From Apprehension to Comprehension

When I was a little kid, there were two things that come to my mind whenever I hear the word AIDS and HIV. The first was Sarah Jane Salazar. Second, that it was a contagious, incurable, fatal disease, a death sentence of sort, and is something to be feared of.

Sarah Jane Salazar was a prominent figure during the late nineties. She was a Filipino AIDS activist and educator and the second Filipino with HIV to go public. She stirred controversy in 1997 when she was charged with child abuse for having sex with 16-year old Ritchie Atezado without protection. She later bore two children who were both tested negative for HIV. Her partner Rithchie, on the other hand, was later tested positive.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="Sarah Jane Salazar during one of her talks in Baguio City."][/caption]

I was raised watching the evening news and current affairs programs (like BrigadaSiyete and Magandang Gabi Bayan) and the story of Sarah Jane was like aserye that is being followed during those years. I can still recall the story of a young Arnold Clavio on Brigada Siete that documented Sarah Jane's life, health, and advocacy. (Arnold Clavio would later be her kumpare when she asked the latter to be her child's godfather.) In June 11, 2000, Sarah Jane died of AIDS complications.

Watching the stories of Sarah Jane and other victims, I saw AIDS then as something to be feared of. Seeing the images of victims from Africa and Cambodia, who have lost their appetite, thin, very sick, and abandoned by their loved ones added my fright to the disease.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="An AIDS victim in Cambodia."][/caption]

Because of my fear of HIV/AIDS, I developed these beliefs. It has no cure. If you contacted it, then you must count your remaining days on this planet. You will be abandoned. You will be hated. You will be feared. It's the modern-day leprosy wherein the victims must be isolated from the public.

But that was before I was educated on the disease. That was before I see things differently. That was before I expose myself to different stories of hope, survival, compassion, and love.

My first experience of awakening was when I watched one episode ofHirayamanawari (I'm not sure if it is that program or some other educational program during the last glorious days of quality local television programs). There was this boy who accidentally contacted HIV/AIDS after undergoing a blood transfusion during an appendectomy. After being tested positive for HIV/AIDS, his friends, due to their ignorance of the disease, started to isolate him for fear of contacting the same disease for they thought that mere physical contact can bring AIDS. The young boy died at the end of the story but thanks to the doctors and his parents' help, his friends understand more what HIV/AIDS is.

With that simple presentation, the way I view the disease changed. It also thought me the importance of the support of the patient's family and friends.

Fast forward to year 2000, I was in Grade 6 when we discussed HIV/AIDS in school. If my memory serves me right, it was included in our Science and Health subject. Our teacher, who happened to be one of my favorites, tackled the basics of the disease and on how it would be prevented. She even let us do a skit on how to avoid contacting the disease (infected needles, blood transfusion, etc.). Though included in our school textbook, for obvious reasons, we did notdemonstrate how to practice safe sex then.

It has been more than a decade since I stopped fearing the disease. And in those years, I have encountered numerous movements, groups, and advocacy to raise the awareness to the disease.

In today's world where sex can be as casual as a fist bump, various ways and movements to help stop the spread of HIV/AIDS have sprung up. Safe sex, condom, protection, you name it.

Safety. It's as if it is stupid to go on a joust with another knight without your armor, it is also stupid to have sex without, er, protection.

Though some of the ways, beliefs and advocacy challenge my personal beliefs (and faith, if you may permit), I believe that we can all agree on a common ground wherein our similarities will help us fight together for a good cause:

Awareness. Education. Understanding. Empathy.

Awareness. In the course of history, battles are won primarily by acknowledging the peril, danger, and the possible aftermath. Before all the planning of military tactics and search for a cure, one must first acknowledge that there is an imminent threat or danger. HIV/AIDS does exist. We may not have a cure yet for it but that doesn't mean that we cannot do something about it.

Education. In my opinion, if there is one thing more fatal than the disease itself, it would be ignorance. HIV/AIDS has been here for quite sometime now and there are a lot of people who are willing to shed light on this feared disease. Know the disease. Know its symptoms. Know its cause. Know how to possibly avoid it. Your paranoia over the disease might be the cause of your early demise. Be educated. Call it a cliche but still, prevention is better than cure.

Understanding. Being aware and educated of the disease is not enough. There are HIV positive patients whose sufferings are doubled because of discrimination and the wrong and lack of understanding of the disease. I believe that there are bad things in this world which are brought primarily by misunderstanding. And we can be a part of changing this.

Empathy. It is the capacity to recognize and share feelings that are being experienced by others. Unlike sympathy, empathy is like putting ourselves in the place of others. It is more personal. By putting ourselves into the mental shoes of another person, especially the victims of HIV/AIDS, we will know them better. It is only then that we can show wholeheartedly our love, support, and compassion.

I will not preach here about the different ways to prevent HIV/AIDS. I will just leave it to the experts. And I know that you are educated with the basic knowledge about the disease.

It doesn't matter to me if you are a supporter or a critic of safe sex, condoms, and other protection. I believe that no matter how HIV/AIDS volunteers or your religious institutions teach you about how you use your personal and sexual freedom, the decision is still up to you.

An international group of scientists has traced the ancestry of the virus that caused AIDS back to strains found in African monkeys. If we will believe Charles Darwin's theory, we humans are descendants of the earlier species of monkeys. But there are two things that differentiates us from this creatures aside from appendix - freedom and intellect.

We are creatures endowed with freedom and intellect. We are the ones whodrive our own life. We have the control of our body. We are free to choose an option. We are intelligent creatures.



As we commemorate today's World AIDS Day, let us be aware of the disease, be educated on how to prevent it, understand the victims, and empathize to help them fight the disease. Together, we can defeat this. I hope this year's celebration is one of the last ones.

Spread the love. Spread the word. Spread the knowledge. Not the virus.

Elsewhere:

• I am no expert when it comes to AIDS and HIV but you can talk to my good Tumblrbuddy Gelo (@pananaghoy), an HIV counselor from the AIDS Society of the Philippines. You can also visit his blog and see the other important links on his page.


• The AIDS Society of the Philippines - The AIDS Society of the Philippines (ASP) is a leading association of individuals from the government, non-government agencies, and the private sector, with a common unifying interest in preventing the spread of HIV and AIDS.


• Boy Positibo - Journal of a Pinoy HIV positive


• Take the Test Project - they provide adequate information about HIV and AIDS and make HIV test more accessible to everyone.


• A Continuing Battle - Philippine STAR's editorial about the World AIDS Day.


• Awareness of an Important and Undeniable Situation - Gee's take on the World AIDS Day.

A New Day for the Farmers

“Dalawang uri lang naman ang mayroon sa Pilipinas. Ang mga Panginoong may lupa at mga hampas lupa..”

I remember saying those lines to my mistah back in 2008, when I was still in College. I said it perhaps out of frustration. Or anger. Or my losing of faith to the system. We were then with the Calatagan farmers who were about to attend the Holy Mass and to have an audience with the Archbishop before leaving for their long march to Manila (A move inspired perhaps by the Sumilao farmers from Bukidnon.).

Since the advent of my awakening, I have always supported the cause of the poor and the oppressed for justice, freedom, and ownership. You may not see me with a banner or a raised fist in the streets but I believe that there are other ways to support their cause other than protests and rallies.

I studied Land Reform for one semester in 2005 as a required subject in College. The semester ended with all the discussions, cases, principles, and examples but there is only one thing that I can still remember up to this day.

The different programs for land reform in the Philippines have failed. The farmers are still tilling the lands which are not theirs. And powerful landlords still own vast area of land.

But the dark days for landless farmers may soon be over.

Yesterday, the Supreme Court ordered the distribution of about 5, 000 hectares of Hacienda Luisita.

The court sided with the farmers, Department of Agrarian Reform, and the Presidential Agrarian Reform Council, which said that the stock distribution option was not in accordance with the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).

(For the benefit of those who are not watching the news, in stock distribution option, the farmers who will choose that would be just a mere stockholder (shareholder) and not a landowner.)

At last, social justice for the farmers. I hope that the Hacienda Luisita case would be a landmark decision, a jumping point for other cases. The struggle of farmers with their lands is not just a problem of Tarlac but of the whole country.

I want to see a new day where there will be no more landless farmers, no more greedy landowners, and no more social injustice brought by land ownership disputes.

Mabuhay ang mga magsasakang pinagkalooban ng lupa! Mabuhay ang mga magsasakang nakikibaka para sa kanilang lupa! Padayon!

Elsewhere:

• Just how BIG is Hacienda Luisita? How many SM Mall of Asia, Makati City, Plaza Miranda, Araneta Coliseum, and Luneta Park can fit in at the vast lands of the hacienda? Click.


• “My Child, we have won”- Virgiinia “Lola Inyang” Paligutan, 80, traveled to Manila from Tarlac to express her gratitude to the Supreme Court for ordering the distribution of Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac to farmworkers.


• SC orders distribution of Hacienda Luisita land - farmers’ union


• WikiLeaks Cables: Hacienda Luisita case affects other landowners  


• The Hacienda Luisita order as Aquino’s golden chance at greatness by Benjamin Pimentel

Hysterical, Historical Day

Yesterday was not just any ordinary Friday. Well personally, aside from the fact that it was my beloved Nanay’s birthday, I have been waiting for the Supreme Court’s decision and whether Gloria Arroyo would (be allowed to) leave the country or not.

But it turned out to be a series of unfortunate events - for our former President.

It started in the morning when the COMELEC en banc filed Electoral Sabotage charges against Arroyo. I knew then that Gloria Arroyo’s days of freedom are numbered.

But with the Supreme Court’s decision denying the motion for reconsideration seeking to lift the TRO on Arroyo’s hold departure order, I thought that it’s over. She can (and would) leave the country.

As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, I have been glued on Twitter and on news websites all day, waiting for the developments of the Arroyo Saga. But it turned out to be faster than expected.

All of a sudden, the case was filed at the Pasay RTC and the warrant of arrest was immediately released. Next thing we knew, Gloria Arroyo is being arrested. And with that arrest warrant from the RTC, which is independent from the Supreme Court, her wish to go abroad, even with Supreme Court’s approval, went down to the drain.

In less than twenty-four (24) hours, a case was filed, a warrant of arrest was release, and a former President, arrested.

