R 'n' R: Rants & Raves 1521

'Finders, keepers' not for this man of honor

2006-08-05T10:34:00.000+08:00

Honest cabbie saves the day for Pinay from Lebanon
By Jerome Aning
Inquirer
Last updated 03:22am (Mla time) 08/05/2006

Published on page A5 of the August 5, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

SHE may have lost her job in Lebanon but a taxicab driver in Manila saved Mary Ann Balade, 24, from a double disaster.

Within an hour after she inadvertently left her wallet containing P21,000 in a cab, its driver showed up to hand the money back to her.

“It was kind of him to return it. I’m thankful for what he did,” said Balade as he thanked Edwin Quines at a press conference at the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration office.

Full story at the Phil. Daily Inquirer

Warping a whole generation's value system

2006-07-30T07:55:00.000+08:00

Now that I think about it, this is the first time I'm reading a newspaper article regarding the issue of the sex education modules of the Philippine Dept. of Education that doesn't have a pro-reproductive health stance. To be sure, Pro-Life Philippines is not against sex education; in fact, educating young people on human sexuality is a must. But it's an education in life and love, transmitted with sound values and taking into careful consideration each young person's character, age and level of maturity. As I mentioned in another post in my other blog, the kind of sex education that the government is promoting and is out to implement in all public and private elementary and high schools is not anchored on such a foundation at all.

What great news it is that The Varsitarian, the offical student publication of the University of Sto. Tomas (UST), has decided to devote much attention to this matter! Here's an article from the July 15 issue (by the way, the same issue contains an extensive coverage of pro- and anti-life legislation, even presenting in tabular form the different relevant bills in both the Upper and Lower House) --

'Sex modules can't be put to bed'

The release of sex education modules by the Department of Education (DepEd) has drawn a number of critics, including a UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery professor who blew the whistle on the modules' "disturbing" contents.

Cardiologist and Bioethics professor Dr. Angelita Aguirre said that the modules, Lesson Guides on Adolescent Reproductive Health: A Population Education Concept, condone sex activity among the youth.

"Instead of promoting abstinence from sex, the modules encourage oral and anal sex and the use of artificial birth control methods, including condoms that are hardly 100 per cent effective," Aguirre told the Varsitarian.

Aguirre, also the chairman of Makati Medical Center's Committee on Bioethics, noted pages 54 to 57 of the modules that say "sexual experimentation is normal among the youth, thereby requiring experiences and skills in self-protection prior to sex."

Further, the modules suggest young teens to "exercise non-penetrative sexual practices like oral and anal sex, to have sex with only one partner, to avoid penetrative sex without protection, and to use the condom correctly."

The modules were prepared by foreign-contraceptive grant chasers like the TRIDEV Specialists Foundation, Inc., United Nations Population Fund, and David and Lucille Packard Foundation.

Sex tips for kids?
A volunteer of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines' (CBCP) Episcopal Commission on Family and Life, Aguirre wrote a letter to Acting DepEd Secretary Fe Hidalgo regarding the contents of the modules.

Aguirre said that the modules' language was inappropriate for high school students due to the explicit words used.

"The language used was not only explicit, it tells about sexual techniques," she said, pointing to the modules' integration with basic education subjects like Health, Social Studies, Technology and Livelihood Education, Science, English and Filipino.

Two other early versions of the modules have equally disturbing instructions. A sex education module under then DepEd Secretary Bro. Andrew Gonzales included lessons on how to properly wear condoms by using bananas, cucumbers or eggplants and other models of the male genital for demonstration.

Due to the controversies, DepEd has stopped the distribution and implementation of the modules in Manila public schools since June 19.

In an earlier statement, Hidalgo denied Aguirre's claims that the modules promote "value-free" sex, saying that the modules were intended to make students realize the consequences of engaging in premarital sex, thereby discouraging sexual activity outside marriage.

Hidalgo said she will meet with Aguirre and the CBCP. Aguirre believes that sex education initiatives must always consult family groups and the parents, who she said are the reproductive "guardians" of their children. - Nathaniel R. Melican

(The Varsitarian office is at Rm. 112, Main Bldg., University of Sto. Tomas, España, Manila

The boy was in jeopardy -- and it was great!

2005-11-04T09:30:00.000+08:00

Homeschooled Fil-Am wins $10,000 in 'Jeopardy!'

First posted 04:13am (Mla time) Nov 04, 2005
By Ruben V. Nepales
Inquirer News Service

Editor's Note: Published on page A1 of the Nov. 4, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

LOS ANGELES, California -- Joseph Henares, a homeschooled Filipino-American boy, recently won a "Back to School" edition of "Jeopardy!" -- America's popular TV quiz show.

The 12-year-old Henares received a cash prize of $10,000 in the competition that involved 15 contestants selected from more than 500 kids all over America.

Joseph emerged the winner after five daily episodes were taped at the Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, California.

Interviewed by phone and e-mail, Joseph credited his "Jeopardy!" triumph to his "mom, who helped me review different topics that we thought would be on the show, and my dad, who helped me with strategy and taught me how to bid in the Final Jeopardy!"

He is the eldest son of John and Jean Henares, both holders of math degrees from the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City.

Read all about it at the PDI website

Snuffing out smut

2005-10-24T19:07:00.000+08:00

Civic groups, celebs, MTRCB launch anti-porn youth arm

(Oct. 24, 2005 Press Release) THE COALITION for Decency and Morality (CODE M), a media-watch anti-smut network, together with celebrities and other civic groups, launched its youth group on Oct. 15 at the Siena Hall of Siena College, Quezon City.

Around 300 young participants attended the first anniversary celebration event of CODE M. The Coalition spearheaded the call for the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) to suspend the TV “live show” Pinoy Big Brother, after airing objectionable scenes in its early episodes.

“Children now are exposed to violence and sex even in prime time TV shows. These are shows that shouldn’t be aired at all in TV since they can be very accessible to kids, and the parents may not always be around to guide them,” said actress-athlete Mikaela “Mikee” Cojuangco-Jaworski, spokesperson of the Southeast Asian Foundation for Children and Television. Mikee lamented the demise of family-oriented and educational programs that used to dominate mainstream media. Her Foundation is known for awarding the “Anak TV seal” to quality child-friendly TV programs.

You can read the full story here

taxi drivers' take on image-building

2005-10-19T12:49:00.000+08:00

"Huwag naman kayong magpaypay. Pinagtatawanan kami niyan eh (Don't fan yourself. We're laughed at because of that)."

That's what the taxi driver said when I pulled out my abaca fan and started getting some wind on my face despite the inefficient airconditioning system in his vehicle.

Puzzled and somewhat taken aback, I asked, "Ha? Nino? (Huh? By whom?)"

"Mga ibang drayber. Nag-aaway kami dahil diyan eh (Other drivers. We fight because of that)," was the reply, given with hesitant but obvious irritation.

For some background information, here's what happened prior to that exchange:

I flagged down the taxi near our place and got in. About three minutes later, I noticed that both airconditioner vents near the tape deck were directed at him, explaining the temperature in the back seat.

"Manong, paki-adjust ho ng vent. Kahit yung isa lang (Please adjust the vent, even just one of them)."

His hand went over the vents and fiddled with them a little. No change in the air's direction, though. I guess he'd rather not share the air...or maybe he's just not aware of details pertaining to vent direction, I told myself quietly.

I move toward the middle of the seat so as to hopefully get a share of the cool air. No luck. This is silly, I think. So, I pull my bag open and slip out my good ol' trusty fan. Be the change you want to see in the world, I reminded myself about the proverb. Okay, I'll change the temperature in my world right here in the backseat, on my own.

Then the "no fans allowed" proclamation was made. So much for doing my part to make the world a better place.

"Kung i-a-adjust ho niyo yung vent eh hindi na ho mainit dito at hindi na ako kailangang magpaypay," I retorted with a smile that, in my heart, was anything but sweet.

He made some adjustments again while I continued my fan-wielding, albeit keeping my fan below window level. Part of me sympathized with anyone who had to endure ridicule from others, but I was not about to condone some prohibition motivated by a vain concern for image. The aircon in your taxi sucks, and I'm not going to suffer for it if I can help it, was my silent protest accompanied by eye-rolling.

When he uttered the "pinagtatawanan kami dahil diyan" line with noticeably ill sentiments, I wanted to shove him to the nearest pile of Inquirer issues that came out the past week (if there was only one nearby) and point out that "hello! nag-ra-rally na ang mga tao araw-araw, kayo image-image pa ang iniisip niyo..." Instead, I said reassuringly, "Huwag niyo nang pansinin 'yon."

It was such a silly concern...so silly that I couldn't think of anything else to say.

"Mainit ba talaga?" he queried a few moments later.

"Oo."

He then switched the aircon setting to "high" -- apparently from "medium." It made little difference, though, for my stop was coming up. I got off the fan-unfriendly taxi with relief, and not without learning something new so early in the day -- cab drivers feel a prick to their ego when mocked by fellow drivers about seemingly dissatisfied -- temperature-wise -- passengers.
Interesting... another insight into Pinoy professional driver psychology.

Till now, I still don't know how I could've dealt with the situation more effectively...

art iskool

2005-10-15T16:14:00.000+08:00

'Kuya Robert' of the TV show Art Is-Kool shows the ropes to kids during a drawing workshop last month. His workshops are conducted at Books for Less (this one was at the branch in Alabang Town Center).

I just recently found out that the artwork on the walls of the old Greenbelt dining area are his. Likewise for that amusement center in one of the malls (can't recall right now). It's somewhere in his portfolio...

nice letter from an e-newsletter

2005-10-15T14:01:00.000+08:00

Papemelroti regularly sends an e-newsletter to a mailing list, and I just got my 2005 Thanksgiving issue. Thanksgiving as a day on the calendar is not really part of Philippine tradition (but I think gratitude is an innate part of our national character). Christina, the newsletter editor, wrote some pretty simple, insightful words in the letter that introduces this issue:

Dear Friend,
One of my current favorite quotes is "There shall be eternal summer in the grateful heart." (words by Celia Thaxter). So even if the sky (or political climate) is filled with darkness and gloom, amidst rolling thunder, we are able to hold sunshine close when we are thankful.

Since we don't usually celebrate Thanksgiving day in the Philippines, let's make it a point to have an attitude of grattitude every single day! .....Here's to the many smiles you make, even at times when the heart seems to ache, and each smile you give away, when received, dear, will reverberate, rippling to those far and near. And one day when you need it most, downcast and glum in all you do, that smile you gave to others, will eventually come back to you!

Christina
Newsletter Editor

Anyone is welcome to subscribe to the free newsletter, by the way. Just go to the website and sign up via the tabs you can find on the right sidebar (you can also email info@papemelroti.com to request for inclusion in the mailing list).

the red & white suit and the swaddling clothes

2005-10-12T20:07:00.000+08:00

It's too early for Christmas carols!!

That's all that I really want to say.

P.S. Last weekend I was at the mall and what should be playing over speakers but "Deck the Halls" and the like? There's something disconcerting about looking at merchandise in the bookstore while Christmas songs are in the background. And they're not serene tunes like "Silent Night" or "O Holy Night" -- songs that, besides flowing with tranquility, tell of the reason for the season, which I find quite comforting. It's only a matter of time before "you'd better watch out, you'd better not cry...!" belted out by the Jackson 5 is piped in at stores all over, wrapping the mall with that hectic atmosphere that seems to echo "buy! buy! buy!" and sending mall-roamers into a hard-to-control shopping mood.

It's really too early for Christmas carols. Just about the only thing I love about the premature Christmas mood is the sight of those beautiful and wonderfully embellished trees on Shangri-la mall's 4th level, under the escalator. O Tannenbaum...

taxis go 'tropical'

2005-10-09T10:01:00.000+08:00

Isn't it always drizzling in London? Well, the sight of tropical fauna and the stuff of fiestas won't bring the rains to a halt but they would make for nice scenery to contrast the dull weather -- not to mention, give our country's tourism a boost. For six months, the fleet of taxis will be roaming the British capital through a partnership between the Philippines' Dept. of Tourism and Taxi Promotions UK.

The following is on today's PDI front page:

London cabs showcase best of 'WOW Philippines'
First posted 05:54am (Mla time) Oct 09, 2005
By Volt Contreras
Inquirer News Service

Editor's Note: Published on page A1 of the October 9, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

THE "WOW Philippines" tourism campaign has found a new vehicle, literally.

Up to 50 taxicabs in London have shed off their familiar all-black coat in favor of an eye-catching design depicting Philippine leisure attractions and cultural icons.

For the next six months, the fleet will cruise the city and double as mobile advertisements for the "Wow" brand name, flashing fiesta colors in the usually drizzly and overcast street scenes of the British capital.

A Department of Foreign Affairs statement on the new tourism campaign would give one an idea of what commuters would see on a normal day in London.

Each taxi sports a wraparound photomontage of a tropical paradise: Diving spots and water sports, sailboats, white sand beaches and an island sunset, golf courses, as well as specific Filipiniana images like the Masskara Festival of Bacolod, the Chocolate Hills of Bohol, the Banaue Rice Terraces and a Filipino woman in ethnic dress.

You can read more here

lola on the catwalk!

