A Day (or Two) in the Life of a Newly-Registered Voter

Maaga akong gumising at nag-gayak.  Kung tutuusin, hindi naman masyadong importante ang araw para paghandaan.  Ang naka-ugalian na alas sais na pagtayo upang buksan ang water heater, ang jetmatic, at patayin ang ilaw sa bodega ay mas napaaga pa.  Pinilit kong gumising ng alas singko, isang oras pa bago sa itinakdang normal na oras ng pag-alarm ng cell phone dahil binigyan ako ng payo ng isang kaibigan.

“pre, dapat mas maaga ka pa sa alas syete kung magpapa-rehistro ka.”

At dahil masunurin naman ako sa mga mababait kong kaibigan, maaga akong umalis ng bahay.  Ginising ko lang ang anak ko upang sabihan na kailangan niyang maghandang mag-isa dahil may importante akong lalakarin.  Hindi ko na kailangan pang ipaliwananag na ang gagawin ko ay mahalaga para sa kapakanan ng inang bayan.  Marahil ay hindi pa niya lubusang naiintindihan kung bakit alas sais pa lang eh palabas na ako ng bahay.

Nakasakay agad ako ng traysikel, at pagdating sa kanto ay hindi rin nahirapan mag abang ng jeep.  Mabilis din ang byahe dahil siguro wala pang masyadong pasahero, yung iba nga pupungas pungas pa.  Meron pa ngang naka-idlip sa unahan ng jeep, dun sa may tabi ng drayber.  At pagdating ko sa munisipyo, mali ang sinabi ng kaibigan ko.  Dapat pala mas maaga pa sa alas sais ang punta ko.  Punyeta!  Ang haba na ng pila, tapos dalawa pa!  Pero imbes na panghinaan ng loob, pinilit aliwin ang sarili upang hindi ma-distract at magdalawang-isip na magparehistro. 

Nagtanong ako sa mga nakapila, ayos naman at medyo malinaw ang sistema ng pagrehistro dito sa amin.  May dalawang pila silang ipinairal.  Yung isang pila ay bibigyan ng number para sa query/validation at pagbibigay ng kaukulang form.  Pagka-validate ng pangalan mo at nabigyan ka na ng kaukulang form, pipila ka naman dun sa ikalawang pila at kukuha ng numero para sa tinatawag nilang biometrics, submission ng form, picture taking, fingerprint scanning, autograph signing este signature sample pala, at ang pag designate ng voting precint.  May sistema naman pala ang Comelec kahit papano.

Maaga akong dumating sa munisipyo pero sa maniwala kayo at sa hinde, pang singkuwenta ako sa pila.  Kung dun siguro ako natulog sa harap malamang una ako.  At yung numero ko eh para lang sa query yun.  Pero mabuti na rin yun, kasi nung nagbukas na ang opisina ng Comelec, 300 lang ang nakalaan na form para sa araw na yun dahil 300 ang tantya nilang mapo-prosesong dokumento sa buong araw. 

Pero minsan kahit anong ganda ng sistema ito ay pumapalpak din.  Sinabihan kami na makakakuha lang daw kami ng form ngayong araw at kinabukasan na lang daw kami kailangang bumalik upang ma proseso ang biometrics (BIOMATRIX ang nakasulat sa sign lols, pinagsamang BIOMAN at NEO ANDERSON).  Katwiran ng mga namamalakad eh dahil sa dami ng backlog sa biometrics, yung mga hindi na process ng mga nakaraang araw ay nakapila sa ngayong araw, hindi kakayanin ma process lahat kaya wala kaming magagawa kundi umuwi pagkakuha ng form at makipagsapalaran na lang ulit kinabukasan.  Umugong tuloy ang mga usap-usapang dahil meron inihatid na isang trak na mga botante upang iparehistro noong mga nakaraang araw kaya may backlog sa processing ng mga forms.  Ang masama pa dun hindi raw pinapila ang mga nasa trak at idineretso na raw ito sa loob.  Pagkakuha ng form mga bandang alas onse, umuwi na lang ako at doon sa bahay nag fill up ng form.

Kinabukasan, same drama pa rin.  Gumising ng alas singko, umalis ng alas sais, at dumating sa munisipyo na may mahaba nang pila.  Isa pa uling tumatanginting na punyeta dahil nung makuha ko ang number, pang 115 na ako!  Tinanghali na pala ako nung lagay na yun.  Ang kagandahan lang sa sistemang ipinairal nila, mahirap makasingit kasi limitado lang ang numero, hanggang 300 lang gaya ng nasabi ko kanina, at magkaiba ang numero ng kahapon ang ngayong araw.  Mahirap sumingit ang nagbabalak sumingit kasi kahit magpanggap kang may numero, yung form mo may numero rin tapos may pirma pa kaya dalawa ang numero mo para alam yung mga sumingit at may lehitimong numero sa pila.

Ang nagpapatagal lang sa pag proseso ay dahil 2 lang ang computer na gamit ng Comelec laban sa libo-libong nagpaparehistro.  Kung nung 1997 wala pang isang oras rehistrado na ako sa barangay hall, ngayon lahat ay sa comelec office lang magpapa rehistro.  Isipin mo na lang na lahat ng nakatira sa isang third class municipality eh ganyan na kahaba ang pila, papano na yung nasa siyudad? 

Natapos ang pag proseso ng dokumento ko mga banding alas dos.  Tiniis ang pagod, pasensya, at inip para lang sa karapatang bumoto.  Hindi na masama, lalo na sa mga katulad kong naghahangad ng pagbabago at pag-alis ng mga bulok na sistemang ipinaiiral ng mga kasalukuyang namumuno sa atin.  May mga nakilala rin bagong kaibigan, kasi kelangan kang makipagkilala para i-save yung pwesto mo sa pila kung sakali na magutom ka o mag CR ka.  Nakakalibang din naman yung mga kwentuhan at pagpapa cute sa mga nag-gagandahang dilag na malapit sa aming pila.

Nakakapagod man, panatag na ang loob ko na makakaboto na ako at magagamit ko ang kapangyarihan ng aking pagpili upang makamit ang inaasam kong pagbabago.  Hindi ko sinisisi ang sarili ko dahil late na ako nagparehistro.  Pwede ko naman sabihin na ito lang ang ibinigay sa akin na pagkakataon.  Sa totoo lang kaya kong magpa rehistro sa at least 4 na lugar dito sa Pilipinas.  Hinintay ko lang ang pinakahuling option ko.  At kahit mahaba ang pila, handa akong magtiis, kahit na isang beses lang tuwing 3 taon nagmamakaawa ang mga pulitiko sa mga ordinaryong taong katulad ko.  Kahit na pagkatapos ng eleksyon ay alipin tayo ng mga buwitreng namumuno sa atin sa loob ng 3 taon hanggang sa dumating ang susunod na eleksyon ay gagamitin ko ang kapangyarihang ipinagkaloob sa akin ng batas para sa kinabukasan ng bayan.  Naalala ko tuloy yung isang babae na sa sobrang inis sa nakitang pila ay umalis na lang bigla at nagsambit ng mga katagang… “Wala nang pag-asa ang Pilipinas!”  Ang masasabi ko lang sa kanya ay ganito: “Ineng, mali ka dyan… hanggang maraming nakapila dito, may pagasa pa ang bansa.  Ang sarili mo siguro wala nang pagasa pero kaming nagtitiis upang makaboto at mapalitan ang umiiral na sistemang bulok para sa kapakanan ng susunod na henerasyon, hindi mawawalan ng pagasa.” 

