Danger Zone

To the Two Mons in My Life

2012-01-23T10:33:00.000-08:00

To these two men, I shall forever be grateful.

I don't think I would've survived the last few days -- heck, the last 8 months -- without these two.

Working with either one for a show has always been a privilege, but working with both of them for the Mamma Mia mall tour is just priceless.

You might never get to see or read this, but I would just like to say THANK YOU. I know I've said it a lot of times but I will never get tired of saying it.

Sir Mons, sobrang mamimiss ko kayo. Sana kahit post-concertus magkita-kita pa rin tayo. :')

2011-06-07T09:55:00.000-07:00

In the photo are Ms. Michelle, Mikkie (host), Ms. Francine, Ms. Kitel, me and Mojo Jojo, who was sick but still super perky and friendly. He's lost so much weight (40 pounds according to him) people barely recognize him.

This was taken during our press conference for Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber at Dusit Thani Manila.

2011-06-05T09:28:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow (more like later), I will be in a press conference not to cover it, but to coordinate with and assist all those who will actually be attending it.

I know I will be busy the whole time tomorrow, but as of the moment, I don't know how to feel. As much as I enjoy my current job, part of me wants to have a feel of what's it like in the other side of the fence.

Tomorrow, tomorrow

2011-04-16T09:40:00.000-07:00

Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow, there'll be sun.

But I don't want just the sun. I want the sunflowers. I seriously wish there could be some sort of magic that could make them bloom tonight. But that's impossible.

Anyway, I (still) love you tomorrow.

You're only a day (more like 7 hours) away. :)

Simply the best

2011-04-06T00:53:00.000-07:00

In her emails, Ma'am Yvonne Chua would always write "Best," as her closing remarks.

I always understood this as her simple and very concise way of wishing us her thesis advisees all the best.

Today, however, it dawned on me that that word - best - could also pertain to her. I'm sure this is not her intention, though. You see, he may be the awesome, brilliant, extraordinary, but she had always been reachable, humble, grounded.

Ma'am Chua is the best journalism professor. Ever. No questions asked. In fact, in our acknowledgments page, we wrote this:

"Our adviser, Ma’am Yvonne Chua, for being the best journalism professor we ever had. Thank you for being the lighthouse that patiently guided us into the right direction each time we lost our track."

Her colleagues recognize this, too. In her blog, Prof. Marichu Lambino wrote:

"Not all who can practise can teach; not all practising journalists have the ability to impart and pass on their knowledge and skills; not many are able to teach Investigative Journalism, Newspaper-management, or Newsreporting; and only Prof. Chua has been able to teach these courses in a way that has nurtured students into promising journalists, even winning recognition early on in their budding careers, under her guidance and mentoring."

Enough said. I am just so blessed to have been her student and thesis advisee. :)

Let this day be remembered

2011-03-31T07:37:00.000-07:00

... AS THE FOR BINDING DAY!

This came to my inbox today (03/31/11) at 1:11 p.m.

Isn't that cute? :)

Anyway, the first thing I did was to check if Shielo was online. Seeing that she wasn't, I posted on her wall our iyaktawa emoticon.

This message also gave me the right to use my graduation picture as my display photo in Facebook, which I did not more than 45 seconds later. :))

This is it! We just have to submit the bound copy and CDs on April 5 and we're really done.

Congratulations to my batchmates who also got the approval from their thesis advisers today: Rix, Kai, Dana, Avi, Agnes, Franz and Jack. We made it through, guys! I'm so proud of us! :D

Hearts all over the world tonight

2011-03-25T23:52:00.001-07:00

I just had to post this.

This is Cutie Patootie. :)) I found her among our basketful of baby mangoes called pahutan. She’s the only one that’s heart-shaped so she caught my eye.

Unfortunately, she’s gone now. I ate her for dessert.

You were sweet. Goodbye, Cutie Patootie.

In other news, Earth Hour later! :)

Diliman natin ang Diliman: State U Darkens Dorms for Earth Hour 2011

2011-03-25T07:22:00.000-07:00

When much is given, much is expected, goes the old adage. Certainly the same can be said for the environment we live in. We have but one world, this world where we live in, and it’s not as if there is a spare one in storage somewhere.

Our actions have direct repercussions to the environment. One sheet of paper that is folded, one faucet tap that is turned on, one candy wrapper that is disposed—all these can make or break the only world we call home.

Tomorrow, for one hour and beyond, we can all make the conscious effort to conserve our Earth’s natural resources and save the environment. Tomorrow, UP Diliman shall be joining the effort in promoting Earth Hour 2011, which will entail switching off all non-essential lighting for one hour.

The Philippines topped global Earth Hour participation levels for both 2009 and 2010. This year,Interdependent Student-centered Activism (ISA) is proud to be a major partner in this endeavor.

But this is just a means to an end—we can do more than just switch off. “If we want lasting and effective results, then we must inculcate the true spirit of the event into our lives – which is to reduce our consumption of power, water and other critical resources,” said Earth Hour National Director Atty. Gia Ibay.

“We want Filipinos to pledge to a year-long commitment to reduce their energy usage,” she said. And we can do the same, fellow Iskolars ng Bayan.

If you are a dormer, or happen to be on campus, join us and the Office of Student Housing, as theInternational Center, Kalayaan, Yakal, Ipil, Molave, Sanggumay, Sampaguita, Kamia, Kamagong and Ilang-ilang Residence Halls switch off all non-essential lighting tomorrow from 8:30 to 9:30 in the evening.

Earth Hour 2011’s main switch-off event will begin at 6 p.m. at the SM Mall of Asia Globe area. The event also serves as a kick-off for a planned year-long WWF climate change solutions campaign.

Dahil para sa Kalikasan, may ididilim pa ang Diliman.

ONE for the Earth

2011-03-24T04:03:00.000-07:00

I'm no environmentalist and I'm not one to advocate for the Earth. But that doesn't mean I exploit it and all. In fact, I believe I protect our nature in my own little ways such as always seeing to it to throw my trash - big or small - in the trash can, and walking instead of riding jeepneys if time and weather permits.

However, our organization recently partnered with WWF. We volunteered to bring Earth Hour 2011 to UP and encourage dormitories to join and switch off their lights from 8:30 to 9:30 on Saturday, March 26.

At first, it was just like any other project to me. But things changed after we've attended the first Coffee Conversations held at Fully Booked at The Fort last March 11. We were shown beautiful photos of some of WWF's projects. There were photos of whale sharks, tunas, coral reefs, etc. Afterwards, all of us in the room were asked to choose one photo and explain how we can help in preserving the different life forms we saw in it.

For some reason, it took me a long time to think of something to say. Yes, we were caught off guard (well, sort of) but Macky was able to come up with a whole plan and I thought, why can't I? So I ended up deviating and instead shared what we were planning to do in UP. But everyone in the room were able to say something simple, brilliant and realistic. That was when I realized we don't have to be like those hardcore environmentalists we see in TV to be called nature's advocates. I learned that we can all be stewards of our surroundings in our own ways.

I am currently heading this project and this must be the biggest thing I've done for the Earth so far. So I am calling on each and everyone of you to, at the very least, offer an hour for Mother Earth on Saturday, from 8:30 to 9:30. Altogether, let's make this thing the start of our commitment to save the nature. :)

First and Last

2011-03-21T10:51:00.000-07:00

A photo of me taken during our trip to Sagada three weeks ago.

We went there for our Tourism 113 class, which was the class I started my semester with. Incidentally, it would also be the class that would end this semester, this academic year and my entire college life.

Time flies by so fast. I can't believe that 11 hours from now, I'd be having my last class in U.P. :S

Photo credit: Nadine Gutierrez

Promise to Self

2011-03-20T11:54:00.000-07:00

Today was unproductive.

I finished Awakening, slept, woke up and found that there was no food left for me and then finished Garden Dash. It was my turn to clean the CR but I threw a not-so-serious tantrum and told them they would have to feed me first. My brother ended up doing the chore. Haha.

But if there was one thing I did today that I like the most, it's that I finished reading Roald Dahl's James and the Giant Peach. I've already read it back when I was in grade school for a book report. I even watched the movie. But due to my unwillingness to do anything of value to human society, I decided to read it again. I didn't realize it had an allusion to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. :P

Anyway, I've been wanting to read again. Though I am not a fan of Dahl's and this book really is not among those I prefer, the point is I was able to read.

I remember saying to myself that once I get a job, I'd allot a portion of my salary on books. I'm not employed yet (heck, I haven't even graduated yet haha) but I'd try my best to stick by my word.

Nicholas Sparks, Jodi Picoult, Cecilia Ahern, Sophie Kinsella, etc, just you wait. :P

One Step Closer

2011-03-19T10:07:00.000-07:00

Woke up to this last Friday and I didn't really know what to feel.

I was like, why is she congratulating us already when we aren't even done yet? Haha.

There was that sense of relief, of fulfillment, that finally, all our hardwork has paid off.

But there was also that surge of sadness again, for this reminded me that my stay in UP is drawing to a close.

28 days left. *mixed emotions*

This is it!

2011-03-12T11:46:00.001-08:00

You’ve been my friend ever since day 1. Now we’re down to our last stretch.

You love cheese but you don’t like being cheesy, so I’m going to keep it simple but meaningful.

THANK YOU.

Photo credit: Bernard Patalinghug

YEARning

2011-03-08T11:56:00.000-08:00

I made two versions, actually.

It's been almost a year. Many things had happened and you missed all of them.

I hate regrets. But given the chance to do things all over again, I would stop you. I would warn you.

Happy birthday, Kulot. Nothing's the same without you. I really, really wish you were here.

For my bebes

2011-03-06T15:45:00.000-08:00

Above is a photo of our committee which I fondly dub as the best committee ever. :))

I was supposed to upload this photo last Thursday but the Internet connection at home was malfunctioning plus I had to pack my things for our Sagada trip the following day. (But really, I was also waiting for Bernard to upload this. Haha.)

Anyway, the school year - and my college life, hopefully - is about to end. I would just like to express my gratitude to these people whom I've worked with the entire year.

To Kai, Franz, and my thesis partner Shie, thank you for still being there despite the demands of our theses.

To Bernards, Tetet, La-u, Stan and Jake, kayo naman ang seniors so I'll be entrusting our committee to you. I hope that you guys learned something from the way we've worked and I hope you could pass it on to the rest of the org.

To our babies Ali and Elle, you still have a number of years to go. I hope you had fun working with us. :)

The challenges faced by ISA, both internal and external, aren't unknown to you guys, but thank you for sticking with and loving the org nonetheless. I've said this before and I would like to say it again: You are one of the main reasons why I decided to stay. :)

After the school year ends, we would all be going our own way. Some would be graduating *ehem*, some would become officers of their other organizations *ehemTetetehem*, some would be taking their summer classes, some would start working on their theses and some would be focusing their energies doing the things they love.

I just want you to know that I am proud of each and every one of you. I believe that all of you would do well in whatever you'd wish to pursue.

As Oprah Winfrey said, "Doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment."

See, you're from the best committee ever so this already puts you ahead. :))

Again, from the deepest, darkest part (sorry, Sagada hangover) of my grateful, proud and motherly heart, thanks and I love you, Sec!

Doctor, doctor I am sick

2011-02-25T09:32:00.000-08:00

Today, I woke up at 8 a.m. with a headache that's coming from the upper back of my head. At first I thought it was because I haven't been sleeping well lately (blame our thesis, DD) but then I realized my body's used to that already. I decided to ignore it, thinking it would be gone soon (it is very seldom that I get sick).

Hours later, the pain's still there so I decided to take a paracetamol. But even that didn't alleviate the pain.

And then, while my brother and I were cleaning the living room, I had a slight difficulty in breathing. I told my mom about this but she just dismissed it. You see, there are a lot of medicine in our house so I guess we've always had this mentality that all those could save us.

Anyway, I told her I'd diagnose myself. Haha. Being a doctor was actually my childhood dream. My dad had a stethoscope then. So I'd wait for him to come home. I'd wear his barong, which was very huge on me then so it would look like a lab gown, wear the stethoscope around my neck (I wish I had photos) and listen to their heartbeats.

And then life happened.

But the desire to be one had been rekindled when I started watching Grey's Anatomy (which reminds me, I haven't watched the latest episode yet).

So I went online and googled diseases or conditions that have headache and shortness of breath as symptoms. Here are the things that could possibly be going on inside my body (at least according to Healthline.com):

Allergic rhinitis
Stress and anxiety
Flu
Pneumonia
Swine flu (well, there's this boar-looking creature I frequently see)
Allergies
Bronchitis
Caffeine overdose (I may have had a little too much chocolate)
Tubercolosis
Hypertension
Acute mountain sickness (I live near the mountains)
Anemia
End-stage kidney disease
SARS
Poliomyelitis
Skull fracture
Anthrax

and many other things that are difficult to spell let alone comprehend. I choose to stick by my earlier diagnosis which is stress. Haha.

I know I do not have enough background or whatever to even be talking about these things. But it was fun playing doctor once again. This time, however, I'm doing it with the help of the Internet and not using trusty Mr. Stethoscope. And at least I was doing it on myself and not on others. :))

P.S. When I get really bored with my life after school, the first thing I'd do is get into med school.

