Harold & Kumar's Enlightenment

There are a few short words that are usually associated with the tandem of Harold and Kumar. Silly. Nonsense. Marijuana. They are the Cheech and Chongs of the new millenium. Some might even say that watching the movie may make you dumber than when you came in.

However, there were a few isolated moments when characters were philosophical and to a certain extent, enlightening enough to redeem the rest of the film.

CASE # 1 : Dubya the Wise

May sound like an oxymoron of the highest degree, but the actor who played the ex-President said (through his role) something that may be applicable not just to Americans, but to anyone.

"You don't have to believe in your government to be a good American,

you just have to believe in your country"

Hearing that, especially from Dubya himself, is enough to kill the strongest buzz from anything, but he makes absolute sense. As I said, this applies to all, not just Americans. We complain a lot about how the Government and the system sucks, yet we don't do anything for ourselves. These coming elections are not a lost cause, because our country will choose its rightful leader. Should cheating occur, people will not just take it lying down.

CASE # 2 : The Square Root of 3

Apparently, the poem was written by someone called David Feinberg, and not Kumar Patel as the movie suggests. However, the spirit of the poem is universal and applies to any case. Reading the words to the poem, I found the language very moving that I just had to post it.

It has a number of major elements : Musicality, Meter, Imagery... all types of brushes to paint the poem itself. The poem goes:

I’m sure that I will always be

A lonely number like root three,

The three is all that’s good and right,

Why must my three keep out of sight

Beneath the vicious square root sign,

I wish instead I were a nine

For nine could thwart this evil trick,

with just some quick arithmetic

I know I’ll never see the sun, as 1.7321

Such is my reality, a sad irrationality
When hark! What is this I see,

Another square root of a three

As quietly co-waltzing by,

Together now we multiply

To form a number we prefer,

Rejoicing as an integer

We break free from our mortal bonds

With the wave of magic wands

Our square root signs become unglued

Your love for me has been renewed

The language barrier seeks not to exclude the writer from the world, but include him in the language of love. Sure, this may sound geeky with all the mathematical terms but they fit. They provide the syntax that makes the poem itself a conundrum...a "square root of three". And yet, looking into the essence of the poem, one can slowly unfold its meaning in a few simple words: Despite being weird and different, one can still find Love.

In this case, it appeals to the Nerdy-types that dabble in technical mathematical terms and conquers the barrier and stereotype that literature is only for the artsy free-spirit. They can now simplify their "square root of three"-ness by co-waltzing with the other "square root of three" to remove the square root sign that so obviously delimits and thus reveal a perfect number 3.

The Last Day of Sanity

What perfect timing it is that the day for Final Exams is the same day as the deadline for filing Certificates of Candidacy (CoCs) for the May 2010 Presidential Elections! More quaint still is the fact that Ambassador Villa had us answering questions that were geared toward the subject of the Presidency. The long and short of it, I (together with most of the class, if I may generalize) assessed PGMA's Foreign Relations poorly. I gave the future President my two cents worth on certain Foreign Relations Issues and I wrote against actively promoting a policy on Overseas Employment.

However, what I really wanted to do is speak my mind about the Millenium Development Goals(MDG) reported about in the last discussion and see how they can be addressed, in my point of view. So, after a quick stop at Verde Spa for an after-test pampering, here I am, home and nerdox again.

Below are 3 of the 8 MDG's that to me are the most important and are the keys to the Philippines becoming a progressive giant, should they be properly addressed.

MDG # 1 : Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger

Immediately I noticed the word "extreme" and remembered the scene in Jesus Christ Superstar when they sing Everything's Alright and say: "Surely you're not saying we have the resources to save the poor from their lot, There will be poor always, pathetically struggling look at the good things you've got".

Though this may be a tad pessimistic, it may actually be very close to the truth. Poverty in itself will be extremely difficult, if not impossible to eradicate. The goal here is not necessarily to eradicate poverty just like that (though it would be nice), but to bridge the gap between rich and poor. The next president should be able to find a way to provide at least the basic goods and security to each household so that they can learn to fend for themselves without having to worry about the minor inconveniences that add upp to be great nuisances. I believe this is what Gang Badoy's RockEd is doing, together with the White Band Movement.

MDG # 2 : Achieve Universal Primary Education

Back in class, we were having a little argument on the definition of "Primary Education". Where I presented and perceived it to be the whole span of elementary education, I was contrasted with a definition that explained only the first few grade levels (1-4) to be included. So to be sure, I have consulted wikipedia which said that "Primary education is the first stage of compulsory education. It is preceded by pre-school or nursery education and is followed by secondary education. In North America this stage of education is usually known as elementary education.". Thus, my initial assessment on the coverage of such was correct.

Moving on, I believe this is a two-pronged process that the President-to-come must fully understand. He must develop the commitment and desire in Teachers, while enhancing the will and interest of the students to enroll and stay in school. As usual, the President cannot, despite all herculean effort, do this alone.

MDG # 7 : Ensure Environmental Sustainability

I think this is the goal which needs no further explanation. Basically, if you have no home in which to live, HOW CAN YOU LIVE?

The Philippines prides itself with all these "wonders of nature" such as Tubataha Reef, the Underground River, The Banaue Rice Terraces and such, and yet we more often take these things for granted. We would much rather go for what's convenient and profitable (i.e. plastic bags) over what's enviro-friendly (i.e. paper bags/cardboard)

What the future President obviously has to do is STRICTLY implement these green productivity practices beginning with Metro Manila. The MMDA is just wasting their time catching coding violators when they can turn their efforts to anti-smoke belching and broken mufflers.

Zip-a-dee-doo-dah

When I was younger (much like a lot of kids my age, then) I wanted to be Superman. Sure, I didn't look like Clark Kent, much less have his perm-a-curl, but I wanted to fight bad guys and fly. I remember jumping on Lola's springy bed and let my body drop and bounce on the bed just feel that split second of flight.

The photo seen above is the official photo in hard copy then taken by digital camera, so, yes, it is a bit fuzzy and grainy.

We went to Tagaytay this morning just to be able to fly. We left at around 7a.m. to avoid any traffic that may be built up on SLEX during rush hour, so we arrived Tagaytay pretty early. Since the skies weren't too friendly, we decided to head to the Picnic Grove before we got drenched. When we did, we bought the two way trip so we could fly twice! Zoom-zoom!

Obviously we got the photo (see above).

Twice, above the ravine we flew, like I did not weigh over 200lbs, like I had the power of flight. I was Superman, despite being heavy as steel. Feeling the wind of my face and seeing the ground below me, the 20 or so seconds was more than enough to transport me back to the days of jumping on Lola's springy bed and happy as a child again.

I didn't mind driving that far. I flew didn't I? Ha. :p Also, we had Leslie's for lunch and Mr. Moo's for dessert.

If # 0005

IF you could have lived through any war in history (without actually fighting in it), which would it be?

Honestly, I would rather not be in any actual war, though there's a certain part of me that feels as if it could have been a soldier given a different...body. However, just to satisfy my own curiosity (as well as the question at hand), I think I would have wanted to live through the Trojan War.

I would like to have been the one to document and romanticize the actual event, maybe casting my own set of characters alone with it, and leaving my thumbprint in literary history with my own set of Epics. To this day I find it hard to believe that a blind man such as Homer could be the source of "documentation" of the said war. I know that his accounts were masterpieces of Literature, as these are among the classics, however, I would have wanted to give a more detailed, more historical version of the same. My version would probably be more specific (i.e. How the armor and uniforms looked, how the Trojan Horse was designed and built, etc.).

