dream realm

How Many More Must Die?

2011-11-23T00:42:00.004+08:00

Statement of the University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication

On the second anniversary of the November 23, 2009 Ampatuan Massacre

DESPITE President Benigno Aquino III’s pledge that his administration will stop the killing of journalists, twelve have been killed since the Ampatuan Massacre of November 23, 2009 claimed the lives of 58 men and women, of whom 32 were journalists and media workers.

Neither the glacially slow trial of the accused in that massacre, nor the pledge Mr. Aquino made in his 2010 State of the Nation Address that he will “hold murderers accountable,” has made much of an impression on those who resent press attention. Not only have journalists been killed since November 2009. A number have also been threatened, sued for libel on the flimsiest grounds, barred from attending interviews and press conferences, and physically assaulted. In one of the more recent incidents, unidentified persons also burned a Catholic Church-owned radio station in Occidental Mindoro.

Mr. Aquino’s “hold murderers accountable” statement was the last he has made about the murder of journalists. He has since been silent on the subject, although he has criticized the press from time to time for its alleged bias against his administration and focus on his personal life.

At the same time, his administration has taken almost none of the steps agreed upon between media advocacy and journalists’ organizations and his communication group and the department of justice in July, 2010 as necessary to stop the killings. Among these were the formation of Quick Response Teams to immediately investigate the killing of journalists and to assure the integrity of evidence in the crime site, and Malacanang support for the reform of court rules and procedures to speed up the judicial process.

Mr. Aquino’s silence on the most recent incidents of journalists’ murders is equally unforgivable. And yet a statement from him each time a journalist is murdered declaring his impatience over the failure of the police to prevent it, and immediate police action in furtherance of the filing of the appropriate cases as a consequence, could help make would be killers hesitate by suggesting that things have changed and they could be prosecuted.

Meanwhile, Mr. Aquino has rejected the dismantling of private armies, even if they not only made the November 23 massacre possible, but have also been a factor in some cases in the 100 other places in the country where warlords have also privatized government security forces.

What has always been clear is the imperative of showing the killers and would- be killers of journalists that they can’t get away with murder. State failure to punish most of the killers of journalists—only ten have been convicted since 1986 out of 122 cases—is after all what continues to encourage not only the killing of journalists in the Philippines, but also their harassment. The whole world has known it since 2003, when the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists found that the killings were due to the weaknesses of the justice system, and called for immediate government action--which, as usual, the past administration ignored.

Today Mr. Aquino seems to be as unconcerned over the killing of journalists in the Philippines as his predecessor, despite the rest of the world’s being sufficiently alarmed to have declared November 23, 2011 the International Day to End Impunity in recognition of that event’s significance not only to the state of press freedom in the Philippines, but also to the safety of journalists everywhere.

Charged with the education and training of future journalists and media practitioners, we in the University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication have the responsibility as well as the right to ask how many more must die before Mr. Aquino acts. So does the rest of the international press community—and so does every Filipino.

Dean Luis V. Teodoro

Dean Georgina R. Encanto

College Executive Board

Dean Roland B. Tolentino

Dr. Lourdes M. Portus

Dr. Jose R. Lacson, Jr.

Faculty

Dr. Elizabeth L. Enriquez, Ph.D.

Prof. Josefina C. Santos

Prof. Rosa Maria T. Feliciano

Dr. Eulalio R. Guieb III

Prof. Fernando A. Austria, Jr.

Dr. Florinda D.F. Mateo

Prof. Juno Paruñgao

Ms. Roxanne Girlie Cipriano

Prof. Danilo A. Arao

Ms. Lucia Palpal-taloc-Tangi

Ms. Teresa S. Congjuico

Dr. Nicanor G. Tiongson

Prof. Jose C. Gutierrez III

Prof. Libay Linsangan Cantor

Mr. Cenon O. Palomares

Mr. Patrick F. Campos

Prof. Sari Raissa Dalena

Lecturers

Twink Macaraig

Pinky M. Aseron

Melba S. Estonilo

Ina Cosio

CMC REPS and Staff

Gina Villegas

Clarissa S. Concepcion

Alex NP Tamayo

Jonathan Beldia

Nemesio B. Faulan

Louie Olid

Teresita Santos

Janette Pamaylaon

Virginia B. Cuyugan

CMC Students

Jefferson Lyndon Ragragio, President, CMC Graduate Students’ Association and 6 Executive Committee Members

Norma Riego, CMC Student Council Chairperson and 12 Council members

CMC Student Organizations

Tinig ng Plaridel

UP Journalism Club

Union of Journalists of the Philippines-UP

UP Broadcasting Association

UP Broadcasters’ Guild

DZUP Radio Circle

UP Communication Research Society

UP Cineaste’s Studio

UP Cinema Arts & Society

UP Cinema

UP Sining at Lipunan

Filmmakers Guild in UP

UP Samahan ng Mag-aaral sa Komunikasyon

UP Mass Communicators Organization

Student Alliance for the Advancement of Democratic Rights in UP

Interdependent Student-Centered Activism

League of Filipino Students

Alex and his PSP

2011-05-31T16:40:00.002+08:00

Inseparable.
.

Sam's Pretty Piglets

2011-05-31T16:38:00.002+08:00

Original photo not mine. Just ripped it, and Lomo-ed it.
.

Romans 12: 9 - 16

2011-05-31T07:36:00.001+08:00

9 Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good;
10 love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor.
11 Never flag in zeal, be aglow with the Spirit, serve the Lord.
12 Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
13 Contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; never be conceited.

Stuck sa Traffic at Ulan

2011-05-29T15:23:00.000+08:00

Good morning, Chedeng.

2011-05-28T09:21:00.000+08:00

Everybody's Free

2011-05-26T16:48:00.002+08:00

by Baz Luhrmann

[Published in the Chicago Tribune on June 1, 1997 by columnist Mary Schmich]

Wear sunscreen.

If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience… I will dispense this advice now.

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth; oh never mind; you will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they have faded. But trust me, in 20 years you'll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked… You're not as fat as you imagine.

Don't worry about the future; or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind; the kind that blindside you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday.

Do one thing everyday that scares you.

Sing.

Don't be reckless with other people's hearts, don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.

Floss.

Don't waste your time on jealousy; sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind…the race is long, and in the end, it's only with yourself.

Remember the compliments you receive, forget the insults; if you succeed in doing this, tell me how.

Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements.

Stretch.

Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life… the most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives, some of the most interesting 40 year olds I know still don't.

Get plenty of calcium.

Be kind to your knees, you'll miss them when they're gone.

Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't, maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't, maybe you'll divorce at 40, maybe you'll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary… what ever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself either – your choices are half chance, so are everybody else's. Enjoy your body, use it every way you can… don't be afraid of it, or what other people think of it, it's the greatest instrument you'll ever own.

Dance… even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room.

Read the directions, even if you don't follow them.

Do NOT read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly.

Brother and sister together we'll make it through

Someday your spirit will take you and guide you there

I know you've been hurting, and I know I've been waiting to be there

for you. And I'll be there, just tell me now, whenever I can.

Everybody's free.

Get to know your parents, you never know when they'll be gone for good.

Be nice to your siblings; they are the best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.

Understand that friends come and go, but for the precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle because the older you get, the more you need the people you knew when you were young.

Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard; live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.

Travel.

Accept certain inalienable truths, prices will rise, politicians will philander, you too will get old, and when you do you'll fantasize that when you were young prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders.

Respect your elders.

Don't expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund, maybe you have a wealthy spouse; but you never know when either one might run out.

Don't mess too much with your hair, or by the time you're 40, it will look 85.

Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it's worth.

But trust me on the sunscreen.

If all goes well...

2011-04-17T02:40:00.004+08:00

...I would have Diablo II for iMac in 52... 50... 56... 57... 56... 55... 54 minutes.

Great spirits...

2011-04-14T14:45:00.003+08:00

...have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.

The mediocre mind is incapable of understanding the man who refuses to bow blindly to conventional prejudices and chooses instead to express his opinions courageously and honestly.

--Albert Einstein, 19 March 1940

Shh-Boom / Kokak on TV5'S Star Confessions [30 March 2011 / Wednesday, after Mga Nagbabagang Bulaklak]

2011-03-30T00:55:00.006+08:00

Rachel Lobangco, more popularly known as "Shh-Boom" in the memorable San Miguel Beer tv commercial and as the titular character in her hit debut movie "Kokak," reveals intimate and private details about herself [from feeling abandoned as a child, to being ridiculed and lacking confidence for being dusky, to her rise to stardom, to becoming a household name], her tabloid-worthy loves and heartaches, her painful journey back to near-obscurity, her passion for fire-dancing, and the salvation she has found in her daughter.

Rachel "Shh-Boom / Kokak" Lobangco makes her confession on 30 March 2011 / Wednesday after Mga Nagbabagang Bulaklak on TV5's Star Confessions.

Fear is a paralysis

2011-03-16T12:09:00.001+08:00

Paralysis is immobility
Immobility is stasis
Stasis is uncertainty
Uncertainty is fear

On BBC, the 8.9 magnitude earthquake and tsunami in Japan...

2011-03-12T09:59:00.002+08:00

...and on Fox News, it's Charlie Sheen.

To get something you've never had...

2011-03-11T15:50:00.000+08:00

...you ought to do something you've never done before.

--forwarded SMS

System Shutdown...

2011-03-11T02:40:00.001+08:00

...in 5... 4... 3...

Burn, Baby...

2011-03-10T17:29:00.001+08:00

...Burn!

finally, i can sleep...

2011-03-10T08:56:00.001+08:00

... and let my brain do a bit of the necessary rebooting.

Makata Tawanan on Star Confessions

2011-03-09T20:30:00.001+08:00

Ferdinand "Makata Tawanan" Clemente on tonight's episode of Star
Confessions, after Babaeng Hampaslupa on TV5.

Makata Tawanan comes from a long line of poets in Hagonoy, Bulacan.
And despite the difficulties and ridicules, he chose to pursue his
passion for performance poetry. Until he got his big break after
becoming a hall-of-famer and a grand finalist at last year's
Talentadong Pinoy, ultimately, bringing to the mainstream a dying
art-- comedic poetry.

The Adjustment Bureau

2011-03-09T01:33:00.002+08:00

What could be the grand plan/s that The Chairman had written for me
that I had to be separated from some people? I wonder.

* * *

Does it mean the GW Bush and GM Arroyo and Gadaffi were destined to
become presidents of their respective countries? Or, were they the
glitches that The Adjustment Bureau didn't foresee?

* * *

The first half is okay. The chance meeting of Elise [Emily Blunt] and
David "Chuck" Norris [Matt Damon], the tragic-romance, the set-up,
etc. Then it started preaching about freewill, changing one's destiny,
fighting for one's love, blah-blah and more blah.

* * *

Every time Terence Stamp appeared, I was somehow expecting him to
dance to an Abba song.

'Wag na lang

2011-03-08T18:07:00.001+08:00

Kung ngingiti ka lang kapag nakikita mo 'yung isang tao, pero wala ka
naman talagang sayang nararamdaman, 'wag na lang.

Kung magkukunwari ka lang naman na concerned sa issue ng ibang tao,
'wag na lang.

'Wag mo na lang palabasin na ikaw ang fair, honest at transparent kung
'di naman talaga totoo.

'Wag mo lang lang palabasing ikaw ay maka-tao, maka-mahirap, at
maka-manggagawa dahil alam naman nating pareho na hindi. Noong una,
kahit madami akong tanong, naniwala ako [dahil ganu'n talaga ako-- mas
pinipiling maniwala muna, kahit ilang beses ma-disappoint sa bandang
huli]. Pero ngayon, pagkatapos ng ilang taon at maraming pagkakataon,
hindi na ako naniniwala. Ewan ko lang kung ikaw ay naniniwala pa sa
mga sinasabi mo. Pero mukha naman. Otherwise, hindi ko alam kung paano
ka nakakatulog sa gabi.

Kung hindi mo rin naman kayang lawakan ang isip mo, at tanggaping ang
mundo ay hindi umiikot para sa 'yo [hindi rin naman 'to umiikot para
sa akin, o kung para kaninuman kundi para sa sarili n'ya], 'wag mo na
lang ipangalandakang matalino ka.

'Wag mong i-appoint ang sarili mo bilang messiah. Namatay na si Jesus
two thousand years ago. Hindi na namin kailangan ng isa pa.

Puro lip service ka lang naman pala. Wala naman palang laman ang lahat
ng mga sinasabi mo. Wala ka naman palang kayang panindigan.

'Wag na lang.

Kung hindi makaiwas sa pagkain...

2011-03-07T17:37:00.001+08:00

...pwede kayang voluntary na mag-develop na lang ng aversion sa pagkain?

Parang controlled na anorexia. Ganu'n.

iPad 2

2011-03-07T09:53:00.001+08:00

I wonder when Apple will make iPad 2 available in the Philippines.

Staying Alive

2011-02-19T10:20:00.002+08:00

Last night, while we were airing live on Cine Chichirya on dzUP, I thought I made a boo-boo when I confidently let out a little known fact that...

...Staying Alive, the 1983 sequel to the hit Saturday Night Fever, was actually directed by... ta-daaan!... Sylvester "Rambo / Rocky" Stallone...

...only to be shut down. Because supposedly it was directed by John Badham, according to the website one of my co-hosts was looking at at the time. Not John Rambo.

Of course it bothered me. Knowing I had been probably wrong all along. Worse, I said something stupid on live radio. Whatever's left of my puny credibility was nuked.

So, I searched the net myself, and voila!

Saturday Night Fever was by John Badham.

But, the worst sequel ever, Staying Alive was directed by Sylvester Stallone.

Yay! Now, I can sleep again.

Sluggish

2011-02-19T09:29:00.000+08:00

...and in desperate need of a cup of coffee to perk me up.

Barbra Is On MGM Channel... Proving Once And For All Why She's The Ultimate Gaycon!

2011-02-18T23:33:00.003+08:00

Every time I write, I always need some noise in the background. Recently, it's the noise of the TV that helps me get through whatever I need to finish.

Anyway, right now, what's playing on MGM Channel is Yentl. And I must say I'm a little distracted.

I have yet to see this film in full. And now, as I take a glance at the TV every so often, it's becoming clear why Barbra Streisand is the ultimate Gaycon.

Hahaha!

Race and Intelligence

2011-02-18T23:13:00.002+08:00

On Sunday, 20 February 2011, History Channel premiers a special episode "Race and Intelligence : Science's Last Taboo."

It seeks to answer the question that can't be asked aloud-- is there a connection between race and intelligence?

Kinda makes me feel like singing--

You're a little bit racist.
Well, you're a little bit, too.

Interesting.

My Friday Night Gmik

2011-02-18T20:33:00.001+08:00

While most people are out getting drunk, having a feast, and connecting with other people, I'm home working.

Wait. It's not as bad as it sounds. So, let me rephrase it...

I'm home doing something I love-- writing :)

Full Moon... Yey!

2011-02-18T16:49:00.002+08:00

I just noticed that the moon is full.

I have always loved it when the moon looks perfectly round. A giant silver coin in the sky. A luminescent marble. And it casts its ghostly white light all over the world... Or, at least over the parts of the Earth where it's nighttime.

Deadlines and Lifelines

2011-02-18T16:34:00.000+08:00

I'm not complaining about deadlines. Not anymore. Not like before.

But they still make me cringe. And shut me up. And make me [look like I'm] think[ing]. They still paralyze me.

I need to change my perspective, methinks. I should stop looking at them as deadlines. That's so negative. I should start thinking of them as lifelines-- to having the opportunity to do the things I like doing, to not being idle... And on the practical side, to augment my income.

Yeah.

I have deadlines for this weekend again... Yey!

A Few Parting Words for Mikki

2010-12-02T02:29:00.004+08:00

Thanks for the standards, blues, jazz; thanks for Fitzgerald, Legrand, Streisand; thanks for the good food, the fun company, the fine wine; thanks for the time, the effort, the patience; thanks for a million other things.

I don't know if you were aware how grateful I am that our paths crossed, if only for a short while.

I wish we actually made contact like we promised to after we had bumped into each other on September 15. I wish we stopped and talked a bit longer then. I wish I gave you a surprise visit every time I passed by the village where you lived, instead of just thinking about it.

I wish that even for a split second, I was able to make you feel special.

We hardly saw each other the last several years. But it was all right. We were just a phone call away from each other. Now, it's different. What pains me is the thought I will never see you again.

You laughed out loud, you sang great songs, you touched people's lives. May you have a safe journey home. It will take a while before we see each other again. But when the time comes, I hope you will recognize me. Because I'd surely want us to be friends still.

Goodbye is most difficult when you know you're saying it for the last time.

Goodbye, Mikki. I miss you already.