Hearts all over the world tonight

2011-02-23T10:02:00.000-08:00

The spiral thing on the center became a heart when I cut the cake in half.

I think it just wanted to remind me that love can be found even in life's most complicated things. :)

Mirror, mirror on the wall...

2011-02-21T10:52:00.000-08:00

...don't you just think I'm the fairest of us all? :))

On a serious note, I wish we did this more often.

Why do they grow up so fast?

Taken on New Year's Eve.

Chivalry aka Politesse aka Gallantry

2011-02-20T02:48:00.000-08:00

Disclaimer: This post has nothing to do with how men should treat women or something like that. :))

Bored of ordinary online thesauri? Well, here's a link to an interactive thesaurus I stumbled upon. I've only used it a couple of times but I find it fun and really helpful. Just to show you its interface, here's a photo:

It looks like a web of words. When you point the cursor on the red dots, the definition of the synonyms/related words will appear. You can also hear the pronunciation of the words.

Visual Thesaurus has an online which is free and a desktop edition which is for sale . I haven't really looked into the system requirements but here's a link to how the program works.

Also, if you're into spelling like me, Visual Thesaurus' website also features a spelling bee. Save for the accent that makes it difficult to distinguish some words, it's really fun. It's a good way to enrich your vocabulary too. Go give it a try. :)

Nostalgia

2011-02-14T11:43:00.000-08:00

Because I can’t seem to get over Valentine’s day. Haha. (I Will is still playing, mind you. It’s been more than an hour I guess.)

World, meet my teddy bear (yes, I still sleep with one). Her store name’s really Applemint but I like naming things (ask around, even my bag has a name). When she was given to me by *ehemRuleNumber2ehem* for my birthday five years ago, her cheeks were pink, so I named her Blushy.

I’ve a lot of stuff toys but she’s really my - and my sisters’ - favorite, which is weird because she looks really mixed up. She has the ears of a bear, feet of a dog and tail of a rabbit. Also, her tummy’s so big she seems pregnant. She had also undergone operations aka we’ve sewn her up many times already. Her mouth and the red ribbon around her neck had been removed, too. I’ve always wanted to bring her to the hospital aka Animaland in Trinoma but I just can’t save up for it.

So, what am I arriving at? I don’t really know. Haha. I just wanted to post her picture because her heart reminded me of Valentine’s.

Or maybe… Nevermind.

(first posted at http://feelgeeyeah.tumblr.com/)

Honor, Truth, Justice

2011-02-12T03:16:00.000-08:00

News about Angelo Reyes' death shocked the country last week. We all know it's suicide - that he pointed a .45 caliber gun to his heart and shot himself at his mother's grave. But we can only assume and speculate what his reasons really were. Some think he's eaten by guilt; some say he did it to preserve his and AFP's honor.

At this point, I'm pretty sure many of us have already judged him one way or another. But here's a link to a story which contains his thoughts on the matter.

Personally, I think his words, which may very well be among his last, revealed a part of him that most of us didn't and will never come to know. I don't know but his words are far from the defensive statements we usually hear him say on TV.

Anyway, I just hope this helps everyone gain more perspective on the issue.

"Living life without honor is a tragedy bigger than life itself." - Angelo Reyes

Exploring Tumblr

2011-02-02T17:37:00.000-08:00

As you may have noticed in the list of links I posted in this page, I have a number of online accounts. I pretty much tried everything that was "in."

Back when I was in highschool, everybody was using Friendster so I signed up for it too. I remember that back then, people liked exchanging testimonials on their friends' profiles.

And then came Multiply, where it was a lot easier to upload photos and photo albums. However, my first account got hacked (don't ask, this is a loooong story). I made a new account but I was already sort of discouraged.

Then there was Plurk which introduced the concept of microblogging, at least to me (Twitter already existed that time but it was kind of lame and formal for me so I didn't make an account immediately.). Everyone liked the new emoticons such as the dancing bananas and everyone was determined to up their karma.

However, my first account got hacked as well (again, don't ask). As what I did with Multiply, I made a new account but wasn't as active as I was anymore.

And finally, I tried Facebook and Twitter. I'd have to say that my accounts in these sites are the most updated.

As for my blog sites, I've always been comfortable with how Blogger (this site) works. But in my online journalism class, we were asked to use an open source (I forget if this is the right term) website, so we used Wordpress.

But while I am loyal to this blog, I'm aware that others have shifted to this site called Tumblr.

Today, I finally gave it a try. Here's the link to my account. I know it still looks plain, but it was just a trial for me.

Although, I'd have to say that it really made blogging easier. You could easily share because the site formats the things you would like to upload. At the same time, it would be easier for your followers to determine whether you uploaded a quote, an original work, an audio, a photo, a link or a video.

Then again, I'm still going to have to see if I should pursue this one. Besides, it can get really tiring to make a new blog, customize it and keep it alive.

Grey's Anatomy wisdom on giving

2011-01-13T10:08:00.000-08:00

Everyday, we get to give the gift of life. It can be painful, it can be terrifying, but in the end, it's worth it. Everytime.

We all have the opportunity to give.
Maybe the gifts are not as dramatic as what happens in the operating room.
Maybe the gift is to try and make a simple apology.
Maybe it's to understand other person's point of view.
Maybe it's to hold a secret for a friend.

The joy supposedly is in the giving.

So when the joy is gone, and the giving starts to feel more like a burden, that's when you stop.

But if you're like most people I know, you'll give till it hurts.

And then you'll give some more.

-Meredith Grey, Grey's Anatomy

This pretty much says it all...

2010-12-15T10:51:00.000-08:00

"I can't care anymore. I just have to stop caring so much.

I can't keep feeling like this.

I have to save this feeling, I just can't keep giving it away."

- Miranda Bailey, Grey's Anatomy Season 6, Episode 2

It's sad...

2010-12-13T08:38:00.000-08:00

How being responsible sometimes sucks the life out of me.

How I've always prioritized my responsibilities over my dreams.

How I've always been there for others, but never for me.

How I think I've lived my life so dependently on others -- what they do, think and say.

How I think this is not my life -- at least not how it should not have been had I made decisions other than those I already made.

But most importantly, it's sad that I only realize these things only now, now that it might be too late to live life for myself.

Music Made my Day

2010-12-08T09:49:00.000-08:00

Today was practically about my encounters with music, which by the way is one of my first loves.

#1. The lecture in STS today was about Technology and Music. It is the most interesting lecture for me, by far. I loved how sound can be represented in mathematical equations. And I want to get hold of the software Karaoke Scorer. :D

#2. As I stepped onto the Toki jeep after my STS class, the lyrics I heard were...
"Kawawa ka naman at single ka ngayong Pasko. Ilang taon ka nang ganyan..."
I was like, Maraming salamat ha?!

I told myself I'd search for the song once I get home so here's a link:

Christmas Single - Rocksteddy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bveRGkgD2mA (links aren't working in my browser as of the moment, so I hope this would do for the meantime)

#3. On our way to the Senate, the last song I heard on the vehicle (I don't know what to call it, really) goes like this...

"Di ko na PALALAMpasin ang pagkakataon, di ka na iiwasan pa di tulad noon. Di ko na PALALAMpasin ang pagkakataon upang sabihin na mahal na mahal kita."

Strike 2! And yes, the emphasis on palalam is intended. Why? You should listen to it. Here's a link to the song:

Pagkakataon - Shamrock
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbl2XJy90x0

#4. While in the Legislative Archives, a ringtone kept on playing. Shielo thought it was Mr. Kupido whereas I recognized it as One More Night. I couldn't remember the singer though, I even thought it was Fra Lippo Lippi. Haha. So just to prove I was right, here's another link:

Two Hearts - Phil Collins
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNGwGdlu1Ws

#5. Shielo, Bert and I had dinner at Ersao. At first they were playing party tunes but they became oldies later on. We knew the songs so we sang along. I remember singing I Can't Fight This Feeling Anymore and Ever Since the World Began. I'm pretty sure there were a couple other songs but I forget them now.

Box Out

2010-11-07T09:57:00.000-08:00

I've been going through my things for a number of days now, deciding which ones to keep and which ones to throw away.

The receipts I've kept, especially those that I didn't write notes on, don't have any value to me now. But through them, I realized I ate at Mcdo a lot.

I've also kept my notebooks I used since my first year in college. I realized I've been through all sorts and sizes. I went from binder to spirals to fillers and compositions. But more importantly, although I convinced myself that I kept those notebooks because of my notes, I realized it's really not that. I think it's more of the doodles and unnecessary writings. :))

But what took me a long time to fix and sort out are the letters, birthday greetings, notes and mementos I've been keeping since I was in gradeschool. Imagine how many I have now.

I don't really want to throw them away. So.. I think I need to buy boxes (yes, lots of them) if only to help me organize these.

I'm thinking of colored boxes.

Maybe yellow for my college stuff, blue for my grade school stuff, and purple for my highschool stuff. Haha. There go my favorite colors again.

I need to buy these. SOON.

Told you so!

2010-08-29T23:31:00.000-07:00

He knows, so the rest of the team must know too.

In an interview for fullcourtfresh.com, Mike Silungan said "The x’s and o’s we know that, we know how to play defense, we know how to run our offense, I think what’s lacking is our pride and our hearts."

Two games left in the season. Kahit isa lang talaga. I'm willing to sit on the opponents' (FEU and UE) sides during those games to test if our theories really work.

Oo, kahit FEU pa yon. Haha.

WHY?

2010-08-26T14:00:00.000-07:00

I ask myself that question.

And how?

Where?

WHEN?

I don't know. I really don't know.

I want to but I don't know how. And in the first place, I don't think I need it anyway. At least not yet.

Why then, do I feel this way?

Seriously.

PMS, if this is just you hanging around the corner, please go away. This is not doing any good to my already low self-esteem. :(

What UP lacks

2010-08-23T04:04:00.000-07:00

I covered the ADMU-DLSU game at Araneta last Sunday for my sportswriting class.

It was my first time to cover a game that was so, if I may say so, chaotic but at the same time high-spirited. I mean, it really was school pride at its finest. But in the midst of all the name calling and team bashing, when DLSU was already nearing its defeat, I heard someone from the La Salle crowd shout:

"PUSO!"

And then I realized, that must be what the UP team lacks. The heart to play and the heart to win.

In interviews, they say they love the game and that they like playing for the university. Unfortunately, it doesn't show.

There are only three games left. Three last chances to close off at least one game. For themselves, for their family, for the community, for UP.

Yes, they may lack training, conditioning and everything else a sportsman believes is important. But if they have the heart, I think it would be enough.

In the same way, if everyone in the UP community has the heart to show support for them in whatever way he/she can, I think it could change things.

So to the UP Men's Basketball Team, we know you've always, always been close to winning. In fact, we've experienced so much heartbreak, heart ache, heartburn, heart murmur, LAHAT NA from your losses. Please make us happy, kahit isang beses lang.

PUSO UP, PUSO!

All About Debates

2010-04-22T23:30:00.000-07:00

Last February 8, Philippine Daily Inquirer's First Edition: The Presidential Debate was held at our University Theater. Since my professor, Mr. John Nery, was in charge, he let our class participate in the event itself. Some volunteered to man the registration tables, some helped with the production, some assisted with food preparation. I was one of the ushers assigned to attend to the presidentiables while they waited at the holding room.

What I liked with that experience was that I saw one side of the presidentiables the public rarely sees. Almost all of them were there (Acosta was nowhere to be found, and Erap backed out at the last minute). They chatted, smiled, laughed and joked. They were so friendly. It was as if there's no debate happening later. It really was a relief to see such kind of scenario since I know political arguments were going to start the following day, which was the first official campaign day for national candidates.

But after a few minutes, they were asked to get ready for the debate. Silence set in as they prepared themselves and wished each other luck.

However, the scene at the holding room wasn't why the debate was organized. For me, that was just an added extra. Besides, we aren't supposed to vote for someone based on how friendly or nice he/she is. The Election Day is no beauty pageant or popularity contest, is it?

Instead, these kinds of events are organized to test the candidates’ skills, intellect and readiness for the job of a president. Debates are the proper venues for people to ask the candidates questions regarding issues that concern them and the country and their plans.

This is why I understand Sen. Dick Gordon when he demanded more debates. He was right when he said it's the people's loss if lesser debates are held. We will vote for them so it is our right to know and it is our right to judge. Also, I admire how confident he is to answer any questions. I think this shows that he is not hiding anything from people. I totally agree with what he said in one of his interviews: "Those who refuse to join debates show that they cannot stand the pressure of facing the people.”

The Principled Choice

2010-04-22T23:25:00.000-07:00

In one of his interviews, Sen. Dick Gordon called the public to vote for a principled candidate. "It doesn’t have to be me as long as it is a principled choice," he said.

'But who is a principled choice?' you might ask.