Where there is hope, there is pagasa.  Where there is pagasa, there is a typhoon!

Napa-praning na naman ako nyan… excited lang ako kasi makakaboto na ako sa darating na eleksyon!

ang dambuhalang Dam...

Sa mga hindi nakaka-alam, ang San Roque Dam ang pinakamalaking dam sa buong Pilipinas at Timog-Silangang Asya, ikalawa sa buong Asya at pang ikalabing-dalawa sa buong mundo, ito ay ayon sa mga factual na impormasyon.

Inaprubahan ang pagpapagawa ng dam noong panahon ng termino ni Pangulong Fidel V. Ramos at itinuring itong isa sa pinakamahal na proyekto noon.  Ang magiging pakinabang daw nito bukod sa patuloy na supply ng kuryente ay ang pagre-regulate ng tubig sa irrigation system papunta sa mga malawak na sakahan sa Pangasinan at ang pagpigil ng tubig baha na rumaragasa sa ilog ng Agno tuwing panahon ng malalakas na bagyo at ulan.

Mula sa panukalang Build-Operate-Transfer scheme na kadalasang proposal sa mga infrastructure projects dito sa Pilipinas upang mabawasan ang gastos ng pamahalaan, inumpisahan ang paggawa ng dam noong 1998, at natapos noong 2003.

Bumaba kaya ng singil sa kuryente ng Napocor dahil merong karagdagang imprastraktura na magpapabuti ng kalagayan ng sector ng elektrisidad ng bansa?

Hindi, dahil hanggang ngayon ang Pilipinas pa rin ang isa sa may pinakamataas na singil sa serbisyo ng kuryente, mas mataas pa nga tayo sa ibang mauunlad na bansa kung tutusin.

Umunlad ba ang mga pamamaraan ng mga magsasaka ukol sa pagkakaroon ng maganda at masaganang ani sa kanilang mga bukid?

Hindi, dahil hanggang ngayon ang pangunahin pa rin nating solusyon sa kakulangan ng supply ng pagkain ay ang pag-import ng mga gulay at bigas sa mga karagtig bansa habang ang mga lupang sakahan ay ibinibenta at iginagawad sa mga ganid na kapitalista na ginagawa itong Mall o kaya sa mga pulitikong kunyari nag SIPAG at nagTIYAGA at ginagawa naman itong SUBSTANDARD LOW COST SUBDIVISION.

Napigilan ba ang pagbaha sa Pangasinan? 

Kayo na siguro ang makakahusga nitong mga nakaraang mga araw kung ano talaga ang naging epekto ng isang makabagong proyekto sa ngalan ng pekeng kaunlaran.  Sino ba talaga ang umunlad?  Ang mamamayan o ang mga nakaupo sa kanilang de-aircon na opisina na walang alam o marahil walang pakialam sa tamang pagpapatakbo ng isang sensitibo at higanteng makinaryang makakapagdulot ng malaking kita at pera o trahedya?

Para sa mga nasa likod ng pamunuan ng San Roque Dam sa Pangasinan, ito lang ang tanging masasabi ko sa inyo:

DAM YOU!

CHE - A Revolutionary Life

Forty-two years ago today, Ernesto “Che” Guevara was shot in the village of La Higuera in the mountains of Bolivia after he was caught by the Bolivian government and the CIA.  To those people who have no idea of Che and yet continuously wear that famous portrait of his face in their fashionable shirt, allow me to share some insights on the man they called “the True Revolutionary”.

This is not another boring-to-death lesson like what we had imagine our history class was during our schooldays.  Instead, this is an independent review of sorts of the biographical film, which has received critical acclaim since it was presented in 2008 Cannes Film Festival.

The film, directed by Steven Soderbergh, was produced by Laura Bickford and its lead star Benicio Del Toro, who portrayed the revolutionary leader himself.  The biopic depicts Che’s revolutionary involvement in the successful Cuban Revolution until his tragic assassination in Bolivia.  This was supposed to be a single 5-hour film highlighting his exploits within both Latin American revolutions, plus some partial interviews and his speech at the United Nations.  Instead, it was split into two parts.

PART 1 – The Argentine

The first part of the movie depicted Che’s involvement in the Cuban Revolution.  From the famous dinner/meeting with Fidel Castro in Mexico, to that journey in that overloaded (almost like in terms of ratio but not as tragic as MV Doña Paz) boat Granma, to the mountains of Sierra Maestra were Fidel, Raul, and the Cubans discovered his ruthlessness as well as his intelligence.  It showed how an outsider like him were able to instill discipline and single-mindedness to a person who is in the forefront of a revolution, his health struggles, the racial barrier (he was often called Argentine instead of comrade), as well as the compassionate traits this doctor had that the Cuban common people had learned to loved throughout the years.  Part 1 also highlighted some of the revolution's key points, including the Battle of Santa Clara which turned the tide in favor of Castro and Che.  It also depicted one of his dark sides, where he executed one revolutionary for committing a very heinous crime to the Cuban people that has always supported them throughout war against US-backed Cuban president Fulgencio Batista.  The film ends as Che leads the revolutionaries to Havana to meet Fidel Castro and the thousands of Cuban supporters that ended Batista’s dictatorship.

One unforgettable highlight of the film is near the end where one of his comrades shouted something like they can go home now since they already won the revolution.  Che answered back with words like "we only won the war, the revolution starts now".  Watch out also his speech at the U.N. where the words “Patria o muerte!(Homeland or death)” were exclaimed.

PART 2 – The Guerilla

After the success of the Cuban Revolution and the Cuban were slowly reaping the benefits of the government that Fidel Castro has dreamed of for the Cuban citizens, Che disappears from Cuba and re-emerges in the mountains of Bolivia to start his dream of a Latin American revolution.  Hiding within the mountains with assumed names together with some Cuban comrades and some Bolivian recruits, he tried to enlist the people of Bolivia to the revolution but was unsuccessful enough for the Bolivians were not very much cooperative to the revolution unlike the Cuban people.  Due to the lack of arms, funds, medicines, and support from the poor Bolivian that he wants to emancipate, he was captured at the Yuro ravine when his troops encountered the Bolivian army.  He was later brought to the nearby village of La Higuera, and was shortly executed and his body mockingly displayed.

Part 2 tells of the sacrifices, idealism, Che’s unparalleled guerilla warfare experience, as well as the failures which brought him to his untimely death.  