That was fast.

Of course, the critics of the Aquino administration and the defenders of Gloria Arroyo said that the case was railroaded, even calling it a “moro-moro”.

But in my opinion, what transpired in the past days up to the climax yesterday was a damn if you do, damn if you don’t situation for the Aquino Administration. If they didn’t file a case against Gloria, critics would say that the government is slow on doing their jobs. And if they filed a case against Arroyo, as what happened yesterday, they would say that it was railroaded and it did not undergo a due process.

We (or most of us) have all been seeking answers and justice from the numerous controversies of the previous administration. And yesterday’s event proved that justice is working in our country.

It’s just sad to know that most of our Kababayans who are equally seeking for justice are left with a slow and painful turn of the wheels of justice.

Is Gloria Arroyo guilty of the crime? Let’s just leave that to the courts. And let’s hope that truth and justice will prevail.

I have been always fascinated with front pages and covers of broadsheets, magazines, tabloids, and other publications. I consider it as an exceptional art and as a part of history as well.

I am posting this front page of the Philippine Daily Inquirer in commemoration of yesterday’s hysterical and historical series of events. And because we may not be able to see Gloria Arroyo’s mugshot. As of writing, Attorney Ferdinand Topacio requested the media not to release Gloria Arroyo’s mugshot because she is, er, a woman.

Gloria Arroyo is now under arrest. Let the truth come out and justice, served.Viva Filipinas! Padayon!

Elsewhere:

• Gloria Arroyo now under arrest - Sa wakas!


• Timeline: Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s arrest - the sequence of events of the dramatic and tension-filled day that led to Gloria Arroyo’s arrest.


• Rushed - Professor Winnie Monsod’s take on yesterday’s events.


• Fingerprints, mugshot of Arroyo to be taken today (PNP) - I wonder how her mugshot would look like with her Minerva vest on.

Wag Lang Di Makaraos: Eros Atalia’s New Book

I have been glued on the news websites and on Twitter all day, waiting for the next chapter of the Arroyo Saga. And the recent, successive events of this day that led to the arrest of our former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo made me look for something more interesting than Politics.

My journey into the depths of cyberspace led to stalking, er, checking myfriends’ Facebook pages.



And I ended up looking at Professor Eros Atalia’s profile.

Blame it to the evil ticker of Facebook which made observing (I repeat. Observing, not stalking.) easier. Or the news feed. When I saw Eros Atalia’s profile picture has been changed, and it looked like a cover of a book, a new book, I immediately checked his page.

Lo and behold! He’s releasing a new book! And it’s entitled ‘Wag Lang ‘Di Makaraos 100 Dagli (Mga Kwentong Pasaway, Paaway at Pamatay)’.



It has been two years since he gave us the love story of Intoy and Jen on Ligo na U, Lapit na Me and I can’t wait for another story/stories that he has to offer.

On his Facebook wall, he posted this details for the launching of his latest book:

Launching ng “Wag Lang ‘Di Makaraos 100 Dagli (Mga Kwentong Pasaway, Paaway at Pamatay)” sa Thomas Aquinas Research Complex (TARC) Auditorium , University of Santo Tomas sa November 28 (Monday), 2011; 12 nn-3pm. Panauhing pandangal ang Pambansang Alagad ng Sining para sa Literatura na si Bienvenido Lumbera, kasama ang Dekano ng UP Mass Communication na si Roland Tolentino, Jun Cruz Reyes, Efren Abueg at mga kaibigan, kapanalig at katanguan sa panulat at panitikan. Kita-kits.

I have another reason to envy the Thomasians, especially his (past and present) students. I may not be able to go to his book launch but I am sure as Gloria spending the rest of her life in jail that I will buy this book.

Are you excited for his new book? Mabuhay si Eros Atalia!

Wait, you don’t know him? Then it sucks to be you. Peace out!

Elsewhere:

• Ang Paghanga ko kay Eros Atalia (Na Mas Pinainit pa ni Mercedes Cabral) - Myjourney to discovering Eros Atalia’s work.


• Mga Librong Paparating na hindi ninyo dapat palampasin - Two of the three books featured here were already released. But you still might want to read this.


• Si Amapola sa 65 na Kabanata (formerly having a tentative title as Aswang) will be launched on November 27, SM Skydome, SM CIty North EDSA.


• “Lumayo ka nga sa Akin” - A preview of what Bob Ong has to offer. I think this is his 9th book.

Seventh Year

A few weeks ago, a viral video of the alleged lies and crimes by the Aquino Family spread like wildfire on various forms of social media. Those who were amazed by the amazing videography and presentation of the details (for the record, I did not say facts) immediately believed and shared the video. While those who were discriminating enough, did their research, double-checked the details, and consulted other historians about the veracity of the video as a whole.

While some of the video’s details may not be a verified fact (i.e. the Antonio Luna and Ysidra Cojuangco love affair), one cannot deny the fact that some of the events really happened. And one of the crimes shown on the video that was a proven, actual event, was the infamous Hacienda Luisita Massacre.

Seven years ago today, twelve (12) picketing farmers and two (2) children were allegedly killed by the police and the military in a violent dispersal at the Gate 1 of the Hacienda Luisita.

And up to this day, no one was charged for that crime.

The recent circus brought by the opposing sides of the Executive and the Judicial Departments, Gloria Arroyo’s airport drama and Leila De Lima’s defiance of the Supreme Court order, the controversies of Pacquiao’s win and the New 7 Wonders of Nature, and Attorney Ferdinand topacio’s sacrificial bayag may have overshadowed today’s memorial of the event.

But by letting this event just pass us by our consciousness, we seem to be condoning the perpetrators of this crime. Or depriving justice to the victims and their families. Or allowing the culture of impunity in our country.

He who does not punish evil commands it to be done.

Justice for the victims of the Hacienda Luisita Massacre! Never forget. Never again.

Disappointing

Once again, a group of superheroes more powerful than the Justice Leagueand The Avengers rescued the Arroyos from destruction and persecution. And I am talking about the highest court in the land, the Supreme Court.

The celebration of the opposing side was short-lived. Just a few weeks ago, the Department of Justice rejected the petition of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to travel abroad.

Personally, I was not surprised by the Supreme Court’s decision to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the travel ban. Law experts have warned a few days ago that the arguments for not allowing Gloria Arroyo to travel abroad are weak. And based on their previous decisions, I know that the Supreme Court will always save the witch’s ass.

Voting 8-5 on the decision, the Justices who voted to allow Arroyo to leave were: Chief Justice Renato Corona, and Associate Justices Diosdado Peralta, Presbitero Velasco, Lucas Bersamin, Roberto Abad, Martin Villarama, Jose Perez, and Arturo Brion.

Those who voted against were Associate Justices Estela Perlas-Bernabe, Maria Lourdes Sereno, Antonio Carpio, Bienvenido Reyes, and Jose Catral Mendoza.

The two Justices who did not vote were Teresita Leonarde de Castro and Mariano del Castillo, who are both on leave.

Words cannot describe my dismay for the Supreme Court’s decision. So I will just let this cereal guy meme that I did do it for me.

Elsewhere:

• SC allows Arroyo to travel abroad - Official (Inquirer.net)


• SC stops implementation of of watch list orders vs Arroyos (GMANews.tv)


• High Court OKs Arroyo travel: Source (ABS-CBNnews.com)


• Supreme Court issues TRO vs GMA travel ban (Interaksyon.net)

This Time For Lilia Cuntapay

My childhood years belong to an era where watching Filipino movies in the movie houses are something to look forward to. I can still remember how my Father and I would watch local movies at the then-famous Agrix movie house here in Los Banos (the site where Anthony Genuino’s Los Banos Centro Mall is being built). No torrents. No downloads. No pirated dibidis. And if one missed the movies on the theaters, there is always our suking VHS rental houses to the rescue. (Man, I can still remember how to clean the VHS head with a clean bond paper. Ah, the little wonders of those days.)

The movie industry of the nineties is rich with Carlo J. Caparas’ insert-the-name-of-the-place-and-add-the-word-massacre movies, comedy films by Viva Films (Kuwadro De Jack and Pusoy Dos will always be my favorite), the last glorious days of Pinoy action movies, titillating flicks by Seiko Films (oh yeah!), and the thriller/haunted/shocker movies by Regal Films.

Let me focus on the last one - Regal Films. The movie outlet who taught us that haunted refrigerators and toilet bowls (Undin!) do exist; who coined the term “Anak ni Janice” which is synonymous to tiyanak (I wonder how Janice De Belen’s children from John Estrada and Aga Muhlach would react to this.); and who gave us a lesson on Aswang survival (Thank you Manilyn Reynes and Ana Roces).

Regal Films played an important role in shaping the contemporary Philippine cinema, thanks to the efforts of Mother Lily Monteverde. But in my opinion, there is another two-word term synonymous to Regal Films’ success aside from Mother Lily andhorror movies.

Lilia Cuntapay.

If there is one person who scared me when I was as a child aside from the creepy kid on the TV commercial of pediafortan and Mr. Shooli (Jun Urbano), that would be the most famous extra of Filipino movies - Lilia Cuntapay. Her long white hair, her toothless scare face, and the way she stares at her victims was enough for me to run to my parents in tears. Or hide under my pillow.

And of course, aside from her roles as white lady, aswang, and mangkukulam in the movies, there is always her appearance on the Halloween specials ofMagandang Gabi Bayan. I can still remember her creepy face as a white lady on theCeres bus haunted stories (where the camera caught a real image of a white lady on a highway somewhere up north).

Lilia Cuntapay. The country’s most famous extra. Even if you are not really into Filipino movies, I know that her face is familiar to you (though I bet that not all of you know her real name, like my favorite Professor in College.). And it is but proper for the movie industry to recognize her talent by making a movie starring her on her very first lead role.

A few weeks ago, the trailer of her movie 6 Degrees of Separation from Lilia Cuntapay spread on the internet. The movie tells the story of “dakilang extra” Lilia Cuntapay through the days leading up to a fictionalized awards night where she is nominated as a Best Supporting Actress for the very first time. The movie is one of the entries of this year’s Cinema One Originals.