Well, for me, it certainly isn't someone who already has liabilities this early. By liabilities I mean controversies thrown at them, which of course they would later on be asked to explain to the public. Instead of focusing on other more important issues our country is facing, he/she will probably be spending some time trying to clear his own name. Also, I think it is important that a leader maintains a clean and credible image for the constituents to recognize his/her authority.

One of the contenders for presidency involved in a controversy is Manny Villar. He said the issue about the C-5 road extension has been resolved but proof that he is still hounded by it are the emails going around the Internet questioning Villar's real intentions for running. (Click here for links to said e-mails.

There were some technical information but, basically, what these letters are saying is that Manny Villar used his power to earn billions and at the expense of many Filipinos. He did it when he "advocated" low-cost housing in the 90s and he did it again when he pursued the extension of C-5.

Now, if what's said in the letters were true, then clearly, we shouldn't give Villar a chance to hold the highest position in the land. Because if at a lower position he was able to pursue his business interests and he was able to steal our money, what else would stop him from doing worse when he becomes president? Also, because of these letters, I kind of get the impression that Villar did not have sincere intentions when he entered politics.

He may have been in the business for quite some time now, but I don't think legislators like him earn big enough for his net worth to balloon to over a billion, as his SALN suggests. (Click here to see Manny Villar's SALN from 2001-2008)

With all these, it is safe to say that Villar definitely isn't a principled choice.

Being president entails honesty, sincerity. It is hard to be president when the person doesn't have the truest of intentions. At one point or another, that will reveal in his/her actions.

Being president also entails dedication and perseverance. Being president means being on call; one can't be a president during office hours and then a businessman the rest of the time. Being president means having to sacrifice some personal matters to attend to public concerns. Since people voted, the president owes it to them to make the country a better place one step at a time. It is a difficult job and he/she has to be passionate to last six years with all those responsibilities.

I have thought about this over and over, but I still come to the conclusion that among all candidates, it is Gordon who has all these. He is sincere and honest, dedicated and proven. His name has never been dragged into any controversy. He's never been accused of corruption. And of course, we know the rest about his contributions as Olongapo mayor, SBMA chairman, senator and PNRC chairman.

Therefore, Gordon is the principled choice for me.

The Leader We Need

2010-04-15T15:50:00.000-07:00

We cannot deny it. Our country is in crisis.

Our water resources are almost dried up; our power supplies suddenly aren't enough; professionals are leaving our country for higher-paying jobs abroad; the chronic conflict in Mindanao is still going on; and worse, Philippines is listed among the most corrupt countries in the world.

People say we get what we deserve. But at this point in time, we can't settle for that. We have to get what we need.

And contrary to what others believe, we don't need a saint who can work miracles to get the country out of this condition. Neither do we need someone pretentious who makes a mountain of promises only to end gobbling up our money. We need someone who is real, and whose plans of action are attainable and realistic.

We need a leader who knows how to deal with crisis. A leader whose skills have already been tested and proven by time. A leader who doesn't need to be seen on TV every now and then, hiding behind the faces of celebrities just to appeal to every voter out there. We need a leader who, even in silence, has his track record and political background to speak for himself. Clearly, we need a leader like Sen. Richard Gordon.

Sen. Gordon has big contributions to our country. When he was mayor of Olongapo City, he brought remarkable change to the place, which was formerly dubbed as a 'sin city.' Also, when he became chairman of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, he attracted investors, thus creating jobs for thousands of Filipinos. When he was Tourism Secretary, there was a notable increase in tourist arrivals, which in turn helped boost the economy. And of course, let us not forget his involvement in public service and social work. Being chairman of the Philippine National Red Cross, Sen. Gordon has always been ready and willing to extend a helping hand to victims of natural disasters and calamities.

We've been through a lot. We have suffered the consequences of the wrong decisions we have made in the past. It is about time we learn from them. We've always wanted change. And this coming election is but the right time to make change happen.

Keeping Your Choice on the Right Track

2010-04-15T01:25:00.000-07:00

Voting for national leaders, especially the president, is one of the most difficult decisions we make in our lives. But because it is also probably one of the most important ones, we can't decide merely based on how we feel. We have to think, think hard and think twice—even thrice, if necessary.

Candidates have less than a month to prove themselves and convince the electorate to vote for them. We have witnessed a lot of presidential fora and debates. We have seen how these candidates acted in a stressful environment. We have heard of the results of various surveys, and how they predicted who will win the post. We have seen them campaign and react to issues thrown at them.

With all these, I think it is time we evaluate and assess the candidates. Personally, I’ve already written down some criteria.

I won't vote for someone who is corrupt. Doing so would be tantamount to saying corruption should be tolerated and that it is okay for the Philippines to be listed among the world’s most corrupt nations.

I won't vote for someone just because almost everyone I know is voting for that person. I have my own mind. I won't let others choose for me.

I won't vote for someone who has a reputation that isn't even his/hers.

I won't vote for someone merely because of the promises he/she makes. It is more important that I weigh if he/she is capable of fulfilling those.

I won't vote for someone who resorts to mudslinging to discourage people from voting for his/her opponent. Talk about traditional politics. This must be the perfect example for it. Besides, doesn’t this show a person’s questionable morality?

Instead, I will vote for that person whose ideologies are most similar to mine. This is what elections should really be about-- a question of ideologies.

I will vote for that person who values the same things I value, especially education. At least I will be assured that important sectors won’t be left unheard.

I will vote for that person who, regardless of publicity, is still charitable enough to aid people in dire need.

I will vote for that person who I think is the right one for the job.

And yes, I will vote for someone even if surveys say he/she has slimmer chances of winning. I believe every vote is important. I won't waste it on someone whom I think is not even capable.

On May 10, we don't know what's going to happen. We don’t know if automated elections will be implemented nationwide, or if there will be power interruptions somewhere. We don't know if there will still be failure of elections. And of course, we don't know who will win.

But at the end of the day, we have to at least be sure of ourselves. I'm sure it will be such a relief to know that we have arrived at the right decision and that we made the right choice.

Small but Terrible

2010-03-08T06:48:00.000-08:00

Small but terrible.

As passé as this saying may sound, it still holds true for small and medium enterprises or SMEs.

Republic Act 6977, also known as the Magna Carta for Small Enterprises, defined SMEs as “any business activity or enterprise engaged in industry, agri-business and/or services, whether single proprietorship, cooperative, partnership or corporation.”

In their article entitled “The Long and Short of it: Globalization Unravelled,” Emmanuel Velasco and Emmanuel Tan defined SMEs as “one in which all relatively important administrative, managerial and technical decisions are taken by one or two owner-entrepreneurs.”

They went on saying “SMEs are a key component in economic life, not only because of their number and variety but because of their involvement in every aspect of the economy, their contribution to regional development, the complementary role they play in support of the large sector, and their role as proving ground for innovations and adaptations.

SMEs have been proven to contribute much to the gross national products of other countries. For instance, 18 percent of Poland’s GNP is credited to the sector. In other European countries like Bulgaria and Czech Republic, SMEs have contributed up to 9 percent of the GNP.

In the Philippines, small and medium enterprises are said to be scattered across the different sectors of the economy. According to the Department of Trade and Industry, in 1999, the sector represents 99 percent of the total number of business establishments. It is also responsible for employing approximately 55 percent of the total labor force. Finally, SMEs account for about 30 percent of the country’s GNP.

Despite these achievements, the sector also has weaknesses.

Epictetus Patalinghug, a professor from UP College of Business Administration, said that one of the handicaps of SMEs is the shortage of entrepreneurial expertise and managerial skills. More often than not, best known manufacturing methods are unknown to small and medium enterprise owners because their skills have only been handed down to them.

Another weakness is the lack of access to adequate and low-cost sources of financing and capital.

But SMEs also have their strengths.

“SMEs have the natural tendency to be more innovative,” said Patalinghug, adding that if the sector is properly nurtured, it can help contribute to a remarkable growth in the economy.

The government must have seen this potential in the SME sector such that during her 2005 state of the nation address, Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo included SMEs in her 10-point agenda. It was even the first one on the list.

“The creation of six million jobs in six years via more opportunities given to entrepreneurs, tripling of the amount of loans for lending to small and medium enterprises and the development of one to two million hectares of land for agricultural business.”

Now that economies worldwide are dwindling, it might not be such a bad idea for governments to empower small and medium enterprises. In its years of existence, it has proven its worth in our economy. It may have its downsides, but with ample support from the government and from other sectors, it is likely that SMEs will reach its full potential.

Besides, there is nothing wrong with starting small. It only means there is no other way but to grow bigger.

_________________________
Written for J109

On Laws and Elections

2010-02-26T07:08:00.001-08:00

Five days before the start of the official campaign period, Commission on Elections released Resolution No. 8758, which resolved Republic Act 9006, otherwise known as the Fair Election Practices Act. This resolution became controversial after Comelec asked for artists who endorse candidates to take a leave from their TV programs. This provision, however, is the least of my concerns.

After reading the full text of the resolution, other than the provision regarding endorsers, there are at least two things that bothered me: one, that there is actually a rule on the candidates’ expenses, and two, that there is a provision similar to the Right to Reply Bill.

First, let me discuss about the artists. Section 36 of the said resolution states that “any mass media columnist, commentator, announcer, reporter, on-air correspondent, or personality shall be deemed resigned, if so required by their employer, or shall take a leave of absence during the campaign period.” The next sentence, however, says that “any media practitioner shall not use his/her time or space to favor any candidate or political party.”

For a requirement in another class, we were required to shoot a man-on-street video. We chose to ask random people if they were in favor of using celebrities as endorsers. A few said yes, only because they think such has been the practice in the past elections so they didn’t think it would make any difference this time. Surprisingly, a number said they weren’t in favor of the idea.

To clear things up, we asked Remigio Ocenar, an Associate Professor from the National College of Public Administration and Governance (NCPAG) what his take was on the matter.

“They should have formulated some regulations earlier before telling the candidates not to indulge in using celebrities,” he said, adding that the practice of using getting help from artists has been going on since election was introduced in the 40s or 50s.

“Now ang problema lang don, yung expenses, di ba (Now, the problem there is the expenses, right)?,” Ocenar added. “Probably the Comelec has regulatory powers to tell candidates not to spend beyond, that they are expecting candidates should, on their own stick right with what the law requires them.”

This brings me to my next point. We all know that candidates, especially those on a nationwide scale, spend millions—maybe even billions—for their entire campaign. More than a week after our interview with the professor, I found out that there is an existing law on the expenses.

Section 5 of the Comelec resolution states that presidentiables and vice-presidentiables may spend 10 pesos for every voter; independent candidates five pesos for every voter; politically-affiliated candidates three pesos for every voter; and political parties five pesos per voter.

According to the statistics posted in Comelec’s website, as of March 17, 2009, there are 48,275,594 registered voters. Following the provision, presidentiables can spend only up to 482,755,940 pesos for their entire campaign. In reality, however, I don’t think this is being followed.

Last on my list is the provision that resembles the controversial Right to Reply Bill.

Section 18 of the resolution says that “All registered political parties, party-list groups, organizations, and/or coalitions thereof, and bona fide candidates shall have the right to reply to charges published or aired against them. The reply shall be given publicity by the newspaper, television, and/or radio station which first printed or aired the charges with the same prominence or in the same page or section or in the same time slot as the first statement.”

What bothers me is that while the bill is pending in Congress, a provision which is exactly the same thing is part of a republic act. As a matter of fact, this provision has been part of RA 9006 even before the Right to Reply bill was passed either in the Senate or in the House of Representatives. I’m even guessing that it is from the said republic act that our legislators got inspiration to draft a separate bill for their right to reply.

In my opinion, the three examples only underlined some weaknesses of our judicial system. First, laws are not absolute and that they are still subject to our interpretation. Second, we might have an excess of laws and that they have a tendency to overlap one another.

And for the last one, I’d like to quote Ocenar one last time: “It boils down to, parang problema ng Pilipinas, there are laws but walang nag-iimplement (It boils down to, like the problem of the Philippines, there are laws but they are not implemented).”

HAPPINESS ♥

2010-01-04T22:32:00.000-08:00

Happiness is finding a pencil,
Knowing a secret,
Telling the time.

Happiness is learning to whistle,
Tying your shoe for the very first time.

Happiness is playing the drum in your own school band.
And happiness is walking hand in hand.

Happiness is two kinds of ice cream,
Pizza or sausage,
Climbing a tree.

Happiness is five different crayons,
Catching a firefly,
Setting him free.

Happiness is being alone every now and then,
And happiness is coming home again.

Happiness is morning and evening,
Daytime and nighttime too.
For happiness is anyone and anything at all,
That's loved by you.

Happiness is having a sister,
Sharing a sandwich,
Getting along.

Happiness is singing together when day is through,
And happiness is those who sing with you.

Happiness is morning and evening,
Daytime and nighttime too.
For happiness is anyone and anything at all,
That's loved by you.

(from You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2009-12-31T12:07:00.000-08:00

... and THANK YOU VERY MUCH...

ISA, my favorite org. :))

my slatemates (and slavemates to Master Yee. Haha),

triumvirate,

my support system,

my beloved committee.