Throughout the whole film, it is believed that Steven Soderbergh and the producers, including Del Toro, would help us come to understand how and why Che remains a symbol idealism and heroism, that lives in the hearts of the people around the world, and as well as a murderer in the eyes of those spiteful and with limited understanding to all idealists and sees them as a threat to worldwide capitalism.

Overall, the movie promises a very good account from historical facts that happened during those tumultuous times, including superb production of re-enactment of historical events.  Personally, I love the country side shots that were reminiscent of the Cuban revolution more than 50 years ago.  The natural lighting that was most used on the film depicted the environment was good, including the simplest and the complicated scenarios expected in the any jungle warfare.  The Spanish setting of the towns, buildings, roads, and even the train was superb and had complimented the film's depiction of Che and his comrades.  Del Toro's acting and make-up was excellent that sometimes it is even hard to differentiate the actor from the real Che Guevara.

To every idealist, this movie is a must-see and a must collect, along with another Che Guevara biopic, The Motorcycle Diaries which starred Gael Garcia Bernal.   To every fashion victim who wears the Che shirt proudly, this movie will help you learn information on who is that famous guy on your shirt.  This film maybe boring in terms of Hollywood Blockbuster Standards, but most history books are somewhat dictated by whoever dictates their country’s economy.  Expect the critics to criticize the movie as bad as they can, since the movie followed the historical facts and not those overblown blood and action-hungry scripts moviegoers would love to see.

As Che had said during his final moments that he is only a man and the revolution shall not die with him, I agree that this film will relieve the revolution as the world should have seen it sans the prejudicial violence and racial slurs, and the idealism that Che has imparted will forever inspire those who want a better world to live.

Viva El Comandante! Viva Revolucion!

Please... not another Kabalen in Malacañang...

Gearing up for 2010 presidential elections as of right now are cousins, Secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro and Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.  If luck would go along with one of the two, there will be another Kapampangan president within the span of 30 years.  A historical record in a sort of way, but somehow a miserable failure in terms of governance.  Whenever we have a Kapampangan in Malacañang, the country has almost knocked itself in the brink of economic meltdown and political instability.  And if we look into our history, there has been a Kapampangan that has shaped the history of this nation, for better or for worse.

THE POOR MAN FROM LUBAO AND THE DAUGHTER

I cannot believe that Diosdado Macapagal is hailed as the poor man from Lubao, while their ancestor, the first Macapagal, is a datu from Arayat and a relative of Lakandula.  He betrayed his own people at the Spanish revolt and was rewarded a license to steal, cheat, and plunder (encomienda).  It could have been a conflict in interest to say that the heir to the Maestre Campo General of Candaba, Arayat and Apalit region during the Spanish era would be a poor man by the time the Spanish relinquishes possession of the Philippines to the Imperialist of the modern century.  He also floated the Philippine currency to the wishes of his “influencial advisers” which has contributed to the gradual economic disaster starting from his term.  It is not possible for a developing country to float its local monetary unit and maintain the stability in the rate of exchange for its currency in the exchange market.  He also tricked the people by announcing not to run for presidency for a second term, and reneged on his promise.  

Sounds familiar?  Yes, because this scenario was repeated in 2004 elections by Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, twice stealing the presidency from the mandate of the people.  The daughter of the poor man from Lubao first stole the presidency from a semi-stupid, pro-poor president by a coup conspired with all the high ranking officials of the armed forces and the police.  Next, she broke her promise not to run for president, and conspired again with the military in cheating another popular pro-poor icon “winning by 1 million votes” through a telephone call.  The self proclaimed “economist” also promised economic stability by entering into “business agreements” disguised as Memorandum of Agreements and Economic and/or Military Treaties to other countries.  

COUSINS BY BLOOD

Well, the Cojuangcos and the Aquinos are from Tarlac, but historical and geographical facts tell that Tarlac does not have its own regional identity.  The Northern part of the province speaks Ilocano or Pangasinenses while the South part speaks, well, Kapampangan because of it’s proximity to Pampanga.  

I think Teodoro (believed to be the most favored nephew of Danding Cojuangco) may have adopted some negative Kapampangan traits.  This “Harvard graduate” has somehow played a loyal part of Gloria Arroyo and her cohorts in helping the country be the most corrupt government in Asia at the present.  He was believed to be instrumental in turning a blind eye for the interest of the people and has been supporting “influential pro-imperialist advisers and friends”.  Remember, he graduated in Harvard and has studied and learned the American way.  The US government already cannot support GMA since supporting her would be an insult in America’s “Advocacy for Democracy and Freedom”.  Since GMA is ineligible for another presidential term sans Charter Change, the US is believed to be supporting whoever she unanimously anoints as successor to her grand “imperial” ambition, and it would be Teodoro.

About Noynoy, perhaps his only advantage was his mother’s political integrity until her death.  Cory was known to be a symbol for democracy and integrity, and Noynoy plans to follow his mother’s path of righteousness, if elected.  And yet, Hacienda Luisita is in the midst of Agrarian Reform conflict from the Agrarian Reform Law instituted during his mother’s presidency.  Also, let us not forget the thousands of farmers who died in Mendiola.

Whoever wins from the Cojuangco clan will cater to the elite members of the society, and will probably ignore the poor.

RELEVANT OTHERS

Others have helped shaped Philippine history by theirs acts.  Remember the Macabebe spies, who helped American forces capture General Emilio Aguinaldo thereby ending the revolution and a chance for a genuine Philippine Republic after the Spanish era.  Well perhaps, this was payback time for Aguinaldo for his treachery to Bonifacio and the Katipunan.  Earlier historical accounts would have it that Aguinaldo instructed a certain Lazaro Makapagal(surname derivation) to execute Supremo Bonifacio and his brother Procopio.

Perhaps everything was mere coincidences, but still, I am not hoping for another Kapampangan to run this country into bankruptcy.  I believe their contributions have helped shaped our country in some ways, more negative and slightly devastating than we have hopes for.  It is time for us to look beyond their treachery and inconsistent political intricacies in the hope of attaining peace, progress, and development.

So please… I beg you… not another Kapampangan in Malacañang…

Ahedres

Si Rizal ay mahilig maglaro ng chess.  Filipino ang unang Asian Grandmaster sa Chess.  At usapang chess ang napipinto nating talakayin ngayon.

 

Maraming naghihikayat kay Noynoy na tumakbo bilang presidente sa 2010, kabilang dito ang mga alagad ni Gloria na gusto lamang guluhin ang Partido Liberal.  Chess move.  Si Lito Atienza nag-iingay na siya raw ang dapat sa LP.  Chess move.  Nagdesisyon si Mar Roxas na suportahan na lang si Noynoy para maging stand bearer ng Liberal party.  Chess move.  Hinihintay ngayon ang desisyon ni Noynoy ukol sa pagtakbo sa 2010.  Awaiting chess move.  Kung sakali man tumakbo si Noynoy, labanan ng magpinsan ang lalabas, si Noynoy sa LP at si Gilbert Teodoro sa Lakas-Kampi.  Stalemate.  Kahit papano, nag backfire ang istratehiya ng mga demonyo sa Malakanyang.  Stalemate!