I could also probably give a detailed account as to how Troy looked. Given that Troy was most probably located near Turkey, this battle could also have been reflective of the never-ending conflict between East and West in that general area of the world (Crusades, Greco-Persian wars, Trojan war, Desert Storm).

Subliminal Stupidity

Sir Leigh Teabing, from the world-renowned Dan Brown blockbuster and best seller, the Da Vinci Code, calls our ignorance or the womanly figure in Da Vinci's classic "Last Supper" a kind of Scotoma where the mind sees what it wants to see.

Itching to get the closest definition of scotoma to the common man, I though of digging it up at Wikipedia. My efforts have delivered thus:

A scotoma (Greek for darkness; plural: "scotomas" or "scotomata") is an area or island of loss or impairment of visual acuity surrounded by a field of normal or relatively well-preserved vision.

The way I see it, this is what happens when a bright flash of light temporarily blinds us in a certain visual spot, or when a certain image is "burned" into our field of vision temporarily by light and opacity.

What then caused this guy to come up with these crazy, far-fetched "subliminal" messages apparently found in Disney Films? Take this video for example:




So he says Disney puts a lot of subliminal words such as "SEX" and "LIE" and what not. Honestly, I think this guy must be sexually repressed or something. Most of the words can't even be made out until he draws them with his "funny handwriting". Even when he does point them out, they are not definite. Other words such as SET, SEW and others can be argued to be the more visible representations.

Some of them "appear" for less than half of a second. Too little time to even be absorbed by even the greatest minds.

Another claim he has is that disney characters often flash diablo or horned beast signs, as popularized by rock icons such as Ronnie James Dio. He even flashes comparative photos of real life people flashing similar signs. Obviously, he does not know that the hand signal for "I LOVE YOU" is very much similar to that, with a minor difference: the thumb is not curled up with the middle and ring fingers.

Sure, there may have been slips such as the Little Mermaid erection scene, and we still don't know why that scene was there in the first place, but a lot of his claims are really just so far-fetched that you stop and ask: Does this guy ever leave his room?

If # 0004

IF you could physically transport yourself to any place in the world at this moment, where would you go?

At this particular moment I would want to be transported about ten feet away from me --- to my bed. Ha. The bed is a magical place. It's a realm where dreams and fantasies become realities. I now understand the symbolism behind a magic carpet, if only in comparison to a bed.

My bed is deformed and uncomfortable, though. It does not... Zzzz....

(connection with real world terminated)

If # 0003

IF you could spend one whole night alone with anyone in history, who would you choose?

Well, because of the sheer number of people involved with the history of the world-- Famous or not, Filipino or foreigner, currently alive or passed away -- the speed of the slots of faces in my mind's eye has increased to a blur, as I select the category to which this "person" belongs. Also, this would not be an intimate event, much like the situation in the previous post.

Even though it knows there is no right or wrong answer, my mind still has difficulty choosing this certain "one person". At least with the "one wish" (If #0001), I chose an answer that could help me grant more wishes, despite being, in all actuality, just one wish.

I guess, at the top of my head right now, I'd have to say Ninoy Aquino. I would love to have learned, even if for just one whole night, how he would have run the country. An interview with him may even be published as reference to future lawmakers (not politicians). I would have loved to have him assess the current state of Philippine Politics, though I am sure that that conversation would extend probably to a weeklong conference.

I will also definitely ask him if he saw who it was that shot him. The Filipino people need closure. No more finger-pointing and speculation. Only the people on the tarmac really knew what happened. What if it really had been Galman? What if the command "Pusila! (shoot him)" was intended for Galman as the escorts saw him reach for a weapon? Of course these are all far-fetched ideas, but only Ninoy (or his escorts) can give us the peace of mind that we deserve.

I will also ask Ninoy if he is happy with the state of Freedom in which the country is, as a result of his sacrifice. Is there truly freedom, or is this a masquerade? Contrarily, Is not the abuse of freedom a form of oppression to the weaker and unable? We lack visionaries like him, as he and his kind have either died or are too old to put this country in its proper place.

If # 0002

IF you could spend one whole night with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?

The common answer to this question usually has something to do with sex and/or intimacy, in which the respondent would look for the most attractive person in his/her mind. But there are times when it's just about something more.

Right now, I guess my answer would have to depend also on what we would be doing. Since we don't wanna take the common answer, we can skip that and head for the uncommonfolk.

Even then there are a million faces, famous and not, flashing in my mind's eye faster than vegas slots and they stop like a missed jackpot, as two faces light up each eye.

I'd have to say it's a tie between BONO and OZZY. I find both of them great overall musicians and lyricists. Being emotional catalysts, lyrics provide a middle ground wherein everyday men and women can relate with the song and claim it as part of their lives. I'd probably ask either one of them how they write their songs. I'd ask them what inspires them. I'd ask historical questions, nonsensical questions, kidstuff questions, trivia and all sorts of babble.

Then I;d ask if we could collaborate. Ha. As if spending a whole night with them wasn't wishful thinking enough, I get to ask them to collab? I must really be delerious. But then again, the question was asked, and the answer came.

If # 0001

IF you were to be granted one wish, what would it be?

I came across this book among the number of them shelved in my room at home and thought to myself "This would be great in combating the self-inflicted Writer's Block". After all, as was taught to us way back when, If you have writer's block, you have noone to blame but yourself, as you are not writing. Metaphysical, Philosophical Self-Babble.

So, going back to the book, I decided to use the questions in the book (entitled IF...Questions for the Game of Life) to grab hold of that block and carve it into something fantastic...or so I hope. So, question number one has been posted up above in bold and blue.

Quite mind-boggling really, as noone wants to be limited to just one wish. Most of the time, the answers to that would be "I'd wish for more/unlimited wishes". Of course, knowing the rule of the Genie (see Aladdin, Disney), you probably know that that's not allowed. Moving along, I'd probably wish for the most practical thing right now: Money. As to the exact amount, maybe I'd say a million Euro. One million is a round figure and the Euro is a strong unit of currency. Why not the dollar, then? Too cliche, I guess.

With a million Euro right here and now, I can probably fulfill so many more wishes, whether mine or someone else's. Of course this is assuming that if the wish is granted, I don't get hounded by the governement for having too much money on me. I wouldn't want to lug that lump sum around while fleeing from town to town.

With that, I sleep. And dream to have that wish reappear and maybe get granted.

For the Love of ...

There's a little old saying that goes: "You don't know what you've got 'til it's gone". Ha. This is just me being nostalgic, I guess. Or maybe it's me having the case of separation anxiety. Or maybe both. I don't know exactly.

Back when SISIG (see greatest unknown band ever to rock) was still active, I would sometimes just sit quiet in a corner (having no instrument to play) and listen to the fantastic chaos of cosmic solos and staccato-legatto see-saw between Nuts (guitarist), Ced (same), Ernie (also), Gerald (ditto) and the bass-booming of Cha or Martin with the Parapapampamming of Carlo or Bitoy. More often than not, Time would lose its face as it became one of the many concepts frozen in awe of the wonderful wizardy of the guys.

Though at times it would be awkward and embarrassing that I do not know that song, while continue to paint the air with their music. There was this one song of which, until recently, I did not know the title. But because it had been played so often during jams, I had learned to appreciate, despite its lack of lyrics. Even until this day, Steve Vai's "For the Love of God" still takes me back to jamming days with SISIG, without a single care and ounce of pain. The magic of the song transcends all definition and logic. The arrangement, notes and sheer awesomeness of this immortal music piece drops my jaw everytime.




