflorida's achievements are beyond recognition and winning CNN Hero of the Year is one huge icing on the cake for him and for us Filipinos. Nevertheless, I don't have to read about him every single day. He is not the only person of interest in this world. We don't have to mention him as often as men of the cloth refer to their god.

Peñaflorida shouldn't be treated as a demigod, either, as if thinking that he had a shot at Angel Locsin is no indication of the delusional path his mind has started to take. Although, for our benefit and his, I sure hope that was simply temporary insanity.

Maybe he assumed that since his name is Efren, he was destined to be with Darna?

I have nothing against Efren Peñaflorida, really. I think what he has done and continues to do is commendable, and we sure need more people like him in this lifetime. Pero naman, nakakasuya na.

The Modern Day Holy Week

2010-04-03T18:04:00.003+08:00

I used to spend the Holy Week in the province when I was a kid. They would leave me there for days to have someone to play with, being an only child, and to get all sunburned at the beach where I first learned how to swim.

The relatives I stayed with there were very religious. They still are. They are what you call saradong katoliko or devout Catholics.

There was one Good Friday when I, with my mother's cousin who is nearer my age than hers, stayed up all night talking and playing in the bedroom. We were jumping on the bed during the wee hours, if I remember correctly. It was technically a Saturday already.

The cousin's older brother went to our room and told us to go to sleep. He said we shouldn't be playing. We shouldn't be noisy at all. We shouldn't be having fun. Jesus was dead.

Toward the second half of my grade school, I had stopped going regularly to the province, especially during Holy Week. Since then, I got used to staying in Manila at this time of the year, which is the smartest choice if you ask me.

Manila is great without more than half of the people normally residing in it primarily to work. The streets are empty, peaceful and quiet. There may not be establishments open for you to hang out at but your friends' houses or your own is always a great place.

But now, you'd be surprised at how many restaurants and coffee shops are open during the Holy Week. On Good Friday, even. Some serve red meat. Yes, red meat.

There was a time when being open for business was unheard of on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. But now, food joints are starting to prefer catering to a select few who do not adhere strictly to the traditions and practices of Christianity.

Personally, I think we're making good progress, being more tolerant and open to beliefs other than those brought to us by our conquerors. Then again, this tolerance might boomerang back to us-- to me, who loves having Manila on my own during the Holy Week. I'm afraid more and more people would take the "smarter choice" of not going for a vacation or going home to the provinces. If that day comes, you might see me packing my bag and heading to the coast again.

Google is God, US Mayors Follow

2010-03-23T10:29:00.001+08:00

City mayors in the US goes ga-ga over Google's offer of ultra high-speed broadband connection for up to 500,000 users for FREE. The catch is it will only build such network in one or two locations.

With the sending of applications ending on Friday, these government officials have pulled off almost unimaginable things to put their respective cities in front of the broadband race, earning the honor and extra dollars in tourism and business.

Some have jumped out of airplanes, into icy lakes and changed the city's name to Google!

Read CNN.com's full article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/22/technology/22stunts.html?hpw

Google uncensors China

2010-03-23T07:42:00.001+08:00

Google has started redirecting users of the censored China Google search engine to its uncensored Hong Kong site. A huge point for Google. The question now is, how long will it last?

Killer catfish

2010-03-11T15:31:00.000+08:00

Something terrifying lurks the Amazon river. It's a parasite that kills without mercy. It is feared and loathed. It is a catfish, and it's so small it can enter a human body through the urethra. Ouch.

Recently, Discovery Channel featured the Amazon in its River Monsters show, which includes this horrifying catfish named the Candiru. It's tiny but can grow to as long as six inches, even inside its host, which could be a human body.

It was reported that a man, peeing in the Amazon river, felt this type of catfish enter his penis. It was taken out later through surgery.

Apparently, what this parasite does it suck the blood out of you. Well, I guess not entirely but just enough for it to continue its happy life.

The Candiru has a cousin that is no less vicious. The Paraiba is also a type of catfish that can enter the human body by biting out the flesh, leaving a gaping hole resembling a bullet wound.

Once inside, the Paraiba will eat everything in sight, hollowing out its victim.

Lessons learned:

1. The Amazon is already scary as it is. If you have the choice, stay the hell out of it. What will you be doing swimming in the Amazon river anyway?

2. Maybe there really is no decent place for you to pee at such as a bathroom, but don't pollute the waters with your urine. When one with nature and it beckons, pee into a bottle or onto soil to at least help plants hydrate.

3. Be smart. Think before you stick your wang out.

Howard Stern is controversial but right

2010-03-11T08:00:00.001+08:00

I'm no fan of Gabourey Sidibe and I haven't seen Precious, although I believe people when they say it's a moving film.

But then, when I look at Gabourey Sidibe, I don't see a Cinderella with a brilliant career ahead of her like Oprah Winfrey said. I see a huge unhealthy African-American girl who isn't pleasing to look at. And I think someone who cares enough about her should save her from her unhealthiness and Hollywood itself.

It's so apparent. Hollywood is using her. She is the new toy all the kids want to play with. She is the new fad. And her pedestal is being lifted even higher because of her weight and how she looks.

Now Howard Stern, although I am no fan of his either and I actually love Jay Leno, said some very truthful words, but people are lambasting him for his comments. Those are the people who are being sucked in by this Hollywood nonsense as well.

Gabourey Sidibe may be talented, but she is neither a star nor a toy. And she is unhealthy. People around her should, aside from telling her that she is great, help her see that brilliant career, if there will be, in the future.

Here is the full CNN.com article on Howard Stern's comments from http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2010/03/09/howard-stern-makes-controversial-remarks-about-precious-star-gabourey-sidibe/:

'While recapping the Academy Awards on his Sirius satellite radio show Monday, Howard Stern said some controversial words about best actress nominee Gabourey Sidibe.

Stern, focused on the part of Sunday's show when the camera cut to the five actresses up for the Oscar, including Sidibe, whom he referred to as "the most enormous, fat black chick I've ever seen."

"You feel bad because everyone pretends that she's part of show business and she's never going to be in another movie," Stern added. "What movie is she going to be in? 'Blind Side 2,' she could be the football player."

Howard accused Oprah Winfrey, who introduced Sidibe at the Oscars when the best actress nominees were announced, of lying to Sidibe. "When we look at you," Winfrey told the 26-year-old from the Oscars stage, "we see a true, American Cinderella who's on the threshold of a brilliant new career."

Stern disagreed. "She told an enormous woman the size of a planet that she's going to have a career," he said during his broadcast. "Oprah should've said, 'you need to get help, we don't want to lose you.' "

For Stern, Sidibe's size is not just a problem for her career, but her health as well.

"You just want to say to her, listen, honey, now that you've got a little money in the bank go get yourself thin, because you're going to die in three years," he said.

A recording of the show has been posted on YouTube, and reactions have ranged from disgust to agreement.

One YouTube user commented that Stern was only saying what everyone else is thinking, while another found Stern's remarks, regardless of their validity, to be unnecessary. Another wrote, "It's not like what he's saying is totally untrue, but he's so rude and mean about it." A Gone Hollywood blogger said that while he isn't going to pretend that Sidibe won't have a hard time in Hollywood because of her size, it looks like Stern is picking on an easy target.'