Remembering Ondoy : Baha ni Juan [o, Ang Patuloy na Paghahanap sa mga Nawawalang Tsinelas]

2010-09-26T00:00:00.000+08:00

Ngayon ang unang anniversary ng Ondoy-- ang bagyong nanalanta sa Metro Manila at maraming lugar sa Luzon. Umaga nang September 26, 2009, Linggo, tumigil ang oras, umihip ang hangin, bumuhos ang ulan, tumaas ang tubig. Maraming nalagay sa panganib, may mga nakaligtas, mayroon din namang 'di pinalad.

May ilang nakabangon nang mabilis. Pero marami ang hanggang ngayon, makalipas ang isang taon, tila nakalubog pa rin ang mga paa sa baha at burak.

Mabilis daw magpatawad / makalimot ang Pinoy. Sana 'di sa pagkakataong ito. Dahil ayon sa sabi-sabi: ang 'di matuto sa kasaysayan, uulit-ulitin ang kamalian.

Larawang kuha sa baha sa Pasig, 30 September 2009.

Ang teksto sa ibaba ay para sana sa opening ng aming Ondoy Photo Exhibit. Sinulat ko ilang linggo makalipas ang Ondoy.

Bahâ Ni Juan
[O Ang Patuloy Na Paghahanap Sa Mga Nawawalang Tsinelas]

Inagos na’t inanod
Ang putik at burak;
Itinambak sa likod
Ng kamalayan at ng utak
Kasama ng tubig-kanal,
Basura, at masasamang alaala.

Pero si Mang Juan--
Hanggang sa mga oras na ‘to--
Ay mahigpit pa ring yapós
Ang mga tsinelas na walang kapares;
Hinahanap ang nawawalang kapares

Sa mga karton at yerong
Nakatambak sa kanto,
Sa mga evacuation center,
Sa kulungan, sa munisipyo,
Sa ospital, sa morge, sa sementeryo.

‘Yung isang tsinelas ay sa kinakasamang si Minda
[Hindi pa sila kasál dahil sa isang buwan pa sana
Ang mass wedding na ipa-public service ni Mayor],
‘Yung isa’y kay Jing-Jing
‘Yung isa’y kay Jun-Jun.
Si Mac-Mac ay tatlong taon pa lang
Kaya kinakarga muna
Dahil ‘di pa nila kayang ibili ng sariling sapin sa paa.
Ang bunso ay nasa tiyan pa ni Minda.

Ang huling paalam ng mag-iina
Ay makikinood lang ng Wowowee sa kapitbahay.
Hinubad nila ang tsinelas bago tumuntong sa magalás na sahig.

‘Di na nila namalayan nang tangayin ng bahâ
Ang tsinelas nila.

Sa tambak ng mga putik na hugis-kaldero,
Hugis-damit, hugis-inidoro,
Hugis-aparador, hugis-lababo,
Hugis-tao--
Natagpuan ni Mang Juan
Ang mga tsinelas ng kanyang mag-iina.
Walang kapares. Ulila.

Kaya’t magpahanggang-ngayon--
Ilang linggo nang naitambak ang mga putik at burak
Sa likod ng isip, sa ilalim ng utak
Kasama ng EDSA Uno at EDSA Dos
Kasama ng mga pangakong napapáko tuwing eleksyon

Patuloy pa rin si Mang Juan
Sa paghahanap sa mga nawawalang kapares
Ng mga tsinelas nina Minda, Jing-Jing, at Jun-Jun
Dahil baka bukas-makalawa
Pagkatapos ng Wowowee, uuwi ang kanyang mag-iina
Walang maisusuot na sapin sa paa.

FEMME-atay! Strong Femmes in Films on Cine Chichirya

2010-08-19T12:49:00.002+08:00

They kiss, they kill and they kick macho ass. They are the femmes fatales and strong femmes in films.

This Friday, 20 August 2010, Cine Chichirya will name, analyze and celebrate the women who bow to no one, and won't submit to any man. They are the ones who give night terrrors to people who think men are the stronger sex.

Cine Chichirya is part of dzUP 1602's Radyo isKool programming. It tackles anything and everything about film-- trends, technology, trivia, genres, film reviews, etc. It airs every Friday, 6-7pm, on dzUP 1602 [AM band]. It's also available on live streaming over the internet on UP Diliman Interactive website [click this link to connect].

You may join the chikahan and chicha-an on http://www.cinechichirya.wordpress.com/ and cine.chichirya@gmail.com.

Kagat na!

Brazilian Film Festival 2009 @ The UP Film Institute

2009-10-28T22:00:00.005+08:00

This November, the UP Film Institute and the Embassy of Brazil bring you Brazilian Film Festival 2009 which guarantees a panoramic view of everything Brasil.

Four charming titles of contemporary Brazilian cinema, celebrated by local and international film festivals, will have complimentary and exclusive screenings at the UPFI Videotheque.

The festival starts November 13, screening a different film every Friday, 4PM until December 4, 2009.

Brazilian Film Festival 2009 @ The UP Film Institute
November 13 - December 4, 2009
Fridays, 4PM
UPFI Videotheque, Cine Adarna, UP Diliman, QC

***FREE ADMISSION***

BOSSA NOVA
Nov. 13, Friday, 4pm

O OUTRO LADO DA RUA
[The Other Side of the Street]
Nov. 20, Friday, 4pm

A DONA DA HISTORIA
Nov. 27, Friday, 4pm

ABRIL DESPEDECADO
[Behind the Sun]
Dec. 4, Friday, 4pm

Full synopsis after the jump.
.

TV Premiere of My Fake American Accent

2009-10-24T16:31:00.003+08:00

Onnah Valera and Ned Trespeces' second full-length digital film will have its TV premiere on October 28, 2009, Wednesday, 9PM, on TV5.

Following the lives of several call-center agents, this film is one of the finalists in Cinemalaya 2008. This comedy is from the same makers of *Trabaho*, and the writer of *Jologs.*

The Fool

2009-10-23T19:49:00.001+08:00

Basic Tarot Symbols

The fool in colorful motley clothes, pack tied to a staff, a small dog, a cliff.

Basic Tarot Story

With all his worldly possessions in one small pack, the Fool travels he knows not where. So filled with visions and daydreams is he, that he doesn't see the cliff he is likely to fall over. At his heel, a small dog harries him (or tries to warn him of a possible mis-step).

Basic Tarot Meaning

At #0, the Fool is the card of infinite possibilities. The bag on the staff indicates that he has all he needs to do or be anything he wants, he has only to stop and unpack. He is on his way to a brand new beginning. But the card carries a little bark of warning as well. Stop daydreaming and fantasizing and watch your step, lest you fall and end up looking the fool.

Thirteen's Observations

In the Tarot, cards like The Magician or The Hermit can often stand for the Querent or for someone in the Querent's life. The Fool, however, almost always stands for the Querent alone, no one else. In standing for the Querent, the Fool represents a time of newness, a time when life has been "re-started" as it were. The person feels that they are back at zero, whether that be in romantic affairs, or career, at their job or intellectual pursuits. Far from being sad or frustrating, the Querent feels remarkably *free*, light hearted and refreshed, as if being given a second chance. They feel young and energized.

In addition, they likely have no idea where they're going or what they're going to do. But that doesn't matter. For the Fool, the most important thing is to just go out and enjoy the world. To see what there is to see and delight in all of it.

Unfortunately, in this childlike state the person is likely to be overly optimistic or naive. A Fool can be a Fool. This is the card likely to turn up when a Querent is thinking of investing his money in a new, "sure fire" business. Or when the Querent is sure that it's "love this time!" Like the Fool, they're so busy daydreaming of what might be that they're ignoring what is. They're about to fall right off a cliff. It's time for them to listen to that watchful little dog, which might be a concerned friend, a wise tarot reader, or just their instincts.

As a card, the Fool ultimately stands for a new start. When it turns up the Querent might be about to make a move, not just to a new home, but new job, new life. There's more than just change, renewal, and a brand new beginning in the Fool, there's also movement, a fresh, exciting new time.

Image after the jump.
Text after the jump.

Raf's Birthday

2009-10-22T13:06:00.010+08:00

Intimate and exclusive celebration of friend / neighbor Raf's birthday, last night, at Vina's unit.

Vina, Beng, Raf

birthday boy

Cenón, Raf

Beng... ANU daw?!

pilít na ngiti ng hostess

kunwari nag-e-enjoy

heto na si kaka
... [ituloy ang bugtong]

kasama si Cleopatra bilang proxy ni Raf

ang walang kamatayang bunny ears

family portrait

family portrait ulit

family portrait na naman

habeerdi!

lumalabas na ang totoong nararamdaman ng mga bisita

parang isa lang ang totoong masaya

nguso kung nguso

Vina: Beng, gusto mong advil?
Beng: Hindi. Pengeng baril.

kumbaga sa kwento, eto ang setup...

...ang rising action...

...at ang climax / final confrontation...

...tapos ay ang dénouement.

yey... ang saya-saya ng birthday...

I'm not tense, just terribly, terribly alert.

2009-10-17T10:41:00.005+08:00

Ways To Say F@(%@#$*!!!

photo by Jerome P. Pabalan

1. "Okay, okay! I take it back. Unfuck you!!!"
2. "You say I'm a bitch like it's a bad thing?!"
3. "How many times do I have to flush before you go away?"
4. "Well this day was a total waste of make-up"
5. "Well aren't we a bloody ray of sunshine?"
6. "Don't bother me, I'm living happily ever after."
7. "Do I look like a fucking people person!"
8. "This isn't an office. It's HELL with fluorescent lighting"
9. "I started out with nothing still have most of it left"
10. "I pretend to work, they pretend to pay me"
11. "YOU!!... off my planet!!!"
12. "Therapy is expensive. Popping bubble plastic is cheap. You choose"
13. "Practice random acts of intelligence and senseless acts of self control"
14. "Errors have been made. Others will be blamed"
15. "And your cry-baby, whiny-assed opinion would be.....?"
16. "I'm not crazy. I've been in a very bad mood for 30 years."
17. "Sarcasm is just one more service I offer."
18. "Whatever kind of look you were going for, you missed"
19. "Do they ever shut up on your planet?"
20. "I'm not your type. I'm not inflatable"
21. "Stress is when you wake up screaming and you realize you haven't gone to sleep yet"
22. "Back off!! You're standing in my aura."
23. "Don't worry. I forgot your name too."
24. "I just want revenge. Is that so wrong?"
25. "I work 45 hours a week to be this poor."
26. "Nice perfume. Must you marinate in it."
27. "Not all men are annoying. Some are dead."
28. "Wait...I'm trying to imagine you with a personality"
29. "Chaos, panic and disorder . . . my work here is done."
30. "Ambivalent? Well yes and no."
31. "You look like shit. Is that the style now?"
32. "Earth is full. Go home."
33. "Aw, did I step on your poor little bitty ego?"
34. "I'm not tense, just terribly, terribly alert."
35. "A hard-on doesn't count as personal growth."
36. "You are depriving some village of an idiot."
37. "If ass holes could fly, this place would be an airport

Emailed by a friend a few years ago. Not mine. Just sharing.
.

Simpatiya Para Sa 'Yo

2009-10-08T12:06:00.003+08:00

Kakatapos lang ng bagyong Ondoy at rumaragasa pa ang bagyong Pepeng, daan-daan ang mga namatay at nawawala, at daang-libo ang nagsisiksikan sa mga evacuation center. Patuloy sa pagtaas ang presyo ng mga bilihin dahil na rin sa pananamantala ng ilang negosyante. Buong bansa ang inilagay ni Gloria sa state-of-calamity, at maraming nagdududa kung hindi ba n'ya ito gagamitin para mapabilis ang pagnanakaw niya sa kaban ng bayan. Patuloy ang korupsyon, ang paghihirap, ang pang-aabuso...

...At ngayon ka pa talaga sumabay na humingi ng simpatiya dahil hindi mo alam kung ano ang gagawin mo sa buhay mo, kung patuloy kang mag-aaral, o kung magta-trabaho ka na, at kung anong klaseng trabaho, pagkatapos mong maka-graduate ng college?

Umamin ka-- adik ka 'no?

Valid ang takot mo, at hindi pwedeng i-dismiss 'yun nang ganu'n-gano'n na lang. At sa maniwala ka't sa hindi, karamihan-- kundi man lahat-- ay dumaraan d'yan. Pero 'wag mong isiping ikaw ang pinakakawawang nilalang sa mundo dahil hirap na hirap ka na dahil hindi mo alam kung ano ang meaning ng life o kung ano ang gusto mong gawin. 'Wag mo ring isiping walang nakakaintindi sa 'yo. 'Yung mga taong inaakusahan mong hindi nakakaintindi sa 'yo, kaya nilang magsulat ng buong libro tungkol sa 'yo.

Pero lawakan mo naman sana, kahit konti man lang, ang pananaw mo sa buhay. Tigilan mo muna ang pagtingin sa sarili mo at sa sarili mo lang. Ilagay mo ang sarili mo sa mundo, sa panahon ngayon, bilang isang mamamayan ng isang third world na bansa.

Matakot ka kung ano ang bukas na naghihintay sa 'yo. Mag-alala ka kung makakasabay ka ba sa mabilis na agos ng buhay. Pero tumingin ka rin sa paligid mo. Ilagay mo ang sarili mo sa tamang konteksto. At tigilan mo na ang kase-self pity at kaiisip na *Gaaahd! Nobody understands me! Life is useless and meaningless and everyone who thinks otherwise is stupid I'm the only one who knows the truth and I'm the protagonist and everybody else is just a prop and extra in this movie set I call life!*

Shut up ka muna kahit ngayon lang. Next week pagkatapos ng mga bagyo, kung gusto mong mag-inarte ulit at patuloy na humingi ng simpatiya, bahala ka. 'Wag lang muna ngayon. Dahil nakakairita ka.
.

REPOST: DO'S & DON'TS for Helping in Times of Disasters: Psychological First Aid

2009-10-02T09:17:00.005+08:00

The following text is lifted from a Facebook note [source after the jump]:

Sometimes, well-meaning help can do more harm than good. This article gives us DO's and DON'TS tips that could help volunteers maximize the assistance they offer.

If we have first aid for physical injuries and diseases, we also have first aid for emotional, cognitive and behavioural difficulties. Others even consider psychological distress as more painful than the physical.

First responders could be used in generic terms as those who are first on the scene of the disaster when no or few specialists are available to help survivors. As we have seen at the height of “Ondoy” and until now, this means almost anybody who extends help.

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

Psychological First Aid for First Responders

When you work with people during and after a disaster, you are working with people who may be having reactions of confusion, fear, hopelessness, sleeplessness, anxiety, grief, shock, guilt, shame, and loss of confidence in themselves and others. Your early contacts with them can help alleviate their painful emotions and promote hope and healing. Your goal in providing this psychological first aid is to promote an environment of safety, calm, connectedness, self-efficacy, empowerment, and hope.

DO

Promote Safety
o Help people meet basic needs for food and shelter, and obtain emergency medical attention.
o Provide repeated, simple, and accurate information on how to get these basic needs.

Promote Calm
o Listen to people who wish to share their stories and emotions, and remember that there is no right or wrong way to feel.
o Be friendly and compassionate even if people are being difficult.
o Offer accurate information about the disaster or trauma, and the relief efforts underway to help victims understand the situation.

Promote Connectedness
o Help people contact friends and loved ones.
o Keep families together. Keep children with parents or other close relatives whenever possible.

Promote Self-Efficacy
o Give practical suggestions that steer people toward helping themselves.
o Engage people in meeting their own needs.

Promote Help
o Find out the types and locations of government and nongovernment services and direct people to those services that are available.
o When they express fear or worry, remind people (if you know) that more help and services are on the way.

DON’T

o DON'T Force people to share their stories with you, especially very personal details. This may decrease calmness in people who are not ready to share their experiences.

o DON'T Give simple reassurances like “everything will be OK” or “at least you survived.” Statements like these tend to decrease calmness.

o DON'T Tell people what you think they should be feeling, thinking, or how they should have acted earlier. This decreases self-efficacy or people’s belief about their capacity to positively deal with difficulties.

o DON'T Tell people why you think they have suffered by alluding to personal behaviors or beliefs of victims. (Note: For example, “Pinaparusahan ‘yan ng Diyos!” This also discourages people from viewing themselves as capable of dealing with their situation).

o DON'T Make promises that may not be kept. Un-kept promises decreases hope.

o DON'T Criticize existing services or relief activities in front of people in need of these services. This undermines environment of hope and calm.

Sources:
o Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) of the US Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS). http://download.ncadi.samhsa.gov/ken/pdf/katrina/Psychological.pdf
o http://www.usuhs.mil/psy/CTCPsychologicalFirstAid.pdf
o http://www.ncptsd.va.gov/
.

