P e s t o g i r l - the Weekend Warrior

How to beat a typhoon

2011-07-04T15:34:00.012+08:00

I admit I hate rain. I hate being under the mercy of an umbrella much more slowly and carefully walk like a robot protecting your shoes and your feet from getting soaked.

Ended up one of those freaking MRT riding-public one rainy night in Manila. Honestly I would say it was one great rainy-date, not even Typhoon Falcon’s heavy downpour can beat that unconventional date.

When you embrace positivity in life, you might end up accepting the rain. After all, there are many things to do while there is bagyo.

Rainy Day 1 | Feast on a nice Japanese meal at Mogu Japanese resto at Serendra, Bonifacio High Street and end your night with a yummy gelato from Gelatissimo Café also in Serendra.

Rainy Day 2 | Go Mediterranean and enjoy the best tasting Beef Kebab at Gilak by Hossein at Greenbelt III, Ayala Center, Makati.

Rainy Day 3 | Go local, savor a hot Almondigas soup, veggie-pasta salad and yogurt of Pancake House at Greenhills San Juan or have a spare-ribs rice meal from Mann Hann also in Greenhills.

Rainy Day 4 | Watch a movie at Shangri-La Plaza Mall in Mandaluyong City and dine at C2 Classic Cuisine afterwards.

Rainy Day 5 | Fill your tummy with a sumptuous Crab Maritess from Red Crab Café at Level 1, Gateway Mall, Araneta Center in Cubao, Quezon City.

That's at least five food trips while battling Typhoon Falcon. I missed the Banchetto night market, though. There will always be a next time and the next time will be very enjoyable – minus MRT and the rain. Yes! I can proudly say, I defeated Typhoon Falcon. Binge-eating warrior!

Don't sleep and park

2011-03-03T15:12:00.003+08:00

Traffic Accident Investigation Report
Case: Reckless Imprudence Resulting to Damage to Property
Reported by : SSg PAF and SSg PMC
Time/Date Rptd : 0130H 08 Oct
TD/P/O: 0115H 08 Oct, vacant space of DND located, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City

Parties Involved:
Party I – Make/type : Mitsubishi Montero
Party II – Honda Civic
Party III – Toyota Corolla

Narrative of the incident:

Investigation conducted by this office disclosed that Party I was traveling inside the camp, however, when it reached DND building accidentally bumped Party II, which was then parked at the vacant space. But due to strong impact, Party II – pushed forward hitting Party III, which was also parked thereat.

Kusang loob na salaysay ni Cpt blah blah na ipinagkaloob kay _______ dito sa himpilan ng Command Provost Marshal, GHQ & HSC, AFP, Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City, ngayon ika 8 ng Oct humigit kumulang alas 1130H ng ____ sa harap ng ilang saksi:

Tanong 01 : Ikaw ba ay magsasabi ng buong katotohanan at pawing katotohanan lamang?

Sagot : Opo

Tanong 02 : Ano ang naabot mo sa pag-aaral?

Sagot : Colehiyo

Tanong 03 : Ikaw ba ay marunong bumasa at umunawa ng wikang tagalog?

Sagot : Opo

Tanong 04 : Karapatan mo ang manatiling tahimik at tumangging magbigay ng anumang salaysay hinggil sa kasong ito, karapatan mo rin ang magkaroon ng tulong ng isang abogado na iyong pinili upang alalayan ka habang ikaw ay nagbibigay ng salaysay. Ito ba ay iyong nauunawaan? Magbibigay ka na ba ng salaysay?

Sagot : Oo

Tanong 05 : Maaari mo bang sabihin sa akin ang iyong tunay na pangalan, edad, tirahan at ilan pang bagay na maaaring mapagkakilanlan hinggil sa tunay mong pagkatao?

Sagot : Cpt, 38, DND, Cp Aguinaldo, Q.C.

Tanong 06 : Ano ang dahilan at naririto ka ngayon sa himpilan ng Command Provost Marshal, GHQ & HSC, AFP, Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City at nagbibigay ng malayang salaysay?

Sagot : Nabangan po ang sasakyan ko.

Tanong 07 : Kailan, saan at anong oras nangyari ito?

Sagot : 1230 ng gabi ng 8 Oct

Tanong 08 : Anong sasakyan ang naka-aksidente sa iyo, at ano ang numero ng plaka nito?

Sagot : Honda Civic, JJJ 888

Tanong 09 : Sino ba ang nagmamaneho ng nasabing sasakyan na nakabangga sa iyo?

Sagot : Wala

Tanong 10 : Maaari mo bang isalaysay ang buong pangyayari hinggil sa aksidenteng ito?

Sagot : Nakatulog ako at nabungo ko ang isang sasakyan.

Tanong 11 : Anong parte o bahagi ng sasakyan mo ang tumama sa sasakyan na iyong nasagi o nabangga?

Sagot : Harapan ng kotse

Tanong 12 : Kailan mo maibigay sa akin ang Job Estimate Report at ng mga larawan ng minamaneho mong sasakyan?

Sagot : Bukas

Tanong 13 : Gaano kabilis ang takbo ng minamaneho mong sasakyan nang nangyari aksidente?

Sagot : Mabagal dahil mag park na ako

Tanong 14 : Ano naman ang iyong ginawa, kung mayroon man, upang maiwasan ang aksidente?

Sagot : Nag break

Tanong 15 : Ikaw ba ay may lisensya sa pagmamaneho?

Sagot : Oo

Tanong 16 : Ano ang binabalak mo sa kasong ito?

Sagot : Ayusin

Tanong 16 : Lalagdaan mo ba ang salaysay mong ito bilang patotoo sa lahat ng sinabi mo rito?

Sagot : Oo

Katapusan ng salaysay ni :
________
LAGDA

Babala: Ang mga nabangit na pangyayari ay hango sa tunay na buhay.
Wag na pong mag park kapag inaatok dahil mahirap po ang sagot sa
tanong na “Sino ba ang nagmamaneho ng nasabing sasakyan na nakabangga sa iyo?” Kung ang sagot mo ay “wala.”

Advance birthday gift

2011-02-19T18:39:00.008+08:00

It’s been about 8 or 10 years since I ceased being so involved in this so-called “Beautiful Game.”
It wasn’t about time, love gone sour, isolation or loss of interest. Napadpad lang ako sa ibang landas, hindi naman napunta sa drugs at mas lalong hindi sa sugal. Parang talagang medyo naiba lang ang ihip ng hangin.
But I still love the game though I’m not that active anymore.

I admit I miss watching the games. I miss the people around, most especially the camaraderie.
On 17 February, I got an early birthday gift if I may call it.

They may say it’s actually just a “pasalubong” but one item from the plastic bag caught my attention.

This one.

Happy na nga sana ako with just butterscotch as pasalubong, knowing it’s my favorite.
But I guess my couple friends Liezel and Afuang made it sure that the other item would be far more adorable than the food.
Indeed it was amazing.

I didn’t dream having one like this nor did I imagine getting one as a birthday gift.
Nawala na nga ako sa passing sa football eh.

But thank you guys for making me recall how we love this beautiful game and the passion is still within.
Just imagine that, walang kapagod-pagod, kumpletos rekados.

Honestly I don’t even remember all the members of the Philippine Team, their names, and their jersey numbers.
Walang kapagod-pagod, walang kahirap hirap, I simply got their signatures on the shirt. Kinalolokahan lang naman sila ng mga girlalu at iba pa.

Thanks Liezel and Afuang for taking time out to meet the famous Askal Team in Bacolod and for remembering me and my love for football.
Thank you, I have numbers 21, 10, 15, 6, 23, 22, 25, 9 and 14 on this lovely Azkal shirt.
Let's continue and keep the football spirit alive and kicking!

.

Weekend in Malolos, Bulacan

2010-10-08T14:55:00.020+08:00

After months of hibernating from this page. Here I am seriously back in the forms and energized from my latest travel.
As everybody prepares for their semestral break, my preparation was to visit some historical sites in Bulacan.
Planned it last September.

First on the list in touring Bulacan is the historical Barasoain Chuch.
As we all know, we only see the figure of this famous Barasoain Church at the back of our P10.oo bill.
One weekend last month, the church was right in front of my eyes and it was much better than the one I only see in the money.

The church also known as Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish was built in 1630. It has earned the title as the "Cradle of Democracy in the East" and they say that it is the "most important religious building in the Philippines" having been the seat of first government of the country.

Barasoain church was founded by in Augustinian Missionaries in 1859. Considered one of the most beautiful churches in the Philippines for its unique architectural design. Philippines' first president General Emilio Aguinaldo and the 13th president Joseph Estrada were inaugurated in this church.

(The Altar)

(Barasoain's Garden)

(President General Emilio Aguinaldo's transpo)

(Malolos Museum)

(Tarlac Rep. Jose C. Cojuangco's ancestral home)

(Aside from historical tourist spots, Bulacan is also known for their affordable Christmas decors)

How to get there:
By private vehicle, from Manila, go to NLEX.
Take TABANG exit to your right. Then drive straight until you hit Guiguinto, Bulacan.
Continue driving until you see the Malolos flyover. Do not pass on the flyover.
Take the lower lane and make a left turn.
From that flyover turn, the church is just about 2 kilometers away.
You will see Barasoain Church on your right side.

I think therefore, I am

2010-05-03T16:23:00.005+08:00

Need I say more?

.

What's in Hongkong?

2010-04-05T17:17:00.014+08:00

For first-timers in Hongkong worry not!

There are online forums that can help you enjoy your vacation to the fullest.
From your itinerary, to the best places to visit.

Hongkong's organized transport system, their public transport to the say the least, it's very reliable and safe.

If you just read and ask around you will hardly get lost, even if you have a map on your hands courtesy of their city information centers.

Hongkong's MTR is one of the best in the world. The buses, included.

Sigh... it will take 50 years for the Philippines to have one.

An efficient, reliable, safe and clean public transport system.

And I share my tight-budget-but-super-fun experience.

Try the Ocean Park Adventure

The lovable Panda

Botanical Garden

The Big Ben

Museum of the Art

... and not to forget... the best food trip in town.
My sister and I survived, three days and three nights in Hongkong, without rice!!!

(",)

Inside the prison life

2010-04-02T13:06:00.011+08:00

Whew! We used to visit Luzon Street until they changed venue, just near the Petron Gas Station.

If I may say this, has been a frequent visitor inside the Magdalo holding area inside the base.

To those who never had the chance to visit an ordinary prisoner's cell, one will wonder what is inside and how people move around while guards outside do rounds.

I guess all of them, those behind bars are living large inside their prison cell, trying to enjoy the little comforts of an extraordinary living condition lest to say a life in an extra ordinary way.

Gee, I miss the food trip and the chit-chat.

Just wishing them the best of life. May you experience a fruitful new endeavor.

The dining area... table for two!

The kitchen

The play area

An eagle has landed

2010-03-09T09:24:00.002+08:00

The 23rd blessing for Mindanao and the rest of the world was delivered on Sunday evening. Kudos to the men and women of the Philippine Eagle Foundation for adding another life for the environment.

A new Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) was hatched Sunday at 6:12 p.m. at the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) conservation in Malagos, Calinan District in Davao City.

The eaglet weighs 137.5 grams is the 23rd eaglet bred and born under the PEF conservation breeding program.

The new baby eagle is the offspring of natural eagle pair Tsai and Princess Maasim. The PEF is responsible for producing eagle icon Pag-asa in 1992 and 21 other Philippine Eagles at the Center.

The PEF’s breeding program is intended to supplement eagle populations in the wild by replacing those lost tohunting and by reintroducing captive-bred birds to vacant habitats and habitats occupied by unpaired wild eagles.

PEF Executive Director Dennis Salvador said the hatch ushers in another new chapter in the organization’s history. “The PEF’s first milestone was Pag-asa’s birth in 1992, when we broke through the challenge of breeding these eagles in captivity. Once our breeding techniques stabilized, we were then able to do the first test release of a captive-bred eagle to the wild in 2004, to see how captive-bred birds fare in their forest habitats," Salvador said.

The PEF is looking for partners to support the release program. The partner will have the privilege of naming the eagle chick.

The Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) is considered an endangered species because of its rapidly declining population. At least 400 pairs remain in the wild according to estimates from both the government and private conservation groups.

Clark! The Pampanga's best!

2009-11-29T13:39:00.001+08:00

Air Force City, Pampanga's Best.

Former US Air Force Base is now simply a business hub. Still home to pilots, not the Americans though, but our kababayang Pinoy pilots.

The Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ) sits on more than 28,000 hectares.

Clark is a business hub, aviation center, entertainment, gaming and tourism area situated in Central Luzon. Not to forget, it's duty free shops still exists.

When in Clark, dont miss the Lomi House, its on your left if you're coming from Diosdado Macapagal International Airport.

Bangui and the windmills of my mind

2009-10-23T17:28:00.006+08:00

Happiness is somewhere between too little and too much ... travel....

We could have missed that magnificent view had I not insisted in going there from Cape Bojeador Lighthouse in Burgos , Ilocos Norte.

My travel-escort-bodyguard-boyfriend gave me one task to do: to locate the signs on how to get there.

Sometimes, I am simply a geography-locator-idiot.

But that certain day in April, I found what we’ve been looking for... the Bangui Windmills in the municipality of Bangui , Ilocos Norte, about five to ten minutes away from Burgos town proper.

Looking at the magnificent view was like winning the last two, hahaha, sige na nga lotto, lottery para mas soci.

I have long dreamed of seeing this place after discovering it through features on televisions shows, news articles and even photos online.

The Bangui Windmills is owned by a private company – the NorthWind Bangui Bay Project.

One photojournalist described the 25-megawatt Bangui Bay Wind Farm as “one of the most captivating scenes in Ilocos Norte with 24 turbines arranged in a single row spaced 326 meters apart, towering 70 meters above the ground.”

It’s the first wind power mill constructed in Southeast Asia , the Bangui Windmills was inaugurated in 2005, the country’s largest renewable energy project.

The project started with 15 turbines that catch wind coming from the South China Sea and convert it to electricity for 600,000 populace of Ilocos Norte.

"Like a circle in a spiral, like a wheel within a wheel,
Never ending or beginning on an ever spinning reel,
as the images unwind, like the circles that you find,
in the windmills of your mind!"

That's the windmills of Bangui on my mind.

I say, there's more to the trip to Ilocandia. After a nice scenic Burgos Lighthouse and Bangui Windmills.

Pagudpud is the next town to enjoy.

The ultimate dog sports

2009-08-19T17:44:00.004+08:00

THE 3rd National Ultimate Dog Sports dog agility and Mondio Ring (dog protection) competition will be held at the People's Park on August 21 to 23, in celebration of the Kadayawan festival.

About 75 dogs and their respective handlers from Luzon, ...Visayas and Mindanao will see action in the three-day dog agility sports and dog protection competition.

Elmer Edpalina II, acting president of the Davao Canine Sports Club Inc., said the event "will open the eyes of the Davawenyos about dogs and their potentials."

"The competition is about making Davao people aware of their dogs and their relationship. The competition will be an eye-opener for dog lovers to understand more their dogs and to strengthen their bond," Edpalina said.

He said dog enthusiasts like former Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chair Eric Buhain and renowned dog handler Eugene Reyes will be competing with veteran handlers from the three Davao-based dog academies namely: Davao K-9 ASG Agility Sports Group, Mt. Apo Davao K-9 Training School and Black Mask K-9 Training Camp.

Iris Remund and Alain Defilippis from Switzerland will the judges for Mondio Ring and Mondio Ring decoy, respectively.

The event is presented by Purina Pro Plan and the City Government of Davao and sponsored by RC Cola, Vetmate, Kakimkris Lechon and Catering, NCCC, Rep. Manuel Zamora, Carville Auto Supply, Farma Auto Supply, Wonderland and The Ark Animal Clinic. \

The clock stops in Coron, Palawan

2009-06-23T12:53:00.010+08:00

If you want to have a quiet getaway, try exploring Coron or the Calamian Islands Group on a weekend.Super Ferry 19 (Our Lady of Good Voyage) goes to Coron every Friday afternoon.

