Uring Manggagawa

Matagal na ng huling beses akong nag ordinary na bus. Kanina ay sumakay kami ng biyaheng Navotas pa-EDSA Oridnary bus papuntang LRT 5th Avenue Station. Napakainit (bandang alas dos y medya ng hapon). Sa kalagitnaan ng init na iyon ay may sumakay na isang mama na may hawak na kahon (pangkoleksyon) at microphone (pang barker). Ngayon na lang ulit ako nakatapat ng welgista na sumasampa sa bus upang humingi ng kaunting tulong.

Magaling magsalita iyong mama. Talagang malalim ang tagalog at may pinaghuhugutan ang damdamin. Iyon nga lang, hindi k makita ang logic sa ginagawa nila. Nakikipaglaban daw sila sa mga ganid na kapitalista. Fine. Pero bakit mo inaaabala ang iyong kapwa. Ayos lang na i-educate sila sa iyong sitwasyon pero ibang bagay ang humingi ka ng tulong pinansyal. Hindi ba't kaysa sumasampa ka sa bus at isinisiwalat ang iyong sitwasyon sa mga tao, hindi kaya mas makakakbuti kung maghahanap ka ng ibang bagay na maaaring mapagkakitaan maliban sa paghingi ng limos?

Binigyan siya nung kasama ko. Oo naaawa ako,pero marami pa naman siyang pwedeng ibang gawin. At hindi ko nakikita ang logic talaga sa paghingi ng tulong pinansiyal. Walang masama sa pakikipaglaban para sa hustisya. Masama lang kung kinakasangkapan mo ang sitwasyong ito upang makalikom ng pera. Hindi ko alam kung para lang talaga ito sa kanilang kaso. Pero magkaganun man, parang sablay pa rin eh. Hindi ko alam baka masyado akong mapanghusga. Iniisip ko kasi kaysa talaga ganun, dapat naghahahanap sila ng matinong pangkabuhayan.

Vulnerability: Women and Sexual Abuse (Updated)

Most men are guilty of this, flirting around with a sales lady, a waitress, or even a gas girl; right? Don't you think it's a form of 'pambabastos' (vulgar)?

But I must admit that it's funny. Even I laugh at my Dad who would address a sales lady, "Darling bagay ba sa'kin. Darling may ibang size ba kayo niyan?" But at the back of my mind, shit the term 'darling' is quite vulgar (why the hell will you call someone darling if you don't have any attachment of sorts); so flirtatious. I also laugh at guy friends' stories of their encounters with waitresses in bars (the way they communicate with these waitresses who would normally wear skimpy clothes). Again, at the back of my mind, that's degrading.

Honestly, most of the time regardless of your position in the society (be a professional, a student, a waitress, a sales lady), regardless of the way you dress-up either. It seems that most women are vulnerable to receive rude comments.

Which makes me think? Do we women in anyway throw rude (bastos) reactions or one-liner against men?

*******

Some Thoughts:

Okay, I'm still not over the idea that other men's form of flirtation demeans women. Fine, I already get the point for the need to flirt or at least why people flirt. But there are forms of fliration that are beyond simply being flirt [Ang labo ba?]. There's a certain point where flirting appears abusive.

Just Appreciating Beauty

Understandable. Any man who would see a beautiful lady (hot mama or whatever) couldn't resist looking at that person. Well, that's fine. It's about appreciating beauty which is very much normal (even girls are guilty of staring at a good looking guy). But it's different when you make "the moves" that are quite off just to show you appreciate the beauty. Because apparently, it's beyond appreciating the beauty. You're probably after something (which until now I cannot define).

For instance,we had a party in the office.Eto lang, magaganda talaga iyong mga waitress ng Brazil Brazil. So when they arrived at the office to set-up, they easily caught the attention of some of my guy officemates (of course kahit ako, kasi talaga magaganda sila). There started the staring and the whispering among the guys. Okay, forgivable. But when the party was almost over, that we're the only group they were serving food to, the staring and the whispering were changed to "the moves."

What am I thinking?

I don't know but what gratification are guys getting out of it. I mean if for example, the girl smiles at you (out of your flirting) then what? Does it make you feel handsome? Does it serve as a point of validation that you're a man? Or are you doing it because you want to bring home the girl (maka-score, in whatever form)?

I'd understand if you're up to something like additional whatever or any kind of perks say a free beer, a free appetizer, etc. Pero kung wala naman para ano? Which is what they kept on telling me, it was just nothing.

Alam mo naman iyong good natured fun. Pero alam mo rin if awkward na dun sa part nung babae. Kagaya nung napansin ko dun sa waitress. Nakakaawa eh. So kung ganun, dapat di na itutuloy di ba?

There's a fine fine line between flirting and "pambabastos" (I think). I guess, flirting is fine probably if the other party flirts back (Okay I'm still learning flirting101, yeah right). Oh baka manang lang talaga ako at OA.

Bah-humbug!

Regularly passing by malls (almost everyday), one would notice that shops are now designed with displays or whatnots in red (some even shocking pink like the one along Landmark-Glorietta bridge way) plus the heart-shaped cut-outs. If there's one occasion that is really overrated, I think it's Valentine's Day. Ah, bah-humbug! Valentine's Scrooge! (People may think I'm bitter, bahala kayo).