Katursi

2009-09-26T22:33:00.001+08:00

Repost from Gelli's FB.

Aling Dionisia Pacquiao sizzles in *Katursi.* Brought to you by Magnulia Melk.

R.O.T.F.L.M.A.O.
.

Ang Ma-Stranded Kasama Ng Isang Tutubi

2009-09-26T12:17:00.004+08:00

Dahil sa lakas ng hagupit ng bagyong Ondoy, stranded ako sa bahay.

Maginaw, tahimik at madilim.

Pero okay lang. 'Di naman ako nag-iisa.

Kanina, pagsilip ko sa labas ng bintana, may nakita akong isang tutubi na nakakapit sa dingding. Basang-basa. Binuksan ko 'yun bintana para makapasok s'ya. Para 'di na s'ya mabasa. Pero tumingin lang s'ya sa 'kin. Napansin siguro n'yang nakatingin kasi ako sa kanya. Kaya nagtinginan na lang kami.

Bihirang-bihira na lang akong makakita ng tutubi. Nu'ng maliit pa 'ko, lagi kaming nanghuhuli ng tutubi ng mga kalaro ko. Iba't ibang klase. 'Yung tutubing karayom ay madaling mamatay. Kung 'di maingat ang paghuli at paghawak, mapuputol 'yung katawan. 'Yung regular sized na kulay berde ay common. At 'yung kulay asul ay rare.

'Pag takipsilim, naglalabasan 'yung kulay maroon ng luminous at mas malaki nang konti sa regular sized na berde at asul na tutubi. 'Pag naglalabasan sila, kumpul-kumpol. Marami. Parang ulap sa kalsada. Mababa at mabagal ang lipad, pero mahirap hulihin.

At ang pinakamalaking tutubi ay yung tutubing kalabaw. Kulay berde. Rare at mahirap hulihin.

Noong maliit pa 'ko, lagi kaming nanghuhuli ng mga tutubi ng mga kalaro ko. Paramihan. Nilalagay namin sa bote. Inaalog para makita kung nahihilo rin ba sila. Ginugupitan ng pakpak para malaman kung makakalipad pa rin kahit putot na. Inoopera para makita kung ano ang meron sa katawan nila na hugis helicopter.

Marami akong nahuling tutubi. Kami ng mga kalaro ko.

Ngayon bihira na 'kong makakita ng tutubi. Nakahanap na siguro sila ng pagtataguan. O baka naubos na namin sila.

Kahapon pa malakas ang hagupit ng bagyong Ondoy. Stranded tuloy ako sa bahay ngayon. Malamig, tahimik at madilim. Pero okay lang kahit nag-iisa lang ako. Dahil hindi naman talaga ako nag-iisa. Dalawa kaming nag-iisa. Kami nu'ng tutubi.
.

Inx's Birthday

2009-09-18T18:30:00.004+08:00

Lunch with Inx's for his birthday. And coffee with Gerry afterwards.

After we finished our undergrad, we saw less and less of each other. Like, once a year, or once every 2 years.

Greenbelt 3, Makati
18 September 2009

Lunch with Inx's. I was so good at playing innocent na birthday n'ya that he eventually had to tell/remind me *birthday ko ngayon!*

Nyaha!

[Burp! Salamat sa lunch.]

Coffee, and yosi, afterwards.

- Gerry, busy ka? Punta ka rito.
- Kakatapos lang meeting. Dami ko pang ginagawa e.
- Birthday ni Inx's.
- [beat]
- Intayin n'yo 'ko.

Picture-picture!-- Xe, Gerry, and Pisngi ni Inx's [yes, kasama sa billing 'yun].

Pero ito talaga ang normal na mukha ni Birthday Boy 'pag nawawala sa isip n'ya na Birthday Boy nga pala s'ya.

Happy Birthday, Inx's :D
.

Bush & Blair Hit The Disco

2009-09-16T18:16:00.003+08:00

A video on YouTube that I saw years ago. Really funny. Some people have too much time on their hands.

.

Happy 4th Birthday to Sam!

2009-09-14T08:00:00.001+08:00

Samantha Kyle, the only girl among the five great grand children, turns four today.

Manaoag trip, January 2008. Samantha was only 2 years and 4 months old.

Four generations of women in the family, all panganays [except for Sam who's bunso, but since she's an only girl that counts, too]-- Ina, Ate Dinah, Bethel, and Sam.

Night Out with SB Friends / Neighbors

2009-09-12T21:17:00.006+08:00

Rare night out with SB friends / neighbors. Last time I went out with them was in 2008, before Sausage Bar closed down, and re-opened, and... Ewan lang kung bukas pa rin until now.

Treehouse - Matalino
09 September 2009

Vina and Raf hamming it up for the camera

That's me, Vina, Raf, Beng... and Beng's back

Attorney Jun and Beng

Vina... and sorry. Kasama pala dapat si Raf sa pic. Ahihi!

Finally, nakasama rin ako sa picture.

The Beng and I. Nyahaha! Gosh, I'm so funny. Syet.

Fine. Sige, kayong tatlo na lang lagi. Next time, 'di na 'ko magdadala ng camera.

Isa pa, with Raf.

At syempre, 'di pwedeng mawala ang solo shot ni Sir Jules.

Bakit Ba Kasi Hindi Marunong Huminga Sa Ilalim Ng Tubig Ang Mga Pilipino?

2009-09-07T19:35:00.004+08:00

Kung ang mga Pilipino ay ipinanganak na may hasang at palikpik, at nakakahinga sa ilalim ng tubig, e 'di sana wala tayong problema. E 'di sana walang nalulunod at namamatay tuwing tatagilid ang mga ferry at mga barko kapag umaambon at umaalon ang dagat.

E 'di sana hindi namatay 'yung higit 6,000 na tao sa sampung pinakamalalang aksidente sa dagat simula sa MV Dona Paz nu'ng 1987(1). E 'di sana hindi tayo nag-aalala na sa halos buwan-buwang paglubog ng mga barko ay may nadadamay tayong mga kamag-anak.

Siguradong dagdag na naman 'to sa sakit ng ulo ni Gloria. Kawawa naman. Hindi pa nga n'ya nalulusutan 'yung P1M dinner n'ya sa Le Cirque - NY, at dumating pa 'yung paglabas ng higit $1M halaga ng bahay nu'ng anaka nya sa US. Tapos sumabay pa 'tong paglubog ng SuperFerry 9. Kaya naman pala nagnanaknak 'yung silicon sa boobs n'ya e.

Kung tutuusin, hindi naman kasi talaga tayo kasama sa mga iniintindi n'ya. Boto at buwis lang naman ang katumbas natin. Para sa kanya, at sa mga tulad n'ya, wala tayong mukha at pangalan. Kung 'yun ngang mga state witness sa mga kontrobersyal na kasong tinututukan ng media, naipapaligpit nang wala-wala lang, tayo pang mga ordinaryong mortal lang?

Pero may pag-asa pa naman. Sabi nga ni Darwin, patuloy naman ang pag-aadapt ng species sa environment. Kung ganito nang ganito ang nangyayari sa atin, hindi na natin kakailanganing maghintay ng ilampung generation para tayo mag-evolve. Baka nga next year lang ipanganak na 'yung New & Improved Pinoy-- nakakahinga sa ilaim ng dagat para kahit ilang beses tumaob ang mga barko, okay lang; pagkapanganak pa lang e alam na ang Theory of Relativity ni Einstein para kahit palpak ang sistema ng edukasyon at kinukurakot ang budget para doon e okay lang; marunong kumain ng bala para kahit ipa-salvage ng mga pulitiko dahil may in-expose o magiging witness e okay lang.

At higit sa lahat, may telekinetic power para tuwing mapipikon sila kay Gloria, at 'di sila makalapit dahil sa damng bantay e makakaganti pa rin sila-- kapag pumutok ang balita tungkol sa pagsusulong nito sa ChaCha, matatampal nila sa pisngi kahit malayuan, o kapag 'di pa rin umalis sa pwesto sa 2010, pwede nilang kurutin sa singit, o kapag 'di n'ya binawi ang National Artist Awards kina Carlo Caparas at Cecile Alvarez e masasabunutan nila ang buhok n'ya sa nunal.

----------
1. "List of Deadliest Ferry Accidents in RP," Philippine Daily Inquirer. 07 September 2009.

--
Sent from my mobile device

Masaker Ng Mga Kababaihan sa TV Show Na Supernatural

2009-09-06T14:10:00.003+08:00

* SPOILERS *
Habang nakakulong ako sa bahay dahil sa lakas ng ulan, muli kong pinanood 'yung Season 4 Finale ng Supernatural na *Lucifer Rising.*

Ang partikular na episode na ito ay ang kulminasyon ng tuluy-tuloy na pagsira ni Lilith (na ayon sa palabas na ito, ay ang unang *demon*) sa 66 seals na magpapalaya kay Lucifer, at magpapasimula ng Apocalypse. 'Di gaya ng mga naunang season at episode, wala nang masyadong aksyon at humor dito. Puro pagpapaliwanag at diskurso na lang-- na pawns lang pala ang magkapatid na Sam at Dean Winchester sa cosmic battle sa pagitan ng Langit at Impyerno, ng mga anghel at mga demonyo; kaya pala patuloy na nasisira ni Lilith ang mga seal ay dahil 'di naman talaga s'ya pinipigilan ng mga anghel, dahil gusto na rin nilang matupad ang Book of Revelations; na pre-ordained ang magiging papel ng magkapatid a Sam at Dean dito; na *God has already left the building*; at, si Lilith, bilang unang demon, ay ang huling seal para tuluyang makawala sa bottomless pit si Lucifer.

Maraming magaganda at interesting na isyu ang tinalakay ang episode na 'to. Tinatahi na rito ang mga loose end, at sinasagot ang mga tanong na naiwang nakabitin sa mga nakaraang installment. Nagbigay rin ito ng sariling interpretasyon-- kahit 'di naman bago lahat ng mga ideya-- tungkol sa Apocalyse, pre-destiny, at existence at / o partisipasyon ng Diyos sa lahat ng mga pangyayari.

Pero ang napansin ko sa panonood ko kanina sa palabas na ito, at ito ngang episode na 'to, ay ang depiksyon at kinahinatnan ng mga karakter-- partikular ang pagkakaiba ng kapalaran ng mga lalaki atbabae.

Ang mga karakter--

SAM - isa sa dalawang bida, kapatid ni Dean. S'ya pala ang nakatalagang magpalaya kay Lucifer, at lahat ng mga pangyayari sa buhay n'ya-- pati ang pagrerebelde sa buhay ng isang *Demon Hunter* ay kasama sa plano sa kanya. Siya ang makakapatay kay Lilith (o sa babaeng sinapian ng espritu ni Lilith) sa pamamagitan ng kapangyarihan ng kanyang isip. Pero bago 'yun, papatayin muna n'ya ang isa pang demon (o ang babaeng doktor na sinapian nu'n) para inumin ang dugo upang magkaroon s'ya ng sapat na lakas para patayin si Lilith.

DEAN - kuya ni Sam, ang isa pa sa dalawang bida. S'ya naman ang *Chosen One* sa panig ng *mabubuti.* Sa simula pa lang ay ayaw na n'ya kay Ruby dahil ang tingin n'ya rito ay masamang impluwensya sa kanyang kapatid, masama at may hidden agenda tuwing tutulungan sila. Sa bandang huli, matapos nilang malaman ni Sam ang totoong motibasyon ni Ruby, s'ya mismo ang papatay rito (o sa babaeng sinapian ngespiritu niya) sa pagitan ng pagsaksak.

PARI - sa kanya magsisimula ang episode, kung paanong sinapian s'ya ng isang demon, at kung paano n'ya minasaker ang mga madre habang nagmimisa bilang alay sa kanyang *father* na si Lucifer.

LUCIFER - hindi makikita si Lucifer sa buong episode, pero ang lahat ng mga pangyayari ay upang mapalaya / mapanatili s'ya sa kanyang kulungan. Ang gender assigment na ibinigay sa kanya ay lalaki dahil *father* ang tawag sa kanya, at *he* ang pronoun na ipinantutukoy sa kanya. Mapapansing s'ya ang dahilan ng pagkamatay at pagpatay sa mga kababaihan, directly (daya ng mga madreng minasaker) at indirectly (Lilith, Ruby, at babaeng doktor).

LILITH - sa realidad ng palabas na ito, si Lilith ang unang demon na ginawa ni Lucifer kaya s'ya ang pinakamakapangyarihan sa lahat ng mga kauri n'ya. S'ya ang magsasabog ng lagim para sirain ang 66 seals na magpapalaya sa creator n'ya. Ang paghahanap at pagpatay sa kanya ang story arc ng buong Season 4. At sa dulo, kailangan s'yang patayin sa pulpit-- bilang ika-66 na seal-- para magsimula ang Apocalyse.

RUBY - dating witch na naging demon nu'ng mamatay. Tumakas mula sa impyerno para tulungan ang magkapatid na Sam at Dean. Sa episode na 'to malalaman ang totoong motibasyon n'ya-- pinag-aaway n'ya ang magkapatid para madali n'ya maimanipula si Sam, ipapapatay n'ya rito si Lilith para mapalaya si Lucifer, at upang maging paborable s'ya sa paningin nito. Nang mapatunayang tama ang hinala sa kanya ni Dean, kamatayan ang magiging kaparusahan n'ya.

BABAENG DOKTOR - *Lilith's Chef* ang tawag sa kanya, at specialty n'ya ang mga sanggol na bagong panganak. Ito-torture s'ya ni Sam para ibigay n'ya ang impormasyon kung saan matatagpuan si Lilith. Aamin s'ya kapalit ng kamatayan. Pero matapos makuha ang kailangan sa kanya, 'di tutupad si Sam sa usapan. Bubuhayin muna s'ya nito ng ilang saglit bago inumin ang dugo para lalong lumakas.

MGA MADRE - papatayin sila nu'ng Pari na sinapian ng demon bilang alay kay Lucifer. 'Di nila maipagtatanggol ang kanilang mga sarili, bagkus,iiyak at sisigaw lamang sila habang kinakatay silang lahat.

May ilan pang mga karakter na interesting na pag-aralan. Ang dalawang archangel na tumutulong / nagmamanipula sa magkapatid ay sina CASTIEL at ZACHARIAH (hindi propeta si Zachariah rito kundi isang archangel o isa sa mga military general ng langit). Kung papansining mabuti, makikitang may role-playing sa kanilang dalawa-- *lalaki* si Zachariah dahil s'ya ang level-headed, nag-uutos, matalino at may paninidigan; samantalang *babae* si Castiel kaya s'ya ang kimi, sunud-sunuran,takot at pabagu-bago ng isip.

At mapapansin ang pattern ng *pagpatay sa mga babae* maski kay Castiel. Nu'ng tulungan ni Castiel si Dean na makatakas para pigilan si Sam, nagpaiwan si Castiel para harapin ang mga galit na galit na archangel. 'Di man ipinakita, alam na nating kung ano ang naging kapalaran n'ya sa kamay nina Zachariah.

Sa pagbabalik-tanaw, maaalalang ang pagpatay ng demon na si Allistair (lalaki) sa Nanay (babae) nina Sam at Dean ang nagpasimula ng kwento. At ang pagpatay ulit ni Allistair (lalaki) sa fiancee (babae) ni Samang magtutulak dito upang balikan ang pagiging demon hunter.

Naramdaman ko na noon pa na may mali sa palabas na ito pero ngayon ko lang napagtuunan talaga ng pansin kung ano 'yun: Misogynist angpalabas na ito.

Sa palabas na ito, kailangang patayin ang asawang babae at kasintahang babae para magkaroon ng motibasyon ang mga lalaking bida at tumakbo ang kwento, kailangang patayin ang mga madre para matuwa ang panginoong lalaki, kailangangang patayin at inumin ang dugo ng doktor na babae para lalong maging malakas ang lalaki, at kailangang patayin ang kaibigang babae dahil inuuto lang pala sila nito.

Pati ang lugar kung saan ginawa ang pangma-masaker sa mga kababaihan ay feminized-- St. Mary's Convent.

'Di ko alam kung ano ang malalim na pagkagalit ng taong gumawa, nagsulat at nag-direk sa Supernatural, at kung sinasadya nila ito okusa lang nagma-manifest 'yung nasa psyche nila.

Pero ang mas nakakaalarma ay ang pagiging subtle noon. Natutuwa tayo sa pinanonood natin pero 'di natin alam na may subtext na pala ng pagkamuhi sa mga kababaihan.
.
--
Sent from my mobile device

Congratulations to Igine Jose, Finalist - 1st MTRCB TV Awards, Screenplay Category

2009-09-05T07:55:00.005+08:00

Napadpad kami ni Libay kagabi sa Gateway para sa 1st MTRCB TV Awards. Inimbitahan kami ni Igine, senior student namin sa UPFI, dahil finalist s'ya sa screenplay category. Muntik na nga 'ata namin nadaig ang parents at lola n'ya sa pagiging excited at proud. Hehehe.