2005-10-09T09:46:00.000+08:00

WEEK OF THE ELDERLY
Senior supermodels take to the catwalk

First posted 08:18am (Mla time) Oct 09, 2005
By Blanche S. Rivera
Inquirer News Service

Editor's Note: Published on page A1 of the October 9, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

SIXTY could, indeed, be the new 40 looking at the way women in their golden years strutted their stuff like seasoned fashion models.

Some 40 grandmothers-between 60 and 90 years old-walked the ramp Friday afternoon in an event called "Kimona ni Lola," a fashion show organized by the Philippine United Senior Citizens Association (Pusca) to celebrate Elderly Week.

Full story

ratings-happy, aping foreign shows, "reality" atbp.

2005-10-08T19:36:00.000+08:00

It was about two weeks ago. My 1:00 student was absent so I gleefully brought out my folder of various photocopied materials, ready to catch up on my reading. Cleaning my room recently unearthed not just some books and magazines that had been buried under stacks of things or pushed back in old boxes; there were a couple of brown envelopes containing articles culled mostly from newspapers – Teddy Boy Locsin’s Today column delving on the observance of ethics in the media, a L’Osservatore Romano commentary on the lay faithful and political life, a Washington Post piece on the fashion industry’s current fascination with modesty (that is, current as of September 13, 2004), and a host of BusinessWorld short features on the clamor for good TV and general trends in the broadcasting biz.

I was poring over the last one when I recognized a line that sounded too familiar – not that I had heard it said before, but because what was casually predicted at the time the article was written (Oct. 2004) was becoming obvious in reality.

Indeed, the popularity of reality TV shows in the United States is reflected in the local TV scene. [Film and TV director Joey] Romero even fears that Filipinos might soon copy sex-oriented reality shows.

Now, a year later, Romero’s forecast is no longer just a forecast. I have no idea about developments concerning the local “reality” show involving a dozen guys and gals living under one roof for 100 days, but racy conversations and “tandem-bathing” with accompanying gyrations, and intense lip-locking when they feel like it are apparently -- for the show’s actors, directors and network -- what constitute…uh, reality. To borrow a phrase I saw just now in another article, here you have "a new low in dumbed down television."

Some more notable points in the story titled Moving towards quality, responsible broadcasting:

“My perception is the people at the TV stations pay more attention to ratings. They’re not so concerned with material,” film and TV director and MTRCB board member Joey Romero said. “They just give what the masses want. They consist the majority of the audience; [the TV people] are not concerned about the quality, just the ratings.”

In fact, with the stiff battle for higher ratings and larger audience share, the viewers are left with almost the same kind of shows with the same storylines and settings, especially at prime time.

“If one show is successful in this station, the other one copies it. It’s dictated by what’s rating,” Mr. Romero said.

. . . . .

The audience has not escaped the blame for immorality issues and decline of quality of local TV shows, as they determine whether a show rates or not. To a certain degree, it can be said that the producers are just responding to the people’s clamor for certain kinds of shows.

---------------------------------------------------------

The Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) is the set of rules implementing Presidential Decree No. 1986, the same statute that created the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB). According to the BusinessWorld article above, as far as the content of television shows is concerned, the law requires that, in essence, TV shows must not contain anything “immoral, indecent, contrary to law and/or good customs, injurious to the prestige of the country or its people, or with a dangerous tendency to commission of violence or of wrong or crime.”

far from coppertone season

2005-10-05T08:54:00.000+08:00

It's not time to sing "here comes the sun" just yet. The sun shone briefly yesterday afternoon, but for most of the day and during the days before that, it was mostly overcast skies and heavy downpours.

Here's hoping that the sun will shine in some way for Pinoys here and abroad, even when raindrops keep falling. Even if sunny days seem elusive, it's gonna be a bright sunshiny day eventually for all.

* sUnNy iCoN courtesy of Papemelroti's free graphics

getting the help of young men

2005-10-05T07:38:00.000+08:00

Check this out:

When [Terence] Gloria returned from the youth camp in Dumaguete City, he was a transformed man -- and his family in Iloilo province and his friends told him so.

His refusal to join his friends in their usual forays earns him a lot of ribbing. But he is always quick to grab the chance to explain to them "First Time," a 30-second video showing a young man being initiated in the ways of sex by his barkada on his birthday.

In the video, the friends bring the birthday boy a woman for a present. But when he enters the bedroom and turns to the woman, he sees the face of his mother, sister, or girlfriend. Then the voiceover: "Ang babae hindi binibili (A woman is not bought)."

Gloria tells his friends: "When you see a woman dancing or being used, how would you feel if that woman is someone from your family?"

A young men's camp. Teenage boys. Organizers who believe that though "other women's groups wouldn't put money into educating men, .. we invest in this because ... men can also be advocates of the campaign against violence against women."

Here's the lowdown, from PDI's front page today.

-----------------------------------------------------------

'Sex' camp reconstructs men's view of women

First posted 05:10am (Mla time) Oct 05, 2005
By Stella Gonzales
Inquirer News Service

Editor's Note: Published on page A1 of the Oct. 5, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

(Editor's note: Oct. 5 is the International Day of No Prostitution.)

FOR these young men, it was an epiphany.

Terence Cleo Gloria, 20, was a freshman at the University of the Philippines-Cebu when he started frequenting bars with his barkada (peer group) and boarding house companions. When they had extra cash, they would "table" prostituted women -- a "normal" pastime, they thought, for others like them.

It was a different "trip" for Lester Añonuevo, now 19, and his friends. They enjoyed watching porn videos where women were treated as mere commodities, and some of their female friends even watched along with them.

In May 2004, Añonuevo attended the Young Men's Camp on Gender Issues, Sexuality and Prostitution. A year later, Gloria and his friends made up the third batch of attendees.

The experience dramatically changed the way they viewed and treated women.

Full story

what would you do?

2005-10-02T15:19:00.000+08:00

Learning English as an adult, after growing up in a society where the language was hardly spoken, is tough. I see it in Koreans who come in droves to the Philippines for the sole purpose of studying English.

They learn English as early as in elementary school, but lessons are limited to grammar -- and spoken English doesn't go beyond the "hello-how-are-you-fine-thank-you-and-you?" lines. In other words, Koreans generally have a good grasp of grammar, but conversation is a whole new ballgame.

I discovered not long ago that another reason for the Philippines' being a favorite destination for those wanting to learn English is that it's the only country where one-on-one language classes are offered. Hence, this plus cheap education have made our islands a favored stepping-stone for Koreans and other Asians who aim to improve their English communication skills, before moving on to Australia, Canada or wherever they choose to head to next.

There's no question about the sense of fulfillment that comes with being able to help others improve their language skills. But what do you do if in the process of teaching them, they end up making use of illegally produced materials? You know those materials could be instrumental in fast-tracking their learning; what's more, practically everyone (to your knowledge) suggests buying those materials. But you're aware that in doing so, you're contributing to a big problem instead of providing a solution.

It's amazing how many of us take our facility in English for granted. Who would have thought that those English subtitles in DVDs could spell the difference for some people between totally getting the plot and being clueless about the story (that had never crossed my mind till recently)? Hence, the Korean students are prescribed with the all-too-accessible DVDs that can be bought for 50 bucks a piece.

Let me go on a rundown on what happens here. Our country becomes a haven for other Asians (tourists and students alike). Those Asians become interested in learning English. Asian business people see an opportunity to strike gold and open English language schools in our country. Such schools mushroom all over the place. The non-Filipino business people need teachers and thus hire Filipinos (of course). Unemployment and low wages are at an all-time high, and the business people know this. They hire the Filipinos and pay them meager salaries. No complaints (or nothing voiced out at least) since a little money is better than nothing. Then come the teaching materials -- including illegally produced DVDs that are part of the big piracy problem that is draining our economy and sending numerous individuals and legal establishments into unemployment (people) and closure (companies like video shops). The teachers endorse, the students buy. Fast forward.... the students go back to their countries, armed with new language skills and increased confidence in their ability to communicate effectively. We Filipinos are left here, with worse problems. One of them -- the piracy problem getting deeper and giving the already sorry state of our economy a heavier black eye.

Does this seem even just a bit like we're the ones creating more problems for our country?

In the meantime, I'm in a dilemma with one of my students. He's hardworking, bright and eager to learn. This weekend he's supposed to buy a DVD player in Greenhills and some DVD titles in Quiapo. I had suggested watching Shrek and a host of entertaining and helpful flicks, adding that I had copies of my own which he's most welcome to borrow. "If you borrow my copy, that means one less pirated CD you'll be buying," I quietly told him during one class. He understood and seemed grateful for the offer, but I doubt it if he'll oblige.

I proposed another counter-measure. "Okay, if you decide to buy a pirated DVD, try to do something to compensate for that. You can do something good for someone -- anything, for anyone. It's like making up for patronizing people who engage in illegal business. Do you get what I mean?" He did. Whether or not he puts it into practice depends on him.

I didn't plan for this ranting to be aimless. Hopefully I'll get comments as to what more I can do. It just seems like no one is concerned about a problem that looks trivial but is actually not.

rice-ing to the occasion

2005-10-02T14:58:00.000+08:00

It's the first time I'm hearing about "baye-baye," which, the article says, contains the same ingredients as those in espasol -- with some differences. Read on to know what it is, and be inspired by a heartening example of making it big due to hard work and a sporting spirit.

Rice delicacy rescues family from poverty
Posted: 5:24 AM Oct. 02, 2005
Ma. Diosa Labiste, PDI Visayas Bureau Inquirer News Service

PAVIA, Iloilo — Thanks to a bit of luck and a lot of hard work, a couple who described themselves as "formerly dirt poor," is now much admired for their success in making "baye-baye" rice delicacy.

Rodolpo Hachero, 49 and his wife Gina, 42, are owners of Polding's Baye-baye, which produces the delicacy sold in the malls, restaurants and pasalubong counters in Iloilo City.

Today, some eight years after they started their "baye-baye" business, the Hachero couple has not only taken their family out of poverty, but also cemented the reputation of their barangay as the "baye-baye" capital of Iloilo.

Full story

Guyito!

2005-09-25T10:41:00.000+08:00

The Common Man’s Carabao Becomes A Work of Art--and How!

First posted 06:35am (Mla time) Sept 25, 2005
Inquirer News Service

Editor's Note: Published on page Q1 of the September 25, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

HE WAS first known simply as Kalabaw, the loyal if somewhat sassy companion to farmer Alipio A. Lipin in cartoonist Jess Abrera’s award-winning comic strip “A. Lipin,” a humorous look at the Filipinos’ plight under the Marcos regime published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer. “They would just talk a lot about the situation in the country,” Abrera says with a laugh of the animal that always had an opinion. “Wala lang sila magawa” (They didn’t have anything better to do). “A.Lipin” was born in 1985, in the heat of anti-Marcos sentiment, a year before Edsa.

Inevitably the boisterous bovine would endear itself to the Filipino public. “The Filipinos began to identify with him,” Abrera says. “Whatever he was thinking was what the Filipino masses were thinking.”

You can read the rest here

And, as 2005 marks Guyito's 20th year, here are some related stories:

Guyito Power

Juan Sajid Imao: A different way of seeing

lost and found

2005-09-25T09:23:00.000+08:00

Doing some cleaning can lead you to unearth many things that you previously thought were nowhere to be found. During one such recent put-some-order-in-disarray session, I came across some materials about the Galing Pilipino Movement, including a brochure which contained some witty lines -- witty but also substantial and potent when taken to heart. Like this one --

Ang galing, sa sarili manggagaling.

And this --

Hindi kailangang trabaho'y sikat
upang galing mo'y sumikat.

And another which, to me, holds a lot of promise --

May ibang paraan pa
sa nakasanayan na.

heart and MIND

2005-09-25T09:11:00.000+08:00

Heart doctor advises, inspires colleagues to stay home

First posted 05:23am (Mla time) Sept 25, 2005
By Tessa Salazar
Inquirer News Service

Editor's Note: Published on page A1 of the September 25, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

CARDIOLOGIST Willie T. Ong is not just content with helping heart patients live. He has another passion: teaching young doctors "survival techniques"-how to survive in the Philippines.

At a time when thousands of their colleagues are being lured to work in the United States and other Western countries, Ong and his colleagues have launched a movement to convince other doctors that rewards await those who stay home and serve.

Ong is a co-founder of MIND, the Movement of Idealistic and Nationalistic Doctors, a non-profit organization that seeks to inspire fresh graduates and medical students to "find their niche" in their own country.

You can read the rest here

petal attraction

2005-09-24T00:22:00.000+08:00

As a child, I often saw moths "parked" on the walls outside our house, near the shrubs and potted plants. You know -- those big ones with big "prints" on their wings. I remember these tinted with brick red, brown and black hues, and I would stare up at them, fascinated that they could just stay there for hours as if plastered on the wall, not even moving.

I don't see any of those creatures anymore. Have they simply chosen other localities? Did Manila's fumes wipe out their entire population? There's a butterfly farm somewhere in Quezon City and it sure is a pity if that's the last place left for sightings of those winged creatures.