 

Sa ibang dako naman, si Japeth Aguilar ay nagdesisyon na mag backout sa PBA.  Chess move.  Masama ang loob ng Burger King upang balakin nitong i-propose ang lifetime ban kay Japeth.  Chess move.  Balak mag miting ang Board of Governors upang talakayin ang posibleng commitment ulit ng PBA sa FIBA.  Chess move.  Ang desisyon ni Japeth na maglaro sa National Team ay tinututulan ng isang kapitalistang gahaman na katulad ni ginoong Lito Alvarez.  Chess move.  Ngunit hindi natitinag ang kagustuhan ni Japeth na maglaro para sa Bayan.  Check mate! Panalo ang bayang Pilipinas…

 

Ngayon, sino ang makakapagsabi na “politics and sports don’t mix”?

Ang pinakamagagandang babae sa balat ng lupa ngayong taon

Dahil sa overhype na nalilikha sa mga constestant ng Pilipinas tuwing sasapit ang Miss Universe pageant, pinagtyagaan kong manood ng live broadcast nito kesa naman manood ako ng labanan ng mga maskuladong nagpapanggap na kalalakihan na karamihan ay naka spandex at felix bakat ang drama - ang Summerslam wrestling.  Mas gusto ko ang ligaya na inihahatid ng mga bakat ng mga swimsuit ng mga constestants sa Miss Universe, kahit alam kong walang binatbat taun-taon ang mga representante ng Pilipinas.


Hindi ko nakasanayan na maniwala sa mga bayarang kolumnista na buong pugay nagbabalita sa mga pahayagan ang malaking tsansa ng ating kinatawan sa tuwing darating ang oras ng patimpalak.  Taon-taon malaki ang pag-asa ng ating kinatawan, taon-taon din hindi naman nakakalusot sa semi-finals.  KANINA, MUNTIK NANG MAKAPASOK SA TOP 15 ANG ATING PAMBATO.  AKALAIN MO UNANG TINAWAG NA PUMASOK SA TOP 15 ANG MISS PUERTO RICO.  MUNTIK NA TAYO DAHIL KATABI LANG NATIN ANG MISS PUERTO RICO SA ALPHABETICAL LISTING NG MGA KALAHOK.


Parehas ng basketbol ang problema natin sa Miss Universe.  Kulang sa height at achievements ang ipinapadala natin.  Hindi naman natin pwedeng sabihin na kung sa utak lang eh may panlaban tayo.  Mga ineng at totoy, hindi naman mga bobo ang constestants ng ibang bansa.  Napapansin ko na halos lahat ng mga pumapasok sa top 15 eh mga achievers na, may mga graduate na sa kolehiyo at nagpapraktis ng kaninang propesyon, mga mga nag aaral pa, at meron ding kilala na sa mundo ng modeling. Wag nating ikumpara ang pagkapanalo ni Gloria Diaz sa bawat taon na gaganapin ang Miss Universe pageant.  Nanalo si Bb. Gloria Diaz hindi dahil sa talino kundi dahil maayos ang kanyang pagkakasagot.  Para sa sakin, insulto ang sabihin nanalo ka sa Miss Universe dahil sa talino mo.  Una, hindi naman quiz bee ang Miss Universe pageant, at ikalawa, pinalalabas nitong mga bobo ang mga kalaban mo, na no bearing contest ang magiging resulta.  Deserving manalo si Bb. Gloria Diaz dahil deserving ang kanyang isinagot!


Hindi naman masama mangarap.  Baka sa hinaharap eh manalo na ulit tayo at tanghaling pinakamagandang babae sa buong mundo ang ating kababayang Pilipina.  Siguro kapag natuto na tayong tumingin sa kakayahan at hindi sa hitsura.  Siguro kapag kahit hindi marunong mag English basta may kakayanan naman eh ikukuha na lang ng interpreter.  Siguro sa tamang pagkakataon.  Siguro tamang pagkakaintindi ng tanong(high tide or low tide???).  At siguro, sa tamang pagsagot.

sabi nga ni Atoy Co, the ball is AROUND...

I congratulate Iran for winning the FIBA-Asia Championship.  Not only they defeated China in basketball, it looked like they demolished the Chinese Team.  China looked like a junior team playing a senior team in collegiate basketball.  

A worthy lesson for this year’s edition of FIBA-Asia championships: NBA experience does not guarantee a formidable team in world basketball, unless your national teammate is Lebron James and Kobe Bryant.  Even Kobe and Lebron did have a hard time in Beijing Olympics, and so have Wang Zhizhi and Yi Jianlian last Sunday.  The Iranians took the Chinese team back to school.  Iran’s offense was fluid, their shooting was remarkable, and I even saw 7 footer Ehdadi penetrating for a layup.


Another lesson that team Pilipinas should learn from their 8th place finish in Tianjin is the familiarization to international rules.  The PBA backed team will never ever win in international competitions unless FIBA rules are used in the PBA.  My suggestion is either the PBA use FIBA rules or do not send PBA players to FIBA competitions at all.  Talent wise they are good, but they will always lose.  I am not disparaging them, they all deserve praises for their gallant effort, but their strategy is questionable.  Three months of experience will never win against three years of practice.  We saw that in Iran.  Their moves we very much basic and yet China was not able to stop them.


Yeng Guiao is a good coach but he is not the right man for the job.  FOR SOMEONE WHO INDIRECTLY CONSPIRED WITH A WIFE OF A GAMBLING LORD TO CHEAT A PRIEST IN A LOCAL ELECTION, HE DOES NOT HAVE THE CREDIBILITY TO REPRESENT THIS COUNTRY AS A NATIONAL COACH.  Again, delicadeza should come to mind when we represent the country in international competitions.  Imagine if the opponent lost the game by 2 points and learned that the other coach has a history of cheating, directly or indirectly.  Credibility is always at stake when the pride of the country is at stake.  I would rather lose by 50 points rather than winning dubiously by 2 points.


When in Rome, do what the Romans do.  The world is improving in international basketball.  Why?  They follow the mandate of FIBA.  They use FIBA rules.  They recruit naturalized players.  They TRAIN, years - not months.  Their National Team was composed 3 years ago, not 3 months ago.  They practice all year round, inside and outside the country.  They have mastered the basic skills.  They are NOT relying on 3 point shots alone.  They are doing what our basketball team has been ignoring for decades.  Stick to basics, and not for showmanship.  Everybody has talent, some are more talented than others, but basketball is still a five man game.  What you do in the court should depend on what your teammates can do, unless if you are Michael Jordan resurrected.  We can win again in Asia if we put the right attitude, and right attitude means following directions – in this case – FIBA rules.  And who knows, we might just get a naturalized player or two for mandatory reasons and not by necessity.


You lose some, you win some.  Losing is ugly, it diminishes confidence.  When you are not confident enough, your body will be hounded by the tension of losing, even if you have all the talent to succeed.  