It departs from Manila Pier 15 around 4 p.m. and arrives at 5.30 in the morning the next day, just an overnight trip.

When you’re there, enjoy whole day island hopping, take a banca and go around Coron Island and discover its coves, lakes and lagoons.

The best one is the Kayangan Lake, a picturesque postcard perfect with its limestone cliff and very clear waters. Kayangan Lake is considered the cleanest lake in the Philippines.

Then take a dive at the Twin Lagoon. Twin Lagoon’s separated by limestone cliffs with a small
underwater tunnel. Snorkel around Siete Pecados, according to travel books most of corals around Coron Island are dead except for the Siete Picados. There’s one huge corals in Siete Picados, our bankero-cum-tour guide calls it The Last Supper.

End your island hopping by taking a dip at the Maquinit Hot Springs.Before you depart for Coron Pier for your trip back to Manila, end your visit by climbing up the 775-step Mt. Tapyas.

When you visit Coron, don’t forget to bring your camera then grab a very reliable backpack, slippers, plenty of sun block, shades, towel and extra shirts.

I forgot the name of this bankero-cum-tour guide na mura ang bayad. We hired his boat whole Saturday afternoon. Usually, people are tired to explore the place after arriving from the port of Coron.

So just rest in the morning, enjoy your bed till noon time and tour the place in the afternoon.And if you are not a beach addict you can tour and enjoy Coron in one afternoon.If you want to be free from the traffic and pollution, away from a challenging life, try to spend one weekend in Coron.

No matter how far, Coron is simply the best weekend getaway you can get.

Opol Aviary

2009-06-12T14:11:00.007+08:00

Rupert Domingo and friends introduced wild water rafting in Cagayan de Oro City in June 1995.

Locals embraced the new sports adventure and it spread by word of mouth among locals and tourists.

In 1999, four years after being touted as pioneers in the wild water rafting business, Domingo, 44, ventured into collecting lovebirds.

"My parents have a 2,000-sq.m. lot in Taboc in Opol. The place hasn't been industrially maximized so we put up a nipa hut there and that was where I placed the birds. It became our place to unwind," he says.

He says it was just experimental, with "bird cages made of used billboards then."

Then the word spread out, close friends and rafting buddies became eager to see his bird collection.

"From one group of friends to another, they visit the place in Opol, especially after a few runs from water rafting," he adds.

This helped him come up with an idea of developing the area for public viewing.

With the creation of an aviary, he hoped that birds and its environs would be appreciated by people.

Today, Opol Aviary, the only one in Misamis Oriental, welcomes children and adults from nearby towns."

Visitors in the aviary are mostly students and guided by their teachers. Dropping by at the aviary becomes an activity during out-of-school exposures. Some visitors are backpackers and travelers going to Iligan City," he says.

The aviary, which houses more than 200 species of animals like birds, rabbits, fish and deer. It does not get any financial support from the government.

In October 2005, the family poured out P800,000 to put up a high beam for its 25-feet aviary."

This is entirely at our own expense and providing for the maintenance including sanitation. Birds and other animals are once a month inspected by the city's veterinarian. Other than that, we also pay the personnel manning the aviary," Domingo says.

Opol Aviary collects P30 entrance fee for adults and P20 for kids."

And I think this is the only aviary in the Philippines where senior citizens get a free tour," he says.

How to get there:

The aviary is about 9 kilometers from Cagayan de Oro City.

Take a jeepney that plies the route El Salvador or Opol from Bulua terminal.

Tell the driver you're going to the Opol Aviary.

Roundtrip jeepney fare would cost about P30.

If you want an air-conditioned ride, take a taxi from the city.

One-way fare would cost you around P100. For reservations, call (088) 8571270.

Adopting Leila

2009-04-18T16:51:00.011+08:00

Hours after adopting her

Kahit sa'n mo ilagay, tulog queen pa rin

Unto her new home... ayaw pa ring magising.

Si Leila, after the adoption becomes the tulog queen.

Leila, the dog substitute

2009-04-17T16:07:00.009+08:00

On April 6, I voluntarily enrolled our 1-year old Belgian Malinois to a Dog School for his month-long “bartolina” training.
A promised I made to the dog and to the giver himself.

Twenty days after my BelMal dog turned 1, while in Clark Air Base, I decided to buy a Labrador puppy as a gift to my Spartan travel partner boyfriend.
Hours after we had her in our hands, I named her Leila.

Leila, like any other Labrador puppy, is noticeably and naturally beautiful but armed with a complete set of teeth like those of an Eel or a Barracuda, tiny but sharp.

Leila is a certified teeth-ter! Once you let her out of her leash, she preys on shoes, newspapers, shoelaces, boxes, plastic containers, even garbage bin and after you scold her, she instantly kills you with her “luoy-luoy look.”

Her usual routine is to run around, play with the newspaper, her toy balls, drinks her water, eat a little of her dog food and sleep.
And when she wakes up, she does the same thing over and over until she gets tired and fall asleep again.

During Holy Week, we decided to bring her to our travel to test to test the waters how this pet would play her antics on board a vehicle.

Silent at first but later on chaos ensued. Leila started to cry and became restless, moving from the front seat to the back seat, near the window, as if she wanted to commit suicide by jumping out of the vehicle.

We have to bring her with us for simply because there is no other puppy-nanny available to take care of her that time.

When we reached La Union, we found a solution.

We fed Leila her favorite toy – ice! I call it her anesthesia, he calls it her shabu.
With her ice, Leila becomes busy and sleepy and our travel went smooth sailing from then on.
Holy week’s travel up north was Leila’s first road trip and there will be more to come, perhaps down south.

Ikakasal ka na

2009-03-06T17:18:00.006+08:00

After having a nice manukan dinner, Toto, GG and I decided to have another coffee along Quirino Street. Sa aming suki.

So we walked along the road, kay asa pa man gyud diay.

This site caught our attention.

GG out of the blue asked me sa'ng gown daw gagamitin ko. Binalikan namin ang display.

I told her, I'm on tight budget. Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. I think I have to be content with Rene Salud.

Sige na nga, I'll choose. Rene Salud o ito?

Valentine's Day

2009-02-17T13:01:00.006+08:00

Exactly one year ago, may surprise package na dumating para sa akin sa araw ng mga puso.

Kaso this year, hindi naulit.

Pag log-in ko sa guard house, walang JRS, FexEd, DHL o LBC package na nakalagay sa daily delivery counter.

So, pagpasok ko sa opisina hinanap ko ang remembrance ko noong nakaraang taon.

Kaso, ala rin si cupid.

In short, di ko matandaan kung sa’n ko naitago kaya kinarir ko to the max ko na lang ang career ko that day.

Kinalimutang VDay pala.

Pero later that evening napasama na rin kami sa mga dating couples sa mapulang araw na ito.

Ang culprit kasi eh botched dinner date with Ma’am Gigie and Kuya Toto supposedly on Valentine’s eve.

From Venue A BluGre which turned out to be a business meeting date, we went to Venue B, Fagioli with red red wine in tow.

Kaya dun pasta, tea, pancake including the latest and hottest showbiz chika for the three of us ang drama.

Kaso naputol ang latest chika namin kasi si Inang Grasya nasa old house with a coffee shop na, kailangan daw nya ng reinforcement.

Juiceko! May red wine din pala sila with supported with pizza and chicken and mojos and chocolates pa.

Tapos biglang napag-usapan multo sa mga lumang bahay, mga old disco spots, etc, etc.

Classic talaga tong bibig ni Peter eh, bigla ba namang sumagot, never ever daw nagkaroon ng multo sa kanila.

“Eh buringan area to eh, ang iingay kaya nila, nagtatakbuhan pa yang mga yan dito.”

At biglang napunta ang usapan kay Gwen. Si Gwen talaga, or should I say si Gwen na naman. We had a nice experience with Gwen, promise! Especially now, araw ng mga puso, it’s gonna be a great a perfect match with Gwen’s tequila sana.

Lahat pala kami napansin bakit andaming tao sa kalsada, parang lahat ata ng celebrate na.

Pero isa lang ang payo ni Peter kay Jose, wag daw syang mag-aasawa. Kasama na riyan yong ang di pagkakasunduan at iba pa.

Bigla kung naisip yong padala, yong dumating na padala last year ba.

At ang naaalala kong sinabi ko sa kanya, sana may bulaklak. Kung sa bisaya pa bulak ba.

Alam niyo ba anong dumating.

Eto ang delivery package na padala nya.

Naisip ko ulit ang dialogue ni Peter, ang di pagkakaintindihan ang madalas na dahilan para pag-isipan mong mabuti kung dapat ka nga bang mag-asawa.

Eh sa bulaklak pa lang din na kami magkaintindihan, kasi sabi ko nga sa kanya “bulak” hindi “bulad” diba.

Takbo 2009

2009-01-29T13:08:00.005+08:00

POWER RUN !!

February 15, 2009 (Sunday)
Manila Bay, Mall of Asia

Registration Fee: P300.00
Assembly Time : 5:30 A.M.
Race Start : 6:00 A.M.

* * *

VIP ka!

2009-01-21T13:57:00.001+08:00

Kwentong Puppy

2008-12-08T15:08:00.016+08:00

Minsan may nakilala akong cute little puppies na laging kapit-kamay umulan o umaraw, umaga hanggang gabi.

Eto ay sina Gami and Daki.

From left to right, eto si Gami, ang 9mm, headset at ang hat

Sleepy ba si Gami?

O ginawa na syang pulutan?

Huhuhu.

Ganito ba dapat ang libingan ng mga asong bayani?

Kawawang Gami. Mukhang iniwan na nya si Daki.

Ibinaon na ata si Gami, hindi nga lang six feet below the ground.

Biglang hinanap ni Daki si Gami. Naglakad siya at naglibot sa pali-paligid.

At di napiligan ni Daki'ng umiyak ng umiyak nung nakita niya si Gami.

Iyak ng iyak ng iyak si Daki, naisip niya, sadyang iniwan na siya ng kaibigang si Gami.

Sa naghihinagpis na puso ni Daki, tuluyan na niyang di nakayanan ang kinahinatnan ni Gami.

Kaya bilang tunay na kaibigan, dinamayan ni Daki si Gami.

Hanggang sa huli...sila ay simbulo ng tunay na pagkakaibigan... walang iwanan ang slogan.

Batang bully

2008-12-03T15:36:00.001+08:00

Isa ka adlaw sa isa ka tindahan duol sa isa ka housing adunay mga bata nga babae og mga lalaki nga nagtapok.

Naabtan sa isa ka mamalitay sa tindahan ang mga bata nga nag away.

Naminaw lang si Ate sa ilaha, kintahay naa pay gustong paliton sa tindahan.

Og sa dihang sa kadugayan ang isa ka bata nga babae wala nay undang nga gahilak atubangan sa batang lalaki, “Hu hu hu hu, isumbong gyud taka sa akong Mama bah. Isumbong taka.”

Tubag sa batang lalaki nga nagpahilak sa batang babae: “Isumbong! Hadlukon man ta sa imong Mama. Imong Mama? Imong Mama nga buktot! Kung musaka sa punuan sa lubi mura og bakukang. Unya pag mukanaog kung mu-ulan, imong Mama murag bao! Bao nga galutaw sa tubig kay buktot man. Ha ha ha ha! Isumbong!”

Si Ateh nga kintahay naa pay gipalit sa tindahan wala napugngan nga mukatawa og sabay na lang nga gibadlong ang batang lalaki.

“Pssst, undanga na ninyo. Panguli mo, panguli, wala moy gibuhat diri kundi mangaway og laing bata.”

Batang lalaki nitubag : “Nangaway! Nangaway daw. Tiguwang, tiguwang!”

Kung ikaw si Ate, unsa pa ba imong mabuhat sa batang lalaki?

How do we fight bullies?

Sama sa gibuhat ni Ate sa tindahan, ato na lang kining ikatawa aron mahuwasan ta.

Pero sa bata nga babae nga niuli sa ilang balay nga gahilak, unsa pa ba atong mabuhat?

One day, we have to fight those bullies in our lives.

Homeowner President

2008-11-10T15:01:00.007+08:00

Matagal tagal na rin akong di nakabalik sa dating rota ng pagsakay sa public utility vehicle.
Limang buwan din akong nagmaneho ng pribadong sasakyan hanggang sa dumating ang panahong kailangan na syang ibalik sa tunay na nag mamay-ari.

Isang gabi matapos akong mag grocery, hinabol ko ang last trip ng jeep papuntang subdibisyon namin.
Papasok pa lang nakita ko na si presidente ng association namin.

Sabi ko sa sarili ko para megaphone na naman ang boses nito.

True enough pag-upo ko may kausap nga sya. Yong taong nasa harapan nya.
Isang homeowner din, tapos ang pinag-uusapan nila itong Balikatan housing issue.

Ewan ko ba bakit natiis nong babaeng pakinggan ang kayabangan nya.

Gusto ko nang bumaba eh, yong tipong puno na nang hangin ang tono ng boses nya at usapan nila.

Kaso naisip ko, last trip na to eh pag bumaba ako, taxi na ang ending ko.

Bigla sinabi ni homeowner president, ng fax daw si speaker of the house sa kanya. At kagagaling lang daw nya sa city council, at ng overtime sila para sa mga susunod na aksyon, at bukas lalabas sa lahat ng pahayagan ang kadramahan nila.

Ang galeng galeng nya talaga.

Wala akong planong makinig pa sa usapan nila, pero di ko napigilang isulat sa cellphone ko ang tanong nya sa babaeng homeowner.

Tanong nya sa babae "kanino ba yong bahay, under the name of you or under your husband?"

Genius syang talaga.

Ay naku, naniniwala talaga akong produkto ng Promil na gatas si homeowner president.

Skye... not the eagle up high

2008-09-25T11:33:00.018+08:00

Ewan ko ba bakit ang tao pag antagal kang di nakita, andaming tanong.
Ang hilig hilig magtanong.

"Uy kamuzta ka na? Nag-asawa ka na ba? May anak ka na?"
Mga ganyang tipong drama.

Oo may anak na ako. Anim na buwan na sya at mahigit sampung-libo na nagastos ko sa kanya.

Oo, aso ang anak ko.

Binigyan ako ng aso. Baby namin `to, sa mga di pa tapos magtanong ng kung anu-ano.

Patpatin ka pa lang noong una kang pinakita sa kin.

Bitbit ka ni Mamang Gorio as advance na pamasko.

Out of stock raw ang Labrador eh kaya eto ka karang-karang niya.

Naalala ko pa, takot ka sa biyahe, tumatago ka pa nga sa ilalim na kariton.

Halos tug-of-war at hide-and-seek ang drama niyo. Pinainom ka pa ng malamig na tubig at sa

kalagitnaan ng biyahe munting ka nang himatayin.

Tapos noong iharap ka na sa akin, naihi ka sa harap ng iba.

Halatang totoy na totoy ka pa. Mukhang di makabasag pinggan sa sobrang amo ang drama.

Ilang buwan ang nakalipas at matapos nag mahabang prosesong bakuna rito, bakuna roon, purga rito, purga roon.

Unti-unting nagbago ang hitsura mo.

From todler patpatin to growing puppy. Ganito ka naman pag play-mode ang drama.

Pag tamad-mode naman ang drama mo.
Ganito ka lang. Etong tamad-mode ang gustong-gusto ng lahat ng tao sa bahay.

Hindi nauubos ang mga plastic, newspapers at tsinelas sa mga ngipin mo.

At yong original mong amo, pati ako kinukulit, ano na raw hitsura mo.

Miss ka na niya, siguro.

Kaya noong nakaraang linggo, bago kami nagbakasyon sa Loakan.