That butterfly in the picture is a "foreigner," photographed as it was going about its floral rounds among the foliage in a Canadian town. Thanks a lot to Quietfish -- she with the delightful photos and interesting reads on her blog -- for letting me put this pic on my blog after seeing it on hers.

The snapshot instantly reminded me of those years when chasing dragonflies was part of any regular school day at the playground (at least for me and my friends). It was a test of stealth, concentration and muscle control (particularly of the thumb and index finger)...then would come the delight of being able to catch one by the tail ...then the momentary struggle to switch my hold to its flapping wings ...then the few seconds of gazing at its bulging eyes ...then finally letting it loose again.

Where have all the dragonflies gone? Do they still roam and buzz about in vacant fields and playgrounds in the countryside? And do kids still play with beetles? Is the beetle even the same as the salagubang?

street talk

2005-09-21T21:39:00.000+08:00

Besides making coordination much easier, these cellphones really come in handy for passing on information about new M.O.'s that robbers and snatchers come up with. Here's a text message I got today from a friend, about the latest in carnapping strategies.

Please avoid passing the following streets at night as much as possible: Gilmore, Hemady in New Manila; Blue Ridge underpass of Katipunan. The carnappers will shine a flashlight on driver to force the car to stop then take your ATM card, credit card, jewelry and car. Take care and be alert all the time.

I believe the streets mentioned are dimly lit and don't experience a lot of traffic; the Blue Ridge underpass is a tunnel which takes quite a long time to negotiate, making it a convenient spot to trap motorists.

Hands-on kind of people

2005-09-21T10:03:00.000+08:00

One of the quotes that I see daily nowadays (since it's written on my whiteboard) is this:

One man's trash is another man's treasure.

Another that comes to mind more often these days is that one which some highly esteemed figure said:

Be the change you want to see in the world.

... or something like that (if you know the exact wording, please leave a comment). I think it was Gandhi who said that but I'm not sure.

I suppose the latter is a good guiding principle especially if one has a penchant for complaining. Lambasting is much easier to do, but then come to think of it -- one can get into action and do something practical while complaining (whether you drop the complaining or not is entirely up to you).

Speaking of getting into action, I read about the Hands on Manila Foundation in a newspaper article today. The group recruits, educates and coordinates a network of volunteers for community projects within Metro Manila. Volunteer work is so diverse as to range from fixing up a museum and building a home for the underprivileged to helping maintain a zoo and cooking with young women (just to name a few).

You can get more information here and here.

Excess poundage

2005-09-12T09:34:00.000+08:00

Pear-shaped. That's the typical Filipina's silhouette. And if one's bone structure takes on this shape, no amount of dieting and exercising will make her pelvic bones shrink.

But then, if you find yourself huffing and puffing too much after walking a couple of blocks -- or if your lifestyle has you seated for hours at a time -- limbering up may do you good. If you're a Manila resident, biking on the streets is not really viable (unless you live in a secure neighborhood). Find a way to clock in even just 15 minutes of exercise everyday (you can start with taking the stairs more often) and you're on your way to fitness. And watch what you eat! Cut down on softdrinks and fast-food fare (the oily stuff), load up on fruits.

The ticker up there could give your quest for fitness a nice push. Weight loss seems to be the common goal -- a ticker for weight gain was nowhere in sight.

By the way, I heard from my mom that there was a planned nationwide transport strike for today. If it pushed through, I hope those affected are safe.

Birds of the same feather

2005-09-11T16:17:00.000+08:00

The few trips I've made to zoos, I was never particularly interested in the birds.

The elephants were intriguing, the gorillas were amusing, the tigers -- because of their size, shiny coats and fierce reputation -- were fascinating. The baby orangutan I saw once was cute.

The birds were...birds. I didn't see anything particularly exciting about them.

Now I come across the website of the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines and see pictures of exotic-looking fowl. And there are guided trips to urban birding sites. I didn't even know there were such places in Manila. Anyway, for those interested, you can simply check out the site. Bird-watching could be yet another off-the-beaten-track weekend activity one of these days.

By the way, the bird in the photo up there -- taken from the group's site -- is a Greater Painted Snipe, one of the hundreds of species that can be found in the Philippines (according to the Papemelroti Planet Patrol, our country boasts of over 500 kinds of birds, with 168 of those residing only in the Philippines).

Give w/o counting the coasts

2005-09-11T15:06:00.000+08:00

Sept. 17
is
Int'l Coastal Cleanup day
and this year marks its 20th anniversary!

Last year, over 3,000 Philippine residents turned up for International Coastal Cleanup (ICC), wherein the volunteers covered 124.7 miles of shoreline. You can imagine how many tons of trash were eliminated with so many people working together.

This is an annual international event and if you and your buddies want to spend this coming Saturday differently, check out the ICC site for more info. You can also contact your local DENR office to join the volunteer group nearest you.

pakopya nga

2005-09-05T23:45:00.000+08:00

there's a fairly new establishment somewhere in Quezon City which I saw for the first time last week. it was a little photocopying center, called Pakopya ni Edgar, located a few meters from where Petal Attraction (the flower shop) used to be.

seeing it made me wonder how those other shops with witty names must be doing ( i used to pass by those shops regularly) -- laundry shops called Washamacallit and LABADABADOO.

going global, blog-wise

2005-08-31T21:09:00.000+08:00

I had been wondering what the big deal was about Aug. 31, and after putting two and two together, I realized it's Blog Day 2005 -- a day someone decided would be the day to expand our blog horizons. "We want to read more blogs! Tell us about five new ones!" I read somewhere. Good thing, as I had been wracking my brain for something to write about, and nothing has come up. And since I'd been spending a good amount of time zooming through blog rolls, here are some that I've decided to bookmark and which I urge you to check out. I tried to make it global, the better to widen our horizons:

Chocolate & Zucchini. Blogger is a twentysomething French girl who shares her gastronomic expertise from the City of Lights. Besides lots of recipes, cooking tips and little-known facts woven into her posts, the photos will tickle your tastebuds as well.

Secret Agent Josephine. Agent Josephine is a lady from somewhere (I couldn't find a profile); besides that, I know nothing about her, except that she's taking on other secret agents who apply for her team. Quirky design and loads of colorful pics give the blog more oomph.

Universal soldier. He's a member of the British Army who's currently assigned in Northern Ireland. Laces accounts from the trenches and leisurely trips to the pub with humor. You can get a bit of history, too, from occasional references he makes.

Testosterhome. The subtitle says it all: "Encounters with boys: Musings from a writer with four young sons." A domestic goddess who writes about her days in Georgia, USA -- and since the kids are a big part of her daily adventures, there's a lot of funny stuff in there.

A family in Baghdad. I'm still perusing this, albeit with a grain of salt. It contains the diaries of an Iraqi mother and her three kids (the dad's not interested, so it says). I saw three bilingual posts already (English post first, then what looks like the Arabic translation follows).

Hope these blogs serve as your window to the world.

new links, old kinks

2005-08-29T08:14:00.000+08:00

first off...for those of you living in the Philippine islands...

if you're a gov't employee, a student (private or public school, it doesn't matter), or a teacher, you're probably still at home by this time (8 am) since the President declared today as a non-working holiday. Those earning their keep via the private sector (except for teachers) go to work as usual.

so, if you're one of those who are taking things more leisurely at home right now, try clicking away on the right side of this blog where i've added some links for your reading pleasure, research work, intellectual exercise and/or patriotic pursuits. everything from "edsa revolution website" to "ncca" (that's "nat'l commission for culture & the arts") was added within the past 3 days. and i wasn't even aware that yesterday was nat'l heroes day until my mom casually announced in mid-afternoon that the following day (that's today) is yet another non-working holiday.

but you'll get much more besides heroes on those sites. i haven't been to the new ayala museum myself, and navigating through its site makes me realize just how much i'm missing.

oh, and there's something new under "blog roll" -- "palabok" chronicles the days of a filipino hubby-and-wife team living in australia. another visual treat, just like some of the other new links. =)

time's up. i'll have to dwell on the "old kinks" part of this post's title later -- if my card doesn't run out of minutes by the time i finish downloading the new YM.

concrete, practical, doable

2005-08-27T08:22:00.000+08:00

when you shoot that candy wrapper into the trash can, talk positively to foreigners about the bayanihan spirit and Philippine cuisine, and refrain from buying smuggled goods, you're doing a lot more good than you think.

here's why, at CyberDyaryo.

almost 20 yrs ago

2005-08-27T08:11:00.000+08:00

hopefully, this website shall refresh your memory, awaken you from stupor, ignite your spirit and get you and your friends into action. feeling nostalgic or sentimental is wonderful, but it's not enough.

the events that took place in February 1986 were so phenomenal that even the people in African nations that were experiencing hardships under dictators at the time were looking to us for inspiration. they watched as the events unfolded and let the bloodless revolution give them hope.

i believe this is not your ordinary website about the Edsa Revolution. see for yourself.

tapioca gelatin

2005-08-26T10:17:00.000+08:00

is that the correct translation of sago gulaman? anyway, i don't think i've ever tried the street variety of sago gulaman, just the ones sold at some fast food chains around here. though i admit that none of them can top the one my mother concocts.

i'm experimenting with graphics on this blog, and that one you see above is one of those you can find at Papemelroti's free graphics page, under the Filipiniana category. there are many other categories among which are animals, flowers, environment and bars.

while we're on the subject of this tongue-twister-named gift shop, i saw some really nice coasters for sale on the store's site. i think i've seen them at one of their stores already, but you know how it can be when so many products are displayed all together -- you can miss some of them 'cause you're too busy checking out the whole lot. anyway, i just took notice of them when i saw a couple of pictures on the site (deco plaque coasters, they're called, and they're made of resin). i'm actually thinking of buying a couple for my best friend and her hubby; after all, how trite are those as gifts (except when you get a whole set of 6 complete with placemats and napkin holders, maybe as a wedding or housewarming gift)?

What one item can you buy for P100?

2005-08-26T09:14:00.000+08:00

An internet card -- in my case, one that gives me 20 hrs. of online time (the better to research materials for my blogs).

An original VCD on sale -- the latest I purchased is "Freaky Friday" (entertaining though not exactly relaxing about half the time due to all the "you're-ruining-my-life" type of teen angst that Anna displayed; still, it's a good take on dealing with generational differences, and the soundtrack is quite interesting).

A book titled "20 Speeches that Moved a Nation" -- haven't read it yet, but check this out: Andres Bonifacio, Ferdinand Marcos, Joseph Estrada and Joker Arroyo all in the same book. Other featured speeches are by Jose Rizal, Joaquin "Chino" Roces, Cory Aquino and 13 other figures who, in one way or another, influenced the course of our nation's history by their words.

news links 4 u

2005-08-23T11:24:00.000+08:00

Just in case you haven't noticed, there are two additional items on the list of links on the right -- Marianas Variety and GulfNews. I was thinking of putting other news links like CNN, BBC, The London Times etc., but...well, I didn't. Marianas Variety is one of the big newspapers in the Marianas Islands (which include Saipan and Guam), and GulfNews provides news and features concerning the Middle Eastern region. Considering that there's a big Pinoy population in both regions, I decided that knowing more about what's going on over there would be of interest to us.

I guess I'll add The London Times to the list since a lot of Filipinos work in the UK as well.

Hope you find these links useful!

kung makakalusot, why not? argh.

2005-08-22T17:16:00.000+08:00

is it just me or is looking for parking at the Gateway mall in Cubao much like exploring a maze?

after one presses the button and gets a parking lot ticket, hunting for a space is quite a task given the layout of the place. it was a Sunday so that allots for some allowances. however, looking for a possible slot was difficult. how the heck do i go to another level? IS there another level or is this it? it felt like i was merely going around in circles...until a security guard came into view and pointed the way. he told me to go straight to the section that had a "no entry" symbol above; not only that -- there was also a "DO NOT ENTER" sign blocking half the lane for those who don't know what the red-background-and-white-horizontal-line symbol stands for.

"diyan? diyan sa nakasulat na do not enter?" i quizzed the guard with furrowed eyebrows. "oho, diretso lang kayo diyan. may mga bagong parking space diyan," he assured me. so straight i went, through the "no entry" signs, and smiled gleefully as the sight of vacant parking spaces greeted me.

i wish they'd take out those "no entry" signs, though. sure, they dissuade drivers from going that way, hence keeping additional parking slots out of sight (to my advantage), but instructing people to drive on through the path is like telling them to go ahead and do what they want despite visible traffic signs. and in this country, that's not something you'd want to encourage because here, a lot of people have the tendency to opt for what's convenient (never mind if it's unlawful or just plain inconsiderate of others) as long as they can get away with it. think resorting to fixers, cutting in line and string-pulling.

so, if you reading this are in any way connected with Gateway, you may want to make a call. the red-background-and-white-horizontal-line sign hanging at the Basement 1 parking level which leads to the more recently constructed parking area further inside is better off removed. =)

http://campaignforrealbeauty.ph

2005-08-19T09:09:00.000+08:00

Take a look at this:

For too long
beauty has been defined by narrow, stifling stereotypes.
You've told us it's time to change all that.
We agree.
Because we believe real beauty comes from
many shapes, sizes and ages.
It is why we started the campaign for real beauty.
And why we hope you'll take part.

