Why I Needed A Work Reset

I left my work just after our company outing.

It was not sudden, I even had a 30 day rendering since I passed my letter last February. The main reason was the distance and the woes of the MRT and traffic played a major role. Another reason was the many opportunities missed by working long hours and overtimes were more of "charity". It was a job I was able to follow the normal 9-5 with rush hour and real lunchtime and was far from the graveyard shifts and holiday work.

Actually at my first months, I was really culture shocked with how things work. Adding fuel to the fire was I was thrown in to start immediately which with my previous jobs, I was able to experience a month of training before we nested and even waited a month to go live. Being in a position that was supervisory was the challenge I was willing to face, and it was not easy. However I slowly learned that being tough was the valuable lesson to be take note.

Bonifacio Higit Sa Pulang Pantalon

Noong bata ako, gumanap ako bilang Andres Bonifacio, with the matching red pants, cedula at bolo. Pero pagkalipas ng maraming taon, mas naunawaan ko kung sino talaga ang Ama ng Katipunan. 

Hindi lang siya sugod ng sugod, magaling at matalino siya sa maraming aspeto. Ngunit naging biktima siya ng naunang pulitika noon kaya siya namatay sa kamay ng mga kasamahan sa katipunan. Ngayon, ginugunita natin ang araw niya, pero gaano ba natin kakilala si Bonifacio higit sa pulang pantalon?

Oo, tulad ni Jose Rizal, walang Pinoy ang hindi nakakakilala sa kanya. Maraming lugar, kalsada, gusali, meroabilla at ang Monumento ay makikita si Andres. Kung matatandaan, ang BGC ay Bonifacio Global City dahil dati ito ang Fort Bonifacio na dati ring naging kuta ng mga sundalo noong panahon ng digmaan. 

Ang kung ang laging depiction kay Andres ay madalas sumusugod, sumisigaw, matapang ang tingin, at naghihiwa ng balat parang emo, bihira nating makita ang mga magaganda niyang akda at gawain, tulad ng pagsusulat. Siya ang umakda ng Kartilya ng Katipunan, Pag-ibig Sa Tinubuang Lupa.

Hello, Welcome To Your 30s!

It has been a while since I visited or posted in this blog. The last one I posted was quite depressing but I am glad that I am over it and now facing new challenges in life. I never wanted people think that my blog is a "negative space" rather find pieces of my life revealed to the world in a written matter which is the core reason for blogging. 

Now let us move to what made me make a post here. I am in a new phase of my life this 2017 with a lot of changes. First, I was able to "officially" graduate with the commencement exercise and diploma.

Am I Slightly Clinically Depressed?

I have gone to a lot of thinking this past few days and I tried to reflect on my life and where had it gone so far. It felt really hard on me since I have never been this sad yet contented in my life. My work is on the graveyard shift which gave me time to attend events but sometimes sleep is not consistent. 

I have to adjust with the growing workload in the office with many of my peers are going out one by one and it is getting lonelier. I recently got my iPad which gave me this liberty to blog more with a better tablet that I had one before (And I think I want to sell it soon). This is actually my birth month yet this is the most pressuring time for me. I think I have acquired all the things I need for my next project and I am willing to resign soon. I never really liked enjoyed taking calls, but I can provide service. 

An Appeal to the Filipino Voter

As elections grow nearer, the fate of the nation again is at hand. I may be a drop in the vast ocean, but I quote from the movie "Cloud Atlas" that "An ocean is a multitude of drops". I may not be famous, rather my nickname is, but I am entitled to speak my mind in this democratic country. It's my right, it is why I am here. And I do send out this simple appeal to the Filipino Voter, like me, that will elect the future administration leaders and legislators of the country.

First is the never ending slogan of VOTE WISELY. The term itself is what we wanted for a long time, and that is CHANGE. It is simple as choosing the candidate because you know that he/she is indeed qualified for that position and can deliver public service without smothering his name across town. Its as simple as choosing them with at least some background check and personal deliberation that he is the right and good person for the position. Never should you vote because your favorite artista says so, nor your parents dictates because you have this "utang na loob".

DALAWANG PISO: Interview Went "Les Miserables"

For the first time, since the internet was conceived, veteran showbiz writer/reporter Ricky Lo is now the talk of the cyberworld today with the video of the exclusive interview with Les Miserables star Anne Hathaway. The video was originally from PhilStar's (The Philippine Star) official Youtube account, however within the day it was deleted but several accounts have surfaced and uploaded the video.

In the video, Anne was asked several questions about losing weight, comparison of playing a poor woman although she lived in luxury, and also if she knows Lea Salonga who played Fantine and Eponine in the Les Miserables broadway. The most awkward moment in the video for me was when asked to invite people to watch Les Miserables, she replied that he should do it himself since he knows the people more.

