Thursday, June 30, 2005

Happy Thoughts...

I turn to her everytime I feel down and out. And after 16 months, there has been no better remedy for stress, discomfort, and sadness but her...

I just want to share this photograph taken when we, for once in our lives, tried to pretend to be socialites. I think we sucked at it. hehehehe...

To my lady: I could not ask for more...


Nope, not Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck. Definitely not Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes. Just your usual mundane homies.



Big smiles...

Tuesday, June 28, 2005

Lapse in Judgement...

I was just soundtripping one day when I came across a song that I think best fits the President's current situation... Just one of my several random caricatures of the mind... Feel the lyrics... hehehehe...

Sorry seems to be the Hardest Word
Elton John

What have I got to do to make you love me
What have I got to do to make you care
What do I do when lightning strikes me
And I wake to find that you're not there

What do I do to make you want me
What have I got to do to be heard
What do I say when it's all over
And sorry seems to be the hardest word

It's sad, so sadIt's a sad, sad situation
And it's getting more and more absurd
It's sad, so sad
Why can't we talk it over
Oh it seems to me
That sorry seems to be the hardest word

What do I do to make you love me
What have I got to do to be heard
What do I do when lightning strikes me
What have I got to do
What have I got to do
When sorry seems to be the hardest word

I liked his version with Ray Charles...

I just hope this crisis ends immediately. This hurts not just the economy, but the institutions as well. It won't be long until apathy will eat out even the most sincere institutions of the country. I hope this will not happen...

June Bride

June is indeed the month of weddings. Ladies, at some point in time, dream of getting married, and preferably, in June. Every lady dreams of becoming a June bride. This June, our country is watching another spectacular wedding of the century: The President. This month, the favorite month of brides, the President has been, once again, married with a series of scandals: starting from the juetenggate hearings in the Senate which implicated her husband and son as jueteng lords, up to the highly explosive tape of an alleged conversation between herself and Comelec Commissioner Virgilio Garcilliano. This is indeed her most memorable month in her entire political existence.

I hope we get to survive this crisis. God bless the country...

Personally, I think we are in some sort of a political dead end. The people are now in a dilemma of sorts. A strong evidence has already been exposed regarding an alleged election fraud, however, no movement is being done because first, nobody knows how to act, whether legally, or politically, on the situation at hand. And second, people believe that there is no viable option if a political change pushes through, thus, they will support no one. Also, the opposition can not produce a good replacement. We are, in chess terms, in a stalemate. Poor little country.

Yesterday, the President finally spoke about the allegations. The ceremonial "I do's" have already taken place. I would just have to see what happens next. Until then, let us all watch how this wedding would end...

Wednesday, June 22, 2005

Let the Games Begin

The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 68 is coming soon. We’ll see another round of intense basketball action from the best college basketball teams in town. As usual, I am supporting the Maroons and the Eagles.

Both teams almost made it big last year. UP, after a 6-game slump due to the absence of their head coach Lito Vergara, they bounced back with a 6-game winning streak, placing them near the final four. After their sixth straight win, they were tied with University of the East Red Warriors and the De La Salle Green Archers. They almost had a final four slate, until they suffered a defeat from the Archers, making their record 6-7. La Salle advanced to 7-6, and UE automatically advanced due to technicality. This year, Coach Lito promised a stronger and more intense UP Maroons. However, up to now, I still can’t figure out what our mascot is. If La Salle has an Archer and Ateneo has an Eagle, what do we have? A color? Oh well.

Ateneo failed to make it to the finals this year after 3 straight years of making it and a championship trophy on 2002. The FEU Tamaraws ousted their championship bid after a sorry loss in the final four. Good thing, La Salle ousted FEU. Revenge has been done. Wehehehe… Last year, Ateneo lost a great crunchtime player midway in the regular season. Team Captain and graduating Shooting Guard Larry Fonacier suffered an ACL/MCL injury and needed to undergo surgery that would place him in the injured list for the rest of his college basketball career. The Eagles still managed to win games after Fonacier’s injury, with wingmen Magnum Membrere and Bajjie del Rosario, point Guard LA Tenorio, and Big man Paolo Bugia stepping up on offense. They were able to make it to the final four, but, as I have mentioned earlier, lost to the Tamaraws. This year, under the auspices of Coach Norman Black, the Blue Eagles promise another final four slot, and if possible, the Championship. The team famous for their monicker “The Hail Mary Squad” needs a lot of praying to do because their star players Paolo Bugia and Larry Fonacier have already graduated from the league. I hope the 6’8 center Japeth Aguilar, Joseph Uichico and Ford Arao finally step up.