Seriously, I appreciate the idea of celebrating that occasion with that special someone in your life. What I don't like about it is the way most people celebrate the occasion. And how some of them are simply flaunting and going with the trend.

Seeing guys (teenagers, young adult) holding flowers (sometimes with box of chocolates or a teddy bear in a canister) on the 14th makes me laugh (of course not out loud). The first thing that comes to my mind is, "corny". Well, it's not the idea of showing your love that is corny but the manner and the seeming pressure that the occasion causes these guys to come up with such grandiose celebration.

It seems that the burden of celebrating the day in a grand scheme is always on the guys, right? Who's pressured to get a long-stemmed flower or bouquet of flowers for that day? Who's too busy thinking of how and where to celebrate V-day? Who spends for the celebration? (Aren't you guys tired of this stuff? Don't you find it simply a form of social pressure? Honestly, don't you find it corny? And if you don't have much money to spend, it's pretty expensive dude!)

Does it actually have to be celebrated that way? Well, maybe some women (or say a lot of women) enjoy this kind of treatment. But to me such doesn't make much sense. It doesn't make much difference, ergo, the day turns out not be really special after all.

Any celebration that is simple can be sweeter and more sincere. No fancy gifts, nor grand going out. Eating out is something you regularly do with your special someone. Maybe not in expensive places (but sometimes you do visit expensive restaurants, right) but it's nothing special – beyond normal. There are other things you can do to express your love (without flaunting and spending much) to your special someone on Valentine's Day. Things you don't normally do. And things that not almost all couples do during that day.

[WARNING: MUSHINESS]

But leaving a note (a letter or poem) to your loved one (on the bed for your wife/husband; via courier or email to your girlfriend/boyfriend) could be much sweeter and quite extra-ordinary, right? Maybe couples could do something like this than simply going out, spending much on flowers-chocolates-gifts (mostly for guys). Something that both of you can enjoy without much pressure and expenses (mostly for the guys again). Something more personal.

Maybe, Valentine's Day would have less heavy traffic, less jammed and noisy restaurants; therefore it would be less irritating. :D

********

Seryoso, kabado ako pag 14th; kinakabahan na maiirita na naman ako. Jaded? It’s probably the unconventional in me.

Maybe Never

Maybe this is something I don't think I will ever understand…

Therefore, here I am left with questions.

Is it worth risking a life because of certain 'panata'?

It's different when you're risking your life to save someone than risking your life (and probably putting others at risk) just to touch an image; simply because you believe that you will be saved as it is a form of redemption from your sins.

Is it because a lot of people don't think?

• That you will be healed and that you will be 'blessed' because you were able to touch the image
  
• That a day sacrifice (attending the procession) is more than enough sacrifice to have a good life
  
• That you are still willing to continue the tradition even if a loved one lost a life because of it
  

Can people live a good life with faith (without thinking) alone?

• It's enough that you believe and you don't have to think simply because you believe.
  

Really, maybe never...

Random Thoughts on Nicole's Case

• I never really had a concrete stand on Nicole's Case.
• I couldn't understand why some of the groups from the 'left' use Nicole to highlight the assumed evilness of Americans.
• Although it's never an excuse to rape a drunk lady, the idea that there's something wrong with the raped lady still remains. I mean it's every girls responsibility to protect herself. Should you get drunk along with people whom you just met (and are foreigners) places you in a big big risk of being raped.
• If the judgement (that Smith is guilty) is correct, then I'm happy that the perpetrator will now suffer his evil deeds. But then, (as other people think) Nicole should also learn her lessons.
  

Big Question:

How could someone who's professional and good looking would venture into rape? Yeah, Smith is good looking and he could get the girls he wants. Actually, he can afford to pay for a prostitute and satisfy his sexual desires. Pero, bakit kailangang mang-rape?

Some Great Things to do this Holiday Season

Most of us may be busy thinking of gifts for our loved ones and friends. There may be some who are already in a “shopping mode” to get the great deals in bazaars and bargains. However, let us not forget that aside from making our loved ones and friends happy this season, aside from sharing with them our gratitude and appreciation, there are other people who need attention and caring this season.

GMA Kapuso Foundation

Give-A-Gift: Alay sa Batang Pinoy 2006 is an annual Christmas project of the Foundation aims to spread an early Christmas treat to 30,000 children-beneficiaries. The Kapuso Foundation is now accepting gifts and monetary donations for the project.

Needs:
Educational Materials: coloring books, and crayons
Others: powdered juice, chocolates and candies

If you're interested to send out gifts, I’ll probably drop by their office week of December 11.

Kythe Foundation

Kythe Foundation is a non-stock, non-profit corporation whose mission is to uplift the spirits of pediatric patients and their family through programs and advocacy work. If you want to volunteer (to give do playroom or bedside activities) for Kythe, you must attend an orientation first. Take the opportunity to volunteer for Kythe this holiday season. Attend their next orientation schedule on December 2, Saturday, from 9:00 AM -12:00 PM at the Kiddie Corner, 6th floor, AFP Medical Center, V. Luna Road, Q.C.