#VivaHesusNazareno! Isang Dekada ng Pamamanata

Special ang taonng 2013, dahil ito ang ika-10 taon ko bilang deboto ng mahal na poong Nazareno. Actually started back in high school, and every year, I made sure to go there   as a thanksgiving to all the things I have today. Pero hindi po ako pumupunta ng nakapaa o humihila ng lubid. I go there to attend mass and offer prayers and thanksgiving. Minsan, sumasagi din sa isip ko kung subukan ko, pero kapag nakikita ko ng malapitan at maipit sa magulong naguunahan sa lubid, na-aasses ko na hindi ko nature yun at mukhang kailangan ng matinidng training yun. Gusto ko pang mabuhay ng mahaba-haba.

Actually, hindi naman patayan talaga ang labanan sa pagsampa sa poon, nagkataon na sa sobrang dami ng deboto ng Nazareno, parang warzone na ang makasampa at mahawakan ang Nazareno. Well, dahil dito nacricriticize ang mga deboto sa fanaticism sa rebulto ni Jesus. Pero narealize ko na ang FAITH ng tao sa Diyos ang nagdadala sa kanila upang ipakita nila ang kanilang nararamdaman. Malungkot lang na mayroong mga "deboto" na sumasama sa ganitong gawain nguit hindi tumaalikod sa kanilang masamang gawain sa buhay na nagpapawala ng halaga sa pamamanata sa Nazareno

I am an end of the world survivor... so are you!

After years of paranoia of the the dreaded date of December 21, 2012. We actually passed the date without any major catastrphe that changed the world as we know it. We are still here, alive and kicking and nothing has changed but are still busy in preparation for the coming Christmas day. Actually one can notice the gravity of the traffic in all major roads. Even in the trains which have a relaxed hours in the afternoon is now at rush hour capacity. And since i is christmas, expect that many will have something in their hands like shopping bags, appliances,  and things that they cannot afford in the past months. It seems that the workforce became one month richer because of the 13th month pay given by companies which is mandated by law. 

When I used to work in the office, I did somehow enjoyed that kind of benefit. The question now for the people blessed with this addiional income is how they would spend it. Probably also consider saving it, but what the heck, its the end of the world (every year). Many will use it to reward themselves with their hard earned cash. 

Going back to the end of the world, it is a scenario that everyone fears of seing even myself, as you can feel chaos, fear, and the other factors depending on the type of "end" that will happen. survival would mean to be resiurceful with the scarcity of materials and the destruction of most of the sources.  This would also mean that the human society will also fall with ethics and morals suspended. I still get goosebumps thinking about it.

But we're still here, and its actually December 24th. I am very thankful that there was nothing that can trigger the predicted scenario. Thus, we are all survivors of the "end of the world." I just wondered if some people did something stupid or incredible on that day, which I have to check if there was.  But again, it also have its lessons of the value of life, of spending it wisely and living it with a purpose. We are more than just the apocalypse survivors but life survivors that still continue life  to now and beyond. 

Now, we focus con Christmas which teaches us many life lessons and bring happiness to most of us. For those people who does not celebrate the occasion, its okay, you can still be happy with the possitivity around. As much as possible, keep everthing in balance, and everthing will go great.

So fellow survivors, again will might face another doomsday date in the future. Just keep yourself ready and make sure that  "just in case" that happens, we will be satisfied that we did lived meaningful lives.

DALAWANG PISO: #AMABITCH #AMALAYER

Here's another one just fresh out of facebook and twitter. And indeed from the moment I saw the video yesterday, it is a guaranteed trending topic. And it was as #AMALAYER just trended on the top spot (and some say, it went also to global trends).  With just over a minute of raw video of a girl in her uniform making a scene at the LRT 2 Station with the lady guard on duty. Though the video did not cover the whole scene, it caught the part where the student, known to be Paula Jaime Salvosa, was confronting the lady bag which she says was rude to her.

The video was uploaded in facebook and was shared thousands to times. The hashtag #AMALAYER still trends twitter in the Philippines and also worldwide. Like other internet stars of this year like the one who assulted the MMDA officer and Sen. Sotto and his "highest form of flattery", they got a lash from angry, sympathetic, and parody-loving netizens. And as of this writing, it is still trending.

Just coming from the advanced screening of Breaking Dawn, which I think would have trended, was overshadowed by the hot issue of the #Amalayer Girl. If one would look at the video, it was more of Paula's ranting in front of the lady guard. With the quotable AMALAYER (I'm a liar) part which made it into the trending topics. Some of the quotes also got are ("may pinag aralan ako, i'm returning the favor")

As most of us do not tolerate these kind of behavior against a fellow Filipino, it would really spark a hate sentiment all over the net. Knowing that there are millions who owe their lives to workers like the security guard. Let's say that the guard did made also a mistake with an unfriendly and rude, it would have been in favor if she did not fight back with attention grabbing reaction, and indeed with her english background makes her a target of grammar nazis. And the reactions goes as fast as having hate and parody pages and even a fake twitter which many though was really her and made haters hating her more.