Betty White on SNL

2010-03-10T20:43:00.004+08:00

Finally, Betty White will be appearing on Saturday Night Live! As requested by millions of people and hundreds of thousands Facebook page fans. Can you believe that at 88 years old she has never hosted SNL? What a loss!

For sure her stint will be hilarious. Can't wait!

Leighton + Holga = Double Love

2010-03-10T12:20:00.001+08:00

Miss Nina Westervelt, the photographer who takes lovely Holga portraits, mostly of famous people, captured Leighton Meester and Olivia Thirlby during Phillip Lim's Spring 2010 show.

I can't embed the photo her so just follow the link to Nina's flickr page.

Stepping out behind every great man

2010-03-08T17:25:00.001+08:00

Today is International Women's Day. We have come so far but not far
enough. The fight goes on.

Celebrate womanhood. We are the greatest creatures that have ever
walked the Earth.

Review: Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland (I'm keeping my muchness)

2010-03-08T17:22:00.001+08:00

We didn't get to watch Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland on Imax, but
I'm more than happy that we still got to watch it on 3D. Surprisingly,
lines at the Trinoma cinemas weren't as long as expected, so we were
able to secure tickets without reservation.

Thanks to advanced cinematic effects, Burton was able to take us to a
wonderland indeed. It was seamless in a nutty kind of way, which is
what Alice in Wonderland is all about: nutty, confounding, curious and
wonderful. Just like any dream of interest is.

Helena Bonham-Carter as the Red Queen cum Queen of Hearts with the
enlarged head is the cutest thing ever. I'd take my hat off her and
her creator if I had one. She is the most adorable brat I have ever
known, next to myself, I believe.

Johnny Depp is expectedly excellent as the Mad Hatter. Although, the
dance at the end is over-the-top for me. Cheesy even.

Anne Hathaway's character, the White Queen, is hilarious. It's
surprising actually. She is a dork.

As for the storyline, it is much clearer than the previous
adaptations. It is after all a continuation of Alice's primary
adventures in Wonderland. She is now older, and, this time, it's no
longer a dream. Or at least, that's what she thinks.

Tim Burton's version has a story, a plot, a culmination. Although
Johnny Depp's, Anne Hathaway's and Helena Bonham-Carter's characters
carried the movie to greatness instead of the story or Alice, the film
is still amazing on its own. For people of my generation, and older,
the deviations could be either irritating or acceptable. In my case,
it was irritating at first because I wanted to watch the same Alice in
Wonderland but more visually appealing. I felt the loss of certain
bits that I remember from the old adaptations.

But later on I got to accept that it is a different story, and it's
lovable for what it is. The allusions to the original story became
more enjoyable, and I'm sure the kids of today do not care a bit for
what I saw a decade or two ago. Besides, the writing is in fact good.
The kookiness appeals to kids and adults alike but the wittiness is
exclusively for the pleasure of the latter.

I think, for the new generation, the movie is outstanding. But for me,
Alice's journey back to Wonderland is the same as mine. It's something
that seems like a dream but could actually be a memory. It's still
Wonderland but it has changed, as I have changed returning to it.

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Or die of heat stroke

2010-03-08T10:11:00.001+08:00

If you think you can bear your thirst for a minute more, think again.

A 16-year old student have actually died of heat stroke in Iloilo
province (Full article:
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/185478/iloilo-teen-succumbs-to-heat-stroke),
where the temperature is just the same as in Metro Manila, sometimes
even lower by a degree or two.

Apparently, he attended a fiesta then played two games of basketball
under the sun.

Whatever happens, even if you're wearing suncreen, stay out of the sun
this summer. Of course there will be times that you'd have to go out,
but don't linger too long. And always hydrate. Bring a bottle of water
with you at all times if you have to. This is what I plan to do as
well since I commute.

Frankly, I was never a fan of summer. And each year the heat just gets
worse. I'm looking forward to the first rain of May. But, please, easy
on the flooding.

I wanna be in wonderland too

2010-03-05T15:24:00.001+08:00

Alice in Wonderland opened yesterday, and it's a mortal sin not to
watch it on 3D. And because we're so excited, we want to watch it on
Imax, which amounts to P400 per ticket.

FYI, I didn't watch Avatar. We wanted to because of its 3D effects.
Only because of that. But Alice in Wonderland is different. It's
Johnny Depp. It's Alice in Wonderland. It's Tim Burton. It's P400, and
I will watch it, even if my wallet bleeds.

I downloaded the 1999 Alice in Wonderland T.V. movie, but I haven't
gotten around to watching it. But I will watch it too because Whoopi
Goldberg as the cheshire cat is imprinted in my head asking "Who...
R... U??" to Alice. It's been there since I watched it a decade ago.
Aside from her, the face of that adorable Disney cheshire cat from the
1951 movie adaptation is unforgettable. Which reminds me, I have to
download that too.

I love Alice in Wonderland's story. It's a fun, dark, not-for-kids
children's story. Lewis Carroll (Charles Lutwidge) was a genius.

Battle of the balakang (hips)

2010-03-05T09:07:00.001+08:00

In the shuttle going to work, Lady #10 in the line bypassed some
passengers, including me, because she was talking to Lady #7 and she
concurred that she'll make it to the shuttle anyway since shuttles can
accommodate 10 people normally.

She did. But she got in the shuttle before the other passengers in
front of her, hence I ended up last in the middle row, which I don't
mind at all, only, I can't close the door. I guess 1/4 of my ass was
suspended in midair. I tried a few times but the other passengers
won't budge. Finally they compressed a little and we got the door to
close.

Now, Lady #10 who was sitting beside me apparently wasn't happy with
her compressed self, so she kept on twisting and twitching maybe
trying to squish me a bit more to the door.

She twisted, and nothing happened. She twitched, and nothing happened.

Dear, it's because there's no more space in the shuttle or in me for
further compression. And, you see, however strongly you try to squish
me, bottom line is (pun intended), hindi kaya ng balakang mo ang
balakang ko (your hips can't best mine.)

Crazy curls

2010-03-04T14:58:00.003+08:00

As I was going through the trends in hair styling tools online, I came across what at first seemed to be the biggest marketing ploy ever: a curling blow dryer. It claims to curl your hair while blow drying. No brushes whatsoever.

I almost dismissed it entirely until a colleague pointed out that the brand was actually quite credible. So I researched on the Remington Spin Curl Dryer and found a video of a girl using the product, and it's mindblowing! This model is crazy! Ingenius! The curls are ew but, genius!

Check it out.

What's hurting?

2010-03-04T12:09:00.002+08:00

Julianne Moore is visible again being on the cover of New York Times' Style magazine.

She is beautiful, without a doubt. And the editorial is stunning. But why does she look as if she's in pain all the time?

(Photo by Raymond Meier from NYTimes.com.)

Best casting ever!

2010-03-02T21:07:00.004+08:00

Of all the T.V. series out there, I only watch a handful religiously such as Gossip Girl and House. I love both Leighton Meester's and Hugh Laurie's characters. And last week I read on JustJared.com that they will be in an indie film together -- as lovers! What fun!

Apparently, shooting of "Oranges" will start in April. I can't wait!

Trivia: Leighton Meester has guested on House as an ill girl who ended up stalking and obsessing about House.

(Photo from Just Jared.)

Dancing with Brenda Walsh

2010-03-02T20:59:00.004+08:00

I've been browsing through news articles online looking for something interesting. At lunch time I almost gave up until I landed, for some unknown reason, on the list of Dancing with the Stars upcoming cast. I don't even watch the show! But now I would most likely.