New faces, new moves, new plays… These will highlight this year’s season 68. This will be an exciting year for the UAAP. I just hope I can get tickets to an Ateneo-La Salle Game… Games start on July 10...

But before that, there is this Ateneo-La Salle Frienship games on July 2, Saturday...

Tuesday, June 14, 2005

National Disappointment

It was sad to notice that I was not able to feel the Independence Day mood of the country. The supposedly momentous event when we celebrate our country’s freedom from the bondage of Spanish colonizers was just another holiday for us Filipinos. It was really sad.

This was probably because we are, once again, being tested for political sustainability after a series of scandals thrown to the Presidency. Because of this, our Independence day was not celebrated that well, but instead, it was considered the aftermath of the “opposition’s” national day of mourning held in 11 June 2005. Well, I also didn’t feel like mourning last Saturday because I was awestruck all day by the beautiful face of Angelin Jolie in Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

In other countries, they would celebrate Independence day like it was Christmas. There is an evening feast, fireworks display, binge eating and lots of cheer. In the Philippines, Independence day is just one of those Presidential events covered by either Channel 4 or 13. Too bad, our Independence Day 2005 just came and went. This just reflects our people’s outlook towards patriotism and national identity. The bottom line is, we don’t have it. We don’t have what it takes to be a Filipino.

Personally, I believe Independence day should be celebrated like a feast day or a birthday. It is because this day is the day when our sovereignty was established. Without this day, we would still be slaves by Spanish friars or squires of Civil Guards. This day should be celebrated like a birthday because this is the birthday of our nation.

I was very much disappointed with the way this year’s Independence Day was celebrated. Only a few, if not nobody, paid tribute to the sacrifices of our heroes who fought with their lives just to build a nation: of how Lapu-Lapu, Dagohoy, Bonifacio, or Rizal fought out intellectual and physical wars just to free our beloved nation. It was really disappointing.

If you think the only crises that we’re having are economic and political crises, I personally think that we are also suffering from a socio-cultural crisis. We know we are Filipinos but we don’t seem to know who we really are. We don’t even celebrate the birth of our nation. Oh well…

So much for ranting about an ill-celebrated Independence Day…

Despite all these, I would still want to greet everyone:

Maligayang Araw ng Kasarinlan, mga Kaibigan...

Thursday, June 09, 2005

Use the Force...

Just got this test from Mike's blog. :p

Cool! I have the same saber as Mace Windu's...


Purple Saber
You have a Purple Lightsaber.

Purple is associated with wisdom, dignity,
independence, creativity, mystery, and magic.
Purple denotes high spirituality and religious
aspiration. Purple also represents Peacefulness
and Purification. It also has a sense of
intuitive understanding and a feeling of
intimacy with the world.


What Colored Lightsaber Would You Have?
brought to you by Quizilla

Wednesday, June 08, 2005

That's Entertainment...

There are two issues I saw last weekend that really caught my attention. This is not because I was really affected by the news, but because of their surprising similarity in terms of effect on their audience, particularly me. These news were: a) Another rumors of coup attempt, and b) Kris’ marriage to Purefoods cager James Yap.

Last weekend (actually even up to today), news about a coup plot by middle-aged military soldiers are unraveling, following the recent jueteng scandals involving the first gentleman, the Presidential son, and the Presidential brother-in-law and official fall-guy, Iggy Arroyo. Now, another new issue has been revealed about a tape containing alleged conversations of the President and a COMELEC Commissioner, which makes the situations worse. These, according to military assets, are the reasons behind the coup plot.

On the other hand, Kris Aquino is, once again, planning to marry former UE Warriors and current Purefoods clutch man Jame Yap. They got together in May, and after a month of dating, they finally decided (?!) to tie the knot. So far, Kris has revealed the plan via her weekly talk show “The Buzz,” however, James Yap has not been available for comment since then. They plan to marry on February 2006.

Two issues with totally different genres. One is highly political, the other is highly… Showbiz. What caught my attention is their apparent similarities. Let me elaborate:

First, both issues lack credibility. After a series of corruption scandals from top military officials (read: Garcia, Ligot, Rabusa, et. al.); followed by sex scandals and shoplifting news of one top PMA graduate; plus the P19 million sidewalk beautification project of Camp Aguinaldo and the Boracay Resort project, the public lost confidence on the AFP. Thus, if ever we have a coup attempt in the offing, I don’t think it will elicit enough public support to overthrow the government. Not yet, that is. Coup plots have already been in the political arena since the public dethrone the military from power during the EDSA I revolution. And naturally, those who once had power want their power back. Nothing new in this scene.