First for the uploader, yes it was something fast yet lifechaning moment that was posted however, I hope that you first forsee the consequences for both parties of the viral video. To the lady guard, that it may also be a wake up call that even it may be a routine job, one false move could snap on a very rowdy customer, and also keep calm at all times. And finally to Paula, is to takes this as a serious life lesson, first is public exhibition of anger is never a good idea. If one was wrong against you, you have the option to shrug it off or try  filing a formal complaint (tough not be practical, but  really addresses the issue better. And finally, when you see someone filming you, stop.

That is my dalawang piso, take it or leave it. .

Back The Drawing/Writing Board.

In the past year, many things happened which is also the same this year. Five years ago, I am a student. Today I am still and student, but graduating (hopefully this March). Changes, it happens fast, it happens slow. And though you may stop on things, which you think ends permanently but blooms again for a new season. 

It seems that I do need to get back in writing my thoughts to help me in my work and also in my studies. I loved to voice out my feelings and put them on a something permanent. So I can look back whenever I get out of the way, when things don't go my way, when I declare today is the end of the world. It's indeed an exercise for the mind, for the imagination that wants to be heard, for ideas needed to be recorded and executed. Maybe I would write something epic, maybe I'll write something that will create a revolution. 

looking back to assess my life again, it is still a big mess, financially unstable, slightly overweight, zero love life, far from my family. How low can I go? But I need to think and act, to make up all the things that I left unnoticed. That I have a lot of blessings and talents that the Lord gave me. 

In the Gospel yesterday, Elijah told the widow that her flour and oil will never dry out, and indeed it was overflowing. It was more than enough for her and her child. I then realized that, hey I do need to see that my jar is not emtpy, I just need to trust in what I have and I will be provided with all that I need. I also remembered the movie Suckerpunch, not just because of the characters, but the life lesson that it thought me. I have all of my weapons, now fight!

Now back to blogging, writing the novel/s and drawing. It's time for a reset.

Chris, Ang Aswang na Vegetarian.

Salad and soup, yan ang tanghalian ko ngayon at sa maniwala kayo o hindi, nabubusog ako dito. Isa nga akong Vegetarian, pero hindi yung basta basta, lacto-vegan ako. Hindi ako kumakain ng anumang uri ng karne pero umiinom naman ako ng gatas at kumakain ng dairy products tulad ng cheese.  Tatlong taon na akong vegetarian, masaklap ang tingin ng iba sa kalagayan ko kasi hindi ako nakakatikim ng masasarap na protina tulad ng baka o baboy. Pero malaki din ang naitulong nito sa akin upang matangal ang taba sa aking katawan. Kaunting tiyaga pa sa gym at lalabas na ang abs  ko.

Hindi ko naman binigla ang pagpalit ng pagnanais sa magulay na  buhay. Unti unti naman ang transistion hanggang nakasanayan ko na ito matapos ang ilang buwan. At dahil sa mas matipunong kisig ko, mas naging confident ako na lumapit sa mga babae. Dati parang miso ako, ulo lang ang gusto nila, pero ngayon mapagmamalaki ko na pwede na akong ihanay sa mga hunks sa TV at movie. Siguro dahil sa mga pagbabagong ito, mas madali rin akong makapagsagot (at makahulog ng panty) ng babae.

Kaso may kakaibang side effect ang shift nito sa lifestyle ko. Mas naging malibog ako at mas kinky. Madalas kaming makipagsex sa  anumang lugar na madapuan namin, syempre basta hindi mahuli (pero minsan exciting yun). Parang sumanib ata sa akin si Christian Grey na sinasabi ng syota kong si Chelle sa 50 Shades of Grey na libro na tinapos niya yung tatlong libro sa loob ng isang linggo at nakailang ulit pa. Hindi ko kilala yung mga characters dun pero, malamang gwapo at magandang katawan nun tulad ko. Pero wala na akong pakialam dun, basta maligaya kaming magbigay ng aliw sa isa't isa. Ang masaya pa, mahilig din pala siya, game kahit saan, kaya bagay kami.

Mahilig akong magekperimento ng iba't ibang bagay para mapasarap ang seks. Mula sa mga posisyon, mga "props" at estillo ng romansa sinusubukan namin. Minsan nga, nasubukan namin sa fire exit kaso hindi namin alam kung paano natrigger yung alam kaya muntik na kaming mabuko dahil sa kalibugan namin dalawa.

