Funny!!!

Ink For More

Our home PC-printer had problems printing the red/magenta ink during the test-printing so I sent it off to the repair-center to have it fixed. It was unfortunate that I didn't remove the Ink For Less stickers on the ink-cartridges since they said it made the printer warranty void. The printer head was defective and, if I still had the warranty, they would've replaced it for free.

Now that I've voided it, the printer-head costs 4thou+ to replace. I didn't have it repaired and bought a new printer instead ---this time with the basic print function only for 2thou pesos.

I liked that old printer since it was 4-in-1: printer, copier, scanner, and card-reader. I guess I'll just have to get it back from the repair shop next weekend so that I can still use the remaining 2 or 3 functions.

I can't believe I wasted a good printer because of ink-refills.

*SIGH*

Japanese Tetris Game

United 305

Laughtrip!

Gone Too Soon

Arnold's body lied peacefully inside his white casket when I saw him yesterday. He died last Monday, June 25, after losing a battle to Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), a rare viral infection that causes the immune system to turn against the body. He was a batchmate from highschool. Through our batch's yahoogroup, I was able to get the shocking news of his death.

I rarely interacted with Arnold during highschool since we were in different sections. But after I talked to his wife Marlyn at the wake, I found out that Arnold and I were not that different.

His wife mentioned that they never really had a big fight or tampuhan throughout their almost 10-year marriage ('almost' since their wedding-anniversary was last Thursday ---Arnold was a couple of days short). He let his wife stop working so that she can concentrate on bringing up the kids. They only want to go abroad for vacations, not to migrate since they both love the Philippines. He was a caring son as well since he'd setup webcam chats with his parents in the US at least once a week so that they can also see their apo.

As Marlyn continued to relate their story, I can't help but wonder all those similarities. It could've happened to me. It just goes to show that life is really short. We're just passing thru this world and, like it or not, no one gets out of here alive.

I asked Marlyn if she has made plans on looking for work. She answered, "Alam ko na kelangang kong maghanap ng trabaho pero di pa ngayon kase nasa mourning [stage] pa ako. Alam ko na wala na sya pero di ko pa matanggap na wala na sya."

I was just silent. I wouldn't know what to say after that. I guess there was no need to say anything. Arnold is gone. Marlyn has to move on.

Before I left, I handed her my business card and told her that if she needed anything, she can give me a call and I will try to help. There are job openings in my current company so if she decides it's time to look for work, she can consider my offer as a last resort.

I left the funeral chapel and dropped by my parents' house for a late lunch and dozed for a quick nap. I left around 3:30pm and, as I was driving at EDSA in front of Megamall, I phoned up the missus, realizing that I've missed her and my boy for those few hours especially after hearing Arnold&Marlyn's story.

"I think I know what we'll have for merienda and I know you'll agree," I said.

"Ano?"

"Clue: Malamig."

I took them out to Magnolia Cobblers and Splits. I guess life, like that 3-scopped banana split that I ordered, should be cherished while it's there.

Pampered

Today's my last day in Singapore. I arrived last Monday evening to attend CommunicAsia, an annual event for telecom operators and vendors. As my trip was sponsored by one of the vendors, I flew via Singapore Airlines' Business Class, and they booked me at a USD420/night hotel: RafflesThePlaza.



It was great to see Singapore again: Orchard Road, Lucky Plaza, Raffles City Mall, the MRT, the SMELL of the MRT (hehe), the hawker stalls, etc.

Next month: KL holiday with the missus and my boy.

Break-Even

I've been a little off on my "rice-reduction" plan that I declared over 2 months ago thanks to the delicious home-cooked tinola and chicken curry, and the eat-out dinners the missus and I have each week (Teriyaki Boy, Pancake House, DonHen, Pancake House, Old Spag House, Pancake House...).

On exercise, basketball has been made regular thanks to the ball-addicts in the office. We'd scurry off to the basketball court at White Plains in the evenings and work up a sweat in preparation for the upcoming office-league on August.

This, however, is once a week only so I have to get the time to exercise with the threadmill back home. Nakakatamad mag-setup ng threadmill so I often end up sleeping early at night or taking a walk with my boy around the compound early morning (depending on what time he decides to wake up), showing him the beep-beeps (cars) and the ow-ows (dogs) of the neighborhood.