Nag pa-picture ka na naman.
Katakot ka na. Para kang guwardiya ng airport o mall.

Nagbibinata ka na nga. Puppy pa pero mukhang binata na.
At gwapo ka na raw, gwapo na katawan mo.
Plus 1,000 pogi points sigurado pagnatapos mo K-9 schooling mo.

Eto ka Skye, before naging preso sa kulungan mo.

Baby Mal

2008-08-13T16:31:00.003+08:00

sa iyong pagdating ...

handa na ang lahat...

Ang donuts ni Cello

2008-05-23T16:16:00.011+08:00

Let us "donut talk" today.

Word of mouth.

It was first introduced to him by a fellow-building-mate in Quezon City if I’m not mistaken.
Next thing he did was date me to this place at 11 p.m.
Indeed, I fell in love with the donut. Kala niyo sa kanya ano?
Syemfrey sa kanya rin. Kailangan pa bang i-memorize yon.

Cello’s Doughnuts and Dips first opened in Katipunan Road, Quezon City just in front of Ateneo de Manila in 2004.

Eto ata considered favorite doughnut ng mga Atenista sa Katips.
Its owner is young entrepreneur named Cello Santos.

She sells unique donuts in different flavors like Chocnut, Oreo, chocolate, cheese, peanut butter, M&M’s.

Given with a small mouth, their cocktails is what I like more.

Cocktail is a bite size version of their donut.

Ginawa siya para sa may mga cute na mouth. Hmmmm.

A year after, they opened another store along Taft Avenue in Manila.
This is how the Cellos' Taft branch looks like.

In October of 2006 they had another one in Greenhills, San Juan.

That’s where I bought my four boxes in November of 2007 minus my driver-escort-bodyguard in tow. Forgot to get pictures of the shop though... Ohhh, I miss Evo, Mazzie and Goldi.

I am not a donut freak but I highly recommend Cello’s as your must-bring-pasalubong home.
Sabi nga nung young PAL flight attendant when she saw me placed my Davao-bound pasalubong inside the plane’s overhead compartment, “Ay Cello’s sa Katips. Masarap yan Ma’am!”

“YES!” Of course, I replied with very convincing smile.
“May shop na sila sa Greenhills,” I added.

Sayang, nakalimutan ko nga lang sabihing “Cello’s donuts and dips is a pamatay date place.”

So when you are in Quezon City, Taft or Greenhills, find time to visit Cello’s and have a taste of their sumptuous pillows, cocktails or donuts.

I’ve tasted Go Nuts and Krispy Kreme. I say nothing beats Cello’s simply because it’s not overrated-over-sugarcoated donut that melts in your mouth.

Have you eaten a donut from Cello’s?
Hmmmm, we did!
Hit na hit ang donut mo Cello. Pantawid gutom na siya, pamatay date place pa.
Kain na!

Nikon blah

2008-05-21T17:39:00.003+08:00

"Buying a Nikon doesn't make you a photographer. It makes you a Nikon owner" ~ Author Unknown

My version: "Buying a Nikon doesn't make you a photographer.
It makes you a beautiful Nikon owner!"

For comments, suggestions, violent reactions, contact 1-800-4462428682868 (dimagbuotbuot)

Promote Philippines... Air Philippines

2008-05-07T14:55:00.006+08:00

I am not a frequent flyer but I do get my own share of pre-departure-send-off drama in real life.

Whining inside an airport terminal is common among well-wishers and even with passengers, that’s talking on my personal experience for once I was a victim of a delayed flight.

Last Friday, with one small plastic bag in tow and as early as 8a.m. I walked under the heat of the sun to an airport terminal.

Was there to meet a college barkada who is scheduled to leave for Manila at 9.40 a.m.
The plastic bag I carried was filled with “pasalubong orders” of other college barkadas now working in Qatar.

Believe me “pasalubong” includes hopia, dice, facial soap, puto plastic baking pan and slippers.

With no hassle at all, arriving more than one hour before the flight, we pushed Etol’s cart into the pre-departure area, only to be told by the “airport tulak boys” the flight was cancelled.
Pakshet!

Sige na nga, to be really sure, Etol and I proceeded to the check-in counter, lining up with other people who has the same flight schedule.

True indeed the flight was cancelled.
Wala lang, siguro wala lang silang mapalipad na eroplano.
Cancelled lang ang flight. As simple as that.

Sure we want to make talak-talak but still with a smile we manage to ask the counter clerk so politely on how will Etol board her 5.10p.m. flight to Doha when they transferred her to the PAL’s 4 p.m. flight.

Kala namin kami lang ang praning and worried … until we heard a voice in front us spokening bow-wow-wow.

American Joe nagyawyaw.

Holding his half-Pinay, half-American little daughter, and supported by his Pinay wife, he raised his voice.

Etol and I just listened. Uzi ears kami while at his back.

“What? They cancelled it?,” sabi ni ‘Kano.

Etol and I smiled.

And then he said “That’s stupid. Just like that, they cancelled the flight without telling us why?”

Again, Etol and I smiled. Katawa na mi gamay while continuously making use of our Uzi ears.

And then the wife tried to calm him down.

Drama kunwari sya, “Where’s your luggage? Just attend to your luggage.”

Smile and katawa gihapon ‘mi and chorused “nagyawyaw gyud sya bayot!”

Alangan pud uy, connecting flight pud sila to US.

And he raised his voice again saying “This is Philippines. Promote Philippines….”

Katawa na gyud mig maayo uy, dili na madalang smile smile.

Sikat gyud Pinoy no?

Only in the Philippines.

Og kani ang sumpay sa iyang yawyaw.

Hold your horses mga kababayan ko.

“…First they rob my house and now they cancelled my flight.”

Ammmmm. Mao sya yawyaw uy.

Tatak Pinoy talaga.

The ever sikat Pinoy robbers.

Kaw daw beh. First you rob his house and then you cancelled his flight.

Promote Pilipins, sakay ka pag Air Pilipins?

Run down the rapids bugsay bugsay

2008-04-25T16:37:00.005+08:00

Much has been said about white water rafting and water tubing.

Water rafting is now a must-do-list when you visit the cities of Davao and Cagayan de Oro.
Rafting in Mindanao became a word of mouth among adventure seekers wanting to feel minutes or hours of adrenalin rush in their bodies.
Syempre mas maraming dose ng adrenalin rush if freebie ang rafting.
Adventure seekers are all soaking wet and wild after the rush. Sunburn on your skin included.
Last year my sister Joy and I tried rafting Davao style.
That time it was a grand sum of P2K per head, but thanks to Ryan who served as our passport for the more than one hour walay-tumba-balintong-ride with "high-five's."
Para may idea kayo. Ganito ang magiging hitsura nyo when you try rafting in Davao.

Warning!!!
When there's heavy rain in Calinan area down to lowlands, the water looks like cold iced-tea.
Nonetheless, you get what you paid for.
And if the ride is free you have no right to whine. Just enjoy the fun with a perfect high-five!.

Forever Blue Corinne

2008-04-17T17:38:00.011+08:00

"Nights don't come any longer

Days seem to last forever...."

Fly me to Araneta Coliseum with this passport plus MRT ride for the soundtrip ...

Is equal to :

Ang liit ni Corinne, promise.

But her almost two hours of live performance is sulit na sulit.

Sound trip

2008-03-30T15:31:00.010+08:00

One Sunday dawn about a year ago, we traveled the highway of Bukidnon just to hear the 8 a.m. mass at the Monastery of Transfiguration.
We chose to listen to an upbeat music to keep us awake and lively and changed CD from Queen to George Michael to Swing Out Sister to Brownman Revival to Bob Marley and vise-versa.

Kala nyo lang ha. Syempre kanta rin kami.
Singing as if we are inside a karaoke bar. Eh dalawa lang kaming nag biya-biyahe. Amin ang lugar pare!
Then he said, “pag nag concert yan sa Pinas, manonood talaga ako.”
Sagot ko “talaga lang ha!.”

(Flashback) .... Can’t recall if it’s along EDSA or on our way to Cellos in Katips when we opted to change the CD.
That was years ago.
Wala lang trip lang palitan ang CD na nakasalang.
Kanta kanta lang… breakout, fooled by a smile, Am I the same girl, you on my mind.

Like most of the generation now, di nila gets ang music na yan dude.
Friends grew up enjoying Julia Fordham, Mandy Moore and Incubus, all those mentioned already performed in Manila the past two months.

Finally, after how many years of listening to their songs, from pirated CDs to MP3s, one of Britain’s famous duo will be performing next month at the Araneta Coliseum.

One of his dream concerts to watch has finally come true!
Lakas mo talaga kay Lord tsong!
Salamat rin sabi ko, para naman di mo na gagawing drums ang ulo ko pag nag mamaneho ka. Nyahahaha!

Ayan na, may Swing Out Sister Philippines Tour na!
Kaso sabi mo “Taena mahal naman ng ticket nila!”
Teka lang ha, eh almost 20 years ago na last performance nila at the PICC.

For the April 7 concert, reserved seats ranges from P2,625 to P4,935 c/o TicketNet.
Pakshet mahal nga. Isang ticket lang equivalent promo airfare na.

Sige na nga, soundtrip na ulit tayo.

... Am I the same girl you used to know
Why don't you stop
And think it over
Am I the same girl who knew your soul?
I'm the one you want
And I'm the one you need
I'm the one you love

... All the flowers would grow
From the seeds we'd sow
There's no one but you on my mind

... Fooled by a smile
You regret, won't forget what you've left behind
Lies that leave you cold insideWith a pain to hard to hide

... Don't start to ask
And now you've found a way to make it last
You've got to find a way
Say what you want to say
Breakout!!!

Here’s one for you and one for me.

Ooooooops may ticket na. Look, look, look.
Snacks na lang kulang.

Tapos sa April 10 may Duran Duran na naman.
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
Sound trip ulit...

...Pretty looking road I try to hold the rising flood that fill my skin
Dont ask me why Ill keep my promise Ill melt the ice
Dont save a prayer for me now, save it till the morning after....

...The reflex is an only child, he's waiting in the park
The reflex is in charge of finding treasure in the park....

Hhmmm.... meeting you with a view to a kill
Dance into the fire
When all we see is the view to a kill!

At first I was afraid to eat a picha pie

2008-03-22T13:48:00.015+08:00

I admit I am not a pizza freak and I really am allergic to eating more than P200 worth of meal much more a P700 worth of pizza.

Plus there's this contest between thin crust and thick crust pizza, kung asa ba gyud ang makabusog?
Asa ba gyud?

Sa kumakalam na sikmura there is no difference between eating a thick or a thin crust pizza.

Basta kay pizza sya, solo, regular, large or party size, it’s for your mouth and stomach to consume.

Then, I remember the famous 3M Pizza Pie. Sounds like adhesive tapes huh.

I think per slice costs P2.00 but that was yearssssss ago.

Can't remember the exact price per slice but I do recall their small kiosk outside Davao City High School.

A kiosk equipped with a square-sized little oven to serve the students.

They say, the 3M Pizza Pie is the first pinoy pizza since 1969. Yes, I still do enjoy their homegrown pizza. Affordable nga talaga. My last taste of this pizza was in Marikina.

Then came Papa's Pizza.

Kahinumdom pa ba mo ang ilang tindahan naa sa Ponciano?

Gosh, tigulang na gyud siguro ko. Hehehe. I believe the first Papa's Pizza store was situated along Ponciano Reyes Street fronting the U.M. Multitest.

Then there's ZED Pizza.

Mind you people, before Greenwich introduced their sari-sari square pizza, may nauna na sa kanila. Anybody who has been to ZED along Bonifacio Street can attest to this.

Pero ang makagaba na pizza sa tanan.

The Yellow Cab Pizza.

It was Jun's birthday when we feasted on this pizza. Ang presyo, whew! gamay na lang kulang isa ka sakong bugas na.

A sack of rice enough to feed a family of six for a month.

However, Joy said, we only celebrate birthday once a year. As poor as we are, ibig sabihin, we can only afford to eat expensive pizza during special occasion. Pobre! Kabus og timawa.

In short, we are not sinners after all. For 11 months, we can eat ordinary pizza anytime we like and feast on that special and expensive pizza on your birthday month.

Sabi nga ng Parokya ni Edgar "you can't expect it to be free, that's why I'm saving all my money, para mayroong pambili."

Hmmm, I can’t help but think who will celebrate next? Maybe we can try Yellow Cab's "New York's Finest" pizza. It’s just P10.00 expensive than the "Manhattan Meatlovers" sinful pizza.

The evolution of pizza. Bow!

Lukcy Bitch - Male version

2008-03-20T14:08:00.008+08:00

Who would not recall the crisp words of Albay Governor Joey Salceda describing her boss as the "luckiest bitch around."

From early flash reports to late news, Salceda saying those words was such a perfect music to the ears of many Filipinos.

As Pinas would have some lucky bitches around, we also have lucky assholes in town.

Presenting Item No. 1 (lucky asshole in a parking lot)

Hayup na yan. BMW sasakyan parking fee pa binarat.

Style of parking pa lang, asshole na ang dating.

This is what we call a certified free parking asshole.

Obstructingly parking his kariton in front of a properly parked red
kariton.

Item No. 2 (lucky asshole in town).

Exactly 48 days ago, there was this lucky soldier who braved his way watching porn video in his neatly pampered notebook while National Security Adviser Norberto was delivering a speech during a local peace and security assembly in Tagum City.

This is what we call a lucky asshole in uniform, a full-pledged Colonel at that.

Lucky enough that it wasn't him starring in the porn video.

A truly dedicated soldier, practicing the virtue of Courage (enjoying a wifi access during a peace assembly), Integrity (watching a porno in a military uniform), Loyalty (being physically present in front of your national adviser).

So what happened to the investigation?Was the Colonel reprimanded?

Naaah, I think he still is enjoying his wifi free access inside an air-conditioned military institution.

Cherished ideals of Courage, Integrity and Loyalty watching porn.

Palag ka? Di ba sabi nga nila "pag gusto may paraan, pag ayaw may dahilan."

Besides, sources said, the Colonel was only enjoying a sex video courtesy of a police inspector and his girlfriend, the actor and actress in the sex video.

San ka nakakita nyan, only in the Armed Forces of the Philippines!

Di lang pang serbisyo sa bayan, pang freebies pa.

No, they are not members of the famous Gucci Gang, maybe just plain and
simple tigang.

Ahhhh let's hear it from The Doors....

"You know that it would be untrue
You know that I would be a liar
If I was to say to you Girl,
we couldn't get much higher
Come on baby, light my fire
Try to set the night on fire...."

100.0 Mbps - Day 1 and 2

2008-03-10T14:58:00.016+08:00

Day 1

Whew! Not bad!
Sinong magsasabing pag bakasyon ka mahirap kumuha ng internet access.
Natawa lang ako.
A day after my **nth birthday, I went out of the city and visited my hibernation place.
Nothing more. Nothing less.
Eh wala nga sa tatlong lugar na gusto kung puntahan which I mentioned in my previous post ang natupad.
The decision to fly out of the eagle's dome came after a botched dinner.
Long story. We can only blame the mobile network provider.
Sa dating daan sa kahabaan ng Edsa ang ending ko, Sunday night.
Andami pa ring tao. Mukhang di nauubusan ng tao ang lugar na 'to.
At 11 p.m. sinubukang ayusin ang settings ng "for sale" (cash basis only, bawal ang utang) kong notebook.
In less than 10 minutes ayos na sya.