Pero sa totoo lang, kapag wala siya sa mood o nasa malayong lugar, hindi ko talagang mapigilan ang sarili ko. Nagba-bar ako, umiikot kung saan saan para makipagkita sa mga kaibigan o magagandang chicks para makasama hangang mai-kama. Pampatangal init, ika nga. Pero mas mahal ko pa rin syota ko. Peksman.

Siguro dahil din sa kinakain ko, kulang ata ako sa asim, kaya madalas kong gumamit ng dila sa panroromansa. Parang cake at icing lang gusto kong dilaan yung pawising lugar ng katawan. Kadiri man isipin, pero hindi ko na yun naiisip basta maugunan lang yung craving ko. Madalas ko ring dilaan ang aking ngipin, para kapain kung anuman ang kumapit dito. Sabi nga ni Chelle, parang nagbabagong anyo ako kapag nasa kama na ako. Angressive at dominant daw ako lagi, pero gustong gusto niya yun.

Minsan sinusupresa ko siya kapag napadaan siya sa bahay, dahil sa condo madalas nakahubad lang akong pagala gala sa bahay. Sasalubungin ko siya ng hubo't hubad o kaya pagpasok niya ay huhubaran ko siya agad. Pero matapos ng ilang ulit, hindi na siya nagugulat, laos na agad style ko.

Hindi na siguro ako magkakaanak dahil nagpavasectomy na ako pero may semilya akong nakatago sa isang sperm bank. Para iwas disgrasya at kung gusto ko man ng anak may nakatago lang na reserba. Sa totoo lang, ayaw ko talaga na magka-anak.

Dumating si Chelle sa condo sa paboritong suotin niyang naka shorts at shirt. Nakaka-turn on yun sa akin. At tulad ng dati sinupresa ko siya ng malalim na halik sabay paghuhbad sa kanyang suot. Medyo pakipot pa siya sa pagsabi ng "Hon, wag muna..."

Dahil agresibo ako sa unang move, napapaungol na lang siya kahit nagpapapigil. Pero hindi ako magpapadala. Mabilis ko siyang naitulak pahiga sa kama. Mabilis ko agad nahubaran ang kanyang shorts at kaharap ang kanyang panty. Parang cookie monster akong inatake upang sakupin ang bataan niya.

"Hon...ugh... wag...Bahala ka...ooh" 

Yun ang sa tingin ko narinig ko na galing sa kanya bukod sa ungol. Parang tiktik ang dila ko para magtrabaho, para maghanap ng dugo...

DUGO.

Lasa ng dugo, malagkit sa dila, hindi dahil sa basa na siya. Napatigil ako upang hugtin ang dila ko. Oo, dugo nga...

"Tang ina, ano ito?" sabi ko sa sarili ko. Parang ayaw kong makapaniwala. Nanginginig ako, bumubilis yung paghinga ko. 

Dugo.

"Hahaha! kadiri yang mukha mo" sabi ni Chelle, "Yan kasi ang libog mo! Kaninin mo Mens ko!"

Dugo.

Biglang may bumalik sa akin. Mga mabibilis na alaala, puno rin ito ng dugo...mga lamang loob... ang tumitibok na puso. 

Puso.

Bumibilis lalo ang takbo ng pintig ng puso ko, ito ang kinakatakot ko. Hindi ko na ito makontrol, hinahabol ko na rin yung hininga ko. Nalagay ko ang aking kamay sa bibig na puno pa rin ng dugo. Kumapit ito sa kamay ko, at pinagmasdan ko ito ng dahan dahan. 

Patay.

Hindi na ako ulit vegetarian, nadampian na ng dugo ang bunganga at dila ko. Ang alala ni Tatay ang una kong naramdaman ng ako ay nasa kama din, duguan dahil sa sakit at mahinang mahina. Wala na si Nanay at ang mga kapatid ko, kaming dalawa na lang at ako naman ay nasa pintuan na ni Kamatayan.

Naala ko ang huling sulyap kay Tatay na mahinang mahina at hindi marinig yung sinasabi niya. At napapikit na lang ako nun. Lalong inanapoy ng lagnat  at nagsimulang nangisay hanggang mawalan ako ng malay. Nagising na lang ako sa isang malayong bukid hubo't hubad at puno ng dugo ang bibig at kamay. At ang nasa kamay ko ang isang puso, pusong natuyo at kinagatan. 

Mabilis akong nakabangon, wala na akong sakit. Pero wala na rin ang pamilya ko. Malayo na rin ang narating ko at nakaipon na ako ng malaki. Pinilit kong magbago, kaya nga ako nag vegetarian, kaya ko binubuhos sa seks ang agressiveness ko, kaso may dugo.