This version of the song particularly blows my mind as THE MR. VAI integrates classical instruments and band setup with his magical rock. I have always been a fan of integration and remakes, as SISIG would find new ways to play with the old, even if just among ourselves.

One day ... Someday... Hopefully soon... AGAIN.

R.I.P. to the Wild Cats of Rock

Death, in its many versions and forms, is too much for any metaphor to encapsulate. I've been trying to think of one for the past five minutes and the simplest one I can think of is a slap in the face. It stings, it hurts, but it wakes you up to reality, which in turn, has its own stinging and hurting.

I just heard about the "death" of one of my favorite bands -- Aerosmith. According to http://www.guardian.co.uk/, Guitarist Joe Perry has confirmed that "Steven (Tyler, Vocalist) quit as far as I can tell".

It really saddens me to see bands like Aerosmith go, but I know that they all have to go sometime. I mean, I'd rather have one band "die" or split up than fade into obscurity and obsoletion. But then again, since the members are still techincally still alive, who knows that there won't be a next time?

However, I'm a bit iffy about this little bit from Perry: "We'll probably find somebody else and then we'll be able to move Aerosmith up a notch." Sure, other great vocalists may have replaced some bands' iconic singers like Ronnie James Dio (for post-Ozzy Black Sabbath), Sammy Hagar (for post-David Lee Roth Van Halen), but in these days of lower standards, it becomes far more difficult to just pluck someone out of obscurity as a catalyst to lift the band "a notch higher". Case in point: INXS.

Should they get a new vocalist that is already famous to begin with, may or may not make it for them. This will probably result in either end of the extremes: either they'll be so great that they bring back the rock as it was meant to be (wailing, booming, shredding and banging) or they flop so hard they'll go into permanent hibernation.

This is just me upset, I guess.

The Contra Code on FB

As a kid growing up during the "Family Computer" age of the 80's and early 90s, I was one of those who got to experience the action-packed (?) game of CONTRA. Since most video game users back then were guys (girls were usually limited to MARIO or TETRIS, or preferred to remain in the lowtech fantasy world of BARBIE), we didn't really care whether or not there was a nice story or a good ending. All we knew was to kill the bad guys, be they ghosts, monsters or aliens.

CONTRA remains to be one of only a minute few that had a special cheat code for game enhancement. This cheat code came even before the invention of any GameShark or GameGenie or what not. It came as a hidden trick to the game itself. All you had to do was get this code ( press UP UP DOWN DOWN LEFT RIGHT LEFT RIGHT -B- -A- -START-) in during the Video game intro to get an instant 30 lives (sometimes it's as many as 99 lives). For 2 players, you had to make sure you pressed the -SELECT- button prior to -START- so the option would move to "2 Players". Here's a vid I found on Youtube :

This code would become a certification for any guy to prove that he had played CONTRA. The Masculine Game. This and other codes would increase your level of Coolness. Other codes or cheats involved pressing on the -SELECT- button in between rounds in Mike Tyson's Punch-Out to gain more energy and a certain coin trick to warp thru stages in Star Wars (I've never done this one). However, once you have done these, especially in front of others, you would be considered super cool.

Moving back to the current date, The Contra Code of way back has risen from the ashes of Obscurity and Time and made its way to the most popular Social Networking Site, Facebook. Little is known about how such code came to penetrate the pseudofantasy world of Facebook, but if you've got time and are curious, go to your "home" page and press UP UP DOWN DOWN LEFT RIGHT LEFT RIGHT B A and start scrolling up or down.

Suddenly everything will be so clear and bright.

Now I know how someone sentenced to die by the rack feels.

Watch for VERDE SPA

Been under a lot of stress and pressure lately, what with all the work backlogging because of the typhoons, with all the (tiring but fun) relief operations, and with both my reports for Grad School falling on the same week.

I finally finished my oral report on "Philippine-American Relations" and its 10-page written counterpart yesterday, for Foreign Policy Class. After the 2&1/2 hour ordeal (an hour report, the rest was defense/discussion), I told myself I needed a massage (I hadn't had one for weeks, anyway). I didn't get it last night though, because I was too tired, so I got one tonight.

I had originally considered SPADA, where I had gone the past few times, but I remembered one of the attendants there saying that there would be a new spa opening next door. When I asked her then why she was telling me this, she said she had been recruited by the said place and it would be bigger than SPADA. Remembering her advice, I decided to see if it was already open.

As I turned right going towards Adventist Hospital from Taft, I spotted it. It is literally next door to SPADA on the same building, as she said. This new place is called VERDE SPA, and it has just begun to operate. When I entered the place, I could already see that the place was bigger than the other. The counter and couch areas did not feel too cramped, and there was even space for a wash area behind the counter.

VERDE has a designated locker room area, I believe one for males and one for females, while SPADA lets their guests change in the bedroom (something I found not too spa-like). VERDE also supplies towels and "massage clothes" (i.e. robe and shorts) with slippers, while SPADA only has robes and slippers.

Intrigued by the melon scrub that the counter attendant told me they had, I requested for a body wash prior to my massage. I also wanted to compare this area to that of the other spa. As of now, this area is still a bit empty,having no matting for the concrete floor. The scrub/wash bed is a big block of concrete lined with a cushion-layer for comfort. I'd have to say that SPADA's scrub bed is still more comfortable than this, as that was a real massage bed designated for wash, but VERDE's bed provides better neck comfort as they have the facehole in the concrete bed (SPADA's bed did not). Also, I noticed that VERDE's scrub/wash room was a bit dark,but I was told that there were lights for the area, they just havent been switched on (normally done by request).

As I finished my body wash, I went up to the massage area. On the way, I spotted a little wooden sauna room, though this was not yet operational. Immediately, I thought this is going to make a huge difference with SPADA. Another this I noticed was more showers and bathrooms (SPADA has one communal little, err, people's room). When I got upstairs, I could see the size difference again with SPADA as VERDE's upstairs space looked like a large hallway with 9 bed areas. I'm not exactly sure about SPADA's upstairs because I haven't counted, or gone beyond their wash area (which is upstairs), but it still looked very much cramped compared to VERDE's area).

One vital improvement I noticed with VERDE compared to SPADA was that the beds were elevated. This "feature" makes it easier for the masseur/masseuse to focus on the massage, as the client is much closer to the hands and arms of the masseur/masseuse without the latter having to bend down or kneel. The beds of VERDE also have the faceholes on them, which are very vital to the customer's relaxation and breathing.

After my massage, I got to talk to VICTOR, the proprietor of the place, as he was manning the counter. Apparently (for those who want to try), they are having their GRAND OPENING on Saturday, Oct. 17, where their services are 50% off! When asked what other differences VERDE had from SPADA, he answered that VERDE has a Sauna Room (which I had already spotted) and a mini coffeeshop, where customers could order some snacks and drinks while waiting for their massage or waiting to go home.

So, here's a new place to go to : VERDE SPA, located on the same building as SPADA. Their price is the same, but the place is bigger, and soon to look better.

Bonfire and Oktoberfest

I have never been to any Ateneo Championship Bonfire until last night. Entering the gates of the campus for the first time in a long time, I didn't know what to expect, really. I knew it wasn't going to be just a simple bonfire where pieces of wood would be set ablaze and we'd have roasted mallows and weiners while stories of glory would be told.

When I got to the GS parking lot, the place looked as if there was a school fair. Food stalls, concessionaire booths and lots of people. People who knew each other, young and old, all part of the festivities.