[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpJR1v9VrJg]


Last night, November 13, the awarding ceremony for the said movie festival was held at the RCBC Theater. And the movie bagged six (6) awards including Best Actress for Lilia Cuntapay (other awards are Special Jury Prize, Best Supporting Actress for Geraldine Villamil, Best Screenplay, Best Editing, and Audience Choice Awards).

At last, Lilia’s talent is now being recognized by the industry. I hope this is not the last movie with Lilia Cuntapay. Today’s generation still need to know more of this brilliant, talented, and famous extra. I also hope that this movie be released commercially or if not, be more available for more viewers and movie goers to see.

It’s time for this industry to recognize talented extras (and sidekicks). Who knows?We might see Mang Andres (AKA Bangkay) and Bubble Gang’s Diego Lorico and Myka Flores on their first-ever movie in a starring role in the near future.

The Philippine movie industry needs more talented and creative minds to resurrect.And with the recent emergence of quality independent and mainstream movies, we may be slowly achieving that goal.

And I am sure that Lilia Cuntapay played her part on this movement.

Mabuhay si Lilia Cuntapay!

Elsewhere: 

• Six Degrees of Separation from Lilia Cuntapay Facebook Page


• Lilia Cuntapay Facebook Page (More Lilia Cunatapay-turned-classic-portraits photos)


• Capsule reviews for Six Degrees of Separation from Lilia Cuntapay


• Cinema One Originals Awards 2011 list of winners

An Eargasmic Juggernaut Music

If I were to give an Eargasmic Album of the Year award, it would be Patience Dear Juggernaut’s debut release Girl the Impaler. NU 107 is long dead (368 days is long, right?) so I might as well do my own Rock Awards this year.

Wait, who the hell is Patient Dear Juggernaut? Some of you may ask. Let me do the honors of introducing him to you, thanks to the artist’s Facebook Page:

Patience Dear Juggernaut is the solo project of Manila-based songwriter and filmmaker Cameron Aquino (AKA Wincy Ong), who writes, composes and plays the music for all of his songs. Cameron Aquino was a former guitarist of the indie band Narda and is the guitarist-keyboardist of Us-2 Evil-0.

The artist’s style can be characterized by ‘60s style harmony vocals, psychedelic chord progressions, robotic beeps and bleats, and progressive song structures, while his lyrical style leans towards the Dionysian and the absurd.

The other night, I saw a post from CJ De Silva’s Tumblr page (we used to know her then as the Promil Kid with an awesome drawing skills. And yeah, I envied her for that.) about an illustration inspired by Patience Dear Juggernaut’s songs. And it included a Bandcamp link where one can listen to all of the songs. I immediately checked its Facebook page and lo and behold, the album can be downloaded for FREE! If there is one thing wonderful in this cyber world aside from downloaded movies, that would be free music so that’s something to be celebrated, right? (I checked the page earlier this morning and I was surprised that they are charging 5 Dollars for the album. I wonder why.)

I first discovered Patience Dear Juggernaut on one of Lilystars Records posts before. Being a fan of bands under their roster of artists and other similar acts like Your Imaginary Friends, The Camerawalls, A Gentle Isolation, National Express, Outerhope, Us-2 Evil-0, Everything Gone Green, That Lingering Feeling, and other artists included in the Filipino Indie Pop Scene compilations, I immediately binged (uh, pardon the word) its music. And I was not disappointed.

The opening track Beta Male is enough for one to immediately like (and dance to) the album. It showcases Wincy Ong’s commendable poetry backed with an upbeat tune. Other notable tracks on the album are Art School Lover (Death to Ordinary Girls) and Ellen. But you have to listen the the whole album because I guarantee that every song is a sweet tune to the ear.

Being an indie pop aficionado, you may judge me as bias for giving a two-thumbs-and-toes-up for this album. If there is one thing I love about indie pop music, it is the ability to give us music with killer melodies, sweet vocals, andbetter poetry.

This album deserves to be in your playlist. I recommend this on your car’s music box and iPods because this is a perfect music for long travels and unforgiving traffic conditions. Or just listen to it whenever you feel like relaxing. Or having a good time. Or being alone with nature.

Now where’s my piano? I must learn to play these songs.

Elsewhere:

• Patience Dear Juggernaut’s Official Facebook Page.


• Listen to the 9-track album of Patience Dear Juggernaut on his Bandcamp page. Eargasm guaranteed.


• Know more about Cameron Aquino AKA Wincy Ong AKA Patience Dear Juggernaut on this feature at ClicktheCity.com

Nowhere to Hide

The news did not come as a surprise. It is somehow expected on the Administration who repeatedly bashed and blamed the previous Administration on the situation of our country today. Most of us who want the Arroyos prosecuted (and somehow persecuted) were relieved to know that Secretary Leila De Lima of the Department of Justice rejected the petition of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to seek medical treatment abroad. Citing Gloria Arroyo’s condition as “not life threatening”, De Lima announced her decision earlier this afternoon.

As expected, Gloria Arroyo’s fat knight in shining armor, her husband Attorney Mike Arroyo, came to the rescue. He separately filed a petition to the Supreme Court to declare De Lima’s orders unconstitutional.

He cited the Article III Section 6 of the 1987 Constitution guaranteeing the “liberty of travel”. But De Lima said that “An individual’s right to travel is not absolute, taken against the interest of the state that the process will be derailed because of the sudden absence of a respondent in a criminal case”.

Attached to the petition filed at the Supreme court are the photos above showing the former President’s condition wearing a 3-kilo collar brace (above) and a minerva vest (below).

With all these drama and circus about Gloria Arroyo, let me share with you my thoughts and other stuff.

• As much as I pity the former President on her condition (provided that is is real), I cannot blame the Aquino Administration for not allowing her to leave the country. She must face the court (and the consequences of her actions). You cannot just leave the country (Plus the face that some of her destination countries have no extradition treaty with the Philippines. We cannot allow another Ramona Bautista here. And her cases are far worst than Ramona’s.)


• Speaking of, I have this feeling that Gloria Arroyo envies Ramona Bautista. Or her critic Panfilo Lacson who also left the country to hide (even before the charges were filed against him).


• Look closely at the second photo, can you feel the agony and sincerity in her eyes? Or is it deceiving?


• Our country has transformed into a nation who love photoshopped memes. First, there was the DPWHere. Then the Hollywood-like sign at Taal Volcano. And now, the Gloria Arroyo creepy memes. Welcome to the Philippines!


• As much as most of us hate her, let us all hope and continue to pray that our former President recover soon. We need her alive! 

Photo Source: TV-5’s Jove Francisco’s Facebook Account

Stop watching fabricated facts on YouTube. Read the news here:

• DOJ to GMA: “No, you can’t go” (Interaksyon.net)


• Ex-President Arroyo, husband, ask SC to declare DOJ watch list order unconstitutional (Inquirer.net)


• Arroyo: Not knowing what ails me is killing me (Manila Standard)

It has been exactly a year since a good friend left me. He was my companion during those years when I dreamt and learned to smash the guitar, wreaked the piano, pounded the drums, and screamed on the top of my lungs in the tune of my favorite anthems.

He said his goodbye at around midnight of this date last year. With his demise, the Philippine airwaves was changed forever. And he brought with him my otherkabarkadas. No more Rock Ed Radio. No more In The Raw. No more Stairway to Seven. No more forty-minute rockathon.

It was this time last year when NU 107 said his last goodbye.



Most of us who cared stayed with our friend during his last, dying hours. We had the chance to say our last goodbyes before his death at midnight.



One of our friend’s fathers, Chris “Cris Cruise” Hermosisima was the last one to speak to the microphone and utter the now famous last words of our friend.

“So let’s do this for the last time. It’s a minute before 12. NU107 is DWNU FM at 107 dot 5 megahertz in Pasig, once the loudest and proudest member of the KBP. This has been NU107, the Philippines’ one and only Home of NU Rock. This is NU107. We are signing off.”

And after those words, “Ang Huling El Bimbo” by the Eraserheads was played for the last time, signalling the death of an institution, an end of an era.

Outside the station, hundreds of fans were gathered, candles in their hands, mourning the death of a friend. And I am sure that thousand others, including me, were tuned in on radio and the live stream on the internet to send the station off.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6ySBzfrsWk]


So long NU 107! You have played an important part in building the music scene in this country. You have helped the music of the aspiring musicians to be heard. You have served us well.

RIP Home of Nu Rock. Return if Possible. And on the same frequency please.

Because it still a pain in my ear to hear a hypnotic Win Radio! Win Radio! Win Radio! on the 107.5 MHZ frequency.

My Friend's Last, Dying Hours

‘Boring’ can be spelled as N-A-R-V-A-E-Z

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="Philippine boxer Nonito Donaire connects with a left to Omar Narvaez of Argentina in the WBC, WBO World Bantamweight Titles bout at Madison Square Garden in New York on October 22, 2011. CHRIS TROTMAN/AFP"][/caption]

 

If there is one thing I love about Filipino boxing aside from Filipino heavyweights Pacquiao, Elorde, Velasco, Donaire, and other world-class fighters, it would be the viewers, the ordinary Juan.

An ordinary Juan watching the fight on his humble TV set can turn into an instant boxing analyst. After each fight, one can easily discuss how the fight went through or what a fighter should have done to knock the enemy out. An ordinary Juan does not need to be a Ronnie Nathanielsz, Ed Tolentino, Dyan Castillejo, or a Chino Trinidad to give a well-delivered analysis on the fight. Being a boxing aficionado nation, we are expert on that.

But one does not need to be a huge boxing fan to conclude yesterday’s much-anticipated Donaire-Narvaez fight is nothing but a boring show.

It was so boring I just decided to watch the fight of our Cebuano fighters televised on the rival network. And they proved to be more exciting and action-filled compared to this well-promoted match. So much for the hype.

Donaire is dubbed as an heir-apparent to Manny Pacquiao (though Bob Arum refuted that). Narvaez has a clean record and is undefeated. So I thought it will be an interesting punch fest.

But the challenger Omar Narvaez did a Joshua Clottey by just keeping his defensive stance and throwing an average 24 punches per round (An average bantamweight fighter throws 60 punches per round, according to ESPN’s Michael Woods) much to the disappointment of the Filipino Flash.