Bottomline? My current weight STILL at 170lbs. I've lost my target of going down to 166lbs by end of May. Bakit ba naman kase ang sarap kumain eh!

But Mother Nature has ways in reminding me that I have to continue this goal: body ache.

Since I only play basketball once a week, my body doesn't seem to be conditioned after I play. My back and left knee aches. According to an article in webmd.com, when the main support system of the body (which is your back) has pain, the next supporting joint (in this case the knee) takes over its role. Siguro napagod na din tuhod ko on supporting my weight so I'm always feeling this "water in knee" feeling after basketball. No conditioning ata.

I can hear the missus right now, "Ay nakow wag ka nang magbasketbol!" She is just being protective, of course. But a man's got to do what a man's got to do. I should not let down Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, and of course, Jawo.

With an ache on my knee and a smile, I would reply back to the missus, "I need to play."

So, I'm going to start working-out again at home. This morning I finished 20mins on the threadmill plus some weight-training and abdominals. Gawin ko na lang siguro madalas so I can strengthen my body again.

And with a sigh, I would have to "rice-reduce" again.

Goodbye my precious Mcdo Caramel Sundae. We'll see each other again.

How a computer mouse works

Ahhh...so ganito pala!

Richneil

When me, my Mom and my sis went to Candon the other week, we stayed at our uncle's house which was right across my Lola's house. It was a 4 (or 5?) storey house with a pool-table at the top.

Here's Richneil, my cousin's youngest, who beat me in playing 9-ball.

How I Met Your Mother

I'm currently addicted to this TV-series called "How I Met Your Mother." I think it just started on Star-World but all episodes can be found in www.tv-links.co.uk.

I'm already in Season1, Episode15 and have to admit that I'm very much glued to this series the way the missus is to Maging Sino Ka Man (which ended last Friday --yehey! but there are talks of a 2nd season ---boohoo!).

The HIMYM setup looks like Friends but after a while you'll see that it's completely different. Neil Patrick "Doogie Howser" Harris is annoyingly funny in his role.

Do watch it!

Genesis

I came upon this section on the Management book that I'm (still) reading:

One of the best methods for improving your writing skills is to use mental imagery. Instead of being intimidated by the blank piece of paper or screen, get a mental image of the person you are writing to. See that person in your mind. You might even go so far as to imagine the person seated in an easy chair at the office drinking a cup of coffee and reading your note. Or you could visualize yourself sitting in a coffee shop telling the person the message you want to convey.

Imagine that you are having a conversation with the person in a friendly environment. Now speak. Use words you’d use in conversation. If you don’t use four-syllable words in your conversations,don’t use them in your written communication. Psychologists tell us that people who only use certain words, these fancy types of words, when they want to impress others in theirwriting are actually showing signs of having an inferiority complex.Even if you do feel uncomfortable with your writing, don’tadvertise it—keep it to yourself.

This reminded me of one meeting that I had a couple of months back. There was this woman from the Marketing department who arrived late and didn't know exactly what the ongoing discussion was. When asked for her comments, she simply said:

"What is the genesis of the issue?"

Wow meeeeen. Major inferiority complex alert! Hehe.

I don't know where he's not

A classic scene by Pinocchio from Shrek 3. Ang kulit eh! Ahehehe.

Laiya

The missus and my boy joined me last weekend for my office outing to San Juan, Batangas. Our office scouts were able to book at Tayabas Bay Resort in Laiya.

The beach was surprisingly great, to think that you can go somewhere as beautiful as this just 3 hrs away from Manila seems impossible---although the accomodations would've been better.



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Gut-Wrenching

As you may have known or heard, this year my Dad ran for Councilor for District I of Makati City. This was the first-time he ran for public office, and with no support from a party, he rode his campaign independently with only us, his immediate family, providing the needed support.

The missus, my boy, and myself joined his final motorcade last May 12. I pictured his motorcade as having a long parade of cars, supporters, and other antics that government-hopefuls would do just to entice the voting public to add his name. Maybe a street-band perhaps coupled with ati-atihans?