Day 2

Natupad ulit ang hibernation thoughts ko.
Tulog nga ako ala-una ng madaling araw kanina hanggang alas-dose ng tanghali ngayong araw.
Simple lang naman ang morning ritual ko.
Mag jingle alas-singko ng madaling araw.
Balik sa kama. Sleep mode ulit.
Gising again mga 6.30a.m.
Sinubukan kong mamalantsa pero may naplantsa na pala.
Balik sa kama for the third time. Tulog again.
Ay teka lang, mukhang hindi na productive tong araw na `to.
So nag desisyon na ako. Sinubukan kong buksan ang notebook ko.
At correct check! 100.0 Mbps nga siya!
Mga isang oras na akong enjoying dito at parang nararamdaman ko ng may rally ng nangyayari sa tiyan ko.
Kailangan nag mag timpla ng hot choco.
Lintek, mainit na Milo lang ito eh.
Bakasyon ka na, kain, tulog , tambay lang sa kwarto, wi-fi pa!
Re-heat ka lang food mo kung ayaw mong magluto.
Or on mo lang aircon kung ayaw mong gamitin ang ceiling fan!
Astig diba? Maingay nga lang ang mga lipad ng eroplano at mga tutubi dito.
Kada oras na ata `to.
But not bad. Pakialam ko sa traffic sa tower eh 100.0 Mbps ang supply ko dito. 24/7 operation ang hatid nito.
Sya, sya, kailangan ko nang kumain ng breakfast-and-lunch sa oras ng merienda.
Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. 100.0 Mbps duh!
Teka makaplantsa na nga muna at masubukan ulit ang binombang Glorietta!

Sandosenang sapatos

2008-03-05T15:40:00.002+08:00

SAPATERO SI TATAY.

Kilalang-kilala ang mga likha niyang sapatos dito sa aming bayan. Marami ang pumupunta sa amin para magpasadya. Ayon sa mga sabi-sabi, tatalunin pa raw ng mga sapatos ni Tatay ang mga sapatos na gawang-Marikina.

Matibay, pulido, at malikhain ang mga disenyo ng kanyang mga sapatos.Paano mo ba naiisip ang ganyang istilo? Kay ganda!Siguro, dinadalaw ka ng musa ng mga sapatos at suwelas?Parang may madyik ang iyong kamay!Sa lahat ng papuri, matipid na ngingiti lamang si Tatay.

Tahimik na tao si Tatay. Bihirang magsalita.

LUMAKI AKONG KAPILING ang mga sapatos na gawa ni Tatay. Madalas ay kinaiinggitan ako ng mga kalaro at kaklase ko. Buti raw at sapatero ang Tatay ko. Lagi tuloy bago ang sapatos ko kapag pasukan, kapag pasko, kapag bertdey ko, o kung nakatanggap ako ng honors sa klase.

Ginagawan pa niya ako ng ekstrang sapatos kapag may mga tira-tirang balat at tela.Buti ka pa Karina, laging bago ang sapatos mo. Ako, lagi na lang pamana ng ate ko. Sa 'kin napupunta lahat ng pinagkaliitan n'ya, himutok ng isang kaklase.

Nasa Grade II na ako nang muling magbuntis si Nanay. Kay tagal naming hinintay na magkaroon ako ng kapatid. Sabi ng Lola ko, sinagot na raw ang matagal nilang dasal na masundan ako.

Naku, magkakaroon na pala ako ng kahati sa mga sapatos! Pero di bale, dalawa na kaming igagawa ni Tatay ng sapatos ngayon.Habang nasa tiyan pa si baby, narinig kong nag-uusap sina Tatay at Nanay.

Nagpa-check up ako kanina. Sabi ng doktora, babae raw ang magiging anak natin!Talaga! Kung babae nga, pag-aralin natin ng ballet. Gusto kong magkaanak ngballet dancer! Ngayon pa lang ay pag-aaralan ko nang gumawa ng mga sapatos na pang-ballet.

PERO HINDI LAHAT ng pangarap ni Tatay ay natupad. Nagulat kaming lahat nangmakita ang bago kong kapatid. Wala itong paa. Ipinanganak na putol ang dalawang paa!Nakarinig kami ng kung ano-anong tsismis dahil sa kapansanan ng kapatid ko.

Siguro raw ay binalak na ipalaglag ni Nanay ang kapatid ko kaya kulang-kulang ang parte ng katawan. Nilusaw raw ng mga mapinsalang gamot ang kanyang mga paa. Isinumpa raw ng mga diwata ng sapatos si Tatay dahil mahal na itong sumingil sa mga pasadyang sapatos. O baka raw ipinaglihi si Susie sa manika.

Nanay, bakit po ba walang paa si Susie?Nagkaroon kasi ako ng impeksyon anak. Nahawa ako ng German measles habang ipinagbubuntis ko pa lang ang kapatid mo. At iyon ang naging epekto, malungkot na kuwento ni Nanay.

Hindi na magiging ballet dancer ang kapatid ko. Malulungkot si Tatay. Araw-araw, ganun ang naiisip ko kapag nakikita ko ang mga paa ni Susie. Kaya pinilit ko si Nanay na muling pag-aralin ako sa isang ballet school (dati kasi, ayaw kong mag-ballet).

Pero...Misis, bakit hindi n'yo po subukang i-enrol si Karina sa piano, o sa painting, o sa banduria class? Hindi yata talagang para sa kanya ang pagsasayaw, sabi ng titser ko sa Nanay ko.Nalungkot ako. Hindi para sa aking sarili, kundi para kina Tatay at Susie, at sa mga pangarap na masyadong mailap.

SAKSI AKO KUNG paanong minahal siya nina Tatay at Nanay. Walang puwedeng manloko kay Bunso. Minsan, habang kami ay nagpipiknik sa parke, may isang mama na nakakita kay Susie.
Tingnan n'yo o, puwedeng pang-karnabal yung bata! turo nito kay Susie.

Biglang namula si Tatay sa narinig. Tumikom ang mga kamao. Noon ko lang nakitang nagsalubong ang mga kilay ni Tatay. Muntik na niyang suntukin ito.Ano'ng problema mo, ha?Mabuti't napigilan siya ni Nanay.Isang gabi, habang nakahiga kami sa kama, narinig kong kinakausap ni Tatay si Susie.

Anak, hindi baleng kulang ang mga paa mo. Mas mahalaga sa amin ng Nanay mo na lumaki kang mabuting tao at buo ang tiwala sa sarili. Masuyo niya itong hinalikan.Hindi tumigil si Tatay sa paglikha ng sapatos para sa akin. Pero napansin ko, kapag sinusukatan niya ang paa ko, napapabuntung-hininga siya. Pagkatapos ay titingin sa kuna.

Sayang, Bunso, di mo mararanasang isuot ang magagarang sapatos na gawa ni Tatay bulong ko sa kanya.

LUMAKI KAMI NI Susie na malapit ang loob sa isa't isa. Hindi naging hadlangang kawalan niya ng paa para makapaglaro kami. Marami namang laro na di nangangailangan ng paa. Lagi nga niya akong tinatalo sa sungka, jackstone, scrabble, at pitik-bulag. Ako ang tagapagtanggol niya kapag may nanghaharotsa kanya. Ako ang tagatulak ng wheelchair niya. Ako ang ate na alalay!Noon ko natuklasan na marami kaming pagkakatulad.

Parehong magaling ang aming kamay kaysa aming mga paa. Ako, sa pagpipinta. Siya, sa pagsusulat ngmga kuwento. At oo nga pala, si Tatay, kamay rin ang magaling sa kanya!

MINSAN, GINISING AKO ni Susie. Sabi niya, nanaginip siya ng isang pambihirang sapatos. Napakaganda raw nito sa kanyang mga paa.

May paa siya sa panaginip? gulat na tanong ko sa sarili.Maniwala ka, Ate, kay ganda ng sapatos sa panaginip ko. Kulay dilaw na tsarol na may dekorasyong sunflower sa harap!

Magbebertdey siya noon. At napansin ko, tuwing nalalapit na ang kanyang kaarawan, nananaginip siya ng mga sapatos.Ate, nanaginip na naman ako ng sapatos. Kulay pula ito na velvet at may malaking buckle sa tagiliran.

Binanggit din niya sa akin ang sapatos na kulay asul na bukas ang dulo at litaw ang mga daliri niya. Ang sapatos na puti na may kaunting takong at may ribbon na pula. Ang sapatos na yari sa maong na may burdang buwan at mga bituin. Ang sandalyas na parang lambat. Ang kulay lilang sapatos na maynakadikit na bilog na kristal sa harap.

Manghang-mangha ako sa kung paanong natatandaan niya maski ang pinakamaliliit na detalye ng mga sapatos - ang disenyong bulaklak, ribbon, butones, sequins, beads, o buckle. Inaangkin niya ang mga sapatos na 'yon.Ate, paglaki ko, susulat ako ng mga kuwento tungkol sa mga sapatos na napapanaginipan ko. Ikaw ang magdodrowing, ha??

PAGLIPAS PA NANG ilang taon, namahinga na si Tatay sa paglikha ng mga sapatos. Gumagawa na lamang siya ng sapatos para sa mga suking di matanggihan. Noong nagdaos siya ng kaarawan, niregaluhan ko siya ng isa kong painting na may nakapintang isang pares ng maugat na kamay na lumilikha ng sapatos. Binigyan naman siya ni Susie ng isang music box na may sumasayaw na ballet dancer.Pinasaya n'yo ang Tatay n'yo, sabi ni Nanay.Pagkatapos noon, naging masasakitin na siya. Labindalawang taon si Susie nang pumanaw si Tatay.

ISANG ARAW, HINDI sinasadya'y napagawi ako sa bodega. Naghahalungkat ako ng mga lumang sapatos na puwedeng ipamigay sa mga bata sa bahay-ampunan. Sa paghahalughog, nabuksan ko ang isang kahong mukhang matagal nang hindi nagagalaw. Naglalaman ito ng maliliit na kahon. Mga kahon ng sapatos na maingat na nakasalansan!Para kanino ang mga sapatos? May umorder ba na hindi nai-deliver?? tanong ko sa sarili.

Pero nang masdan ko ang mga pares ng sapatos na yon, nagulat ako. Taglay ng mga sapatos ang pinakamahuhusay na disenyo ni Tatay. Iba-iba ang sukat nito. May sapatos na pang-baby. May sapatos na pambinyag. May pang-first communion. May pangpasyal. May pamasok sa eskuwelahan. May pangsimba. May sapatos na pang-dalagita.

Lalo akong nagulat nang mabasa ang kanyang dedication sa nakasabit na papel:Para sa pinakamamahal kong si Susie, Alay sa kanyang unang kaarawanInisa-isa ko ang mga kahon. Lahat ng sapatos na nandoon ay para kay Susie. Diyata't iginagawa ni Tatay si Susie ng mga sapatos?

Para kay Susie, lugod ng aking buhay Sa pagsapit niya ng ikapitong kaarawanTaon-taon, hindi pumalya si Tatay sa paglikha ng sapatos sa tuwing magdaraos ng kaarawan si Susie! Sandosenang sapatos lahat-lahat.Handog sa mahal kong bunso Sa kanyang ika-12 kaarawan.

Napaiyak ako nang makita ang mga sapatos. Hindi ko akalaing ganun pala kalalim magmahal si Tatay. Binitbit ko ang sandosenang sapatos at ipinakitako kina Nanay at Susie.

H-Hindi ko alam na may ginawa siyang sapatos para sa yo, Susie. Namuo ang luha sa mga mata ni Nanay. Inilihim niya sa akin ang mga sapatos??A-Ate, ito ang mga sapatos na napanaginipan ko. Hindi makapaniwalang sabi ni Susie habang isa-isang hinahaplos ang mga sapatos.Ha??

Noon ko lang naalala ang mga sapatos na ikinukuwento ni Susie.Dilaw na tsarol na may dekorasyong sunflower sa harap. Kulay pulang velvet na may malaking buckle sa tagiliran. Asul na sapatos na bukas ang dulo at litaw ang mga daliri. Kulay puti na may kaunting takong at may ribbon na pula. Sapatos na yari sa maong na may burdang buwan at mga bituin.

Sandalyas na parang lambat. Kulay lilang sapatos na may nakadikit na bilog na kristal sa harap.Naisip ko, tinawid kaya ng pag-ibig ni Tatay ang mga panaginip ni Susie para maipasuot sa kanya ang mga sapatos?Hindi ko tiyak.Ang tiyak ko lang, hindi perpekto ang buhay na ito. Gaya ng hindi perpekto ang pagkakalikha sa kapatid ko. Pero may mga perpektong sandali. Gaya ng mga sandaling nilikha ni Tatay ang pinakamagagarang sapatos para kay Susie.

(This story won First Prize, Maikling Kathang Pambata in the 2001 Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature)

Hibernation thoughts

2008-02-23T13:20:00.006+08:00

I'm thinking of trying to enjoy another view of Baguio or Bohol or at least just a taste of Malapascua Island in Visayas for March.

What does it mean to be in hibernation thoughts, I asked myself.

Perhaps have a 1 a.m. to 11 a.m. sleep and enjoy 10-hour development framework of my idle mind.

Not to mention getting up around 12 noon and lazily prepare your lunch that you would be having around government employees' prompt 3 o'clock merienda time.

Above all, leaving behind the Jun Lozada craze, Neri's forgetful mind, FG's needle therapy and the noble profession of the military and police's code of silence adhering their hear no evil, see no evil and say no evil slogan until the end of time.

But for now, I can only enjoy looking at paid advertisements of island hopping around Talicud Island, the promo airfare sale of the Cebu Pacific, PAL's swingaround discounted packages and the famous Church entrance notice that reads:

"Dear Parishioners. Please don't leave your bags, wallets and cellphones unattended. Others might think these are the answers to their prayers!"

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.

The province of Davao Oriental

2008-01-31T15:07:00.000+08:00

They say: "Surf’s now up in Davao Oriental"

Seven years ago, Davao Oriental became known as the Philippines’ sunrise capital when locals and foreigners converged at the Pusan Point in Barangay Santiago in Caraga to witness the first millennium sunrise.

Today, the province, just three hours away from the Davao International Airport and Sasa wharf, is promoting its other side.

In September, the Department of Tourism-Southern Mindanao and provincial government launched the 1st Surf and Skimboarding Safari in Dahican Beach, one of the best white-sand beaches the capital city of Mati has to offer.

“This is a fabulous province. We are hoping that Davao Oriental will become the next favorite tourist destination. This is the best place for lovers of nature, culture and history,” Gov. Corazon Malanyaon said.

The DOT also launched “Baybay nato ni Bay” (This is our beach, pal), a coastal-management campaign designed to create environmental awareness among different communities.

Surfers and skimboarders are now common sights at the Dahican beach. George Plaza, the 34-year-old trainer of about 13 skimboarders, said they tried the sport two years ago.

“Dayo dayo lang mi pag nay competition sa ubang area. Ang uban pud sila gadayo diri sa amo,” he said (We went to places where there were competitions. But other people also came here.).
When a Japanese national saw their plight, he said, he donated five surf boards worth over P50,000 each.

Best waves and beaches

“He surfed with us. He said we had the potential, we had the best waves and best beaches for practice but we were not using the right surfboard,” Plaza said.

Plaza said most of those engaged in surfboarding and skimboarding were sons of local fishermen.
So, even if a skimboard cost only P1,000, they could not afford to buy it because their parents were only fisherfolk, he said.

Plaza said the boys were elementary and high-school students who practiced during weekends.
He said one of his trainees, 13-year-old Sonny Aporbo, a Grade 3 student already won in several surfing competitions. The youngest surfer in his team now is 9-year-old Jovec Monares, also a son of fisherman.

“Kana siya, walo na sila ka mag-igsoon. Gusto ra gyud skimboard. Bug-at pa ang board kaysa sa iya pero maayo nga bata, naa gyud talent,” Plaza said. (They are eight kids in the family. He really wants a skimboard. The board is bigger than him, but he is a good kid and has talent.)

Foreign visitors

Today, the province has at least three diving sites and one surfing site. Unknown to many, these sites are already frequented by foreigners and they may be the next top tourist and surfing destination in Mindanao.

Sonia Garcia, DOT-Southern Mindanao regional director, said the department was developing new destinations and new skimboarding and surfing sites.