The first few names were blah. Yeah, I've known Pamela Anderson would be there for some time now. She could be fun. Chad Ocho-what? Ochocinco? *snicker* Erin Andrews the ESPN reporter, wasn't she the one who was seen naked in a hotel? So predictable. That would open new opportunities to anybody. Shannen Doherty, Buzz Al...

Wait, what? Shannen Doherty? Oh my effin' god! Shannen Doherty! I LOVE her! *enter clips from the original Beverly Hills 90210 and images of Brenda canoodling with Dylan*

For that, and that alone, despite being clueless about her dancing ability, I will watch Dancing with the Stars. I swear.

The case of the unwanted guest

2010-03-02T19:32:00.002+08:00

We all get them every once in a while, and due to our culture of hospitality and public humility, we can't seem to ask them, albeit nicely, to leave when it's time for them to. For their part, they lack awareness that they don't realize how much inconvenience they are bestowing upon their hapless hosts. They give visitations a bad name.

Case in point, a guest is still in the house, hence my holing up in the room, blogging.

Digest this: A guest arrives around 6 p.m. Before 7 p.m., dining table is set up, and dinner is served. A few minutes of waiting show that the guest will not leave yet. Crumbling stomach complains and Imelda eats at the dining table alone because house person #1 is still talking to guest, house person #2 and #3 are waiting for the guest to leave. Imelda finishes eating and yet the guest is still there. Niceties are exchanged, segues actually for good byes such as "it's nice to see you" and giving of e-mail addresses. The guest still doesn't leave. Instead, guest coaxes hapless hosts to drink. Guest and dinnerless hapless hosts drink. The end.

The purpose of paying someone a visit is not to make them suffer. It's supposed to be a pleasant gesture. So, please, guests and would-be guests, think about your visit before you force yourself on other people. And don't make the mistake of forcing yourself on me because I'd rather throw you out than please you at my expense.

Indeed, what is a photograph?

2010-03-01T15:22:00.001+08:00

http://pogue.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/25/photoshop-and-photography-when-is-it-real/?ref=technology

I have a Philosophy professor who happens to be into photography as well. We have revived communications through e-mail since last year, and one of the things we discussed first when we discovered our mutual interest was where do you draw the line between acceptable post-processing and too much photo manipulation.

Surprisingly, with all the years he has ahead of me, he turned out to be more open to manipulations than I am. I'm sure there were valuable points thrown during our e-mail exchange, but to me, it still boils down to the difference between actual photography skills and software expertise.

The NYTimes.com article says that in the March issue of Popular Photogaphy magazine, the publication tackles the question, "What is a photograph?" And yes, modern times have made it even harder to answer.

Then again, I strongly believe that a photography contest, as the one mentioned in the story, should be strict about post-processing and not accept graphic design or a final image that uses photographs as elements. It is a "photography" contest after all. Or maybe it should now be made more specific and reworded into "photograph-taking" contest?

Tipping is an option

2010-03-01T08:39:00.001+08:00

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/26/hey-waiter-just-how-much-extra-do-you-really-expect/?hp

Somebody out there understands me!

Oh kindred spirit, we share the same sentiments. Although, I feel more strongly toward taxi drivers "asking" for tips. And where I'm from, they sometimes demand for it. I always want to tell them, I don't get to ask my boss for any extra. So why should they demand more from me? They have meters. They are there for a reason.

And don't even start complaining about oil price hikes and other markups. I buy stuff too, you know. Food and rent aren't free in my world as well.

So, yes. Stop complaining. I get a fixed salary, fixed hours but not a fixed work load. And I don't get tips. You're barking up the wrong tree.

Mr. David Sax said it best, "I'll keep forking over my change, you keep smiling, and we'll both lobby for an increase in the minimum wage." Everybody happy.

Web Finds: Hugging shakers & clever candles

2010-02-28T22:20:00.003+08:00

Found these cool stuff on Yanko Design. It's a design site where a lot of innovative things, existing physically or mentally, can be found.

Like this bulb-shaped candle that gives the effect of a real light bulb. Clever!

And this hugging salt and pepper shakers are simply too cute! If these were available where I'm at, I'll definitely buy a set.

Kudos to the inventors!

(Photos from Yanko Design.)

Alexander McQueen's funeral

2010-02-26T12:27:00.002+08:00

(Photo from http://www.fashionologie.com)

Finally, Alexander McQueen is laid to rest. Although, a public memorial service is said to take place at a later date.

As expected, the funeral was attended by fashion celebrities in fashionable attires. But, surely, no one can beat Miss Daphne Guinness for arriving in an extravagant black cape by Alexander McQueen himself.

And look at those shoes! Is it my eyes or are they missing some heels?

It's fabulous and appropriate at the same time. It's a fitting tribute and a loud applause to McQueen's person and talent, which will be greatly missed.

Yes, you can wear that in my funeral.

Avenue Q Is Back On Its 5th Run

2010-02-26T12:23:00.002+08:00

Avenue Q will again run from March 12-27, 2010 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City!

This is great news to those who haven't seen it and to those who have but want to watch the show again. As for me, I keep mp3s of all the songs. Although, I do plan to watch it this year. I hope I get to.

Imagine: The Muppets meet The Simpsons and South Park. Maybe add a little bit of The Family Guy as well. Fun!

Rachel Alejandro's back on the show, together with Aiza Seguerra.

You can catch Avenue Q on the following dates:

March 12, Friday, 8pm
March 13, Saturday, 2pm and 8pm
March 14, Sunday, 2pm and 8pm
March 17, Wednesday, 8pm
March 18, Thursday, 8pm
March 19, Friday, 8pm
March 20, Saturday, 2pm and 8pm
March 21, Sunday, 2pm and 8pm
March 24, Wednesday, 8pm
March 25, Thursday, 8pm
March 26, Friday, 8pm
March 27, Saturday, 2pm and 8pm

Ticket prices:
Orchestra center - P1500
Orchestra side - P1300
Loge center - P1000
Side/Upper Loge - P800
Balcony - P600

For inquiries, you can contact Ticketworld at 891-9999 and Atlantis Productions at 892-7078 or 840-1187, or visit its Web site at http://www.atlantisproductionsinc.com.

Ampatuans seeking settlement

2010-02-25T18:41:00.001+08:00

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100225-255241/Ampatuans-seeking-settlement

When I read this headline on Inquirer.net, my instant reaction was, "Settlement...ulol!"

The nerve! You kill then you insult even more?

This isn't a civil case or a minor criminal case that can be easily forgiven with some pecuniary persuasion. This is a multiple murder case. And not just any kind of murder, mind you. Because what happened was not just an affront to the victims, and their families and friends. It was an affront to all humanity as this massacre -- can we think of a worse, more fitting term? -- disregarded any kind of humanity that ever purportedly existed.

Think of the darkest, vilest spot in a man's soul. That is what the souls of the killers and masterminds are made of. Pure darkness.

Settlement? All of humanity called, from the flesh-eating cavemen to the unborn. Collectively, we say, "Eff you!"

PDI: Arroyo Backing Fatal - Pulse Asia

2010-02-25T18:11:00.004+08:00

While Arroyo backing is fatal according to PDI based on Pulse Asia's survey (full article),
the LC-A Instant Back is fatal as well but in a different way. Actually, in two ways. It will kill your heart with excitement and kill your budget. It kills me more because my LC-A is still sick, and I'm an irresponsible mother for not taking it to the doctor.