Isinubo ko ang mga darili ko na may dugo at sinipsip ito. Matagal ko na itong hindi natitikman. Masarap pa rin...pinakamasarap pa rin. Kaso tinalikuran ko na itong matagal na...

Pandidiri at Takot na ang nakikita ko kay Chelle. Umiiyak na siya, gusto niyang sumigaw kaso hindi ito lumalabas sa kanyang bibig. Hindi na libog ang umiiral sa katawan ko, gutom na ako...

(story by FPJ Jr., bawal i-sottocopy, all rights reserved 2012)

Dear Free Netizens...

I came from the future, 2 ███. [ᴄᴏᴍᴍᴇɴᴛ ʙʟᴏᴄᴋᴇᴅ.] (ʀᴀ ɴᴏ. 10175) in fact. I came here at this timeline to  change the future, a very horrible future. Where those in power cannot be touched, though cloaked in public service and good intentions, still gets away with a lot of corruption and power struggle. The internet is controlled by the government, no advertisements, no blogs, no social media. Rather they use it to provide information to its agencies. Use the high speed connections for control robots and instruct "internet bulldogs" to catch "internet vandalizers" which many people do today, but not in the future.

From the start of the "Sot ████████████. [ᴄᴏᴍᴍᴇɴᴛ ʙʟᴏᴄᴋᴇᴅ.] (ʀᴀ ɴᴏ. 10175) Law" has been passed, it was meant to help the victims of internet related crimes like child pornography and cybersex, but hidden in the law are amendments that punish people with jail time and fines which has a big loophole that can be abused. We regret not making  a stand and fight for this, we were pacified with promises of the law never to be used against innocent citizens. But after some time, we saw many of my friends disappearing one by one. Not just logged out but also missing or found in jail. Many became outraged, many went out on the streets. The people also become more furious online, hacking and defacing government websites. 

The government, made up of mostly computer-illiterate people, said that these act is rebellion against the state. First  there was news blackout in all media especially online. Other nations tried to interfere, but the government assured that they have everything in control. All news against the government is taken down and replaced with praises. It was like North Korea. Democracy became dictatorship gradually, and even Martial Law needed to be passed with both lower and upper house, it was approved so fast without appropriate deliberation. 

Yes, Martial Law cloaked in the new name called ████████████. [ᴄᴏᴍᴍᴇɴᴛ ʙʟᴏᴄᴋᴇᴅ.] (ʀᴀ ɴᴏ. 10175). It used a large part of the budget to build arms against the "rebels", control cyberspace totally, and also acquire some companies mostly utilities and media. The UN tried to interefere, but again it failed, the government got support from  ████████████. [ᴄᴏᴍᴍᴇɴᴛ ʙʟᴏᴄᴋᴇᴅ.] (ʀᴀ ɴᴏ. 10175) and ████████████. [ᴄᴏᴍᴍᴇɴᴛ ʙʟᴏᴄᴋᴇᴅ.] (ʀᴀ ɴᴏ. 10175). And though with a strong economy, it begun to decrease, but they said it is still growing (in the pockets). People became scared to go out of the streets and even online, suicide rates gone up, inflation goes up also. 

People who support internet freedom are then sentenced to life imprisonment, while corruption and murder suspects roam free. Its scares me and makes me shiver and cry while writing this, its was some time again to write in the free. Your generation is very fortunate to the pioneers of the internet. Make sure that you protect it for your children and the next generations like me. Make the internet an avenue to help people, to promote humanitarian, environmental and heritage advocacy. The ones you left us, became ruins. They did not see the power of the people and the internet combined.

Please save us from the chaotic future,

████████████. [ᴄᴏᴍᴍᴇɴᴛ ʙʟᴏᴄᴋᴇᴅ.] (ʀᴀ ɴᴏ. 10175)

[This post has been Sottocopy protected]



(by Florencio Jusay jr, a netizen, blogger, and Filipino)

2012 Samsung Cheerdance Competition

Another year of the most watched event of the UAAP! Here is my take on the recetly concluded UAAP Cheerdance Competition!

Congrats UP! yan ang unibersidad na matatalino at athletic pa! Magkaka monorail pa! Naalaala ko si Kuya Manix, napagkamalan ko na lahat lalaki. LOLZ. And no, rumors ang balita na dinonate ang buhok nila for cancer kids, but their dance gives more motivation for them to survive better than wigs. Ang theme lang nila ang unique at napakalalim ang interpretation less the props but more of broccoli. 

Kayo na!

FEU yes! pinaka fierce as always, the best squad that works well with props (like the boogie wonderland theme few years ago) Ano ba ang nakain niyo at napakabibo niyong mga bata?