Actually, it’s been a year since I attended the volunteer orientation. It’s quite unfortunate that I haven’t had any playroom or bedside activities with the kids. The first time I attempted to volunteer, the kids weren’t at the hospital as they were having their R&R in a Zoo somewhere in Rizal. So if anyone of you guys would like to volunteer, I’d be glad to accompany you to the orientation. Then, let’s schedule a day this December to do a volunteer work. J

Gawad Kalinga

Apparently, being a volunteer of GK is open to all. :-) Di kailangang CFC/SFC/YFC ka.

SHARING MY TIME AND SKILLS
“Whatever your skills, there may be a way that you can use them to help the poorest among our brothers and sisters. We always need volunteers to help build and spend time on GK sites. If you are an engineer or an architect, you could help design houses for example. If you are a landscape artist or an agriculturist, you can lend your expertise for flower and vegetable gardening both for aesthetic value and food self sufficiency. We need people to tutor children or provide exciting activities for values formation or workshops for art, dance or music. Medical students could help in community health care, business students could train the poor for micro-enterprise. You can even volunteer to be a writer or web designer for this website! There are just an unlimited number of ways to get involved!”

Habitat for Humanity

Move those muscles! :-) Join Habitat for Humanity’s Youth Build

“Youth Build is Habitat’s program to involve the youth in the ministry of ending poverty housing. Through Youth Build, thousands of youths—high school and college students, out-of-school youth, young professionals, and church youth groups—have been helping needy Filipino families build decent, durable, and affordable homes”

*********

Our little help in these ventures could possibly bring out a heavenly smile from other people. Making someone smile is something that can nurture spirit. :-)

Of course, venturing into such activities should not be limited during the Yuletide Season. It’s just that we’ve to take the opportunity of non-working holidays and of 13^th month bonus.

Quiapo is…

… the place to be.

It is the place to be to buy gifts this Yuletide Season. If you’re thinking of good stuff to give to your loved ones and friends, I believe that Quiapo is one of the best places to visit. For friends who enjoy kikay stuff, you can buy fresh water pearls, Swarovsky crystals, other type of crystals, beads, and other fashion accessories at a very reasonable price in Villalobos St (also along the street going to the LRT station).

On the other hand, if you enjoy creating personalized gifts (like me) for the season, you can visit the handicrafts market in Quiapo (sa Ilalaim). There you can find loads of items that you can use for creating personalized gifts. You can find materials that you can improvise as scrapbook stuff.

Aside from that, there are also good buys in Quiapo like bags, watches, and home displays (also along Villalobos St.).

It is also the place to be if you're into photography. Photography professionals and enthusiasts consider Hidalgo St. (if I’m not mistaken) in Quiapo as heaven. All the stuff they need for photography (cameras, lenses, printing, etc.) could be found there. And the good thing, photography materials are sold at a cheaper price.

… the most ironic place ever.

The place is known for its Church. Devotees of the Black Nazarene would visit the church on Fridays for their usual novena and mass. Sometime in January, around million of devotees gather in Quaipo to show their faith and devotion to the Black Nazarene. Ironically, Quiapo also exudes atrocious venture.

I remember one time we went to Quiapo, one of the vendors outside the church approached my friend. She was asking if we were looking for a certain medicine used for abortion (I forgot the name of the drug but I remember it was featured in Imbestigador). I wonder how they are able to transact such business just some inches away from a supposed holy place.

I’ve been thinking what the Church is doing about the atrocities in its community. While the Church abhors and considers abortion as an immoral venture, yet transaction for abortion happens just a few inches away from it.

That's just one of the apparent ironies in Quiapo.

Ironies in Quiapo:

• Church values life and Quiapo is known for abortion transactions
• Church teaches us not to believe in fortune-tellers and there are lots of fortune tellers in Quiapo
• Church teaches us to pray but there are people who make a living out of praying. They are paid by those people who believe they are not capable of praying. This thing happens inside Quiapo Church.

I don’t know how to believe the Church. I mean, look at Quaipo. The atrocities are just a few inches away from the church but it seems that “evil deeds” (evil for this matter means actions against human life & against church’s teachings) still triumph in the area. I guess it’s something that the officials of Quaipo Church should be worried about. It’s not only the preaching that matters.

Bakit hindi ko gets ang boxing?

Ilang araw na lang at lalabanang muli ni Pacquiao si Morales (kalalabas ko lang sa ospital nung huling laban nila kung hindi ako nagkakamali). Hanggang ngayon, hindi ko maintindihan kung anong buti ang nagagawa ng isports na boxing. Naiintindihan kong halos lahat naman ng isports ay naglalagay sa bawat manlalaro sa panganib. Ngunit, hindi ko talaga maintindihan ang lohika ng larong boxing.

Di ko makuhang matuwa sa tuwing mananalo si Pacquiao. Sa totoo lang, hindi ako makapag-cheer ksai feeling ko di talaga makatao ang larong boxing. Hindi ko alam kung tama ang aking pananaw kasi ang daming tao ang pabor at lubos na sumusuporta sa larangang ito ng palakasan.

Ngayon, naguguluhan tuloy ako kung bakit sa kabila ng mga pasa, pilat, at sugat sa mukha ay katanggap-tanggap pa rin ang larong boxing sa marami. Basehan ba nang pagiging malakas ang may pinakamaraming suntok na ibinigay. Hindi ba’t meron na ring namatay sa isports na ito? Kadalasa’y hemorrhage ang sanhi ng kamatayan.