'Yung screenplay na sinabmit n'ya, *Exhibit*, ay 'yun ding sinulat n'ya para sa scriptwriting class dati. Nakakatuwa kasi 'di ko na-imagine na yung tema ng pelikula-- incest-- at ang MTRCB ay
maaaring pagsamahin sa iisang venue.

'Yung *Exhibit* kasi ay'tungkol sa isang batang lalaki na nagbibinata, at naka-develop ng romantic feelings para sa ate n'ya na isang painter. Ang maganda ru'n ay 'yung pagiging matapang pero hindi kontrobersyal, at malawak ang pagtingin at pag-aanalisa ng manunulat sa mga tao sa paligid n'ya at hindi nakukulong sa sariling kwento.

Isa pala 'to sa fringe benefits ng pagiging isang public school teacher-- 'pag nakikita mo 'yung estudyante na may sarili nang path na ginagawa para sa sarili n'ya.

Anyway, tama na ang senti. Congratulations, Igine!

* * *

Ilan pang obserbasyon sa mga pangyayari kagabi--

Nakakatuwang makita ang mga kaibigan at dating ka-trabaho. Nakakahawa 'yung saya nu'ng mga nanalo.

Congratulations sa mga dating kasamahan sa Sineskwela na hinirang na Best Educational Program. Until now humahataw pa rin.

Ibang level si Juday. Nagliliwanag ang buong stage tuwing hahagikgik s'ya. Lahat ng ibang presentors puro tensyonado. Sila lang 'ata ni Bitoy ang nag-dare na mag-enjoy.

'Di masyadong magaling kumanta si Pooh. Pero sobra s'yang nakakatawa.

Sa opening na dance number ni Marian Rivera, parang wala naman s'yang ginawa. Buti na lang maganda talaga s'ya. 'Yun lang.

Nakakatakot si Ellen ng Ellen's Beauty Chorva.

--
Sent from my mobile device

Bilog Kasi Ang Buwan

2009-09-04T11:11:00.002+08:00

Makakita lang ng taong may dalawang mata, ilong at bibig, mukha n'ya ang nasa isip mo. 'Wag 'di may magbanggit ng abakada, ibinubulong mo na ang pangalan n'ya. Makakita ka lang ng kubyertos, nag-aalala ka kung kumain na ba s'ya.

'Wag mo nang pahirapan ang sarili mo. 'Wag mo nang isipin kung ano ang nangyari, ang nangyayari, at kung ano pa ang posibleng mangyari. Tigilan mo ang paghihimay-himay sa rason at sa emosyon. Baka wala naman talagang makikita sa loob nu'n. Baka wala du'n ang sagot.

Tama na ang pagdadahilan. Tama na rin ang pagbibigay-dahilan sa kanyang kakulangan, at sa sarili mong kalokohan. Lalo mo lang sinasaktan ang sarili mo.

Sabi nga sa 'yo, ang sugat, habang nagnanaknak masarap kamutin. Pero pagkatapos lalong tumitindi ang hapdi. Konting tiis na lang. Pasasaan ba't magiging peklat din 'yan. Peklat na magpapangiti sa 'yo tuwing maaalala mo 'yung panahon na akala mo e hindi 'yun gagaling.

Sa ngayon, 'wag mo nang sisihin ang sarili mo dahil sa 'yong kahibangan. Siguro isa kang dagat. Gustuhin mo man o hindi, kusang aapaw tuwing magbibilog ang buwan.

At seryoso, bilog nga talaga ang buwan.
.

Masaya Ako

2009-09-03T01:04:00.002+08:00

Masaya ako.
Masaya ako dahil nalulunod ako.
Nalulunod ako sa sarili ko.
Nalulunod ako sa sarili kong kababawan.
Sa sarili kong kababawan, nalulunod ako.
Sa sarili ko ako'y lunud na lunod.
Nalulunod ako kaya ako masaya.
At ako nga'y masaya.

--
Sent from my mobile device

Chillaxing After Meeting With Client

2009-09-02T13:21:00.002+08:00

With Rodel and Job
Greenwich-Ayala, Makati

At Biglang...

2009-09-01T12:04:00.003+08:00

...September na agad. Walang kaabug-abog. Walang pasabi. Bigla na lang
paggising mo, September na. At alam na natin ang ibig sabihin nu'n--
ilang tulog na lang Pasko na.

Biglang may iba nang ibig sabihin ang malamig na hangin. 'Di na
simpleng, *may bagyo 'ata e.* 'Di na 'ko magugulat kung mamaya sa taxi
e bigla na ring patugtugin ang mga christmas carol. Biglang kailangan
nang mag-doble tipid. Hindi lang para sa taas-baba-taas na presyo ng
biliin, 'di lang para sa buwanang bills, 'di lang para makasabay ang
ipon sa walang tigil na inflation Kundi para na rin may maitabi para
sa Noche Buena. Para rin may maipambili ng regalo. Para may
maipamasko.

Tapos, 2010.

Buti na lang at may eleksyon sa May. Kahit paano mabi-break ang
monotony at nakakabagot ng siklo ng pagpapalit-palit ng mga araw,
linggo at buwan. Pero 'di rin naman natin alam kung may mababago nga
sa eleksyon, at pagkatapos nu'n.

Pero ganu'n pa rin. Biglang-bigla, paggising mo isang umaga, September na naman.

--
Sent from my mobile device

I'm Not Your Baby... Puh-leez!

2009-08-30T01:24:00.007+08:00

I'm Not Your Baby
Performed by U2 and Sinéad O'Connor
Music by U2 / Lyrics by Bono
From Wim Wenders' The End of Violence OST

It's a beautiful day today
Everything is going my way
Even the words doing what I say
Oh babe, got to get away

To be impossible
Isn't that difficult
In the city you're invisible
When you come from a small town

Everything is alright
Everything is alright
I'm not your baby please

A tourist in a traffic jam
Babysham handycam
I'm not your mother, you're not my man
I'm not your baby

Don't treat me like I'm a trick
I won't treat you like you're a prick
Don't need no doctor, I'm not ill
I'm not your baby

Everything is alright
Everything is alright
I'm not your baby please

Cut out the poetry
Let's hit the main artery
No time for a tourniquet
Let the colours all run out on me

You brought me all kinds of goods
Now my heart is so full up it hurts
It's heavy as a shopping bag
It's full of things I should give back

Everything is alright
Everything is alright
I'm not your baby please

I'm not your baby
I'm not your baby

Don't want you to cover me
Smother me or mother me
I like to feel this incomplete
I'm not your baby

Everything is alright
Everything is alright
I'm not your baby please

Bono [while Sinéad sings, *Feels so good, feels so good*]:
Feel not dizzie just busy
Didn't drink nothing fizzy
No pills to feel easy
Don't know what got in to me
Daylight is a kinda robbery
The night is your geography
So you're not white, you're pink and rosy
You could be right but you're way above me
Me I'm in recovery a star of pornography
I'm a tourist there's a lot to see
You don't like the photographs of me
So you've got a lot to say
You don't sleep around but sometimes you stray
You don't believe often times you pray
For something
What is it babe?

Don't treat me like I'm a trick
Won't treat you like you're a prick
Don't need no doctor, I'm not sick
I'm not your baby

Everything is alright
Everything is alright
I'm not your baby please

I'm not your baby
I'm not your baby
I'm not your baby
I'm not your baby
I'm not your baby
I'm not your baby
I'm not your baby

Original post after the jump.
.

[Neither] Swimming [Nor] Surfing in San Juan, La Union

2009-08-22T13:54:00.003+08:00

Reading the news, eating, drinking, camwhoring... at the beach.

And FB-ing, too.

Willie Revillame Did NOTHING Wrong Support Group on Facebook

2009-08-19T19:34:00.005+08:00

Did Willie Revillame do anything wrong? Is he uncouth? Is he mayabang? Is he manyakis? Is he guilty of rigging the results of the games on Wowowee? Does he go around feeling like he's above everyone else?

Well, not according to these people.

I found this support group page on Facebook for Willie Revillame the other day. We heard the Anti-Willie's vent their anger over and over again. And I thought it was about time we paid attention to what the Pro-Willie's had to say... all 28 of them.

The first screen cap is the main page, and the one below it is the whole thread of support for Papi. In order to read the text, though, you will have to click the pix to enlarge them.

The main page--

And the complete thread--

Original post after the jump.

Old Photo: Lunch with Job and Sonny @ UPD Beach House, A Day Before Leaving for Japan (April 2008)

2009-08-18T22:23:00.003+08:00

Just testing if I could really post blogs via my mobile.

Sino Ang Mas Sincere?

2009-08-18T22:08:00.004+08:00

Nakuha ko 'to galing sa dalawang magkahiwalay na emails nina Divs at Job.

E, nakakatuwa.

Tsaka ang cute lang ni Gloria.

Original post after the jump.

UPCMC's Assessment of the state of media under PGMA

2009-07-26T00:18:00.003+08:00

Under Siege and Fighting Back
An Assessment of the State of the Philippine Media

University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication (UP CMC)
led by Dean Roland B. Tolentino, 24 faculty members, 5 staff,
11 student organizations and the UP CMC Student Council

Philippine media have been under siege since Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo came to power. The hostile environment her watch has created, unprecedented since the Marcos period, has undermined the constitutionally protected freedom of expression in general and press freedom in particular.

The killing of journalists persists. More than half of the journalists killed during the post-Marcos period were killed during the Macapagal-Arroyo administration. Only in three cases – the murder of Edgar Damalerio, Marlene Esperat and Armando Pace – have the killers been convicted. However, no mastermind has been prosecuted.

A slew of libel cases, of which those filed by First Gentleman Mike Arroyo are the most obvious evidence of regime hostility to criticism, transparency and press freedom, have been filed against critical journalists. Media groups and at least one journalist, Carlos Conde, have been tagged as enemies of the state either by the military’s infamous “Knowing the Enemy” presentation or its 2007 Order of Battle in Davao.

The imposition of a state of national emergency in 2006 highlighted the hostility of the administration towards the free press as media organizations were put under surveillance and threatened with sedition charges. The mass arrests of journalists during the Manila Peninsula siege in November 2007 also show not just the government’s ignorance of the workings of the press but also its contempt for press freedom.

Macapagal-Arroyo and other officials profess their commitment to press freedom, but their statements have proven to be nothing but lip service. The list of cases of media repression since 2001 is endless. The imprisonment of Davao broadcaster Alex Adonis as a result of a libel case filed against him by the Speaker of the House of Representatives shows how government officials can use the law to silence and intimidate those who are critical of the powers-that-be. Broadcast journalist Cheche Lazaro was sued for wiretapping by a government official as a result of her work in exposing corruption. Journalists who went to Maguindanao were briefly detained when they covered the conflict there. All are the result of an atmosphere the Arroyo administration has created which encourages media repression.

It should not come as a surprise therefore that the country has been tagged as the second most dangerous place in the world after Iraq to practice journalism.

Not only are journalists targeted by this repressive regime. Even those in the broadcast and film industries suffer from harassment and intimidation, mainly in the form of prior restraint. The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) has been criticized for giving an “X” rating to films that are critical of the administration like “Ang Mabuhay para sa Masa,” “Rights,” “Mendiola” and “A Day in the Life of Gloria.”

Under these circumstances, the media have fought back to uphold and protect press freedom and free expression. There now exists a de facto alliance among media organizations and other cause-oriented groups as the former fight the administration’s hostility towards the press. The Freedom Fund for Filipino Journalists (FFFJ) was established precisely in response to the unabated killings. Various media groups have issued position papers against onerous bills like the right of reply and to campaign for access to information and the decriminalization of libel. The UP Film Institute played a major role in the re-establishment of the Task Force Free the Artists (TFFTA) to fight censorship.

Aware of the current administration’s hostility towards press freedom, the College reaffirms its commitment to help media and journalist organizations defend press freedom, and to be part of the de facto alliance that, by resisting the Arroyo administration’s attack on the press and working for the enhancement of professional and ethical media practice, is at the same time defending what remains of Philippine democracy. The College will remain vigilant and continue to watch her, her government and all her minions; and remain critical of all her actions.

Consistent with the call of the University Council of UP Diliman as early as 2005 for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s resignation, the UP College of Mass Communication believes that her removal from office can help create a better media environment in the country. Let it not be said that the College chooses to be silent as media repression continues under this administration.

24 July 2009

SIGNATORIES

Faculty

1. Dean Roland B. Tolentino
2. Dr. Georgina Encanto, former dean
3. Dr. Nicanor Tiongson, former dean
4. Prof. Luis Teodoro (retired), former dean
5. Prof. Alfonso Deza (chair, Department of Communication Research)
6. Prof. Rosa Maria Feliciano (chair, Department of Broadcast Communication)
7. Prof. Marichu Lambino (chair, Department of Journalism)
8. Prof. Almond Aguila (Department of Communication Research)
9. Prof. Danilo Arao (Department of Journalism)
10. Prof. Marinela Aseron (Department of Broadcast Communication)
11. Prof. Fernando Austria, Jr. (Department of Broadcast Communication)
12. Prof. Yason Banal (UP Film Institute)
13. Prof. Marilou de Ocampo (Department of Communication Research)
14. Prof. Abigael Felix-Esguerra (UP Film Institute)
15. Prof. Melba Estonilo (Department of Broadcast Communication)
16. Prof. Roehl Jamon (UP Film Institute)
17. Prof. Lisa Justiniani (Department of Broadcast Communication)
18. Dr. Jose Lacson, Jr. (Department of Communication Research)
19. Prof. Cenon Palomares (UP Film Institute)
20. Prof. Cristina Rara (Department of Journalism)
21. Dr. Arminda Santiago (UP Film Institute)
22. Prof. Josefina Santos (Department of Broadcast Communication)
23. Prof. Lucia Tangi (Department of Journalism)
24. Prof. Violeda Umali (Department of Communication Research)
25. Prof. Jane Vinculado (Department of Broadcast Communication)

Staff

1. Gina Villegas, administrative officer
2. Arnel Aga
3. Jonathan Beldia
4. Luis Olid
5. Placida Sodoy

Student organizations

1. League of Filipino Students-CMC
2. Samahan ng mga Mag-aaral ng Komunikasyon
3. Student Alliance for the Advancement of Democratic Rights in UP-CMC
4. Union of Journalists of the Philippines-UP
5. UP Broadcasters’ Guild
6. UP Broadcasting Association
7. UP Cineastes’ Studio
8. UP Cinema
9. UP Cinema Arts Society
10. UP Journalism Club
11. UP Sining at Lipunan

CMC Student Council represented by Rupert Francis Mangilit (chair)

For verification, please call the UP CMC Department of Journalism at telephone number 920-6852.

Original post after the jump.

Click the photo for the source.

These R The Thoughts

2009-06-19T22:01:00.007+08:00

One of my most favorite albums of all time. Walang itatapon. Especially this cut.

This has been playing nonstop in my head these past several weeks. I think I know why. Actually, this song's in auto-mode every time I'm in the same situation.

I thought I was intelligent, but why some people do some things is beyond me--

I don't understand why some people say one thing and do another.

Or, why they pretend to be somebody else.
Or, why they talk to you and smile at you, and say terrible things behind your back.
Or, why they keep talking about themselves even when, obviously, nobody's interested.
Or, why they can't just be straightforward, honest and transparent.
Or, why they don't want to own up to any of their decisions.

Kaka-badtrip.

* * *

These R The Thoughts
Alanis Morissette
MTV Unplugged

These are the thoughts that go through my head
In my backyard on a sunday afternoon
When I have the house to myself and Im not
Expending all that energy on fighting with my boyfriend

Is he the one that I will marry?
Why is it so hard to be objective about myself?
Why do I feel cellularly alone?
Am I supposed to live in this crazy city?
Can blindly continued fear induced regurgitated life-denying
Tradition be overcome?

Where does the money go that I send to those in need?
If we have so much why do some people have nothing still?
Why do I feel frantic when I first wake up in the morning?
Why do you say you are spiritual
Yet you treat people like shit?

How can you say you're close to god
And yet you talk behind my back as though I am not
A part of you? why do I say Im fine when its
Obvious Im not? whys it so hard to tell you what I want?
Why cant you just read my mind?

Why do I fear that the quieter I am the less you will listen?
Why do I care whether you like me or not?
Why is it so hard for me to be angry?
Why is it such work to stay conscious and so easy to get stuck
And not the other way around?