I want that instant back, demmit. And if they can't fix my LC-A, I swear to those deities somewhere that I'll buy a "new" one. Even if that means I would have to settle for an LC-A+. Dread!

The Object Of My Desire

2010-02-19T20:29:00.004+08:00

Since Nexus One came out, I've been lusting over it. I knew by then that I will be replacing my phone (HTC TytnII/Dopod 838Pro) with it eventually. The Google phone is the only phone I wanted to have since I bought what I'm using now almost three years ago. But at the back of my mind, I knew HTC will come up with something close.

Earlier, HTC released a list of their 2010 phones and I immediately fell in love with the Bravo model.

Then came this:

It's the renamed Bravo, and gah! I'm in love!

It's a bit pricier than the Nexus One, which is ridiculously being sold at a low price. If I'm not mistaken, there's a more or less P10,000 difference between the two. And that makes it harder for me to choose.

If you want to drool over HTC Desire with me, you can visit the HTC site or google it for reviews.

Moleskine My Pilipinas Limited Edition

2010-02-19T20:18:00.002+08:00

I WANT!!

Moleskine teamed up with Collezione C2 to come up with this limited edition My Pilipinas Moleskine. It comes only in black soft cover, but what the heck, I want it!

The pocket size is at P995, which IMO isn't worth it because it's so small, and the bigger one goes for P1480. If you're buying just one, might as well go for the larger size. These are exclusively available in some National Bookstore branches and Collezione C2.

I love notebooks, especially new ones. I love Moleskine. I love nationalistic stuff. And it's always great to have a limited edition anything.

I. Want. One.

Please?

2009

2010-02-07T11:34:00.002+08:00

This is a bit delayed, given that we're already on the February calendar. But because this is probably the first time I'm doing it, and it's better late than never, I'm giving it a go.

Here are my 2009 achievements and 2010 resolutions.

Yes, I made resolutions, albeit just in my head. I've never done that before.

Anyway, 2009...

1. I learned how to cook.

Let me qualify, I learned how to do real cooking, not just frying preserved or precooked food (not chickens or fish).

2. I've conditioned myself to wake up early.

I was never a morning person. I still don't think I am one, but I was able to effectively wake up early, and actually enjoy being early at work and coming home early. Yes, sleeping early, too. But I terribly, terribly, terribly miss the ungodly hours. Those are my hours.

3. I grew some balls. Yes, more balls.

Wait. Is that it? Growing more responsible in an everyday-life sort of way felt so much more onerous than three numbers on a list. I’m still spoiled and still a brat, but I think I’ve taken a leap by putting it in place.

I think.

Okay, the resolutions will be on another post. I would have to organize my thoughts first.

Apple iPad

2010-01-29T21:13:00.003+08:00

To be honest, I'm not a Mac person. I don't own anything Apple. But I'm not biased against Apple products. I just haven't found one that I would want so badly to have. Almost the iPhone but I feel as if it has very limited functions.

Anyway, a couple of days ago Apple launched the iPad, as you would already know. Well, what do you think about it? I, for one, am not impressed.

It's not multitasking (until jailbreak), has no Flash and uses micro-SIM instead of the regular-size SIM card.

What else can it do? If I just want something to read on, I'll get an ordinary e-book reader, not a glorified one. If I want to surf the Internet, I'll get on a real computer (desktop, laptop or even a netbook) for a complete browsing experience, not a WiFi-enabled screen. And definitely I will not get a 16GB storage for $499. And I will not add more to that for 3G capability because who the hell uses a micro-SIM?

Surely, the Apple iPad has its great points. Although its name isn't one of them. It's just not the gadget that I would vie for.

As for its name, I see that they're comparing it with sanitary napkins. That isn't our problem with the name. To us in the Philippines, it sounds barok, which is what you'd sound like if you can't pronounce words, English words especially, correctly. I think it's worse than sounding like a sanitary napkin.

RIP J.D. Salinger

2010-01-29T18:18:00.002+08:00

J.D. Salinger, one of the greatest American authors, died at 91.

Coincidentally, I have Catcher In The Rye by my bedside.

It's always sad when geniuses pass away. I feel as if we won't have any more of such minds.

Viloria falls, Tamara reigns

2010-01-25T19:04:00.004+08:00

Inquirer.net: Tamara TKOs Viloria for IBF mini flyweight crown

I am no fan of Brian Viloria. He can't box, IMHO. He merely punches vigorously. Or tries.

Filipinos around the world (given the Viloria didn't grow up in the Philippines) should know that Manny Pacquiao didn't become the champion boxer that he is now because of his race. He climbed on top of the boxing world because he worked hard for it. He trained hard for it. He dedicated sweat, blood, tears and time. We are all witness to how much discipline Pacquiao has.

No, you can't box and win just because you're Filipino. You have to push yourself.

I Know Which Side You're On

2010-01-18T18:48:00.003+08:00

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2010-01/18/content_9334543.htm

"Philip J Cunningham" might be one of the most non-Chinese names you could ever hear, but the insights shared in the article 'Do No Evil' lays bare Web giant's hypocrisy is so anti-Google that you'd think it came from China's Communist Party itself. Talk about bashing. It makes Google sound as if it is more evil than the devil.

Personally, I've acquired a wealth of information because of Google. And knowledge is indeed power. That's one concept that is apparently missed by some people.

Of course not everybody likes Google and, admittedly, there are many Chinese in the mainland that share the party's view regarding cyber censorship.

We, as outsiders, cannot say what's good for them.

We are so used to having our current civil liberties and freedoms that we cannot imagine to live in a world that doesn't grant us our rights. But maybe what those "rights" are, are more subjective than we think. Your right could be my privilege.

Do you still remember not too long ago, we didn't have the rights that we enjoy or take for granted now? Women were barred from getting an education and voting (even speaking when not talked to!). Black people, even those who had been freed from slavery, were barred from a lot of other things. Same sex marriage used to be unfathomable.

Today, Obama is in the oval office, we in the Philippines is saying good bye to our 2nd woman president (finally!), and while it is still a huge issue in the state of California, same sex marriage is legal in several places.

China just opened their world to the rest of ours a few years ago. It is an old civilazation and yet still very young in a way. It is crawling out of its shell, albeit slower than some people desire. It had just recently opened itself to change. Can we really expect the people, especially the party, to give in to drastic ones?

Then again, we are all suspicious of the Internet in a way. It is true that boundaries are being crossed, privacy is being lost and safety is being put at risk. We all know this. But why are we not as scared as they are?

It goes without saying that the Internet has millions and billions of benefits, and the modern lives that we are now leading -- willingly or not -- and the Internet are so fused together that we may not be able to function without the cyberspace.

Can you imagine a government removing Internet and SMS services as it pleases, as what China did to Xinjiang following a deadly riot, cutting down communication and access as if grounding a rebel teenager for not coming home early? It is inconceivable to us. It is almost perverse.

But to many people in China, this is acceptable if not futile to oppose. They continue to accept and live with it with the same obedience the people have always had for centuries.

We can't force China to change radically overnight. At the same time, China cannot force the rest of the world to acquiesce to its desires. What China wants, China gets -- in China. So get out if you don't like it. Doing so doesn't make you bad.