Hindi ko talaga maintindihan. Marahil mali ang pang-unawa ko sa laro. So sabihin ko na lang bang, go Manny?

*****

Ironically, gusto kong i-try ang boxing as a weight-training venture. Well, sinusubukan ko na nga sa bahay. Labo!

Looking at the Good Body

Watching the Good Body was really a blast! Although I've some sort of pre-empted the show through reading the book (which is not bad I guess, yet I found myself not laughing at some of the "hilarious lines"), the actors were very successful in executing Eve Ensler's wonderfully written monologue.

I remember Monique as Sally Bowles. She really deserved a standing-ovation for her performance in Cabaret. Hence, it's not anymore unexpected to see her excellence performance again. Among the three actors, it was Monique Wilson who really stood out. She was able to shift from one to another character. I just couldn't imagine how she was able to imagine herself as an 80 year old Cosmopolitan editor. It's even more challenging to imagine her self as a 40+ years old Carol who had her vagina tightened. Aside from that, it's hard to be shifting from one character to another while shifting from an accent to another.

Methinks it could have been better if she played as Ensler. If I remember it correctly, there was a point where Monique gained some weight and become a little jadi (fat). Considering that Ensler's fixated with her belly, I guess for someone who’s experienced being somehow fat, she could feel the character better.

Unlike Pinky Amador who's (as far as I know) forever sexy and hot, it's quite hard to feel that she's got bulging belly. It is expected that she also goes on diet to maintain that flat belly but of course it would be a more felt performance if she had experienced having bulging belly. But of course, Pinky's performance was also commendable.

The funniest performance I guess would be that of Juno Henares'. She's so bubbly on stage. I very much liked her portrayal of Carmen, the Puerto Rican girl with a widespread.

The Good Body is a concrete call for people to care about their body and not to recycle their body. For some people, to have a good body is to be sexy and hot. To have a good body is to rejuvenate the vagina. To have a good body is to unleash all the wrinkles in the face. To have a good body is to have a big butt and breast.

However, to have a good body doesn’t mean you have to starve your self. It doesn’t mean that you’ve to undergo painful operations simply to satisfy the society’s notion of what a good body is. It’s not about having a vital statistics of 36-24-36.

In reality, having a good body is simply about self-acceptance. We will all grow old and lose the beauty. We will all have the wrinkles, the spread, the saggy arms and even saggy breasts. We will all lose that glowing look. There will come a point that we may be sexually incapacitated. But what we cannot lose is our identity.

“And if various parts of her body began to grow and shrink and Tereza no longer looked like herself, would she still be herself, would she still be Tereza?"

"Of course, even if Tereza were completely unlike Tereza, her soul inside her would be the same and look on in amazement at what was happening to her body.”

--p. 139 The Unbearable Lightness of Being, Milan Kundera

While the Afghan women were indulging into the yummy taste of vanilla ice-cream, I was craving for vanilla milkshake. Good thing, there's milkshake at Mc Donald’s Greenhills. Yum! Yum! 16 ounce of Mc Do’s Vanilla milkshake for super late dinner! I'm jadi, a perfectly beautiful jadi. :P

P.S.

It's my 100th post :)) akalain mo?

Luli-luli

... (sa tono ng lubi-lubi)


Oo, nakakatuwa na lumalabas na low-profile itong si Luli Arroyo considering na hindi siya nag-mamaganda sa pagpila sa mga public areas tulad nung sa airport. Pero... gusto kong sabihing naiinis ako!

Ang sa akin lang ay kung sa ibang tao ba nangyari ang ganito ay magkakaroon din ng ganitong aksyon sa Immigration?

Marami ng mga tao ang nabastos at nabaliwala ng mga tinaguriang lingkod-bayan (civil servants). Hindi lang sa immigration. Kahit saang kawanihan ng pamahalaan ay nagaganap ang ganitong pambabastos (e.g. sa LTO pagkuha mo ng lisensya).

Malas na nga lang at anak ng presidente ang nabastos. Hmmm... kung hindi ang anak ng presidente ang nabastos, ganito rin ba ang magiging aksyon ng mga opisyales? Maraming tao na ang nagrereklamo ng mga pambabastos ng mga lingkod-bayan pero sa aking pagkakaalam eto lang talaga iyong ganun ang atensyon na ibinigay.

Ang paggawad ba ng respeto ay base lamang sa posisyon ng tao sa lipunan? Porket ba hindi wala kang posisyon sa gobyerno ay ok lang na mabastos o hindi ka pahalagahan?

Kung napansin ni Luli na mali ang ginawa ng immigration officer sa pagpapasingit sa linya dun sa foreigner (sa pag-aakala ng mama na ordinaryong tao lamang itong si Luli), hindi kaya niya napansin na medyo sablay din ang pagbibigay ng sobrang importansya sa kanyang kaso? At medyo sablay din ang walang due process na pagkatanggal nitong bastos na immigration officer...

Wala lang... Naiinis lang ako...

The Real Horror

Nov 1, ’06

Ever since I was kid, I’ve loved watching horror flicks and documentaries. This is probably due to the invalid belief that I have a third eye. I felt so at home with these horror documentaries.