Will I ever move back to canada?
Can I be with a lover with whom I am a student and a master?
Why am I encouraged to shut my mouth when it gets too close to home?
Why cannot I live in the moment?
Click any of the pix, or the title of the song to listen to it.
.

Old Pix With Ex-Fellow Writers, ca2007

2009-06-17T21:06:00.005+08:00

Syempre ngayon nakakatuwa na lang balikan :P

Grabbed from Randy "Squid" Villanueva's facebook.

Gawad Plaridel Shoot

2009-06-17T20:54:00.006+08:00

Natuwa lang sa mga in-email na larawang kuha ni Crown. Kaya ipinost nang walang paalam :P

Sana magka-oras sa lalong madaling panahon para maidagdag 'yung iba pa.

Taking a short [piktyur-piktyuran] break sa paglalakad mula sa pinakatuktok ng rice terraces.

At matapos ang tatlong oras na pagpanhik-panaog sa hagdan-hagdang palayan, sa katanghaliang-tapat, nakuha pa talagang mag-smile.

Kulog at Kidlat

2009-05-13T23:30:00.001+08:00

CamWhoring with Kidlat Tahimik [and his legendary bamboo camera] after our meeting with him on May 12, 2009.

Obvious ba na starstruck ang mga tao? :P

Nyahaha! Me, Kidlat and the legendary bamboo camera.

Isa pa...

Pramis... last na lang :D
.

Happy Mother's Day

2009-05-10T00:00:00.000+08:00

Wanted: LINE PRODUCER for a Full-Length Digital Film [to be shot in France and the Philippines]

2009-03-24T09:46:00.006+08:00

we are looking for a line producer for a full-length digital film to be shot in france and the philippines.

this light drama is about the friendship between two women who meet and become good friends in paris, france. but tragedy strikes and they will be forced to go to the philippines.

most of the film will be shot here in the philippines. in that regard, we will need somebody who can line produce it.

the producer, director and scriptwriter are all french nationals who are based in paris [except for the producer, who is based in new york]. we want to make all the necessary arrangements first before they come here in time for the pre-prod and the shoot.

the tentative dates of pre-prod is early feb 2010. and we'll start the 6-week location shoot by april 2010.

these are all the details i'm allowed to divulge right now. if you have any queries, you may email me at the email address below.

anyway, if you are interested, please email your:
- resume /curriculum vitae
- filmography
- [and if you are representing a production company / group, please email me the company profile, too]

to: copalomares@gmail.com

on or before march 25 / wednesday, 5pm.

please forward this message to anyone who may be interested.

thank you very much.

[banawe rice terraces pic from http://simplykate25.blogspot.com/2008/06/beautiful-philippines.html
eiffel tower pic from http://arttriptoeurope.blogspot.com/]

Original post after the jump.

Dibu[h]o Art Exhibit Opens March 13

2009-03-11T17:35:00.008+08:00

The UP Film Institute, in cooperation with Kyusoku Bihaku, celebrates the International Women’s Day with an exhibit entitled DIBU[H]O. The exhibit opens on March 13, 2009, Friday, 7:00 PM at the Ishmael Bernal Gallery.

Without a critical look at women and their historical struggles, celebrating Women’s Month risks becoming an empty gesture—a false resistance accommodated by a patriarchal society. The artists behind Dibu[h]o assert an analytical stance and propose a re-examination of the woman in society by means of investigating a variety of different concerns. Using an array of methods and materials, the exhibition tackles issues including the woman as social agent, as ideological subject, the woman as commodity, the woman at home, and the woman as a lover of women.

The UP Film Institute is the first and only Philippine School accredited by CILECT: International Association of Film and Television Schools since 1984. UPFI combines instruction with creative work, research and publication. UPFI graduates achieve proficiency in technical, creative, substantive and ethical filmmaking as well as holistic consciousness.

For more information or queries, contact Ms. Sarah Garcia at 09272411302 or the UP Film Institute at 9818500 (UP Trunkline) local 4286, 4289; 9262722 (Telefax); 9263640 (Cinema Hotline); 9250286.

25 Random Things About XE

2009-02-04T17:02:00.009+08:00

Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.

(To do this, go to “Notes” under tabs on your profile page, paste these instructions in the body of the note, type your 25 random things, tag 25 people (in the right hand corner of the app) then click publish.)

1. Adik ako sa tsokolate. Kahit anong klase. 'Di ako mapili sa brand. Kahit Lala, pinapatulan ko. Kahit Meiji, okay lang. Gusto ko 'yung dark at mapait. Gusto ko rin 'yung iba't ibang klase--may strawberry, milk, caramel, almonds, alak, sisiw ng balut...

2. Mahilig din ako sa caramel. 'Yung caramel sundae ng Jollibee at McDo, gustung-gusto ko 'yun. Actually mahilig lang talaga ako sa matamis. Anything na matamis, nilalamon ko. Kahit purong asukal. Kaya minsan, naha-hyper ako. Pero 'pag 'di naman kasi ako tumitira ng asukal, nanlalambot ang tuhod ko, nanghihina ako, tapos nagdidilim ang paningin ko. At makikita ko na lang duguan na ang mga kamay ko.

3. Ang love story namin ng pagkain is out of sight, out of mind. Seldom ako mag-crave sa pagkain na basta na lang out of the blue eh maiisip ko. Pero 'pag may pagkain akong nakikita, 'di ko kayang pigilan kumain. As in ang grocery na good for 2 weeks, kaya kong ubusin in a few days. Kaya 'pag kainan, minsan ako rin ang official na taga-ubos. Kasi...

4. ...ayokong nagtitira ng pagkain kapag alam kong matatapon lang. Sayang. Bad daw 'yun sabi ng nanay at tatay ko. Kawawa daw 'yung rice na itatapon lang, iiyak.

5. Until now, uneasy ang feeling ko 'pag 'di ako nakapag-dinner. Nu'ng maliit kasi kami, 'pag 'di daw kami kumain ng dinner, babangon daw ang mga kaluluwa namin pagdating ng midnight para maghanap ng pagkain. And until now, napi-freak out pa rin ako sa image na tumatak sa utak ko. ~~Taenang kaluluwa 'yan, patay-gutom.~~

6. Mahilig ako sa isaw, goto, pisbol, ~~kikiy~~an kikiam, etc. Pero somehow 'di ko completely maalis ang alinlangan sa isip ko tuwing kakain ako ng mga iyon. Sobrang takot kasi ako sa Hepa A - Z ~~parang Centrum... complete~~. Pero 'di ako takot sa taba, langis at cholesterol. Umaatak ako sa crispy pata, balat ng manok, lechon, taba ng talangka, balut... Feeling ko kasi safe ako kasi wala naman kaming history ng heart ailment, stroke, diabetes, etc sa family. Pero syempre, umiiwas na nang slight kasi baka biglang maka-jackpot eh ma-buy one / take one ako bigla.

7. Mabubuhay ako ng walang baboy, manok, baka, kabayo, giraffe, Philippine eagle at kung anu-ano pang endangered species, pero 'di ako mabubuhay ng walang isda--sapsap, galunggong, bangus, salmon, tuna, tambakol, matambaka, tampal-puke... Prito, sarsyado, paksiw, inihaw, pinaputok, nilasing, pinaupo, pinatayo, nilambitin, binulatlat...

8. Masarap daw ang pork/chicken adobo ko. Eh palpak na experiment lang naman 'yun sa ginagaya kong crispy adobo nung isang ate ko.

9. Ayokong kumakain ng anumang "pagkain" na kulay ube / violet / purple / periwinkle, maliban sa nilagang ube mismo at halaya / haleya [na pareho kong paborito]. Hindi ako kumbinsido na edible ang mga pagkaing kulay labi at kuko na hindi na dinadaluyan ng dugong may oxygen--ube ice cream?! eeew! gosh! omg! yuck!... at paksyet.

10. Nu'ng nag-advanced bday party ako sa ilang friends nu'ng Dec 19, I bought 2 half gallons of ice cream. Halos 'di nagalaw. Kahit nu'ng dumating 'yung mga pamangkin ko at mga kiddie-lets nila nu'ng 20, konti lang din nabawas. Pero nu'ng ako na lang ang maiwan sa bahay nu'ng 21 at mismong bday ko ng 22, ubos. Tapos ang kwento. Balikan ang #3.

11. Sa dirty ice cream, ang paborito ko 'yung cheese flavor. At ayoko nang alamin kung paano 'yun ginagawa.

12. Mahilig ako sa taho. May suki akong taho vendor sa amin sa Pulilan, na 'pag alam n'yang nandu'n ako, dinadalahan talaga n'ya ako. Kaya lang--dahil sinasadya pa n'ya 'ko--minsan 'di na masyadong malambot 'yung taho. Parang dalawang sigaw na lang n'ya ng tahow! eh magiging tokwa na. Ayun, madalas parang tofu with arnibal and sago na lang ang pinagtitiyagaan ko.

13. Nu'ng bata ako, mahilig ako sa ketchup. Pero nang mag-high school ako, until now, na-realize ko, syet, binabago ng ketchup ang lasa ang pagkain. Kaya ngayon, sa french fries na lang ako nagke-ketchup.

14. Pero mahilig akong magsawsaw sa patis. 'Di ko alam kung may kinalaman 'yung pagiging Bulakenyo ko. Pero natatandaan ko 'yung sabi ng mga matatanda sa amin dati, "kung alin ang mabantot, 'yun ang masarap." Although hindi ako sure kung 'yung patis talaga ang pinag-uusapan nila.

15. Mas gusto kong kumain sa bahay kesa sa labas. Gusto ko kasi unlimited ang rice at ulam, bottomless ang iced tea / coke, pati tubig [at siguradong hindi sa gripo galing], at hindi ko na kailangang humingi at maghintay ng patis. Tsaka kahit naka-shorts at naka-tsinelas lang, okay na. Pwede ring tumawa nang malakas, umutot at dumighay nang fatale. Pero dapat ako / kami mismo nagluto. Ayoko na rin ng take-home o pina-deliver. Gusto ko 'yung pinagpagurang bilhin ang raw materials [parang magtatahi lang ng bestida], nilinis, niluto, tinimpla. Wala lang--parang may sahog na pagmamahal... Nak naman!

16. Recently lang naman ako nagkahilig sa pagkain. Mula nang magsolo ako right after high school, until a few years ago, hindi ako kumakain hangga't walang nagyayaya. Kaya most of the time, once a day lang ako kumakain. Dinner lang. Kasi nga takot ako na bumangon ang kaluluwa ko 'pag hatinggabi na at maghanap ng fudams. Balikan ang #5.

17. Hindi ako natatakam sa magandang picture ng pagkain. Pero naglalaway ako at kumakalam ang sikmura ko sa amoy ng pagkain.

18. Ang isa sa mga paborito kong blog ng friend ay 'yung kay divs [bogchinibochog.b logspot.com]. Puro tungkol kasi sa pagkain--family events na umiikot sa pagkain, childhood memories na may kinalaman sa pagkain, imbentong recipes, etc. At lahat nakakatawa. ~~May plugging pa. Naman!~~

19. Mahilig ako sa prutas especially suha, bayabas, sinigwelas, saging, lansones at ubas.

20. Although mahilig ako sa pasta, pizza, sushi, at mahilig akong sumubok ng iba't ibang klase ng pagkain, i know na mas Pinoy pa rin ang panlasa ko. Isa yan sa mga considerations kung sakali mang pupunta ako sa ibang bansa nang matagal na panahon: 'di ako mabubuhay sa--ayon nga kay Abalos--berjer.

21. Kung kakain man sa labas, pwede akong bitbitin kahit saan. Ang ayoko lang eh 'yung ako ang pagde-decide-in tapos iba naman pala ang gusto. Ayoko rin nu'ng pabagu-bago. Kasi 'pag inisip ko na o sinabi na sa akin kung saan kakain, nag-a-adjust na 'yung buong system ko. Ini-imagine ko na kung ano ang o-order-in ko, kung ilang rice, kung ano ang iinumin... Tapos kung pabagu-bago, naguguluhan ang taste buds ko. Nababawasan ang gana ko. ~~Buti na lang 'di tuluyang nawawala. Kung hindi, gulo 'yun.~~

22. Paborito ko ang tapsilog Rodic's. Madalas, kapag kumakain ako du'n, nakaka-dalawang order ako ng tapsilog.

23. Paborito ko ang nilagang mais. Pero gusto ko 'yung ngangatngatin ko pa lang sa cob. Ayoko nung nahiwa na at inilagay na sa plastic cup. Hindi rin ako masyadong mahilig sa Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, Martian corns na natatagpuan sa gilid ng Ateneo. Ang gusto ko eh 'yung klase na malalaki ang butil, tapos halos white na 'yung kulay, at 'pag nilaga eh namumutuk-mutok, tsaka malagkit. I remember nu'ng maliit ako at nagka-famine sa Negros, naiinggit ako sa mga batang Negros kasi pinapakita sa tv puro mais ang kinakain nila. Eh malay ko ba?

24. I used to think na totoo 'yung tv ad ng Goya--'yung mga batang dinala sa Goya Fun Factory, and 'yung buong paligid ay gawa sa tsokolate, pati 'yung estero eh pwedeng dutdutin at dilaan dahil malapot na tsokolate ang umaagos. Until now, inaasar pa rin ako ng mga ate ko dahil tinanong ko sila nu'ng maliit ako--na sobra daw ang pag-asam sa boses at mukha ko--kung "totoo ba 'yung Goya Fun Factory?"

25. Dalawang bagay na gusto kong malasahan ulit dahil alam kong andaming ibabalik na happy memories: 'yung adobong sitaw an niluluto dati ni ermats, at 'yung aratiles.

Original post after the jump.
.

They Walk Amongst Us

2009-02-03T21:12:00.012+08:00

Twilight Zone | Music Codes
A collection of anecdotes I found the other day in my emailbox. They're so stupid they will freak you out.

Don't laugh, though. Remember [music up] they walk amongst us.

Don't forget to PLAY the Twilight Zone music above to get the full effect.
***********************
Idiotic 'Millionaire' Contestant Makes Worst Use Of Lifelines Ever

Kathy Evans, the single dumbest contestant to ever get on 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?'

NEW YORK - Idaho resident Kathy Evans brought humiliation to her friends and family Tuesday when she set a new standard for stupidity with her appearance on the popular TV show, 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. '

It seems that Evans, a 32-year-old wife and mother of two, got stuck on the first question, and proceeded to make what fans of the show are dubbing 'the absolute worst use of lifelines ever.'

After being introduced to the show's host Meredith Vieira, Evans assured her that she was ready to play, whereupon she was posed with an extremely easy $100 question. The question was:

'Which of the following is the largest?'
A) A Peanut
B) An Elephant
C) The Moon
D) Hey, who you calling large?

Immediately Mrs. Evans was struck with an all consuming panic as she realized that this was a question to which she did not readily know the answer.

'Hmm, oh boy, that's a toughie,' said Evans, as Vieira did her level best to hide her disbelief and disgust. 'I mean, I'm sure I've heard of some of these things before, but I have no idea how large they would be.'

Evans made the decision to use the first of her three lifelines, the 50/50. Answers A and D were removed, leaving her to decide which was bigger, an elephant or the moon. However, faced with an incredibly easy question, Evans still remained unsure.

'Oh! It removed the two I was leaning towards!' exclaimed Evans. 'Darn. I think I better phone a friend.'

Using the second of her two lifelines on the first question, Mrs. Evans asked to be connected with her friend Betsy, who is an office assistant.

'Hi Betsy! How are you? This is Kathy! I'm on TV!' said Evans, wasting the first seven seconds of her call. 'Ok, I got an important question. Which of the following is the largest? B, an elephant, or C, the moon.. 15 seconds hun.'

Betsy quickly replied that the answer was C, the moon. Evans proceeded to argue with her friend for the remaining ten seconds..

'Come on Betsy, are you sure?' said Evans. 'How sure are you? Puh, that can't be it.'

To everyone's astonishment, the moronic Evans declined to take her friend's advice and pick 'The Moon..'

'I just don't know if I can trust Betsy.. She's not all that bright. So I think I'd like to ask the audience,' said Evans.

Asked to vote on the correct answer, the audience returned 98% in favor of answer C, 'The Moon.' Having used up all her lifelines, Evans then made the dumbest choice of her life.

'Wow, seems like everybody is against what I'm thinking,' said the too-stupid-to- live Evans. 'But you know, sometimes you just got to go with your gut. So, let's see. For which is larger, an elephant or the moon, I'm going to have to go with B, an elephant. Final answer.'

Evans sat before the dumbfounded audience, the only one waiting with bated breath, and was told that she was wrong, and that the answer was in fact, C, 'The Moon.'