Stop criticizing Google for its decisions if you, China, want to be left alone with yours.

A Step Forward Becomes Leaps And Bounds Backward

2010-01-18T18:46:00.001+08:00

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8461643.stm

I rejoiced too soon. What could have been a momentous event was cancelled by the police an hour before it was meant to start.

The Mr. Gay China pageant did not push through. What an unfortunate turn.

Leno vs. O'Brien

2010-01-15T06:46:00.000+08:00

I don't normally get involved in T.V. wars. And in the Philippines, T.V. wars mean network wars. But this late-night war on NBC, which has been spun into Leno versus Conan, the two late-night hosts, affects me a bit. Probably because I've always watched Jay Leno on "The Tonight Show". And before Conan O'Brien replaced him, I never really watched Conan. I didn't like him much. I didn't get his (niche) humor. It simply wasn't to my taste.

Also, I have higher regard for Leno. The guy pulled ratings for years, and he is the better host. He interviews and deals with people better. As for the comedy, I've said earlier that I am more into Leno's.

I must admit, though, that watching Conan on "The Tonight Show" made me like him a little. A little. He is trying his hardest to fit into the show and he has been better, anyone can see that. Too bad his efforts couldn't generate enough ratings.

Of course people's sympathies would go out to Conan. He is the seeming underdog here. He worked hard and waited for what felt like forever to be gifted the "The Tonight Show", and now that he has finally gotten it, he doesn't only fail at sustaining the ratings the show had been getting with Leno and Johnny Carson, he is being bumped to give way to, who else, Leno.

Let's face it. Leno gets more viewers. The younger demographic that has been ranting all over the Internet, which is Conan's target market, hasn't been watching him on "The Tonight Show". I'd even say all this brouhaha is their fault. If only they had shown their support through ratings, which is what Conan obviously needs, NBC would have had second thoughts about bumping him.

The people who had been watching "The Tonight Show" all these years aren't the same kind of people who would enjoy watching Conan. Emotions are all aflutter but, people of the earth, be sensible.

(And, no, Twitter can't save the world.)

Google Takes A Poke At The Giant

2010-01-14T20:26:00.004+08:00

Yesterday, I posted a link on a microblogging site about Google's threat to pull out of China. Of course I was rooting for Google.

(Read about it here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8455712.stm)

Google claims that they experienced cyber attacks from China, without accusing the China government directly. These attacks, according to Google, were meant to hack into Chinese human rights activists' Gmail accounts. In light of these attacks, Google is no longer willing to censor its search results in China (which it shouldn't have done in the first place). If negotiations with China fall through, Google will close down its search engine, and consequently its business, in China.

I say, go Google!

The Internet now is full of chatter about this issue. It's a big one, yes. And there are speculations as to the real reason behind Google's decision, implying that the Web giant is lying through its rainbow-colored teeth.

As for me, I don't give a rat's ass. However I look at it, Google is championing freedom of speech, among others. And that's never a bad thing.

Then again, moral issues like this are more complicated than they seem. Filtering "offensive" information depends, of course, on what one considers offensive. There are adult sites that are blocked from the Philippines because they are deemed "pornographic", and pornography itself is deemed evil by the Philippine government, hence illegal. Formal laws, after all, are rooted on informal ones such as conventions, beliefs and values.

So, why does censorship in China receive much opposition? Probably because the modern world has changed a lot without China. Its moral beliefs are not popularly held elsewhere.

Nevertheless, it's about time somebody stands up to China. Sure we have to respect all opinions and cultural differences. But that doesn't mean we have to acquiesce. No one wants to be bullied. Getting out of China is, I think, the most rational thing to do without compromising anyone's principles. Let's not do any arm-twisting.

And besides, not everybody needs China.

A Giant Step And A Leap

2010-01-12T20:07:00.001+08:00

There are two milestones I believe we have to acknowledge, and they are both gender-related.

One is the first ever Mr. Gay China pageant on the mainland. Bravo! It will be held this Friday, according to China Daily, organized by Beijing's only gay PRand events management company.

"We hope to send out a message to the Chinese public that the gay community is here and it's healthy, sexy, trendy," Gayographic's co-founder and managing editor Ben Zhang said.

The article really describes the PR firm as "gay". It doesn't also help that the company name is "Gayographic". Baby steps. Although, in this case, it's actually a big one. But maybe in the future they wouldn't have to center names of "gay" companies on the word "gay" or actually describe a business as being so.

And no, gayness isn't "trendy".

Still, bravo to the organizers and a standing ovation for the eight contestants! Eventually they will be steered toward a healthy, progressive direction.

Maybe this will solve the misfortune of having 24 million brideless Chinese men due to the one-child policy that has been strictly implemented for decades. Then again, the problem of procreation and saving a race will still be there.

(Read the full China Daily article here: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/metro/2010-01/11/content_9299358.htm)

The second milestone we should give recognition is the opening of the first mixed-gender university, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology or KRAUST, in Saudi Arabia. This isn't only a bold and grand move toward gender equality but also an excellent progress in education, and science and technology in the Middle East.

Of course, the institution and King Abdullah's relatively radical plans for Saudi Arabia are not without opposition. I'm just happy that parts of his promising vision are taking place. Although I'm sure plenty out there aren't.

(Read the full China Daily article here: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/life/2009-09/24/content_8730935.htm)

Good Riddance, 2009?

2009-12-31T11:19:00.004+08:00

2009 wasn't a good year to many. In fact, it could be one of the worst. Now that it's almost gone, all I could say is: good riddance!

Icons and geniuses that can never be replaced nor forgotten passed away. Shock after shock and sadness from Francis Magalona to Michael Jackson and Cory Aquino.

Calamities had a party on Earth. It wasn't enough that numerous of people lose their jobs due to recession, thousands others had to lose loved ones or their homes and everything they owned.

Not to mention of course man-made calamities, particularly the Ampatuan massacre and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's candidacy in 2010. Kill. Me. Now. Or not.

But 2010 is almost here. Just a few hours, actually, and I'm excited! I think 2010 is going to be good year regardless of what fortune tellers might say. I mean, if you are to follow a year that sucked real hard, you can't be so wrong.

I Found Paradise!

2009-12-27T11:16:00.001+08:00

Now, to get there...

Anxious

2009-12-25T22:12:00.002+08:00

I just got back from Christmas family dinner, and all I can think of are get-away options for 2010.

I need a vacation. I need something new and interesting. Uh, make that a lot of things. And I know that sadly I can't depend on the people around me, so I would just have to plan every little thing myself. If I don't make myself feel good, no one will!

Ah. The realities of life.

Almost Christmas

2009-12-24T20:57:00.002+08:00

It's about 30 minutes to midnight, then it will be the 25th of December. I have just finished cooking for Noche Buena and my back is aching so bad. My dish better be insanely good. For sure, after gorging on the food, especially the fruit salad, I'll plop down flat-faced on the bed and doze off faster than you can say...

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Today Is A Crazy Day

2009-12-21T20:17:00.002+08:00

I woke up to Brittany Murphy's death and a Jonas brother's loss of, um, well...

A few hours later, I went out to register to vote (refer to Hello, Suffrage blog post below).

This is indeed a crazy day. First of all, Clueless' Brittany Murphy! This is one of THE movies that shaped my high school era. Nineties had Clueless and Alicia Silverstone just as today has Gossip Girl on TV.