Yay! Our family has grown. :D

Thank you for making 2009 a super fun year!
I always thought I didn't need an org to survive college,
but you guys proved me wrong.
Here's to another meaningful year! Much love. :)

SUPER FRIENDS :)

SDK,

SDKG,

GIRLS!

Alleyna,

Kirstin, Ryan,

MicaDAvi :)

Penny,

Blockmates,

Diosa, Pepi,

Servicemates,

Wam, Gene, Eba,

By, Nika, Mitch

BEST. :)

2009 has been a very busy year.
We may not have been as in touch as we were the previous years
(save for my collegemates, of course)
but I take comfort in knowing that you're still there for me
in the same way that I'm here for you. :)
Promise, I'll make time na talaga. HAHA.

Collegemates, last few sems together na!
Itodo na natin ang damayan, tambayan, asaran, lahat na. Haha.
Lezdothis! :D HUUUG!

MY DEAR FAMILY.

Complete. Taken Sept 08.
(Di pa kami nakakapagfamily pic for 09. :P)

My siblings. :)

My cousins.

Siyempre hindi niyo naman mababasa to. Haha.
I know we have our share of conflicts and problems,
but I won't trade this family for anything else.
I love youuuuuu! ♥

AGAIN, SUPER THANKS SA INYONG LAHAT. :)
2009 has passed. 2010 naman.
LET'S? :D

PS. Kung may nalimutan man ako, teka lang a.
Matutulog lang muna ko. Hahaha.

Sparks' The Lucky One

2009-12-22T23:40:00.000-08:00

Kulot gave me this book as a Christmas gift. She knew I wanted to collect all of Sparks' books, hence, this. Yay! This is the first book in my collection. :))

Finished reading this at the salon while I was having my hair done. Haha. (Yes, that's just how it is. I find it hard to put down materials I read.)

It had a nice start, which left me totally clueless. Of course, that's just the beginning, you might say. But no, there are other books, that upon reading the blurbs and the first two chapters, will tell you what they're all about. Not this one.

Halfway through, though, things went predictable for me. I can already tell what's gonna happen, what the antagonist is going to do. But I liked the twist: the climax was at the end. This is also why I think I wasn't as moved. Things happened fast, and there was no time for me to sympathize with the characters as Sparks didn't stress on their pain.

All in all, I think it was a good read, but Message in a Bottle, Walk to Remember, The Notebook, The Rescue, and A Bend in the Road are still better for me.

But that's okay. Sparks still has 7 more works I've yet to read. :)

PS. THANKS KULOT! ♥
PPS. Yay me for starting to read again! :)

New Discovery!

2009-12-20T12:29:00.000-08:00

Finally 'found' the song I've been trying to remember these past few weeks. (Yes, you read that right, weeks.) It's Richard Marx' Now and Forever! :)) I found a nice karaoke version of it in YouTube, sang with it and recorded it in my phone. Yebah! But my voice is kinda husky today because I have colds - and cough, I think.

Anyway, I also looked for covers of this song. I was actually hoping I could find one by AJ or Randolph, but they didn't have any. But (ACK. Too many buts) that's okay because my search led me to my new favorite YouTube singer! His name is Ryan Narciso and I'm proud to say he's also a Filipino. :)

He plays a variety of instruments and writes his own songs, too. He also has a Disney series just like that of AJ's. I've yet to listen to the other videos but I think he did a fantabulous job in A Whole New World and Hakuna Matata.

What's different about him, though, is that he does voicing and harmony for the songs he cover. I can just imagine the time and effort it takes for him to record those voices. Man, he really strives to make the songs even better than their original. Just by watching his videos, one can tell how much his passion is for music. :) He has relatively few videos (42) so far, but with his talent, I'm sure in time the videos -and his fans- will grow in number.

You might want to listen to him so I'm providing a link to his channel.

Ryan Narciso

Enjoy!

A Bitter Yet Better Drug

2009-12-17T21:41:00.000-08:00

During one of my visits to my grandmother, my lower abdomen hurt as I myself also had a "visitor" then. I realized it was one of those dysmenorrheal attacks I have almost regularly.

“Uminom ka ng serpentina (Drink serpentina),” said my grandmother when she noticed.

Though in pain, her statement still got my attention. I asked Nanay, as we fondly call her, what that was. I realized it must be some sort of medicine, but it was the first time I heard of it.

It turned out that my guess was right. It was a medicine, only an herbal one.

Serpentina, also known as rauwolfia serpentina, is a plant native to Indians. History tells that it was used in a variety of ways. For instance, Indian leaders used its root extract as a tranquilizer. A certain compound found in the same extract, reserpine, is also used to treat high blood pressure and mental disorders like schizophrenia. It can also be used as an antidote to insect and snake bites, and stings.

This plant, however, is said to have abortifacient characteristics. The University of Maryland Medical Center said this plant belongs to the pregnancy risk factor category C, which means that studies in animals have shown an adverse effect but no studies have been done on pregnant women.

When Nanay heard about this plant from a scientist friend, she started growing this plant in her yard. However, Nanay found a different way of using this plant. Instead of drinking extract from its roots, she makes a capsule out of its leaves.

First, she gathers a basinful of Serpentina leaves. She then sundries these leaves for two to three days. When the leaves are already dried enough, Nanay grinds them using a blender so that it turns into a slightly coarse powder. Finally, she puts this powder into empty capsules available in drugstores.

Nanay had the powder ready then, so I gladly volunteered to try making a few capsules. She asked me to sanitize my hands first and told me to put on my working gear: rubber gloves, face mask and surgical cap. It felt like I was in a real laboratory! It went on well at first, but after sometime, I started to taste something bitter whenever I lick my lips. I told Nanay about it and she said it was like that because the leaves really are bitter.

After I made quite a number of capsules, I tried taking one in as Nanay told me. Even if it was already capsulated, I could still taste a little bitterness. True enough, I was relieved of my pain after sometime. I don’t know if it was the medicine or if the muscles in my lower abdomen just got tired of contracting, though. Alleviating dysmenorrhea wasn’t one of the medical uses listed in my research, but Nanay told me that Serpentina has many other uses.

For example, she takes them whenever she has colds, cough, sore throat and many other common illnesses. She also believes Serpentina is an antioxidant as it helps her release body toxins more easily. Nanay also let her household members and friends try taking the medicine too, and they come back asking for more. It’s almost like they take it as they would take a multivitamin.

So I jokingly asked Nanay why she won’t try making a business out of it. It can be the next virgin coconut oil. After all, it’s something new and she wouldn’t have competition in the market.

“Hayaan mo na. Tulong ko na lang sa iba (Never mind. This is my way of helping others),” she said.

Political Dynasties

2009-12-05T05:05:00.000-08:00

With the series of appalling incidents that recently hit our country, it is clear - at least in our minds - that what caused these events need to be eradicated. One of these causes apparently is the existence of political dynasties.

For this, I can think of one possible - but infeasible, I'm afraid - solution: legislation.

A phrase in our 1987 Constitution says that political dynasties, as defined by law, are prohibited. But even this seems to be neglected. Of course, this doesn't come as a wonder to us anymore. For how can we expect laws, even bills, on political dynasties to be passed in the Congress by people who are part of such dynasties? That would be a crazy, sheer manifestation of hypocrisy.

Even if there's one legislator who can honestly say that he is not part of any dynasty, he would most likely not engage in such things because it would be like throwing himself into a lion cage. Rather than being bold and brave, he'd most likely keep quiet out of fear for his life and political career.

And so, because we can't expect our supposed leaders to do what is expected of them, we might as well act on our own.

We know that the presence of these dynasties are brought about by our politicians' desire to maintain power and control over their posts up until the time their terms are done. What happens then is they convince their children, spouses and other relatives to run and replace them.

But we are also accountable for putting these people into position. Why do we vote for them, anyway? We know they have no experience whatsoever in the field of politics, but we still choose them over other contenders.

This time, however, I believe - and I hope I am right - we have learned our lessons. I hope we all learned that these political dynasties can bring us more harm than do us any good.

With this, I hope that on May, we realize that what our country needs right now are informed decisions.

______________________________________
A repost from dilimanjournalist.blogspot.com

December 4, Neal Cruz

2009-12-04T13:30:00.000-08:00

What we should do to foil Arroyo's plots
Neal Cruz, PDI

IT’S out of the bag: Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita confirmed that President Macapagal-Arroyo will push for an amendment in the Constitution to transform the form of government to a parliamentary system and then have herself elected prime minister.

I think GMA will dig into her bag of tricks to achieve what she wants. That little brain of hers is full of dirty tricks. Her track record proves that. And impunity, lies, deception and a total lack of delicadeza are all part of her arsenal.

Two words: NO WAY. That can't happen. If GMA still has the slightest hint of sympathy and mercy in her system, I hope she'd realize that we are still in shock after the Maguindanao incident. The last thing we need right now is another issue that will shake whatever hope and belief we still have for our country.

There is merit in the proposal to move the venue of the trial on the Maguindanao massacre to Metro Manila because of the fear of what the Ampatuan clan can do (or even just the thought of what they can do) to the witnesses, prosecutors and judges.

Yes, it must be relatively safer to conduct the trial here in Manila. But after what happened in Maguindanao, I'm afraid

But former President Fidel V. Ramos is right: GMA should resign from the presidency to level the playing field.

But knowing GMA, this is unlikely. Of course she'll use her current post as an advantage against the other contenders for Congress in Pampanga.

______________________________________
A repost from dilimanjournalist.blogspot.com

December 3, Elizabeth Farrelly

2009-12-04T13:27:00.000-08:00

Believe, deny or dither: it's still the right time to clean up our act
Elizabeth Farrelly, Sydney Morning Herald

My mum, who was otherwise preternaturally kind, would tell them brutally, as she once told me when I'd proudly helped an old lady cross the road, that principle only counts when it costs you something. You might even say it doesn't exist till then.

I like Farrelly's mother's point here about principles. Usually, we formulate our principles from incidents that bother us and make us think deeply. See, it is from incidents like climate change and global warming that some of us are awakened. We suddenly realize that hey, Mother Earth needs some TLC and so we become environmentalists.

Even without climate certainty, though, there are compelling reasons to clean up our act, energy-wise; compelling reasons for Australia - stable, democratic, rich but relatively powerless - to show leadership at Copenhagen.

Think of it as risk management. If the climate-changers are wrong, and we go that way, we still end up with a clean world, free of oil-addiction, and a new industrial revolution to ride for the next millennium. And we get to stand for something, for once. Whereas if the deniers are wrong, we'll be found, petrified, with our pants down, facing the rear view, kissing our arses goodbye.

What I'm getting here is that Farrelly is suggesting for Australia to go and help in Copenhagen. Again, it is okay to help. I just hope this isn't another power tripping scheme by a relatively more progressive country.

____________________________________
A repost from dilimanjournalist.blogspot.com

Pseudoscientist

2009-12-04T00:20:00.000-08:00

Somewhere in the heart of a less fortunate area in Marikina lives a simple pseudochemist turned businesswoman, whose success story tells us that one doesn’t need formal education to excel in something.

Lolita Aveno, 49 actually holds a degree in commerce from the Central Luzon State University. But she failed to pass the board exam so she thought of something else to do—making soaps.
Ma’am Leng, as her patrons and students call her, was taught by her cousin who is a chemist based in Germany.

“Sabi niya sa akin, “’Wag ka na magtrabaho. Mag-business ka na lang. Tuturuan kita (She told me, “Start a business instead of landing a job. I’ll help you.),” she recounted.

Ma’am Leng agreed and her cousin went home to teach her how to make soaps.

“Tiyaga lang sa una kasi mahirap talaga gawin (It’s not easy so you really have to persevere),” Ma’am Leng, a mother of two, recalled.

Soon, her own line of herbal soaps, was put up. She called it Magic Herbs, which, according to her, is the first one to sell herbal soaps in the market. Her first few products include papaya soap, calamansi, guava and tomato soaps. Now, it has boomed to 36 kinds, with glutathione and kojic soaps as the newest additions.

Aside from making soaps, Ma’am Leng has also ventured into making fabric conditioners, shampoos, toilet cleaners and perfumes.

All these became possible even if she didn’t receive any formal education on chemistry. Instead, time, experience and some research on the side helped her create her own formulations and products.

Asked if she ever thought of enroling herself in a crash course in chemistry, Ma’am Leng said no.

“E feeling ko mas magaling pa ako sa mga chemist e (It seems as if I know more than chemists do),” she said jokingly.

However, Ma’am Leng said this wasn’t always how she treated her lack of formal education. In the past, this became a basis for people to question her and her product’s credibility.

“Siyempre naging challenge nila sa akin yan. Pero naniwala na lang sila no’ng ginamit na nila (Of course they challenged me with that. But after they tried using my products, they believed me.),” said Ma’am Leng.

At present, Ma’am Leng has buyers from all over the country. She’s also frequently invited to schools and TV and radio programs as resource speaker. In a year, she earns approximately seven million pesos.

However, all these triumphs aren’t visible in Ma’am Leng’s very humble home. She said she has some investment but a huge portion of her income also goes to benevolent acts.