******************
Here's some more--
******************

Some guy bought a new fridge for his house. To get rid of his old fridge, he put it in his front yard and hung a sign on it saying: 'Free to good home. You want it, you take it.' For three days the fridge sat there without even one person looking twice at it. He eventually decided that people were too un-trusting of this deal. It looked to good to be true, so he changed the sign to read: 'Fridge for sale $50.' The next day someone stole it.

One day I was walking down the beach with some friends when someone shouted....' Look at that dead bird!' Someone looked up at the sky and said...'where?'

While looking at a house, my brother asked the estate agent which direction was north because, he explained, he didn't want the sun waking him up every morning. She asked, 'Does the sun rise in the north?' When my brother explained that the sun rises in the east, and has for sometime, she shook her head and said, 'Oh, I don't keep up with that stuff.'

My colleague and I were eating our lunch in our cafeteria, when we overheard one of the administrative assistants talking about the sunburn she got on her weekend drive to the beach.. She drove down in a convertible, but 'didn't think she'd get sunburned because the car was moving'.

I told the girl at the steakhouse register that I wanted the half kilogram sirloin. She informed me they only had an 500g sirloin. Not wanting to make a scene, I told her I would take the 500g steak instead of the half-kg.

My sister has a lifesaving tool in her car it's designed to cut through a seat belt if she gets trapped She keeps it in the boot.’

My friends and I were shopping for beer and noticed that the cases were discounted 10%. Since it was a big party, we bought 2 cases. The cashier multiplied 2 times 10% and gave us a 20% discount.

I was hanging out with a friend when we saw a woman with a nose ring attached to an earring by a chain. My friend said, 'Wouldn't the chain rip out every time she turned her head?' I had to explain that a person's nose and ear remain the same distance apart no matter which way the head is turned.

I got off the plane but I couldn't find my luggage at the airport baggage area. So I went to the lost luggage office and told the woman there that my bags never showed up. She smiled and told me not to worry because she was a trained professional and I was in good hands. 'Now,' she asked me, 'Has our plane arrived yet?'...

While working at a pizza parlour I observed a man ordering a small pizza to go. He appeared to be alone and the cook asked him if he would like it cut into 4 pieces or 6. He thought about it for some time before responding. 'Just cut it into 4 pieces; I don't think I'm hungry enough to eat 6 pieces.

*****************************
And the best I've saved for last--
*****************************

.

Nominees for the 81st Academy Awards

2009-01-23T22:07:00.007+08:00

Finally, the nominees for the 81st Academy awards were announced yesterday.

Most of those who made it sa list were kind of expected already--like Mickey Rourke, whose performance in his comeback film *The Wrestler* had already earned him a Golden Globe, and 'yung iba naman na-nominate lang for a different category [Philip Seymor Hoffman, who had already won Best Actor for *Capote*]. But most of the names are familiar. No tongue-twisters this time.

What if manalo is Brad Pitt [*The Curious Case of Benjamin Button*] and Angelina Jolie [*Changeling*]? Eh 'di lalong umikot ang pw*t ni Jennifer Aniston. Hehehe.

Or, what if si Heath Ledger [*The Dark Knight*] ang manalo as Best Actor in a Supporting Role? If that happens, Heath would be the 2nd actor to win posthumously. [The first one was Peter Finch for *Network.*]

Sayang, hindi nakapasok ang *Ploning.* I mean... Ploooooniiinnnnng... Wala pa akong napanood sa mga na-nominate for Best Foreign Language Film, so I wouldn't really know kung alin talaga ang mas maganda. Pero... wala lang... it would've been nice if we [nakiki-*we*?!] had made it to the top 5.

Sigh. I need to catch up on my film viewing.

Sigh ulit. So many films to watch, so little time.

Performance by an actor in a leading role

* Richard Jenkins in “The Visitor” (Overture Films)
* Frank Langella in “Frost/Nixon” (Universal)
* Sean Penn in “Milk” (Focus Features)
* Brad Pitt in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.)
* Mickey Rourke in “The Wrestler” (Fox Searchlight)

Performance by an actor in a supporting role

* Josh Brolin in “Milk” (Focus Features)
* Robert Downey Jr. in “Tropic Thunder” (DreamWorks, Distributed by DreamWorks/Paramount)
* Philip Seymour Hoffman in “Doubt” (Miramax)
* Heath Ledger in “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.)
* Michael Shannon in “Revolutionary Road” (DreamWorks, Distributed by Paramount Vantage)

Performance by an actress in a leading role

* Anne Hathaway in “Rachel Getting Married” (Sony Pictures Classics)
* Angelina Jolie in “Changeling” (Universal)
* Melissa Leo in “Frozen River” (Sony Pictures Classics)
* Meryl Streep in “Doubt” (Miramax)
* Kate Winslet in “The Reader” (The Weinstein Company)

Performance by an actress in a supporting role

* Amy Adams in “Doubt” (Miramax)
* Penélope Cruz in “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” (The Weinstein Company)
* Viola Davis in “Doubt” (Miramax)
* Taraji P. Henson in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.)
* Marisa Tomei in “The Wrestler” (Fox Searchlight)

Best animated feature film of the year

* “Bolt” (Walt Disney), Chris Williams and Byron Howard
* “Kung Fu Panda” (DreamWorks Animation, Distributed by Paramount), John Stevenson and Mark Osborne
* “WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Andrew Stanton

Achievement in art direction

* “Changeling” (Universal), Art Direction: James J. Murakami, Set Decoration: Gary Fettis
* “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Art Direction: Donald Graham Burt, Set Decoration: Victor J. Zolfo
* “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Art Direction: Nathan Crowley, Set Decoration: Peter Lando
* “The Duchess” (Paramount Vantage, Pathé and BBC Films), Art Direction: Michael Carlin, Set Decoration: Rebecca Alleway
* “Revolutionary Road” (DreamWorks, Distributed by Paramount Vantage), Art Direction: Kristi Zea, Set Decoration: Debra Schutt

Achievement in cinematography

* “Changeling” (Universal), Tom Stern
* “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Claudio Miranda
* “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Wally Pfister
* “The Reader” (The Weinstein Company), Chris Menges and Roger Deakins
* “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Anthony Dod Mantle

Achievement in costume design

* “Australia” (20th Century Fox), Catherine Martin
* “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Jacqueline West
* “The Duchess” (Paramount Vantage, Pathé and BBC Films), Michael O’Connor
* “Milk” (Focus Features), Danny Glicker
* “Revolutionary Road” (DreamWorks, Distributed by Paramount Vantage), Albert Wolsky

Achievement in directing

* “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), David Fincher
* “Frost/Nixon” (Universal), Ron Howard
* “Milk” (Focus Features), Gus Van Sant
* “The Reader” (The Weinstein Company), Stephen Daldry
* “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Danny Boyle

Best documentary feature

* “The Betrayal (Nerakhoon)” (Cinema Guild), A Pandinlao Films Production, Ellen Kuras and Thavisouk Phrasavath
* “Encounters at the End of the World” (THINKFilm and Image Entertainment), A Creative Differences Production, Werner Herzog and Henry Kaiser
* “The Garden” A Black Valley Films Production, Scott Hamilton Kennedy
* “Man on Wire” (Magnolia Pictures), A Wall to Wall Production, James Marsh and Simon Chinn
* “Trouble the Water” (Zeitgeist Films), An Elsewhere Films Production, Tia Lessin and Carl Deal

Best documentary short subject

* “The Conscience of Nhem En” A Farallon Films Production, Steven Okazaki
* “The Final Inch” A Vermilion Films Production, Irene Taylor Brodsky and Tom Grant
* “Smile Pinki” A Principe Production, Megan Mylan
* “The Witness - From the Balcony of Room 306” A Rock Paper Scissors Production, Adam Pertofsky and Margaret Hyde

Achievement in film editing

* “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Kirk Baxter and Angus Wall
* “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Lee Smith
* “Frost/Nixon” (Universal), Mike Hill and Dan Hanley
* “Milk” (Focus Features), Elliot Graham
* “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Chris Dickens

Best foreign language film of the year

* “The Baader Meinhof Complex” A Constantin Film Production, Germany
* “The Class” (Sony Pictures Classics), A Haut et Court Production, France
* “Departures” (Regent Releasing), A Departures Film Partners Production, Japan
* “Revanche” (Janus Films), A Prisma Film/Fernseh Production, Austria
* “Waltz with Bashir” (Sony Pictures Classics), A Bridgit Folman Film Gang Production, Israel

Achievement in makeup

* “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Greg Cannom
* “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), John Caglione, Jr. and Conor O’Sullivan
* “Hellboy II: The Golden Army” (Universal), Mike Elizalde and Thom Floutz

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original score)

* “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Alexandre Desplat
* “Defiance” (Paramount Vantage), James Newton Howard
* “Milk” (Focus Features), Danny Elfman
* “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), A.R. Rahman
* “WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Thomas Newman

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original song)

* “Down to Earth” from “WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Music by Peter Gabriel and Thomas Newman, Lyric by Peter Gabriel
* “Jai Ho” from “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Music by A.R. Rahman, Lyric by Gulzar
* “O Saya” from “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Music and Lyric by A.R. Rahman and Maya Arulpragasam

Best motion picture of the year

* “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), A Kennedy/Marshall Production, Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall and Ceán Chaffin, Producers
* “Frost/Nixon” (Universal), A Universal Pictures, Imagine Entertainment and Working Title Production, Brian Grazer, Ron Howard and Eric Fellner, Producers
* “Milk” (Focus Features), A Groundswell and Jinks/Cohen Company Production, Dan Jinks and Bruce Cohen, Producers
* “The Reader” (The Weinstein Company), A Mirage Enterprises and Neunte Babelsberg Film GmbH Production, Nominees to be determined
* “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), A Celador Films Production, Christian Colson, Producer

Best animated short film

* “La Maison en Petits Cubes” A Robot Communications Production, Kunio Kato
* “Lavatory - Lovestory” A Melnitsa Animation Studio and CTB Film Company Production, Konstantin Bronzit
* “Oktapodi” (Talantis Films), A Gobelins, L’école de l’image Production, Emud Mokhberi and Thierry Marchand
* “Presto” (Walt Disney), A Pixar Animation Studios Production, Doug Sweetland
* “This Way Up” A Nexus Production, Alan Smith and Adam Foulkes

Best live action short film

* “Auf der Strecke (On the Line)” (Hamburg Shortfilmagency), An Academy of Media Arts Cologne Production, Reto Caffi
* “Manon on the Asphalt” (La Luna Productions), A La Luna Production, Elizabeth Marre and Olivier Pont
* “New Boy” (Network Ireland Television), A Zanzibar Films Production, Steph Green and Tamara Anghie
* “The Pig” An M & M Production, Tivi Magnusson and Dorte Høgh
* “Spielzeugland (Toyland)” A Mephisto Film Production, Jochen Alexander Freydank

Achievement in sound editing

* “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Richard King
* “Iron Man” (Paramount and Marvel Entertainment), Frank Eulner and Christopher Boyes
* “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Glenn Freemantle and Tom Sayers
* “WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Ben Burtt and Matthew Wood
* “Wanted” (Universal), Wylie Stateman

Achievement in sound mixing

* “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), David Parker, Michael Semanick, Ren Klyce and Mark Weingarten
* “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Lora Hirschberg, Gary Rizzo and Ed Novick
* “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Ian Tapp, Richard Pryke and Resul Pookutty
* “WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Tom Myers, Michael Semanick and Ben Burtt
* “Wanted” (Universal), Chris Jenkins, Frank A. Montaño and Petr Forejt

Achievement in visual effects

* “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Eric Barba, Steve Preeg, Burt Dalton and Craig Barron
* “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Nick Davis, Chris Corbould, Tim Webber and Paul Franklin
* “Iron Man” (Paramount and Marvel Entertainment), John Nelson, Ben Snow, Dan Sudick and Shane Mahan

Adapted screenplay

* “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Screenplay by Eric Roth, Screen story by Eric Roth and Robin Swicord
* “Doubt” (Miramax), Written by John Patrick Shanley
* “Frost/Nixon” (Universal), Screenplay by Peter Morgan
* “The Reader” (The Weinstein Company), Screenplay by David Hare
* “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Screenplay by Simon Beaufoy

Original screenplay

* “Frozen River” (Sony Pictures Classics), Written by Courtney Hunt
* “Happy-Go-Lucky” (Miramax), Written by Mike Leigh
* “In Bruges” (Focus Features), Written by Martin McDonagh
* “Milk” (Focus Features), Written by Dustin Lance Black
* “WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Screenplay by Andrew Stanton, Jim Reardon, Original story by Andrew Stanton, Pete Docter

Original post after the jump.
.

Friends & Ex-Colleagues

2009-01-11T21:14:00.011+08:00

Parang nagiging Reunion Year ang 2009. Paunti-unti, I get reconnected to friends na matagal nang 'di nakikita.

On January 10, my friends and former colleagues dropped by sa bahay. And we had a drink. And it was f u n.

Hope to see more of them in the future.

Edna, Larry, Art & Chitchat

Okay, relyebo naman sa piktyuran.

Edna & Larry... Kulang na lang si Carmina, pwede nang mag-host ng SIS.

Zzzzzzzz

Chitchat & Edna

Tatlong itlog. Sayang, wala ang pang-apat ng itlog--si Jackie Pie.

Umaga na. Another round ng pagiging mainit ng ulo ni Artsy.

"Wala bang...?"

Art, nagsusungit, Part 2.

Daming ka-FS.

Larry I

Larry II

Break muna sa Larry series. Group pic. Tsaka...

...solo ni Art. Uy, nag-smile. Himala.

Tsaka solo ni Edna.

Okay, back to Larry. Larry III.

Larry IV

Larry V

"Ano bah? [may H talaga ang bah] Uwian na!"

"Teka. Last na lang."

Original post after the jump.
.

Sunset Blvd - The Perfect Year [Pahabol Sa Bagong Taon]

2009-01-01T23:59:00.002+08:00

I uploaded a new song on my Multiply playlist.

Wala lang. Pahabol lang sa bagong taon. Bago matapos ang January 1.

From the album *The Very Best of Andrew Lloyd Webber.* Dina Carroll sings.

THE PERFECT YEAR

Ring out the old, bring in the new
A midnight wish to share with you
Your lips are warm, my head is light
Were we in love before tonight?

I don't need a crowded ballroom everything I need is here
If your with me next year will be
The perfect year

No need to hear the music play,
You eyes say all there is to say
The stars can fade and they can shine
'Long as your face is next to mine

I don't need a crowded ball room
Everything I need is here
If your with me next year will be
The perfect year

We don't need a crowded ballroom
Everything we need is here
If your with me next year will be
The perfect year

It's New Year's Eve and hopes are high
Dance one year in, kiss one goodbye
Another chance, another start
So many dreams to tease the heart

We don't need a crowded ballroom
Everything we need is here
And face to face we will embrace
The perfect year

Oh, we don't need a crowded ballroom
Everything we need is here
And face to face we shall embrace
The perfect year
Ahh, the perfect year

Click this link for the song.
.

Ahhh... Kaya Naman Pala

2009-01-01T23:23:00.003+08:00

Capricorn - 01/01/09

The Bottom Line
Your ability to connect with others is strong, but right now it is even stronger!

In Detail
Today will give you a wonderful chance to discover some new details about a person you have been trying to get to know better! They are even more interesting than you thought they were, and the two of you are going to find a whole new common ground. Your ability to connect with others has always been strong, but right now you have the right attitude and the right amount of energy required to really cement a growing relationship -- whether it's romantic or not.
.

At May Ganu'n?!

2008-12-23T05:38:00.002+08:00

Capricorn [December 23, 2008]

Your prestige is growing, and a powerful person is seeing you in a brand new light.

Mantakin mo nga naman.
.

14 Days

2008-12-08T21:26:00.006+08:00

Sa wakas, pagkatapos nang ilang linggong pang-iistorbo sa mga kapitbahay, naisabit na nang tuluyan ang mga kurtina.

Pati na rin 'yung christmas lights at decor. Seventeen days before Christmas, and 14 days before my birthday, unti-unti nang nagmumukhang bahay 'tong lungga ko.

Buti naman.

Nagmamatigas kasi ng ulo. Ayoko na kasing mag-hire ng handyman para sa ganito kaliit na bagay. 'Yun nga lang, dahil sa sobrang tigas nung wall, ang sakit sa katawan.

But, at least, tuwing titingnan ko ngayon 'yung bintana, masasabi ko sa sarili ko na, *Ako ang gumawa n'yan... POTAH.*

Original post after the jump.
.

15 Days

2008-12-07T23:16:00.002+08:00

Today 'yung last day ng 5-week Basic Scriptwriting Workshop namin sa UP Cine Adarna.

For 5 weeks, ito 'yung kina-karir namin 'pag Saturday or Sunday. And for 5 weeks, kami-kami 'yung nagkukulitan, nagdadautan ng trabaho, at nagsasalu-salo sa Frutos.