The screen got smaller and the boobs got bigger.

I think until now I still say "as if". Don't shoot me.

And that Jonas brother? Cheeses. He's so lame, whoever he is exactly. For sure he was married to for his money.

2009 has been crazy, to say the least. In-sane. And we still have nine days left.

Hello, Suffrage

2009-12-21T18:58:00.004+08:00

Just a few hours ago I became a registered voter. Hopefully, in five months I will be able to exercise my right to vote. That is, if I figure out where my precinct is.

So I'm not exactly 18. I'm not 17, either. I am way past that age. Unfortunately, the only presidential elections I experienced after I turned 18 was when Gloria ran for a 2nd term. I was not ecstatic about voting for FPJ, either.

Anyway, I was supposed to print out these Application for Registration forms from the Comelec website, but I didn't have that paper size. I decided to just brave the lines at the Comelec office.

What a mistake.

I had to line up to submit a photocopy of my ID for an hour just so they can check on the database, which can be done on the Comelec website, if I already had a record. Of course I didn't, so I moved onto the line to the next window to get the form (which, again, can be downloaded online). They, however, only give out one copy of the form. Each applicant needs three copies, so that means off you go to get the form photocopied.

After getting the form photocopied and filled up, I walked to the other side of the city hall compound to submit such documents. Just my luck, they went on an hour's lunch break. After that, I lined up to four people: one who checked if I filled up the form correctly, another who checked to which precinct I should be assigned, one to list down my name and provide me an application number for my form, and the last took my photo, and digital thumb mark and signature.

Oh there were five! The last one held captive the ink pads for imprinting thumb marks. She also tore off that part of the form which acts as my stub or Acknowledgement Receipt.

And they say they have limited manpower? They have 300 people doing what 20 can!

But at the end of the day, I'm glad I registered. Finally.

For those of you who haven't, here's how to register:

1. Have a valid ID photocopied (front and back)

2. Download the Application for Registration forms here and fill them up

3. Go to the Comelec office for your particular district

Thanks to the Supreme Court and the Kabataan Partylist, voters' registration for new or first time voters has been extended to December 21, 22, 23, 28 and 29, 2009.

Go out and register. Go out and vote. Next year's elections is our chance at betterment. Amid all the cheating and the corruption, let's not lose hope.

I Need Time

2009-12-17T20:04:00.000+08:00

...to breathe.

Screw Who?

2009-12-03T20:26:00.000+08:00

My new book! Or not.

I heard somewhere that it is wrong to read other people's letters. That's exactly what I'm doing now and I have no problem with it. In fact, it's a pleasure.

I got myself a copy of C.S. Lewis' Screwtape Letters a few days ago, and because I'm embarrassingly too busy to sit down and chomp on the whole book (which you can, by the way, since it's thin and the letters in it are huge) I see to it that I read one letter a night before going to sleep. It's like reading words of inspiration for a peaceful slumber.

Come to think of it, they are words of inspiration in a way. Only, Uncle Screwtape is actually a devil teaching his nephew Wormwood how to recruit souls.

One by one our weaknesses and transgressions are revealed in every written communication. How Wormwood reports his exploits, successes and failures to his uncle, I wouldn't know. Maybe his letters are in another book. Or he calls Screwtape instead. It is possible too that Screwtape just knows.

How comforting.

As far as I can tell, the book is an easy and interesting read. That depends on how you would define "easy" of course. In this case, it means it's readable. As for its effects on you, you'd have to find out on your own.

Tomorrow, Tomorrow

2009-12-02T20:08:00.002+08:00

I will post a blog entry. I promise myself.

If by tomorrow night I still have nothing, give me a call.

My Magical Eyeglasses

2009-11-19T19:50:00.002+08:00

For the longest time I refused to wear eyeglasses. They annoyed me. I thought they had no use.

I can still read the littlest letters. So I thought I can live without such inconvenient and uncomfortable bifocals. I thought wrong!

When I got new spectacles a few weeks ago, in a matter of days the nausea that I had to always bear with disappeared! Just like magic!

I used to have this slight motion sickness whenever I'm in moving vehicles, elevators, etc. I also always get nausea and headache when I stay long on the computer. At night, all the lights sometimes hurt me. I'd wear sunglasses and tightly shut my eyes.

The worst? I throw up.

For decades this was normal to me. Just now I realized it wasn't normal at all! My eyeglasses are magic! I'm cured! So I don't need them anymore? I still do? Darn.

Children Losing Sleep Over Adult Problems

2009-11-10T21:15:00.001+08:00

http://www.toynewsmag.com/spotlight/132/What-worries-your-target-audience

I found this article about what worries children 7 to 14 years old. Apparently, based on a survey in the UK, they are concerned about the same things that grown people are such as terrorism and global warming.

One wishes global warming away because children will be left to save the world.

Another is worried about terrorism "to come over here".

The list of these children's concerns include being run over and eaten by foxes, parents not loving each other, grandparents dying, kidnapping and the world coming to an end.

Poor kids!

No thanks to our threats to each other. We remain indignant while the young ones lose sleep over them.

We'll give these tots a heart attack with all our transgressions.

But, really, this isn't an exaggeration. Kids do worry about things that we think they do not.

I remember when I was this age, I concerned myself with so much stuff as well.

When another family close to ours died from a fire caused by an LPG explosion, I prayed every night that no LPG in our neighbors' houses, especially in ours, would explode.

More on explosions, I was so scared the sun would become a supernova, expand until it reaches the Earth and burn us all. There is no escaping!

All children are philosophers, you see. They worry about world problems, what universally affect us, and not day-to-day issues such as paying the bills and putting food on the table.

And these are the real problems, aren't they? They are just too big for us to solve that we ignore them.

Hello, Spectacles

2009-11-09T21:00:00.000+08:00

Over the weekend I got my new specs.

No I did not upgrade myself to double Ds. The specs I'm talking about are these small windows I got on my face.

At least that's what I felt like wearing it for the first time. It was as if I was looking through windows. They are after all framed glass.

I was told that I look like a bookworm bitch.

Maybe it's not so bad that I look snottier. It will help in warding off all evil, e.g. morons who whistle and jeer.

The Wedding Killer

2009-11-07T13:26:00.002+08:00

I am attending a dear friend's wedding in a couple of hours. If it doesn't push through, I'll check myself in an asylum.

I dreamt its failure. A girl the groom liked back in high school, who is a close friend of mine, turned up to stop the wedding, throwing herself at him.

They were blissful together in my dream, but I still lashed out at the girl for ruining what was supposed to be a wonderful wedding.

Now I cross my fingers that this won't happen in real life. Not that they won't be blissful but that the wedding won't be a huge fail.

Cheers and happiness from the bottom of my heart!

Manny Pacquiao Sings On Jimmy Kimmel Live

2009-11-05T22:24:00.001+08:00

Sometimes When We Touch sung by Manny Pacquaio.

Amazing!

Because Manny Pacquiao Is More Than Just A Boxer

2009-11-05T21:57:00.003+08:00

Of course he isn't just a boxer. But then he is even more than a great boxer. He is an entertainer.

He amuses you, admit it.

And now he had appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live. Coolness! Maybe one day he'll host Saturday Night Live!

Hello, SNL people. You might want to have Pacman on your show. He's fun. And funny too.