But it was totally different.

The motorcade was composed of only 4 cars: 3 of which were from us and 1 was from my Mom's friend. 4 cars filled with 4 dozen balloons, scotch-taped posters, and several packs of Stork candy as giveaways, and we were off.

I had several realizations during that motorcade:

1. You cannot win an election in this country without proper machinery. Although your motives are very noble, without sufficient machinery you don't stand a chance. My Dad, for example, had less than 10 poll watchers throughout the 13 Barangays in District 1. That's definitely under-staffed.
   
2. Related to number 1, some people WILL sell their votes/souls for money. This was very evident when the motorcade reached the afternoon of that same day when some people from the depressed areas shouted, "Ay, walang kalakip na pera!" when we handed out my Dad's leaflets to them. It was really disheartening to have seen outstretched arms asking for money in exhange of votes when all they need to do to better their lives is pick their sorry asses up and find work!
3. Although some people will ask for money, most people still have the brains to choose wisely on election day. My Dad and one of my sisters even went to as far as going door-to-door in San Lorenzo Vill to put the campaign-leaflets in the mailboxes of the posh houses there, much to the chagrin of the SanLo security guards who called the attention of my Dad. Being resourceful at that scary moment, my Dad got a couple of campaign shirts to appease the angry guards (btw, those shirts were bought for a cheap-cheap price at Divisoria so much so you can recycle it as pamunas after its "shirt-life"). It turned out to be a good move later on, when, as the counting at Brgy SanLo progressed, my Dad was working his way up to the top8 Councilors in that area.
   
4. There are so many poor people in this country. When the motorcade toured District 1, we went through the depressed areas for the primary reason that voting population was well-concentrated there. It was a mind-opener to me since, not having lived in Makati for quite some time, I've been made aware again that there are still a lot of people out there who are not as well-to-do as I am. For that I hope to remind myself now to give more to the less-fortunate and share my blessings.

My Mom, my 2 sisters, and myself went to the precincts shortly after the counting started to get a "dipstick" estimate of how my Dad's chances were. As the title of this blog implies, the result was gut-wrenching: the average votes he got per precinct was between 0-4. After going through three schools housing several precincts, it was the same result. We couldn't bear it any longer so we stopped there and just called it off ---unofficially as the quick-counts put it.

My Dad was in McDo Greenbelt at the time when we told him the sad news. The "dipstick-team" went to meet him and ate merienda/dinner to pass away this sad part of his life. If the people only knew my Dad more, they would've known that he had done so much work in Makati more than the other Councilor-wannabees had ever done.

But such is how some things are in this world. Not everyone who's sitting there is supposed to be there.

For my Dad, my hats-off to you for taking this campaign to the finish line even when all hope was lost. I admire your persistence and patience in going through this without the political-muscle. If I can speak for my Mom, my sisters, the missus, and my boy, may I say that you have already won a landslide-victory in our hearts.

Secret Recipe

The missus noticed the "Secret Recipe" neon-sign when we were on the way to Bonifacio Drive to grab a dozen Krispy Kreme donuts. We were delighted to see that the setup of the restaurant was almost the same as that in Malaysia.

Secret Recipe was among one of the many venues the missus and I enjoyed eating at when we stayed in Malaysia. It boasted of the award winning roasted-lamb and NY-cheesecake which didn't disappoint our hungry appetites.

We finally decided to have dinner last night at Secret Recipe, located at 32nd and 5th Building at The Fort. The menu is exactly the same as how it was in Malaysia.

I ordered Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup ---it tasted exactly the same! Even the award-winning NY-cheesecake was as delicious as how we left it in Malaysia. It was soooo delicious that it bogged my memory, causing me to LEAVE BEHIND my boy's Graco stroller on the sidestreet in front of the resto. Good thing I remembered it when we were at EDSA and came back for it. The stroller was untouched, still on the sidewalk the way we left it. Hmmm....it was like in Singapore were almost nothing is stolen. Buti na laaaang!

The price is a little expensive for your average dinner but it's worth it. The missus and I will definitely come back for more.

