good present

...courtesy of my mom:



album includes Brown Hand Smash, The Show, Playa, Wish You Were Here, Better Man, Too Crazy, Wherever you Are, Best That I Can, Rainbow, Usahay, Rainbow (remix), & Get Ready.

thanks, mom!

dates

Nov 20 - PEx tiangge sa UP Balay Kalinaw. umulan. may tao pero konti. masarap yung manga-kasuy na pastry. malakas ang ulan, tumuloy ako sa birthday ng pamangkin ko (sa pinsan) na ipinagdiwang sa Burger King. syempre, na-miss ko si BK. :(

Nov 21 - umuwi kami ng Pampanga para sa ika-? kaarawan ng lola ko. medyo bad trip si itay dahil tanghali na kami nakaalis mula sa Cainta. walang kibuan papunta sa Pampanga kaya pinaspasan ko na lang ang pagmamaneho. Tumuloy kami sa Angeles at doon nananghali. Pagkatapos, umikot sa Clark Air Base. Umuwi na. Pagdating sa Cainta, tumuloy ako sa ensayo ng mga awit para sa pasalamat.

Nov 24 - nagpunta ako sa job fair sa Glorietta. naghanda ako ng tatlong resume pero sa dalawa lang na kumpanya ako nagpasa. boring, kaya umuwi agad kami (nina Bongertz) dahil tutupad pa ako.

Nov 25 - transport strike. sa suliraning namamagitan sa gobyerno at transport groups, publiko at commuters ang biktima. wala na bang iba?

Nov 27 - kasal ng pinsan ko sa Pampanga (hindi ako makakadalo); klase ng mga guro para sa Pasalamat (hindi raw ako kasali); may ikakasal sa lokal (tutupad ako). inaasahan ko na maaawit namin yung With This Heart at syempre, mami-miss ko na naman si BK. theme song yata namin yun. :(

Nov 29 - pupuntang Laguna ang inay at itay, sa imbitasyon na rin ng uncle ko; at, may aktibidad ang KADIWA't binhi sa araw ding iyon. Hindi ko pa alam kung alin ang pupuntahan ko.

gusto kong kumain ng food for the gods.

Rainbow

Fallin' out, fallin' in
Nothings sure in this world, no no
Breaking down, breaking in
Never knowing what lies ahead
We can really never tell it all, no no

Say goodbye, say hello
To a lover or friend
Sometimes we could never understand
Why some things begin with just love
We can never have it all
No no no ohh

But oh, can't you see
That no matter what happens
Life goes on and on
And so baby just smile
Cause I'm always around you
And I'll make you see
How beautiful life is
For you and me

Take a little time baby
See the butterfly's colors
Listen to the birds
That were sent to sing
For me and you
Can you feel me?
This is such a wonderful place to me

Even if there is pain now
Everything will be alright
For as long as the world still turns
There will be night and day
Can you hear me?
There's a rainbow always
After the rain

Hittin' high, hittin' low
Win or lose, you should go
Yeah yeah
Getting warm, getting cold
Weather can be so good or bad
But baby, this is life so don't get mad
No no no

Cause ohhh
Can't you see
That no matter what happens
Life goes on and on
And so, baby, just smile
Cause I'm always around you
And I'll make you see
How beautiful life is
For you and me

Take a little time, baby
See the butterfly's colors
Listen to the birds
That were sent to sing
For me and you
Can you feel me?
This is such a wonderful place to me

Even if there is pain now
Everything will be alright
For as long as the world still turns
There will be night and day
Can you hear me ?
There's a rainbow always
After the rain

Life's full of challenges
Not all the time
We get what we want
But don't despair, my dear
You'll take it each trial
And you'll make it through the storm
Cause youre strong
My faith in you is clear
So I say once again
This world's beautiful
Let us celebrate life
That is so beautiful
So beautiful...

Take a little time, baby
See the butterfly's colors
Listen to the birds that were sent
To sing for me and you
Can you feel me?
This is such a wonderful place to me

Even if there is pain now
Everything will be alright
For as long as the world still turns
There will be night and day
Can you hear me?
There's a rainbow always
After the rain

by: South Border

movie

i wanna watch Spongebob Squarepants the movie.

i miss my niece, Ria. We used to watch its TV show together everyday when she arrives from school, or after i fetch her from the bus stop.

"Who lives in a pineapple under the sea?..."

random entries

PEx tiangge tomorrow.