“The coast here is very clean. Marunong mag-alaga ang mga tao sa coastal areas nila dito sa Mati. We hope that this will be the next tourist destination. We have great places to dive and surf here,” she said.

“People can visit this place. If they want to stay on a weekend, we have the best beach. We also have the Carmelite Monastery,” Garcia said.

The Carmelite Monastery in Barangay Matiao is a good place to visit during Holy Week. José Barcena has sculpted the mysteries of the Holy Rosary for the 16-hectare monastery.

First resort

Garcia said a local Mati businessman, Efren Dupa, had also constructed in Barangay Badas the first 50-room coastal resort in Davao Oriental.

Dupa said, “Gwapo atong mga dagat diri. Daghang mabisita nga gwapong lugar. Diri sa resort they can try fishing. We have bangus and dangit. We also have floating cottages.” (Our beach is nice and guests can also visit many other nice places. Here in the resort they can try fishing.)

Garcia said, with the new resort, Mati would be attracting more visitors. “It is a boost for Mati.

Hopefully in the next few days or weeks, tourists will now be coming,” she said.

The province’s famous attractions also include Pujada Bay, Wason House, 17th-century Caraga Church, Cape of San Agustin, San Agustin Altar Cave, Mandaya Village, Tuboran Muslim Village, Menzi Tourism Complex, Provincial Capitol Park, Aliwagwag Falls in Cateel, Sleeping Dinosaur Peninsula, Calapagan Hotspring, Sigaboy Island, Mt. Hamiguitan Bonsai Forest in San Isidro town, Pujada Island, Waniban Island, San Victor Island and Lake Diomabok.

The evolution of Kitoy

2008-01-05T18:14:00.000+08:00

Ang encounter ni Kitoy

2008-01-02T17:37:00.000+08:00

This a story about a passenger and an Army solider at the bus terminal in Ecoland, Davao City. This is not a fairy tale story nor a fable. Maybe, fable in some ways because there are characters in this story who are animals in their own way.

Sundalo: “Abi, dalha na dire bag mo.”

Traveler: “Sir, camera na ha?” (Pina bira gamay ug mejo di maayo paggunit sa bag)

Sundalo: “Buy-i ba kay tanawon ko!” (mejo taas boses)

Traveler: Hinay lang ba kay camera na! (mejo syagit pud pasahero kay camera gud pero di gyud nya buy-an ang bag kay naa gud camera )Samtang daghan pa yawyaw ang sundalo ug di na sad maayo tinan-awan sa pasahero, iyahang gikuot ang Canon 17-35mm L na lens . Nakuyawan ang pasahero kay murag feeling sa sundalo baso lang nga naa beer. Hay sus, manong, ug nahulog to, di kabayad tatlo ka bulan mo na sweldo ato bords.

Sundalo: Abrihi ba kay tanawon nato kay camera man kaha! (taas na sad boses na pa-astig ang dating)

Traveler: Hinay lang lagi kay camera na! (kay iya man murag gina ukay na murag kamatis samtang di gyud buy-an sang pasahero ang iya bag kay camera gud. hadlok lang sya ma-tilt gamay kay kung madisgrasya, di pa kabayad ang sundalo..ma tenk u and sorry na lang ang lens)

Sundalo: Unsa man ka, abi mo ignorante ko??!! (syagit sa sundalo)

Traveler: Gina hadlok nimo ko?! wala ko nahadlok nimo. Gina ingnan ka lang na hinay-hinaya kay camera ikaw pa masuko. Abi mo nahadlok ko nimo?! (Sabay sarado sa bag ug nilakaw)
Nitindog ang sundalo ug mi-ingon: “Unsa man, ka minos ka nako?!!?” taas gyud iya boses. Lakaw lang ang pasahero sabay tutok sa sundalo.

Traveler: “Hello, tenyente..anak ni Boy. Naay imo tao dire sa terminal na arrogante. Wala man na unsa ako camera pero di lang ko ganahan the way nya handle it. Abi nya siguro kamatis lang ni dala nako.”

The lieutenant told the traveler to have him talk to the soldier. But the soldier refused to talk to his officer even if the traveler told him that it’s his superior. ” Sa HQ na lang mi kita, didto ta kita,” ingon sa sundalo sa traveler.

But the story did not end there… As the traveler went back to Davao City after an hour, he went straight to the office of his friend kay uban sila adto sa Task Force Davao HQ kay naa pud diay reklamo ang iya friend. Halos pareho ra, mga arrogant na TF Davao nga naa sa terminal. Ug didto man pud nilabay ang bus, so didto na sad nanaog ang traveler dala ang iyahang kamatis ay ang camera diay.

Pag-abot nilang duha sa TF Davao headquarters sa Ecoland, nangayo pasaylo si tenyente kay naulaw sya sa gibuhat sa iyahang tao. Ingon sa biktima na wala man to kaso unta kung nakiusap lang sya ug tarong kay mag inspection siya. Wala man to kaso unta kung maayo ang pag approach nya sa pasahero. Unsaon ta man kay sya pa man isog?

Pero nasabonan na sa tenyente tong iyahang tao na arogante kay aside pa sa pagka arogante pa sya sa pasahero, iya ba gi-isnab ang selpon sa pasahero na gi-offer aron storyahon sya sa iyang opisyal. So, magpalit pa to sabon ang tenyente unya kay manglaba gyud tong sundalo unya.

Sa dihang gidala na sa sulod sa TF Davao office kay para daw mas formal ang reklamo. Kelangan gyud daw mag narrate sa nahitabo, gusto sa opisyal na babae na madunggan sad ang side sa pasahero.

Sus, unsaon ta man kay di man diay sya kasabot ug Bisaya. Namroblema ang ang pasahero kay mas lami man gyud mag re-enact na Bisaya or Ilonggo gyud bords. Ingon sa mga opisyal tagalogin mo lang gyud kay di gyud daw sila kasabot sa Bisaya.

Ah, wala lami ang re-enactment kay mas lingaw gyud to unta kung Bisaya bah. Nagkalisud ang pasahero oi. Kapoi gyud mag Tagalog. Lisud man sad mag Ingles kay wala gyapon feelings. Mao, to ningkamot gyud ang pasahero na ma-narrate in Tagalog pero nagka guliyang gyud.

Gipatawag tong sundalo aron mahusay ang probema. Pero wa gyud nagpakita maski pag gi-ingnan na stay-put kay naay nag-reklamo nimo, nawala gyapon. Murag halata gyud sa babae na opisyal na masabonan na gyud sya kay niabot direkta sa iyang hari-hari na wala ni-agi sa iyaha kay iyaha man diay to tao. So iyaha gyud to command responsibilty.

Nakahibalo na sad diay ang sundalo na arrogante na naa syay cliente pagka-gabii kay nanawag diay ila hari-hari para imbestigahan. Mao to na nagkaguliyang sad sila kay nakaabot naman diay sa ilahang hari-hari.

Pasahero: “We understand your job, we understand the security procedures that every passgenger has to undergo before boardingthe bus. Pero sana wag naman ganun na napaka-arrogante. Kung nakiusap sya ng maayos, wala namang problema. Ang ayaw ko doon was, tumayo sya sa upuan nya at sinundan ako for about 2-3 steps away from his post.”

(Nagkalisud sa iningles ug tagalog ang pasahero oi. Abi nyo lalim, mayo na lang gani wala gisabayan tagaktak sa typwriter.)

Babae na kauban sa pasahero: “Ako pud biktima sad ko anang ka arogante diha sa terminal. Gi-ingnan nga dili ukayon kay kapoi ayos ana.Unya kay gi ukay nya, tapos singkahan pa nya ko na dili daw nila trabaho mag-arrange. Maayo ba na?”

Sundalo na babae: “Sa asa diay mo sir, mam? ( Samtang naa isa ka tenyente sad na sige lecture na murag bag-o ra ka sugakod ug checkpoint o di kaha basin tan-aw nya sa duha ka bisita murag mahuraw gyud nila)

Traveler:“Ah, ako si Keith Bacongco of Business Mirror”

Babae na kauban sa traveler: “Ako pud si Joselle Badilla sa Philippine Daily Inquirer.”

Pero at least nakabalo sila side sa pasahero. Matud pa sa ilang hari-hari na wala sad didto, pero nag text lang kanamo na: “Whatever his story his I will reassign him. Di na muna sya sa terminal. Thanks for your feedback. ”

Kani man gud na sitwasyon, pauna-unahay lang na eh. If you want that soldier to earn my respect, he shouldn’t have done it that way. In fact, I was the one who offered my bag for inspection. But even the way he approached me was already wrong.

Unsaon na lang tong uban na wala gyud guts mag complain? Unsaon na lang tong mga ordinaryo na mga pasahero diha? Although dili man tanan mga sundalo ana, naa man sad uban na maayo man mag approach sa mga pasahero. Kani na panghitabo, usahay ra ni sa usa ka bulan. Usahay wala pa gyud gani. Maayo unta kung ana permi bah.

Ug abi nya siguro mahuraw nya ko sa kadako nya ug kadako sa boses nya, no no man! Naniguang na ko ug kober anang mag sundaloha mo, mayo lang gani wala sad ko na warshock. Kabalo na ko sa katag nyo. Abi man gud nya siguro itoy-itoy lang ko na dala-dala ug kamatis aw camera diay…Pitbull ni bords, pitbull!

Trillanes one more time

2007-12-19T13:29:00.000+08:00

10 reasons why Trillanes and company packed up (according to a forwarded email)

1) Not even his mother joined them

2) Oakwood had a better lobby

3) CNN was not there to cover it

4) The hotel had run out of ice cubes

5) The APCs were parked in the lobby and not the parking lot

6) Trillianes realized being teargassed was not part of his mandate as senator.

7) Guingona thought it was an anti-erap, or pro-erap pardon rally, whatever...

8) Surrender was better than the company of Father Robert Reyes.

9) Trillianes noticed people were crying not because of the tear gas but because of him

10) Even GMA was beginning to look better the longer they stayed.

10 reasons why they should have gone to Victoria Court instead

1) They were only gonna stay for a 'short time' anyway

2) Bishop Labayen and Fr. Robert Reyes could have heard confessions

3) They could have wet the towels in the jacuzzi to combat tear gas

4) There are no wedding receptions in Victoria Court. Only honeymoons.

5) Victoria always has more people than Manila Pen

6) The APC won't know which garage to park in, sobrang dami eh.

7) The ceiling mirrors would have thrown off the raiding party.

8) ABS-CBN could have done an episode of XXX and The Buzz while covering the standoff

9) 'What happens in Victoria Court stays in Victoria court'

10) It's a good place to get screwed

Lessons learned from Manila Pen

2007-12-07T15:44:00.000+08:00

Sonny Trillanes has educated Filipinos on so many things:

1. It is possible to walk from Makati Trial Court to Manila Peninsula.

2. A tank can fit into the Manila Pen lobby.

3. Pinky Webb and Ces Drilon are not pretty with no makeup.

4. Ces Drilon has curly hair when it isnt blow dried.

5. Media are always the victims and the heroes even if they were accomplices in a hostage situation.

6. Guingona really has humongous ears.

7. Trillanes has serious receding hairline problems.

8. You can always turn your back to appear disdainful when you cant say anything profound.

9. You can talk about laying down your life and compare Manila Pen to Tirad Pass and still turn chicken at the first sign of teargas.

10. You can always chicken out and say it was to save lives even if it was primarily your own!

Tagalog version naman!

1. Pwede palang maglakad from Makati Trial Court to Manila Pen.

2. Kasya pala tangke sa hotel.

3. Pag naposasan pala media, nakakalimutan ang nag-aaklas, sila na muna pinag-uusapan.

4. Di pala maganda si Pinky Webb pag walang makeup.

5. Kulot pala si Ces Drilon pag di nag blower.

Kaya mga kapatid wag kalimutan pwede nang gawing educator si Trillanes, para din sa pagka pangulo ng mga sundalong madaling sumuko!

Manila Pen 101: To quote or not to quote

2007-12-04T16:41:00.000+08:00

Samu't-saring kaalaman mula sa Manila Peninsula standoff starring Sonny Trillanes.

"What we did was not only our duty but our moral obligation," sabi ni Trillanes in justifying his latest act of defiance.

Dagdag pa niya: "It is our duty as religious individuals to do what is right."

Kahit ba nabigo ang Oakwood adventures nila.

Sagot naman ng isang kasamahan niya: "Yawa siya. Who's he to talk about moral obligation?"

Hirit pa ulit ni Trillanes : "The time is ripe for the Filipinos to make a decision."

Tapos bigla siyang tinanong ng mga reporters "Where are your supporters Sir?"

Trillanes: "They are everywhere."

At ang isa sa mga hinaing niya ay : “I entered politics. The people voted for me, but what did they do. They disrespected the more than 11 million votes that I got. They did not give representation to the people who voted for me.”

Not to mention the P100 per vote, a.k.a. vote-buying on the eve of the May 14 elections.

Sabi kasing gusto niyang makita ang table and chair niya sa loog ng Senado eh. Kulit niyo kasi.

Sayang naman term niya as Senador kaya humirit ulit siya: "I stood for the rights of the oppressed. We see now that this government will go to any length to hold on to power."

Haaaaayyyyy...

Di na nakatiis pa classmate niya buong araw eto ang status sa Yahoo Messenger niya: "I don't understand why there are people like Trillanes."

Hehehehe.

Kaya pagkatapos ng lahat lahat sa Manila pen, humirit na si CS Esperon: “We are relieved that it turned out this way. It wasn’t bloody.”

Korek check "it wasnt bloody" like the ruthless war in Mindanao.

Sinabi ni Esperon yan sa mga reporters shortly after dining on pork chop and rice with the military top brass at Villamor Air Base’s operations headquarters in Pasay City, where he monitored the hotel operations.

O divah sosyal. Pork chop and rice siya. Sa bundok sa kabuuhang pwersa ng sandatahang lakas, they are dining sardinas and rice. Nyahahaha.

Days after ng Manila Pen history, nagsalita na si Ces Drilon. May direct dial pala siya kay Trillanes.

“Another coworker told me to ask Trillanes if he was really up to something. So I called him up at midnight,” she added.

O divah... Kinabukasan katabi na niyang kinakausap si Sonny habang tinatahak ang daan papuntang Manila Pen mula sa Makati City Hall.

“If I knew what was going to happen, I wouldn’t have worn heels,” said Drilon, who marched, huffing, with Trillanes, Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim and a band of soldiers.

Pero taob silang lahat sa November 30, Saksi GMA7 news interview ni Mike Enriquez kay Maj. Gen. Fernando Mesa, head of the national capitol region command.

Kinamusta ni Mike ang sitwasyon sa Manila Pen matapos madakip sina Sonny at iba pa.

Sagot ni Gen. Mesa, "the jointness....of blah blah...." referring to the joint operation of the police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Wagi! Pwede nang ipagtabi ang "jointness" ni Sir sa "escape goat" ni Ma'am live on TV.

At di pahuling humirit si CS Esperon sa mga kilos nila Trillanes... "We will not allow them to grab power because after all this is what they want?"

HuuuuuuuuuuuWhat?

That ends our Manila Pen... to quote or not to quote.

Remembering the man who wanted to win a pulitzer

2007-11-28T12:19:00.000+08:00

How do we say goodbye to you Boyd?

It’s been three years since your assailant pulled the trigger in Jolo on November 12, 2004.

It is difficult to accept the fate that befell you so here we are, gathered today to share pieces of our memories of you. To many of us, you were not just a partner in coverage. You were a dear friend and touched the lives of journalists across the country.

It was your time Boyd, we gently let you go as you enjoy His
paradise, a place where there is no hurry to submit photos and where you can enjoy watching your favorite cartoons and play games online. No deadlines.

A year after the incident, murder charges were filed against two suspects. The police in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) said charges were filed in the office of the Sulu Provincial Prosecutor.