At the hugely popular AsianSmiles blog, you get a preview of Dove's Campaign for Real Beauty -- from which the above was taken -- along with one of the studies undertaken by Dove to shed more light on Asian women's attitudes toward beauty and self-image.

Whether you're pear-shaped, in the prime of your youth or sporting a boy's cut, do check out the campaign.

If you'd like to see the charming Filipina who's been included in the Asia-wide campaign, click here. (I'm 99% sure this woman is Filipina; if I got my nationalities all mixed up after reading the feature on the campaign in the Philippine Daily Inquirer a couple of weeks ago -- the other models come from Thailand and Singapore -- I apologize, but I'm in the process of verifying my data).

Whether you're tipping the scales at 190 or 90 lbs., whether you've got white hair, jet black hair or no hair, whether you're a guy or have got more like a guy's figure -- Dove's Campaign for Real Beauty (Copyright© Unilever Philippines) is worth more than a peek.

It's all in here.

Pambansang Museo ng Pelikula

2005-08-18T09:02:00.000+08:00

...or "national film museum."

It occupies two floors of the 7-storey Mowelfund Bldg. and it combines "scholarly and showbizzy".

"If we only wanted to attract fans, we could've just filled all the rooms with stars," said Nick Deocampo, museum curator and artistic director. There's a separate room dedicated to the five National Artists for Film -- Gerry de Leon, Lamberto Avellana, Lino Brocka, Ishmael Bernal and Eddie Romero -- but there's also a Jolina Magdangal mannequin somewhere. There's also a giant photo of 1950s love team Nida Blanca and Nestor de Villa. Here's the article about it:

Movie memories

First posted 10:46pm (Mla time) Aug 17, 2005
By Bayani San Diego Jr.
Inquirer News Service

Editor's Note: Published on Page A26 of the August 18, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

FINALLY, if belatedly, a national film museum will open its doors to the public on Aug. 19.

Finally, because it is the first of its kind in the country. Belatedly, because Philippine cinema is about 108 years old.

“The first screenings were held at the Salon Pertierra on Escolta Street on Jan. 1, 1897,” according to Boots Anson-Roa, executive director of the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation Inc. or Mowelfund, which spearheaded the undertaking.

The museum comes a month after the sale of the laboratory facilities of LVN. The fate of the LVN Museum is still unclear.

LVN grant

Anson-Roa confirmed that Mowelfund was discussing with LVN management the possible transfer of the studio’s holdings to the Pambansang Museo ng Pelikula.

“We’ve already received a partial grant from the LVN Museum,” Anson-Roa told Inquirer Entertainment.

Full story

chateau verde

2005-08-18T08:43:00.000+08:00

beef salpicao

callos

paella

YUM!!!

those are among the dishes i've tried at Chateau Verde, a little and little-known restaurant inside the UP diliman campus. they are sumptuous, in my opinion. last week, a few of us (two were Korean) had dinner at this stone's-throw-away-from-Shopping-Center resto. they really loved it -- the food, the place, the ambience.

"are we really inside UP?" one of them asked incredulously, unable to believe right away that there was such a dining place inside the campus that didn't have the noisy-cafeteria-atmosphere of a school canteen.

what more can i say? hmm...oh, did i mention the wine? i don't know much about that, but one of my companions said that chilean wine is supposed to be commendable (so we chose that over the spanish one we were offered).

oh, and in case you decide to check it out one of these days, the resto doesn't have a sign -- that is, nothing that reads "chateau verde." just a big leaf overhead that points to the entrance. don't worry, the leaf is lit up at night so it's easier to spot.

your ideas on this perplexing matter are wanted

2005-08-18T08:01:00.000+08:00

There are times when I'm brimming with ideas as to what to put in this blog. When I'm away from the pc, I come across something...or some thought pops into my head...and I say, "Oh, that would be great for rantsnraves!" Then later on as I log onto blogger, I go, "What was that thing I was going to tackle here??"

Here is one of those perplexing questions that had been nagging me for some time now which I had planned to post here, but which ended up in the "ano na nga ba yung isusulat ko sa blog ko?!" assortment:

Bakit ang lakas magpatugtog ng radyo ng mga drivers, lalo na habang naglilinis ng kotse?

From time to time, I have to contend with this -- our next-door neighbor has an open garage, and the driver has a penchant for leaving the utility vehicle's windows open, jukebox music streaming from inside. I wouldn't say that the stereo system is of the sophisticated kind, and I do hear the driver making like Aiza Seguerra or Ogie Alcasid at the top of his lungs once in a while.

Then there's our neighbor across the street, whose driver gives the family SUV a good washing outside their gate at least twice a week -- accompanying the sunrise. He, too, relishes the sound of ditties keeping him company as he works the chamois (sometimes ballads, sometimes techno). And his is a basag broadcast of the day's playlist at a volume level that enables me to listen from our dining table.

Then at the street corner nearest our house is a queue of tricycles, and quite a few of them sport boomboxes. If your tricycle had a boombox, would you keep it a secret? Noooo. You'd let everyone be aware just what your speaker can do!

I do know that in most exclusive villages, policies regarding music broadcasts from any resident are strictly enforced. Ours is not an exclusive village; still, I believe that policy or no policy, a person ought to consider the peace and quiet that others relish and which he may be shattering before he pumps up the volume. But then, people are different so I'll let the "ought/should" angle of the matter go for now.

My question is, what's the reason behind these people's preference for playing music so loudly when a) the sound is basag, and, b) they're not in a karaoke place?

Is it out of generosity ("para naman marinig ng mga iba, yung mga walang radyo")? Are they KSP ("lakasan ko nga para mapansin ako")? Is it an expression of rebelliousness ("pag mas malakas, mas maraming maiistorbo, hehe")?

Your theories please. =)

Thanks!

getting muddy

2005-08-14T10:44:00.000+08:00

Here's a heartening initiative from a private individual -- an attempt to help address the problem of lack of school buildings and classrooms in poorer areas of the country. I hope some of those in the know about construction, carpentry, engineering, education and related fields can post comments regarding the project.

---------------------------------------------

Illac Diaz has gone ‘mud’

First posted 08:35pm (Mla time) Aug 13, 2005
By Linda Bolido
Inquirer News Service

Editor's Note: Published on page C1 of the August 14, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

YOUNG entrepreneur Illac Diaz is making what is old new again as a solution to the housing and classroom shortages in the country.

After building a model house made of “mud” in Escalante, Negros Occidental, named Rio Dome in honor of his late aunt, Rio Diaz Cojuangco, Diaz is now harnessing a Middle Eastern building technology in trying to close the gap between the student population and classrooms.

Diaz is executive director of My Shelter Foundation, which believes in “uncommon solutions for common problems.” Updating an old adage a bit, Diaz goes beyond simply teaching people how to fish, in a manner of speaking. After all, with resources getting depleted at alarming rates, the “how” will not take them very far if there is no fish to catch. So Diaz is not just giving them skills but also showing them “where to fish.”

He points out that the old Filipino construction technology using wood and stones is no longer suitable and practical. The severe problem of deforestation has drastically reduced the availability of lumber and other forest products used in construction.

Full story

when in Davao...

2005-08-14T10:13:00.000+08:00

"Things are so cheap here! Avocados sell for P5/kilo, papayas P10, bananas P15. It's paradise!"

That's among my best friend's first text messages after relocating from Manila to Davao a few weeks ago. Looks like she's getting just what she and her hubby had in mind when they decided to move there -- cheaper goods and a lower standard of living in general. And weather-wise, it's got its advantages, too.

I remember spending about a week in Davao in 1997. On the way to Pearl Farm resort from the city, we had a bit of walking to do; despite the noontime sun, it was quite comfortable (perplexing, really). In Manila, the sun's rays can really be bothersome -- all one needs to work up a sweat is 3 minutes or so standing under the sun. The only exception I could remember was January 2004 when a friend and I basked in the 1pm sun, strolling from SM Megamall to The Podium donning hooded jackets and enjoying the cool temperature.

Davao sounds like a good alternative to Manila-living...

TV networks work together this time

2005-08-08T06:58:00.000+08:00

TV networks join forces for RP kids

First posted 09:13pm (Mla time) Aug 07, 2005
By Marinel Cruz
Inquirer News Service

Editor's Note: Published on page A2-1 of the August 8, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

WARRING channels GMA 7 and ABS-CBN seemed to declare a temporary ceasefire and, along with other TV networks, joined forces in supporting the Southeast Asian Foundation of Children's Television (SEAFCTV) in its effort to remind parents that they should keep an eye on what kids are watching on TV.

"This is a very brave move on the part of the networks," Emily Abrera, a member of the SEAFCTV board of trustees, told a group of entertainment writers over lunch on Thursday. "This is the first time we will see TV networks tell parents not to let their kids watch too much TV."

The lunch was to launch a series of TV plugs to this effect, featuring show biz celebrities. The first batch has Aga Muhlach, Gary Valenciano, Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski, Julius and Tin-Tin Bersola, Bernadette Sembrano, Ryan Agoncillo, Mari Kaimo and Boots Anson Roa.

Full story

remember the '...bisikleta ang kailangan' guy?

2005-07-31T13:07:00.000+08:00

ariel ureta -- that's him. and i just read that he has been hosting a talk show on ANC21 for two months now. has anybody seen it? it's on mondays and wednesdays, 6pm, "while the rest of Philippine television is on an adrenaline rush reporting the latest on the Garci tapes and Kris Aquino’s love life.." as the Sunday Inquirer story goes. watching comfortable tete-a-tetes between the easygoing host and non-controversial guests is not a bad option at all. =)

--------------------------------------------------

SEEN ON TV
Still Gabbing After All These Years

First posted 05:26am (Mla time) July 31, 2005
By Pennie Azarcon de la Cruz
Inquirer News Service

Editor's Note: Published on page Q4 of the July 31, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

HE was so big in the ’70s that martial law authorities used him to start a rumor meant to quell dissent. But no, says Ariel Ureta, of late the host of ANC’s “My Favorite Show,” there’s no truth to the “bisikleta” (bicycle) story that had him cycling around Crame, allegedly because he made fun of the New Society slogan on television.

What eventually became an urban legend started when the then popular noontime show host heard a small boy utter those infamous words: “Sa ikauunlad ng bayan, bisikleta ang kailangan,” (For the nation’s progress, use a bicycle) a send-off of the era’s paean to discipline as the way to progress. “I whispered the story to (newscaster) Bong Lapira at the ABS-CBN canteen and soon enough, it was on everybody’s lips,” recounts Ariel.

Full story

a slow 'bye to DVDs and LVs

2005-07-31T12:42:00.000+08:00

It's about faux DVDs, intellectual property rights, raids and catching the big fish. And handsome rewards of legal tender.
Read on.

------------------------------------------------

RP may soon be off pirates list

First posted 09:47pm (Mla time) July 30, 2005
By Marinel R. Cruz
Inquirer News Service

Editor's Note: Published on page A23 of the July 31, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

THE MOTION Picture Association-International (MPA) has recommended that the Philippines be stricken off the United States’ watch list of intellectual property rights violators.

Inquirer Entertainment got this piece of good news from Optical Media Board (OMB) chair Edu Manzano on Friday, a few hours after his group conducted a raid in Quiapo, Manila.

Full story

of Captain Hook and Juan de la Cruz's choices

2005-07-30T23:36:00.000+08:00

THE FILIPINO DESERVES BETTER.

Expressions have been varied, but the idea is more or less the same. And that idea has crossed the minds of those who hold cynical views, idealistic principles, ambivalent attitudes, those who act more and talk less, those who complain and act at the same time, those who work quietly, those who complain much and rest on their laurels...dreamers, realists with high ideals, high-profile individuals, brilliant minds, not-so-brilliant minds...even the one who stares at the images on the big screen minutes before the Last Full Show begins. He probably gives no serious thought to the struggles of the everyday Filipino, except while the Lupang Hinirang blasts over the theater's speakers accompanied by dramatic images from our country's history on the screen.

The Filipino deserves better.

That's what many of us believe -- some, fervently; others, with a faith that needs to be inflamed more constantly. Still, I think that there are much more who believe in something else more strongly, and that is:

The government sucks.

So what's the plan? Simple. Stop complaining (if it leads to nothing good, that is; if you're one whose bemoaning pushes you and those around you to work positively, by all means, complain to high heavens) and start doing your part to put this country back on its feet.

In other words, be part of the solution and not the problem. After all, it is we who determine our future, right? It's up to us to carve the path leading to our financial stability, intellectual development and professional progress (personal level) as well as our cultural preservation, national development and -- what seems to be on the minds of the majority -- economic recovery (societal level).

Now who in his right mind wouldn't want to achieve that? Fulfillment of one's goals as well as pride in a country that is succeeding to overcome serious obstacles.

What I'm saying is: the future rests basically in each of us -- particularly, in the choices we make. We can't go around blaming others for our personal miseries if we keep choosing bad company or laze around day in and day out. In the same way, we don't have the right to complain about the sorry state of our society if we don't at least try to do our part and instead continue violating rules or turning a blind eye to error when we see it -- which affect not only ourselves but the rest of society as well.