Here's a list of the magazines (back issues) that i'll be selling tomorrow:

FHM Phils
Apr 2000 (issue) - Sunshine Cruz (on cover)
May 2000 - J. Lo
July 2000 - Vanessa del Bianco
May 2001 - Rica Peralejo
Aug 2001 - Donita Rose
Oct 2001 - J. Lo
Nov 2001 - Nina Ricci Alagao
Dec 2001 - Dina Bonnevie
Jan-Feb 2002 - Jackie Forster & Joanne Quintas
May 2002 - Joyce Jimenez
Oct 2002 - Maricar de Mesa

i hope to raise a few hundreds out of these back issues, if they aren't sold, well i'll take 'em back and put it in my book/mag shelf.

with regards to reading materials, my interest has already evolved from Archie's Digests, to FHM Philippines, and now into socio-political Filipino publications. well, i guess i'm indeed "getting old"--- or rather, getting matured to be exact.

On premonitions

The other night, some friends and i were talking about the fate of Prana Escalante who climbed up Mt. Halcon (Oriental Mindoro) some weeks ago. It may be a bit late to discuss the issue but one of my friends was a schoolmate and a friend of the late Prana. She's even asking our opinion if she's to retain Prana in her friendster list cuz what happened to Prana really scared her.
Our friend was confirming to us that Prana indeed sent them her hand photo thru her mobile phone before following the group in climbing up the mountain. Then, this led us to tell other premonition stories. Some say that when a family member bids farewell to his/her loved ones from home going to work or school with an unusual "goodbyes", they will come to realize that after things happen.

Personally, i really can't understand how premonitions work. I know its concept, yes, but as far as i'm concerned, premonition or without premonition, if it is your time to die, then it is your time to die.

Time

the year is almost at its end. what is in store for me on the coming year?

Things i miss...

1. working. its almost two years since i had a "formal" job. i wouldn't say that a year spent in staying at Mississauga is a waste, because it has directed me to my 'future'. Only thing is, i have to wait. and "wait" became my magic word. Its funny though, whenever i'm jobless, i always crave for it but when i'm there, i always ask for a vacation. just shows you how unsatisfied one can be with his present life--- he always asks for something else.

2. income. Parallel to working is having my own source of income. i do save, help out, spend and enjoy my money that i can call my "own".

3. going out on an eight to five basis. although i easily get bored on something, i love routine. it makes my life pace constant and peaceful. also, it makes things predictable which enables me to adjust well to situations.

4. being "busy". i used to ask my friend to book an appointment with me at least a week before. and i like the days passing by without me noticing it.

5. life after work. going out with colleagues and some friends after a hard days work is relaxing... and being missed.

6. being a "santa" to those in need. This is not about Christmas. Its about extending "something" to those in need. Of course i can only do this when i myself don't feel a "burden" in me.

7. counselor. if i were to take a second degree, it will be BS Psychology major in counselling. since childhood days, i have learned to reach out and serve as an ear to close friends who seek a person to listen with their problems. i just miss it...

Let's Go, RAPTORS!

canadians see a brighter season for the Toronto Raptors.

hindi ako marunong magtungayaw

ang kagandahan ng umaga ko ay medyo sinira ng ilang punyemas na tao sa munisipyo ng Taytay, kung saan ipinasya kong kumuha ng NBI clearance.
Bago dito, nanggaling na ako sa tanggapan ng NBI sa Quezon City Hall kung saan agaran ko ring makukuha ang clearance. Pero hindi ko kayang pumila. Magulo, mainit at nakakunot halos ang mga noo ng mga nagsisilbi sa tanggapan. Kaya nagtungo ako sa satellite station nila dito sa Taytay sa pag-asang mas kakaunti ang tao na kukuha ng clearance. Hindi naman ako nagkamali. Walang mahabang pila. Kaya sa harap ng kawnter ay binasa ko ang mga kailangan. Umakyat ako sa loob ng munisipyo at kumuha ng bagong sedula. Pagkatapos kong punan ang isang kapirasong papel na naglalaman ng ilang impormasyon para sa sedula, may isang lecheng ale na sumingit sa akin. Mabuti na lamang, hindi kinuha nung empleyado ang papel nya at sinabihan siyang pumila. Tinignan ko sya nang parang nanunuya.

Pagkatapos nito, nagpakuha ako ng 2X2 litrato at pumila sa unang kawnter upang magbayad na sa kahera ng NBI. Pagkatapos ng sinusundan ko, isa na namang bwisit na ale ang biglang sumingit at inilusot ang nguso sa kawnter: "Miss, magbabayad ng NBI", ang sabi nya. Hindi ko natiis ang kabastusang ito: "Excuse me ho, nakapila kasi kami. Pakitignan naman yung pila bago kayo sumingit." Nakita ko siyang sumulyap sa likuran ko at ang apat na taong nakapila ay nakasimangot lahat sa kaniya. Sa madaling sabi, napahiya siya.