The head of the Task Force Lumawag then identified the suspects as Itting and Omar Sailani, both they said are members of the Abu Sayyaf group and wanted for kidnapping in Basilan in 2001. At that time they remained at large.

Two months later, then Southern Command chief Lt. Gen. Alberto Braganza said Itting Sailani was wounded in an encounter with members of the Marine Battalion Landing Team 9 (MBLT9) in Bus-bus, Jolo but escaped.

In June 20, 2007, the military said your perpetrators were slain by intelligence operatives while bathing at a river in Barangay Baiwas, Sumisip, Basilan. They still insisted it was the Sailani brothers who killed you.

I remember you.

Joy and I were on our way home when my cellphone rang four years ago. It was Dennis Sabangan, European Pressphoto Agency (EPA) Philippines chief, on the other line. Dennis usually calls when news breaks out or if he needs to verify information. He broke the news of your death while Joy and I were onboard a public utility vehicle nearing Bankerohan Bridge.

Dennis said over and over again, you wanted to be the Robert Capa of the Philippines.

Two or three weeks before you were killed, we had an online chat, the longest we had since you included me in your friends’ list. You were your usual obnoxious but lovable self – a character which we find endearing and frustrating at the same time.

I called you Boyd. You called me Yosel.

An early achiever in your age, you traveled to the outskirts of Mindanao, far down South and around the globe. Your latest conquest was a European football-crazed country, including Netherlands and Germany where you spent your first snowy Christmas.

Before we had that chat, Atty. Wakang and I met you at the old MindaNews office in General Luna Street on October 8 – our last glimpse of you.

The surprise and happy look on your face then was so comforting despite our rushing to go home to pack our things for a trip the next day. A trip that you called “for the poor” upon knowing we will be boarding the C130 cargo plane of the Philippine Air Force to Manila.

As we continue to kill time chatting, you called us again “pobre!” after knowing we didn’t push through with our original trip to Palawan (Wakang and I went to Manila, Baguio, Sagada, Bataan and Corregidor).

Of course our trip was nothing compared to your trips – on coverage or simply for leisure.

I recalled our first coverage together, which was purely accidental. The main purpose of joining you and Carol Arguillas (our bureau chief) in 1999 to cover the two missing climbers in Mt. Apo was for me to escape from the routinary “office mainstay” duties.

I can still remember how you smirked and patiently waited for me to answer Carol when she asked if I wanted to cover it and reminded me that it was my call.

You won people’s heart not through gentleness and kindness. You did it through intimidation.

I felt so rookie being with you in news coverage. You were full of life, your words full of sarcasm but peppered with truth.

You were a frequent flyer of the Air Force’s Huey helicopters just like Tatay Rene, your father. The 1999 coverage was my first and I was seated on the chair next to the pilots’ while you boarded the other chopper which was ferrying government and military officials. I couldn’t help myself but continually look at you, before both Hueys took off, just trying to get your attention and teach me how to buckle up. I ended covering my seatbelt with my jacket instead.

As we landed in Amas, North Cotabato for a short stopover before heading back to Davao, I went to your side and told you I didn’t buckle up during the entire flight. You laughed. You laughed Boyd and never stopped teasing me about it. You even announced it to other journalists.

PDI bureau chief Nico Alconaba was also your victim. On your way to Surigao on board a hired pick-up, the driver fell asleep and all of you ended on a ricefield.

Awaken by the incident, you said “murag wala na daw ta sa highway, humayan na siguro ni.”

Incidents of teasing, sarcasm and even intimidation complete your character.

Someday, others will be able to let you go and face the reality that you already joined the Chief Photographer up there.

He will be very glad to see you in His huge classroom, making you his very special student and perhaps be able to give you additional inputs in “Covering My children in Jolo 101.”

Filipino photojournalists raise their cameras during a sunset ceremony in your memory Boyd, even the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) regret your early demise, you as their alumni. You were the first Filipino participant in the Asia-Europe Forum for Young Photographers in 2003 in Amsterdam, Netherlands in December of the same year, a partnership with the World Press Photo Foundation.

Even UNESCO Director-General Koichoro Matsura condemned your death.

MAN U's Theater of Dreams

2007-11-23T14:03:00.000+08:00

Today, I got a text from Ewee, a senior football player in Davao City.

His dad passed away.

The news of his father's early demise was forwarded to other

football enthusiasts including Rizrap who is presently enjoying her two-week vacation in London.

Rizrap, a nurse in a travel profession is a football-fanatic.

She extended her condolences to Ewee and the rest of the family.

However, the "theater of dreams" caught her attention more.

Take this from a non ManU fan...

"I went to the Old Trafford last Monday.

It was blissful to be able to sit where Cistiano ronaldo, Rooney and Giggs

would sit in the dressing room, to hold and kiss the premiership trophy,

to sit in the director's box, to walk out from the dug out, etc. mura kog makahilak though I'm not a United fan."

Man U or not, football unites as all!

Together forever we will be singing the same Ole! song.

Ole! Ole! Ole! Ole, Ooole, Oooole, Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole!

Inday's deal!

2007-11-16T17:34:00.000+08:00

DEAL or NO DEAL with INDAY

Kris: Magandang gabi mga kapamilya, as gameshow na Ito importante ang sagot as nag-iisang Katanungang Deal or no Deal. Ang ating player ngayong gabi ay walang iba kundi ang Fastest-rising household services manager na is Inday! [umentra is Inday at nagpalakpakan Ang mga Tao]

Kris: Ok Inday, choose a briefcase.

Inday: Kris, I would opt for case #4 please.

Kris: Briefcase # 4 is Sharmel. Inday, matanong ko lang, how did you come up with the number
4?

Inday: Oh, do you really want to know Kris?

Kris: Oo naman. I'm sure kaya ko naman maintindihan yung sasabihin MO he.

Inday: The number 4 was acquired based on a probability distribution function that involves
Integrating up to an area greater than or equal to that random number which should be Generated between 0 and 1 for proper distributions.

Kris: Syet. Tanong tanong pa kasi he.

Kris: Ok Inday, choose 6 briefcases to open.

Inday: I would opt for 7, 24, 12, 2, 15 and 20.

Kris: Wait lang Inday, usually isa isa lang ang pagbubukas natin ng case…

Inday: Why is that? As if I can change the outcome if we're to open a case each time I blurt out a Number as opposed to opening each case immediately one after the other right?

Kris: Hayyy…babaguhin pa talaga mechanics (bulong as sarili).

Kris: Anwyay, di bale na lang nga… tuloy tayo. Number 7. Natalie buksan na!! [Yung audience sumisigaw ng LOWER!! LOWER!!!]Kris: Teka lang, bago natin buksan… Inday, usually ang mga contestants naten ay sumisigaw ng "LOWER" every time magbubukas ng case.

Inday: Kris, I guess that's not the way I was taught in grade school. You see, I was taught that we Should only use the comparative form of the word or add "ER" to the adjective if we are Comparing two things. And since it is only the first briefcase that we are going to open, we Have nothing to compare it to. Am I right? [natahimik ang audience at napaisip]

Kris: Oo nga no!Kris: Sige Natalie, Buksan MO na. [Ang laman ng briefcase 7 ay Piso… Palakpakan ang mga Tao]Kris: Good start! Ano yung next case MO ulit?

Inday: Case number 24 please.

Kris: Chloe… buksan na…[Audience sumisigaw ulit ng LOWER!! LOWER!!]Kris: Wait lang guys, Inday may nabuksan ng case baket di ka pa rin sumisigaw ng "Lower"?

Inday: Oh my goodness Kris, how long have you been doing this? Have you ever encountered a Value that is lower than a peso in this game? Tell me, is there any value left lower than the One we just opened? Sheesh.[Napaisip ulit ang audience at natahimik]

Kris: Aarrgghh!!!! Chloe buksan na lang nga, pati na rin yung 12, 2, 15 and 20 buksan na rin para Matapos na. [naiirita na] [At sunod sunod na ngang nabukas ang mga case in Inday][nag-ring ang phone]

Inday: Ahh Kris, to save more time can you tell Banker that I'm not interested in his first offer. In The history of this game of chance, I have yet to see someone accept a first offer from the Banker. It's quite pathetic and pretentious for contestants to pause and look around the Audience as if asking for advice before ultimately rejecting the first offer. I mean come on, Isn't that a waste of airtime?

Banker: Potahhh!!! [narinig as set kahit sarado ang kwarto in banker] - Ito ang unang pagkakataon Na marinig ng mga audience ang boses in banker as Deal or no Deal.
… dumating na as kalagitnaan ng show at mukhang minamalas na is Inday…

Kris: Ok Inday, mukhang kelangan na natin ng tulong as mga friends MO… sino ba yung Bigotilyong lalaki na naka-polo? Ano name nya?

Inday: Ahh, that's my master Mr. Montemayor.

Kris: Ahhh say pala yun, how cute naman pala he. Sige sir, give us a number.

Mr. Montemayor: Hi Kris, good evening. I'm a fan. I choose number 12 please.

Kris: Ano Inday ok ba yung number 12?

Inday: Whatever, we shouldn't bite the hand that feeds us anyway. Go ahead.

Kris: [taray naman] Sofie, buksan na! [ang laman ng briefcase 12 ay 5,000]

Kris: Good job! Sino naman yung gwapong lalake na naka jumper na katabi in Mr. Montemayor?
What's his name?

Inday: Ahh, that's my on again off again boyfriend, Dodong the gardener.

Kris: Ooohh, sya pala yun. Ok Dodong, give us a number!

Dodong: Hi babes, I choose briefcase 9 if it's ok with you. If not, it's ok with me as long as it's ok with you.

Kris: Ano raw? Inday, number 9 daw ok say0?

Inday: Yes Kris, it's fine with me.

Kris: Wow ang bait pag kay Dodong. Ederlyn… buksan na!!!
…nanlaki ang mga mata ni Inday at hindi sya makapaniwala. Natahimik at mukhang kakapusin sya ng hininga…

Inday: YOU!!! How dare you invade my moment! [nagulat si Kris at ang mga audience sa reaksyon ni Inday. Nagpatawag si Kris ng commercial break at nagpakuha ng tubig para kay
Inday.]Nagkatitigan sina Inday at Ederlyn. Nakangisi si Ederlyn habang hawak ang briefcase ni Inday.

Ederlyn: Pinapangako ko, Inday… pagbukas luluhod ang mga tala! hahahahaha!

Inday: What? Can you speak up? What are you mumbling up there. Can somebody give her a microphone please?

Kris: Ano ba!! Tama na nga ang drama ninyo, Ederlyn buksan mo na ang case at umexit ka na kung ayaw mong mapalitan! (naiirita na si Kris)
Dali-daling binuksan ni Ederlyn ang briefcase at ang laman ay… P3,000,000.Nanghinayang ang mga audience… Ang mga natirang values ay 250, 1K, 20K, 50K, and 500K.

Inday: NooOoo…. (sabay tingin kay Dodong at napapaluha), how could you…

Dodong: I'm so sorry Inday, please forgive me.

Kris: Hayyy, drama again. Ang offer ni banker sa pagbabalik ng Kapamilya, Deal.. or No Deal! [pagtapos ng commercial break… mukhang composed na ulit si Inday]

Kris: Inday, are you okay? Ang offer ni banker ay 99 thousand pesos. 'Sing rami siguro ng pilipinong pinadugo mo na ilong. Is it a Deal or No Deal? Tahimik lang si Inday tilang may kinocompute sa ulo habang ang mga audience ay nagsisigawan ng "No Deal", ang iba naman ay "Deal".

Kris: Wait lang, kung mapapansin ninyo we have only have 5 cases left, and among those 5, apat doon ay mas maliit na value…
Inday: Kris, do you mind? Can I do my own thinking?Natameme si Kris, pati ang audience ay natahimik.

Kris: Taray to the max! (pabulong sa sarili)

Inday: Ok, I'm ready. Upon looking at the reality of the situation, 80% of the cases left have at least 49K less than the banker's offer. The only way I can do better than what is offered is that if my case contains the 500k or I'd get to open one of the four lower values. But I have to keep in mind that there's only 20% probability that this would happen. I have to take note, however, that the banker's offer is roughly around 15% lower than the offer I expected based on the arithmetic mean of the values left.

Kris: Lorddd… panaginip ba 'to? Ayokonaaa….

Inday: Accepting a deal for less than the mean should generally be regarded as a weak decision so I would say, NO DEAL!Limang briefcase na lang ang natitira at kasama na doon ang case ni Inday…

Kris: My God, nakaka-stress itong episode na ito ha. Baka dumugo na rin ang ilong ko sa'yo

Inday. Sige Inday, go ahead and choose 1 briefcase!

Inday: Ok Kris, I choose briefcase #5 please?

Kris: Briefcase #5! Mimi bago mo buksan yan I would first like to thank Figliarina by Schubizz for my sandals, Bambi Fuentes for my hair and make-up and Pepsi Herrera for my gown tonight.

Kris: Ok Mimi, buk…

Inday: Ahh Kris, can I also take time to thank a few people? I mean, I did save us a few minutes of airtime right?

Kris: ("kapal naman talaga ng mukha"…bulong sa sarili) Sige, ok lang go ahead. (naka-smile pa rin)

Inday: Thanks! Yes, I would like to thank Frank Provost for my hair and make-up, Jimmy Choo for my sandals and my dear friend Oscar dela Renta for my gown tonight.BLAG!! Tinumba ni Kris ang podium at nagwalk-out. Hindi na natapos ang show kaya't binigyan na lang ni Banker si Inday ng kalahating milyon para sa kanyang oras.

Inday: Oh, and thanks to the people of Cartier for sending me these nice earrings for tonight!
[Ito ang isa sa mga un-aired episode ng Kapamilya, Deal or No Deal]

The price is steep, even in death

2007-10-30T18:19:00.000+08:00

It has been years since I encountered a loss in the family but the trauma, pain and longing remain to this day.

I remember receiving a death text notice from a family friend as early as 6.13 in the morning… years ago.

Months ago, my friends and I visited a wake of a college buddy whose family member died of another illness.

My father's long battle with liver cirrhosis lasted for almost two years while my travel buddy’s brother's fight against pancreatitis lasted for a year and two weeks.

Back to the memory lane of having to hear the words “sorry to hear about your loss,” “at least he finally rested,” so on and so forth.
But he put so neatly: “Nag report na siya kay Lord after a year of fight.”
Years ago, as he painfully watched his younger brother's struggle against life inside the Intensive Care Unit of the Quirino Memorial Hospital, my comforting words was: “It's a long wait, but it should not sadden you. God decides on the culmination of any human life. When your Jojo is ready it will be serenely.”
And so at 2 a.m. one Friday, another life was called.

Believe me when I say, I know the feeling of having to see someone suffer and fight against this beautiful life because I was a witness on death when it called my father.

Isn't it hard to pray to God to take someone's life even if its purpose is to lessen the suffering and pain? And knowing that in the end He is still the one who decides when is the best time, His will we should always respect but do not always understand.

Apart from the pain of seeing a love one suffer, finding money to pay hospital bills and medicines is another problem.
What is more costly is it living or dying?
Let me talk about the cost of dying, with my father as an example.

Phase I
Before death:
Check-up + medicine prescription = money.
Passport for his check-ups: The powerful HMO card.
You may not pay for the check-up but you are obliged to buy all the medicines prescribed by the doctor.
How would we cope with the P250-P300 check-up fee and the maintenance medicines?
In short, my father was just lucky that he had an extended lease on his life courtesy of the HMO card.