“Marami akong sinusuportahan e tulad no’ng mga kapatid ko sa Nueva Ecija. May tatlong nursing at dalawang HRM din akong pinag-aaral (I still support my siblings in our province in Nueva Ecija. I also send three nursing and two HRM students to college),” she said.

Gauging her accomplishments, Ma’am Leng said she can say that she is already successful in life. And so we ask her: What then is the formula for success?

“Manatili ka lang nakangiti at mapagpakumbaba. Tumulong ka rin at magshare sa iba ng mga nalalaman mo. At siyempre, magdadasal ka rin (Keep smiling and stay humble. Help others and share with them what you know. Lastly, have a strong faith),” she said.

December 2, Thomas Friedman

2009-12-02T06:53:00.000-08:00

This I Believe
Thomas Friedman, NY Times

This article is already the third this week that concerns the conflict in Afghanistan.

"I’d prefer a minimalist approach, working with tribal leaders the way we did to overthrow the Taliban regime in the first place. Given our need for nation-building at home right now, I am ready to live with a little less security and a little-less-perfect Afghanistan."

This was the author's position on President Barack Obama's decision to intensify US' presence in Afghanistan. Indeed, it is good to be selfless at times, but too much of it may lead to serious damages. I think Obama should realize that his decisions doesn't only involve him, but his whole country, maybe even the world, as well.

"Many big bad things happen in the world without America, but not a lot of big good things. If we become weak and enfeebled by economic decline and debt, as we slowly are, America may not be able to play its historic stabilizing role in the world. If you didn’t like a world of too-strong-America, you will really not like a world of too-weak-America — where China, Russia and Iran set more of the rules."

I was a bit taken aback by the first part of this paragraph. It shows that Americans really have a high regard for their nation, so high that they seem to think the world won't function well without it. Well, yes, deemed as the most powerful and influential state, the world may be crippled without America. I just hope this doesn't get to their heads, though.

"People do not change when we tell them they should; they change when their context tells them they must. "

For me, this was very well said. I think every leader in the world should realize this.
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A repost from dilimanjournalist.blogspot.com

December 1, David Brooks

2009-12-01T08:31:00.000-08:00

Clear, Hold and Duct Tape
David Brooks, NY Times

"In late 2006, Gen. David Petraeus and Gen. James F. Amos released a brilliant book with a thrilling title. It was called the “Army/Marine Corps Field Manual 3-24.” In its quiet way, this book helped overturn conventional wisdom on modern warfare and gave leaders a new way to see the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.

It’s a mistake to think you can succeed in conflicts like these by defeating the enemy in battle, the manual said. Instead, these wars are better seen as political arguments for the loyalty of the population. Get villagers to work with you by offering them security. Provide services by building courts and schools and police. Over the long term, transfer authority to legitimate local governments.

It’s not the troop levels that matter. What matters is how this war will be fought."

I think it's nice that two army men were able to realize that there's already too much violence in this world and that it's one of the last things we need. However, a war will always be a war. We can sugarcoat it and call it other names, but it will always be about fights and gunshots and wounds and lost lives.

More than devising strategies on how this war will be fought, I think it is more important for the parties involved to think of ways on how this lingering war will be ended.

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A repost from dilimanjournalist.blogspot.com

November 30, Mary Riddell

2009-11-30T09:34:00.001-08:00

In Afghanistan hope starts here, down a dirt track on the edge of Taliban country
Mary Riddell, Telegraph
Written on November 23 (Mr. Nery, I'm afraid I'm going to have to comment on the previous week's article because Telegraph uploads the columns to their site at around 7 to 8pm, which is around 3 to 4 am here.)

"These men are emissaries of that elusive breed, the "Afghan people" – a populus frequently invoked by British politicians though rarely consulted. Not many outsiders hear the testimony of those eking out a living on the fringes of Taliban country and proving that, in Afghanistan, some progress can be cheaply bought. As the inhabitants of Danishmand told me, a school and a rudimentary clinic had transformed a hamlet whose children are all now educated and inoculated against polio.

...the seeds of any good outlook may be sown in civil society and rooted in backwaters where those whose lives have been shaped and shortened by endless wars dare now to dream of peace. Hope, such as it is, starts here. "

This article very much reminds of our country's condition in the presence of Americans. As the Britons did to the Afghans, Americans brought us both good things and bad. Though they aim to help, law of nature as well as their political agenda tell us that it can't be all about the good stuff.

The Americans have been meddling with our country's affairs since forever and in the course of their interference, they may have taken away our pride and they may forever hold us in debt. But despite all these, as the article said, one thing they can't take away from us--same thing the Britons can't take away from the Afghans--is our disposition and outlook in life.

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A repost from dilimanjournalist.blogspot.com

November 27, Neal Cruz

2009-11-30T09:29:00.000-08:00

Day of mourning won't bring victims back to life
Neal Cruz, Philippine Daily Inquirer

"Words, words, words. A day of mourning and black ribbons won’t bring the victims back to life. They won’t put the people who murdered them in prison. They won’t assuage an outraged public. The President will have to do better than mouth empty words written by her ghostwriters. She will have to bring the murderers to justice and put the real ghosts of the victims to rest."

Just a few minutes ago, two famous DJs in an equally famous FM station paused for a minute or so of silence for those who perished in the massacre, specially the journalists. Then again, I still believe that this Maguindanao incident is no issue of journalist killings. Yes, quite a number was killed--one DJ even said the massacre reported the biggest number of journalists killed all in one time-- but I think the main issue, as Cruz pointed out, is the presence of political dynasties and private armies in various places in the country.

Now about the legislation, I think it could help. However, I hate to say this, but it really seems that our politics is all about band-aid solutions. Why does it always have to be cure rather than prevention? Why is it that something disastrous always has to happen before we act? What else has to take place before we realize what is wrong in our society?

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A repost from dilimanjournalist.blogspot.com

I See You

2009-11-27T07:03:00.000-08:00

I was only in second grade when I wore my first pair of eyeglasses. Innocent as I was, I thought I was going to like always having these vision enhancers with me. I thought they were all about having fun and having a different look.

But as my parents brought me from one ophthalmologist to another, I gradually realized there must be something wrong with me. True enough, during one of our visits, my eye specialist said that my vision would worsen as I grow older; that is, my grade would get higher every year.

This meant I would be stuck with my glasses forever. Or so I thought.

Thanks to technology, I already have other options such as contact lenses, transition lenses and laser surgery.

Contact lenses

There are different kinds of contact lenses, or simply contacts to some. There are those that come with or without grade. There are also simple and clear ones, while there are colored ones for those who want to sport a different look. There are soft and hard lenses. Lastly, there are also disposable ones that can be used for two to three months, and there are those made for extended use and can last for a year.

My current eye specialist discouraged me from using contact lenses because it can be harmful for me. According to him, the lenses cover the iris, which in turn causes pressure in my eyes. Putting and removing the lenses is also a delicate process and it might not be suitable in my lifestyle.

Despite this warning, I really am interested in using contact lenses. So I went to different optical shops in malls, and I consulted their resident ophthalmologists regarding my condition.

The eye doctor from Star Optical found in Robinson’s Metro East said that it is fine for me to use contacts.

“Candidate ka nga e, kasi ang taas ng grado mo (You are a candidate because you have a high grade),” I remember her saying.

But when I told her I had astigmatism, she said I need a different kind of contact lenses, which she called toric contact lenses.

These contacts have the ability to correct astigmatism, said the ophthalmologist.

But this special feature makes it more expensive than other contacts. It costs up to P4,500 for extended wear. This makes it more expensive than using eyeglasses, so for now, I’m going to have to save up first if I really want to use contacts.

Transition lenses

When I was younger, I remember my eye doctor telling me not to look at the sun directly because it can be harmful for my eyes.

When the sun shines at its brightest, people with 20-20 vision would simply wear sunglasses to protect their eyes. But in my case, I can’t.

My grade (450-500 the last time I checked) makes it very difficult for me to see things without my eyeglasses. And so, when I wear shades, I would literally feel as if I’m blind. Of course, unless I want to look crazy, I can’t wear my sunglasses on top of my eyeglasses.

Good thing Transition lenses are already out in the market.

According to their website, “transitions lenses are clear indoors and at night but automatically adjust their level of tint to changing light conditions outdoors.” These lenses also help keep our eyes healthy by blocking 100% of harmful UV rays.

I haven’t asked around about the price of these lenses, but I’m almost certain they are more expensive than ordinary lenses.

LASIK eye surgery

Finally, there is the popular procedure for the eyes—the LASIK surgery, which stands for “laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis.”

As its name suggests, this procedure uses laser to treat or correct eye problems like nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.

What the LASIK surgeons are really concerned about is the cornea. For nearsighted people, they need to flatten the too-steep cornea while for farsighted people, a steeper cornea is desired. For those with astigmatism, an irregular cornea will be smoothened into a more normal shape.

According to AllAboutVision.com, the whole procedure, though very delicate, takes only up to five minutes. Also, the patient is awake for the whole time, and will be sedated once in a while.

I remember asking my eye specialist about this. He said this procedure doesn’t guarantee that the patient’s vision will be back to 20/20. In some cases, especially for people who already have high grades like me, the grades will be reduced to half. So if I undergo this procedure, chances are my grade will be reduced to 225/250 and not 20/20.

Needless to say, this procedure is the most expensive among the three. I would probably have to save more than a year’s worth of salary after I graduate.

For now, I guess I’d have to stick to my reliable eyeglasses.

____________________
Written for J109 class

November 26, Elizabeth Farrelly

2009-11-26T14:30:00.000-08:00

In one room, the remarkable world of Sydney's essential artist
Elizabeth Farrelly, Sydney Morning Herald

"Only in meeting him do I realise I've been half-expecting Martin Sharp to look like Luna Park's big face. Or like the Mambo T-shirt of same, all bright primaries and cartoon contrasts. In fact, silver-haired and self-effacing, he could hardly be more different - and the current Big Face isn't even his. But there's common ground, all the same. For just as Luna Park is a funfair with a dark secret, so Sharp's work stretches an antic mask over a profoundly serious core. And it's this particular form-content contradiction that qualifies him, arguably, as the essential Sydney artist."

I've been reading the article over and over again, trying to see what message Farrelly wants to tell her readers. But up to this point, I'm still not successful. What I've understood from my reading though is that Martin Sharp probably had an exhibit of his works and the columnist went to see it and interview him. Farrelly compared Sharp with Luna Park, an amusement park in Australia, and with Vincent van Gogh.

Then again, I don't see why any of these are important. But I researched samples of Sharp's works and I can say that the man does have style and depth.

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A repost from dilimanjournalist.blogspot.com

November 25, Maureen Dowd

2009-11-25T15:30:00.000-08:00

Thanks for the Memories
Maureen Dowd, NY Times
(I'm really supposed to comment on Thomas Friedman on Wednesdays. However, their site said he's off for the day so I just chose another columnist.)

"Bill Clinton may not have cared any more about contributors than Obama does, but he was such a talented politician that he made them feel as though they were in “a warm bath,” as one put it.

Obama is more like a cold shower."

Sometimes, I really think politics is very much like a Filipino movie - comedy, action, drama and romance all rolled into one. There may be a lot of annoying things happening, but at one point or another, we are also entertained. We watch our politicians gain allies from their detractors and lose friends and supporters. And then there are those emotional speeches and public apologies for their grave mistakes. Lastly, in their sessions, we also see them shout at and "kill" one another.

I wouldn't be surprised if one day, rumors arise of Obama and Clinton having an affair.

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A repost from dilimanjournalist.blogspot.com

Laughtrip!

2009-11-24T08:51:00.000-08:00

I'm sorry but I just have to post this here. I can't get over how corny I was. :P

Jake: wala pa bang grade sa comm120??? depputa ano na kaya GWA ko
Dang: ATAT KA! Gobagobagobagob.
Jake: Dang, wrong spelling ka....
Dang: Ako pa pala wrong spelling. Excuse me daw sa gabagabagab mo.
Jake: actually, gubbagubbagubba ata yun e
Dang: Sige, tanungin natin si Google.
Jake: alam ko kasi, vukuvukuvukuvukuvuku yun
Dang: IMBENTO. Speaking of Google, magresearch na tayo. Taena. May report pa ko.
Dang: VUKUVUKUVUKU JUICE. :))))
Jake: hesssss... hindi mo birthday....
Dang: Lagot ka sakin bukas. BOSS AKO. >:)
Jake: ako boss! usurper!!!
Dang: Che! Power hungry!
Dang: Ang loser ng Country Story mo. BOO. BOOKUBOOKUBOOKU PIE!

E'mm Kreuzz: lmao

Okay ate/kuya. Kung sino ka man, masaya kong napatawa kita. HAHAHA. :))

November 24, David Brooks

2009-11-24T08:07:00.000-08:00

The Values Question
by David Brooks, NY Times
November 24, 2009

Here's another health article. It's related to the article I commented on yesterday in that it still has to do with the government's health care programs. Only this time, Brooks discusses the dilemma in achieving efficiency: the choice between vitality and security. More importantly, Brooks says this is a question of values.