And the thousands of boxing fans who watched the fight at the Madison Square Gardenin New York. The crowd went wild in frustration and shouted “This is bullshit! This is bullshit!” and some of them left the theater even after the winner was declared.

Ryan Songolia of the Boxing Writers Asscoiation of America said that Donaire must have felt the pressure to perform an impressive fight having a good record of knockouts from his previous fight. On the other hand, Narvaez came only to survive and knowing that the Filipino Flash may knock him out.

But as in all boxing matches, win or lose, you still have the purse. And Narvaez may have survived the wrath of Donaire but the latter has stained his clean record. And we must still celebrate the victory of our Kababayan. this is another honor for our country.

Congratulations Nonito! See you on your next fight!

And I hope the upcoming Pacquiao-Marquez fight will be a good one and not just for “survival for the purse”.

Mabuhay ang mga Pilipinong boksingero!

Read more here:

• Donaire wins via unanimous decision versus Narvaez.


• Donaire apologizes to boxing fans after victory


• It was the fight with Clottey all over again

One Month to Two Years

Today, October 23, 2011, is the 23rd month of the infamous Ampatuan Massacre.

Most of us may have forgotten this horrible event in our history. This issue may have been overshadowed by the recent issues in our country and abroad like the deaths of Steve Jobs and Muammar Gadaffi, the proposed Hollywood-like sign on Taal Volcano, and our ambushed soldiers in Basilan and Zamboanga Sibugay (and the apparent lack of balls of our President to respond on the situation).

But by letting this event just pass us by our consciousness, we seem to be condoning the perpetrators of this crime. Or depriving justice to the victims and their families. Or allowing the culture of impunity in our country.

He who does not punish evil commands it to be done.

Justice for the victims of the Ampatuan Massacre. Never forget. Never again.

Photo courtesy of chili-icecream.deviantart.com

Henyo

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="372" caption="Pinoy Henyo"][/caption]

Kung may isa mang salita akong gagamitin upang ilarawan ang isa sa aking mga idolo at tinitingalang tao sa industriya, iyan na siguro iyon. Wala na sigurong mas akma pang salita upang ilarawan ko si Joey de Leon.

Bata pa lang ako, tuwang-tuwa na ako kapag nanonood ng mga programa ni Joey de Leon. Ibang klase ang kanyang istilo ng pagpapatawa. May pinaghuhugutan. May talino. Isa nga kasing henyo.

Hanggang ngayon, sinusubaybayan ko pa rin ang mga palabas ni Sir Joey sa telebisyon. Pauloy pa rin akong nagbabasa ng kanyang lingguhang artikulo saPhilippine Star. Patuloy pa ring pinapakinggan ang mga awiting kanyang nilikha. At hangga’t patuloy na ibinabahagi ni Sir Joey ang kanyang talento, hindi ako magsasawang sumubaybay sa kanya.

Wala akong pakialam kung hindi mo siya gusto. Wala akong pakialam kung sa tingin mo ay mas magaling si Willie Revillame sa kanya (pero mukhang “peace be with you” na sila dahil magksama na sila sa Kapatid Network). Wala akong pakialam kung hindi ka natatawa sa kanyang mga birada. Wala akong pakialam kung kinasusuklaman mo siya. May kalayaan kang pumili katulad ng kalayaan kong tingalain at hangaan ang isang Joey de Leon.

Maraming salamat Sir Joey sa ilang taong pagpapaligaya. Nawa ay ipagpatuloy mo ang pagbibigay sa amin ng saya. Mananatili akong tagahanga. Maligayang kaarawan! Padayon!

Remembering Given Grace Cebanico

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="Earlier this afternoon at UPLB Carabao Park, a few minutes after the indignation rally for Given Grace Cebanico."][/caption]

 

I was on my way to my sister’s school (also inside the UPLB campus) to pay her tuition when I decided to stop by for a few minutes at the park where an indignation rally for Given Grace is being held.

I am neither a student nor an alumnus of the university but being a resident of Los Baños (plus the fact that the abduction of the victim happened in our Barangay), I joined the community in condemning this horrible event.

Gone are the days when Los Baños used to be a safe, quiet, and peaceful town. I hope that this event will never happen again.

To my fellow eLBizens, stay safe and be vigilant.

Read more here:

• Security guard na suspect sa pagpatay kay Given Grace, nahuli sa Pampanga.


• 2 suspects in killing UPLB student fall - police


• UPLB holds indignation rally for murdered student

Vindication for Christopher Lao

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgTVcvc4z6I]


Last August, Christopher Lao became an infamous internet sensation and a victim of taunts and satires by social media users when he drove his car directly into a flooded street causing it to drift in the flood. When interviewed by GMA News Reporter Jun Veneracion, who happened to be shooting within the vicinity, he told the latter the now-famous line “I should have been informed”, saying that signs should be put in the area.

In today’s social media age when information can spread faster than before, one’s mistakes or boo-boos can easily be exaggerated and then taunted and ridiculed afterwards. And Mister Lao was one of its victims.

But now, Christopher Lao is back, still with a flooded car, but starring in a commercial for BPI.

Lao plays himself repeating the same words, including the now-famous quote, “I should have been informed,” that he uttered to GMA reporter Jun Veneracion, who is played by an actor in the commercial for BPI.

“This is my way of saying yes to life,” Lao told GMA News. “Some good finally came out of this crisis. It became an opportunity. I can now pay for the tuition of my daughter.”

Lao is currently studying for the bar exam next month, but took time off to shoot the commercial last weekend.

The commercial ends with the graphic, “Nature doesn’t inform you.” BPI used Lao to pitch its auto loans that come with one year free insurance covering acts of nature. The ad is expected to air in cinemas as well as on BPI’s YouTube channel.

Karma is not always a bitch. And Christpher Lao is the perfect example that one can use his down moments in life to rise up again and make something wonderful out of it.

Christopher Lao is back! Who’s laughing now?

Elsewhere:

• Read the whole story on GMANews.TV. Yes, especially you who Laughed Out LAOd (pun intended) last August.


• Christopher Lao is on Twitter. And his description says The genuine I should have been informed driver. Cool guy.

"Noynoying"

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="Nine days after the onslaught of Typhoons “Pedring” and “Quiel,” President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday finally saw for himself flood-devastated areas in three provinces."][/caption]

We live in the age of internet and social media. This is the age when new words and terms spread faster than a new strain of flu and memes are as ordinary as the everyday traffic situation at EDSA.

We’ve seen a lot. From the way jejemons type their messages to the new poses such as planking, owling, batmaning, and bakling. And now, inspired by our President’s alleged management style, there’s a new term that is about to spread (if successful) in the internet.

Noynoying.

I was drunk browsing cyber stuff last night when I came across a screen cap of a Facebook conversation supposedly coming from Overheard at UP Facebook page. According to it, noynoying is defined as a term for that idle moment na walang ginagawa pero dapat ay mayroon na.

For example, Dapat nagre-review pero noynoying muna.

Procrastination has a new name. And it was inspired by our President.

Critics have been accusing Aquino of being lax on his duty as President and having poor management skills. Recently, the Opposition slammed Aquino for not being present during the onslaught of Typhoons Pedring and Quiel.

This is not the first time that Aquino was criticized for not being present during the time of crisis. During the height of the Quirino Grandstand hostage crisis, the President was also criticized for not being present at the situation. During the height of the tragedy.

If that would always be the case, we should have picked a superhero instead as our leader. Like Bayani Fernando.

Is Noynoy Aquino really lax or not? Are you satisfied with the way the Administration deal with tragedies and calamities? (Okay, this sounds like a Teevee Patrol text poll).

Maybe. But I believe that one is immortalized when his name is used as an adjective. And a verb. Like Noynoying. Or numo-Noynoy.

Keep calm. And stop noynoying.

Be productive Pilipinas! Padayon!

Other related reads:

• Why Aquino didn’t visit flood victims sooner Read the Administration’s ‘defense’ here. It’s kinda convincing. Sort of.


• Christmas in jail for Arroyos seen Sa wakas! Mailalagay na sa kalaboso ang mga mandurugas! Merry Christmas Pilipinas! (I love the the way words rhyme.)

Francis Magalona, Filipino

I first met Francis when I was about four years old. My kuya, an artist, was busy then painting a portrait of Francis Magalona in a one-eighth illustration board at our old kubo. The face was familiar. He’s the man behind the infectious patriotic song Mga Kababayan Ko. And I have watched him on the movie Mama’s Boys with Ogie Alcasid, Michael V., and Anjo Yllana.

I saw Francis as a revolutionary young face that will achieve great heights. He challenged the conventional music style of his age. His music paved way for the unification of the then-opposing sides of Pinoy hip-hop and rock by experimenting on the merging of rap with rock music. After all, music is the language that should unite us, not divide us.

But more importantly, I saw Francis as a young man, whose heart is united with his beloved land. He redefined patriotism. He made it easier for the youth of this generation to appreciate and understand. And he showed us how great a race and nation we are.

Pride. Identity. Meaning. Perhaps, he saw that before we can shout to the world that we love our country, we must first know what it really means to be a Filipino.

I saw Mga Kababayan Ko then as an anthem which promotes Pinoy pride and identity along with the songs Ako’y Isang Pinoy by Florante and Tayo’y mga Pinoy by Heber Bartolome (and later recorded and reinvented by the Man from Manila himself). These three songs, together with our regular Monday school anthem Ako ay Pilipino, were my first inspirations to love my country, to appreciate my Pinoy identity, and to be proud of my ancestry. And this was long before Pinoy Ako by Orange and Lemons.

But he was gone too soon. Had he not died on that fateful Friday noon of March 6, 2009, he may have personally done greater things for our country and to our countrymen.

But as in all war and tragedy, life continues. He may have gone too soon but his spirit, music, and legacy still continue. Thanks to her wife Pia and the rest of the Magalonas, the Francis Magalona Foundation was born.

The Francis Magalona Foundation was established to realize in each Filipino a true sense of Filipino pride, personal integrity and a commitment to positive change through awareness campaigns and personal development and skills building programs. Its tagline, Finding a Meaning in every Filipino, is an invitation to every Filipino to ask themselves the significance of their identities as a Filipino. How is it to be a Filipino? How do I promote my pride and identity to the whole world?