It reminded me a little of our school fairs back in high school and elementary where it was all about fun booths and being with friends, celebrating and forgetting about everything negative at least for that day.

Didn't stay too long at the bonfire, for I had a prior commitment to Manny's Oktoberfest. Left Ateneo around 8:45 pm to head for Manny's place, which I overshot on entry as I had forgotten how the house looked.

Friendly faces old and new were all present to celebrate another year of friendship, another year of life. Manny and Iea prepaed lots of drinks wo partner with the delicious goulash and the sausages. Different shapes and sizes, all yummy.

So here's to you guys and all of us, for another year.

Tell the World

I woke up to a strange LSS. It was the theme song of the World Youth Day Celebration back in 1995 held in Manila, "Tell the World of His Love".

For those that don't know the song (it is infectuous, believe you me), I'm sure you can easily find the source for the audio (maybe even video) track, but let me share with you the chorus:

Let us tell the world of His love
The greatest love the world has known
Search the world for those who have walked astray
and lead them home
Fill the world's darkest corners With His light from up above
Walk every step, Every mile, Every road And tell the world,
Tell the world of His love

Then it struck me: Over the past week or so, the Filipino People have done just that. With the aftermath of Ondoy, despite the threats of Pepeng, We the people, remained steadfast in helping and sharing what we could, what we had with those who lost and did not have.

So scripture says that Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13) But what if there were a greater love by living and continuing to live for not just one's friends but our neighbors?

I remember one of our Philo101 lessons "the Socius and the Neighbor", in that society dictates that by mere association, we are all everyone else's socii. However, we choose to be someone's neighbor through our actions. With our deeds and actions this past week, the Filipino People have just become one enormous neighborhood, whether friends or not.

These relief operations are tangible examples of "giving until it hurts, giving until it hurts some more and eventually until it hurts no more". Sweat and Tears (maybe even blood?) in amounts equal to Ondoy's onslaught were (and are still being) given, all in the name of Goodness, Goodwill and Generosity.

With the light generated from within us, we have truly lit the world's darkest corners and told the world of His Love.

Standing Up to the Storm

I have never seen so many angels as I have today, not surprisingly, on the feast of the angels. I remember this day yearly because today also happens to be the birthday of my cousin, martina ANGELa. (Happy Birthday, Mima!)

Who says angels have to have wings? Church doctrine and common practice has associated the term with cute Cherubs and Seraphs, and the archangels Michael, Raphael, Uriel and Gabriel.But as far as I know, the term "angel" is derived from the latin term for "Messenger".  So, technically, when you've got a message to deliver, you are an angel. Maybe that's why even in his most evil state, Lucifer, is still referred to as a "Fallen" angel.

But lest I veer off from the goodness of this day, I have never seen so many angels as I have today. I have also witnessed the miracle of the multiplication of loaves and fish. But this time, it was the multiplication of relief goods.

Lyceum's CPAD (Communication and Public Affairs Department, where I belong) all went to Poveda to help out with repacking the relief goods. When we got there, the place was filled with angels with a unified message to send: "No storm is going to stop us from doing our little part". Classes were suspended for a whole week, yet students of all ages (some even as young as Grade 2) were all there, packing sacks and sacks of relief goods for families they don't even know.

The strange part is that the boxes of relief goods for repacking just kept on coming and coming. No politicians' names, no NGO name-droppijng, just boxes and boxes, sacks and sacks. In his time, Jesus did this same thing with just 5 loaves and 2 fish, and this took place in a specific location (a small mount, with around 5000 people, or so they say). Today we packed goods that will go out to a much bigger range and number of people. Humanity and the spirit of "bayanihan" transcend and religion. I will go out on a limb by saying that not everyone present today is Catholic (maybe not even Christian). But the angelic message still remains.

Immortalized by the most controversial "angels (in their own right)", Lennon and Macartney... "All you need is LOVE".

The wrath of a million tears

You see things like this on the news and in the movies. As a setting for a story, a major motion picture, to add a dark color and a sad soundtrack to a blockbuster. But seeing and experiencing things like this happen live, with your own eyes, is quite surreal.

Images that will forever be etched in the collective subconscious of Mega-Manilenos are the photos, videos and live feed of the rage of the storm that was called "Ondoy".

The video of the group who, save one, never made it past the underside of the bridge in Rizal, The countless corpses and overturned cars, the insenstive comments of some "filipina" in Dubai (The term Filipina in quotation as she has obviously not shown that she deserves to be called one),the outpouring of support from the angelic samaritans (some even to the point of sacrificing their own lives), and of course celebrities as well, for ne'er a story be complete without them and they, too, were equally affected.

Soaking in the tearful aftermath, one cannot help but ask "What now?". When everyone has recovered from the fury of the storm, will this just be another memory swept under the rug? Will we just let this be another spectacle in time, through which we survived but did not resolve much like the tragedies of the Superferries and Sulpicios?

This calami-tragedy struck me as more of a grieving, melancholic Mother Nature than an angry one. Baguio in 1990,Mount Pinatubo in 1991, Ozone, The Bocaue Pagoda and other similar tragedies all felt "angry". Those seemed as if the discipinarian in Mother Nature spoke up and screamed "This is what you get for treating me like this". Ondoy's case was much different. It felt as if she just poured out in one day (or a few hours) years worth of tears held back, and every single drop of those tears united in one titanic display of authority.

 We must cuddle up to Mother Nature, show her our love and affection, before she leaves us for good. She might just, so as the late MJ said : "Let's make a better place for you and for me".

The Jobe Issue

Eligibility issues take to the floor once again with this Jobe Nkemakolam issue. Honestly, from the moment I read the first article on it, I knew right away that it was a personal matter. It's a typical case of "mother disliking the daughter's boyfriend". What normally happens in this scenario is that the mother stops at nothing until she gets her way.

So now, because he (Jobe) knocked her daughter up, she exacts revenge by bringing (or trying to) his team down. Today, this superficial issue has been settle when CHED declared him eligible. But what about the deeper issue?

What's to say that this is not an issue of Racism? Because Mr. Nkemakolam does not look like someone she wants for her daughter, the mother goes and does this? I'm not saying that this is the issue, but it could be, considering his physical attributes and the usual superficiality that most people have.

So what now? Now that this issue has been resolved, I doubt it's gonna just die out like that. Mother dearest is probably scheming up another attack. Now this may or may not involve the team, but she's definitely after his head and won't stop until it's on a silver platter.

I wonder if she thinks that her daughter got pregnant because Jobe willed it like Zeus in Ancient Greece?

Super Mario in the Real World

Growing up in the 80s and the 90s, you could not have missed out on the Super Mario Brothers and all the different adaptations, sequels and spinoffs. I found myself learning more and more everyday about the Super Mario World.

 Over time, questions arose such as:

• Who is the older brother? (I heard that Luigi was older, but this was just hearsay)
• Are there two princesses with different names or is it just one?
• What will Bowser do to the princesses? Eat them?

 Also, once you enter into adulthood, you begin to associate some of the images and characters with subliminal meanings. Even before I saw this video, I already thought to myself "Was Mario (or his creator) under the influence of narcotics?".

Playing the game, even just at a novice level, the player experiences mario's different power-ups. The mushroom, for example turns mario "super". The flower gives Mario firepower and the star, renders him invincible.