Congrats NU, hayaan niyo ang haters, first time ever niyong makapasok sa 3rd place. Looking at your great improvement this year, made me impressed. Napagkamalan ko pa kayo na ADMU, kaya. Although you are still really far to be champions... 

UST, sorry I was not impressed this year. NANGYARE TEH?!

UE, coach niyo pala ang CCP, anyare lang sa theme? 

ADMU - always liked their costumes, kaso hindi ba medyo recurring na ang anime theme noh?

AdU- Kume KPOP kayo, at ang bukod tanging nag GANGNAM STYLE!

DLSU - Maganda ang boxing theme, kaso nabibigatan ako sa belt niyo. I think it slowed you down. I think you need a breakthrough theme to surprize us.

Hayan po ang aking masasabi sa Cheerdance competition this year. And my guesses were right. Congratulations to the winners and hope to see another exciting event next year! 

Lessons from the G Liner Bus

By Noreen Sy (freshmen from a from prestigious Catholic school in Mendiola, twilight fan, and Juan Directioner forever!)

College life is such a culture shock for me, as I start my first year in a prestigous school located in the city of Manila. It is also my first time to pass by this city, and indeed this is different from where I grew up like Makati and Bonifacio Global City. Back in high school and the early years, I got used with having mom or dad driving me to school or probably once I also experienced "serbis" or school bus (well it does not look like a bus because its just a delivery van with the black and yellow and the name of my school and sometimes "manong" would also include passengers from other schools but its ok). 

After graduating high school, my parents told me that I need to explore the world more. Which I am willing to do since I am coming of age. I should learn to know more about the city more than Bonifacio High Street and Serendra. They told me that experiencing the world by my own will be my best teacher. The experiences I will encounter will be much better than our trips to Disneyland and Universal Studios.

And though on the first week in college which is situated in a street called Mendiola, my dad usually drives me to school but later told me that I have to learn to get home commuting.

Commuting. Its a new experience.

This would be such a enriching lesson to be streetsmart. And one Friday, Dad told me that he won't pick me up so I would learn to commute. He does not worry because he knew I will come home with my friend and neighbor, Federick. He is really cute, he brings me flowers almost everyday for the past months, and he helps me in my chores. He also gives me gifts and listen to my rants in life. He is indeed my Best Friend Forever. Though I wonder why when I told him " You're the best guy friend a woman could ever have and I want to stay this way forever!", he became sad, I guess might have some serious illness which would kill him soon. Please heaven forbid no! He is my Best Friend Forever and ever! 

Fred (short for Frederick) is also taking the same course as I am, and after class we walked the sidewalk which showed me a different and colorful world. There were a lot of people in the street. It looked so lawless as people crossed the street and not on pedestrian lanes.  The sidewalk also revealed to me a street market with fans, bags, street food, and even prayer books calling out the name of  Saint Jude. It was Thursday then, and I was told that there is Novena  at  the Shrine a few hundred meters away from school.

The Mendiola street looks like a warzone with a lot of people, jeepneys, and double parked vehicles. It was chaos in harmony, and it was indeed an eye opener. And as we reached the corner where there was also a ruckus of all kinds of vehicles. And the sea of people swarming over them. Then it started to rain, luckily Fred had an umbrella handy. We shared the shield from the intensifying rain. To make sure I don't get wet, he wrapped his arms around me and whispered "I Love You", then I replied "I Love You too friend, I wish you good health I want us to stay friends until eternity," and he was stung by my statement, I think he knew that I know about his condition.

He then called out a Bus with the name G Liner filled with graffiti on the side. And the bus was already full, but a man came out, which I think was the bus aide, he then shouted "TAYTAY TAYTAY! PASOK NA!" which shocked me at first but when Fred is bringing me closer to the bus, I went with the flow (of people) who was swarming to get inside the already filled bus. I was getting crushed while boarding but still a great friend indeed, Fred held me close so I won't be harmed. 

The bus looked very different from that ones I boarded before. I only rode the bus two times, one in HongKong and the other in New York both for our vacations. This will be my third time but make me excited what is in store for me. I saw a TV playing low quality DVD copies of movies that just recently released, It was Magic Mike. Channing Tatum is my ultimate celeb crush and I  have not seen the movie yet, but I am seeing this now for free!

Even though, the bus is so packed with students, workers, and probably farmers (beacuse of their outfit), a guy offered me his seat by he window which I accepted. It was such chivalry just like Fred would do for me. He is also cute by the way like Fred, I think I may also find love here.  

As the bus moves a centimeter per minute, and the rain gets heavier, I tried to look and observe the people in the bus.  Such diversity I discovered in here, from students, to senior citizens, to farmers, and office workers. I also kept an open ear with the things they are saying.

"Para po."

"Bayad ho."

"Senior."

"Estudyante."