He may have gone at a young age but what is more important is that he had lived his life with meaning. He has influenced a whole generation. He has inspired many with his music. And with that, he is already immortal.

On his 47th Birthday, let us remember The Man from Manila who have inspired many by his great music, who have been a good father to his children, who have been a good husband to his wife, and who have been a modern example of Filipino Patriotism.

You may have gone Francis but your legacy of music and patriotism will remain in our minds and hearts forever.

Maligayang kaarawan at maraming salamat Kiko!

Kickass photo courtesy of scarypet.deviantart.com

"Perfect Breasts"

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RH1AV635tns&w=420&h=315]

Call me a loser but I have only watched this video just now. Had I not lurked at TV-5’s Interaksyonwebsite, I would have not discovered this hilarious TV commercial of the self-proclaimed pambansang litsong manok Andok’s (of course, Mang Inasal, Sr. Pedro, Baliwag and my favorite Chooks to Go would contest the title but let’s just leave them with their delicious competition).

While the verdict is still out whether or not Andok’s latest series of commercials would rev up its sales (which was so quickly overshadowed by the juggernaut that is ‘Mang Inasal’), what is certain is that these are some of the funniest (and wittiest) in recent memory.

Part indie, part flight of fancy, Andok’s “Perfect Breast” two-minute commercial is a sleeper hit online and probably the breast, este, the best in the trilogy of chicken commercials. Check out how the hero’s addiction with breast has turned his life upside down. This is certainly one breast exposure we can’t get enough of.

The two other chicken commercials, Wings and Palong are both equally funny but this stood out among the three. It’s funny. It’s catchy. And it’s creepy.

I will never look at Andok’s chicken the same way again.

Putik

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpO_EAA35Ws]

 

Ang awiting ito ay iniaalay sa mga naging biktima ng pananalasa ng Bagyong Ondoy. Maraming salamat Raimund Marasigan at Sandwich sa pagkatha nito.

 Sa ibabaw ng bubong Nakita kong nagunaw ang mundo

Pumasok sa pinto ng hindi inimbita (putik) Nilamon ang lamesa, tv, radyo at sofa (putik) Alaala sa mga larawan (putik) Naglaho nang hindi nagpapaalam (putik) Umakyat sa hagdan at sinakop ang silid (putik) Kinain ang kama, tukador, kabinet, sahig (putik) Ubos ang mga sapatos at damit (putik) Libro, kompyuter, cd, gitarang di maipagpapalit

Sa ibabaw ng bubong Nakita kong nagunaw ang mundo

Sa labas rumaragasang ilog ang kalsada (putik) Inanod ang palengke at lahat ng paninda (putik) Nagpatong-patongg trak, jepney at kotse (putik) Buong bayan nagkulay tsokolate (putik) Pagpalain ang mga nakaisip mangsagip Inalay ang sarili at lumusob sa panganib Buti na lang naiakyat si lola Ngunit di kasing palad ang kapitbahay niya

Sa ibabaw ng bubong Nakita kong nagunaw ang mundo Sa ibabaw ng bubong Nakita kong nagunaw ang mundo

Nagunaw ang mundo

Isa sa mga hindi makakalimutang tahedya ng kasalukuyang henerasyon ay ang pananalasa ng Bagyong Ondoy. Maraming nasalanta. Mayaman man o mahirap, dukha man o  burgis, may sinasabi sa buhay man o karraniwang tao. Walang pinatawad.



Sinasabing kasalanan din naman ng tao kung bakit lumala ng ganoon ang sitwasyon. Nagsisisihan. Nagtuturuan. At may isang Kakandidato sa Pagkapangalawang Pangulo ang umako ng responsibilidad (Clue: Si Pink Ranger ang alter ego niya.)

Pero higit sa lahat, mas hinangaan ko ang mga Kababayan kong nagtulungan at nagdamayan pagkatapos ng trahedya. Mula sa mga rescue workers, mga kapwa nasalanta ng Bagyo, hanggang sa mga volunteers na nagre-repack ng relief goods.

Nagunaw man ang mundo. Alam kong babangon pa rin tayo. Ngunit sana ay may mga aral tayong natutunan upang kung hindi man maulit muli, tayo ay maging handa. Padayon!

P.S. Kasalukuyang nananalasa si Pedring. Ang ganda din naman ng timing ano? Eksakto sa second anniversary ni Ondoy. Mag-iingat tayong lahat! At huwag sana muling magunaw ang mundo.

Photo courtesy of jaypeeonline.net

Ano ang "Kuwentong Ondoy" Mo?

September 26, 2009

“Sa ibabaw ng bubong, nakita kong nagunaw ang mundo..” – Putik, Sandwich

Sabado noon. Walang pasok. At dahil malamig ang panahon dala ng bagyo, pinili kong “mag-extend” ng tulog. “Lilipas din ang bagyong ‘yan”, sabi ko sa sarili ko. At hindi naman siya categorized as a super typhoon ayon na rin sa PAGASA.

Wala pa tayong alam noon na kung anong inihina ng hangin, ganoon namang kadami ang ulan na dala nito. Hindi natin yun alam. Wala daw kasi tayong Doppler Radar.

Maagang umalis noon ang tatay ko dahil may meeting siya sa Calamba City. Ang aking kapatid na sumunod sa akin ay nasa Seminaryo. Kaya’t kaming tatlo lamang ng Nanay at ng bunso kong kapatid na babae ang natira sa bahay.

Nang bumangon ako para mag-almusal, binuksan ko ang TV para manood ng mga pambatang palabas sa umaga ng Sabado. Sa halip, ang ang aking nakita ay ang mga Flash Reports at News Updates tungkol sa ilang mga lugar sa Kamaynilaan na binabaha.

“Normal lang yan”, sabi ko sa sarili ko. Ano pa ba ang bago sa Maynila? Ano pa ba ang bago sa mga kalapit na lunsod? Umihi lang ang isang dosenang lasing, babaha na. Hindi ko masyadong pinagtuunan ng pansin ang mga balita. Bumalik na lang ako sa kuwarto para mag-sound trip habang ninanamnam ang malamig na panahon dala ng bagyo.

Dumating ang tanghalian. Kumain kaming mag-iina. Hindi pa naman nawawalan ng kuryente kaya’t binuksan ko ang telebisyon para manood ng paborito kong Eat Bulaga. Maganda ang production number sa simula ng programa. At as usual, pagkatapos ay may patalastas. Pero napansin kong medyo mahaba yata kumpara sa karaniwan ang naging patalastas ng programa. At ng bumalik sa ere ang Eat Bulaga, ipinalabas ang episode noong nakaraang Sabado tungkol sa pagpaparangal sa “Fantastic 4” ng namayapang Pangulong Cory Aquino.

Inilipat ko ang telebisyon sa kabilang istasyon para manood ng Wowowee. Kataka-takang wala si Willie “Papi” Revillame. Nandoon lamang ang kanyang mga co-hosts. Nalaman ko na lamang pagkatapos na stranded sa kalsada si Willie dahil sa matinding pagbaha.

Walang regular na programming sa telebisyon. Ang Startalk, imbes na puro chismis lang ang mga balita, ay naging seryosong balita na rin tungkol sa mga (artista at) mga kababayan nating sinasalanta ng bagyo. At nang mag-hapon pa ay sunod-sunod na ang mga balitang pumapasok tungkol sa pananalasa ng bagyong Ondoy.



Photo Source

Lubog ang Marikina. Lubog ang Sumulong highway paakyat ng Antipolo. Kahit mga subdivision at village ng mga burgis ay hindi pinatawad. Libo-libo ang stranded at sumilong sa mga LRT stations. Nasa bubong si Cristine Reyes. Na-trap ang mag-inang Jenica at Jean Garcia. At libo-libong Pilipino ang nakikipagpatintero kay kamatayan.

Agad kong tinext ang Tatay ko na noon ay nasa Calamba. Hindi nag-reply. Dapat ay hanggang tanghali lang ang meeting niya doon. At eksakto lang ang perang dala niya para sa pamasahe. Nag-aalala kasi kami na baka hindi siya makauwi. Sa Bucal at Pansol kasi sa Calamba, magbawas lang ng tubig ang isang resort, bumabaha na.

Nang mabalitaan kong lubog na ang halos buong Metro Manila, agad kong kinumusta ang aking mga kakilala at kaibigan. Tinext ko ang aking mga pinsan sa Quezon City. Okay naman daw sila kahit bumabaha. Safe pa rin dahil apat na palapag ang kanilang bahay (lupet!). Tinext ang aking kaibigan sa Fairview, okay naman daw sila pero nabigla daw siya dahil ngayon lang binaha ang kanilang lugar ng ganoong kataas.

Noong mga panahong iyon, nagtatrabaho ako sa Lipid Research Unit sa Philippine General Hospital sa Taft Avenue at madami sa aking mga kasamahan (na karamihan ay mga Nurse), ay mga taga-Metro Manila. Ang isa ay taga-Marikina. Tinext ko din siya at tinanong ang kanilang kalagayan. Medyo may katagalan bago siya nag-reply ngunit mabuti na lang at ayos naman siya at ang kanyang Pamilya. Ang isa ay na-stranded sa kanyang boarding hose sa may Leon Guinto. Ang isa ay na-trap sa second floor ng kanilang bahay at doon na lang daw sila nagluluto at kumakain.

Sumapit na ang dilim. Hindi pa din dumadating ang Tatay ko. Wala kasing makadaang jeep sa may highway dala na din ng baha sa may Pansol at Bucal. Ang isa niyang option para makauwi ay ang pumunta ng Tanauan at doon ay sumakay ng biyaheng San Pablo at saka sumakay ng pabalik dito sa Los Baños (Samakatuwid, iikot siya sa kabilang parte ng Mt. Makiling). Pero dahil eksakto nga lang ang pera niyang dala, hinintay niya na lang na medyo humupa ang baha. Masuwerte naman na may bus na dumaan na biyaheng Santa Cruz kaya’t kahitstanding ovation at siksikan, sumakay na din siya. At dahil siksikan, hindi maiiwasang may mga mananamantala. Kuwento ng Tatay ko na meron daw mga kababaihang sumisigaw na hinihipuan sila. Wasak.