Pero syempre, it had to end. Kailangang matapos to give way sa actual na pagsusulat. Kailangan nang kumawala sa cocoon para makalipad na. Kailangan nang lumabas ng conference room sa 2nd floor para i-experience 'yung mundo na siyang ikukwento.

Bye, guys. And welcome sa masaya at magulong mundo ng pagsusulat.

Marivic, Mich, Olga, Angeli, Jessy, Alex and me
[Not in the picture: Jun and Mae]

Original post after the jump.
.

16 Days

2008-12-07T07:00:00.002+08:00

Ilang mga larawang kuha sa Pride March nu'ng 06 December 2008 sa Malate. First timer dito kaya para akong nakarating sa... uhm... perya [dahil na rin sa dami ng mga sirena na nagkalat sa kalsada].

Program after the march. Isinara 'yung street sa may kanto ng Nakpil at Orosa.

Pao and Sass were two of the hosts of the program.

Piapot, Avie & Libay. Parang mga bulate sa kalikutan.

Siempre 'pag may nagsasaya, 'di mawawala ang mga nega. Eto 'yung 7 or 8 na heckler sa may likuran ng crowd. [I'm sure gusto lang nitong makinood ng mga nagpe-perform.] Sabi nu'ng suki ng Pride March, first time nagkaroon ng ganito dito sa Pilipinas. And nu'ng sinipat-sipat namin, ayun nga, dalawang puti ang promotor. Pero goodluck na lang sa kanila; kay Pia pa lang na-heckle na nang husto 'yung mga heckler.

Joey [not de Leon] and the Raging Divas.

Dinner at Silya, with Pia and Libay. Naki-picture naman muna nang slight sina Avie at Macel.

Fluid Alitaptap.

Libay and Pia, bume-blend sa crowd.

Ang 0.0001% ng 10% ng population ng Pilipinas.

Camwhoring at Silya

Camwhoring at Chelu.

Waaah!

Sungit.

Pati ceiling fan ng Chelu, camwhore.

One way: Pakaliwa.

Ang sapatos ni Libay.

Ang sirena at si Rovie.

Newsflash: Sirena, rumampa! Pahsowk!

The Glittery Sirena and the Jittery Raf. [Pagod na ang talukap nu'ng sirena sa bigay ng false eyelashes.]

About 2am, binitbit ako ni Raf sa Unplugged. At ganu'n na lang ang gulat ko nu'ng nagpunta ako ng CR--may eroplano na nabalalak sa bintana.

Wala lang. Pinto lang sa ibaba ng hagdan papunta sa CR. Pero 'yung CR sa 2nd floor. So 'yung ganitong POV, ibig sabihin, pababa na ulit sa Unplugged, at galing na sa CR... Hmm, ang gulo naman...

Ang one way pakaliwa at ang nahihiyang room for rent.

Raf and Lito...

...sa O.

Malapit na ulit sumikat ang araw, pero ang mga bulate nasa kalye pa rin.

Original post after the jump.
.

What Is A Youth [Romeo & Juliet 1968 OST]

2008-12-03T02:09:00.005+08:00

What Is A Youth [Romeo & Juliet 1968 OST]

********************************************
You mentioned you loved *old* songs.
I thought you might like this.
Hope you find this magical, like I do.
********************************************

WHAT IS A YOUTH?
Nino Rota
From Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, a 1968 film by Franco Zefirelli

What is a youth? Impetuous fire.
What is a maid? Ice and desire.
The world wags on.

A rose will bloom
It then will fade
So does a youth.
So do-o-o-oes the fairest maid.

Comes a time when one sweet smile
Has its season for a while…Then love’s in love with me.
Some they think only to marry, Others will tease and tarry,
Mine is the very best parry. Cupid he rules us all.

Caper the cape, but sing me the song,
Death will come soon to hush us along.
Sweeter than honey and bitter as gall.
Love is a task and it never will pall.
Sweeter than honey…and bitter as gall
Cupid he rules us all.
.

Amazing Video na Tuma-tumbling-tumbling

2008-11-18T23:45:00.002+08:00

Isang clip mula sa XXVIIth Circus Festival of Monte-Carlo.

Ang galing lang. Sobra. At walang dapat ikatakot. Sa awa ni Fa Mulan, wala namang nasaktan.

Ang tanong: kumusta naman kaya ang mga balikat nu'ng may hawak ng pole na tinatalun-talunan nila?
.

35 Days

2008-11-18T22:10:00.016+08:00

Iniisip ko na itong countdown na ito ang gagawin kong isang way para lagi kong maalala 'yung parating kong birthday. Para hindi ako tetengga. Para lagi akong may gagawin. Para productive ang bawat araw ko. Para pwede kong sabihin sa sarili ko na may mga natapos naman ako sa mga sinimulan ko... kahit paano.

. o O o .

To Do List

1. I went to UP today para bumoto sa susunod na faculty regent ng buong UP System. Accomplished.

2. Sinubukan kong tapusin ang pag-e-enroll ko, kaso kulang pa 'yung pirma nu'ng... 'yung ano... [wala talagang pangalan 'yung form na 'yun dahil nu'ng hinanapan ako ng mga staff ng Office of the University Registrar, ang sabi lang nila sa akin *ganito... 'yung ano...*]. For follow up.

3. In-attempt ko ring ituloy 'yung pagkakabit ng mga curtain rods. After about an hour, after lalong magsakitan 'yung mga kasu-kasuan, after maibaon 'yung isang turnilyo I decided to put it off for another day. [Sigh] Sana matapos ko lahat ng mga ito before my birthday... in 35 days. Divine intervention badly needed.

. o O o .

To unwind, pinuntahan ko 'yung website ~~na dedicated para sa mga narcissistic yet invisible earthlings~~ that my nephew Rap recommended. It's called photofunia. Medyo cheesy 'yung name. Pero, promise, nakakaubos-oras. At makakalimutan mo lahat ng mga taong kinaiinisan mo, or kung gaano ka kaliit, ka-invisible, ka-unimportant, ka-helpless, ka-nameless, ka-faceless, ka... ka... ka... Basta.

Kung sinuman ang gumawa ng program para rito, ang masasabi ko lang--karir! Pati 'yung contour, dimension, etc, nu'ng surface sinunod. 'Di ko alam kung masyado lang s'yang magaling, matalino, technologically advanced... or wala lang talagang magawa sa buhay.

Syempre, dahil Narciso rin ang middle name ko, puro mukha ko ang pinag-eksperimentuhan ko. Kahit man lang dito eh maramdaman kong ako ang nasa sentro ng universe.

Click thumbnails to enlarge. Kung gusto mo lang. Hindi naman required.

36 Days

2008-11-17T23:10:00.008+08:00

Full moon nu'ng huling birthday ko bago natapos ang 2nd millennium ['yun ang popular belief, na ang dulo ng 2nd millennium ay ang 1999; pero alam naman nating lahat na kalokohan 'yun, at magsisimula lang talaga ang 3rd millennium pagdating ng 2001].

Supposedly, it was the largest full moon in about 2,000 years.

Hindi ko alam kung totoo 'yun. Hanggang ngayon. Hindi naman sa ayokong malaman. Tinatamad lang akong i-research pa 'yun. Ang mahalaga, it made my birthday extra special. Mababaw lang naman nga kasi akong tao. Masaya na 'ko sa mga ganu'ng kakornihan.

. o O o .

Nananakit ang buong katawan ko. Nakakapagod ang araw na 'to. I finally started installing yung mga binili kong curtain rod a few weeks ago. Akala ko madali lang since electric drill ang gamit ko. But no, heavy-duty / industrial-strength pala 'yung concrete wall nitong bahay. Sa awa ni Batman, inabot nang almost 1 hour kada isang turnilyo. [Siyempre kasama na ru'n 'yung mini-siestas, meryenda, inom ng coke, chat, etc.] Eh 16 na turnilyo 'yung kailangang ikabit. Isang kurtina lang natapos ko today. May dalawa pa. Good luck na lang.

Pero kahit mahirap, mas gusto ko 'yung ganito. Na ako ang gumagawa ng mga bagay dito sa house. Kaya nga inabot nang ganito katagal. Walang ma-decide na design, walang plano, walang inspiration [yebah!]. Basta lahat wala.

Pero nu'ng na-start ko 'tong maliliit na makeover the other day, naisip ko, saan ma-keep ko 'yung interest ko hanggang matapos. Hopefully, before ng birthday ko--in 36 days.

Kakapagod. Pero ito 'yung masarap na klase ng pagod. Sarap ng tulog ko nito mamaya.

. o O o .

Tomorrow, 'yung 2nd na kurtina naman ang ikakabit ko. And sa friday, 'yung 3rd and final kurtina.

Then, staining and varnishing, and installation nu'ng wooden cabinet...

Sigh... Iniisip ko pa lang napapagod na 'ko.

. o O o .

Sabi ng horoscope ko for today: It can be so annoying when bureaucrats give you mixed signals. You may be tearing your hair out just now trying to solve what should really be a simple problem. Not so. You may spend inordinate amounts of time on the telephone, sending e-mails or basically driving yourself crazy. You may just have to stop for a moment and that the universe solve this rather than bang your head against the wall today.

Somehow, it's true. Hindi pa ako nakaka-enroll sa MA ko dahil sa bureaucracy. Pati 'yung dito sa house, tinamaan ng lint*k na bureaucracy. Basta. This system that we have constantly makes me feel small, irrelevant and unimportant.
.

37 Days

2008-11-16T18:00:00.008+08:00

It's 37 days before my birthday. I thought of doing some kind of a countdown. I'm not sure I can keep it until Day 0. But I don't care. Right now, I'm here, writing down my thoughts... 37 days before my birthday.

I love birthdays--mine and everybody else's. It just feels special. To think that in all those 365.25 days every year, there's 1 day that's just for me. It's enough excuse to get mushy, to spend time with family and friends, to get drunk and pigout, to put on a new shirt and a new pair of jeans, to ban work.

I have always thought that my birthday, December 22, is special:

> Winter Solstice usually falls on this date--the longest night of the year, the start of winter, the time of year when the Earth is farthest from the sun. One of the two times when the huge piles of rocks at the Stonehenge in England are in perfect alignment with the sun; the other being the Summer Solstice.

> The first day of Capricorn.

> It is the feast day of St. Zeno--*Martyred soldier at Nicomedia (modern Turkey). He was seized and condemned to death for laughing while Emperor Diocletian (r. 284-305) offered a sacrifice to the Roman god Ceres. Zeno had his jaws shaffered and was then beheaded.* According to my parents, I was named after him. I don't think it was because they were devout Catholics. I suspect that they were just too lazy / too busy / too uninterested to think of a name for their 6th child, so they looked up whose feast day it was, and voila! I got an uncommon name. Oh, but the don't get the wrong impression. I love my name. It's unique. And it means something, unlike those portmanteau names.

> I share this birthday with Giacomo Puccini, Diane Sawyer, Maurice and Robin Gibb, Ralph Fiennes, Vanessa Paradis, and Jordin Sparks.

According to Friendster, my horoscope for today is: Put your household issues on the top of your priority list today. Fix up your home.

I did. Last night, I bought stuff for the house. And today, I rearranged some of the appliances and furnitures, and installed some things. Etc. And I was my own handyman.
.

Ang Mga Pilosopo Natin Ngayon

2008-11-16T09:00:00.007+08:00

Ewan kung saan 'to nanggaling, at kung saan papunta. Kung sinuman ang gumawa nito, ang masasabi ko lang: karir!

.

Full Moon Dito Sa 'Kin

2008-11-13T19:17:00.005+08:00

Last week pa 'ko hindi makapaghintay ng November 13, para sa pagbibilog ng buwan.

And I was happy that early tonight, nu'ng tumingala ako pagkalubug na pagkalubog ng araw, naroon 'yung full moon--bilog, malaki, maliwanag.

Nagyayabang, dahil ngayong gabi siya ang pinakamaganda.

Original post after the jump.
.

Top 10 Lies told to Naive Artists and Designers

2008-11-11T10:27:00.006+08:00

Here's a very interesting article I found in my emailbox today, courtesy of Job.

I'm sure maraming colleagues ang makaka-relate dito that's why I'm reposting it here.

Yupyupyup! This is universal. Nangyayari ito pati dito sa atin. Actually, LALO na dito sa atin.

The source after the jump.

Top 10 Lies told to Naive Artists and Designers
Mark W. Lewis
(Also see Advice on Becoming a Professional Artist by Jeremy Sutton)

1 "Do this one cheap (or free) and we'll make it up on the next one."
No reputable business person would first give away their work and time or merchandise on the hope of making it up later. Can you imagine what a plumber would say if you said "come in, provide and install the sink for free and next time we'll make it up when we need a sink." You would be laughed at! Also the likelyhood is that if something important came along, they wouldn't use you.

2 "We never pay a cent until we see the final product."
This is a croc, unless the person is leaving the door open to cheat you out of your pay. Virtually every profession requres a deposit or incremental payment during anything but the smallest project. Once you have a working relationship, you may work out another arrangement with a client. But a new client should not ask you to go beyond an initial meeting and, perhaps some preliminary sketches without pay on the job!

3 "Do this for us and you'll get great exposure! The jobs will just pour in!"
Baloney. Tell a plumber "Install this sink and my friend will see and you'll get lots of business!" Our plumber friend would say "You mean even if I do a good job I have to give my work away to get noticed? Then it isn't worth the notice." Also the guy would likely brag to everyone he knows about how this would normally cost (X) dollars, but brilliant businessman that he is he got if for free! If anyone calls, they'll expect the same or better deal.

4 On looking at sketches or concepts: "Well, we aren't sure if we want to use you yet, but leave your material here so I can talk to my partner/investor/wife/clergy."
You can be sure that 15 minutes after you leave he will be on the phone to other designers, now with concepts in hand, asking for price quotes. When you call back you will be informed that your prices were too high and Joe Blow Design/Illustration will be doing the job. Why shouldn't they be cheaper? You just gave them hours of free consulting work! Until you have a deal, LEAVE NOTHING CREATIVE at the clients office.

5 "Well, the job isn't CANCELLED, just delayed. Keep the account open and we'll continue in a month or two."
Ummm, probably not. If something is hot, then not, it could be dead. It would be a mistake to *not* bill for work performed at this point and then let the chips fall where they may! Call in two months and someone else may be in that job. And guess what? They don't know you at all.....

6 "Contract? We don't need no stinking contact! Aren't we friends?"
Yes, we are, until something goes wrong or is misunderstood, then you are the jerk in the suit and I am that idiot designer, then the contract is essential. That is, unless one doesn't care about being paid. Any reputable business uses paperwork to define relationships and you should too.

7 "Send me a bill after the work goes to press."
Why wait for an irrelevant deadline to send an invoice? You stand behind your work, right? You are honest, right? Why would you feel bound to this deadline? Once you deliver the work and it is accepted, BILL IT. This point may just be a delaying tactic so the job goes through the printer prior to any question of your being paid. If the guy waits for the job to be printed, and you do changes as necessary, then he can stiff you and not take a chance that he'll have to pay someone else for changes.

8 "The last guy did it for XXX dollars."
That is irrelevant. If the last guy was so good they wouldn't be talking to you, now would they? And what that guy charged means nothing to you, really. People who charge too little for their time go out of business (or self-destruct financially, or change occupations) and then someone else has to step in. Set a fair price and stick to it.

9 "Our budget is XXX dollars, firm."
Amazing, isn't it? This guy goes out to buy a car, and what, knows exactly what he is going to spend before even looking or researching? Not likely. A certain amount of work costs a certain amount of money. If they have less money (and you *can*) do less work and still take the job. But make sure they understand that you are doing less work if you take less money that you originally estimated. Give fewer comps, simplify, let them go elsewhere for services (like films) etc.

10 "We are having financial problems. Give us the work, we'll make some money and we'll pay you. Simple."
Yeah, except when the money comes, you can expect that you will be pretty low on the list to be paid. If someone reaches the point where they admit that the company is in trouble, then they are probably much worse off than they are admitting to. Even then, are you a bank? Are you qualified to check out their financials? If the company is strapped to the point where credit is a problem through credit agencies, banks etc. what business would you have extending credit to them. You have exactly ZERO pull once they have the work. Noble intentions or not, this is probably a losing bet. But if you are going to roll the dice, AT LEAST you should be getting additional money for waiting. The bank gets interest and so should you. That is probably why the person is approaching you; to get six months worth of free interest instead of paying bank rates for credit and then paying you with that money. Don't give away money.

Now, this list wasn't meant to make anyone crazy or paranoid, but is designed to inject some reality into the fantasy.