But yesterday was a different kind of realization…

Magandang Gabi Bayan was known for its really scary horror episodes during Halloween. Each year, I always try to watch its Halloween episode. Knowing that people crave for this kind of episode, MGB had a special Halloween episode last Sunday (an MGB episode just for the Halloween). It’s apparent that Bayan Productions is aware of the number of MGB followers during Halloween.

There’s nothing new about the show. Perhaps, except for the new host – Albert Martinez. It was the usual Halloween episode that provided horror stories – mangkukulam, sanib, white lady, and the likes. These were the same stories with different personalities involved though. I must admit that the stories are still scary but not as creepy as the episode back early 90’s (a black lady in the mirror – it’s really freakin scary).

MGB won a lot of followers for their Halloween episodes (I guess even for the special episode aired last Sunday). It was effective in sharing a lot of frightening urban legends that created Goosebumps among a lot of people. But, it failed to challenge the society with all these terror. I guess being a public service show, it should have provided thought-provoking rather than entertaining (err, frightening) episodes.

I believe that GMA7 is good at this – horror stories with social relevance, not purely entertainment. While the Reporter’s Notebook Halloween episode provided tales of horror -- mambabarang, aswang, and devil’s mountain, it didn’t forget to provide the viewers with thought-provoking horrifying realities.

Mambabarang Story

Due to urban legend, people have stereotyped all the people coming from a certain town in Leyte as mambabarang. Consequently, the people here are having a hard time to be involved with trade as people from other towns. Sadly, that town is among the poorest in the country. While the people there struggle to make their lives better, the prejudices of people from other town hurdle them.

Aswang

This segment of the episode served as a venue to make people realize how wrong education or lack of education place people in vain. People in one town of Capiz are constrained to believe that whenever they are afflicted of disease, “naaaswang sila.” Thus, instead of seeking a medical doctor’s advice, they would usually visit a quack doctor. Of course, another factor for trusting the quack doctor is the reality that people in the town are poor. They couldn’t afford a doctor’s fee. Alas, the doctor’s fee is only 50 pesos!

Devil’s Mountain

The mountain is really a devil’s mountain beyond the alleged existence of horrifying malevolent supernatural beings. It is a devil’s mountain because of the unfortunate situation of the community in the area. People’s access to basic needs is very limited – the hospital is too far etc. Furthermore, young people are constrained not to go to school and instead work in order for their family to survive.

These are the real horrors behind each “supernatural horror story.” These are daunting realities that couldn’t be simply exorcized. Hindi na kailangan ng mananawas upang malaman ang ganitong kamalignuhan sa ating lipunan. Hindi tulad ng aswang na maaari mong labanan sa pamamagitan ng bawang, ang malagim na katotohanang bumabalot sa ating lipuna’y hindi madaling talunin…

These are the facts that we should be aware and be alarmed of. Don’t these real-life horrors give you more Goosebumps?

My Saturday’s Issues

NSTP and Grade Distribution

Ate had to rescue one of the twins...

She got a failing grade for NSTP. I asked her if she was able to submit all the requirements in her class and she said she did. That’s why I had to accompany her to talk to her teacher. But unfortunately, unlike in DLSU and UP where you get your class card/ course card directly from your teacher, in their school the distribution of grades is centralized – the college type. Hence, it’s quite tedious to look for professors if ever you’ve problems with the grades. And that’s what we experienced this afternoon!

My sister should wait for November to question her teacher of her failing grade. Funny but she doesn’t have to worry about the period for changing of grades. According to the official in their college’s office, there’s no deadline for changing of grades – you can have your grades change anytime. That’s quite weird.

Bomb Scare

I receive both versions of the “Oct 21 bomb scare” – a forwarded email where the mother mail came from a certain “Ems” and a forwarded text. The usual “paki-alamera” and the “feeling detective” that I am, I tried to find out if the information about the sender were real. The person really exists and that she really works for that company – as per Friendster. But then again, anyone can create a Friendster (in fact, me and my group mates have created dummy Friendster accounts for our research paper then).

Surprisingly, amid the bomb scare, there were still lots of people at Mega Mall. This is probably due to three things:

1. A lot of people aren’t gullible
2. A lot of people are simply careless
3. A lot of people are uninformed

I guess I belong to the first group of people. :-) I had fun at Mega this evening. I was able to sneak a sight of some P.I. contestants.

Philippine Idol

Finally, judges are now more real with their comments. I’ve been waiting for their “boom” comments. Tonight’s really the night! While the judges’ comments are supposed to guide the audience, it seems that with the results of votes, viewers don’t pay much importance on the judges’ comments. Judges have to remind viewers to vote wisely (Simpleng pagboto na lang ng magiling di pa magawa. Kailangan talaga ng voters education sa lahat ng aspeto).

Meanwhile, the reality that the game is a game of money more than talent is apparent. Aside from encouraging the audience to vote for them, some contestants are forced to solicit money so that they could buy call cards/prepaid vote cards to increase their votes.

Higher Ground, Greater Challenges

Most of my batch mates (both in HS and College) have taken a higher step in their lives. Some are already working while some are looking for work. There are friends who've decided to work and nurture their lives abroad. We've taken different paths in order to create a life that we want. Yet, even if these things are signs that we've matured, there are still other things that I find we’re too young to get involved with.