Nakauwi ang Tatay ko ng bandang alas-diyes ng gabi. Hindi pa nanananghalian. Hindi pa naghahapunan. Pero nagpapasalamat pa rin kami na nakauwi siya nang maayos.

Masuwerte pa rin kami dahil hindi kami masyadong naapektuhan dito sa Los Baños. Dalangin ko na lang noon na sana ay walang masyadong mapahamak at nawa ay gabayan sila ng Maykapal.


Photo Source

Binuksan ko ulit ang telebisyon at muling nakibalita. Nagmistulang water world ang mga lugar na binaha. Alam kong simula pa lang ito ng kalbaryo ng mga taong nasalanta. Sa paghupa ng baha ay ang putik na babalot sa kanilang mga ipinundar na ari-arian. Pero alam kong matapang ang mga Kababayan ko, magtutulungan at magdadamayan, at hindi basta-bastang susuko.

Ikaw? Ano ang kuwentong Ondoy mo?

_________

Dalawang taon na ang nakakalipas simula ng hagupitin tayo ng bastardong anak ni Inang Kalikasan. Pero ano na nga ba ang nangyari? May natutunan na ba tayo?

Base sa napapansin ko, medyo natuto na ang mga Noypi na maghanda sa sakuna. Alam na natin ngayon na walang pinipili ang bagyo - mayaman o mahirap, burgis o dukha, Panginoong may lupa o hampaslupa. Wala. Olats lahat kapag dumating na ang sakuna.

Simula nang mangyari ang Ondoy, natuto na tayo ng emergency evacuation plans, paghahanda ng mga pagkain, pagtatago ng mga mahahalagang dokumento at gamit, at pagba-backstroke at breast stroke kung sakali mang bumaha muli.

Pero ano na ang nangyari sa mga pinagmumulan o sanhi ng baha? Hayun, barado pa rin. Isang malaking septic tank pa rin ang ating mga estero at ilog. Dumpsite pa rin ang mga kanal at flood ways. Na kahit walang bagyo, na kahit thunderstorm, habagat, o pagluha lang ng mga tao sa pagtatapos ng 100 Days to Heaven, bumabaha na.

Oo nga't handa tayo sa pagbaha, pero yung mismong sanhi ng pagbaha, hindi pa rin nasosolusyunan. Kaya kapag dumating na naman ang mala-Ondoy na bagyo, sabay-sabay na namang makikipag-water polo kay kamatayan ang ating mga kababayan.

At mapapakamot na naman si Architect Jun Palafox dahil hindi pa rin pinakinggan ang paulit-ulit niyang rekomendasyon tungkol sa urban planning ng Kalakhang Maynila.

Kung tutuusin, madali lang naman ang solusyon. Iyong simpleng natutunan natin sa GMRC noong Elementarya na pagtatapon ng basura sa tamang tapunan; iyong natutunan natin sa Agham na pagbubukod ng biodegradable at non-biodegradable; at iyong simpleng nababasa natin sa mga signage na ginawa ng ating mga butihing SK Federation na Tapat Mo, Linis Ko, makakapagsalba na ng buhay natin.

Ondoy. Naging synonym na niya ang delubyo, matinding pagbaha, at sakuna. Maaaring mas naging handa nga tayo ngayon sa sakuna pero kung iyong mismong sakuna - na puwede namang maiwasan (o mabawasan ang pinsala) - ay wala pa rin tayong ginagawang aksyon, dadating ulit ang panahon, huwag naman sana, na magkakaroon ulit tayo ng isa pang bagyo na baka mas mabagsik pa sa iniwanan ni Ondoy.

Pero kung ano man, alam kong magtutulungan pa rin ang aking mga Kababayan at mabubuhay muli ang espirito ng Bayanihan. Sabay-sabay mulit tayong babangon. Padayon!

Nevermind at Twenty

Today, September 24, marks the 20th anniversary of the releasing of the seminal and revolutionary album Nevermind by Nirvana. This album, which ousted Michael Jackson's Dangerous on the top of the Billboard charts, not only popularized the Seattle grunge movement but also brought alternative rock is a whole into the mainstream.



This album started it all during the time when the airwaves and the charts were dominated by the elite popular music. This also became the soundtrack of a whole generation of music fans in their twenties, a sound of revolt, and an uprising of the whole generation of young men and women who wanted to get out and express themselves. To quote Michael Azerad, author of the book Come as You Are: The Story of Nirvana, "Nevermind came along at exactly the right time. This was music by, for, and about a whole new group of young people who had been overlooked, ignored, or condescended to."

The album was so influential, it is still considered today as the album that changed the course of music history. It is also listed at number 17 by the prestigious Rolling Stones Magazine as one of the 500 Greatest Albums of all time.

If you know your local music history, then you probably know that our very own Eraserheads emerged and became popular in the mainstream during the height of the grunge revolution in the US. And I think that both bands came out just in time of the cultural and youth revolution for both countries during the nineties.

I was two years old when this album was released so obviously, I was not able toexperience the grunge revolution of the early nineties. But during the advent of mymusical exploration, I think I was about six years old then, this particular song was carved into my memory as one of the best songs to scream your lungs out, to jump, and to grohl (pun intended) until your throat wears out:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTWKbfoikeg]

And I was not wrong. Today, I still sing/scream this song on the videoke whenever I am wasted and drunk. In fact, this is my favorite may-amats-na-ako-pare song. No, not Sinatra's My Way. The song's fatal in this country.

In celebration of Nevermind's 20th year, I searched the internet for interesting finds about Nevermind and Nirvana. Here are some of them:

• SPIN magazine is offering a FREE ALBUM to download. It is a tribute album to Nirvana's Nevermind by some of today's favorite contemporary artists. You will surely love this.


• The famous swimming baby on the album's cover is Spencer Elden.do you want to know how he looks like now? He recreated the classic Nevermind cover image. This time, with shorts.


• They are releasing a 20th anniversary edition limited edition box set. You gonna love this. It's drool-worthy.

It has been twenty years since the album was released. It has been 17 years since Kurt Cobain died. The group may have disbanded but their music is still alive in the hearts and minds of fans. And Nevermind is still a revolutionary album inspiring millions.

Can today's music heroes beat that? I don't think so.

That is influence for you.

Losing my Religion

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwtdhWltSIg]

Today is the day when I lost one of my religions.

Music. Great music.

This song was one of the first songs that I learned to play in the guitar (Though I have to confess that Eraserheads’ Ang Huling El Bimbo and Extreme’s More than Words fueled my passion to play the instrument). With its simple Am-Em-Dm-G chords on its verse, I felt the Peter Buck and Michael Strap within me, singing my lungs out without understanding, young as I was then, the true meaning of the song.

The song was catchy and easy to play in the guitar. And that was what mattered to the six-year old me.

As I grow older, and thanks to the advent of modern technology and my sleepless nights with my trusty transistor, I learned more from this band.

And it broke my heart when I learned that they have disbanded. Or retired, if that would be the proper word to describe it.

After 31 years in the business and 15 albums, R.E.M., the Southern rock band hailing from Athens, Ga., announced Wednesday morning on its website that it is calling it quits. In a brief statement, the band writes:

“As R.E.M., and as lifelong friends and co-conspirators, we have decided to call it a day as a band. We walk away with a great sense of gratitude, of finality, and of astonishment at all we have accomplished. To anyone who ever felt touched by our music, our deepest thanks for listening.”

As I read through some of the online articles from different news agencies about the band’s breakup, there is a rumor that an alleged label politics influenced the band’s decision. Yeah, that same corporate bullshit that hinders the artist’s freedom and destroys the careers of hundreds of great artists and musicians.

Let’s just keep politics out of music, shall we?

Thank you for the music. Thank you for the inspiration to pick up my guitar. Thanks for the memories.

Today is the end of the world as we know it. I have played great music with the man on the moon after losing my religion. Good night, the sidewinder sleeps tonite. So long, R.E.M.!

(Read more from the Los Angeles Times)

Batas Militar: Mga Kuwentong may Kuwenta

"As of the 21st of this month, I signed proclamation number 1081 placing the entire Philippines under Martial Law.."




1972 noon. Iyan ang mga katagang binitawan ni Apo sa pagde-deklara ng Batas Militar. Hindi pa ako buhay noon. Hindi pa magkakilala ang mga magulang ko at hindi pa nila ako ginagawa noon. Tanging mga kuwento lang ng aking mga guro, tatay, at ilang mga miron sa kanto ang "karanasan" ko sa Martial Law.

__________

Una akong namulat sa mga kuwento noong ako ay Grade 3. High School noon ang ate ko. At gumagawa siya ng report para sa kanyang project sa History tungkol sa Martial Law. Kailangan niyang kapanayamin ang mga taong may karanasan sa Martial Law.

Ang natatandaan kong kuwento ay ang karanasan ng aming kapitbahay na isang guro. Buntis daw siya noon at nandito sa may crossing sa may Junction (Los Baños). Sapilitan daw pinadapa ang lahat ng mga sundalo ang lahat ng mga nandoon sa Petron (Jollibee na ngayon) para arestuhin ang mga nagpo-protesta. Pero dahil siya daw ay buntis, pinakawalan daw siya ng mga sundalo.

_________

Medyo "light" naman ang kuwento ng Tatay at ng Lolo ko. Hindi naman daw nila masyadong ramdam ang presensya ng mga sundalo. Ang pinagkaiba lang, ang mga curfew na ipinapatupad noon.

Kung nabuhay siguro ako noong mga panahong iyon, malamang, ilang beses na akong inaresto ng mga PC at ng mga sundalo. Pero punyeta, mambabasag muna ako ng bote ng beer sa ulo ng isa sa kanila bago nila ako maaresto.

__________

Isa pang medyo nakakatuwang kuwento na narinig ko ay tungkol kay Ariel Ureta, isang artista at TV host noong mga panahong iyon.

Medy binaboy (teka, 'biniro' na lang, baka magalit sa akin ang mga baboy) daw ni Ureta ang  Bagong Lipunan na inilunsad ni Macoy at Imelda. Iyong "Sa ikauunlad ng bayan, dissplina ang kailangan", naging "Sa ikauunlad ng bayan! Bisikleta ang kailangan!". Kaya hayun, pinag-bisikleta daw si mokong sa Camp Crame hanggang sa lumaylay ang dila.