In basketball, the ball is round.  But you will never lose your confidence to win if you know how the ball will roll…

Thoughts on this National Week of Mourning

1.    NOW I BELIEVE IN THE CORY MAGIC.  It’s not that I am a skeptic, but I supported the other side of the fence, so to speak.  I AM a Marcos supporter to the core.  But this week was probably the first time I admit EDSA 1986 was not a fluke.  I have always believed what happened in EDSA was not because of the people, but because of the moves of those who supported both camps.  If Ramos, Enrile, and Honasan had not jumped over to the other side, there wouldn’t be any historical significance of what happened then.  And when thousands of people lined up along the road for their final salute to Cory, I had also finally accepted that she was significantly important historically.  Some of us had learned a lot of lesson during her presidency.  Some took the opportunity for political gains, some for personal. 

2.    THE FILIPINOS CAN UNITE.  It took one dead beloved leader for the entire nation to be united.  La Salle and Ateneo, Marcoses and Aquinos, Administrations and Oppositions, people from different sides of the fences, they all were “saddened” by the country’s loss.  And yet when Cory was alive and asking the people to be vigilant to all those who are planning to deceivingly corrupt the entire Philippine Constitution by Charter Change through Constitutional Assembly, those supporters where never to be found!  Amazing!  Just like Michael Jackson, everybody suddenly becomes a fan, everybody suddenly liked him, everybody is suddenly affected by the loss!  We only give importance to their legacy and contributions when those persons are dead, but while alive we were never that affectionate to the point of following by example.

3.    ON A LIGHTER NOTE, OUR MILITARY OFFICERS ARE ALL BUTT UGLY.  Paquito Diaz, Romy Diaz, Joaquin “Buwaya” Fajardo, Max Alvarado – eat your hearts out!  Our officers could effectively pass as villains in any action movie locally produced.  I was expecting to see tall, lean built, shortcut hairs, and elegant and graceful march from majority of our soldiers.  Instead I saw the opposite.  Some tummys are bulging and I see hairs, wherein during my CMT days I was required with that stupid 4 inches haircut and no sideburns.  Ramos, Enrile, and even the bulging Honasan  and Trillanes looks more of a soldier right now than all of them combined.  I couldn’t hide my disappointment at them.  No wonder some of our Filipina women are crazy for American soldiers.

4.    WILLIE REVILLAME WILL ALWAYS BE WILLIE REVILLAME.  I don’t think I need to say more.  There is a fine line separating the ethical and those who are pretending to be ethical for the sake of being famous.  Whatever block-timer reasons you have to put up to, National Interest comes first.  To DISRESPECT a former President AT HER FUNERAL – may the heavens have mercy on this moron.

5.    MY OUTFIT WAS DONE BY NATIONAL ARTIST PITOY MORENO.  WTF?  I thought National Artists are those supposed to have an impact historically and on a national scale.  I have nothing against Pitoy but a National Artist is somebody who did made an impact about the Filipino and nationalism, like Levi Celerio.  Plus I like Patis Tesoro’s Piña barong more.  And how about Carlo J. Caparas?  What are his contributions? The comics industry is dead already.  Can he revive the Funny Komiks franchise well-loved by children of the 80’s?  Yes, he made a lot of money on films without any nudity and currently raking in money on telenovelas but that is not an achievement.  Crying over your loved one who jilted you at the expense of another woman as a blockbuster plot does not contribute for national awareness… believe me…

6.    I NOMINATE MYSELF AS NATIONAL ARTIST.  Cecil Guidote Alvarez is now a National Artist.  Unfortunately, she is the chairperson of the National Council for Culture and Arts, the very same body that deliberates, debates, and approves the awarding of National Artist.  Conceitedly genius on NCCA’s part.  I have no objections though on Francisco Mañosa.  He deserves to be a National Artist.  His Coconut Palace is a personal visionary template for my dream house, if ever I could build one.  But the other three - Direk Carlo, Pitoy, and Chair Alvarez – they are way below Dolphy who probably deserves this award far more than them.

The Ambassador to the people

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

While everybody weeps...

Even when Michael Jackson's death flooded the news in the radios and televisions this morning, what caught my attention was the bold statement of Professor Randy David's announcement to run for Congress in the second district of Pampanga, believed to be location of the primary strategy of Gloria Arroyo's prime ministerial ambitions.  Professor David's plans of thwarting GMA's term extension is a bold move yet impossible in some degree with the Arroyos' enormous political clout from the well-watered palace grounds in Arlegui up to the flooded farmlands of Lubao.


Second district in Pampanga is where GMA plans to run for a Congressional position while waiting for Charter Change to push through via Constituents' Assembly initiated by the Congress, and then she will be accepting the nomination for the position of Prime Minister, thereby fulfilling her mission of extending her powers within the context of the constitution.  Although these ideas are all current speculations and has been denied to the fullest by GMA allies, everybody is wondering on what are Mrs. Arroyo’s plans post-2010 elections, if ever it will push through.  Apparently, nine years of misery, poverty, political bullying, and billions or millions of commissions are not enough for her and her cohorts that talks of her planned term extension circulated within the political community.  Whether the plan is true or not, I have always believed that there is a flame when there is smoke.  Gossips have a certain percentage of truth in order for it to be seriously discussed within the circulation.


The beleaguered Professor, a veteran of Gloria’s martial rule experiment last February 2006, will be facing his adversary on the coming 2010 elections, trying to prevent an unprecedented term extension being planned by the extremely rich daughter of the poor man from Lubao.  She wanted more power after 2010, he just wanted to make sure she doesn’t get any.


Everybody was frantic of Michael Jackson’s death and news has spread faster than AH1N1 virus.  And while everybody weeps at a certain superstar-slash-molester’s death today, a simple person in the name of Randy David has placed the fate of the entire nation into his hands to rid this country of the greedy.

An Open Letter to Alec Baldwin

Dear Mr. Baldwin,

I am not angry at you at all.  Your statement made on television might be true, depending on whose point of view it is.  But before you probably blurt out another degrading remark about Filipinos in the future, consider the following facts:

•    In 1898, Spain ceded all of its colonies in the amount of $ 20,000,000 to the U.S. Government.  Historically speaking, those countries bought by the U.S., including the Philippines, were treated like mail-order-brides at the turn of the century.  You see, Mr. Baldwin, your government made us what we are right now.  It is entirely not our fault.

•    Since 1898, the American government has been raping our natural resources, some of our women, and some of our children.  The American government’s treatment of our country as a political prostitute is well known through the decades.

•    The Philippines remains a poor country because a lot of American companies has profited doing business in this country while its workforce, the Filipino people, benefited less and sometimes not at all.  Your government, Mr. Baldwin, beguiled us with the promise of progress but instead buried us with millions of debts disguised as foreign economic aid.

•    Since the American government taught us English, they had also encouraged us to live and pursue the American Dream in the United States, and yet thousands of my countrymen has been offered demeaning work opportunities and are discriminated while pursuing those dreams.  