Just last night, I realized that I am sort of sad of the "serye nang di inaasahang pagbubunits" among my classmates in High School. Of course, I am not sad about the idea of seeing them building a family. I am not sad about the idea of seeing new babies born. I am just sad that they would be missing things they should have experienced if they weren't in that situation.

We're just starting with our lives as professionals (for the lack of term). Two or three years after graduation won’t even be enough to help your family and to give your self a reward of sorts -- good and better paying job. We're still in the period of trying to find ourselves (for the lack of term again). We're in a period of trying to improve our lives. And, to have a partner and eventually have a family, or a kid and eventually a family at such point is not really recommendable (IMHO).

A friend and I were chatting the other night. We shared the same sentiment. We find that these young ladies have really great potentials and that marrying at a young age would limit, delay, or even hurdle their potentials. I remember him saying, "talagang walang progreso ang bansa. walang oportunidad ang mga tao." I must say that such could be one of the factors why a lot of young people marry at an early age. But of course, such should never be an excuse for anyone not to strive in making their lives better or struggle in creating an opportunity for themselves.

While watching the story of Michael de Mesa and Gina Alajar on the Buzz and S-Files (Disclaimer: I'm not a regular viewer, wala akong mapanood at iniintay ko ang pag-amin ni Bossing at ni Pia. Yuck ako!), I suddenly realized that their story reaffirms the idea that marrying at an earlier really has great disadvantages. After being together for 25 years (I guess), they decided to end their marriage as they suddenly realized they simply aren't meant for each other.

That's one thing I don't want to happen to my friends who married at an early age. Of course, that's also something I don't want to happen to me (even if I don't plan to marry at an early age).

It is imperative for us to be anxious of our life as well as the lives of those people who could be affected by our decisions. If we plan to build a family, it is our responsibility to give a good life to our future partner and children. A good life means giving our kids good education, providing them their daily needs, making them good persons, and providing them a dependable and trust-worthy family. It also means giving our partner the honest lover and best friend that he/she could ever have.

The Good Body

"Tell the image makers and the magazine sellers and the plastic surgeons that you are not afraid. That what you fear the most is the death of imagination and originality and metaphor and passion. Then be bold and LOVE YOUR BODY. STOP FIXING IT. It was never broken."
- Eve Ensler

It's been more than a year since the last time I watched a stage play. The Good Body is something that I won't allow myself to miss (to the extent that I watch it alone, huh). I wasn't able to watch The Vagina Monologues because of lack of money then. I enjoyed reading it yet I know it's different if I've watched any of its local staging.

Reading through the show's website, I believe that this monologue is very apt these days. Nearly every Filipino woman (even men) has become conscious of the body. Amidst the economic situation of the country, people still don't mind spending for cosmetics/beauty products. There's even an overwhelming number (overwhelming growth) of skinwhitening products (with the idea that white is beautiful) as well as diet pills(just look at the TV and observe beauty shops like Watson's).

For skin whitening, we have soaps made from papaya (both green and orange/yellow), calamansi, and even pineapple. I also see a coconut-solution soap at HBC. If these soaps aren't enough, you can simply visit a derma (names like Calayan and Belo) to have skin bleaching. Oh well, you can even go to one-stop-derma-shop without even consulting a doctor.

For weight-loss on the otherhand, anyone can purchase a diet pill over-the-counter (e.g. Xenecal, Xando). It's also a breeze to trim the fat away just by going to a SPA that offers weight-loss massage services. If you've got the money and you're not afraid of operation, you can simply consult a plastic surgeon (again names like Calayan and Belo) to undergo liposuction.

I guess, the play/monologue can serve as a springboard (as it seems to be thought-provoking) in asking ourselves what a good body really is.

** Ah, time to finish writing about "Why lose weight" **

The Good Body
by Eve Ensler
starring: Monique Wilson, Pinky Amador, Juno Henares
Directed by: Rito Asilo

forthrightly funny...fascinationg, engaging...an inspiration!...passionate, frank, revealing.....Insightful, entertaining and hilarious!

Eve Ensler`s first triumph - The Vagina Monologues - ignited a movement that has exploded into a global phenomenon. Now she`s back, with a show both uprarious and delighful. In THE GOOD BODY, Eve takes a look at the outside, exploring the cultures of beauty, food and desire through the eyes of women around the world. International critics have acclaimed it as a `provocative and profoundly moving play`.

THE GOOD BODY talks about out tortured relationships with our weight, body image and self-acceptance - with voices of women from L.A. to Kabul: A young Latina candidly critiques her humiliating `spread`, a stubborn layer of fat that she calls `a second pair of thighs`. The wife of a plastic surgeon recounts being systematically reconstructed, inch by inch, by her `perfectionist husband`. An aging magazine executive, still haunted by her mother`s long ago criticism, describes her desperate pursuit of youth as she relentlessly does sit-ups.

Along the way, Eve also introduces us to women who found a hard-won peace with their bodies: an African mother who celebrates each individual body as a sign of nature`s diversity, ans Indian woman who delights in her curves. Then there is the veiled Afghani woman who is willing to risk imprisonment for a taste of ice-cream. These are just few of the inspiring stories woven through Eve`s global journey from obsession to enlightment. Ultimately, these monologues become a personal wake-up call for us to love the `good bodies` we inhabit.