New Language

When I heard these lines, I was amazed. These words were very new to me. Fred said he would take care of the fare. I watched him to observe what will I do in the future, "Sa Sogo po, sa V. Mapa, dalawa, estudyante" he said. The bus conductor gave a smile and Fred then handed the money  to the him and traded with tickets. He had probably hundreds of tickets on his hand like it grew out of his arm. 

The journey was slow, but better than being out of the rain, plus I can also watch Magic Mike with the obscene parts shown without pixelation or censorship which everyone can see even children on the bus. But as more people get into the bus beyond its capacity, I can hardly see a glimpse of the screen, so I just looked out of the window. 

Despite the falling rain, I could see the many sights of Manila City, the wet public with and without umbrellas, the unique architecture that is made from different materials, the endless number of hole-in-the-wall convenience stores and also flood... Oh no!

It was depressing to see the flood waters getting higher, I feel so tired even just sitting for about an hour now. With each scene I see on the street, I had a lot realizations. I felt I attained Nirvana despite my predicament. As the  bus moves slowly, it also becomes less crowded with people getting off the bus wherever they decide, everywhere is a bus stop. At some point, Fred was able to sit beside me telling me that we are near our stop but sadly the cute gentleman also left too, looks like love got off.

It was still a struggle to get off the crowded bus, but still in my nirvana stage, I patiently and carefully tried to get out of the bus. Which made me realize a lot of things in life. Funny that I have learned so much in life by riding a G Liner Bus, it made me realize many things like life is better with a best friend beside you, and also get discounted fare when saying the magic promo code "estudyante".

We got off to what he told the conductor, it was near the Sogo hotel. As we got off, and the bus rolled to its destination, I looked to Fred in the eye and said, "Now, where will we go?". He smiled and taking my hand he led me to the gate with a guard waiting and  said "Good Afternoon, welcome to LRT 2"

Wow! Another adventure, this time by train!

a parody from the inquirer article "Lessons from a Jeepney Ride"

DALAWANG PISO: Sorry Po Blogger LANG...

For this edition of DALAWANG PISO, it came to my attention that in the midst of the heated debate of the very controversial and  RH Bill(To make it clear that I made my stand that I do not approve the bill), a short statement  was made by Senator Tito Sotto. He is against the bill and  also told the story on how he lost his son brought by its consequences. However, there was something wrong in his speech that raised eyebrows especially to the online community.

On the website of The Healthy Home Economist, the article used in his privileged speech regarding about the bill was said to be plagiarized from her post.  Sotto first denied quoting the blogger and said she was quoting Natasha Campbell-McBride. And then also gave a statement of “Bakit ko naman iko-quote ang blogger? Blogger lang iyon. Ang kino-quote ko si Natasha Campbell-McBride." Which sounds really wrong to bloggers like me. Later, Sotto's staff admitted to have used the blog post with a letter sent by Atty Hector Villacorta from the office of Senator Sotto. 

The quote also got reaction from various Filipino Blog communities, one of which is PEBA Inc (Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards). And has been the talk of blogger discussion groups. And so the issue is now spreading via social networking sites. I have also read a number of blogs that, like me, furious about what they think of this predicament as something light and carry on. Cheerio?

Being one of the non-RH Senator, he made his privileged speech at the right place, at the right time but with a wrong piece. As humans, we do understand the pain of the loss of his son which is one of the reason he is against the bill. However, its a sin to tolerate people that an obvious crime of plagiarism was made which is technically intellectual theft. 

For my dalawang piso, it seems that there is something wrong here. I don't question Senator Sotto's stand on the bill or his grief on that heart breaking loss. However the things that are wrong here are:  (1) Plagiarizing an article from a blogger and even denying it (even proven that original content did came from the post), which later on was admitted by his staff. (2) Though understandable that he is not into the blogging community, his small statement " Blogger Lang" is somehow a "rude" way to see their existence. It maybe addressed to a specific blogger but does it mean blogs and bloggers are irrelevant? Also with their letter to Sarah Pope, the author of the blog seems to put the guilt on her rather than to apologize for the damage done. 

I am not calling for heads to roll, but rather an sincere apology letter or statement for this issue only. Plagiarism is a crime, and it is ironic for a lawmaker to break a law  that is a very obvious practice. Dear Senator Sotto I know you may be stressed, but as a citizen of the Philippines, a blogger and a netizen, if you really care about public welfare you would listen to this simple post of what I feel and also of the people online. Don't think that bloggers or online people are something you can exempt from rules that you made to get get out of this needle hole. It's so freaking obvious, and the worse part is it was from someone abroad which makes thing go internationally. I feel now uncomfortable with you and your staff as if you think you also own our souls just because we work and write online. There is still time to redeem yourself dear senator and your staff, definitely my vote is not for you. This is my dalwang piso, it's time to make it... or break it...