Pagkatapos kong punan ang NBI Card, pumila na ako para sa finger-printing. Ilang saglit lang, humahangos papunta sa pila ang isang buwakanang inang kano. Galit siya dahil hindi nya maintindihan kung bakit yung kasama niya (na isang matandang babae) ay hindi nabigyan ng clearance sa petsang ito na itinakda. Ang siste, may kapangalan si manang at may kaso yung kapangalan niya. Dahil dito, kinailangan na siya ay tumungo sa Quality Control (sa may Carriedo raw) upang makapanayam at doon maibigay ang clearance. Hindi nasiyahan ang umutang ng inang kano. "FUCK!", ang sigaw nya. "Let me talk to them. Open the door!" ang nag-uumigting nyang sigaw habang nasa harapan ng pila namin. "Its locked", sabi ni manang. "Knock! and open it!!", sigaw naman ni puti.

Pagkabukas ng pintuan, halos walang gustong kumausap sa kano. Tatlong babae na busy sa kawnter ang nandoon at isang lalaki na siyang namamahala sa finger-printing. Takot magpaliwanag sa wikang Ingles ang mga nasa loob ng opisina. Kami namang nakapila ay nakatingin sa mangyayari. Pumasok si puti sa loob at nagsisisigaw doon: "What the fuck is wrong here?!!", habang tangan ang resibo ni manang. Isang lalaki ang nagpaliwanag, nang buo niyang makakaya. Habang nagdidiskusyon sila sa loob, tinanong ko si manang na nasa tabi ng pintuan, "Kaano-ano nyo po ba siya?" "Ah, eh, siya kase ang tumutulong sa akin. Pinagpapasa-pasa kase tayo dito, sa kanila, hindi siya sanay ng ganung sistema", ang sagot niya. Nagtanong pa ulit ako, "First time po ba kayong nag-apply ng NBI Clearance?" "Pangatlo na 'to", ang sagot niya. Nagbigay ako ng mungkahi, "Sa susunod po, mag-renew na lang kayo sa Megamall, kailangan nyo lang yung old copy nyo, mas mabilis at wala nang aberyang tulad nito. Ayaw pong paawat nung kasama nyo, naaantala po kami lahat na nakapila." Medyo nahiya si manang, tinawag si puti na ayaw pa ring paawat "FUCK this. Why do we have to go there? Can't you just fuckin' call them and release the damn thing here?", ang nanggagalaiting sigaw pa rin ni puti. Si manang, "No, I'll take care of that, I know that in Quiapo, Just come out here now."

Sa wakas ay sumuko si kano. Lumabas na ng silid at ang sama ng tingin sa aming lahat na nakapila. Nang madaanan nya ako ng tingin, tumitig din ako sa kanya hanggang sa makalayo siya na punung-puno pa rin ng 4-letter words ang bunganga niya. Pagkalayo, bumulong ang isang babae sa pila namin, "Go home where you are, this is not your country." At yung isa namang lalaki sa pila ang sabi, "Akala mo kung sino... naatraso na tayong lahat dito ah. kundi lang siya malaki, inupakan ko na yun eh!"

Naisip ko tuloy, ganito ba ang kalagayan ng mga Pilipino sa sarili nilang bayan? Maaaring sigaw-sigawan ng isang dayuhan, manahimik kapag dayuhan na ang nagsasalita at hindi man lang pumalag kapag sa tingin niya ay mali na ang ginagawa nito? Pautang, ina. Ang lungkot naman.

ukol sa mga aklat

mula nang makabalik ako mula sa halos isang taong pamamalagi sa lunsod ng Mississauga, hinangad kong maging palabasa. Ito marahil ang kulang sa aking sarili, bilang isang nagtapos ng kursong Mass Communication sa Pamantasan ng New Era sa Quezon City. Dahil dito, nagsimula akong pumunta sa paborito kong tambayan, ang National Bookstore, at panaka-nakang dumadalaw din sa mga sangay ng Power Books sa may Makati at SM Megamall.

Naakit ako sa mga aklat na isinulat ni Bob Ong, sa mga tema nitong makabayan at realidad ukol sa mga bagay na may kinalaman sa pagiging Pilipino. Dahil dito, una akong bumili ng kanyang aklat, ang Bakit Baliktad Magbasa ng Libro Ang Mga Pilipino? Subali't ito ay nahiram ng kung sino at hindi na nagmagandang-loob na isauli ito sa akin. Pagkatapos nito, bumili naman ako ng mas nauna pa niyang aklat, ang abnkkbsnplako?! na siya kong kinagiliwan at naibalik sa ala-ala ko ang pagiging buhay-estudyante. Target ko ngayong mabili ang ikatlo niyang aklat, ang Ang Paboritong Libro ni Hudas.