•    Since majority of the Filipino people has been continually neglected by its very own government because of greed and corruption that we have learned and copied from American friends, advisers, and capitalists for decades, the poorest of the poor have no choice but to PROSTITUTE ourselves in the hopes of improving our lives so that our families would have something to eat by dinner time.

So you see, Mr. Baldwin, what you - even Ms. Teri Hatcher and hundreds other American that have perceived our race and our country in a negative manner - it is actually the fault of your American government.  People like you, who have never set foot in our country, talk of us as low-esteemed citizens of this world for the very simple reason that your government has been treating us like pigs even here in our own country ever since the Americans fooled us with their mock battle with the Spaniards more than a hundred years ago.

And yes, we admit, we are sensitive.  Whatever negative comments we will hear from other people who do not know us, we will all take it personally as a proud race.  We never dreamed of becoming domestic helpers, prostitutes, beggars, and mail-order brides in the first place.  WHATEVER WE ARE RIGHT NOW HAS REFLECTED ON HOW OUR MASTER COLONIZERS HAVE TREATED US OVER THE DECADES.  As I have stated at the start, Mr. Baldwin, I am not angry at you.  Maybe next time when you answer Mr. Letterman or any pertinent questions asked to you, you can state a very precise answer like this:

“I’m thinking about getting a Filipina mail-order bride, after all, our American government taught them how to sell themselves…”

Wag nyong pakialaman si Martin Nievera

Pwede ba, wag nyong pakialaman si Martin Nievera.  Kung mas magaling kayong kumanta sa kanya eh di kayo ang kumanta sa Lupang Hinirang sa laban ni Pakyaw.

Ang pagkanta ay isang pagkakakitaan.  Sino ba sa kanila ang hindi binayaran para lang kantahin ang National Anthem?  Kung gusto niyo, magprisinta na lang kayo na kumanta sa bawat laban ni Manny.

Wala kayong pakialam na i-criticize ang tao.  Kung ganun siya kumanta ay karapatan na niya yun.  

UNA, kanyang boses ang ginamit niya sa pagkanta.  Hindi boses ng iba, hindi rin lipsynch.  

PANGALAWA, hindi naman yata siya ipinanganak dito sa Pilipinas kaya wala kayong pakialam kung kalahati lang ang pinapakita niyang pagmamahal at paggalang sa bayan.  

PANGATLO, English is his first language.  HINDI SIYA MARUNONG MAGTAGALOG NOON!  Hindi siya nasanay kantahin ang National Anthem dahil hindi siya tumatayo tuwing umaga sa eskwelahan para kantahin ang Lupang Hinirang ng tama sa tono!  Hindi niya alam ang paglalagay ng kanang kamay sa kaliwang dibdib dahil hindi naman itinuro yun doon sa eskwelahan kung saan siya nag-aral.

Kaya pabayaan nyo na yung tao kung yun ang gusto niya.  Pera-pera lang yan.  Kung may pera ka, Malaya kang gawing ang anumang gusto mo kahit hindi maganda at naaayon.  Wala kayong pakialam sa gusto niyang gawin sa buhay niya.

 
 

If I were a Congressman...

some of my proposals if ever I get elected into Congress:


House Bill 6969 - An Act transfering the Congressional Sessions from Batasang Pambansa to MGM Grand in Las Vegas... dun kasi lagi may quorum, at hindi nale late ang mga congressman


House Resolution 0069 - A Resolution commending Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo for their humbling and modest decision to keep their wedding PRIVATE and SOLEMN... sa wakas walang nakakaumay at sobrang arteng preparations na napanood sa TV na pinag aagawan ng mga networks tapos sa bandang huli eh mauuwi din naman pala sa hiwalayan


House Bill 2.25(patterned after my highest grade in Mapua) - An Act dissolving all the Universities, downgrading them into specialized schools, and creating 2 year courses(i.e. 2 years lang Arki ka na... ENROL NA!)... lahat kasi gusto nila 2 years lang makapag abroad na, konti na lang kumukuha ng Architecture, Engineering, Medicine at Law dahil uugod-ugod ka na bago ka grumadweyt at hindi ka naman kikita ng malaki agad...


House Bill 00069 - An Act prohibiting politicians or anybody who ran on any local or national elections from JOINING any Sports Agencies... ang presidente ba ng BAP-SBP eh marunong magbasketbol? isa pa, hindi po dapat ginagawang kwalipikasyon ang pagiging mukhang kabayo para lang pwedeng tumakbo bilang head ng equestrian association or horse racing commision


eto lang muna wala pa akong maisip na iba... but my constituents' suggestions are welcome! at kayo yun!

kaya wag ninyo akong kakalimutan sa 2010!!!

----------- o0o ----------

Updates:


House Bill 1,000,000 - An Act prohibiting the alumni of Pinoy Dream Academy, Pinoy Idol, and all those talent search contest to record SHITTY revivals of Eraserheads songs, Air Supply songs and all those certified classic hits unless he/she is a member of a rock band or unless they have a different song interpretation(i.e. ken leeee, tulibu dibu douchuuuu)


House Bill 200,000(patterned after “sec, may 200 ka rito”) - An Act granting incentives and privileges to those who BRIBED state witnesses and can daringly file PERJURY RAPS to the person he bribed, hold press conference with the family, and can convincingly call you "TOL" even if you are not related by blood...


House Bill 750cc - An Act providing sets of discount from traffic penalties to ALL motorcycles that has PNP stickers.  The set of discounts will be dependent on your motorcycle model(i.e. the more expensive, the higher the discount)... ano ka swerte??? Kung may pambili ka ng 400cc na motor, eh di may pambayad ka ng penalty… ipagbabawal na rin ang hindi pagsita sa lahat ng motor na may PNP stickers


House Bill 00000.5 - An Act reverting the Ninoy Aquino International Airport back into its grand old name Manila International Airport, thereby also setting the proper guidelines for naming an airport.  This bill will primarily oblige the naming of an airport from its location so as not to confuse tourists from their geographical knowledge of our beloved country(i.e. Laoag International Airport, Cebu International Airport)… ANG NINOY AQUINO AY HINDI ISANG LUGAR SA PARANAQUE!!!

----------- o0o ----------

House Bill 12Rounds - An Act appointing Manny Pacquiao as Chief of the Philippine National Police, and thereby granting sensitive top logistical positions to other successful professional boxers into the PNP leadership for their track record of preventing an increase in the daily crime rate within the country every Sunday morning


House Bill 300Million -  An Act designating the Ambassadors of Iraq, Afghanistan and other war-affected countries to ex-military Generals for the very simple reason that Military(and Business) expertise are needed in war-torn countries rather than in the U.N., Vatican or other peaceful countries that has adequate amenities and privileges like Duty Free Shops, Disneylands, Casinos, Exclusive Resorts, Bruneiyukis, Legal Prostitutes(i.e. Netherlands), etc.

Binabati ko kayo sa kamatayan ni Hesus...