Back in the real world, "Shrooms" (or Magic Mushrooms) are hallucinogens similar to LSD, in which user experiences an intense appreciation of everyday things, normally taken for granted, and a feeling of having found their "true self" (http://www.guide4living.com/drugabuse/magic-mushrooms-effects.htm).  This altered state of perception could lead you to believe that you are larger or more powerful than you really are, hence the "super" state.
The flower is a slightly more complicated association. Though I cannot recall of any flower as a drug in itself, I know of users who have smoked/puffed pollen much like they smoke pot/marijuana. Lighting them up coulkd be the association of firepower and the flower. Also, the symbol of the narcotic-influenced hippie culture was the flower.

An even more complicated association would be the star and its invincibility. When Mario touches the star, he becomes temporarily invincible and flashes many different colors. Now, in 1938, research scientist Albert Hoffman derived LSD from ergot, a fungus found growing wild on rye and other grasses. Five years later he underwent the first ever LSD trip by mistake while carrying out an experiment in his laboratory. "..I perceived an uninterrupted stream of fantastic pictures, extraordinary shapes with intense kaleidoscopic play of colours." And the world hasn't looked back since. (http://www.guide4living.com/drugabuse/lsd.htm) Aside from the flashing of many colors, it can also alter one's perception, such as appearing invincible, as this is a hallucinogen.

Of course, I still enjoy, my Mario games. I'm not saying that Mario IS an addict, but the association is just funny. I mean it may be possible but so what? it's not like kids who play Mario become drug addicts (well, not because of the game anyway).

The video should provide for a laughtrip. That should give you a natural high.

The Quiet One

There's hardly ever a group of people, where everyone is just as loud and outspoken as the other. Normally, in a group of four or more, there is at least one quiet one. But with the "silence" comes power. Usually, when the silent one speaks, everybody listens.

The voice of the quiet one is often filled with a resonance and charm of churchbells as the ring and reverberate as cherubs in the sky. The messages they bring are simple yet lasting.

Such was the case of our late chairman, Sen. Sotero H. Laurel. I will admit, I never knew him. I never even met him. And yet, he is spoken of in the highest regard by everyone whose lives he has touched. He was not a man of the spotlight, and yet, his very existence has brought about many great things to our people and to our country.

He has left behind a great legacy in Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU), as it makes its way towards its 60th anniversary. Being a bastion of Academic Excellence in the country as its founder,Dr. Jose P. Laurel envisioned, LPU was nurtured and cared for by Sen. Sotero, as he brought Lyceum from Manila to Batangas, Laguna, Makati and Cavite.

Sen. Laurel was also "one of the ‘Magnificent 12’ who voted against the extension of the United States Military Bases" in the Philippines in 1991. Thus, as if to honor him for his participation that nationalistic act, he was taken peacefully in his sleep on the 18th anniversary of that historic moment.

Sen. Laurel was not a politician. He was a public servant. He was an educator. He was not one to take the mic, but when he did, people listened. People, the Filipino people, remember and will remember him for his life and what he did with it.

I cannot help but allude and compare Sen. Teroy (as he was fondly called), to the late, great Beatle George Harrison (as Music is the only way I can express my thoughts well). George Harrison was not as vocal and outspoken as Paul and John. He was not as distinct as Ringo. But when he spoke, people listened. When he cracked a joke, people laughed. And when he played his guitar, people lived.

Hari ng Sablay

Ever find one of those days where everything you do goes wrong?

Hmm.

Food for thought.

Writing 001

People always, always, ask me why I write. And then even more of them say " I (they) can't write". And then they proceed to say "How do I (referring to both me and themselves) write?".

Honestly, the best advice I've ever gotten from anything or anyone is from NIKE : Just Do It.

If you have a thought, let it out. Don't bother with worries about how it'll turn out. Just write it. Who knows if it'll turn out good or not until the pen starts to bleed ink onto paper and draws your thought out in the color of words.

But if you really want direction, or a sense of standard to your work, one latin phrase that I like to always, always remember is:

Dolce et Utile

Which in plainspeak is literally translated as "sweetness and usefulness". But going beyond literal echo, it basically stands for "Entertainment and Function". Your work must be catchy, pleasing and entertaining so that readers will want to read, and yet it must also serve a purpose. For example, this blog entry serves to inform those who want to write about "Why and how they should write".

Without one, the writer's work remains but a paraplegic block of words, going nowhere. I may not be a multi-awarded writer or Palanca poet or Pulitzer Pen Man, but then again, these aren't my own words. I am just echoing a bunch of words I heard and learned from a long time ago. I forgot which teacher taught them to me, but that goes beyond the point. It is the lesson that builds the writer and not the teacher. It is what he/she has learned from the teacher that defines the work and not the person that taught them. Of course, the teachers' efforts do not go uncredited, but the fact that they have taught you well is more than enough credit. The fact that you apply what you learned from them should be credit enough, and you remembering their names and faces come just as a bonus.

So, write not because your teacher said so. Write because there is a thought, an idea, an emotion in your soul that you just cannot fathom, and only the pen can concretize its existence. Write because each drop of ink or each graintrack of lead is a footstep towards building the monument to the teacher with no name.

Spada Again

When things are new, we like to give them a lot of attention. New shoes are worn daily (as much as possible), new toys or video games are played with a lot, and in this case, newfound massage spas are given another try.

Fresh from last week's initial experience, I felt I needed to try some more of their services, so I did. this time, I had me a Coffee body wash with my Reflexology Massage. So up I went to the body wash "shower" and lay down to have my body wash. I wanted to try the Coffee wash as last time I had the Organic one. Surprisingly, this time felt twice as long. I don't know if I was rushed the last time (as the one who washed me was the same one who massaged me) or this time was just more thorough. I felt she made me clean twice over. This, of course, is a good thing, heading on to a massage.

Again, the wash felt like a pre-massage massage. But, this time, the experience was enhanced by the grainy granules that were in the wash solution. It felt as if everything dirty was scrubbed away by the solution and nothing was left but clean little (?) old me. She even managed to knead some parts such as my hands and shoulders to give a preemptive massage.

With the actual massage, though, I'd have to say the first time was much better. Though I liked the massage (being hard, and all), I still think that sometimes I can't handle hard massages as they don't make me relax. That being said, I felt like kneaded bread, but felt de-stressed afterwards, which was why I went in the first place.

For readers out there who would like to know what services they have, I got me a brochure/service list that goes thus:

BODY CARE

1. Spada Massage PHP 300 (1 hr)
2. Swedish Massage
3. Shiatsu Massage
4. Relexology

TRADITIONAL

1. Ventosa + Massage(1.5 hr) PHP 700
2. Guasa + Massage

BODY TREATMENT

1. Dead Sea Salt Scrub PHP 500 (45min)
2. Pure Chocolate Scrub
3. Natural Coffee Scrub

BODY WASH

1. Organic PHP 180 (20min)
2. Coffee
3. Chocolate

FOOT CARE

1. Spada Foot Massage PHP 300 (1hr)
2. Shower PHP 50

Next time I go, I'll probably try something new, just for the heck of it. Maybe a PURE CHOCOLATE SCRUB! Sounds yummy. Ooh Yes. Smack your lips and drool.

The Climb - Miley Cyrus

As a musician (and a vocalist/lyricist), songs are not just pastimes to me. Music, especially songs with lyrics, is a philosophy to me. It is a reflection of philosophical perspectives put into words and enhanced by a melody. Though at times the tune may be simple, the words are so powerful that the song becomes timeless. Artists such as John Lennon, Bob Marley, Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder and the lot of them have all written some powerful lyrics that have and will forever remain in our souls.