Watch video clips on YouTube. It will make your day! Woot!

500 Days of Summer

2009-11-05T11:14:00.000+08:00

I tried to get a copy of this movie a couple of months ago. Don't ask how. I didn't get one until last week and didn't get to watch it until recently.

Okay, where do I start? The movie's teaser photos and press releases made me interested in it. I didn't initially know what it was all about, but a lot of people turned up the hype.

They were saying it was an awesome movie, that they love it. I suddenly got scared because it was almost like "Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist" again.

I also got feedback that the movie included too many elements and tried so hard to be, well, artsy.

Let's see. To me, the story was good. It needs a little more polishing, but it was good. Of course it doesn't reveal anything new to us, just to the lead male character, Tom Hansen, played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

We all know this already: when we find the right person, we are ready. Those who say there is no such thing as love or that they don't believe in it just haven't felt it.

I can't believe how clueless Tom was until the end. While he was talking to Summer Finn, played by Zooey Deschanel, on the bench after she got married, I found myself telling him: It just isn't you.

You can't ask a person why. And no reason would suffice.

The "artsy" elements did turn me off. The first preposterous one was when Tom started dancing with everybody. Yes, everyone was dancing as well. To top it all off, like a rotten cherry, there was an animated bird that Tom interacted with.

I didn't get it.

It was totally unnecessary. I get that the movie wants to show how ecstatic Tom was after they had sex. That could've been shown with taste and class.

He wants to dance? Then by all means let him dance. Let him do cartwheels for all I care. Just don't make the whole town dance with him in bad choreography. And leave the animated birds alone.

Another strange insert was when Tom was watching a movie alone. Suddenly, he saw himself in the movies.

Again, it was unnecessary. And it didn't even add anything to the movie.

I believe there was one more that I hated. I just can't remember it anymore.

About the actors and characters, Joseph Gordon-Levitt was surprisingly channeling Heath Ledger. I didn't know they even look or talk a bit alike. I expected Joseph Gordon-Levitt to have a high-pitched voice and a more boyish vibe.

One of the reasons why I wanted to see the movie because I got the impression that Zooey Deschanel will be so cute with lots of cute clothes. I was disappointed.

The clothes were just alright. Not cute enough for me to shop for knock-offs.

Zooey Deschanel also wasn't as cute and charming as I thought she was. She looked so plain in the movie with zero sex appeal. I would say she looked like someone you wouldn't look at twice, and yet that's exactly how Summer was depicted in the movie. Ironic.

It really is a nice movie. Sometimes it threatens to lose its way but it got to the finish line. Although, I would prefer Autumn's last lines to be different. Something like, "Hi, I'm Jane. Autumn Jane." Or whatever name would sound good with "autumn", just so it isn't too in-your-face.

For some reason it felt longer than it is. We had to take a break an hour into the movie. It's not something you'd regret watching but it's no "Before Sunrise" or any other nonconventional romantic movie you can think of.

Too Much TV

2009-11-04T22:42:00.003+08:00

I probably watch too much TMZ.

Earlier I thought I saw Ryan Seacrest's stalker walking down the street. I almost ran to the opposite direction!

Until it dawned on me that I'm in Manila. Surely his stalker won't think of going halfway around the world just to loiter.

Stop Staring At My Sneakers

2009-11-04T22:40:00.000+08:00

You, pin-striped corporate slaves.

Retro Digital Dilemma

2009-11-02T09:26:00.007+08:00

Superheadz vs Yashica? Guess who'll win this round.

Superheadz released the Digital Harinezumi earlier this year, and it's almost perfect.

It's small. It's cute. It's digital. It takes lovely photographs. It takes amazing videos.

The biggest downside, however? It doesn't record audio with its fabulous video. Sadness.

Another downside? It's only 2 megapixels, but that probably contributes a lot to its charm.

And another? It only takes microSD up to 2gb and microSDHC of 4gb. That could be a lot of photos and videos, though.

And the last? It's a bit expensive and difficult to get hold of. I still want one when I get the extra cash. I'll try to borrow from a friend first. You know, road test it. Make me drool so much I'll buy myself one.

Now let's see what the heavy weight Yashica came up with.

We all know that Yashica has made a name for itself in the field of photography. A number of great cameras bear the name Yashica, especially rangefinders. It doesn't need to prove itself any more.

But then Yashica is launching the EZ F521, branded as the "digital holga".

If you don't know what a holga is, let wikipedia help you.

The EZ F521 does look like a holga, albeit much smaller. The lens and the viewfinder are almost replicas. It has 5 megapixels, cute body and several available settings, and is cheaper than the Digital Harinezumi.

Ah cheaper at 5mp! And it's a Yashica! When I first saw this, I wanted to get one right away. Yeah, I got as excited as you did.

But what really sold the camera is the "digital holga" part, until I realized it's just a holga on the outside. I looked for sample photos taken with the EZ F521 and they're disappointingly sad. They look like photos taken with a generic and cheap digicam.

Look, I don't mind generic and cheap, but at least make the photos look like they were taken with a holga. After all, it is supposed to be the "digital holga".

As far as retrograde digital cameras go, the toy camera company wins.

Sorry, Yashica. I still love your rangefinders.

Heard On The Street: Who??

2009-10-29T20:57:00.001+08:00

Guy talking on his mobile phone: I wish to see each other...

It's All About An Accessory

2009-10-29T20:52:00.003+08:00

We're having a Halloween party on Saturday, and I have thought of the perfect costume!

It just hit me earlier. I can't believe I didn't think of it first. Now everything depends on my luck on Saturday because that's the only time I can buy THE accessory that I need.

Do you know who I'm dressing as?

xoxo!

Heard On The Radio: You're the one!

2009-10-25T11:00:00.004+08:00

I don't really listen to the radio. I only do so involuntarily when I commute. But the other day I was tinkering with a cellphone radio. I didn't know the stations, so I was going through all of them. I stopped on one long enough to hear this. I don't know whether it's fortunate of me. At least I was entertained.

1st DJ to girl caller: You called last week too?
Girl caller: Yup!
1st DJ: I wasn't here last week.
2nd DJ to 1st DJ: A lot of people were looking for you.
Girl caller: Yup! I'm the one of them.
2nd DJ (probably caught by surprise and couldn't help himself): Oh, you're the one of them?!
1st DJ: You're the one of the many. You're the many!

Heard On The Street: It's mine?

2009-10-25T10:28:00.003+08:00

While in a rush from the office, I passed by friends talking outside a building. I hate moments like this without anyone to share it with.

Girl to lady friend (emphatically): It's not me! It's yours!

Somebody Save "Gossip Girl" Season 3

2009-10-07T06:04:00.012+08:00

What's up with this Serena van der Woodsen? I mean, I know about being a train wreck, which Chuck Bass aptly referred to her in episode 3. But when you reach that kind of "train-wreckness", you're considered a goner. You're hopeless. You're so annoying, you don't get any charity.

I don't know why they write Serena as a good-for-nothing loser. Either a producer based that character on someone he hates so much that he's still in love with her, or they have something personal against Blake Lively.

She's sexy. She's sultry. And when you look at her you think of nothing but sex. I get that, and I get that it sells. But this isn't porn. She hasn't even shown any of her privates on the show. So what gives?

I'm a huge Chuck-and-Blair fan, I admit. I love them to bits. But it's sad when they've become my only reason for watching the show.