"We all have to decide what we want at this moment in history, vitality or security. We can debate this or that provision, but where we come down will depend on that moral preference. Don’t get stupefied by technical details. This debate is about values."

Macroeconomics taught me the concept of trade-offs. As much as we try to avoid them, trade-offs are a reality of life. Our leaders may try to create projects that they think would benefit the majority, but there will always be an injured few.

"Occasionally, our ancestors found themselves in a sweet spot. They could pass legislation that brought security but without a cost to vitality. But adults know that this situation is rare. In the real world, there’s usually a trade-off. The unregulated market wants to direct capital to the productive and the young. Welfare policies usually direct resources to the vulnerable and the elderly. Most social welfare legislation, even successful legislation, siphons money from the former to the latter."

Again, I'm amazed at how Americans value their health care systems. Whereas here in the Philippines, we only seem to be bothered when the Department of Health declares outbreaks of certain diseases.

Anyway, if I were to choose one between vitality and security, I would choose the former. I think that's just how it goes. I mean, the capability to live is the concern of the young and security of the old. It's very ideal and practical to secure your future first before living your life. However, in the world we have right now, I'm starting to think that security is gradually becoming a fallacy. So many things are happening and we just can't be certain of anything. We built our insurance companies hoping that one day, the various plans they offer will give us a more secure future. But what happened? And so I think it would be better if we maximized every day of our lives.

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A repost from dilimanjournalist.blogspot.com

I feel..

2009-11-23T09:52:00.000-08:00

1. tired. I cleaned our restroom yet again, and my back hurt by the time I was done.

2. nervous. No, anxious. I've been working on this report for days now but still, I can't seem to come up with definite plans. Am I becoming GC? God, I hope not.

3. a bit irritated. Actually, my skin is. My allergies are beginning to come back to life.

4. annoyed. At myself. Pfft.

5. down, down, down, down, down.

6. IFFY. There. That pretty much sums up everything.

7. sleepy. Yes. So.. goodnight world! Library day ahead!

Mano Po.

2009-11-23T09:45:00.000-08:00

What, exactly, is Labour for if it can't take care of the elderly?

Mary Riddell, Telegraph
(This article was actually written on November 16. I intended to comment on a newer one but up until this moment, their site says this is Riddell's latest write-up.)

Before anything else, I'd have to admit that I'm no expert in the happenings in UK, more so their politics. In fact, I even had to look up 'Labour' in Wikipedia--and it didn't help much, in case you were wondering.

So rather than being pretentious, I thought I'd just put the situation discussed in the article into Philippine context.

"In a chaotic, under-funded postcode lottery, many people at their most vulnerable face a care vacuum that seems worse than death. With the election imminent, the unheard are suddenly becoming powerful, as political parties vie to woo them and the middle-aged children who are struggling to find help for ageing parents."

The article, as I understood it, was about the elderly, and how politicians woo them through health care proposals.

On the contrary, I don't know any Filipino politicians, incumbents and aspirants alike, who prioritize the elderly. Our lolos and lolas may benefit from general government projects like food and housing, but there are no prominent programs that address their particular concerns.

This may be alarming, but it doesn't come as a wonder to me. We know for a fact that ours is a young population. So, politicians as they are, they'd naturally target the bigger chunk which comprises of the youth. Even then, to at least show the slightest of respect, our politicians should also consider the elderly in their projects.

All in all, thanks to Mary Riddell, I think I've just found something to look out for in the 2010 presidentiables' programs of action.

P.S.
Speaking of presidentiables, Mr. Nery, I saw you on TV! :P

____________________________________________

This is a repost from my J103 class blog, dilimanjournalist.blogspot.com.
I thought I should keep a copy of my blogs, as in a semester's time, I would no longer be able to have a glimpse of them. HAHA.

New found interest

2009-11-16T22:07:00.001-08:00

I found this new site, MyLifeIsAverage.com. I really like the idea of people posting random things that happen to them. It's probably the wonder of turning ordinary things into remarkable ones just because you've shared it with the whole world. Haha. But I'm amazed at the entries! :) You should try reading them. I'm pretty sure you'll be as addicted as I. :))

Here are some examples:

Today, I was about to take a bite out of my McDonald's double cheeseburger when I realized that I had forgotten to ask for no pickles. Annoyed, I went to remove the pickles only to find a happy face drawn with ketchup. Thank you kind DMcDonald's worker for making such an effort knowing that it would go unnoticed. I will always be tempted to look inside my burgers from now on. MLIA

Today, while at McDonald's, I was next in line. I couldn't decide on what I wanted. So when I got called up, I nonchalantly ordered a Krabby Patty. Without a moment of hesitation, the cute cashier turn around and yelled back to the fry cook, "DAN, TELL SPONGEBOB TO COME BACK FROM HIS BREAK, WE'VE GOT COSTUMERS WAITING." He gave me his number. MLIA.

Today, I was getting Ice cream at the local Ice cream parlor when my phone went off, I have it set to the power ranger theme song as a joke between my sister and I. I answered "Whats the problem Red Ranger?" and heard someone gasp behind me, I turned to see a young boy staring at me wide eyed, I winked at him and told him that he had to keep my identity a secret, he nodded vigorously and ran off screaming "Mom, I met a Power Ranger!!!". MLIA.

Today, I was texting my boyfriend and all of sudden he just stopped replying. I got kind of mad at him, and so when I saw him the next day I asked him what was going on. He told me that his mom had found his old tranformers costumes and so he and his dad had a transformer battle. I think this is a total legitimate excuse. MLIA

Today, my boyfriend IMed me and asked what I was up to. I told him I was watching Pocahontas. A few seconds later, he logged off and I felt a bit hurt about it. Until he showed up at my door fifteen minutes later out of breath, holding a giant bowl of popcorn, and carrying two Snuggies. I think I’m in love. MLIA

Today, my cell phone rang in class. The ringtone is a doorbell. My teacher opened to door to see who it was. MLIA. (This one really made me laugh!)

So you see, the entries range from funny, unbelievable, ridiculous and sweet and mushy ones. But I like almost all of them, nonetheless. They keep me entertained. :D

I want to create an account and be able to post entries someday too. But as of now, I can't think of something as amazing as the ones already posted there. Ugh. Let's see..

Today, I accidentally scratched a pimple on my nose and it started bleeding a lot, making me look as if I had epistaxis.

So.. does that pass? I myself don't think so. HAHAHA. My life must really be you know, average. :))

Hello MeBlog! Did you miss me?

2009-11-16T02:00:00.000-08:00

It's been a long time. Migosh. The last time I wrote something was July, said my blog archive. Naturally, many things had happened since then.

Wait, uhh. I should be doing my CommRes homework, but..well, I need to brush up on my writing anyway.

So here I am. Many things are going on in my mind right now.

I'm a week into my 4th to the last semester and I'm still not over the previous one. I can't say it was the worst nor the best, but it sure is the most remarkable one so far. Why not? I got my first 3.0 in what I considered my best class--the class I enjoyed the most, the class with the best professor EVERR, the class where I gave 90 percent of my effort. UGGGGGHHH!! I don't want to go into details anymore. I'll live, I know. But.. WHATEVER HAPPENED TO ME?? I think one of my older posts is so appropriate to voice out my emotions right now, so I'll use it if I may:

I USED TO...

be perservering and driven.
be a good and responsible student.
hate being late, more so being absent.
know what I'm good at.

I used to be better than this.

I WONDER...

what happened to me.
if I am still the same person I was before.
what life has in store for me.

But right now, I wonder if this is really where I'm supposed to be.

I FEEL...

lost and discouraged.
tired - no, make that exhausted.

I just feel like giving up on everything.

There. That's how I feel. Well, sort of. The difference is that at this point in time, I can't anymore dwell in the thought of being lost. I'm in my third year and I think it's already too late to make big changes in my life. I've learned to love my course anyway and I've invested much to it, so I'm going to have to stick to it till I graduate. :) Also, I don't feel tired more so exhausted right now. I believe last sem was a wake-up call. So this sem must be make-up time, yes? :D Oh yeah, I like this optimism in me. Go me!

Ahem. I almost forgot that right now, I'm also in disbelief at my physical self. I know I'm not the most attractive person on Earth but I'd like to believe that I. am. not. ugly.

My skin's not cooperating as well. Since I was a child, I've had problems with my skin. This skin asthma-slash-dermatitis-slash-whatever-medical-term-dermatologists-have-for-it has been with me since forever. I'd be very happy to get rid of this condition, problem is, I don't think there are any possible ways of doing so. Phew. Because of this, I can't eat as much shellfish as I want to. Once, my derma even gave me a list of food I should avoid. I didn't take that list to heart for if I did, I' d be dead due to hunger by now. The list included chicken, egg, certain veggies and fruits, processed meat, fish, shellfish, instant food...there was almost nothing left for me to eat~I also get seemingly-irremovable allergies in random parts of my body. For example, I still have on both my arms these spots that look as if they were burnt. I nearly got rid of them, but I also ran out of the medications I need. And they cost a lot, mind you.

Lastly (and this bothers me most right now), I am fully aware that I'm fat, but I certainly know that I'm not the fattest person in this world. For heaven's sake, I was never obese. At risk, yes, but not obese.

I think all these insecurities were triggered because of the comments and jokes people tell me. I say trigger because if I truly love myself, if I appreciate every part of me, then there would be no room in my head for all these BVs (as many would say, or did I use this right? HAHA).

I've started cutting down a bit on my rice intake. I also am determined to go jogging at least twice a week (again), just like I did last summer. I lost weight then, so I take it exercise is all I need. I eat generously, but I lack exercise, that's why.

WHEW. So I see, there's no reason for me to dwell in these sad thoughts. I know how to deal with them anyway. Let's go Dang! Lezdothiz! :)

Hey! I think I just made up a couple of morale-boosters in here!

After a wake-up call comes a make-up time. :D

and and,

Don't dwell, just deal with it. :)

I'm so proud of myself! Go me! :D

*haha. Pardon for all the self-encouraging thoughts. You see, I need all those. You should try doing the same thing some time. Let's altogether hope it helps!:D

*On a sadder note, I'd like to say goodbye to our neighbor, Tita Edna. She passed away this morning after a few days of struggling for her life after she suffered a stroke. Things got really worse after this hospital refused to admit her into the ICU because they couldn't give the amount the hospital asked. Hers was a life taken due to the unbelievable medical and social system we have. In the wildest of my dreams, I hope no one else suffers the same fate as hers.

Tita Edna, I'm sorry but I can't even remember the last time I saw you. Thank you for letting us play lutu-lutuan in your backyard years ago. I remember how we picked your leaves and pretended to cook them as if they were real food. I want you to know that those were one of the few moments that reminded me that indeed, I was a child. Know that I truly cherish that. :) I know you're in good hands now. Please say hi to Lolo Alex for all of us here. Please tell him we miss him. I know we'll see each other again someday. Till then. :)

DANG...

2009-07-19T12:31:00.000-07:00

has just been reminded of the silly things she does when in love. Stupid stupid comment.

Dammit. Surprised to see it's still there. Haha.

We all live separate lives now. Haha.

I don't know what 1 is busy with these days. Haven't even seen her since graduation.

I still get to talk to 2 once in a while. Her book's still with me. Which reminds me, we have to meet soon. I've to return the book and borrow another one. :D

3.. Uhh.. No idea. Really.

I've just viewed 4's Friendster account. He seems content nowadays, and I'm glad about that. I'm thankful that he's already gone over the pain of his family's loss. :) He already has a daughter -- thankfully not with me, but with his girlfriend, whom he fondly calls "asawa koh." (SOBRANG CHEEEEEEEEEESY! oops. BADUY even, I'm sorry.) Haha.

And of course, 5. Haha. Just met up with her a week ago. Thankful that she's still around. She's okay. :) And she's still with the same person. I'm happy that she's learned to mellow down. I hope things become better for them this time. :)

Looking back, I think I'm already a different person now than when I was with them. But I'm thankful for these people. Haha. Sobrang kadiri man ng feeling pag naaalala ko kung anong klaseng kacornyhan yung pinaggagagawa ko non, at least I learned. HAHA. Sheesh. Buti na lang I threw all the stuff that would remind me of these things. Kundi... UGH. :))

HMM. Mukhang ako na lang di pa umaasenso sa buhay a. x.x
I guess I just have to wait for my turn.
(This is what you get from watching too much romcoms: ENVY. HAHAHAHA.)

Dang's best nursery rhyme EVER.

2009-07-15T10:15:00.000-07:00

Hindi ako nagnursery. At hindi ko alam kung epekto lang to ng alkohol o ano. Gusto ko lang magshare ng happy times! Haha.

I told Allana through YM:

"Dang is sleepy, Dang is sleepy. Should she sleep? Should she sleep?"

Basta merong tone na nasa isip ko pero hindi ko ma-identify. Ang alam ko lang, nursery rhyme siya. So sabi ko:

"Ano yung nursery rhyme na katono ng three blind mice?"

Sagot ni Lana:

"Alam ko! Watermelon watermelon, papaya papaya, banana banana banana, banana banana banana fruit salad, fruit salad."