You are GOING to be dealing with people who are unlike yourself. Their motivations are their own and their attitudes are probably different than yours. There are going to be demands, problems, issues and all the hassles that go with practically ANY work/job/money situation. Too many times I see the sad example of someone walking in to a situation with noble intentions and then getting royally screwed, because what they see as an opportunity and a labor of love, the other party sees as something else entirely, not at all romantic or idealized, but raw and simple.

How can you deal with this stuff and still do good creative work? Good question. THIS is why an education is important. You learn, out of the line of fire, how to deal with the art at it's own level and also how to deal with the crap that surrounds it. You may have tough teachers and think that it can't be worse, but wait until a business person has a hundred grand riding on your art! Then you will know what "demanding" means. You will then thank all those tough teachers for building up the calluses that enable you to enjoy the job rather than just feeling like it is all a big waste of time!

In the end, working commercially, being a terrific artist is about 25% of the task. If that is the only part of the task that you are interested in, do yourself a favor. Don't turn "pro."

Original post after the jump.
.

Kung Paanong Lalong Pinagulo Ng Mga Baraha 'Yung Magulo Na Talaga

2008-11-10T23:27:00.016+08:00

Biglang bumuhos ang ulan. Buhos talaga. Hindi patak. Buhos. Parang bomba ng bumbero. 'Yung tunog ay parang mga sasakyan na tumatakbo nang mabilis at sabay-sabay.

Buhos. Hindi patak.

. o O o .

Parang gusto kong maiyak. Hindi UMiyak. Kundi MAiyak. Hindi dahil trip ko o dahil nararamdaman ko. Pero parang kailangan ko. Ang problema, wala akong mapaghugutan.

Nalulungkot ako. Hindi dahil mayroong bagay na dapat kong ikalungkot. Actually, wala lang talagang anumang bagay na dapat ikasaya.

Kung ipagpipilitan ko talaga, ia-apply ko rito 'yung Theory of Reciprocity. Ibig sabihin, one won't exist without the other. Ergo, kung walang lungkot at iyak, wala ring saya at tawa. Baka mas 'yun ang pino-problema ko.

Ewan ko. Naguguluhan na 'ko sa sarili kong pretensyon. Baka bigla akong maiyak at matawa nang sabay dito.

. o O o .

Sabi, patience is a virtue. Naisip ko, paano 'yan? wala akong patience. Ibig kayang sabihin nu'n eh hindi ako virtuous? Meaning, immoral ako at hindi... chaste?

Uhm... Ewan. Ito 'yung mga isyu na ayokong ina-address.

I-imagine-in ko na lang ang nunal ni GMA. Harrrrooooarrrrr!

. o O o .

Naging supernova na 'yung mga star, at nag-lunar eclipse na agad. Kainis. Two weeks lang halos.

Lumipad at lumanding sa harapan 'yung reality. Nadaganan 'yung mga butterfly. Pisat. Tumalsik 'yung kulay green and white na laman-loob. Tapos binuhusan ng gasolina, tsaka hinagisan ng posporo. At nu'ng abo na, binagsakan ng atomic bomb. Tapos, ng nuclear warhead. Good luck.

. o O o .

I hope this doesn't make me a bad person. I'm trying to earn pogi points sa universe.

. o O o .

Anyway, ang mga tao daw, 'pag naguguluhan at mayroong hindi naiintindihan, at walang mahanap na matinong kausap o maayos na sagot, tumitingala at tumitingin sa mga bituin at mga planeta. Pero kung dito sa Maynila nakatira, asa pa. Maski nga ilaw sa poste 'di maaninag sa kapal ng smog. Ang ending, online tarot reading na lang.

Hindi ko naintindihan 'tong sagot ng virtual baraha. Pero ayoko nang magtanong ulit. Baka magalit eh kung ano pa lumabas. Besides, inaantok na 'ko.

Tsaka parang, uhm, nauubos na rin ang pasensya ko.

Two of Cups - Reversed

in the Past position.
A card in the left position indicates what has happened to affect your question in the past.

Cowardice. False love and weakness. Jealousy. Outside influences damage the fragile growth of a new relationship. The intense energy of a good match gone awry proves equally passionate in the negative direction. Panic, hurt, sabotage.

Eight of Pentacles - Reversed

in the Present position.
A card in the middle position indicates what is affecting your question at this time.

Loathing the workplace. Avoiding making a choice of career or lack of ambition. One who manipulates and exploits to acquire rather than labours. Double standards within a familyrun business. Freeloader. Attitude of a spoiled child.

Six of Swords

in the Future position.

A card in the right position indicates your questions future.

Movement. Improvement of any situation. Safe passage. More than sympathy, but help from others. Moving away from an unhealthy situation. Lessening stress, yet destination unknown. Travel over water. A new chapter. Sometimes interpreted as a declaration of love. Direction. A powerful card in aligning heart and mind. Focus and follow-through, yet unpredictable result.

Original post after the jump.
Llewellyn's Web Tarot after the jump.
.

The State I'm In

2008-11-07T15:50:00.005+08:00

This is the verse that plays inside my head, in auto-reverse.

Tama ka, A***, may mali sa atin. Maling-mali.

Tara, punta na tayong mental.

I call out to anyone

But not too loud
I'm not ready yet
To share the phone or TV set
It's long way to come
Out of this one

--Sinead O'Connor, The State I'm In
Faith & Courage

Kung Pornstar Ako...

2008-11-05T15:00:00.003+08:00

Nakita ko sa blog ni Cynts. Eh, hapi, so hiniram ko:

Your Porn Star Name: (First Pet , Street You Live On)
Jester Champaca

Your Movie Star Name: (Favorite Snack Food, Grandfathers First Name)
Mallows Modesto

Your Fashion Designer Name:(First word you see on your left , favorite restaurant)
HP Chateau

Exotic Foreigner Alias: (favorite spice , last place you took a vacation)
Taragon La Union

Socialite Alias: (Silly nickname you had as a kid , City you live in)
Non Quezon

Fly girl/boy Alias: (First initial of your first name, first two or 3 initials of your last name)
CPal

Icon Alias: (Favorite animal, drink in your kitchen)
Cheetah Cola

Detective alias: (Cute Animal , name of your elementary school)
Doggie Central

Barfly Alias: (Something in your fridge , alcoholic beverage)
Capers Cuervo

Soap Opera Alias: (Second name, Name of first street you lived on)
Obispo Sandico

Star Wars Name: (First two letters of your first name and last 3 letters of your last name, first two letters of your moms maiden name and the first 3 letters of your city you live in)
Ceres OB Que

Before I Hit the Sack with this Stupid Grin on my Face

2008-11-05T02:08:00.015+08:00

Hindi naman ako 'yung tipong astrology-freak. Usually it takes more than a couple of general statements to convince me na tama nga 'yung predictions.

However, for some strange reason, parang korek / tama / eksakto 'yung horoscope ko for today. Ngayon ko lang 'to nabasa dahil nagpapaantok ako. Pero tumambling ako at napa-cartwheel dahil parang... precise. As in razor-sharp precise.

It says...

Daily Overview: November 04, 2008
CAPRICORN

Today brings an ending of some kind that is much better for you than you would have expected. It's a great day to try new things or to just relax and bask in the glow of your great results!

Ang pinakapaborito ko ay 'yung part tungkol sa *ending.* True enough, when I woke up this morning, sobrang sama ng pakiramdam ko. I felt like I had Mystica's nails stuck inside my throat. Tapos, mainit 'yung pakiramdam ko--at hindi 'yung sexy na klase ng *init.* Tapos nahihirapan ako huminga. Tapos inuubo, pero since kinakalmot nga ni Mystica 'yung throat ko, ang sakit [feeling ata nya eh mukha 'yun ni Cristy "Sumalangit Nawa" Fermin]. Tapos...

Tapos, wala pa 'yung inaabangan / inaasahan. Bad trip.

Pero dahil Capricorn ako, hindi ako nagpahalata nu'ng naramdaman kong disappointment. Dapat cool lang. Unaffected. Parang... I-couldn't-care-less. Goatshit.

Buti na lang, naka-align ata nang maayos ang mga planet, star at galaxy ngayong araw na 'to. Somehow 'yung hintayan na nauwi sa dedmahan na nauwi sa *hmpf!* ay na-address naman. Nagkausap. Nagkalinawan. Tapos may bonus pang konting bolahan.

At 'yung nakakairitang simula ng araw, maganda naman ang ending. Well, more than maganda, it was way beyond what I was expecting. Way beyond what I wanted at this point. Way beyond what I deserved.

I don't know if this is the next level. Siguro. I don't want to get ahead of myself. Basta. Baby steps lang muna. Hindi ko alam kung saan 'to makakarating. Pero ang sigurado ko, it will be somewhere magical.

If ito ang regalo ko ngayong Pasko, grabe, sulit na sulit ang pagpapa-good boy ko nitong mga nakaraang taon. At mukhang I'll giggle-like-a-high-school-girl the rest of the year away.
.

Usapang Moon, Stars, at Butterflies; in Short, Usapang Mushy

2008-11-01T22:58:00.005+08:00

Tinanong n'ya 'ko, "Are you the stars that look down on me? Or the moon that shines above me?"

Mula kasi nang magkakilala kami, naka-create kami ng routine. Sa mga usapan, laging nasisingit ang takutan. And a couple of nights ago, sinimulan ko ulit, "Tingin ka sa labas. Nandito ako."

I was hoping na matakot s'ya. Na either may magic ako para mag-travel nang mabilis. Or at least ma-freak out man lang na ako pala 'yung tipong nang-i-stalk o nag-aabang sa labas ng bahay.

But, no. Humirit ng "Are you the stars that look down on me? Or the moon that shines above me?"

I was caught off guard. Akala ko hihiritan ako ng mas malupit.

A few days earlier kasi, tinakot ko, "Sino 'yang nasa likod mo?"

Eh, since mukha ngang matapang, sabi n'ya "Pader. Eh, ikaw, sino 'yang matandang nakakapit sa binti mo?"

"Bwiset bwiset bwiset!" Sobrang visual ko kaya mag-isip. Same reason kaya ayoko ng mga adult na usapan. Nai-imagine ko na agad. 'Pag may mention ng private parts or 'yung bagay na ginagawa ng mga taong *nagmamahalan,* nakikita ko na agad 'yun sa isip ko.

Eh 'di lalo na 'yung matandang nakakapit sa binti ko. Tumatak agad sa isip ko si Lilian Cantapay [?] na nakayakap sa binti ko sa ilalim ng sofa. At ayaw bumitiw. Hindi nagsasalita, pero ang talim ng tingin.

Bwiset talaga. Ilang oras bago ko naibaba at naalis ang tingin ko sa mga binti ko.

Kaya nu'ng sinabihan ko s'ya na "Tingin ka sa labas. Nandito ako." At nagtanong s'ya, "Are you the stars that look down on me? Or the moon that shines above me?" Tumambling ako. Tatlong beses. Sabay backflip.

Tsaka ko pinatulan, "I'm both. Are you the butterflies fluttering restlessly inside my chest?"

Nyahahaha! [Although, I wasn't really laughing like that. I was actually giggling like a high school girl. High pitched.]

Sabi n'ya, "Yes, I am."

And on and on it went. Blah blah blah... Pero high pitched.

Needless to say, natulog ako nu'ng gabi na 'yun nang nakangiti. At paggising naman ay may malutong na "ha ha ha!" [Hiwa-hiwalay bawat isang *ha* dahil ganu'n talaga ako tumawa sa totoong buhay.]

In love na ba 'ko? Nope, I don't think so. Am I getting there? Maybe, I don't know. Do I like how I'm feeling right now? Definitely.

It's been years--three? four?--since I felt this way. I was beginning to think na never ko nang mararamdaman 'to ulit. Kaya right now, kahit walang sigurado, ayoko munang mag-isip masyado. Gusto ko munang maramdaman 'yung kiliti sa dulo ng mga daliri sa paa, 'yung kuryente sa kamay, at 'yung involuntary na tawa na lumalabas sa bibig. 'Wag muna love; du'n na lang muna sa idea ng love.

Is it the person? Ewan. Unfair siguro para sa kanya, but I think medyo matagal-tagal na 'tong in the making. Tried getting into relationships, konti. Tried going out on dates, konti ulit. Tried meeting new people, konti pa ulit. Konti pa. Konti ulit. Konti-konti. Baka ito 'yung sinasabi nilang feather that broke the camel's back. Or para sa 'kin, the flirting that made me giggle again. Like a high school girl. High pitched. Hiwa-hiwalay na "ha ha ha".

Kaya naman mula nu'ng tinanong n'ya, "Are you the stars that look down on me? Or the moon that shines above me?" At sinabi kong "I'm both. Are you the butterflies fluttering restlessly inside my chest?" At in-assure n'ya 'kong "Yes, I am." ang saya-saya ko. Ninanamnam ko bawat salita. Bawat personal pronoun at bawat noun na magkarugtong. Matagal ko nang gusto ang moon, pero parang lalo 'yun gumanda sa paningin ko. Pati 'yung mga stars. Pati 'yung mga butterfly.

And to use 'yung favorite word namin, lahat naging *magical.*

Muntik ko nang nalimutan how this felt. Sarap nga pala ng ganito. Sana 'wag na 'tong mawala ulit. Sana makaramdam ako ng ganito habambuhay.

Tapos bigla kong na-realize, P*tah! Eh, one to two weeks nga lang pala ang lifespan ng butterflies!

Original post after the jump.
Sources of the moon and butterfly images after the jump.
.

dream realm

How Many More Must Die?

Alex and his PSP

Sam's Pretty Piglets

Romans 12: 9 - 16

Stuck sa Traffic at Ulan

Good morning, Chedeng.

Everybody's Free

If all goes well...

Great spirits...

Shh-Boom / Kokak on TV5'S Star Confessions [30 March 2011 / Wednesday, after Mga Nagbabagang Bulaklak]

Fear is a paralysis

On BBC, the 8.9 magnitude earthquake and tsunami in Japan...

To get something you've never had...

System Shutdown...

Burn, Baby...

finally, i can sleep...

Makata Tawanan on Star Confessions

The Adjustment Bureau

'Wag na lang

Kung hindi makaiwas sa pagkain...

iPad 2

Staying Alive

Sluggish

Barbra Is On MGM Channel... Proving Once And For All Why She's The Ultimate Gaycon!

Race and Intelligence

My Friday Night Gmik

Full Moon... Yey!

Deadlines and Lifelines

A Few Parting Words for Mikki

Remembering Ondoy : Baha ni Juan [o, Ang Patuloy na Paghahanap sa mga Nawawalang Tsinelas]

FEMME-atay! Strong Femmes in Films on Cine Chichirya

Brazilian Film Festival 2009 @ The UP Film Institute

TV Premiere of *My Fake American Accent*

The Fool

Raf's Birthday

I'm not tense, just terribly, terribly alert.

Simpatiya Para Sa 'Yo

REPOST: DO'S & DON'TS for Helping in Times of Disasters: Psychological First Aid

Katursi

Ang Ma-Stranded Kasama Ng Isang Tutubi

Inx's Birthday

Bush & Blair Hit The Disco

Happy 4th Birthday to Sam!

Night Out with SB Friends / Neighbors

Bakit Ba Kasi Hindi Marunong Huminga Sa Ilalim Ng Tubig Ang Mga Pilipino?

Masaker Ng Mga Kababaihan sa TV Show Na *Supernatural*

Congratulations to Igine Jose, Finalist - 1st MTRCB TV Awards, Screenplay Category

Bilog Kasi Ang Buwan

Masaya Ako

Chillaxing After Meeting With Client

At Biglang...

I'm Not Your Baby... Puh-leez!

[Neither] Swimming [Nor] Surfing in San Juan, La Union

Willie Revillame Did NOTHING Wrong Support Group on Facebook

Old Photo: Lunch with Job and Sonny @ UPD Beach House, A Day Before Leaving for Japan (April 2008)

Sino Ang Mas Sincere?

UPCMC's Assessment of the state of media under PGMA

These R The Thoughts

Old Pix With Ex-Fellow Writers, ca2007

Gawad Plaridel Shoot

Kulog at Kidlat

Happy Mother's Day

Wanted: LINE PRODUCER for a Full-Length Digital Film [to be shot in France and the Philippines]

Dibu[h]o Art Exhibit Opens March 13

25 Random Things About XE

They Walk Amongst Us

Nominees for the 81st Academy Awards

Friends & Ex-Colleagues

Sunset Blvd - The Perfect Year [Pahabol Sa Bagong Taon]

Ahhh... Kaya Naman Pala

At May Ganu'n?!

14 Days

15 Days

16 Days

What Is A Youth [Romeo & Juliet 1968 OST]

Amazing Video na Tuma-tumbling-tumbling

35 Days

36 Days

37 Days

TV Premiere of My Fake American Accent

Masaker Ng Mga Kababaihan sa TV Show Na Supernatural