With this in mind, let's say you were to choose between lending a hand to pirates who steal goods from our island and cheering on the "good guys" who go after the crooks, which would you pick? Or, let's say there were no good guys to catch the thugs -- would you at least try to stop the pirates, watch them carry on with their monkey business, "promote" them in some way, or join them?

If Captain Hook and his cohorts were having a field day ripping off hardworking fellas on OUR island, would you give them a hand? Okay, so you may not be Peter Pan material -- standing up to the bad guy and making fun of him is not your cup of tea. But do you aspire to ditch Captain Hook and rid the island of pirates altogether? Whatever your answer is, your choices and actions will reflect it.

Why am I talking about pirates and Peter Pan? Check out the next post.

it's really up to you

2005-07-30T23:09:00.000+08:00

one can make a difference -- that's all i can say.

that, and that the desire to do the right thing -- when taken to the next level and actually translated to working to do the right thing -- reaps rewards in forms that can't ever be quantified.

here's something i dug up from an old issue of Woman Today magazine. the advice column tackles an oft-ignored issue nowadays. for others, it's not an issue.

i'm posting it here hopefully to provide other perspectives on the matter of piracy.

--------------------------------------------------

Dear Trixie,

I have seen many ads; even MTV VJs speak out against piracy. There was even a feature on TV showing a local band talking about the issue and how artists lose money when people buy fake CDs. I have some pirated CDs in my collection because it’s the only way I can buy CDs with my allowance! I’m confused about this piracy issue and I would just like to ask your opinion. Thanks a lot!

- MB20 4evr

Dear MB20 4evr,

Hi! I know what you mean about how buying those cheap CDs can seem logical. When a CD is available for P50, why buy one that costs P375, right?

Instead of telling you what to do, let me just point out a few things:

Laws are made for a reason. Traffic lights and pedestrian lanes, for example, are established not to make life harder for us, but to facilitate activity on the road. Traffic lights…what for? For the purpose of smooth flow of vehicles going in different directions. Without lights: utter chaos (especially in Manila)! Pedestrian lanes…what for? So people can cross streets safely and motorists know where they should be especially cautious. Without lanes: people crossing anywhere, motorists stopping every few meters to let people cross, and lives being put in danger constantly!

But we know that there will always be violators of these rules, or else it would be a perfect world. Jaywalking, speeding, beating the red light and the like are bound to occur from time to time. This doesn’t change the fact, however, that rules are made for the purpose of putting some order into society in the first place.

In the same way, rules regarding manufacturing, property rights and running businesses have been set down…simple as that. But some people prefer to take shortcuts especially when it comes to making profits. I’m referring to pirates who reproduce merchandise with no regard for the law and no respect for the intellectual property they are making money out of. Besides breaking the law, these pirates are draining the legitimate establishments—the music industry, video rental shops and every worker involved in such ventures. Which would you rather support—a legitimate or an illegitimate business?

Another thing: consider the nature of these CDs, VCDs and DVDs. Are they basic necessities? Does our survival depend on having them in our possession? If you answer in the affirmative, you may have to do some rethinking; differentiate between ‘needs’ and ‘wants.’

When a CD is so cheap, it’s easy to buy one after another without giving it a second thought. And you know what you deprive yourself of when you develop this habit? A virtue that never goes out of style—one that you need in order to find ultimate peace and happiness in the long run: temperance. If you don’t know what that is, well, it’s never too late to learn. Look it up and take steps to develop it. A suggested first step: stop thinking that you need to buy all those CDs, VCDs (original or otherwise) and other things to survive. YOU DON’T.

Personally, it was the cover story of an issue of Time magazine that opened my eyes to the global magnitude of the piracy problem. When I read how members of international law enforcement agencies were getting killed in the process of tracking down the outlaws, I told myself I’d rather be part of the solution than part of the problem. What about you?

- Trixie

- from Woman Today (Sept. 25, 2002)

RockEd Philippines

2005-07-30T20:44:00.000+08:00

RockEd Philippines is a group of volunteers.

RockEd stands for "Rock Society Through Education".

RockEd's motto: No more excuses, Philippines!

RockEd also refers to the group's 10-year series of alternative education projects.

RockEd was featured recently on the Phil. Daily Inquirer, making front page news when different sectors of society were somewhat fired up by talk of presidential resignations, impeachments, coup d'etats and street demonstrations. Everyone seems to have his own ideas of how the situation should be dealt with, what the President should do or why the country is hopeless. News of young people banding together -- without brandishing arms or reflecting cynicism -- is therefore a breath of fresh air, at least for me. Here's the story:

‘No more excuses’ is battlecry of youth group

First posted 03:10am (Mla time) July 24, 2005
By Volt Contreras
Inquirer News Service

Editor's Note: Published on page A1 of the July 24, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

THEY are the youngblood who will inherit the country and their plea is: “No more excuses, Philippines!”

It’s the motto of “RockEd Philippines,” a movement cited by the United Nations’ Millennium Development Campaign and launched three weeks ago by a circle of professionals in their 30s who tour campuses giving pep talks aimed at sparking patriotism and good citizenship among the youth.

RockEd stands for “Rock Society Through Education.” As the name implies, it integrates rock music, visual arts and other unconventional teaching mediums that can make discussions of social issues more appealing to the so-called MTV generation.

Full story

Plus, you can get more of the lowdown on RockEd Philippines.

a composer gives the commencement address!

2005-07-30T10:00:00.000+08:00

"Minsan sa isa o makalawang linggo, may dumaraang truck ng DDT (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) na nag-bubuga ng makapal na usok pampatay ng lamok na nagdudulot ng malaria. Lahat ng bata sa Area 1, at sa buong campus ay sinasalubong itong truck, at kung kaya lang naming magsiawit ng Haleluya noon ay ginawa na namin dahil para kami lahat nasa ulap, nagtatakbuhan, hinahabol at nilalanghap ang maputi at mabangong usok ng DDT truck. Napakasaya namin. Walang nagsabi sa amin na hindi lamang lamok ang pinapatay ng DDT. Ngayong malalaki na kami at nagbibiruan ang aming egroup na Area 1, napagkasunduan namin na dahil sa DDT na yan, bawat isa sa amin ay may bahid ng kabaliwan, depende sa dami ng nalanghap na DDT. Marami kaming laro noon sa Area 1 patintero, tumbang preso, siyato, lastiko, gagamba, luksong tinik, step-no, habulan, taguan, teks at holen, na sa palagay ko ay sasabihin ninyong napakalow-tech kumpara sa mga laro ninyo nung kayo'y mga bata..."

That's part of the commencement address given to the graduates of 2005 at UP Diliman in April. Who gave it? Composer Ryan Cayabyab. I have no idea who gives the address every year but I imagine them to be illustrious figures -- graduates of the State University, but maybe practitioners in fields like business, economics, the sciences and the like (my assumption only). Was I delightedly surprised when I heard that someone in the field of arts spoke to the graduates this year, and that his message was humorous, thought-provoking and inspiring. That's why I'm posting his words in full -- and that includes the song he and a former schoolmate composed specifically for the occasion. Here it is:

Pitong bagay sa buhay na natutunan ko sa U.P.
PROF. RYAN CAYABYAB
(Commencement speech given on April 24 before the Class of 2005)

Maraming salamat po, magandang hapon po sa inyong lahat. UP President Emerlinda Roman, former presidents Jose Abueva and Noel Soriano, UP Diliman Chancellor Dr. Sergio Cao, the Board of Regents, U.P. faculty and administrative staff, co-professors from the College of Music, classmates from UP High 1970, fellow alumni, graduates, and friends:

Malugod kong binabati kayong mga nagsisipagtapos ngayong taong 2005. Isang karangalan ang pagtayo ko dito upang maghatid ng isang talumpati para sa inyo. Huwag kayong mag-alala, maiksi lamang ang aking sasabihin. Kinikilala kong ako ay isang mamamayan ng UP. Unang nasilayan ng aking mga mata ang sinag ng araw sa Area 1, UP Campus, sa may likuran ng Infirmary, kung saan din nanirahan sina Wilfrido Ma.Guerrero, si NVM Gonzales, si Jovita Fuentes, si Jose Maceda, at ang mga Lansang, mga Manalang, mga Daza, Cailao, Lesaca, Estrada at marami pang ibang mga pioneering faculty members ng UP Diliman. Ang nanay ko ay nagturo sa UP College of Music. Apat kaming magkakapatid na lumaki sa sariwang hangin ng Area 1, nanghuhuli ng tutubi at kuliglig sa araw, kulisap naman sa gabi. Diyes ang Coca-cola, singko ang Cosmos.

Minsan sa isa o makalawang linggo, may dumaraang truck ng DDT (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) na nag-bubuga ng makapal na usok pampatay ng lamok na nagdudulot ng malaria. Lahat ng bata sa Area 1, at sa buong campus ay sinasalubong itong truck, at kung kaya lang naming magsiawit ng Haleluya noon ay ginawa na namin dahil para kami lahat nasa ulap, nagtatakbuhan, hinahabol at nilalanghap ang maputi at mabangong usok ng DDT truck. Napakasaya namin. Walang nagsabi sa amin na hindi lamang lamok ang pinapatay ng DDT. Ngayong malalaki na kami at nagbibiruan ang aming egroup na Area 1, napagkasunduan namin na dahil sa DDT na yan, bawat isa sa amin ay may bahid ng kabaliwan, depende sa dami ng nalanghap na DDT. Marami kaming laro noon sa Area 1 patintero, tumbang preso, siyato, lastiko, gagamba, luksong tinik, step-no, habulan, taguan, teks at holen, na sa palagay ko ay sasabihin ninyong napakalow-tech kumpara sa mga laro ninyo nung kayo'y mga bata. Meron kaming mga sikretong tawagan, sipol at huni. Ang dami kong nais ikuwento tungkol sa aking pagkabata ngunit mauubos ang ating oras.

Nag-aral ako sa UP Elementary School at sa UP High School. Matagal na panahon ding diyes lamang ang bayad sa IKOT. Saan pa ba ako magkokolehiyo kundi sa UP rin. Una akong pumasok bilang accounting major sa UP College of Business Administration. Sa kabutihang palad, nauntog ako at na-realize ko na ako ay hindi pala maalam sa pagbibilang ng pera.

Tinanggap ako at lumipat sa UP College of Music bilang isang piano major. Nauntog na naman ako at natanto ko na ako ay nagpapanggap lamang na isang Cecil Licad. Mabuti naman at tinanggap ako ng Department of Composition and Theory. Sa maniwala kayo't hindi, tinapos ko itong kurso, Bachelor of Music Major in Composition suma-suma sampong taon bago ko nakuha ang aking diploma. Aba! Naniwala pa sila sa akin at kinuha akong guro. Dito ko nakilala ang isa kong estudiyanteng napakaganda na una kong naging barkada sa kainan at kantahan, nauwi rin sa simbahan. Halos dalawampung taon din ako nagturo sa UP College of Music.

Wala pang tatlong taon na ako ay nagbitiw bilang isang assistant professor; akala ko'y doon na ang katapusan ng aking koneksyon sa UP. Hindi pala, dahil ngayon ang aking panganay ay kasalukuyang isang university scholar sa College of Music. Mababaw at maikling kasaysayan lamang ito. Gayon pa man, kasaysayan pa rin. Para sa akin, napakahalaga ng aking nakalipas at ito ay lagi kong babalik-balikan. Habang ako ay papalayo ng papalayo sa aking pinanggalingan, palalim nang palalim ang mga ugat na aking tinatanim, sinisiguro ko lamang na hindi ako maitutumba ng kahit ano mang malakas na bagyo o delubyo na sa buhay ko ay sasapit. Ngayon, nakita n'yo kung bakit napakahalaga ng UP sa aking buhay, sana ay maging sa inyo rin. Kahit hindi nyo na nasisilayan ang oblation, at hindi na naririnig ang karilyon, nawa'y nasa puso at isipan lagi ang paaralang kumupkop at nagpalawak ng isip ng bawat isa sa inyo. Naituro na lahat ng maituturo sa inyo ng inyong mga guro. Alam naman natin na ang bawa't isa sa atin ay may natatanging angking galing. Walang halaga ito kung hindi ninyo gagamitin para sa ikabubuti at ikauunlad ng inyong komunidad, ng inyong pamilya at ng buong sambayanan. Itanghal ninyo ang inyong pagiging Pilipino na nag-aral sa U.P. kahit saan kayo mapadpad.

Meron lang akong dagdag na pabaon sa inyo para lalong di nyo malimutan ang UP nating mahal. Ito ang pitong mga bagay-bagay tungkol sa buhay na natutunan ko sa U.P.

1. Ang buhay ay parang IKOT jeep. Ang iyong patutunguhan ay siya ring iyong pinanggalingan.

2. U.P. lang ang may TOKI, sa buhay wala nito. Pero nasasaiyo na yon kung nais mong pabaligtad ang takbo ng buhay mo.

3. Sa IKOT, puede kang magkamali ng baba kahit ilang beses, sasakay ka lang uli. Sa buhay, kapag paikot-ikot ka na at laging mali pa rin ang iyong baba, naku, may sayad ka.