Magnolia

In preparation for my boy's 1st birthday party this June, the missus and I needed to meet up with the caterer to conduct food-tasting. We skipped lunch last Saturday for this event which only started at 3pm ---needless to say na nanginginig na ako sa gutom when we got the whole thing started.

Since dessert was not included in the taste-test, the missus and I needed to pacify our tastebuds with something sweet. We ended up at Magnolia's Parfaits and Splits.

The place isn't as fancy-looking as the Nestle Factory across the street. But it was enough for me to reminisce that one time when I was boy that I went to the Magnolia Ice Cream Factory at The Quad, sipping on a thick serving of Choco Milkshake ---minus the brain-freeze.

The missus ordered a Goin' Banana Parfait while I opted for the Original Banana Split.

Heaven!

30 days after

A month after I declared my rice-reduction plan, I'm happy to say that I've lost 6 lbs. Slowly but surely, I was able to drop to 170lbs naturally, i.e. no use of diet pills or contraptions bought from HSN. My routine consisted of cutting my rice-portions in half, walking the threadmill 30mins 2 times a week, and sometimes playing basketball and badminton (whatever is available) once a week.

But the real reason for it all is the rice-reduction. I still munched on Granny Goose, Ube ice cream, Piknik Ketchup Fries, and the occassional Burger King value meal but cutting the rice was really the main contributor of the weight-loss.

I have to say that it's really difficult. As you know we Pinoys are known for having a hearty serving of rice during meals, and I'm no exception ---until now. Case in point, the Adobo Sulipan of Pancake House can be depressing to eat if there's still half-rice not to be touched coupled with the missus looking into having tasty portions of it with her Classic Pancakes. *sigh*

I'm targetting to reach 166lbs by end of May so that means loosing at least 4 more pounds or a total of 10lbs since I started. Slowly but surely, I hope to get my BMI normalized and, more importantly, show my 6-pack which I haven't seen since 3rd year high school.

Congressman! Congressman!

The missus and I watched the Pacquiao-Solis match live on Robinson's Galleria yesterday morning. The experience was quite different from the Pacquiao-Morales II match that we watched in Malaysia via Pay-per-view coz this time, we were among Pinoy Pacman fans. The feeling was exhilarating when, after Manny got the accidental-cut on Round 6, he started punching Solis away like a dog gone mad. All of us in the theater were shouting,

“Yah!”

“Mmm!!!!”

“Ayun!”

…almost in unison.

It was a wonderful experience.

As for those who didn’t believe that Manny will win, I give you caution. For if Manny sends his deadly left-punch to your face, you will feel, in the words of Manny Pacquiao,

“GROGEH.”

Sleeping With The Enemy

Ang iyong katabi sa pagtulog: Cimex lectularius.

Top 10 Tapsilog

My personal ranking of Top10 Tapsilog venues in the Philippines:

10. Goodah
9. Heaven N' Eggs
8. Jollibee
7. I Have 2 Eggs (along T. Morato; yup there IS such a place)
6. _____ <--that resto in UP Mall(?)
5. Chowking
4. Rufus
3. Pancake House
2. Sinangag Express

And my number one choice:

1. Tapaking

Maundy Thursday

From wikipedia.org:

"Maundy Thursday" is the traditional name for this day in England. It is therefore the usual name also in English-speaking Protestant Churches that originated in that country and even in some that originated in Scotland, although the Scottish Book of Common Prayer uses the name "Holy Thursday".^[3] Other English-speaking Protestant Churches, such as the Lutheran, use both "Maundy Thursday" and "Holy Thursday".^[4] Among Roman Catholics, except in England, the usual English name for the day is "Holy Thursday", in line with the name used in major Romance Languages.^[5] Presumably these modern names came into being before the Catholic Church changed the pagan names of the days of the week in Latin.

The word Maundy is derived through Middle English, and Old French mandé, from the Latinmandatum, the first word of the phrase "Mandatum novum do vobis ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos" ( A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you), the statement by Jesus in the Gospel of John (13:34) by which Jesus explained to the Apostles the significance of his action of washing their feet. The phrase is used as the antiphon sung during the "Mandatum" ceremony of the washing of the feet, which may be held during Mass or at another time as a separate event, during which a priest or bishop (representing Christ) ceremonially washes the feet of others, typically 12 persons chosen as a cross-section of the community.

Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world...

One of the things I like about eh movie LOVE ACTUALLY is the beginning of this film: Hugh Grant's monologue.

Watch below to find out:

Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world,
I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow airport.
General opinion makes out that we live in a world of hatred and greed
I don't see that.
Seems to me that love is everywhere.
Often it's not particularly dignified or newsworthy but it's always there.
Fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives,
boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends.
When the planes hit the Twin Towers,
none of the phone calls from people on board were messages of hate or revenge,
they were all messages of love.
lf you look for it, I've got a sneaky feeling you'll find that love actually...
...is all around.

Rice Reduction

Percy, one of the engineers here at the office, has stopped eating rice for over 2 years now. He replaces the missing carbo by munching on bread, white or whole-wheat.

"Di mo ba namimiss ang kanin?"

"Hindi po," he replied.

He had lost 20-30lbs from this change of lifestyle.

Ayie, one of my staff, was a hefty 160 pounder before he started dieting via portioning his rice from his dish and refraining from softdrinks. He is now 140lbs.

No diet pills, no magic gadgets, none of that crap being sold at Home-TV-Shopping.

Just old-fashioned self-control.


So how do these stories relate to me?

Well, I hope I'll be able to give you good news after 2 months.

7.4.7

You're damn right I'm going to watch this movie!

Hero ng Bayan

The missus always had the upperhand when our discussion led to which university/college was the best. She would boast, "Bakit ba laging taga-UP ang kinukuha pag guest sociologist/psychologist, etc. when it comes to local talk shows? Wala na bang iba?"

A graduate of UP, the manner with which she says it is as if a patch of cloud went underneath her feet to levitate her a few inches up, a feeling that I observed similarly from Chico and Del who finished from the same university as well.

My life was going to be endless "UP is the best" cheers ringing in my ears until, finally, my day of reckoning arrived.

It was a Wed morning so I tuned our radio to 89.9WTM for the weekly "Forbidden Questions" talk show by DJ Mo. His guest, Hero Angeles, reported to have been a product of UP. His manner of speaking was very humble, likewise his English so much so that about 10-12 callers to the radio station requested (read: PLEADED) that Hero talk in Tagalog "kase di namen maintindihan ang pag-English nya."

But Hero, tried as he might, fell repeatedly into the English death-trap ---much to the embarassed giggling of the missus. You should've seen me teasing the missus relentlessly as Hero tried sentence after sentence to make sense, much like my Chinese vendors whom I always asked to draw on the whiteboard what they were desperately trying to say.

All I can say is, thank you Hero. For the missus has felt the ground again (and hard). :)

Pop! Goes My Heart

I can't seem to get over this song from the movie, "Music And Lyrics." A nice film in case you haven't watched it.


Doesn't Hugh Grant in this video remind you of Mig Ayesa?

EQ

I'm currently reading this book, "The 1st Time Manager" and came across the EQ chapter. I never knew the specific definition of EQ until I came across it in this book. Here's how it was explained:

Zen-ish

The missus and I were able to renovate the bathroom a couple of weeks back. Choosing and buying each and every detail was a very meticulous process, much to the satisfaction of Home Depot and Handyman.

But our "efforts" were paid handsomely in the end: a bathroom which is better than that of any hotel (that the missus has ever been into).

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Sticker Happy

All cellphones will be required to bear NTC stickers soon. Click here for more info.

Boutique Bed and Breakfast, Tagaytay

For the missus' birthday, we stayed at the Boutique B&B at Tagaytay. Money well spent coz the service was great aside from the nice ambience. Read more here.

Annabel's

The missus and I made a good [random] choice last night for Valentine's Day dinner: Annabel's at Tomas Morato. It turned out to be a nice place because of the great dining setup at the garden, buffet dinner, and an all-acoustic band singing mostly, our songs.

Andy Mckee ---Africa

Ely's fine

Just read a column on the Philstar on Ely Buendia, ex-frontman of the E-Heads.

I'm glad he's doing well.