One such example of a powerful song (I decided to write about this while I was surfing the net and reencountered it) is Miley Cyrus' "The Climb". Surely critics may say that she's too mainstream to be philosophical, and others may say she probably didnt write it. Now, I don't know for sure who wrote the song, as I have not done much research on it, but for purposes of identification, her name will remain beside the title.

I'm not ashamed to admit that I watched the movie (as I watch the series), but I will say that I should have waited for it at home instead. That being said, lest we veer away from the topic, I'd have to say the song was the only part of the movie that made it worth going to the cinema. The lyrics of the song, especially the chorus, summarize any endeavor much the way a kung fu master would tell his student.

There’s always going to be another mountain

I’m always going to want to make it move

Always going to be an uphill battle,

Sometimes you going to have to lose,

Ain’t about how fast I get there,

Ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side

It’s the climb

Daddies can quote this to their sons, mothers to their daughters. It will sound cheesy, but it doesn't make it any less true. Having lived 28 years on the face of the Earth, I can safely assume that this will remain a constant truth.

Those that have heard the song may probably brush it off as another pop hit by "achy-breaky" Billy Ray's daughter, when I heard it the first time and the whole lot of times, I was awestruck. It hit the spot that people know is there but just can't seem to hit. Plus everything she said prior to it was encapsulated by the last line of the chorus and the manner by which it was sung. So direct. It's the climb. That's it.

No matter how beautiful the prize is, you will never appreciate it as much if you didn't earn it. It will be devoid of value if it is just given to you just like that. But on the flipside, even the smallest prize is treasured when compared to the blood, sweat and tears put out to earn it.

One such example is Graduation. Just because we don't graduate with honors, doesn't mean we don't attend the ceremonies. We attend the ceremonies because we owe it to ourselves and our parents to formally culminate the long, hard journey of education in which we journeyed hand in hand.

So to sum this up, I shall quote the immortal Steven Tyler: Life's a journey, not a destination...It's Amazing.

Prayer Eggs

I guess it's just really part of Filipino nature to be animistic and superstitious, despite our strong catholic faith. It's what makes us unique as a people, that we haven't forgotten what was, but in a sense just adapted to what is, to forge what will be.

One such example is the practice of offering eggs to Sta. Clara for good weather. Now, personally, this goes beyond scientific explanation. Questions arise such as "How does it work, exactly?" or "Is this not just a matter of coincidence?". Honestly, I don't know. I have been boggled by the fact that the eggs have this "magical" characteristic about them.

Case in point: Last week, my boss had one of our staff offer some eggs to Sta. Clara in Katipunan for good weather for Saturday's event (The one with Kjwan, et.al.). Steph (the one sent with eggs) also had an event to handle yesterday. Now, when saturday came, the weather was relatively good. It did not pour until late in the night when most of the program was over.

However, the curios bit was this: Steph's event was yesterday, Sept. 10. We all know that September 9's rains were so hard that a lot of schools suspended classes. Today, as I look out the window, it seems to reflect the same showers. Yet, the whole day yesterday, the sun shone as it does on a regular summer's day.

Coincidence or intercession? I think the fact that it has happened so many times that people actually believe in the practice, justifies that a higher being is in control, and that these "magical" powerful eggs symbolize our prayers offered up to the almighty, with the intercession of Sta. Clara.

The Final Four

Earlier today, due to DLSU's loss against National University, the whole nation found out who this year's final four contenders are. What we don't know as of now, though, is who is playing who. Although, ADMU and FEU are the top 2 teams, they still have to play their final game against each other.

Whoever emerges #1 (not necessarily the victor, due to the quotient system) will play current #4 (UST), while #2 is to play #3 (UE). Ofcourse, I would like the Blue Eagles to keep their top spot all the way to the Finals, but this will prove to be an adrenaline-packed Saturday.

Who's your pick?

Chavit the Victim

I wonder if Mr. Singson (No, he does not deserve to be called Governor) was a Prodigy fan. He seems to have taken their words to heart:

Come play my game (Inhale, Inhale, YOU'RE THE VICTIM!)...

He was the Firestarter during the Erap Trials, claiming to be the victim in the whole mess. Just because he blew the whistle, does that mean his hands are clean? We know that he was party to everything, as he admitted. Just that he didn't get his cut, so he cried "Victim!" and told on the others.

We see a familiar trend with what JDVIII did with Sen. Gordon. The Senate inquiry was meant to clarify issues on ZTE and basically point out that NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW. Everyone at fault gets grilled one way or the other. Just that we (the Filipino People) lack muscle to carry some of the bigger pork to the grill. If only our armed forces would see the light.

So after claiming (more than) his fair share of pats on the back, Chavit is now on the news again. This time, for beating his wife. And he still claims that he is the victim. The wife is battered, and he is the victim. Sure, maybe the wife cheated on him, but she doesn't deserve a beating. Maybe a separation or a lawsuit, but definitely not a beating.

In Chavit's mind he must probably think he can do anything to her because she's at fault. He must think he's Judge Dredd...Judge, Jury and Executioner. oh, and Victim, according to him. That's one hell of a starring role.

Does that mean that one can now kill, burn, maim, strangle, kick, gut or do anything brutal to their partners because adultery (or any other wrong done to them) voids their human rights?

I sure hope he doesn't run in 2010, or we may just have a drop in population.

Moore's Law Complaint

When I got up this morning, I received a funny email from my mom about some fictitious(?) thirty-something complaining about how the youth (i.e. under-thirties) have it made for them. Let me share that "letter" with you and insert my own comments. It goes like this:


When I was a kid, adults used to bore me to tears with their tedious diatribes about how hard things were. When they were growing up; what with walking Twenty-five miles to school every morning.... Uphill... barefoot... BOTH waysYadda, yadda, yadda


And I remember promising myself that when I grew up, there was no way in hell I was going to lay a bunch of crap like that on my kids about how hard I had it and how easy they've got it!

But now that... I'm over the ripe old age of thirty, I can't help but look around and notice the youth of today.

You've got it so easy! I mean, compared to my childhood, you live in a damn Utopia!

And I hate to say it, but you kids today, you don't know how good you've got it!

I mean, when I was a kid we didn't have The Internet. If we wanted to know something, we had to go to the damn library and look it up ourselves, in the card catalogue!! (yeah I had to experience the same thing, learning the Dewey Decimal System and how to read/browse through a card catalogue. Most, if not all, libraries nowadays have an Online Public Access Catalgue, sort of like Google for the library -- Z)

There was no email!! We had to actually write somebody a letter - with a pen! (I had two penpals: One was from North Carolina and the other was from France. It's just not the same nowadays, where you expect to receive email, seconds after sending, and it doesn't come in fancy paper or envelopes. But the speed is good for business, though --Z)

Then you had to walk all the way across the street and put it in the mailbox and it would take, like, a week to get there! Stamps were 10 cents!


Child Protective Services didn't care if our parents beat us. As a matter of fact, the parents of all my friends also had permission to kick our ass! Nowhere was safe!(I still think this is the most effective way to straighten up the youth. Of course, there is an acceptable amount of buttwhipping a child can take. Parents should know that whipping is not mean to beat children to death, but to discipline them [see Psychology: Operant Conditioning(?)] So when you see a bruise on the child's skin, you've done too much---Z)

There were no MP3's or Napsters! If you wanted to steal music, you had to hitchhike to the damn record store and shoplift it yourself!