Pero nagets ko yon! Strike 1 sa kabentahan. At tinanong ko siya kung anong kanta yon. Sabi niya:

"Di ba yun yung may father john, father john?"

Strike two! Pero mas striking yung sagot ko:

"Wala akong alam na ganon! Hindi ba yun yung where is someone where is someone blah blah blah, blah blah, blah?"

Panalo. Ang lalim ng meaning. X)) NURSERY rhyme naman kasi, di ba? Hahaha.

So ginoogle na namin siya ni Lana dahil bothered na kami. :)) Habang naghahanap kami, naencounter ko tong isang site. Click HERE.

Try niyo puntahan! Tapos iwanan niyo lang siyang idle ng kahit 3 minutes lang. Basta i-on niyo yung speakers a. :)) HAHAHAHAHA.

Eto pa isa:

Click HERE.

Nakakainis! Nabother lang ako lalo kasi Twinkle twinkle na lang mali pa yung tono. :))

Going back! Haha. Alam niyo bang nakagawa pa ko ng improved version ng nursery rhyme ko? Eto:

"Where is someone, where is someone? "Here I come! Here I come!"

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! :))) And we both agreed that that's the best nursery rhyme eveerr. :))

Pero in the end, nadiscover namin na French nursery rhyme pala yon! Sosyal. At ang totoong lyrics niya ay...

Are you sleeping, are you sleeping?
Brother John, Brother John?
Morning bells are ringing,
morning bells are ringing
Ding Ding Dong, Ding Ding Dong.

YEBA. Pwede na ko matulog ngayon. Haha! :))

ISA PA! :)

2009-07-01T16:04:00.000-07:00

Para sa isa pang sabunan portion.
HAHA.

Gimme a break.

2009-06-29T01:47:00.000-07:00

Why does it seem so easy for others to be.. that? And yeah, they can get away with it too.

My Name Game.

2009-06-13T12:03:00.000-07:00

I've answered at least three name quizzes in Facebook during the past few days. The first one said that I- or my name at least- is unique and that it isn't found in the authors' database. The second one said that Fylgia was 12 to 15 percent common, and I was like, really? Haha. The last quiz said that my name was 1.5% percent common, I think.

All these triggered my curiosity, and so I spent the last 30 minutes or so searching the Internet for anything that has to do with my name. Haha.

I found out that:

1. There was a Swedish actress named Fylgia Zadig. She was born in 1921 and she died in 1994.

(NOTE: I think there's something wrong with Blogger cos I can't add images to this blog. So for the meantime, here's the link to Fylgia Zadig's photo.)

2. There is a law firm named Fylgia located in Stockholm, Sweden. Check out their site: http://fylgia.se

3. The Swedish Navy once owned an armoured cruiser named HMS Fylgia. It was 117 meters long and 4700 tons in displacement. Wikipedia says that it was launched on December 20, 1905 and was used until 1953. Also, her hull was sold for scrap in 1957. Probertencyclopaedia also says that it was refitted at the start of WWII, but it doesn't say anything about the ship being used during the war. Sweden wasn't part of the war, was it? I think I need to brush up on my history. Haha. :P

(Again, the link to HMS Fylgia's photo.)

4. That Fylgia really is a name for a girl. Haha. Yeahbaby.com said so, okay. It says that Fylgia isn't among the top 1000 baby names in America. Also, the site doesn't know of any common nicknames for the Fylgia. So I guess Dang still is okay, huh? :)

5. BabyNameMap.com says that Fylgia isn't among the most popular names in Sweden either. :))

6. There is a guy named Fylgia. Found his not-so-comprehensive site in Peperonity.com. All I got from that was that he's 24 years old and that he lives in Forza Taranto, wherever that is. Haha. I don't even know if that site's updated.

7. When I used Facebook search, it turned out that there were at least 6 of us who are named Fylgia. Two are guys, Fylgia Scandinavo and Fylgia J Honeypot. The other three are Fylgia Romero (who's a child and who seems to be a Filipina), Fylgia Hofilena (an old lady, as her picture suggests, and whose friends also seem to be Filipinos), and Fylgia Wessigk (who apparently is a foreigner, but whose nationality I'm not certain of). I think I'm going to try to add them up as friends to find out more about them. Haha.

8. Oh yeah, there also is a student group named Daghemmet Fylgia in Facebook. There is a brief description about the group but I can't understand what it says. I already tried Google Translate and other online translators but they were no help at all. Ugh.

UPDATE! I chose the wrong language that's why the description can't be translated. Haha. Sorry. My bad. I saw Finlands e, so I thought it was written in Finnish. Haha. But it turned out to be Swedish. :P According to Google Translate, "Hemmet till Finlands akademiska elit" means "Home to Finland's academic elite."

UPDATE ANOTHER! Daghemmet Fylgia is also a creche, or a hospital where babies whose parents are unknown are taken care of. And it is located in Helsinki.

9. There is so-called Fylgia Lodge located in San Francisco, California. At first I thought it was a Masonic lodge because it also has lodge numbers, and scheduled lodge meetings like Masonic lodges have. Haha. But it turned out that it's a VASA lodge, which is something that belongs to this Swedish American Fraternal Organization. So it's really more or less similar to Masonic lodges, I guess.

10. I got into some forums of certain witchcraft sites and I read about people saying that they'd want to have their own fylgias already. They also said something about "shadowing one's every move and emotions" but I couldn't understand it at first. Then there was this other site that said that a fylgia is some kind of a totem or a sacred animal that aids in traveling between worlds. Finally, in Norse witchcraft, fylgia is a fetch, or what is more commonly known to us as a doppelganger. Wikipedia says that everyone has this ghostly double which is attached to its host, but is also capable of departing from it. It's also capable of taking the shape of other beings.

So there. Haha. I really had fun researching about my name, but I must admit that the last one really gave me the creeps. :s

But considering that I found only limited info, I still think that my name's unique. Watchathink? :))

I can feel it.

2009-06-10T11:17:00.001-07:00

YES. I can feel the hype.

Went to Health First at Edsa Central a while ago. And yeah, it being a health institution, a bunch of people wearing face masks welcomed me. There even was a screening area, so they call, set up immediately before the door.

But because it was only a while ago that I visited Health First again, I thought that screening area was for the applicants of Teleperformance which was just beside the clinic. Haha. Silly me, it didn't even dawn on me at first that that was for the people going inside the clinic.

So the nurse stopped me, checked my temp, and asked me a few questions.

May cough po ba or colds?
Wala po. (I think I've phlegm though, but I didn't tell him. Haha.)

Any trip to the hospital within the last ten days?
(It took me a while to answer this one. I even had to think aloud just so that I can remember what the date was when we visited Kuya Karol at Cardinal. Haha.)
Thursday.
(But he didn't seem to hear. He didn't react.)

Sa airport po?
(Half-laughing)
Oo. Nung Wed. Pero sa kotse lang ako.

Sa kotse lang po kayo?
Oo, sa loob lang ako ng sasakyan. Di ako bumaba.

Sure kayo diyan ma'am ha?
Oo naman.

Ano pong ipapacheck ninyo?
(Showed him my arm)
Derma.
(Okay, okay. I realized I violated the maxim of relevance. That wasn't the answer he needed. But we understood one another nonetheless. Haha.)

Only when Ken and I finally got inside to have ourselvese registered was I able to really laugh.

Why was I laughing?

Because it seems funny (to me at least) that all of my answers to the nurse's questions were yeses. I figured that if I had answered him straightly and truthfully, he would have made me wearone of those masks. Gah. I wouldn't want to of course. Haha.

And then, a crazy thought came from my crazy mind...

What if I become the first case of H1N1 in UP?
Hahaha.

Funny.
Just funny.

On poverty.

2009-06-07T11:06:00.000-07:00

Trusting my memory, I believe that in our PolSci 14 class, we qualified poor families as those that are below the poverty line. Meaning, they can't afford the food budget set by the Food and Nutrition Research Institure (FNRI), and that their residences are of poor quality. There are many other qualifications. I'm just too lazy to search through my notes. :P

But the priest in his homily said that poverty means that our lives depend upon our God. He was actually referring to one of the core values of religious groups such as SVD, but having heard that, I just couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.

Hah. If the people most of us look up to as leaders think as this priest thinks, then I don't think we should be surprised that many of us remain poor. As my favorite Philo prof said, Filipinos are tsamberos.

Vacay.

2009-05-30T13:17:00.000-07:00

First of all, I'd like to say something about my previous post. Haha.
I know that it seems too.. whatever. Parang kung sanlang hinugot. Haha. It seems more like a plurk entry to me now rather than a blog. And Im sorry, I wrote that one right after I puked (eeww, I still remember the feeling okay) and got the alcohol out of my system. Apparently, I wasn't able to remove all of it because that blog was so, again, whatever. Hahaha.

Anyway highway, what I really wanted to blog about what I realized during my 4 day stay at my tito's house in Laguna:

I now understand why my cousins are fat.

Okay, I know Im fat. But one of cousin is like, me plus a half of me. Really. She's that big. And I figured it's because there's always something to eat. ARGH. Hindi pa man din ako natutunawan may pagkain na namang nakahain sa mesa okay. For example, we ate breakfast at 10. At around 12, lunch was already served. A few hours later, merienda and then dinner. I'm so not used to that! In our home, we have breakfast at 11. Sometimes, that already serves as our brunch. Haha. But sometimes, we also have our lunch at around 3 or 4 pm. Yung tipong sumisigaw na yung naglalako ng merienda sa may amin tapos kami kakain pa lang ng lunch? Yes. Hahahaha. Dinner is at.. around 9 or 10. Sometimes 11. Haha. Tadaa! Take note of the difference! My tummy went poof tuloy. Tsk. Haha.

Also, I now understand what my dad means when he says that my tito is not afraid of anyone.

On our way to Laguna, there was this car (I forget the model, but it's rather new) that cut through us, that my tito had to suddenly step on the brakes. Because he was under the influence of alcohol, not to mention that he's a warfreak in nature, he chased the car. Note, this happened in that road after Riverbanks and going to Libis, so there were so many vehicles along the road. They practically raced with one another okay. Then, the car eventually stopped. My tito put down the window on the side of the passenger and cursed the driver. Ohyes, the driver of the car was a female and she looks rich e. My tito cursed her again and again, and the woman just answered, "Sana makarma ka sa mga pagmumura mo." Pilit din niyang sinasabi na ginigitgit daw siya ng tito ko ganyan. Meanwhile, all of us inside the Fortuner were alreadt getting nervous and scared because my tito was already holding on to his gun all this time. My cousin was actually just stopping him. In the end, my tito just said, "Pasalamat ka babae ka," to which the woman answered, "Pasalamat ka lalaki ka." Boy, was she brave! Haha. Whew. We had to stop over somewhere just so that we, passengers, can get over the shock and nervousness we felt, and so that my tito can cool himself down. But after that incident, I totally understood that my tito is the type of person who won't let his offenders get away with the things they do. Ugh. Scary.

There you go.
Now after my short vacation at their place, I'm actually not so sure if I want to go back there next summer. Haha. :P

Today...

2009-05-25T10:38:00.001-07:00

I got drunk like there's no tomorrow. Hahahaha.

I love it. Dream come true. :)

This...

2009-05-20T21:14:00.000-07:00

I SURELY MISSED.

My Sweet Escape.

2009-05-17T07:13:00.000-07:00

I hate that the dark clouds always seem to be around,

As if waiting for the perfect time to make me feel down.

But I am thankful that in times when I feel like giving up,

I have these lovely people to cheer and back me up.

I LOVE YOU FRIENDS. :)

Bawal istorbohin. NAMAMATAY.

2009-05-17T03:02:00.000-07:00

I've three things to do for Tuesday (supposed to be the last day of summer classes).

1. Study for our 2nd exam in Philo11.
I failed the first exam. And only because I failed to write whether the argument was valid or invalid. Congrats to me! Given that our grade will depend solely on our exam scores, I really have to study hard. Man, I'm not yet ready for a 3. Not just yet. :|

2. A paper for English 100.
How the hell am I supposed to come up with a 5-page paper just by answering the question "Is there really a delay in the cognitive development of bilingual children?" My answer's simply NO. Ugh. I know I have to research on this extensively, but as of now, I'm quite sure there aren't any books about bilingualism left in the library as my classmates have already hoarded them. Plus, I'm certain the resources found online wouldn't be enough.

3. A documentary for English 100.
Yeah, 2 major requirements for a single subject. I was hoping that I could finish editing this by tomorrow, but at the rate I'm going, I know that that isn't possible. (I suddenly remember how our professor loves saying the word 'possible' in her pwede-na-sige-na-pagbigyan-na-dahil-nag-aral-naman-siya-don British accent. Haha.)

I'm all pressured because I know that my groupmates are expecting from me. Waa. It panicks me to think that while they are already starting on their papers, I'm still stuck at this documentary. MIGOSH! Granted my calculations are correct, I only have 38 or so hours left to do all these.