Kasabay ng pagkuha ko ng unang aklat ni Bob Ong, naakit din akong kunin ang isang aklat-karanasan ni Carlos Bulosan, Nasa Puso Ang Amerika, na isinalin sa Filipino nina Carolina at Paula Malay mula sa orihinal na America Is In The Heart. Magandang malaman ang naging karanasan ni Bulosan sa America. Dahil dito, lalo yatang umaalab ang damdamin ko para pagbuklurin ang mga Pilipino. Sa paanong paraan, hindi ko alam.

Pinakahuling aklat na binili ko para sa akin ay ang 20 Speeches That Moved A Nation na pinili at pinagsama-sama ni Manuel L. Quezon III sa isang aklat.

Gusto kong ungkatin ang kasaysayan ng Pilipinas, kung bakit nasa ganitong kalagayan siya ngayon. Halos lumagpak na mas malalim pa sa lupa, at halos gustong makipagsabayan sa isang submarino na nananatili sa kailaliman ng dagat sa pagsisid at tila hirap nang umahon pa.

Gusto kong malaman ang kalagayan ng Pilipinas noong panahon ng mga naunang pangulo ng bansa, at ano ang naging partisipasyon ng mga mamamayan bilang isang Pilipino. Dahil dito, ilang aklat pa ang nais ko sanang magkaroon ako ng kopya. mga nauuna sa listahan ko ay: ...So Help Us God na ang may akda ay sina J. Eduardo Malaya at Jonathan E. Malaya; America's Boy ni James Hamilton-Paterson. Sa dalawang nabanggit, pinakagusto ko ay yung huli, sapagkat ito ay ukol kay Pangulong Ferdinand E. Marcos. Marahil, marami sa Pilipino ang may ayaw sa kanya at ang henerasyon ngayon ay tuluyan nang nabulag ng maka-isang panig na opinyon ukol sa pamamahala ni Marcos, pero naniniwala akong dapat pa rin nating makita ang dalawang panig ng buong kwento. Sa palagay ko kase, isang katulad ni Ferdinand Marcos ang kailangan ng bansa NGAYON para muling maiangat ang Pilipinas sa kanyang pagkakalugmok, sa lahat ng aspeto.

US Election Results

SUCK and STINK.

GO FOR PEACE, NOT WAR!

stories a few days ago

Saturday (and days before that), i was busy attending to our locale choir in preparation for the performance that day in Antipolo Gym. Good thing i was able to borrow a costume for the 28 members i had, and they looked good on stage, with the stage lights on.


photo taken after their performance, with Bro. Jun Ibañez & Sister Cynthia.

The day after, my dad, mom & i went up to Baguio and spent a night there to be together and take advantage of the long weekend. We pulled over at the popular Lions Head monument to have some poses with the camera. Four times i have been to Baguio and it was the first time i had a good shot of the head:



after checking in at Hotel Veniz, we strolled around the downtown. We decided to dine in a fastfood chain in the new SM City and at the same time see the new mall there.
Typical among Filipinos, these malls never fail to attract people even if you are already in a place where tourist spots are everywhere. It just amazes me to know how Filipinos really love malls.

Monday morning, we prepared to stroll around the city. My dad wanted to check the development in Camp John Hay so we drove along the roads going to it, but we got lost. Instead, we went up to Mines View Park and there i bought some pasalubong for church buddies and of course, for keng and her family. Yep, i got 'em all a present each: Keng, ate le-an, kuya j, may, Bro Izrael & Sister Clariza. And i'm waiting for my good buddies and bosses Noriel & Charlie to come home here so we can go up to Baguio again. Here's a nice morning view of Mines View which i took while a few people were in the overlooking site:


Anyway after going down from Mines View Park, my dad wouldn't surrender in looking for the way going to Camp John Hay. We found the road and the place, but we entered in a new entrance gate. Maybe its the reason why we didn't right away see where it is. The Camp is under renovation. There is a very nice house in there just near (overlooking) the golf course. We had some souvenir photo of it (its in the other camera so i wasn't able to upload it here). How i wish to own one of those in a similar place as where it is. yea, I WISH.

Before lunch we went down and proceeded to my lolo and lola's place in Pampanga. We brought them some vegetables that we bought from Baguio. And now, i have a deliciously-cooked chop suey to finish at home. anyone wants a dish?