Phase II
Hospitalization + medicine prescription = money.
First, our family had a verbal tussle as my father refused to be brought to the hospital for the nth time. Dehydrated and too weak to do battle with the tears shed by the family, he finally agreed to be confined.
The tiger in the house finally succumbed to our pleas and stayed for almost a month.
It was a montage on the usual patient-in-the-hospital-fighting-to-live drama in real life.
I will not talk on how he fought to live from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) to Cardio Care Unit (CCU) to his hospital room, and vice-versa, not to mention how he gave those attending nurses and doctors’ headaches.
Now let's categorize the scenarios before dying:
Category I: the sick or the dying did not make it to the hospital, died at home or somewhere else.
Category II: the sick or the dying eventually expired while being rush to hospital or
Category III: the sick made it to hospital but unfortunately expired while being treated.
My father was classified under the third category. His heart surrendered while being treated but according to his death certificate, the immediate cause of death was CRF secondary to gouty nephropathy. Antecedent cause: chronic atrial fibrillation.
Underlying cause: liver cirrhosis.
Whatever those above mentioned medical terms mean, I just know one thing, my father died because he was too tired to fight death and that God was just around the corner that day waiting to be acknowledged.
However, before he gasped his last breath - there was one final request, this time not about taking care of our mother.
He has another love, we knew about this all along.
Naah there was no other woman but his beloved fighting cocks. But this is another story. Now let's go to the third phase of the cost of dying.

Phase III
The wake = money.
For sure when a family member dies, the rest of the family members argue about what coffin to buy, what color, what services, how many days for interment, where to be buried, is cremation an option? how much? etc. etc.
The death certificate alone costs about P100 and needed before you can do any transactions.
Here's the breakdown:
Coffin = P7,500 (cheapest)
P150,000 (expensive).
Flowers = Pxxxxx
Food = Pxxxxxx
Accommodation (my registered nurse sister and I called this board and lodging) = (depends if its non-air or air-conditioned).

In 2003, our family bargained for a P40,000 coffin from its original price of P55,000 with P2,500 a night in an air-conditioned accommodation – the last hurray in paying respects to the man who taught us more than just being streetsmart.
The cheapest “coffin-wake” package is about P7,500, a simple coffin made of ordinary plywood, with free three nights accommodation at a funeral home.
So, after everything's settled from what attire the dead will wear, to the color of the coffin, flowers, etc comes the final phase.

Phase IV
Burial = lot in a cemetery + payment for the cemetery lot diggers + food after the interment = (again) money, your last stroke.
What transpired during the wake will be totally different during the burial. This includes finding a decent cemetery.
But as I said, nothing is free. Even for the digging of soil (which we know would be the same soil that will cover the coffin) will cost you.
Yes, you have to pay for it. It is not included in the package whether you get two or three or four lots in the cemetery. To give you an idea, it's just like acquiring a high-end new mobile phone.
So, there you are an estimate on the cost of the dying.
Life they say is a finite lease and all you have to do is make the most of it.
Those who said goodbye to their leased life finally got their ultimate vacation in His paradise, a place where everything in the garden is lovely.
There they can talk about anything under the sun without having to worry about beating the deadlines.
Dying is ain't good as living but for me death is just another life... a life not having to think on the cost of dying.

Integrity in action

2007-09-23T15:13:00.000+08:00

Back view

Sabi ng katabi nya cute daw boxers niya.

And then... side view ... with a smile.

>>> this photo by AKP Images

Si Inday (Part II)

2007-09-23T14:06:00.001+08:00

Ating gunitain ang iba pang mga nasabi ni Inday tungkol sa mga bagay-bagay sa buhay.

Sagot ni Inday nung tanungin ni Sir kung bakit my rashes si Jun-Jun..

"Allergens triggered the immune response. Eosinophilic migration occurs to the rxn site and release of chemotactic and anaphylotoxin including histamine and prostaglandins. These substances result to incomplete circulation to the site promoting redness."

Ang isda bow!

Amo: "Inday, bumili ka nga ng mga isda. Ay oo nga pala, inglesera ka na ngayon. Would you please buy many fishes for this week's meals?"

Inday: "Judging by your statement, I believe you meant a variety of fish. The term 'fishes' although rarely used, connotes a plethora of different kinds of the said gilled aquatic creatures. But the more pressing questions before I go to the wet market would be: "What type of fish? Fillet or not? Frozen of fresh? (pauses)......
Ahhhh... Given the meager budget afforded by this household's quasi-peasant class taste, I assume I shall source the staple "ga-leewng-gong."
Am I correct?"

Inday nung nagrereklamo kasi ayaw siyang isama ng amo sa outing sa Enchanted Kingdom.

"Don't limit my capacity in the four corners of this luxurious abode. Expose me to the real challenges of the outside world. I want to grow as an individual with dynamic experiences."

Sinabi ni Inday sa amo niya noong di siya pinautang.

"Nurther others with positive, truthful words, not words that hurt. It doesn't cost anything to do so. But mean whay you say, and say what you mean. If you cannot be generous financially, at least be generous with your words."

Si Inday nong tumangging makipagtismisan sa katulong sa kabilang bahay!

"Much as I want to indulge in the proliferation of such indecent and malicious information, I want to lift the stigma and alleviate society's perception of our profession."

Pinagalitan ni Inday si Junior sa sobrang lapit manood ng TV.

"Did it ever occur to you that the ultraviolet rays of the idiot box can bring harmful radiation to the retinal area? It could lead to blurred vision, worse, permanent blindness?

Si Inday ng buhay natin

2007-09-08T14:36:00.000+08:00

Isang buwan na rin akong napatawa ng mga statements ni Inday.

Ang balita ko may information officer daw itong si Inday na walang humpay na nagpapadala ng mga texts sa mga may cellphone sa buong Pinas.

Dati si Inday laging inaapi. Ngayon palaban na siya.

Imposibleng ni minsan hindi niyo na-encounter ang katarayan niya sa mga panahong ito.

Eto ang mga halimbawang explinasyon ni Inday sa lahat ng bagay.

"Ma'am / Sir,

I hereby tender my irrevocable resignation as your employee effective today. It has been a pleasant stay in your company, but owing to personal reasons, I am compelled to move on. I would like to thank you and your good management for the wonderful experience accorded to me during my stay in Your company.

Yours Truly,
Inday

Sulat in inday nang umalis say as dati nyang amo. . Lufeeeet !!!

* * *

Tapos eto sagot ni Inday sa interview ng bago niyang amo!

"I believe that my trained skills and expertise in management with the
Use of standard tools, and my discipline and experience will contribute
Significantly to the value of the work that you want, my creativity,
Productivity and work-efficiency and the high quality of outcomes I can
Offer will boost the work progress."

* * *

- sagot in Inday nang tanungin ng amo kung bakit may bukol is Junior.

"Compromising safety with useless aesthetics, the not-so-well engineered
Architectural design of our kitchen lavatory affected the boy's cranium
With a slight boil at the left temple near the auditory organ."

* * *

- nag-explain is Inday kung bakit maalat ang ulam.

"The consistency was fine. But you see, it seems that the increased
Amount of sodium chloride (NaCl) affected the taste drastically and those
Actions are irreversible. I do apologize."

* * *

Donya: Bakit tuwing paguwi ko, nadadatnan kitang nanunuod ng TV?!

Inday: Because I don't want you to see me doing absolutely nothing.

* * *

- Si Inday, kasama si Junior sa principal's office.

"It's absurd! It was never a fact that he will inflict a fight. I can
Only imagine how you handle schizophrenic kids on this educational
Institution. Revise your policies because they suck!"

* * *

Amo: Inday, bakit nagkalat ang basura as likod ng bahay?!

Inday: A change in the weather patterns might have occurred wrecking havoc
To the surroundings. The way the debris are scattered indicates that the
Gust of wind was going northeast causing damage to the path it was heading
For.

At biglang ng nosebleed ang Amo

* * *

Si Inday, pinagbabawalan ang mga bata na maglikot.

"Stop your raucous behavior. It is bound to result in property damages
And if that happens there will be corresponding punishment to be inflicted
upon you!"

* * *

Sagot ni Inday kung bakit umalis si Angel Locsin sa GMA7.

"Sometimes, people choose to leave not because of selfish reasons but
Because they just know that things will get worse if they'll stay.
Leaving can be a tough act, and it's harder when people can't understand
You for doing so."

* * *

Amo: Inday, Bakit Mo binenta ung sirang silya?

Inday : I computed the chair's fair value less cost to sell and the
Value in use using projections for 5 years at a pretax discount rate.
Accordingly, the value in use is lower, so I decided to sell the chair.
This is in accordance with PAS 18-Revenue, PAS 16-Property, Plant, &
Equipment, and PAS 36 on Impairment of Assets.

At hinimatay na ang amo ni Inday...

Mutiny

2007-09-03T16:59:00.000+08:00

Sa mga hindi nakadalo kasama ang mga Magdalo.

Paid ad muna tayo.

MUTINY - where people drink, eat and talk about everything under the sun, except "mutiny."

The first advocacy bar in the Philippines, now on its dry run at the Aseana Power Station, Macapagal Boulevard in Parañaque City, beside McDo and Shell gas stations.

Open Monday to Saturday, from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Sabi ng mga may-ari all food and drinks are at introductory prices!

Classified ads

2007-08-08T18:03:00.000+08:00

Last week may pinagkakaguluhan ang mga tao sa Diwalwal, Comval.

Ang bida ng Black Hawk Down na si Josh Hartnett ay naibalitang nag sho-shooting doon.

Habang abala ang lahat masilayan ang Hollywood actor may mga entrepreneurs namang busy sa paglagay ng mga classified ads nila.

Pag may sira ang sapatos niyo wag magdalawang isip na tawagan si Dante.

Hindi ko nga lang alam kung si Dante ang mag re-refer sa pag repair ng shoes niyo o siya na mismo ang shoe repair boy. May number code kasi na nakapaloob sa ads niya, 202 raw. Sounds like sweetened o flavored fruit juice drink na Del Monte 202.

Tanong niyo na lang rin sa kanya, tutal tapos na rin naman ang barangay assembly nila.

.

Electric dreams

2007-07-28T17:45:00.000+08:00

Last week pa siya nangungulit, tanong ng tanong kung kelan ako pupuntang Davao Light (our version of Meralco).

Eh sabi ko depende sa oras at kung hindi tamarin baka madadaanan ko rin.
Pababayaran ng Tita ko ang bill ng kuryente niya.

Years ago, nataranta din kami sa tawag sa telepono, nagmamadaling pabayaran ang electric bill niya.

Sabi ng kapatid ko iwan niya na lang muna sa isang tindahan yong bill tapos kami na kukuha at magbabayad.

Worried siya sa bill ha pero wala naman siyang TV sa bahay niya.
Electric fan at transistor radio lang.

Tapos lagi naman siyang nanood ng sine.
Suki na ata siya sa lahat ng cinema eh.
Sa gabi pag-uwi niya sa bahay, switch-on niya lang ilaw nang sandali sabay ayos ng tulugan niya tapos switch-off na rin agad.

At kahapon, after so many years, nagmamadali na naman syang pabayaran 'tong electric bill nya.

Akala ko notice of disconnection na.

Pakshet na yan P4.56 na naman bill niya.

Mahal pa pamasahe ng jeep ha! Kahit student fare or senior citizen fare pa.

Last time tumawag siya sa opisina, tarantang taranta at due date na raw, jusme P7.34 lang bill niya.

Last payment niya was June 18, 2006 and she paid an advance of P50.00.

Grrrrrr.

Noong huwebes, July 26, pinabayaran na naman niya ng advance P50.00 ulit, advance until 2008.

Tahooooo!!!! on my mind

2007-07-21T18:00:00.000+08:00

Ang mga litrato ng taho ang laging naalala ko noong minsang ginising niya ang mahimbing kong tulog sa loob ng isang kwarto sa Baguio.

Imbis na iihi lang ako, dahil sa lakas at tawag pansin niyang sigaw na "TAHOOOOO!" inuna ko pang bumili ng isang baso nito kesa pumunta ng banyo at ilabas ang ihi ko.

Sa labas ng simbahan, sa kanto ng eskwelahan, sa loob ng bahay bakasyunan at karaniwang laging nasa daan lang.

Mas masarap ito kahit na tiisin nyo sakit ng pantog at pigilan niyo ihi niyo.

Ang tunay na nagpapaganda ng ating umaga!

...

Biyaheng Norte

2007-07-20T15:44:00.000+08:00

Ating balikan ang nakaraan.

Mga pamamasyal na nagdaan.

Dati nakikita ko lang siya sa LakbayTV at sa show ni Susan Calo-Medina.

Simula noon, sinabi ko na sa sarili ko "mapapasyalan din kita."

At ako'y nag-ipon ng ilang taon marating lamang siya.

Taong 2001, kasama ng favorite travel buddy ko, with tight budget and time constraint binisita namin ang kanyang lokasyon.

Magmula noon kapag may planong mamasyal papuntang Norte, kasama na siya sa itinerary. Minsan din namin siyang binabalikbalikan kasama ng mga alaalang naka chiseled na sa mind.

Sa gabi, ito ang hitsura ng Cafe' Joe ng St. Joseph Inn kung saan kami kumain.

Eto naman ang Episcopal's churchbell. Kitang kita ito sa daan patungong St. Mary's Church.

Kids at play sa tabi ng cooperative store.

Bokong Falls or the small waterfalls. Nasa gitna ng hagdang palayan.

Sa loob ng Sumaging Cave, isa sa pinakasikat na caves ng Sagada at ang pinakamalaki sa lahat. Sabi ng guide namin na may bitbit na Petromax, yong mineral formations na nakikita nyo ay hawig at hugis ng hagdan-hagdang palayan ng Banaue

At 6.30 in the morning, eto ang Sagada, Mt. Province.

O sya, pag napadpad naman kayo up north, wag tumambay sa City of Pines, subukan niyo naman ang road less travelled papuntang Mountain Province.

May negosyo ka!

2007-07-06T15:24:00.000+08:00

Sa kainitan ng mga naglabasang balita tungkol sa pyramiding scam, nakita ko itong isang makalumang signage sponsored by CocaCola.

Namangha ako at napaisip ng malalim.

Susubukan niyo kayang mag-negosyo ng ganito?

Sigurado ako tatalunin nito ang Ponzi scheme at Francswiss na may dalang pangakong dodoblehin ang pera niyo sa loob lamang nga labing-dalawang araw!

Hindi ba't amazing sa concept ang may-ari.

Kamusta kaya ang kita niya?

Malaki na kaya ang return of investment niya?

The smiling flip-flops

2007-06-27T16:51:00.000+08:00

Flip-flops, sandals, a.k.a. tsinelas.

Alam ko may paborito kang tsinelas.

Nung nasira at napigtas, naiyak ka rin diba? O sige na nga, nalungkot na lang. Im sure!

Abril noon sa Walkway ng Camiguin, habang pababa na mula sa pinakadulo ng Station of the Cross nang biglang ngumiti ang tsinelas ni Goryo.
Ngumingiting naghihingalo to be exact.

How sad, sabi ko. Pero sa loob loob ko may ready ng kantang tutugma sa mood nya.

Naalala ko naikwento niya sa akin na "sale" sa isang shop nung binili niya si "Hurte" as in "Hurricane" ang pangalan ng Teva'ng tsinelas.

Antagal na rin ng pinagsamahan nilang dalawa.

Magkasama silang nilakbay ang hilaga at timog na parte ng bansa, kasama na doon ang mga magagandang bundok, ilog, lawa at dagat.

At buti pa nga silang dalawa eh nakapamasyal na rin sa Asya.

Pero isang araw nag-umpisang ngumiti si Hurte, di na nya nakayanan ang matarik at maputik na daan ng Old Vulcan ng Camiguin.

Sa una cute pa ang ngiti niya subalit sa kalaunan namaalam na rin siya.

At doon ko nakita sa mukha ni Goryo, alanganin sa mga hakbang nya pababa ng bundok dahil sa malaking ngiti ng kanyang tsinelas aside from the fact na mukhang sad din siya.
Di niya inakalang sumurender si Hurte sa Old Vulcan matapos kayanin ang tarik ng Mt. Apo.