The same goes for Kris Aquino. I think this lady is just born to love. She just loved everyone that has been linked to her. And I think she has loved everyone of them so much, she always planned of marrying them. From Eric Quizon, to Philip Salvador, to Robin Padilla, to Mark Lapid, to James Yap. As far as I know, they all planned to marry Kris. Or is it the other way around? Just last year, Kris jokingly said in “The Buzz,” saying “Baka next year (that means 2005), Mrs. Lapid na ako.” Now, at 2005, no Mrs. Lapids were transformed, only a future Mrs. Yap by next year… Again.

Second, both issues lack depth. The military is so compulsive on acting towards issues that affect the current Presidency, making their actions futile. Personally, I think their actions lack timing. You cannot attempt a coup when your credibility is at an all-time low. Unlike in other countries, public support is very much needed in order to succeed in any action in the Philippines.

Kris, on the other hand, has been an impulsive talker on screen. That is the reason why she has been in many controversies before. And now, she has said another one. She doesn’t seem to think before acting.

Third, both issues are sellout. I think I don’t need to elaborate on this matter.

Finally, I think both issues will not prosper or succeed. It will just come and hit the headlines, but they will eventually die down. Who believes that Kris would marry, anyway? Well, maybe I am just skeptic in these two issues.

There may be other reasons why I linked Kris with the Military uprising. The bottom line of my entry today is that news can always be a source of entertainment. You want political entertainment, turn on the front pages. You want pure entertainment, you switch to showbiz.

It is just sad to note that these are just few of the shallow headliners that often capture the front pages of newspapers today. If we look closer, there are no front page news on the development aspect, or new legislation, or anything that could uplift the morale of the Filipino people. We dwell so much on politicking, bickering, mudslinging, and war-mongering. People, especially those in power, seem to forget the real problems that beset the Philippine society. The problem, in fact, is them…

I have nothing against Kris Aquino or the military, I just made them an example to send my message across…

Ayan, nagpakarelevant na naman ako…

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Trivia trivia

Did you know: Eddie Gil ran for Senator in 2001 before he ran for President in 2004. In both instances, he posted the lowest votes.

Monday, June 06, 2005

First Day Funk

Naaastigan lang ako sa kantang ito... It just gives students the right vibe towards school.

Malungkot lang kasi naging sell-out. Ginamit pa sa commercial ng isang pampabango ng kili-kili... Pero ayos na rin.

This is dedicated to all you freshies, newbies, and others who are raring to be funky in school.
This one goes out to my brother Jazer who, at grade six, is a newbie in his school, St. Anne de Beaupre. He just transferred...

First Day Funk

Let’s do the funk
Let’s do the first day funk

First day of school dapat cool na cool!
Mas cool pa sa tubig ng swimming pool!
Dapat talaga maganda na agad ang pasok
Pagpasok mo ng classroom, dapat umuusok!

Wag na wag kang mapapraning!
Sagot kita! diretso ang tingin!
Di dapat maatat na mapansin,
Kahit hot lahat, dapat “chill” pa rin!
Hinding hindi yumuyuko, kahit na nakaupo!
Di ko sinasabi na dapat maging mayabang.
Pero dapat di ka “mahiyain na halaman”
Confidence chong, lakas loob!
Wag na wag kang patataob
Kahit sa tapat ng maganda mong kakalase!
Mas lalo na sa prof mong mukhang
Salbahe!…dance!

Let’s do the funk
Let’s do the first day funk

Refrain

Itaas ang kamay, iwagayway
Salute the prof at sabay kaway…
Mag-classmate high-5 lang kayo
Now don’t be shy, kwela skwela ‘to
Just raise your hand kung may sagot
If you don’t know the answer, eh di lagot!
Just erase the board, at magsayaw
Lagyan ng funk ang pag-galaw – sayaw!

Let’s do the funk
Let’s do the first day funk

May dumating na isang babae!
Sobrang “hottie” na ka-klase,
Sya’y lumapit at nag “hi”
Ako nama’y napakaway…
“akala ko ako ang kanyang kinakawayan at hindi ko inakala na ang nasa likuran!”
Kahit na napahiya, hindi ako kinakabahan!
Wala na tong ibang mapupuntahan… sayaw

Let’s do the funk
Let’s do the first day funk

(repeat refrain)

Let’s do the funk
Let’s do the first day
There are many ways to do the funk. Enjoy school while it lasts...
I miss hanging out in hallways.
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Trivia, trivia: Lim Eng Beng is the first La Sallian to retire his jersey from the Green Archers.
At present he coaches the Chang Kai Shek High School Basketball Team.