4. Sa U.P., lahat tayo magaling. Aminin nating lahat na tayo'y magagaling. Ang problema dun, lahat tayo magaling!

5. Kung sa U.P. ay sipsip ka na, siguradong paglabas mo, sipsip ka pa rin.

6. Sa U.P., tulad sa buhay, ang babae at ang lalake, at lahat ng nasa gitna, ay patas, walang pinagkaiba sa dunong, sa talino, sa pagmamalasakit, sa kalawakan ng isipan, sa pag-iibigan; at kahit na rin sa kabaliwan, sa kalokohan at sa katarantaduhan. At ang panghuli:

7. Sa U.P. tulad sa buhay, bawal ang overstaying.

Maraming salamat po! Mayroon pa akong isang huling pabaon, galing sa puso ko
- para rin sa mga puso ninyo, ito ang napili kong paraan upang maisalarawan ang tema ngayong hapon: "Angking Galing Para sa Sambayanan". Ito ay isang awiting nilikha ko at ng aking kakaklase sa high school na nagtapos din ng kolehiyo sa U.P., aking musika sa titik ni Ome Candazo, sa tulong ng mga kaibigan ko sa San Miguel Master Chorale at San Miguel
Philharmonic Orchestra na pawang mga alumni ng U.P .

Sa 'yo UP maraming salamat
Ikaw na aking tahanan
Mula sa aking pagkamulat
Hanggang sa aking huling hininga

Sa 'yo UP maraming salamat
Ang iyong mga aral ang aking gabay
Baon ko ito sa paglalakbay
Hanggang mapanaw ang buhay

Kami'y lumaki sa iyong pag- iingat
Natutong mag aral, natutong magsaya
Dulot mo ay init tuwing kami ay nagiginaw
Sa lahat ng panahon bigay mo'y pagasa

Sa 'yo UP maraming salamat
Ang iyong mga aral ang aking gabay
Baon ko ito sa paglalakbay
Hanggang mapanaw ang buhay

3 things

2005-07-24T14:01:00.000+08:00

Zagu -- watermelon flavor!

Hotshots -- Real bleu? Real blue? Can't recall the flavor's correct name right now but it's the one that has lots of melted blue cheese in the burger!

Courteous cashiers at the mall -- the ones I noticed recently were those at SM. What did they do? Well, they gave genuine "good afternoon, ma'am" greetings while looking me in the eye, instead of 1) poker-face-no-words-and-no-eye-contact greeting or, 2) cheerless and impersonal-sounding "good afternoon, ma'am" wherein I could've replied "what's good about the afternoon?!" and she wouldn't have even noticed it.

Life in the Philippines nowadays may be a bit rocky, and I guess that's why it's easy to notice the little things that are to be thankful for -- even though they're mere palate pleasers and 2-minute transactions at the mall.

no more 'must-have' endorsements of the vain kind, pls!

2005-07-18T17:31:00.000+08:00

"must-have" sunglasses. "must-have" bag. "fashion accessory of the moment."

it's about time we got rid of labels like these (or at least took a break from them). must we really acquire one of those "hot" pastel duffel bags that are the rage this season (i forget which season that was)? do we really care that "Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen wear their vintage oversized sunglasses with their Balenciaga bags"? since pages and pages of fashion spreads are featuring lace-up sandals, does that mean we MUST have a pair of our own?

you know that the answer is NO.

and you know that just because some columnist labels such items as "must-haves," that doesn't mean you really have to hyperventilate in your desire to be in the loop and snag one of those "must-haves" for yourself.

and you know that most of those columnists who explicitly feature "must-haves," "the-place-to-be-in" endorsements, "it-girl" pontificating and other such product-, place- or person-pushing are paid for those "anointments" in one way or another (money talks indeed). if you didn't know that, now you do.

besides, what's happening is much like what "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" has done to a below-the-poverty-line populace in the 1980s: the sight of luxurious homes and endless hedonistic pursuits made the average Juan dela Cruz simply salivate but not necessarily work hard for the money.

during these hard times, it's not glossy photos of P15,000-bags and captions that read "want to look like a celebrity? wear oversized glasses" that our people need. escapism may work for a time -- and for some people. but bottom line: facing the problem, not escaping it, is what we try to motivate everyone to do. being bombarded with the "must-have" mentality is not the way.

grass instead of the mall pavement

2005-07-18T07:12:00.000+08:00

There's something thrilling about walking on the middle of a street, which is exactly what anyone can do in parts of the UP Diliman campus on any given Sunday without fear of getting run over by jeepneys or cars. It's still a car-less oval every Sunday around the academic oval. And yesterday I spotted some dudes near Palma Hall working their skateboards and making like x-games competitors on a wooden beam -- sans knee pads and helmets. Watching them, then, was accompanied by a bit of anxiety.

Still, walking around the campus and plopping on the grass to watch kite-flyers and soccer players in action at the sunken garden was a welcome respite from mall-roaming and..net-surfing, hehe. Too bad I don't have a photo of the campus to accompany this post. Maybe next time I'll take some pictures...

Have a good week, everyone.

don't just curse the darkness; light a candle.

2005-07-10T09:26:00.000+08:00

From the Galing Pilipino Movement (GPM) site, some points to ponder...

Hindi kailangan trabaho mo'y sikat upang galing mo'y sumikat.

May ibang paraan pa sa nakasanayan na.

And my personal favorite, and one which I direct at anyone who hasn't realized or doesn't appreciate enough his own strengths...strengths that have the power to positively influence not just his own life but the life of those around him and the situation of a society in dire need of change:

Ang Galing sa sarili manggagaling.

Another site worth visiting is Talsik!, whose group statement contains the following:

"We are Filipinos who believe that there is hope for our people, that the solution to pervasive corruption, incompetence, poverty, and underdevelopment is not cynicism and despair but a deep understanding of the issues and a moral decision to take action..."

marketing ourselves to ourselves

2005-07-10T09:13:00.000+08:00

That's the title of an article I came across as I navigated the Galing Pilipino Movement site. I'm putting it here in full and providing the site url at the end. I haven't even read the article in its entirety, but I'm too busy looking for sites and other materials that could continue feeding me (and others) with inspiration and diffusing the cynicism and hopelessness that are bound to come and go in the months to come, considering the latest happenings in the political scene.

Anyway, here is the article penned by Galing Pilipino President and co-founder Erly de Guzman:

--------------------------------------------

Marketing Ourselves to Ourselves
by Erly de Guzman

(This article was published in the View from Taft column of the Business World
on June 17, 2004).

Yes! WE did it again! Just when the world was marveling at us for having a Tony Tan Caktiong as World Entrepreneur of the Year; a Patricia Evangelista, international public speaking world champion; a Cheryl Diaz-Meyer, Pulitzer Prize photojournalism winner; a Manny Pacquiao, one of the world’s top-rated super bantamweight boxing champion; Filipino nurses like Nelia Laroza (who died in line of duty) as well as doctors staying on the job to treat SARS patients in foreign lands; a Roselle Ambubuyog, blind summa cum laude Ateneo graduate, now consulting for a Florida-based firm to develop talking computers and blind-friendly IT systems; a Dr. Josette Biyo, former biology professor at, and Master of Science and Ph.D. graduate of, De La Salle University, who was the very first Asian to receive the Intel Excellence in Teaching Award and who now has a planet named after her… oh, the Galing Pilipino list could go on and on.

As I was saying… just when the world was marveling at Filipinos…another ‘blooper’ trips the glad scene. This time, it’s the election protest and counter-protest, proclamation and un-proclamation, the unending canvassing and speechifying. At one time, it was a “cosmopolitan” coup that arrested our fledgling turnaround. A few presidencies ago, it was brownouts, blackouts and cop-outs.

Why do we keep doing these things to ourselves? To ensure that the why question is not merely rhetoric, let’s focus on how we should keep from doing these things to ourselves. How should Pilipinos market themselves to themselves?

By putting the focus on what we are good and excellent at, recognizing that in ourselves and in others, affirming that and propagating the same. Focusing on strength and not on weakness. Building up rather than putting down.

Tall order. Mammoth task. Impossible dream? Nay. It can be done. One step at a time. One by one. Each one doing his or her part. Because we believed this to be so, we started the Galing Pilipino Movement to get this advocacy going. And two years into it, we are getting somewhere. From 12 members at its onset, GPM has grown to 1,494 as of June 7, 2004. Even the national government has adopted the thematic tag “Ang galing mo! Galing ng Pilipino” for this year’s June 12 celebration.

We turned two years old on June 12, as the entire nation celebrated the 106th anniversary of our Philippine Independence. We spent this day celebrating our freedom to be galing by featuring 36 Galing Pilipinos in simultaneous Galing Pilipino Kapihans in 13 sites all over the country. Julie Gandioco of Julie’s Bakeshop shared how her Cebu-based enterprise has become a business success with pan de sal scholars nationwide. Cebu housewife Ching Ten Co shared in the GPKapihan-Cebu about how she hated trash, developed a solution, and won a fund grant from World Bank/Aus-Aid for her innovative plastic waste recycling project in the Lapu-Lapu City Dumpsite community.

In the GP Kapihan-Laguna, jeepney driver Ruben Opis revealed his plans of doing an information campaign on traffic safety and road discipline together with his Caltex co-awardees as outstanding public transport drivers. Cancer-stricken Selina Sayong, in the GP Kapihan-Cubao, presented how she developed and marketed the extra-virgin coco oil as an effective health food supplement, and how its processing can be a potent income opportunity for coco-farmers. They are Galing Pilipinos, ordinary people doing ordinary things extraordinarily well. They shared brilliant examples of how to fight negativism and complacency by forging ahead into a proactive solution mode. They left behind their mediocre past. They ushered in the Galing generation. We can do the same. They have shown the way. And we know that time and again, crises bring out the best in the Pilipino.

GPM is a purposive counterpoint to the pervasive helplessness and hopelessness felt by many of our countrymen today. It is about time that we take action to change our destiny. To forego active civic engagement at this crucial juncture in our country’s history is treason. To keep to the sidelines and watch the parade is to miss making a defining moment in our history. We cannot afford to merely engage in talk or to go with the flow. It is squandering our opportunity to make a change for greatness. This nationwide movement, composed of the rich and the poor, the depressed and the inspired, has continued to teach us that we Pilipinos have what it takes to overcome the overwhelming odds that confront us by focusing on what is good and excellent about us.

I am sure that each of you can come up with something ‘Pilipino’ that you can truly be proud of. Your neighbor who cooks the best-tasting adobo in your whole province. Your ate who gave up marriage and decided to go overseas to support your studies. The jeepney driver who gave up pasada earnings to rush your passenger-seatmate to the hospital because she was about to give birth. Your best teacher who decided to stick it out in her barrio high school instead of going to Texas to teach blonde and blue-eyed kids.

There’s a lot to get inspiration from if we look for it … if we focus on the best in each of us… if we choose to look for what is good and galing, instead of going “Oh no, not again.” Today, we are either at the brink of an economic-political disaster, or at the threshold of a golden moment, when, by the choices we make – or do not make – we are writing Philippine history.

What legacy will we bequeath? Let us keep to the noble course of our past. Let us make galing the brand mark of being Pilipino today. Our circumstances today challenge us to renew the spirit of the Pilipino with a brand of excellence that is Galing. We can turn what is a “woe” into a “wow.”

It all depends on the galing that we do today.

----------------------------------------------------

Check out Galing Pilipino Movement.

if you're going to talk, then walk your talk

2005-07-07T20:40:00.000+08:00

Stop talking.

Start working.

Improve the economy.

These words are on a banner plastered on a street post on Edsa in Mandaluyong which I came across today. The logo and name of the group were too small to make out. Anyone know who's responsible for the ad?

I think we need more of these until people actually stop blaming and start working.

Or talking may be okay BUT the more a person talks, the more he has to work.

gyrating his way to applause. ho-hum.

2005-07-03T21:06:00.000+08:00

Why is it that when someone does or says something lewd, obscene or offensive in any other way, some people express delight or even admiration? The positive reaction ranges from a subtle smile, a quiet nod, unbridled laughter, to wild applause with fist-in-the-air approval. Why?

What's deserving of appreciation in a vocalist that makes like a macho dancer in mid-song? What's to gush about when he grabs his crotch or teases the crowd by pretending to insert his hand down his pants? He's not even...uh, cute -- though cuteness has no bearing on the nature of an act such as what I'm talking about here. (The "he's not even...uh, cute" is my flimsy attempt to momentarily joke about a matter that -- if you really think about it -- is no joking matter)

I "accidentally" watched part of a concert last Friday, a gathering of Pinoy bands to welcome the college freshmen (admission was free for the freshies). I, for one, appreciate the onslaught of Pinoy artists into the local music scene in the past few years and the prevalence of Tagalog songs of late. But seeing singers execute sexually charged moves and bask in the screams of delight from the audience is some kind of a letdown for me. Why? Probably because in front of me, I saw the future of the youth -- I must say, "the future's so bright I gotta wear shades" doesn't apply. I saw the, uh...hope of our nation -- screaming and jumping, with arms extended toward the macho dan...um, singer onstage, reminding me of the adulation that the Beatles generated from hordes of female fans during their early moptop days. This is not to imply that this vocalist displayed artistic talent. And believe me, his looks are nowhere near John, Paul, George or Ringo when it comes to eye-candy quality.