Habang nagkaroon ako ng pagkakataon na gumala at magmasid sa kalsada, nakita ko ang mga bagong tarpolin na nakasabit sa mga kable ng kuryente at poste.  Akala ko congratulatory banner para sa mga bagong graduates, hanggang sa mapansin kong may anyo ng krus at kalbaryo sa background. Para pala sa pag-gunita ng Semana Santa, galing kay magiting na konsehal.


Pag-uwi ko naman narinig ang nagpapalahaw na ingay ng malakas na ispiker galing sa kapilya na naghahanda para sa pabasa.  Habang inaayos at nililinis ang kapilya, nakalagay sa isang lokal na istasyon ng radyo, at sunud-sunod ang mga naririnig kong mga pagbati galing sa mga lokal na opisyales dito sa lugar na tinitirhan ko sa kasalukuyan.


Nag-isip ako tuloy.  Papano mo babatiin ang isang tao para lamang gunitain ang sakripisyo ng anak ng Diyos upang tayo'y maligtas sa mga kasalanan natin?


Binabati ko kayo sa pagkamatay ni Hesus...

Tanong at Sagot

TANONG: I just recently noticed that there's a "Free Account" under the headshot and "Online Now" status... How can you remove it?

SAGOT: Buy a Premium Account!!! ganun lang...





joke... eto ang tunay na sagot...

i-paste sa inyong CSS code ang nasa baba...

.rail b {
display: none;
}

Malapit na naman ang Mahal na Araw

Malapit na naman ang mahal na araw.  Malapit na naman ako makakita ng nagpipinitensya.  Katangi-tangi ang pagdiriwang ng mahal na araw dito sa Pampanga.  Sikat doon sa may San Fernando yung nagpapapako sa krus.  Halos gayahin ang mga pangyayari kay Hesus, kulang na lang mamatay din sila at mabuhay pagkatapos ng ikatlong araw.


Abala rin ang buong lalawigan sa pagpapaganda ng kani-kanilang kapilya o lugar na pagdadausan ng pabasa, na isang pagsasalaysay ng buhay ni Kristo.  Hindi mawawala ang pabasa, ang pagkukwento ng pasyon  sa pamamagitan ng pagkanta.  Parang magulo noh?  Bakit pabasa ang tawag kung ito ay kinakanta?  Hindi ba mas mainam na tawagin itong pakanta?  O kaya ay patula?


Balik tayo sa penitensya.  Dahil kakaiba ang naging kaugalian ng mga Pilipino tuwing mahal na araw, dito makakakita ka araw-araw sa isang buong linggo simula lunes santo, ng mga nagpi pinitensya na naka taklob ang kanilang mukha, hubad na pang-itaas habang hinahagupit nila ang kanilang katawan kagaya ng pagpapahirap ng mga Romano kay Kristo.  Meron ding may pasan na krus, merong mga grupo naman sila, at kadalasan may mga kasamang umaalalay kung sakaling may hindi inaasahang mangyari.


Sa loob ng isang linggo sa isang taon ito ay nakikita sa halos lahat ng kalsada sa Pilipinas.  Sa loob ng isang linggo sa isang taon maraming namamanata at nagpipinitensya.  At sa loob ng isang linggo sa isang taon nagpapaka-kristiyano ang mga Pilipino.  Pero pagkatapos ng isang linggo, balik na naman sa dating gawi.  Sugal, alak, babae at kung anu-ano pang bisyo.  Kurakot sa posisyon, panloloko sa ibang kapwa, at kung anu-anong kasalanan na inihihingi ng kapatawaran tuwing mahal na araw.  Isang linggong debotong Kristiyano laban sa halos isang taon na puno ng kabalbalan na gawain.  Hindi ko alam kung sinu-sino sa mga nagpipinitensya ang totohanan, wala rin akong karapatang maghusga.  Pero sana lang wag tayong magpakitang tao lamang.  Hindi nagpapako sa krus si Hesus para lang magpakumbaba tayo sa Diyos ng isang linggo lang.


Hindi tayo nabuhay para maligtas ni Hesus sa mundo.  Naligtas tayo para mamuhay sa piling niya!


Malapit na naman ang mahal na araw... malapit na naman ba ang tangi mo lang pagkakataon para magsisi sa mga kasalanan?

Ronaldinho slowly inching his way back into the field

After a disappointing 2007-2008 campaign where his season ended prematurely with injury and the much-publicized disagreement with his team FC Barcelona, Ronaldinho decided to sign up with AC Milan in the hopes of forgetting his bitter fallout with Spanish league giants.


Never has Ronaldinho’s career experienced a downward slope since his first professional stint with Gremio in Brazil, his first international experience in FIFA U-17 World Championship in 1997, and a solid performance in 2002 World Cup where Brazil emerged champions.  It seems that the craze and the rush of adrenaline Ronaldinho has brought to spectators every single game he has played on would catch the whole world forever.  Even more mesmerizing was his tremendous achievement when he started to play in Barcelona in 2003, helping the team secure second place finish in the league during the same year, and capturing the league title for the following two years - 2004 and 2005 - and also winning him the FIFA player of the year in 2004.  He put Barcelona on top of the European football map within 2 years after he signed up with the Catalan team, aside from individual awards and accolades he received.


2006 – Downhill Onwards


After Brazil’s disastrous 2006 World Cup campaign where they were eliminated by France, things all went downhill for Ronaldinho.  He was partly blamed, not only by his fellow Brazilians but also by soccer enthusiasts, for the team’s failure to capture the World Cup trophy with Brazil’s formidable line-up - watched by envious coaches who have dreamed of a fearsome team similar with that of the Selecão.  He was dropped from the 2007 line-up, was suspended one time on an FC Barcelona game, and had disagreement with them following his 2008 Olympic Games commitment for Brazil and the Champions League for Barcelona. 


A muscle tear on his right leg ended abruptly his 2007-08 season for Barcelona.  He was reported having fought verbally with his coach Frank Rijkaard and things went to worst when FC Barcelona President Joan Laporta hinted indirectly that Ronaldinho needed to leave the club and seek greener pastures elsewhere.  Speculations of his indiscipline, training negligence, and partying ways have also contributed to the factors leading to his career’s sudden crash.   


Enter An Italian renaissance


As soon as Ronaldinho was leaked as up for grabs, there were a few notable clubs who where interestedly after him.  Inter Milan and even Manchester City of former Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra has openly signifying their intention to get him.  Even Chelsea and Real Madrid had secretly hoped that they would catch this talented football superstar; hoping things would turn around for the better for their club, even if Ronaldinho is still in his off-form.  Ronaldinho decided to sign with AC Milan even if Manchester offered more money, ending months of speculations on his move and his preferred team jersey.  Apparently, he was seeing red and black all the time. 


With Brazilian teammates Kaka, Alexander Pato, Dida, and Emerson, and the arrival of superstar David Beckham on loan from LA Galaxy, AC Milan, for now, might have what it takes to win the league title and a stint at the Champions’ league where they missed out last year.  Although Ronaldinho is still way off from his deadly form, the whole team is very much optimistic to see his old self, not merely humiliating his opponent guard with his dribbling skills but also contributing on the success of the team, just like what happened to mediocre Barcelona before his arrival.