Or you had to wait around all day to tape it off the radio and the DJ would usually talk over the beginning and @#*% it all up! There were no CD players! We had tape decks in our car. We'd play our favorite tape and "eject" it when finished and the tape would come undone. Cause - that's how we rolled, dig? (Mix tapes rocked! except you couldn't control the tracks ---Z)

We didn't have fancy crap like Call Waiting! If you were on the phone and somebody else called they got a busy signal, that's it!

And we didn't have fancy Caller ID either!
When the phone rang, you had no idea who it was! It could be your school, your mom, your boss, your bookie, your drug dealer, a collections agent, you just didn't know!!! You had to pick it up and take your chances, mister! (I guess this is one of the reasons why I'm not really a phone person today, but when the cellphone with all those features came out, I embraced its wonderful technology --- Z)

We didn't have any fancy Sony Playstation video games with high-resolution 3-D graphics! We had the Atari 2600! With games like 'Space Invaders' and 'Asteroids'. Your guy was a little square! You actually had to use your imagination!! And there were no multiple levels or screens, it was just one screen... forever!
And you could never win. The game just kept getting harder and harder and faster and faster until you died! Just like LIFE! (I am one of the few that didn't even have a video game console of my own until PS1. Before that, everything was borrowed or played at a friend's or a cousin's house which in turn led to many many sleepovers. But what's sad is that people don't play board games anymore. And playing cards are now only used for gambling. --- Z)


You had to use a little book called a TV Guide to find out what was on! You were screwed when it came to channel surfing! You had to get off your ass and walk over to the TV to change the channel! NO REMOTES!!!(I think the 80s TVs had remotes already, so...yeah --- Z)

There was no Cartoon Network either! You could only get cartoons on Saturday Morning. Do you hear what I'm saying!?! We had to wait ALL WEEK for cartoons, you spoiled little rat-bastards!(We had a rule which Mom strictly implemented : NO TV DURING SCHOOLDAYS/NIGHTS. So we could only really watch on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and on Holidays --- Z)

And we didn't have microwaves, if we wanted to heat something up we had to use the stove! Imagine that!

That's exactly what I'm talking about! You kids today have got it too easy. You're spoiled. You guys wouldn't have lasted five minutes back in 1980 or before!

Regards,
The Over 30 Crowd

============================


So yeah, if you think about it (not too hard), today's youth enjoy the benefits of technology under Moore's Law (Technology is to double every two years, and by 2010, every 72 hours).

Week 1

I'd say this week had little to no productivity.

Weight : 232.7 lbs
Waistline : 45 in.
Weight to ideal : 47.7 lbs

DinoRPG

Anybody who has been bored once in their life (most especially during younger days) has lived a moment of fantasy. Whether about making the game-winning buzzer shot, flying on a magic carpet or defeating hordes of invaders (or being the invader), we have all lived momentary roles in our minds. Sometimes these roles were made real through costume, or a group effort, while most often they were just in our heads, personally real.

With the emergence of technology, such role-playing has not been eradicated, but transformed and adapted. There are now other ways to fantasize, which give the reality factor a boost with greater "visuals". Role-playing games have now been translated into role-playing video games, where we can control the experience gained by our characters as if we are living alternate lives.

I recently encountered one such video game online called DINORPG, in which you buy a pet "dino/beast" from the "store" and you make it undergo missions and level-ups. Though playing the game is free, the game can be really time-consuming. The compromise is that you are given only a certain number of turns per day. You begin with a certain number of turns turns in which you can either move to a different location, fight or rest. Some locations give other options such as "speak to so-and-so" or something.

After the six turns are used up, you are forced to wait for a certain time until your turns are recharged. However this time around, you only get one turn per recharge. But, since each turn gains you experience AND money (not real money, of course), you can buy turns ate the flying shop for 900 coins. Also, if you are a bit more ambitious and rich, you can use real money to buy online money, thru a credit card. But then of course, this move is only for the true DinoRPG addict.

I am currently at level 14, after roughly 3 or 4 months in this.

Bar

In a few hours, a new set of Board Examinees will increase traffic in the Malate area (especially along Vito Cruz) AGAIN.

Good luck to all those who will be taking the bar exams.

Spada Massage

By experience, I have found that the search for the perfect massage is a futile one. This holy grail of a quest is asymptotic at best, yet I still continue to look for different places that are both affordable and exciting.

Right after the Freshmen Day Event at LPU, I drove around looking for one such venue. I decided to try different routes, since I felt like driving and it was still just 9:30, relatively early in the night. At around 10:30, I spotted a well-lit place near the corner of Taft Ave and Gil Puyat (Buendia) called Spada Massage. The place had ample parking (for about 5-6 cars) and had a sign (huge one at that) saying that it was open 24 hours, so I decided to check it out.

I went up to the counter and scanned the list of services. Actually, since I was only interested in having a massage and since I was dead tired from the event, all I could remember were the massages, but there are other services such as body scrubs and the like.

After I chose my massage (I availed of the Reflexology Massage, apparently just a Swedish-Shiatsu Combo), they offered me a body wash. Since I felt like all the stink and grime of Intramuros had stuck to me after a whole day of stress, I took it despite the added cost. To my surprise, the body wash location (upstairs) had a bed in it. It felt like an initial massage already, as the warm water from the shower was run up and down my back.

After the lovely "bath/shower", I was led back downstairs where they had a row of beds side by side, separated by drapes. The music was calmer than elevator music, typical of most massage venues. The light, dim, so as not to keep one awake. The messeuse that was assigned to me was very highly skilled. She had sent me to sleep for almost as long as the massage itself.

Upon realizing I had been asleep for almost an extra hour (though they don't charge you for it), I rushed to settle my account

(300 for massage and 180 for body wash)

. You decide whether it's WELL WORTH IT, or not.

Cheap Jeep

Meet the Jeepney.

Is this really the symbol of Filipinos? are we just really surplus parts of a once classic essential with a pun of a name?

After WWII, surplus parts of GI Jeeps we converted into reverse Jitneys. Where Jitneys have seats facing outwards for easier harvest gathering, the Jeepney has inward facing seets, to accomodate simple modifications to the back of a regular Jeep.

But these "icons" have had little to no evolution since their creation. Apart from the change in colors, designs and borloloys, They've appeared resistant to change. If anything, the culture that most of their drivers have has led to a deterioration in its image. Their countless numbers have clogged up the streets, not to mention their lack of conditioning and maintenance have polluted the air around the Metro and then some. Their drivers spit (but then again a lot of private owners do too), and they swerve in and out of lanes like they own the place.

The worst part is that they just stop anywhere and pick up passengers. Actually this is done by all our Public Utility Vehicles (except the trains, of course, as they are bound to the tracks and stop at designated stations).

So should we really be proud of the jeepney? Proud that at anytime, they cause a standstill in the Metro because we don't give them what they demand? Are we really resistant to change?

Think about it.

New Bee Species

(I heard this from TMZ)

Question : What type of bees produce milk?

Answer : BOO-BEES!

It was funny at the time, but I don't find myself laughing as I type this post. Not as much funny-hangtime as the Fish Spa.

Angry

I still have this feeling of annoyance, ire, madness and volatility lingering. My forehead is cramped from a constant state of contraction. My blood has turned to a thick stew after being slowly and steadily boiled for so long. I've been gritting my teeth so much that my molars are flat and smooth.

Ha.I'm sure you've seen the interview that Mareng Winnie and Arnold Clavio did with Mister Sister Golden Hair.

So Mikey Arroyo wants to play habulan? Agawan base? langit-lupa? Well if anything his whole family is already in "im-im-impyerno". He can't even explain why his net worth ballooned from 5 million to 76 million in 6 years. Of course, all of which saw his mother warming the presidential seat at Malacanang while his daddy reaped the benefits.