And at the moment, I can't even concentrate. Blame my freaking wala-akong-pakialam-sa-mundo-basta-magpapatugtog-at-magvivideoke-ako-nang-nakatodo-ang-volume-hanggang-sa-magsawa-ako neighbors. God! I so want to curse them right at their faces, at this very moment. But my delicadeza stops me. I want to get out of this place right now, but doing so will lessen the time I have to do all these requirements. UGH. I even told my parents I won't be joining them in hearing mass, keri?

I want to work on this at school tomorrow. While tambay-ing with Shielo and Faeska. I know they can help me. :) I just hope my parents would let me bring the laptop. :|

I never liked...

2009-05-15T21:22:00.000-07:00

-

+

-

+

GETS? :P

I need a break.

2009-05-14T13:42:00.000-07:00

THIS IS TOO MUCH.

2009-05-14T08:31:00.000-07:00

More than 3 hours after she arrived, and she's still here.

My siblings and I were about to eat dinner. I was already seated but she suddenly sat beside me. So I just stood up, carried my bowl and ate in front of the computer.

Even my brother delayed his eating because Gemma took his seat.

My mother saw that no one's with her on the table, so my mother ate with her.

*ANG TAGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL. NAGUGUTOM PA KOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.*

Just as I told Pepsi and Diosa, the only food I ate before dinner were 4-5 spoons of rice and corned beef, 3-4 pieces of those small cinnamon breads, and 2 slices of banana bread from Julie's. (They didn't have sweethearts e.)

I wish my mother would just shut up right now so that Gemma can finish her meal and leave.

And.. we better get our ears ready. Lalo na ako. I get this feeling I'm going to have some sermon for dessert.

Guess what?

2009-05-14T05:29:00.000-07:00

SHE'S HERE AGAIN!
GEMMA IS HERE AGAIN!

I've just arrived and my mother welcomed me by saying that Gemma's coming back tonight.

Good heavens. I feel so lucky. Dammit.

And so I couldn't help but voice out my sentiments...

D: Ma, ayokong kumakain siya dito at na nauuna pa siya satin a.

M: Fylgia, hindi siya katulong dito a.

Ugh. Sometimes, my mother's just so, SO UNBELIEVABLE.

I'm still waiting...

2009-05-13T11:00:00.000-07:00

The Bottom Line

Pain you experienced recently is fading. Keep moving and leave the past behind.

In Detail

Next time you're frustrated because you can't find something, try to remember that sometimes being forgetful can be a blessing! The same brain that makes you lose your keys or forget your ATM password is the same brain that erases hurtful episodes from your life. The pain you experienced in your life recently is fading slowly, and each day you feel it less than the previous day's pain. So keep moving forward and leave the past behind.

Really? Well it's not that easy.

Oh brain, please please make it fast.

Nakakayamot na manghihilot.

2009-05-13T09:00:00.000-07:00

Just as I was about to finish cooking our dinner (this was around 9pm), my parents arrived from Nanay's house. With them was a stranger who looks young and so.. frail. And who claims to be a manghihilot.

I've no objections with hiring one. My father needs such services that a manghihilot can give because he hasn't been feeling well for days. But what annoyed me is that my mother let her (Her name's Gemma by the way) eat dinner ahead of us. Grrr. I told my mother that the food I cooked is just, or may not even be enough for the five of us.

And then she goes.. "Ano ba naman kayo? Anong klaseng mga ugali yan?"
But my mother practically drove me crazy when she started lecturing us about Jesus being able to feed a lot of people with just a few pieces of bread and fish. My gulay! My sister and I couldn't help but laugh when our mother left.

I was observing Gemma as she was doing her job, and the nerve. When I started eating, she was massaging Daddy's foot. I already finished eating, but I saw no progress at all. And I ate rather slowly, if you were wondering. Reason why she took that long with just one body part? She was watching while she was doing her job! She even had the nerve to laugh out loud.

I know I sound so mean right now. Haha. But since I started it already, I might as well continue.

All these she doesn't know of course. But she probably had an idea that I dislike her. Hahaha. She smiled at me a number of times, but I just ignored her. >:)))

She left our house at around 12:45 am. See how long it took her to make hilot just one person? ARGH.

I never want to see her again. But she and my mother exchanged contact numbers so I'd probably see more of her. Poor me.

Updates.

2009-05-12T08:51:00.000-07:00

1. I really, really hate the attention that the media gives to Manny Pacquaio. More so for his hitchhiker mother. Ugh! She says she has offers to do commercials? I pity those companies that would pay her as their endorser.

And uhh.. I don't think a real celebrity has to declare that he/she is a celebrity. There wouldn't be a need to.

2. UP rank 63rd among other Asian universities.
I love my school, really. :)

Kulot.

2009-05-12T08:24:00.000-07:00

I'm up for a bucket. Just as long as you promise to take me home and explain things to my ever considerate and understanding parents. Hahahaha!

But I think it would be better if we just see each other and talk in person.
I know I started it, but I don't want us to just settle for talking through our blogs. :))

See you soon.
Remember, one text and I'd be beside you before you know it. :)

Shall we say goodbye to books?

2009-05-12T06:09:00.000-07:00

I heard from 24 Oras that there will be an increase in the taxes imposed on books. 1% for educational and cultural books, and 5% for novels and the others, if I heard them right.

Also, here's another site that confirms the news I heard a while ago.

Ano beeeh?? Ang mamahal na nga ng mga libro keri?
Ang dami ko na ngang gustong basahin e, kaso wala pang budget. Tapos mamahalan niyo pa?

Whatever people.

Expect e-books to proliferate then.

Dear Kulet,

2009-05-11T13:43:00.000-07:00

Our wall clock which is set thirty minutes ahead of the real time says that it's already 5 minutes before 3am. And it's becoming super cold even if the electric fan's shut off. Oh mountains of Sierra Madre.

If my mom were still awake right now, I'm sure I'd be getting another dose of her litanies because I still haven't washed the dishes. Hahaha.

I thought of using my other account for this one, but I always, always forget my password. Tsk.

I wouldn't have thought of coming up with this if not for you, Kulet. Stumbled upon your blog. Or.. uhh. I intentionally browsed through it since it has become my source of whatever I can get about you ever since you've become.. less accessible? Haha. Woopsie. Haha. Such that you were able to text me that the preenlistment had been opened and yet you weren't able to reply when I asked you where you were. No hard feelings, learned to live with it. :)

I had to dig through my YM message archive for this. Because Dang was trying to weasel something - anything - out of me:

Ooh. About the maxims, blame our favorite professor and Herbert Paul Grice. Haha. There's another one, actually. It's called the maxim of manner. It says that you should not speak with ambiguity.

I can't find our conversation in my archives. When was that again? Maybe its in the other computer. But I remember that you didn't answer any of my questions satisfactorily and so I lectured on the maxims. Haha. I wasn't teasing you then, if that's what you're thinking. :)) It's not my fault after all that they're called.. MAXims. Hahahahaha. Want me to repeat? :D

On to your next blog entry.

I'm up for 21 units - and PE, if the heavens allow - this year, hopefully. J121, Comm120, Comm140, Econ100.1, J103, and 2 MSTs - that should do it.

Uhh. I don't think you may enlist in Econ100.1 and J103. There's a conflict there somewhere.

Aww. Blockmates. We promised to be as tightknit as possible until we graduate - what happened? We ended up hating each other, falling out of touch - and I hate how there's nothing I can do about it, because as much as we want to believe that nothing will change between us, with us - changes are inevitable. We know that. We just didn't anticipate them happening this soon, I guess.

I miss SDKKG - and Abigurl, Wowie, Allana, Habon, Neph, Mafi, Rizza, Ryan, Gidget, Dawn, Agnes, Lois, Edzel, Patrick, Annie. I miss Jen and Diosa and her Pepi; our BC and Film and CommRes batchmates. I miss my CMC friends, upperclassmen and graduates; my ISA family, especially slate batch number three. I miss the loud, quirky, hilariously frank people with their own alien lingo and i-don't-care-who's-watching attitude.

Uhm. I can't remember making a promise about being as tightknit as possible until our graduation. You guys made one? Where was I then? Haha. This is serious okay. :P

But I must admit that I am responsible for the hating each other part. Most of it actually. Somehow, I feel sad especially since I know that I did my part in bringing the group together, but ended up contributing to whatever it is that we are right now.

But honestly, come on Kulet. Haha. You know about.. those things. I know it's been what, almost a year since everything? Haha. Im sorry. It's just that my heart isn't as forgiving as yours. :P Not with all that.. whatever. I don't know what to call it.

Where's Shielo when I need her? Hahaha.

Going back, yeah, I didn't expect all these to happen. But I do not believe that we are falling out of touch, dear. :)

Kirstin messaged me in YM last weekend by the way. She was asking if we liked to grab some coffee. That's supposed to be yesterday. But Shie was in a meeting, I didn't know where you were, and she didn't confirm anyway. So.. let's just save it for another day.

Gracie's in the province, but she does respond to text or instant messages. You can still reach her. :)

Shie is.. still Shie. Wasnt able to see her yesterday as well. Oops. I went to school, just so you know. Haha.It's just that it was free day for us. Listen to Adele's Chasing Pavements na lang. LSS niya yon. :)

Abi's still our classmate in Eng100. And I think I saw her in her other class yesterday.

Wow is.. I don't know. Haha. Haven't heard from him either. And I'm not sure I have any plans of texting him. He might be abroad, just as Ryan would always joke. Haha. But I am wearing the pair of pjs he gave me for my bday right now.

Allana is almost a certified member of JC. Hahaha. Let's just leave it to her and Neph to fulfill our dreams. :P Joooke. :))

Allan is always around and is just pakalat-kalat. And always in a hurry. Sometimes he's so busy he won't even notice you. You'd just have to call his attention. :)

Mafi, we just saw her last time, remember? And she's still very active in Plurk. I'm sure you get updates from her.

Rizza is always online and is always busy. Hahaha. (Hoy babae. Tama na yang pagtatago mo keri?)

Ryan is your classmate. I'm sure you always get to talk to him.

Gidget pmed me last week too. She asked me if I've had any embarrassing moments around campus recently. Haha. I had a feeling she'd be using it for EP or something so I told her I had none. Hahaha.

Dawn.. she must be in the province. I haven't heard from her since last sem too. Hmm. Same thing with Lois.

Agnes must be busy with her work. :)

I hope Edzel's doing well in Econ. :)

Annie must be taking summer classes. I saw her during registration e. I just don't know what she's taking.

Patrick, I think he has a girlfriend already. Haha. I saw him a few times last sem at the tambayan of Red Cross. Itext daw natin siya keri. Hahaha. You want a joke from him? Here:

If jokes are half-meant, then 2 jokes = 1 meant. So that if you have 4 jokes, you have a chewing gum.

DOUBLEMEANT. Hahahahaha. Benta right?:))

Jenners, I saw her at the veranda when Cineaste was having their orientation with the freshies. But I didn't get to talk to her.

Diosa as you already know is having the time of her life at the beach right now. Haha. well not quite. She told me through text that things would've been perfect if Pepi was there. :))

And her Pepsi asked me to do something for him. Hahaha. AND YOU TWO STILL OWE ME STORIES ABOUT YOUR ADVENTURES IN LIFE. *wink, wink* :))

As to your Molave friends..

Avi is bored. She needs a mall buddy. Haha.

And I'm surprised Sir wants to name his child Sinag Kapayapaan. Haha. I wonder what his nickname would be.. Sikap? :P

Ate Keisha has been absent during our previous meetings. Is she okay?

Lastly, ISA needs you to be there during the semplanning. But yeah, I figured you'd already be in Davao around that time.

Did I miss anyone? Haha. So there.

Haynako Kulet. Learn from what happened. Don't let your feelings bottle up inside you anymore. And don't dare touch that bottle again.

We're all here. Just here. :)
Let's just talk about everything instead.

Over bottles of beer.
Ay. Ayaw nga pala ni Shie ng beer.
Tequila na lang daw. :))))

Love,
Dang. :)

PS.

We have to meet soon! We have something important to talk about. Otherwise, we'd have to draw the lots! :)) Have you any idea what I'm talking about? Hahaha.

(since dito naman dapat talaga siya nakalagay.)

Patatawarin.

2009-05-11T13:42:00.001-07:00

Ako'y nangangapa pa sa html nitong site na to.
Tiyaga muna sa templates and colors. Hahaha.

Nostalgic.

2009-05-11T13:34:00.000-07:00

By golly.

I remember creating this account for our class blog in J101.
I always had to struggle with time (because we had a deadline for posting), with my classmates (because they might comment on my selected article ahead of me), and with myself (because I had to come up with relevant and substantial comments.)
The sem ended, but I still visited our blog.
And then one time, I tried to access the site again, but I can't anymore.
Ginamit na pala ni Sir para sa iba niyang class. Hmp.
I miss dilimanjournalist. :|

From now on, I'm going to use this account for my own purposes.
From now on, all blogs go here. :)

Finally.

2009-05-11T13:22:00.000-07:00

Yeah, I know the title sounds a bit inappropriate considering this is the first of my posts.

But yay! I now have access to this account.
I swear never to forget the password again. :)