DALWANG PISO: RHetoric Monologue

Kung may anti RH at pro RH, meron din namang dedma RH. 

Before making a stand, better know the law is about, mahirap na ang makisama sa bandwagon ng pro at anti dahil uso ito. Ang tanong ay nabigyan ba ng publiko ng tamang impormasyon ukol sa batas? I personally don't have a firm stand because like a thesis, this bill should be properly studied. As many RH supporters point out overpopulation is the reason why the bill is needed, our population as a country has been concentrated in cities like Manila, which is now the most densely populated city in the world, while in the provinces well there is land and resources but no infrastructure and capital. While most Anti-RH supporters, mostly from the Catholic church and religious organizations on the other hand point that the bill would be promoting sex without the guilt.

Although many supporters of the bill says that aside from reducing unwanted pregnancies, it would also help reduce mothers who die because of pregnancy complications. On the other hand, Anti-RH says that the bill would be impractical because of giving a large budget for contraceptives rather than using to money to create jobs and education.

For this moment, lets exclude our personal beliefs and political motives, so we can focus on the essence of this controversial (and overexposed) bill.

For my Dalawang Piso, like any other bill there are pros and cons that the proposal would create, but they would always have the objective that will benefit the country and its citizens. Actually we should look at healthcare which is the common denominator of this bill. Access to general healthcare has always been scarce in the country especially to poor provinces.

Well contraceptives of many kinds has been available for so long but some are considered "pricey" to the poor which are the ones who have big numbers of children. But the RH bill won't make a miracle of reducing the population overnight, though it would slow down annual population growth. The price of the bill seems to high that some can be allocated to other priorities that poor people need.

It's kind of ironic that mostly both anti and pro RH that are not the direct benefactors of the bill (like priests, celebrities, government officials, legislators, online personalities), are the ones making a great debates and intellectual insights of the boon and bane of the bill while it is seldom or rare to hear opinions and even the idea of the bill from the mothers, fathers and poor families.  And in the end, if the bill is passed or not, the choice would still be with the individual person. Give them a condom, will they use it or not?

Whatever your stand may be, just make sure that you have read the bill first. And also there are also a lot of things we can do today that can make a difference than focusing all our resources on our anti or pro RH campaigns. This is my dalawang piso, take it or leave it.

DALAWANG PISO: PNoy SONA 3

Ah! After a long hiatus from a lot of business and school I came back to write at my personal blog space where I can voice my opinions freely. Well for this edition, I mean this post, I came to write about the State of the Nation Address. A tradition that I have done in the past administration, but stopped at 2010 for unknown reasons. For this SONA tomorrow, I think it will contain:

Call Us Maybe?

Here is another take for the the Okra Soup tour online hope-to-be-viral music videos still featuring fellow bloggers. The more the merrier, right? Hey! I want to tell you, that this is crazy, and here's our video, so share us maybe?

Enjoy!

TRENDING WORLDWIDE:#HappyBirthdayFPJ

Not yet, but as I know that with you, my friends and family, this can be possible. So I appeal to your hearts and twitter account to make April 30 a special day for me, lets all make #HappyBirthdayFPJ trend in twitter.  It might be impossible for an individual like me who is not a celebrity to make it to the most discussed over the net, but who knows, I like to dream big and there were so many things that actually came true beyond my expectations. 

For my 25th birthday, this is a very special day as I enter into the quarter life crisis (which is the thematic slogan of the celebration), I do wanted some things to happen, so I came up with this wishlist:

DALAWANG PISO: The Stoning of the Cross Posers

do you want nails with that?

The world of the web is both nice and mostly harsh and sometimes with our daily actions that we think we can get away with it may not would be as expected. Especially this last holy week when a lot of people flew to their respective provinces or probably vacation spots especially this very long weekend.

And with most of us being busy roaming the cities and towns for Visita Iglesia, other prefer to soak up in the beaches and pools (well probably they would not be Catholics, or not really into the penitence thing). Others do both, which I also do sometimes. Because Lent is a season of solemnity, reflection and transformation (for the better), and also a time to limited TV programming, facebook notifications dropped because of less viewers and internet use.

And another viral photo became the talk of the town with several shots of people posing at the cross used in after a senakulo. The tourists then went to the cross which have a peg to stand on and made poses on it as if they were an interactive pose-on-the-cross moments. Well others feel that a jump shot is cooler.

As Easter arrived, and many went back in online has seen these pictures and became viral. Last night it was featured in the national TV news. Again, the power of social media shows its influence and most likely, the ones in the photos have seen the consequences of what they have done. And add to that the thousands of criticisms that they got from facebook and other sites.