Alam kong medyo pamilyar ka sa mga linyang iyan dahil isa yan sa mga awitin ng Radioactive Sago Project na ang bokalista at ang Propeta ng makabagong panahon at idol ng mga kids, si Lourd Ernest Hanopol-De Veyra.

__________

Ilan lamang iyon sa mga natatandaan ko noong bata ako. Hindi ko naman kasi binigyan noon ng importansya dahil may sarili akong project na inaatupag. At sa tingin ko noon, ang martial law ay "usapin lamang ng matatanda."

Namulat na lang ako sa ibang mga kuwento nang ako ay tumungtong sa High School at sa Kolehiyo. Nakapanood ako ng mga dokumentaryo at nakapakinig ng iba pang morbid na mga kuwento. At napanood ang pelikulang "Dekada 70" - halaw sa nobela ni Lualhati Bautista.

Pero ang isang hinding-hindi ko makakalimutang kuwento ay kung paanong ang isang kakilala ay naging biktima ng torture noong Batas Militas. Isang bakal (o rod) na hinango sa nagbabagang uling ang pilit umanong ipinasok sa butas ng kanyang ari (o siya, titi na). Halos mamatay na daw siya sa sobrang sakit (Sino ba naman ang hindi?)

__________

Talumpu't siyam (39) na taon na ang nakakalipas mula nang ideklara ni Macoy ang Martial Law at dalwampu't limang (25) taon na mula nang ma-laser sword ang diktaturya ni Marcos. Pero ano na nga ba ang nangyari?

Bukod sa nalaman na natin sa wakas ang kinahinatnan ng magkakapatid na Armostrong, ng Camp Big Falcon, at ni Prince Zardos, ano na kaya ang nangyari sa libu-libong pinatay, pinahirapan, ginahasa, at nawala na parang bula noong panahon ng Batas Militar? Naibigay na ba sa kanila ang hustisya?

Ano na ang nagyari sa mga sapatos ni Iron Butterfly? Nasaan na ang mga diumano'y kinamkam na yaman ng kanilang pamilya? Totoo bang ayon kay Imelda ay naghihirap na ang kanilang pamilya ngayon? Totoo bang napatay si Bongbong Marcos sa Inglatera at ang Bongbong na nakikita natin ngayon ay inampon na lamang bilang kapalit niya?

Naging magkarelasyon ba talaga si Muammar Gadaffi at Imelda? Ewan. Pero ang alam ko, kinikilabutan ako sa sex tape ni Macoy at Dovie Beams habang pinapatugtog ang Pamulinawen (Panis ang Careless Whisper!).

May katotohanan ba ang mga lumulutang na conspiracy videos na magkasabuwat si Ninoy at Macoy? Mas mahusay nga bang Pangulo si Macoy kumpara sa lahat nang pinagsamang iba pang mga naging Pangulo ng ating bansa? Exaggerated nga lang ba ang banta ng Komunismo at ng mga rebeldeng Muslim? Si Mcoy nga ba ang may pakana ng mga pagsabog sa Plaza Miranda at iba pang bahagi ng Maynila?

Madami pang mga katanungan. Pero iisa lang ang sigurado ako. Umamin si Manong Johnny na peke lang ang assassination attempt sa kanya noon.

At Senador pa din siya ngayon. Meynteyn!

__________

E ano naman ngayon kung nagkaroon ng Martial Law noon? Ano naman ang pakialam natin doon? Tapos na iyon. Move on, let go.

Gago!

May mga bagay sa nakaraan na naghuhulma kung ano ang meron sa kasalukuyan. May mga bagay sa nakaraan na siyang nagbibigay sa atin ng mga aral sa kasalukuyan upang ito ay hindi na maulit muli.

Masuwerte tayong mga namuhay sa kasalukuyang henerasyon. Walang curfew. Walang nagre-renda. Walang diktador. Malaya kang mag-Tumblr. Malaya kang mag-inom sa mga bar. Malaya kang mag-drive ng lasing hanggang sa mabangga ka sa barikada ng MMDA.

Kalayaan.

Pero isa din yan sa inaabuso ng karamihan.

Kaya nagkakagulo.

Kaya may karahasan.

Ayoko ng mag-sermon. Ang mahalaga ay ating gunitain ang araw na ito at manalangin na sana ay makamit na ng mga biktima ng pang-aabuso sa ilalim ng Batas Militar ay makamit na ang hustisyang ilang dekada ng inaasam.

At sana ay huwag ng maulit muli.

Amen.

1. Ang larawan sa itaas ay nagmula sa GMAnews.tv
2. Para sa iba pang kuwento tungkol sa Batas Militar, maaaring panoorin ninyo ang dokumentaryong "Batas Militar" sa link na ito. At sa mga estudyante, panoorin niyo yan. Para hindi na kayo magtanong ng assignment.

"Muli"

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1l1vNQM_EMA]

Eight months ago, I lamented Ebe Dancel’s departure on Sugarfree. His tweet came both as a surprise and a puzzle to all the Sugarfree fans. During that time, it was still uncertain if the band would still continue with its remaining members Jal Taguibao and Kaka Quisumbing or if Ebe Dancel would pursue a solo career.

Sugarfree is one of my favorite bands. They were with me during my struggling years as a student. Their songs were my theme songs of living, heartbreaks, and growing up. Their breakup would be like a loss of something special to me.

Fast forward to March 1, 2011, at the Eastwood Central Plaza, they finally bid us goodbye on their Paalam Pilipinas concert. That was the end of an era and at the same time, a beginning of something new for music fans.

Last August 1, five months after Sugarfree’s farewell concert, Ebe Dancel released Dalawang Mukha ng Pag-ibig, his debut album as a solo artist. For a limited period of time, the album is available on a 2-CD release.



The album’s carrier single is Muli. Personally, I love the music video’s catchy Source Code-ish concept and the lovely and beautiful leading lady. I don’t know if I am being subjective but I think Ebe’s latest single (together with his songIkaw ang Aking Tahanan on the Rock Rizal compilation) is different from other Sugarfree songs he made with Kaka, Mitch, and Jal. I have yet to listen to his album (Blame my personal financial crisis. And I don’t want to freakin’ illegally download the album.) so I might be wrong.

And yes, I am encouraging you to buy the original, most especially the works of our local artists. We do not want to see them selling kuwek kuwek for a living because they got bankrupt because of piracy. Let us buy the original so they can create good music. It’s justice and mutualism for cryin’ out loud! So let’s do our part, shall we?

We may never see the trio perform together again but with Ebe Dancel’sressurection on the music scene, I am optimistic that Kaka and Jal will do the same. I have repeatedly preached in the past that the band is bigger than any of its member. Ebe Dancel may be the chief songwriter of the trio but I think Jal and Kaka are also equally talented as Ebe. Kaka and Jal created the less popular but equally good tracks such as Martir, Patawad, Get Over It, Where do we Go?, and Form Factor .

Ebe Dancel has released his debut album and has returned to the music industry. I am still patiently waiting for my other heroes Kaka Quisumbing and Jal Taguibao to do the same.

And, I know this may sound impossible, but I want to see Sugarfree perform together again. Who knows? The Eraserheads reunion is said to be too impossible to make but it happened, right?

Ang gusto ko lamang ay muling makita sina Ebe, Jal, Kaka, at Mitch na tumutugtog sa isang entablado.

Muli.

"Muli"

The Day that Changed the World

It was September 12, 2001, Wednesday, here in the Philippines.

I was 12 years old then, a freshman in high school at St. Francis de Sales Minor Seminary, Lipa City. It was 5:45 in the morning and we were on our way to the chapel for our daily morning prayers when we saw a copy of the Philippine Daily Inquirer on the doorsteps of our Priests’ common room. And on the front page, it read:

Terrorists hit U.S.

 

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="410" caption="I was lucky to find a September 11, 2001 front page image on the Inquirer archives."][/caption]

 

And on the front page, the picture of the World Trade Center being engulfed by flame and smoke. I remember one of my older brother then saying “Mali ang bansang kinalaban nila” (They fought the wrong country). We did not read the whole story for we have to attend to our usual schedule which is morning prayers/ lauds and meditation. And on the Holy Mass after our meditation, the officiating Priest, in his homily, relayed to us the sad story that shocked the whole world.

We do not have access on television in the minor seminary during weekdays so our teachers spent at least 15 minutes of our lecture time to tell us how 2 planes crashed at the World Trade Center and raze it to its foundation, on how some of the victims at the building jumped to their death in desperation, on how one of the plane crashed at The Pentagon, and on how one of the planes crashed somewhere in Shanksville, Pennsylvania near Pittsburgh.

I was only able to watch the video of the ill-fated Twin towers on the replays and features on the television when I got home on the last Friday of September 2001, our usual schedule of our monthly home visit.

I was 12 years old back then. I was a freshman in the High School Seminary. And young as I was back then, I grieved together with the whole world on that tragic day, and prayed for peace and for the bereaved families of the victims.

Today, the whole world commemorates the 10th year anniversary of the tragedy that struck America and the event that changed the world. In lieu of this, I have been watching 9/11-related clips from YouTube during my free time since last week. I have also re-watched, for the umpteenth time, United 93, a movie about the passengers of the fourth hijacked plane bound to Washington DC who fought the hijackers on board.

I have seen news clips from various news agencies and amateur footage of the second plane hitting the world trade center. I have also watched conspiracy flicks saying that World Trade Center is a controlled demolition; that a missile actually hit The Pentagon and not the 3rd plane; that United 93 was shot down by a fighter jet and not the popular account that her passengers were the ones who fought with the hijackers; and that the Unites Stated government was behind the September 11 attack to launch a war against Afghanistan and neighboring countries.

As much as the conspiracy videos are convincing and I am a big fan of stories of conspiracy, I did not dwell much on them nor immediately believe their supposedly hidden truth by the government. I just searched for other clips of stories of heroism (of the firefighters, policemen, ordinary civilians,and rescue workers) and resilience.

Watching GMA News TV one morning, I saw a promo of an upcoming Philippine premiere of the September 11 documentary The Day that Changed the World. It will be shown today, September 11, in commemoration of the tragedy’s 10th anniversary (back to back with another documentary, The Death of Osama Bin Laden).