Pickup lines

In case you're thinking of what to say this coming Valentine's Day:

1. Minamalat na naman ang puso ko..
*** paano kasi, laging sinisigaw ang pangalan mo..

2. Ikaw ba may-ari ng Crayola??
*** ikaw kasi nagbibigay ng kulay sa buhay ko..

3. Uy picture tayo!!
*** para ma-develop tayo!!

4. Kung ikaw ay bola at ako ang player, mashushootba kita??
*** hinde, para lagi kita mamimiss..

5. Can i take your picture??
*** coz i want to show Santa exactly what i want forchristmas!!

6. Exam ka ba??
*** gustong gusto na kasi kitang i-take home eh!!

7. Lecture mo ba ako??
*** lab kasi kita..

8. Centrum ka ba??
*** kasi you make my life complete!!

9. Miss pwede ba kita maging driver??
*** para ikaw na magpapatakbo ng buhay ko..

10. Mahilig ka ba sa asukal??
*** ang tamis kasi ng mga ngiti mo..

11. Pinaglihi ka ba sa keyboard??
*** kasi type kita..

12. I hate to say this but... You are like my underwear..
*** coz i can't last a day without you!!

13. Ibibili kita ng salbabida..
*** kasi malulunod ka sa pagmamahal ko..

14. Pwede ba kitang maging sidecar??
*** single kasi ako eh..

15.Me lisensya ka ba??
*** coz you're driving me crazy eh..

16. May kilala ka bang gumagawa ng rel??
*** may sira ata relo ko.. pag ikaw kasi kasama ko,humihinto ang oras ko..

17. Grabe nakakatawa yung mga pick-up lines noh??hahaha! May alam ka pa bang iba?? Wala na akongmaisip eh..
*** coz all i ever think of is you..

18. I'm a bee..
*** can you be my honey??

19. Nakakatakot diba ang multo??
*** pero mas nakakatakot kapag nawala ka sa buhayko..

20. Am i a bad shooter??
*** coz i keep on missing you..

21. May lahi ka bang aswang??
*** ang pangit mo kasi eh..

22. Naniniwala ka ba sa love at first sight??
*** O gusto mong dumaan ulit ako??

23. Mabilis ka siguro sa mga puzzle noh??
*** kasi kakasimula pa lang ng araw ko, pero nabuomo na agad..

24. Excuse me.. Are you a dictionary??
*** because you give meaning to my life..

25. Bangin ka ba??
*** nahuhulog kasi ako sa'yo..

26. Pustiso ka ba??
*** kasi, can't smile without you..

27. Pagod na pagod ka na noh??
*** maghapon at magdamag kana kasing tumatakbo saisipan ko eh..

28. Me butas ba puso mo??
*** kasi natrap na ako sa loob, can't find my wayout!!

29. Anung height mo??
*** ha?? pano ka nagkasya sa loob ng puso ko..

30. Hey, did you fart??
*** coz you blew me away!!

31. Sana "T" na lang ako..
*** para i'm always right next to "U"

32. Are you Jamaican??
*** kasi Ja-maican me crazy!!

33. Nde tayo tao..Nde tayo hayop.BAGAY tayo.BAGAYtlga tayo.

34. Ako ay isang exam.kaya sagutin mo na ako...

Wallflowers

I attended our annual high school reunion a couple of weeks back. Since I still frequent my old campus during my Saturday football, I had already been aware of the many renovations that the school had gone through: a canteen here, a canteen there, a bigger school supplies store, aircons in all the classrooms, canned-drinks dispensers everywhere, decades-old trees pulled out from the park, and of course a newly-renovated football field.

The event was supposed to start 4pm so I knew that I would just be “fashionably late” if I arrived between 6-7pm. As I registered my name on the batch ’90 list, I was surprised to find that I was only the 3rd guy to sign in.

Since the tables were labeled according to batch-year, I looked around for 1990. After a couple of minutes, I was able to find our table situated near the rear.

It was empty.

I sat down for a few minutes and hoped that someone from my batch arrived. The 1st two guys must’ve left when they saw the empty table.

“If no one arrives by 7pm, I’m outta here.”