He can't even explain that without his lawyer. Even a kindergarten drop-out can spell F-i-s-h-y, Or can try, anyway. Why does his lawyer need to be present? Is he illiterate that he needs Atty. So-and-so to spell everything out for him? It's his own statement of assets and liabilities. Not his lawyers. Unless of course, the lawyer needs to enchant us with a smokescreen of technical legal terms while Mikey runs of like a squid in his ink.He's probably afraid that if the people found out where their money went, they'd turn him into Calamares.

And as if Mikey's not enough...

Joey DVIII does a "paawa effect" with his "Go after Mike Arroyo and not me" claim. Ha. The Senate should go after Mike, Gloria, Mikey,JDV and Son and even "BenBurjer". One bite at a time, Sen. Gordon. Chomp away.

One Step Closer

I thought "sembreak" would last us til about next week. Apparently not, as I was told by Emz this morning "Sir, may pasok na daw tayo mamaya kay Ambassador". I'm glad we started already though. That only means it's on step closer to graduation.

Yes, folks, I am studying. Still. Haha. I'm taking my MA in Foreign Service (briefly changed to International Relations, then reverted). It's my second trimester at LPU (Lyceum of the Philippines University), the bastion of Academic Excellence in Foreign Service, among others. (Naks!)

This, after 7 (yes, seven) lovely years of College. I learned a lot in college. wings soaring free above the hills, flying with the EAGLES in the clear BLUE skies over Katipunan. Yep.

Sometimes, I feel like I've made the wrong decision, sometimes I feel like there's a long way to go, but then I always tell myself "Stop Whining. One Step Closer to Graduation. To that Degree. To the next step". It helps that I have divided the number of units into 6 equal parts, made of 6 units each. Since 2 years sounds a lot better than 42 units (12 classes plus 6 units of thesis), It helped me stay on track.

Manila Ocean Park

This was my second time to go to Manila Ocean Park since the place opened its doors to the public. Last time, though, I wasn't able to bring any camera except my phone, which couldn't take decent photos. Last time I went, I was with Maiks, but this time I went for a family bonding time with my dad and my brother. We had a good lunch at Barrio Fiesta along UN Avenue before heading off to the Quirino Grandstand Area. This was to be a day for something different for us. A day where we would break the monotonic routine of our weekend outings. To keep this post from stretching too much space, i've decided to put the bulk of my photos in my facebook page, but I'll post a few here because, in my opinion, these fish stood out from the rest. This is the RAZORFISH. It isn't sharp like Gilette's tools (or at least I don't think it is), but it has a unique way of swimming. Its body orientation is similar to a normal fish, but it seemsto hover in the water vertically, with its head closer to the ground, er..seabed. Though I have not heard any mooing from it, this is the COWFISH. Horny little bugger. Well, it has horns, so...yeah. Also, if you look at it closely, it looks like a box. So square. This little fishy is fishy indeed. It looks like seaweed, but it's actually a type of EEL. I forgot what it's called but in any case this kind of reminds me of those mutated weeds from The Little Mermaid care of Evil Seawitch Ursula. I wanted to show you the FLASHLIGHT FISH but it was too dark to take a photo without flash (Flash Photography is prohibited, but of course, this rule was ignored by 95% of the visitors)

The Fish Spa

This time around, I wanted to try out the famous Fish Foot Spa. There has been talk about it being tickly or unhygienic or whatnot. But seeing as this was still there, and that they call the fish the DOCTOR FISH, I decided to try it out.
For just PHP120, you get twenty minutes with the fish. Now, ask yourself, have you ever been tickled by someone stroking their finger up and down the sole of your foot? or by the slow smooth scratch of a fingernail? Imagine a hundred of them all together, hitting the bullseye-nerve that sets all the laugh in your body free. Imagine TWENTY MINUTES of that. Haha. Well after about 5 minutes, you get used to them, and you just laugh about how cute they look nibbling away at your lower limbs. You get a free souvenir when you're done --- The plain white towel you use to wipe your feet. But believe me, you get the same feeling of cleanliness and foot rejuvenation that you get after a regular foot spa...at less cost!

Sunset

As if to cap off the lovely afternoon, we were entertained by the lovely sunset like an usher at the end of a lovely movie. Though most of my sunsets shots will be posted in my Facebook, I want to share a few of the prize ones in this blogpost. Enjoy.

A New (?) Adventure

If it's the same endeavour on a different time, does that not make it a new journey? Being the beginning of a new month, I will once again try to lost the unwanted weight of which i have long struggled to rid myself.

I was able to do so the first time I enrolled in Fitness First, but like most working people, priorities and deadlines interfered. I noticed I gained most of that weight back, sadly. Good think though, is that it's not pure fat because of the muscle I gained from my past workouts. Hopefully they have not atrophied much.

So now I begin this trek up the slopes of Mount WeightLoss in search of that prized possession : The BOD. Join me as I embark on this journey...again.

Follow me as I post my progress or lack thereof.

INITIAL Stats:

Waistline 45 in
Weight 234.3 lbs
Weight to Ideal 49.3

Up

Last week, I watched "Up" twice. Its just too bad that I didn't see it in 3-D. Disney did it again. No words can accurately describe how I enjoyed everything about it.

That being said, I was browsing and surfing the net for some trivia and this is what I've found (taken from IMDB.com):

On Dec. 23, 2005, young Colby Curtin was diagnosed with vascular cancer, after doctors found a tumor in her liver. On April 28th, 2009, at the age of ten, her parents took her to see Monsters vs Aliens (2009). She was most impressed with the preview to "Up", saying "I have to see that movie. It is so cool." Two days later, Colby's health began to worsen. On June 4th, her mother Lisa asked a hospice company to bring a wheelchair for Colby so she could visit a theater to see "Up." However, the weekend went by and the wheelchair was not delivered. Unfortunately, Colby was now too sick to leave home and her family feared she would die without seeing the film. A family friend named Terrell Orum-Moore, who desperately wanted Colby to get her last wish, began to cold-call Pixar and Disney to see if someone could help. Pixar has an automated telephone answering system, Orum-Moore said, and unless she had a name of a specific person she wanted to speak to, she could not get through. Orum-Moore guessed a name, and the computer system transferred her to someone who could help, she said. Pixar officials listened to Colby's story and agreed to send someone to Colby's house the next day with a DVD of "Up". Lisa Curtin asked her daughter, "Do you think you can hang on?". "I'm ready (to die), but I'm going to wait for the movie," the girl replied. The company flew an employee with the "Up" DVD, which was still only in theaters, to the Curtin's home on June 10 for a private viewing. He had a bag of stuffed animals of characters in the movie and a movie poster. He shared some quirky background details of the movie, and the group settled in to watch "Up". Colby couldn't see the screen because the pain kept her eyes closed, so her mother gave her a play-by-play of the film. At the end of the film, Lisa if her daughter enjoyed the movie, and Colby nodded yes. Lisa Curtin described the Pixar employee, saying "He couldn't have been nicer. His eyes were just welled up." Of the film, she remarked, "When I watched it, I had really no idea about the content of the theme of the movie. I just know that word 'Up' and all of the balloons and I swear to you, for me it meant that (Colby) was going to go up. Up to heaven." Seven hours after viewing the film, Colby passed away with her parents at her side. Pixar officials declined to comment on the story or name the employees involved.

That in itself can pass for a disney movie.