Okay, Elvis and his pelvis raised more than a few eyebrows in the 1950s; John Lennon generated hoots with his toilet-seat-around-his-neck brand of antics; Madonna ushered in a downfall of sorts in the music industry (need I explain?) and in the process became the icon to ape for many girls worldwide. There's the Britney-Christina-Ashanti mold; there's Howard Stern, the foul-mouthed, brashly irreverent radio personality who used to enjoy a following, too (probably still does). The list goes on but there's no need to go by it one by one.

This seeming adulation, among the youth, of individuals who have a propensity for the distasteful is both amusing and disenchanting. Some may say that the "adulation" stops with the concert's end, or that the fella forgets about the songs and the artists when the remote control switches off MTV, or that those are just rock stars or alternative artists who have absolutely nothing to do with what and how young minds think. Uh, yeah.

I'm through ranting. I can't even remember the final premise I was supposed to write here. All I know is that Pinoy music and Pinoy talent are not reflected in that singer I unfortunately got to watch.

I also know that the people whom a young person admires -- whether up close or from afar -- don't remain mere slum-book-favorite names for that person, detached from the things he considers important, the values he chooses to live by, and the causes (if any) he will eventually advocate.

Who ever said that it's only about music and nothing more?

Ang mangga

2005-07-03T20:03:00.000+08:00

Only in the Philippines
will we find
mangoes
that can't possibly be beaten
or even equalled
anywhere else
in
the
world!

And it's amazing how, sometimes, it takes foreigners to remind us of this. No, they don't usually volunteer the information as far as I'm concerned. In my case, dealing with Koreans regularly prompts me to weave "Filipiniana" in and out of our conversations, and of course, you can't talk about the Philippines without talking about its culinary treats.

"The most delicious mangoes come from the Philippines," I state with delight everytime. And some of them agree, having had the good fortune of sampling a few.

It doesn't end there. Due to the regular conversations that dwell on the country's customs and traditions, the people's norms and nuances, and the everyday things that go on on our shores, I've come to notice that, yeah buko juice tastes great, Pinoys walk slowly and hardly move about with a sense of urgency, and yeah Pinoys have that natural smile that's hard to wipe off.

You do the ranting and raving regarding those things; I, on the other hand, am sticking to what this post is really supposed to do in the first place and which I haven't even touched on yet -- which is to say how unbeatably yummy the MANGO CREAM PIE of Red Ribbon is. So I'll say it...

ANG SARAP NG MANGO CREAM PIE NG RED RIBBON!!

:-D

sayns op da tayms

2005-06-25T13:11:00.000+08:00

"Petal Attraction" (a flower shop) and "Elizabeth Tailoring" (a clothes shop) are classics; "Felix the Cut" (a hair salon/barbershop, I assume) and "Mabuhay Funeral Parlor" are...uh, cute too. There are more signs to amaze you with the clever play with words, to make you smile at the apparent oversight on correct English, while some can make you wonder if the wit was intentional, hehe! Check these out:

A sign at a shoe store in Pangasinan: "We Sell Imported Robber Shoes."

At a restaurant in Baguio: "Wanted: Boy Waitress"

At a restaurant in Cebu: "We Hab Sop-Drink In Can An In Batol."

I got these in an email I received from a friend -- it's an article titled "Wit of the Filipino," written by Nury Vittachi, supposedly published in The Far Eastern Economic Review (no date included).

These two are my favorites:

a bakery named BREAD PITT and a Makati fast-food place selling maruya (banana fritters) called MARUYA CAREY. Hahahahaha!!

Hope you enjoyed all that 'cause I most certainly did! =)

bring back the snakes!

2005-06-22T06:53:00.000+08:00

Is it just me or did SNAKES 'N' LADDERS really lose much of its essence when someone came up with the idea of changing it to SLIDES 'N LADDERS?

When I was a kid, this toy was a very effective way of drilling into my head the merits of being kind and obedient. It also made it clear to me that breaking someone else's toys on purpose and being lazy were not good things at all.

Now, the new version blurs the lines between what's good and what's not--after all, what kid would find climbing a ladder more fun than zooming down a slide? At least before, you got to associate greed and laziness with the slithering animal. Now, if you make a wrong move and land on the picture of the kid showing off on his bike, you get to enjoy a ride down the slide (even if you get back several paces in the game). It'll be hard to notice the picture of the kid getting his just desserts (falling off his bike).

Good thing there are still old versions of the game (albeit 'SNAKE and ladders'); it comes cheap (P50) but the pictures are a bit blurred. And instead of the old sturdy board of yesteryears, this one comes in a thin cardboard material. Well, at least it can be one way of showing a kid what can happen to his toys (especially cheap ones) if he doesn't take care of them.

pass go, get 200

2005-06-22T06:44:00.000+08:00

I hope someone from National Bookstore, or Toy Kingdom or some other toy store makes a pitstop at this blog and gets to read this entry: YOU ARE OUT OF MONOPOLY JR. (or is it Jr. Monopoly) BOARD GAMES AND HAD BETTER FILL YOUR STOCKS AGAIN.

I went to 6 branches (QC, Mandaluyong, Makati) of NBS within a 2-week time period earlier this month and found none. After inquiring at one of those branches, I was even told, "iisa lang na klase 'yan--'yung Monopoly" by a saleslady. Sister, believe me. There IS a Junior version of that game and I have played it many times. Instead of Boardwalk, Marvin Gardens and the railroads, you get to own merry-go-rounds, cotton candy booths and stuff like that.

Is there a Toy Kingdom outlet besides the one in Megamall?

the ubiquitous ukay-ukay

2005-06-19T14:39:00.000+08:00

marked-down and/or second-hand clothing has taken on a hip quality for some, and it looks like the trend is here to stay. at least in qc, there seems to be an ukay-ukay shop of some kind every few blocks (but then some of them could just be mere garage sales...).

on the way to cubao this morning, there was one such place.

"ukay dito" was its name.

not too far from this was another. what was it called?

"ukay ka ba diyan?"

pinoys will never run out of witty names for any kind of establishment...

pan de sal

2005-06-18T07:35:00.000+08:00

there's nothing like a breakfast of pan de sal smothered with butter.

need i say more? :-D

well, to add, it's still P1.00/piece, but these breads seem to be getting smaller and smaller. but a little bakery on v. luna street in quezon city sells them for P2.00/piece--okey na yon considering the size. i can't post the name as i don't know what it is; it's my mom who bought some delectables from there. i'll be sure to post the name here the next time she goes there...

idyllic smoking area

2005-06-14T20:17:00.000+08:00

it's also nice to note that some imagination is being practiced in the attempt to enforce rules and regulations in government offices.

smoking is prohibited in office buildings (government and private ones) with some areas designated as smoking areas. at the LTO branch i went to, i was amused to note the consideration extended to all concerned, even to fruit trees.

at the same customers' waiting area was a sign in black and white:

"NO SMOKING AREA"

on the other board a couple of feet away was another sign:

"SMOKING AREA UNDER THE MANGO TREE"

i wonder if the move was partly an experiment to see if cigarette smoke would have the same insect-repelling or flowering effect on trees as a little bonfire under the tree would...

a directional arrow on the sign would have been better, especially for those who grew up in the big city and/or who aren't in the know about tree varieties. Kung sa bagay, kung gustong manigarilyo ng isang taong "not in the know" about botany, madali lang namang magtanong ng "nasaan ba yung puno ng mangga?" :-D

window 2 guy, eye test, stairway to heaven, 'fixer ka ba?'

2005-06-14T17:49:00.000+08:00

It's delightful to know that when renewing your driver's license, you can get the new one (the plastic one and not a temporary piece of paper that's to be used for a month or two till the plastic card is ready for pick-up) on the same day. But be sure to start in the morning, what with all the tests (drug test, eye exam) and all the waiting you'll be doing.

One good thing that happened when I renewed my license at the LTO on East Avenue, QC: the work hours and breaks were strategically posted on one of the windows, and when 12 noon (start of lunch break) was drawing near, people naturally started getting restless because of perceived delays in the processing of their licenses. Here's what happened:

Window 4 - at 11:50, the lady behind the glass positioned the placard that said "LUNCH BREAK" in her place, and then disappeared. "Aga naman kumain nito," I muttered. The people around became all the more anxious.

Window 2 - this is where the picture-taking is done and where I was waiting for my name to be called. A few minutes after the window 4 lady disappeared, the man taking the pictures grabbed hold of the crackling microphone. "Mic test, mic test, 123. Mic test, mic test. Sa mga nasa window 2, umupo ho kayo. Hindi ho ako mag-be-break kaya wag na kayong mag-alala. Umupo ho kayo dahil mahirap kunan ng litrato kung maraming nakatayo sa likod. Kung hindi kayo uupo, magbe-break ako." Guys lingering around the window dutifully headed for vacant spots at the benches, smiling. Then this happened:

Window 6 - "Ikaw lang hindi mag-la-lunch break. Kami mag-la-lunch break," said the lady on another mic, looking toward window 2 with a grin.

In this heat, it was a delight to know that they still had a sense of humor. But then we were the ones in the sweltering heat, trying to sit strategically between heads and bodies so that the wind from the electric fans positioned near the windows in front would somehow reach us; the people behind the glass were in an airconditioned room.

Still, it was nice of the window 2 guy to postpone his lunch; at least that spared me another hour of waiting around outdoors on a day when the rain, unfortunately, didn't come pouring and the sun was ablaze.

-----------

I think the raving part in the preceding paragraphs just didn't shine brilliantly though that's what I was gunning for. Probably it's because despite the plastic-license-on-the-same-day delight and the window-2-nice-shutterbug treat, there was the filthy rest room at the drug testing center, the sweltering heat, the fixer-looking fixer whom I had to question with "fixer ka ba?" when he offered to help speed things up at the LTO for "P600 lang yan, sandali ka pang maghihintay" (the legitimate renewal fee was less than P300, I learned later), the sweltering heat, the demanding eye testing guy who seemed to be in a rush (it's pretty hard to read the letters on line 8 with one eye covered when someone's rushing you, and people are going about their business crammed inside that small room, and everybody's noisy so you have to ask the testing guy to repeat everything he says).

Then there was still the sweltering heat and the hours and hours of waiting while experiencing amazement and annoyance everytime some fella comes along and sits right in front of the electric fan, blocking the wind's path toward every sweaty soul behind him.

Okay, I think this is a more well-rounded account of what happened. Rants and raves about a 5-hour experience in a government office. =)

P.S. I didn't even get to mention the flat-screen TV between windows 4 and 5! There weren't enough electric fans, the customers' waiting area was quite run-down, but there WAS a flat-screen TV to provide entertainment through all the waiting. I got to watch the last few minutes of "Sis" (late morning show), then "Stairway to Heaven, uncut" (Korean telenovela), then "Eat Bulaga" (noontime show). I forgot what came on next but it wasn't that interesting because it was all "silent versions" we got--except for about half an hour during lunch break when some guy walked over to the TV and upped the volume.

rocking the lobster

2005-06-11T21:46:00.000+08:00

Chin-chin Gutierrez has received int'l recognition for her efforts in promoting environmental protection. I wonder how her recent statements, though, will be taken, especially by those whose primary means of livelihood depends on the ocean's bounty.

I couldn't find the news article I came across a week or two ago, so all I have is a summary of her words. Chin-chin expressed her desire for fishes to be left where they belong--the sea--and not to be eaten at all. What was she thinking? Did she even consider the numerous fishermen worldwide and the thousands of others who depend on these marine animals for their meals as well as for their income? The Philippines is not landlocked (surprise!); in fact, having more than 7,000 islands means quite a huge part of the population earning their keep from the "produce" of the sea.

What's next? "Fruitarians" taking to the streets, protesting the harvest and sale of their "beloved"? Would Congress one day declare that fruits have emotions? Would apple-munching and mango shake-making be considered forms of murder?

That's strange--vegetarians stick to veggies and keep meat off their diet; "fruitarians" (if Nottinghill is to be taken seriously) believe that fruits have feelings and that eating these is a most horrifying idea.