While some Barcelona fans are mourning for Ronaldinho’s departure, keep in mind that in the world of football, particularly in big leagues wherein they throw lots of money, 3 years of excellence can never be an assurance even if there is a small dip in performance.  It doesn’t matter at how many goals you’ve scored a single game, because when everything is messed up, you will always be the scapegoat, just as what happened to Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, and Beckham.  Even if Ronaldinho helped push Barcelona to a higher level, he was nearly forgotten and dropped instantly when his skills dropped considerably.  And as one door closes, another window of opportunity opens, and usually for someone whose talent and determination still inspires to be successfully on top, Ronaldinho will have his way back into football glory. 

Sermon sa sarili

Punyeta naman eh.


Andaming paraan para magpahangin naisip mo pang mag-basketbol.  Alam ko may bumabagabag sa isip mo ngayon pero maraming paraan para ma-refresh ang utak bukod sa sugal, alak, at agogo dancer sa tanghali.  At dahil wala kang magawa, at hindi ka rin naman pwedeng lumayo sa harap ng PC mo eh sinubukan mong ma-exercise ang butu-buto mo sa pamamagitan ng paglalaro ng basketbol.


Ayan tuloy naaksidente ka!  Sukat ba naman mag-feeling Dennis Rodman ka.  Alam ko naman na may talento kang konti sa basketbol bukod sa pang-aasar sa kalaban tuwing may intrams, pero wag naman yung todo bigay ka, tulad ng nangyari kanina.  Anong resulta?  Tumalon ka at bumagsak ka na una ang pwet at siko.  Walang problema sa pwet mo, cute pa rin kahit maitim.  Kaso yung siko mo namamaga.  Hindi mo masyadong maigalaw noh?  Ayan kasi, sinabi ko naman sayo na nag-iisa lang ang Jordan sa mundo, wag mong gayahin ang lundag niya.


Hatinggabi na hindi ka pa rin makatulog sa kirot?  Kasalanan mo yan.  Sa tingin ko hindi ka na makakapaglaro, malamang habambuhay.  Damaged goods ka na.  Nung elementary ka namaga yung mata mo dahil tinamaan ng bola ng baseball.  Tanga ka kasi hindi mo nasalo ng maayos, praktis pa lang yun.  Nung hayskul ka at nadapa ka sa soccer game niyo sa eskwelahan at tumama ang tuhod mo na hindi na naayos at laging kumikirot tuwing taglamig, dun pa lang wala ka nang karir sa sports.  Nung nag darts ka nung college napilayan ka rin sa kamay.  Hindi ka pwede sa swimming lagi kang pinupulikat.  Hindi ka rin uubra sa track and field may hika ka dati eh.  Ewan ko ba kung bakit takaw aksidente ka sa laro.


Bukas magpahilot ka.  Ipaayos mo yan bago ka maging komang.  Nang hindi ka rin ngingiwi-ngiwi sa kirot habang nasa lamay ka.


Tumigil ka na rin... Hindi para sayo ang basketbol...

Of networking sites and preferences

You have a Multiply account right?  And obviously Friendster, and Facebook, a Blogspot, probably a MySpace account, throw in a Hi5 and other countless networking sites out there in the internet.  We have all been “victimized” by our vanity in the positive hope of communicating with lost friends and somehow re-invigorate and feel the sense of belonging.


But isn’t having too many accounts enough?  We don’t really need to register to all those redundant sites with nothing more to offer except – uploading pictures.  Pictures on the bathroom, pictures before going to sleep, picture after waking up before washing your face, pictures and lots and lots of pictures.  If you are a golfer, would you register for membership at all golf clubs?  I’m sure you get my point.  Can I even manage updating each and every one of those sites?  I do not think so.


So with all the hype about bonding thru social networking, I decided to concentrate on where else, but here in Multiply.  Each has their own uniqueness, and a couple sites that looks alike some others, yet Multiply is very distinctive with its design layout.  It is a sort of a mini personal website with its customizable themes, if you know the right HTML or CSS tweaks that you like.  Entries are segregated by its type of data, whether you are writing some of your ramblings or posting your bikini tops.  It does look organized, and for a litter bug like me, it is pleasing.


I have registered to a lot of sites, but you won’t probably see my dedication in updating them unlike here. 


Besides, this is what my parish priest has been saying all along…


“go ahead and Multiply…”

2008 - isang taong tula

enero ng may mamatay sa pista ng Nazareno
pebrero ng tanggalin si speaker De Venecia sa kongreso
sabi ni burjer king: "sec, may 200 ka dito"
hello garci tapes at ringtones ipinagbawal na po

marso ng palihim ibinigay ang spratlys sa China
na-acquit ang mga kaso laban kay Imelda
Cory Aquino may sakit na malubha
sa executive priviledge lusot si sec. Neri ng NEDA

abril ng magkaroon "DAW" ng krisis sa bigas
na-convict ang siyam na Magdalo na nag-aklas
ang presidente ng Palau sa bomb threat nakaligtas
mga taguan ng bomba ng JI sa Laguna natuklas

Ms. Earth Philippines nanalo si Karla Paula Henry
sumikat naman si Jenina and her Pamily
walong RCBC employees patay sa bank robbery
GSIS muntik mag take-over sa Manila Electric Company

si Ka Bel nahulog sa bubong ng bahay nung mayo
namatay rin si Mang Pandoy ng maralitang Pilipino
nakidnap si Ces Drilon sa Sulu nung hunyo
kasama ang cameraman at si Prof. Dinampo

dumaan si typhoon Frank malapit sa Mindoro
at pinataob ang MV Princess of the Stars ng Sulpicio
si Daboy pumanaw nung a-syete ng hunyo
si VAT Man Recto in-appoint sa NEDA nung hulyo

sa Tsina ginanap ang makasaysayang Olympics
world record performance nakamit ni Michael Phelps
sports official ng Pilipinas sumali rin sa paligsahan
nagturuan, nagsisihan, kani-kaniyang dahilan

si GMA sa U.S. walang kurap na tumakas
habang ang bansa'y sa bagyo lumilikas
si Pacman pinabagsak si Marquez at si Diaz
impeachment complaint sa kongreso inutas

BJE isinulong ng mga talipandas
MILF ni Salamat nanggulo ng walang habas
isla ng Mindanao natuliro sa pag-aaklas
mga lumad at kabataan nawalan ng magandang bukas

huling SONA na raw sana ni Arroyo
kung hindi matutuloy ang palihim na proseso
cha-cha na pilit sinusulong sa kongreso
mahabaging Diyos ko, sana naman wag po!

2008 daw ay year of the rat
sabi sa hula maghihirap daw ang lahat
nagkatotoo nga dito sa ating bansa
karamihan ng Pilipino, mahirap pa sa daga

sa susunod na taon, ano kaya ang naghihintay
matuto na kaya ang Pilipino na magnilay
labanan ang gobyernong pilit naghuhugas-kamay
sa mga kasalanang Pilipino'y unti-unting pinapatay