Venue: Music Museum
Date/Time: November 10 & 11, 2006 9:00 PM
Cash Prices: P618, P464, P309
Credit Card Prices: P662, P497, P331

Laban o Bawi...

...that's how the Palace plays its game. Just a few days ago, the president ordered retake of all nursing board examinees.

"It was presented in the Cabinet meeting yesterday [Tuesday] and the President made the decision and agreed with the majority of those who spoke that, yes, let's allow the retake," said Ermita. (source: INQ7)

Just a while ago, according to Ermita, no decision has been made yet. Palace should wait for NBI's report before it can decide.

So there goes Arroyo , the president who's "consistent for being inconsistent." She has yet to prove that she values integrity.

I'm not sure if the idea of waiting for NBI's report is prudent. Time is a crucial element for this(I guess). The examinees, their employers (for those who have work already), PRC, and the entire nursing industry are all in an ambigous state which could never be good for any party.

End of September Blues

Impaired

Technological advancements have been greatly affecting our lives. Whew! I've become so dependent with my mobile phone. This afternoon, I had to meet my friend because we're set to go to Quiapo. I didn't expect that mobile communication will delay all our plans. We were set to meet at 1:30 pm. Before leaving the house, I informed her via text that I was on my way to our meeting place. I've been waiting for almost an hour and I haven't received any text from her. I tried to text and even call her but all messages failed and all the calls dropped.

Our mobile communication was okay before I went to the mall. Apparently, there was some sort of network error. It could be due to two things: (1) after-effect of the storm or (2) the place was simply overcrowded with people busy with mobile communication.

Looking back, when we were in high school, we didn't have a problem in terms of meeting our group mates or friends. We just had to set a meeting place and time. Then, we had to give an hour grace period (well, matagal na ito) in case the group wasn't complete yet. We didn't have mobile phones then but meetings seemed to be easier and people were somehow more punctual. Now, mobile communication has created some disadvantages in terms of "flexibility.

It's now easier to advise our friends or workmates that we might arrive late. We could easily tell them to move our meeting time a little later. This will work if we always have the access to technology. However, in times like what we've experienced this afternoon, this will never work. It'll cause too much delay in all our rendezvous and activities.

Machismo

Guy Passenger: "Ang gara namang magmaneho nito. Parang timang. Babae siguro iyong driver."

We often hear men deliver these lines. I really couldn't understand why they'd associate bad (little stupid) driving to a female driver. During my FX ride on my way home this evening, the guy beside me was quite irritated with the car in front. He finds the driver "walang diskarte" and quite stupid. Then he easily assumed that the driver was a lady. I couldn't help but to react. (Lekat talagang nakakainis!) Not that I'm a super feminist, the judgment is simply unfair.

Lalah: "Baket, babae lang ba ang puwedeng maging tanga?"

Ang Epekto ni Milenyo

Hindi ko inasahang ganoon katindi ang epekto ni Milenyo. Nagulat ako sa mga nakita ko sa TV nung gabi ng Huwebes. Sobra-sobra pala talaga ang epekto nitong si Milenyo sa kalakhang Maynila. Kahapon, nasaksihan ko ang malupit na epekto nito sa Maynila.

Pagpasok ko sa opisina ay nakita ko ang mga "MMDA on the Road" pink fences sa island ng EDSA na nakatumba. Sa bandang Scout Area at Timog naman ay nakita ko ang naglaglagang mga puno at poste. Walang kuryente sa opisina at sumabog din ang mga pipelines ng tubig sa building. Nang bandang ala-una ng hapon, naglakad kami upang bumili ng pagkain. Napansin namin ang mga posteng nagdedelikadong bumagsak -- mga nakagewang na. Ilang minuto lamang pagkatapos naming bumili ng pagkain, hala! nalaglag na ang isa sa mga posteng nakita namin.

Nagkaroon din ako nang pagkakataong ikutin ang ilang bahagi ng Metro Manila kahapon. Nautusan kasi akong mag-rounds sa mga client at ilang media publications sa aking last day sa office (kwento tungkol dito sa aking ibang post). Nasaksihan ko ang realidad na talagang matindi ang pananalantang dinulot ni Milenyo. Sa bahagi ng New Manila, kung saan mapuno ang lugar, naglalagan din ang mga puno at ilang sanga ng mga puno sa kalsada. Meron ding ilang mga posteng nagba-badyang malaglag. Ganun din ang eksena sa San Juan at Mandaluyong sa may bahagi ng P.Guevarra at Wack Wack area. Naapektuhan din ang Makati. Along Buendia, may mga poste ring nagbabadyang malaglag. May mga puno ring nalaglagan ng sanga.

Maliban sa mga naglaglagang puno ay marami ring mga billboards na natumba. Ilan sa mga ito ay nagdulot ng aksidente at maging nang kamatayan. Ngayon, lumulutang na naman ang isyu sa pagbabawal ng billboard dahil sanhi ng mga aksidenteng naidulot nito. Hindi naman ito dapat ipagbawal sapagkat may dahilan at gamit ang mga billboards na ito. Marahil dapat maging mahigpit sa pagpapatupad ng mga measures at standards (oo magpatupad ng measures at standards kung walang ganito) sa pagtatayo ng billboard.