I searched the web to find more information about the documentary. A blogger/ reviewer promised that if you are lost on choosing among 50 other September 11-related documentaries, then this will be the right and complete documentary for you. It is all bout the events of the day that changed the world, no more, no less.

I learned that it was already shown in the United States and a user has already uploaded it on YouTube. I was too lazy to watch the 6-part video on YouTube so being a torrent junkie that I am, I decided to, er, download it. I am also planning to save this for future consumption of the future generation.

The documentary did  not disappoint me. It showed the events and only the events on that fateful day. On how it started just like any other ordinary day in New York; on how two commercial airplanes hit the twin towers of World Trade Center; on how the third plane crashed into the Pentagon; on how the fourth plane crashed into Shanksville, Pennsylvania; on how New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani served as a hope for the Yankees; on how the aviation authority and the Air Force do their job to control the United States air space; on how Vice President Dick Cheney managed the situation in the White House bunker; and on how President George W. Bush was held inside the Air Force One for security reasons.

The documentary also shows accounts by the White House personnel, the media men who were with President Bush during that day, and some of the persons involved on the rescue, search, and retrieval during and after the incident. The only part of the documentary where I had a hard time watching was about the helpless individuals who, in desperation, jumped off to their death from the World Trade Center. They are now more popularly known as jumpers. The sound of the bodies hitting the ground is just so weakening.

All in all, the documentary was true to its title. It just about that tragic day, September 11, 2001, from morning until midnight. No conspiracies. No other agenda. It is just about the tragedy and the heroes who emerge from it. Considering that I had no access on news and television ten years ago when this tragedy happened, some of the parts and details were a surprise to me.

Today, we commemorate the 10th year of the tragic day that changed the course of history. The day that changed the lives of millions of people. And the day that changed the world.

I am now inviting you for a moment of silence to give respect to the people who have died, most especially to our 10 kababayans who also perished that day.

And let us hope that this tragedy will never happen again. Never again.

Elsewhere:

1. You can watch the documentary ‘The Day that Changed the World’ on YouTube by clicking this link

2. The Philippine Daily Inquirer reused their September 11,  2001 front page as their front page today in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

Infographics: How Big is the Agusan Monster Crocodile?

Agusan del Sur’s monster crocodile became an instant celebrity (and internet sensation) over the past days mainly because it is said to be the largest saltwater crocodile ever caught in the wild.

I have been always wondering how big the crocodile is. I need to have an infographic of a reference point to compare the crocodile with other common things.

Now thanks to ABS-CBNnews.com’s infographic, I am enlightened.

And as for the usual and other stuff for the Republic:

• Agusan Del Sur’s monster crocodile is 21 foot long and is said to be the largest and longest in the world. I wonder where the shortest crocodile is. Wait, what is the height of our former President?


• TV-5 and Direk Carlo J. Caparas should hire this croc as a substitute for their CGI-croc Bangis. 


• The local government of Bunawan, Agusan del Norte is planning to make megacroc a tourist attraction. I wonder if the Quezon City government is planning to do the same with the huge building at Batasan Hills.


• I wonder how these crocodiles would react if they can speak out how they were being compared to Pinoy Politicians (I was seriously considering writing a piece entiltled A Crocodile Monologue.).

Protect our species. Protect our environment. Have a blessed Thursday everyone!

(Source: ABS-CBNnews.com)

Infographics: How Big is the Agusan Monster Crocodile?

Agusan del Sur’s monster crocodile became an instant celebrity (and internet sensation) over the past days mainly because it is said to be the largest saltwater crocodile ever caught in the wild.

I have been always wondering how big the crocodile is. I need to have an infographic of a reference point to compare the crocodile with other common things.

Now thanks to ABS-CBNnews.com’s infographic, I am enlightened.

And as for the usual and other stuff for the Republic:

• Agusan Del Sur’s monster crocodile is 21 foot long and is said to be the largest and longest in the world. I wonder where the shortest crocodile is. Wait, what is the height of our former President?


• TV-5 and Direk Carlo J. Caparas should hire this croc as a substitute for their CGI-croc Bangis. 


• The local government of Bunawan, Agusan del Norte is planning to make megacroc a tourist attraction. I wonder if the Quezon City government is planning to do the same with the huge building at Batasan Hills.


• I wonder how these crocodiles would react if they can speak out how they were being compared to Pinoy Politicians (I was seriously considering writing a piece entiltled A Crocodile Monologue.).

Protect our species. Protect our environment. Have a blessed Thursday everyone!

(Source: ABS-CBNnews.com)

Mga Librong Paparating na Hindi ninyo Dapat Palampasin

Sa darating na Sabado, ika-10 ng Setyembre, ay gaganapin ang kauna-unahang WIT: Visprint’s First Annual Reader’s Day. Anong ibig sabihin noon? Ewan. Pero sabi sa kanilang Facebook event ay magkakaroon sila ng exhibit ng mga obra ng kanilang mga artists, behind-the-scene revelations mula sa mga may akda, pa-seminar tungkol sa pagsusulat ng libro, pasilip sa mga iba pang aabangan nating mga libro na makakapagpaubos ng mga inipon nating allowance at savings, at as usual katulad ng iba pang event, at marami pang ibang sorpresa.

At balita ko nga, kung hindi ako nagkakamali, doon ipapasilip ang ika-siyam na libro ni Bob Ong. Nakasali ka ba sa kanyang pakulo sa Facebook at Google+ nitong mga nagdaang linggo?

Kilala natin ang Visprint dahil sa pagbibigay sa atin ng mga libro ng ating mga idolo na sina Bob Ong at Eros Atalia, ng ubod ng asteeg na Kikomachine Komix ni Manix Abrera, ang anthology tungkol sa Eraserheads na Tikman ang Langit, at marami pang iba.

Lubos akong nagagalak dahil sa pamamagitan ng mga ganitong klaseng pagtitipon, muling nabubuhay ang hilig ng bagong henerasyon sa pagbabasa ng libro.

Pero bukod sa mga libro sa roster ng Visprint, na inaamin kong totoong nakakaubos ng aking ipon, mayroon pang ibang mga libro akong inaabangan bago magtapos ang taon na tiyak na ibabawas ko sa aking Christmas budget.

At narito sila, hayaan mong magbigay ako ng ilang kuwento tungkol sa kanila.

[caption id="attachment_292" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="Anong sinabi ng Philippine Volcanoes at Azkals sa katawan ni Tado?"][/caption]

• LIBRO NI TADO- Wala pang eksaktong pamagat pero hitsura pa lang, alam mong nakamamatay na ang ka-astigan. Matagal na akong fan ni Tado. Tagapakinig ako ng show nila ni Ramon Bautista at Angel Rivero na Brewrats simula pa lang noong day 1 nila sa radyo.

Noong mawala sila sa ere, inaamin kong na-miss ko si ang kanilang trio, especially si Tado lalo na ang kanyang bobonic English at ang mga malaman na banat. Kaya nang bumisita ako sa kanilang Facebook page (The Brewrats Republic), walang pagsidlan ang aking naging kaligayahan nang makita ko na magkakaroon ng libro si Tado mula sa PSICOM publishing.

Hinihintay ko ang pagkakataong muli kong makakakuwentuhan si Arvin Jimenez sa bawat pahina ng kanyang libro.

[caption id="attachment_293" align="alignnone" width="400" caption="It's like Harper Lee's 'To Kill a Mocking Bird' - but it's an Angry Bird."][/caption]

• TO KILL AN ANGRY BIRD (ARNEL AQUITANIA) - Kung matagal na kayong nagbabasa ng aking blog, malamang ay nabasa niyo na yung naging book review ko noong isang taon tungkol sa librong Angels and Jejemons ni Arnel Aquitania, isang aklat tungkol sa Pinoy Pop Culture.

Katulad ng nasa teaser photo, tungkol din ito sa Pinoy Pop Culture ngunit mas malawak ang magiging saklaw at mas wasak ang humor - daw.

Lubos ang paghanga at pasasalamat ko sa PSICOM Publishing sa pagbibigay ng oportunidad sa ibang mga Pilipinong manunulat upang ang kanilang mga obra ay mabasa.

[caption id="attachment_294" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="Sa wakas Ricky Lee! Sa wakas!"][/caption]

• ASWANG (RICKY LEE) - Kung kayo ay nakapagbasa noong makapunit-lacrimal gland na nobela ni Ricky Lee na Para Kay B, nandoon sa likod na bahagi ang patikim tungkol sa kanyang susunod na nobela - angAswang, isang political satire tungkol sa isang baklang impersonator na nagiging manananggal.

Makailang ulit ko nang natapos basahin ang Para Kay B sa sobrang inip sa paglabas ng ikalawang nobela ng premyadong manunulat na si Ricky Lee. Huwag nang mangamaba. Sa darating na ika-27 ng Nobyembre, sa Skydome, SM City North EDSA, ilalabas ang Aswang.

Handa ka na bang makipag-wrestling kay Amapola? Para sa iba pang detalye tungkol sa librong ito, mangyari lamang na “i-like” ang pahinang ito sa Facebook,

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Marami sa atin ang nahuhumaling sa pagbabasa ng libro ng mga banyaga tungkol sa mga wizard at witches, vampires, pakikipagsapalaran, giyera, kasaysayan, pag-ibig, at iba pa. Mabuti naman kung sa ganoon. Pero huwag sana nating isantabi at balewalain ang libro ng ating mga kababayan.

Kahit pa ang mga ito, ika nga ni kumpareng Soriano, ay nakasulat sa language of the streets and not of the learned.

Hindi ako sociologist at dalubhasa pero sa tingin ko, makakatulong sa pagkakaroon ng identity nating mga Noypi ang pagbabasa ng libro na nakasulat sa sarili nating wika, at sa mas mahaba pang patutunguhan, magiging susi ito sa ating kaunlaran.

Inaanyayahan kita ngayon na bumili at magbasa ng mga libro ng ating mga kababayan (Pare, wala kang mada-download na eBook ng mga yan). Suportahan natin ang lahat ng mga Pilipinong may hawak ng panulat!

Handa ka na bang magbasa?