Malungkot siya kaya eto ang kantang handog ko para sa kanya.

O kanyang tsinelas
Kasa-kasamang madalas
Ilang taon ang lumipas
Mahal ka niya!
O kanyang tsinelas
Pudpod man at gasgas
At napigtas tong luma niyang tsinelas
Kaya.. Mang Kulas, papa-rugby-han ko bukas ang kanyang tsinelas!

Eto sila, then and now.

At pagdating sa baba ng Old Vulcan. Nagpaalam si Goryo sa beloved niyang tsinelas.
Doon mismo sa araw na iyon, sa isang tindahan sa harap ng bulkan bumili sya ng tsinelas.
At sa isip ko, mag-uumpisa na ulit sya. Mag-uumpisang makipag-bonding sa bago niyang tsinelas.
Havana pangalan niya at hindi kahawig ng Havaianas.
At siguro ngumiti man sya o mapigtas, walang sasama ang loob at walang iiyak sa isa pang tsinelas.

Kalahi

2007-06-20T17:22:00.000+08:00

Napag-uusapan lang rin ang mga dilang mahirap maplantsa.
Eto pa isang kalahi nila.
Nakalagay ito as warning sa tabi ng inaayos na million-peso park sa isang siyudad.
Wag nyong iparada ang kariton nyo dito. Babala po lamang.

Coffee works

2007-06-17T14:03:00.000+08:00

Coffee time.
Hindi ako mahilig sa kape pero isang gabi sinubukan ko.
Actually ang puntirya ko lang is to discover kung mabilis ang WiFi nila.
Ok naman. Ok din ang kape pati na ang sanz rival.

Pwede na.

It works sa Coffee Works, a wi-fi hotspot in the City of Golden Friendship, near Robinson's Mall - Limketkai Center.

Wedding flashback

2007-06-15T12:51:00.000+08:00

My elder sister Joy joined the flock of the ``barangay may-asawa'' on Dec. 20 last year. She told me that she would allow me to write her story on two conditions: not to mention her and her partner's ages and to categorically state she is not pregnant.

Well, she's in her 30s (sorry, Sis, this goes with the article and its bloopers). My sister married her boyfriend for nine years, not with a grand parade in a cathedral but in a 15-minute civil rites in court.

The wedding did not start on time though, thanks to the judge who came an hour and 30 minutes late. Outside the judge's sala, on her door, was a colorful sticker stating, ``Laging nasa oras ako. Filipino time is on time.''

The courtroom was jam-packed with five wedding couples, six clerks of court and relatives. Joy did not want to wed in a church simply because she did not want to be a center of attraction, er, embarrassing errors.

She doesn't fancy weddings and even hates attending one. Her wedding preparation was no grand show at all, except for a last-minute shopping the night before for what to wear on W-Day: a flesh three-fourth sleeved polo to match her pants. Like any ordinary day, Joy went on with her usual routine on her wedding day.

She was present at her workplace and still brought our nephew to class. She teaches in the school where the little boy studies. ``O ano mamaya, kita na lang tayo sa opisina mo. Tapos taxi na lang tayo papunta sa court'' was all she said in the morning before leaving for school. I said okay and went back to sleep.

The rest of my family met me at the office. The people, so used to beating deadlines, were panicking for us though we managed to leave 15 minutes to 1 p.m., the supposed wedding time.

The bride and groom's relatives all went to the Hall of Justice on empty stomachs, thinking the whole entourage would have a late lunch together after the wedding. Unlike a church wedding where the groom arrives first, my sister arrived ahead of the groom.

Along the hallway, my sister and I couldn't stop laughing upon seeing one of the bridesmaids in an almost formal gown. I jokingly told her, ``Buti na lang hindi ka rin nag-gown.'' ``He! He! Excuse me, no!'' was her reply. The clerk of court began the roll call.

Each wedding applicant was guided to their seats. I went in and out of the room to check if everybody's A-okay. Then I remembered the problem. I had to cancel the pre-ordered food for us since we would not be able to make it to the restaurant at 2 p.m.

By then, I felt really hungry. And so did Kerwin, one of the groom's barkada, who couldn't wait any longer that he bought some empanadas at the court's mini-store. I provided the soft drinks even if I don't drink one, and some homemade puto. Papa, Mama, Auntie Baby, the little boy and even Joy were all hungry.

A few minutes after our ``lunch-merienda,'' the clerk of court explained some things to the couples, among them the completion of all court requirements, birth certificates, affixing their commonly used signatures after the solemnization, how much the marriage contract costs and its availability after one week.

Jun, the groom, was also really hungry. He was fuming and told my sister not to stand up but clap when the judge arrives. The much-delayed wedding was further set back after one of the couples failed to comply with the requirements. They forgot to attach the bride's certified true copy of her birth certificate. After the issue was settled, the solemnizing officer finally came out of her chambers.

My sister was the first in line, kasi nga alphabetical order pala. They were followed by an older couple who were living-in for 20 years. The judge was very happy over their decision to wed. I wanted to stop my sister and her husband-to-be from laughing and elbowing each other, but the judge, who was in front of them, outsmarted me.

She caught their attention and said, ``Mga bugoy gyud mong duha dinha hah!'' In 15 minutes, the wedding was over and off we went to the beach for the celebration attended by 14 people, including parents, relatives and friends.

Unlike other wedding aftermaths, I didn't feel any changes at all with Joy's wedding, even if it was the second in the family. Hers was without a honeymoon because the newlyweds spent the night with their barkada.

She was back home shortly before 2 a.m. ``Hay salamat! Tomorrow, back to normal na,'' she said. These days, my sister and her husband still live in their respective houses. The only new thing with her is the wedding ring she now wears. Joy still lives with us and we still share the same room.

She still sleeps in her good-for-two bed and I on the floor with my sleeping bag. We still share the same extension phone, among others. With the entry of the new millennium and another marriage in the family, I felt so blessed being single kahit hindi naging ``bridesmaid ka lang!'' It will be another blessing to walk down the aisle, not as a ``bridesmaid ka lang'' but the bride, so that by then, my elder sister can say, ``Oh well, my sister's wedding.''

Tisays and the likes

2007-06-13T14:26:00.000+08:00

Nauna sya sa linya. Nakatalikod. Mahaba ang buhok, straight at hindi shinampoo lang.

Tisay sya, may dalang chips at soda kasama na ang juice na nasa tetra pak.

Tapos nahalata ko yong cashier at bagger, laging naka-smile sa kanya.
"Ay ayaw kog tawaga og ma'am uy. Pareho lang baya ta," sabi ni tisay.

Kaya naman pala, kalahi pala nila si tisay.

In short kasama sa work sa Mall kaya ayaw patawag ng "Ma'am."
Dayoff lang sya at umattend daw ng wedding.

Nung na-punch na ng cashier ang last three items na binili nya, nagsalita ulit si tisay.
Sabi nya sabay turo sa items, "Ayaw kalimot sa tugsok ani ha?"

Tugsok???
Ahhh yong straw sa tetra pak juice ang ibig sabihin ni tisay.
Haaaaaaaaay!
Amazed talaga ako sa mga tisay. Gaya nga ng lagi kung sinasabi, watch till they open their mouths.
Mamamangha kang talaga.

Noong minsang napadpad kami sa isang sikat na bar-b-q-han sa Project 4, Quezon City, isang tisay na food attendant din ang na-encounter ko dun.

Petite sya at medyo may kagandahan.
Nung nailapag na sa mesa ang order naming bar-b-q at rice, tinanong nya kami ano daw drinks namin.
Syempre di ka sigurado sa tubig, mapipilitan kang umorder ng softdrinks.
Sabi ko "Mountain dew Miss."
Sagot nya: "Ay ma'am, ubos na po."
"Anong meron kayo?" tanong ko.
"Miranda ma'am, chiri flavor" sabi nya.

Bigla ko syang natitigan ng matagal pagsambit nya nang "chiri flavor."
Isa pang haaaaaaaaaaay sa loob-loob ko.
Tapos biglang hirit naman ng kasama ko "Sige miss, isang Miranda yong chiri flavor nyo."

Nong umalis na si miss food attendant, tinukso ako ng kasama ko. Andami daw talagang bisdak sa Manila.
Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!

Si tisay sa counter at si tisay na food attendant ay di naiiba.
Pero may tataob sa kanilang dalawa.

Early this year, napadpad kami sa isang Italian resto sa Mindanao.
May kamahalan ang mga order dun, pero sulit sa lasa at serving.
Sa likuran namin may dalawang babaeng nakaupo at katatapos lang ring umorder.

Mga tipong career woman at mga mukhang alta-sa-siyudad at ng a-unwind lang sa resto.
Halos magkasabay lang kami sa pag order at pag ubos ng mga inorder.
Napansin ko yong isa, matangkad, mahaba ang buhok, medyo slim, tisay din sya at naka Havaianas pa.

Biglang sumenyas si tisay sa isang food attendant, yong tipong kukunin mo na ang bill.
Di sya napansin ng lalaking malapit sa counter.
Kumaway si tisay, sabay sabing, "Waiter! ... (Pause) Yong bell please!"

Ano raw? Bell? As in doorbell?
Tumingin ako sa kasama kong super hilig sa mga tisay. Sinigurado ko this time, sya naman ang nadismaya.
"Bell please" huh!
Ngayon ko syang narinig nagsalita ng nagsalita. At naala nya ulit si "chiri flavor!" Walanghiya daw sa porma si tisay sa Italian resto, pero biglang taob ang porma nya sa malambot nyang dila.

Kaya tama ang teacher namin sa public speaking noon. Sabi nya kahit anong ganda mo, kahit mala model na tisay pa kinis ng balat mo, pag ang dila mo ay walang humpay na nag pro-pronounce ng "ceroh" at "melk," hay Inday kahit saang beauty pageant ka sumali, talo ka talaga.

Walang eskwelahang pwedeng pumlantsa ng mga malalambot ang dila.
Kaya kapag may nakita kang tisay and the likes, wag kang tumawang mag-isa, kunwari hindi sila kalahi ni "tugsok," "chiri," at "bell" okay.
Distant relatives lang sila.
At sabayan mo na lang nag kanta, "Ang lahat ng bagay ay magkaugnay, magkaugnay ang lahat."

In search of pancit canton

2007-06-09T17:11:00.000+08:00

Linggo. 3 June.

Kararating lang sa byahe.
Nagpahinga muna tapos inihanda ang alarm para sa maagang pagising kinabukasan.
Pero wala atang silbi ang alarm.
Kinuha ang cellphone. Naka snooze. Snooze set ulet, tapos natulog.
Linggo nga naman ngayon. Araw ng pahinga. Pwedeng matulog ng matulog at gumising ng tanghali.
Pero teka, tuwing nasa ibang lugar naman, kasama sa routine ang 11am mass sa XU.
Lagi itong nakalista sa itinerary.
Sya, sya, gising nga sabi eh, 9 am.
Nagluto, naligo, namalantsa. Sa madaling sabi, natapos lahat ng gawain bandang 10.30 am.
10.40 pinaandar ang sasakyan at humarurot na sa kalye, naghahabol para di mahuli sa sermon ni Padre.
10.50 pinarada na ang kariton sa tabi ng daan.
Sa simbahan, para kang binabad sa harap ng araw. Ang init poh, Diyos ko, hindi po gumagana ang mga electric fan sa tabi ng dingding nyo. Brownout pala at mukhang nagtitipid ang mga Heswita sa kuryente nila.
Eto paypay ko, ginupit na RX pad galing sa isang doktor. Kinayang magbigay ng hangin ng 1/4 na papel na ito.
Isang oras ang lumipas at tapos na rin si Padre sa misa nya.
At sa paglabas sa simbahan, nagmasid sa mga nakadikit na posters sa daan ng eskwelahan.
Isip, isip, saan kaya magandang mananghalian?
Sa dami dami ng gustong kainin ang ending eh sa Lim Ket Kai rin.Oooops teka, showing pa ba ang Pirates of the Carribean?
Showing pa nga. Walang magawa kaya bumili ng advance tickets. Showing time 3pm.
At napadpad sa gawing Greenwich pero mukhang aabutin tayo ng Edsa sa haba ng mga taong gutom na nakapila.
Umalis, naghanap ng ibang pwedeng puntahan. Pero di na kinaya ng mga nag ra-rallying alaga sa loob ng tiyan, naglakad ulit at bumalik sa Greenwich.
Umorder, nakipag-share-a-table-win-a-friend, habang hinihintay ang order.
Dumating ang order pero kulang naman ng ketsup. Ng request, inasikaso, ang milagro naman ngayon napadpad sa ibang mesa ang ni-request na ketsup.
Minamalas na ba kami? Tabi tabi po.
Teka, sige kainan na.
Isang oras naglibot sa mall, unti unting pinapatay ang oras para habulin si Jack Sparrow at ang crew nya bandang alas-tres ng hapon.
Hay naku, medyo nakakaantok ang story of his life nya. Paglabas sa sinehan, ibang idea naman ang naisipan.
Badminton!
Pumarada sa isang badminton court, nagbihis, naglaro, nagbihis ulet.
Hapunan na. Anong menu natin?
Pagod, uhaw at gutom na, first stop, Mandarin Tea Garden.
Pero wala silang canton.
Tayuan na mga kapatid, lipat sa ibang kainan. This time sa Bagong Lipunan malapit lang sa Mandarin.
Umupo, tinignan ang menu, canton order ulet pero biglang hirit ng food attendant "Ay, ubos na po ang canton namin."
Pag minamalas ka nga naman. Pero di dapat nawalan ng pag-asa, tinanong namin sya kung sa isang branch nila meron nga ba?
Baka meron naman daw, kaya hinanap ang isa pang Bagong Lipunan sa ibang kalye.
Sugod mga kapatid, umupo ulet, kinuha ang menu, at umorder.
Puno ng canton ang tindahang ito kulang nga lang sa tea, kahit anong tea pa ang gusto mo out-of-stock sila. Pero naka-display pa rin na nagbebenta sila ng tea.
Naisip ko kung doon sa isang branch nila ubos ang canton at dito ubos ang tea, tanong ko tuloy mukhang candidate na silang magsara?
Sabi ni food attendant mga 15 minutes lang daw ang order.
Nagbilang ulit ng oras, hmmmm mukhang 30 minutes na ata ala pang nailapag sa table namin.
Tapos eto nakikita mo ang katabi mong table, kumpleto na order nila. Anim sila, anim na mga gutom na sikmura.
Nakatitig lang kami sa order nila, adobong liver, chopsuey, pancit at may isda pa. Andami talaga. Tapos nauna sila?
Hello? What's wrong brother?
Doon tumayo na ako at di ko na kayang tiisin pa. Lumapit sa counter at dun ko nadiscover, ito palang si food attendant sa sobrang busy sa pagliligpit ng mga kinainan ng ibang customers, simpleng iniwan lamang ang order slip namin sa receiving area nila hanggang sa napatungan ng napatungan ng order ng iba.
Sa pagkakataong ito gusto ko nang sumigaw sa gutom! Pero tiniis ko, hinahanap ng mga mata ko ang pintuan palabas sa gusaling ito.
Sa loob nang kariton naisip ko tama ang sabi ni Dennis nung napadpad din sya rito, from Cafe Laguna to Cagay-anon Restaurant to Grand Caprice Restaurant to Gloria Maris, walang alimangong babae. Lalaki at bading lang ang nakadisplay sa aquariums nila.
Tama nga na sabihin nya na kung merong magtatanong sa kanya tungkol sa City of Golden Friendship, isa lamang pabirong sagot nya, "Ay dong! Wag ka nang pumunta malungkot dun dong!."
Tama nga ba sya?
Eh kung sa kanya alimangong babae lang hanap nya para sa aligi, malungkot na.
Ano pa kayang tawag nyo sa simpleng search of pancit canton lang.
Malungkot nga ba talaga?