There was a time when the bitches in t.v. shows were absolutely adorable. They're such a bitch but you can't help but love them.

I know what I'm talking about. I still love Brenda Walsh.

But Serena...I even stopped watching episode 2 because of her. Blech. I can't take it. Of course I begrudgingly finished it so I can watch episode 3. I just focused out of the screen during "Serena moments".

On second thought, maybe the Gossip Girl Brenda Walsh isn't Serena but Blair. In that case, I consistently love the Brenda-Blair type, and hate the stupid good-for-nothing-but-sex blondes who get away with everything. Maybe how I loved Shannen Doherty and Luke Perry together in Beverly Hills 90210 is how I love Leighton Meester and Ed Westwick.

On a different note, Ed Westwick must be giving Jessica Szohr the best time of her life because she's looking very hot this season. This is coming from someone who can't stomach her and her character, Vanessa Abrams, who has no redeeming factor at all.

She probably took her cue from Serena. If you have no redeeming factor, look like a slut. And Taylor Momsen (Jenny Humphrey) is trying her hardest to follow suit. It will probably take her about 20 plastic surgeries though.

Thank goodness I enjoyed episode 4. "Next time you forget you're Blair Whaldorf, remember I'm Chuck Bass and I love you." Woot!

Here Comes The Rain Again

2009-10-03T09:09:00.003+08:00

Exactly a week ago, Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) was wreaking havoc in Metro Manila and neighboring provinces. Same time 7 days ago, I was on my bed waiting for the electricity to go back on, and for the deluge to stop.

We all know the story. We know that many lives were lost, both literally and figuratively. Many lost their homes and everything they had. Thousands have nothing to live on and nowhere to stay. They are hungry, sick and homeless. And here comes Typhoon Pepeng pouring on a Saturday again.

Enough already.

Pepeng has much stronger winds than Ondoy. It is currently bringing destruction in Cagayan province. The only consolation we have now is that it didn't hit the same places as Ondoy did. People cannot afford any more. Flood water still hasn't subsided in some places. Families still have no decent houses to live in. Even the evacuees do not receive enough relief support. Yet, it is reality that the typhoon season still isn't over.

Enough already. The people have had enough. There is nothing more to give.

The Philippines isn't the only country suffering right now because of these tragedies. There are others such as Indonesia, Vietnam and Samoa. It is sad that calamities are happening left and right, one after another.

I know that Mother Nature can be merciless and unforgiving, but I hope She lets us get back on our feet and collect ourselves.

We need a lot of healing. So does She.

The Times They Are A-Changin'

2009-09-27T12:25:00.001+08:00

The sun is now out as if nothing happened. Of course that's great. I just can't get over how drastically the weather changed.

While everything was going down yesterday, I found that Facebook was more helpful with information and calls for help than the television. It was through Facebook, and Plurk, that I learned a friend and his family in New Manila were stranded on the 2nd floor of their house without food and water. The flood destroyed everything on their 1st floor. Their dog was carried away by the current.

Cries for help were sent through the Internet and mobile phones. Places without electricity depended on their cellphones, but phone services yesterday were bad. Those who were able to go online continuously sent updates and information.

These are the times now. Sharing of knowledge and dissemination of information are being done through modern technology, and SMS and social networking sites are in the forefront, especially here in the Philippines.

I'm sure this benefits a lot of people and helps mobilization, but only a small percentage of Filipinos have 24/7 access to the Internet. While Manila was badly hit, so were provinces surrounding it. We didn't hear any news from them. We don't know if help came their way. What can we do for them? What alternatives do they have other than waiting on their roofs for help? How can they call for anyone or grab attention?

Everything's so centered in Manila that it isn't doing Manila any good anymore. Traffic is so bad. We're brimming with people. We're running out of good locations for our houses. Manila is being eaten up alive by the modern times while provinces, even those not far from Manila, are still left far behind.

Let's spread the wealth, so to speak. Although we don't really have much wealth. In fact, we are a poor country. But people still get by.

Let's work harder in developing the rest of our country. But beyond modernization, this is really a good time to start taking care of our home--Earth. We only have one. We can't stop Nature from doing her job, but we can prevent many things and be prepared. Waste management is one. So many places that were flooded concealed loads of trash, mostly plastic bags.

Let's all do something now. Let's not wait for a harsher wake-up call than what Typhoon Ondoy brought. This is too devastating and depressing already.

It happened here right where we are. It's real. The victims are, if not ourselves, our friends and relatives. Places that we go to everyday are ruined. As of this writing, I still haven't heard from a dear friend whose family lives in Marikina, which incurred much of the storm's wrath. I'm still hoping that they're okay.

But again, I am touched by how the community is getting together to help each other. I hope this kind of kinship and camaraderie will not be quickly forgotten. I want to help but I don't know how, so I end up airing my sentiments here. There must be something I can do, and I'm sure you do too.

Metro Manila Under State of Calamity

2009-09-26T22:39:00.000+08:00

We are, along with around 25 other provinces.

We lost electricity for five hours. There was no running water too. They shut down the pumping station for a while to prevent the flood from destroying it. Now everything's back to normal--at least at home.

I can't believe how disastrous this Tropical Storm Ondoy is! It's flooded everywhere. Eve. Ry. Where. People are still stranded on their roofs and it's 10 p.m. already! Some will most likely have to stay there for the rest of the night. Rescue teams couldn't reach them. What tragedy.

We're not talking about obscure places here. We're talking about rubber boats on EDSA, cars and houses submerged in flood right in the middle of the metropolis, SM malls and Makati CBD in water among others. According to the news, today marked a record rainfall in decades.

What's worse: mobile services are mostly down. It makes people more worried, and some are left with no means of calling for help.

This day is totally insane. One positive thing I see through all these is the sense of community in all. Rescue teams were quick to take action. Public and private individuals are helping out. And the Internet? Just log in to your Facebook account and you'll be overwhelmed. It's almost better than news on television.

Look. This is one of the worst videos I've seen on the Internet so far.

Water World in Manila

2009-09-26T13:37:00.000+08:00

I'm lucky there is still electricity in my house. I'm lucky there is still an Internet connection. I'm lucky no rain water is finding its way into my house. I'm lucky I don't have to go anywhere today. I'm lucky it's not a work day. I'm lucky I don't have a car parked outside, getting submerged in flood.

I do have three pairs of pants I need to pick up at the mall, but I'm counting my blessings. I hope I don't run out of them this weekend. To be safe, I'm making sure all the batteries I need are fully charged. I'm not even unplugging them just so they'll stay that way, although I know that's inadvisable.

While writing this, my friends are stranded in flood, wet from the rain, praying the water level in their house doesn't go any higher, praying their cars won't get drifted away with the flood, cursing the rain, suffering from electric outage and posting online through their mobile Internet connection.

What is happening?! It's been raining real hard the whole of last night and it still hasn't waned a bit. All the posts I see on Plurk, Twitter and Facebook are about nothing else but the rain. I can't believe what we're experiencing is only Storm Signal No. 1.

I sure hope by Monday the sky is clear. I don't know how I'll get to work in this weather. But I'm not betting on it. If we are to believe PAGASA, Tropical Storm "Ondoy" just landed on Luzon before lunch today and will continue westward from Quezon.

In the meantime, be safe and stay dry--something everybody bids everybody else on the Internet.