May mga bagay tulad ng kalimidad na hindi natin mapipigilan. Subalit kung may mga kaukulang pagiingat at kahandaan ay maaaring maiwasan ang ilang kapahamakan. Marahil, dapat isipin ni BF kung talaga bang kailangan ang mga pink fences na may "MMDA on the Road" sa gitna ng EDSA.

It's clean up time! Kailangan nang linisin ang mga nakahambalang na puno at ayusin ang mga naglaglagang poste at nasirang linya ng kuryente maging ng telepono. Sunod dito ay nararapat lang din na magtanim ng mga panibagong halaman/puno kapalit ng mga naitumba ni Milenyo. Nakakalungkot lang isipin na konti na nga lang ang puno sa Maynila ay naitumba pa ang ilan nito ni Milenyo.

*Higit sa mga punong nagbagsakan, mga billboards na bumigay, nga posteng nalaglag... Maraming mga nasaktan at nasawi sa pag-atake ni Milenyo. Basahin: Inquirer at Malaya

Na-Scam ka na ba?

23 September 2006 – On our way back to the office, after grabbing something for lunch, an old man caught our attention. The man seemed to be in severe pain. It was as if his knees were really week that he couldn't anymore afford to stand and continue walking. Of course, it's normal for anyone to worry and extend some help. I asked the old man what's wrong with him. I asked him what's giving him pain. I thought he'd ask us to bring him to the hospital. Sadly, it wasn't what the man shared to us.

He said:"Galing ako doon sa construction (which is true, because there's a construction site in front of our office building). Pinuntahan ko iyong mga dati kong kasamahan kasi hihingi sana ako ng tulong. Kaso, hindi pa nila sweldo kaya ngayon wala akong pamasahe. Lalakarin ko na lang hanggang lawton tapos makikiusap ako sa mga bus doon na isakay ako pauwing Cavite."

That's the catch! I didn't know what to feel. I started to doubt the man. The usual anxious that I am, I analyzed story he shared. If the man was really in pain, he could have asked us to bring him to the hospital instead of sharing with us where he came and his need for money. So I told the man to wait for a jeep that would bring him to Pantranco.

We’ve decided to leave the man. My officemate also felt that it was a scam. I felt a little guilty. What if the man was really in pain? What if he badly needs money to go home? So while walking, I couldn’t help but to look back. The man was still there. He seemed to still be in pain. There were other people walking and looking at him but no one attempted to approach him and help him. But on the third time I look back, wow, the old man was already walking straight. It was as if nothing’s wrong with him. With that, I guess it is acceptable to think that it was really a scam.

Alas, that’s how poor a lot of people are. There are many who are desperate to get money even in the wrong way. But to be poor is not an excuse to cheat on other people. I have high regard for those people who are struggling in order to survive their daily needs. The factory workers, drivers, vendors, janitors, house helpers, cleaning aides, etc. are all striving even if the money they earn is not enough.

Rugby-High

Everyday travel from home to work and vice versa is quite a challenge – stress, fatigue, possible accidents, and a lot more. It's even more challenging if you've to pass by dangerous areas to get to work. Like for example, passing by a place where there are lots of addicts, snatchers, and even hold-uppers can put so much pressure and anxiety.

Of course, anyone would be anxious if there’s a need to pass by these areas. Yet, the usual worry would be the possibility of being attacked by these “dangerous guys”.

Yesterday afternoon was a shocking revelation when I saw a group of young boys and girls near Circle Inn in Q Ave. Cor. Timog having their rugby sessions. Even if the sun's still up and a lot of passengers and bystanders are in the area, they are enthusiastically having their rugby sessions.

It’s typical for MMDA (even if they’re busy of traffic and apprehending motorists) personnel (even Police) to be roving around the area. As such, it’s quite questionable why these rugby boys and girls aren’t apprehended. Also, considering that Q Ave. and Timog are busy areas, it is very impossible for people passing by not to notice these kids. Yet, how come they are still there – brave enough to show to everyone what they are doing?

An officemate is right. The people have become apathetic of the presence of these kids. Instead of caring about saving these kids from a hell existence, most (including myself) would rather think of ways how to protect our selves and escape these guys in case they’d attack us.

But I guess our anxiety is very much bounded to serving our selves. Of course, it is important to think of our safety. Yet, we tend to forget that these people have yet to enjoy and experience. We’ve neglected them and have become used to their presence not taking into consideration that we can do something for them – than simply fearing them.

> Hardware / Suppliers should be prudent enough not to sell rugby to suspicious kids;

> passengers / bystanders / motorists should have the initiative to report to authority of this horrendous scene in the area;

> authority to pay attention to these kids – apprehend and place them in the right area where they can be relieved of this addiction as well as an institution where they can have the education they need; and

> for me to report (considering that I am a bystander) to the local authority of this appalling situation near my workplace.

Everyone deserves to be guided to create a good life amidst poverty and other challenges in life. Let’s be anxious in helping them to dream and soar high – not rugby high.

I wonder what Mayor SB is doing about this.