Back to the fish. Chin-chin's suggestion to let the scaly, crabby and shelled creatures remain under the sea would probably make sense if she found a way to compensate in full all those affected by a supposed "fish ban." But then, I'd prefer that she spend a lot of time (if she hasn't done so yet) with fisherfolk, market vendors, seaside residents and all those who depend on the ocean's bounty for their survival. Then she can think again about the hierarchy of importance among the creatures that roam the planet.

ukoy, okoy

2005-06-11T12:09:00.000+08:00

there are snacks that are hard to keep off of once you start eating them. peanuts, lengua de gato, chicharon and the like.

ukoy/okoy seems to belong to the pack. when you get a piece, it's next to impossible not to get a second one, and a third...and so on, especially if you've got really tasty vinegar.

my sister brought me a pack of ukoy/okoy yesterday--pasalubong from laguna. what can i say? ang sarap. really crispy. this particular bunch is made by students of a school for underprivileged women in calamba: Anihan Technical School. and i must say, i've sampled their baked goodies (mango chutneys, banana crumble, butterscotch and garlic peanuts, as well as products like papaya achara and alamang--not ordinary at all. they are superb, and that is no exaggeration.

so is it ukoy or okoy?

oh btw, though Lapid's Chicharon is pretty famous already, i'd like to mention that the vinegar at that chicharon place is really something. goes well with the ukoy/okoy. =)

Life can be so unfer

2005-06-10T20:47:00.000+08:00

if you're a probie in a company you just started working for,
and you've got more than a decade of work experience,
and you know words like "mediocre" and "clock-watcher"
don't describe you at all,
and you believe in the responsibilities that come along
with the teaching profession,
and you value personal integrity and professional excellence
and your behavior and manner of dressing reflect those values

and then another probie finished college
only around the turn of the millenium
sometimes leaves work a few minutes before 5pm
to attend to her private tutees
says things like "My roommate have a copy of that movie"
and "What did she said?"
sometimes reprimands her teenage Korean student
with a playful tap on the nape
basks in naughty double-meaning remarks and off-color jokes
dresses and poses like Mariah Carey
though hers resembles Janice de Belen's physique

It makes you feel like asking
if starting you both off on the same pay is fair at all.
"Prove yourself first" doesn't sound like a fair rationale.
Don't the years of experience and fruits of hard work
matter at all?
Her ceiling is my floor, in terms of training alone.
So why put us on the same level?

There's no use comparing yourself to others--even I believe in that. But till the thrill of this ranting wears off, I'll probably get a sardonic sense of satisfaction from finally being able to rant about this comparison on account of one of us no longer being a part of the company. Hehe.

baby ring tone

2005-06-08T14:39:00.000+08:00

Heard of the baby ring tone already? It's news to me; I just heard it a few days ago when the woman seated next to me at a net cafe suddenly had a baby's giggles coming out of her bag! Then she reached into the bag and got out her cellphone. What a cute way to be alerted! Bad news coming in probably won't be so hard to take if it's a baby's laughter greeting you...

statesmen

2005-06-07T08:54:00.000+08:00

In the words of the late Philippine president Manuel L. Quezon:

"The politician thinks of the next election but the statesman thinks of the next generation."

Statesmen are cool.

gitgitan sa kalye, part 2

2005-06-06T17:12:00.000+08:00

I'm not sure if it's the same elsewhere, but in the Philippines, you encounter many predicaments wherein you end up looking for a solution yourself--whether it's a scraggly stray dog who wanders into your lot, a ridiculously low budget for office supplies, or finding yourself face-to-face with another car on a congested one-way street, and it's he who's headed in the wrong direction. No animal shelter workers to call; you work your magic to make everything fit within a miniscule budget; and it's up to you to maneuver to let the car that's headed the wrong way pass.

On the same sentiment, here, therefore, are some simple solutions to the road courtesy thingie I ranted on two posts down. But before that...

Point #1: I--not the MMDA, not the Wheelers Club, or the Presidential Council for Values Education (not sure if that's the correct name)--am suggesting some solutions. It's up to me, right?

Point #2: You--not the jeepney driver, not the Little-Miss-Can't-Be-Wrong female driver, and not the Oakley-shaded college dude making his tires screech--are making the adjustments so as to deal with road courtesy issues. Either that, or simply take the FX taxi.

These simple suggestions will make your life on the road more pleasant and less dangerous:

Tip #1: Stay as far as possible from moving vehicles with:
* "No Fear" stickers - reason is obvious
* big tailpipes & music blaring from stereos, which you can hear whether his windows are open or closed - they're usually the ones that zoom down the road as if it were an Indie 500 lane
* tail lights that don't work - next thing you know, you've stepped on the brakes too late
* cars that carry the sign "student driver" - unless you find tranquility in tailing a snail

Tip #2: Maximize your signal lights.
If all drivers were female, then intuition would probably render signal lights unnecessary since women have the uncanny ability to sense things and thus anticipate what's going to happen. "Feeling ko kakanan siya," "She looks like she plans to make a left on the next corner" would be the gauge for road navigation, but then most people behind the wheel are men. Hence, signal your intention in order to avoid any guessing games by others as to your path; it's why vehicles have signal lights. You'll drive more swiftfly and comfortably; so will others on the road. Oh, another related tip: do signal before you actually turn, not while making the turn.

Tip #3: Observe other drivers' lane-switching habits.
It's easy to detect if someone is planning to change lanes, a few seconds before he actually makes the switch. If the vehicle is on the lane beside you and is a few feet ahead, look at his tires. You'll avoid being shocked due to seeing him execute a 2-second lane-switch if earlier on, you had already seen his tires inching their way closer to the broken lines that separate his lane from yours. If the tires seem to be getting nearer those lines, be cautious. Either slow down and let him pass, or...well, just let him pass. Take it from me--no use blowing your top over some reckless driver whom you'll forget 30 seconds later.

For the first time since making this blog, I have no idea how to end a post...but I have nothing left to say, so bye.

another talented pinoy

2005-06-05T10:13:00.000+08:00

Filipinos undoubtedly excel in the arts--visual arts, performing arts, you name it. Now another Pinoy is getting her creative talent splashed on the pages of an international glossy. How did Bea Valdes's bag designs catch the attention of the magazine editor? Through www.beavaldes.com, where her work is put on display. The "bag lady" and her creations come out in a short feature on US Vogue's June issue.

Now that's an example of getting your foot on the door (and past it) through sheer talent and impeccable work quality, not by string-pulling or name-dropping. Way to go!

More of the story is in the Inquirer's June 5 issue, p.G1 (the paper's link is provided in this blog, then go to "Lifestyle"). It's somewhere in there, but the story's online version contains no pics; the print version does.

gitgitan sa kalye

2005-06-05T09:02:00.000+08:00

Traffic jams are a staple in Manila.

Running red lights and swerving are commonplace as well.

Clogged ditches and the ensuing floods are not new either, and since typhoon season is here once again, we'll see more of those in the next few months. I'm not sure how much of Metro Manila was affected, but last night's downpour paralyzed a little part of Diliman: shin-deep flooding in some areas, detours and more detours due to unpassable roads, and anxiety on my part while driving through a couple of such roads since there was no turning back. Worse, the bumper-to-bumper, snail's pace traffic that results from the floods seems to bring out the "incredible hulk" syndrome in each driver, so that "bumper-to-bumper" takes on new meaning: talagang BUMPER TO BUMPER, as in no space in between bumpers. In other words, babanggain ka. Hay. Well, not always, but it happened to me last night at an intersection where concepts like "right of way" and "courtesy" were wiped out from the vocabulary of the incredible hulks on the road during that downpour I mentioned. Ayaw masingitan kasi kaya hayun ang nangyari--the owner jeep's ugly tin bumper made a hardly noticeable but still ugly dent on my parents' magnificent car's rear bumper. After feeling the nudge, I got out, flashed the driver a scowl, surveyed the damage, and all I got from him was a sheepish "Ay." Due to the rains, the location and the rush I was in, I let it go.

I think this is a case of aimless ranting. In other words, mere complaining. But then if anyone out there has any ideas about how to educate drivers about road courtesy, let not this blog go to waste! You're welcome to complain along with me, but I think I've done enough of the ranting already. Optimism more welcome; optimism with possible solutions most welcome!

Oh, the I-me-mine concern here was the driver courtesy thingie, but then the one about the clogged ditches is at the root of the flooding problem. Ideas and suggestions on preventive measures most welcome, too. I long for the day I can enjoy the sight of people flicking candy wrappers not over their shoulders or out car windows, but straight into trash cans.

PAtsy, PEggy, MELdy, RObert, TIna

2005-06-03T13:20:00.000+08:00

Dropped by a Papemelroti store and spotted some new and really nice ref magnets! Small, made of wood, cute artwork! I should've taken note of the catchy and cheery quotes on them. Quite a number appealed to me that I ended up thinking whom I can give them as gifts to, to justify my purchases, hehe.

The family behind this store doesn't run out of new inspired (and inspiring) ideas. Just in case you haven't even heard of Papemelroti, you can get an idea at http://www.papemelroti.com, and even subscribe to the free e-newsletter.

This is one store I'm proud to say is Filipino-owned.

coastal road treasures

2005-06-03T13:05:00.000+08:00

Until a few days ago, I hadn't even heard of a hospital called Our Lady of Peace (not really surprising since it's a small hospital). There are only 100+ beds, and it's located on the coastal road right next to the toll gates in the cavite/parañaque area. I got to talk to Dr. de Villa and Dr. Velmonte, two maxillo facial surgeons who devote two days each week to this charity hospital. I even got to sit in on an operation on a 1 and a half year old boy with a cleft palate.

Hospitals have charity wards, but Our Lady of Peace is a CHARITY HOSPITAL. Patients pay only for medicines; everything else is taken care of by the hospital, be it the doctor's PF (who doesn't charge anyway) for a major operation or monthly consultations. That's a big deal for those who have trouble even raking in money for bus fare to go to the hospital (cases which these doctors have come across many times).

Great work, Dr. de Villa and Dr. Velmonte! And thank God there's Our Lady of Peace Hospital to enable such doctors to deliver real service to those who need it but don't have the money to pay.

Showbiz, keep out! Please?

2005-06-01T09:47:00.000+08:00

I'm not sure which I'm more exasperated about--that the MRT is being blatantly used as an advertising vehicle or that the tv network wars are claiming yet another domain as their "battleground" in the pursuit of top spot.

I skimmed the Inquirer's entertainment section this morning, and there they were--photos of the trains splashed with channel 2's (yuck) logo along with faces of the "stars" and titles of the shows they were currently promoting. I couldn't help but nod in agreement upon reading the news story's first line: "As if the billboards on Edsa weren't enough, now we're seeing stars on...the Metro Rail Transit."

May unveiling pa pala nitong "Kapamilya" trains with ribbon-cutting by one of the network's top honchos. Yawn. Then some celebrities hopped on board for a ride. Ho-hum. Couldn't help but agree again--this time with a grimace--upon seeing the article's ending: "What's next? "Kapuso" trains on the Light Rail Transit?" I roll my eyes.

Can the entertainment industry just PLEASE leave some areas of life untouched by its presence? Kahit nga mere expressions like "Ok fine whatever!" ginawa niyo nang palabas at pinagkakakitaan na eh. A lot of us actually choose not to watch your silly shows...but now I guess we must put up with seeing remnants of such shows when we commute to work. Bleck.

p.s. on billboards

2005-05-30T16:17:00.000+08:00

an addendum to the billboard thingie, from a chatter named theDonk...

not only are billboards ugly, at times they are dangerous, too. The Philippines is a typhoon path and the billboard catches wind like a sailboat does. Those billboards are made of steelsheets and once torn from where it is fastened, can fly to places you cannot predict and poses hazards to humans and properties.

billboard bleck!

2005-05-29T09:17:00.000+08:00

If you're from Manila, you've probably gotten used to the sight of huge billboards surrounding the streets and blocking the skyline. Well, here's something from Tony, a Tokyo resident and fellow Pinoy who recently took a vacation in billboard land:

billboards there are crazy—capital U-G-L-Y. too many Smart/Globe billboards. why do 2 companies who are already sure of their market share have to pursue this ad war? Basura na yan e. imagine if they restrain themselves, the city will be cleaner, more pleasing to MY eyes, and they'd both still have their subscribers..and they don't have to spend too much for something U-G-L-Y. just improve their respective services—compete in that arena, and the people will know. i'm sure there are many ways they can be different from each other..

name your fries

2005-05-28T10:15:00.000+08:00

Is it just me, or did Jollibee really improve its french fries? A couple of months ago I bought some and was pleasantly surprised! Bakit may lasa? Heehee!! And they were crunchier. "This is going to make me come back and buy some more," I told myself as I munched on the rest of the potato sticks. Hmm, they're tastier...which means they put salt (or more of it)...which means hypertensive people should be more cautious...which means Jollibee could have a "fries w/ or w/o salt" option for their customers. Just an idea.

But really, Jollibee's fries have improved. I, for one, am satisfied with the change. Oh, and the latest wall decor--neat. Quite creative. Not your standard ad material. By the way, the company replies to emails about these things. Just go to http://www.jollibee.com.ph and there's something there for feedback.

Happy weekend!

McDo: you saved my life!

2005-05-27T19:42:00.000+08:00

This is long overdue, but the people at McDonald's deserve some praise for this one. About three years ago, i came out of the Katipunan branch drive-thru--sandwich and drink on the passenger seat. Well, I don't remember if it was a hump or a pothole but the car was jolted enough to make my drink tumble on its side....aarrghh!! Lagot ako sa daddy ko. Major panic...then I quickly snatched the plastic cup and hurriedly examined the seat for the damage. Well, what do you know? Not a drop was there! No spills, and the lid on my drink was still intact. I knew I should have been more careful in the first place, but then McDonald's also deserves commendation for the apparent superb quality control in this case.

Sana ganyan din sa Jollibee para maipagmamalaki natin ang sariling atin.

By the way, I thought of something about Jollibee. It'll be in another post.

McDonald's, thank you. Dahil sa inyo, hindi nabasa ang upholstery ng kotse ng daddy ko. That is a big deal to me!