As the endless kumustas and hoy-pare-long-time-no-see emanated from the other batch-tables, I stared up and looked at where my senior-year classroom was. A lot of memories came to mind: the goofing classmate who wanted his candid yearbook pic to be that of jumping from the 2nd floor to the ground floor, the numerous times when I would run from the classroom to the entrance gate of the school so that I would be able to go home for lunch just before the Angelus, the time when I was doing impressions of our CAT Commandant to the laughter of my classmates (not knowing a few seconds later that the Commandant was actually behind me, watching how I made myself look like an idiot), a P100 weekly allowance, and so on.

The more I searched my mind for high-school memories, it led me to the fact that my highschool life was nothing more than bahay-eskwela-bahay. Except for my two seatmates that on occasion we would banda rito, banda doon the intro of the Tears4Fears song Head Over Heels while waiting for the next subject, I never really had a circle of friends back then. I didn’t experience having to attend a night-out or a lakwatsa at the mall or even having regular lunchmates for that matter (since I went home during lunchtime). I was frustrated by my section in particular. Kanya-kanyang group kase so there was really no class-unity. The groups were composed of the Mcdo group (those who’d regularly go out to Mcdo for lunch ---mostly aspiring to go to DLSU), siga-group (no explanation needed), bandmates (those who were members of the school band-club), and those that didn’t have no group at all (“wallpapers” as the missus would call it ---those that had nothing to do with school events, parties, gimiks, etc.).

Then, it occured to me: I was one of the wallpapers.

“Guys the Mass will start in five minutes!!!”

My reminiscing was disturbed by an announcement from the stage. As accustomed in every Don Bosco school, all events should start with the Holy Mass. I was still alone on our batch table and it was almost 7pm. I decided to stay on for the Mass.

As the Mass ended, my batchmates started arriving. By the time the actual program started, we were about 23. Not bad for a batch-turnout.

By 11pm and after 4 cases of beer-in-cans, we were still there partying and enjoying everyone’s company. Although the host batch (1982) didn’t really fire things up on the homecoming program, it was still worth it going there particularly for my batch.

But for my section, it was only me. It would’ve been great to see the guys again. But it was still ok since I knew my batchmates from the other sections as well. Frankly, most of the 23 who were there were wallpapers as well during our time.

But I was glad to know that these wallpapers have become loving dads and successful lawyers, dentists, doctors, businessmen, school-admins, managers, and senior managers (ehem) in their own right.

There was life after high school after all.

Andy Mckee

A Sad Affair

It’s the ASEAN Football Cup again and once again, the Philippines has proven its sad state of football (non) development.

I was able to watch the live game between host Thailand and the Philippines last night. I found myself shouting “ang tanga tanga mo!” as the Philippine team committed error after error while the Thais took advantage of it, soaring to a 4-0 win.

It was the same story in the previous game vs Malaysia when the latter finished 4-0 as well. With the 2 defeats, the Philippines (once again) lost its chance to reach the semis.

I guess it all boils down to our American influence in which basketball takes precedence over “soccer” (as it was coined by the Americans to distinguish it from the NFL) when it comes to the Filipinos’ favorite sport. Even Beckham’s arrival to the US next season produced unsatisfactory remarks from most of the American sports-public. I have this theory that when football was introduced in the US they couldn’t really get the hang of it (they couldn’t bring the ball using their feet from one end of the field to the other?) so they made a new game in which “football” meant you can carry the ball with your hands (magaling!).

It’s very sad that the “beautiful game” has not been given the proper respect (and funding) by the PSC. We need more development in the grassroots level as well as more media-exposure of the semi-pro leagues plus we need to eliminate the corruption virus in the PFF which I think has been there since I was playing in high school.

I still believe that the Philippines can still make a (good) mark in football in the future. I hope that when that day comes, my boy gets to play in that winning Philippine team as well.

Too much debt?

Source: About.com

Here are some of the warning signs that you have a credit/debt problem.

If you answer yes to one or more of the first six questions and no to the rest, you may have caught the problem before it's unmanageable, as long as you act now to change your spending habits. If you answer yes to one or more of questions 7 through 15, your problem is much more serious and will require more drastic steps. Time is of the essence.

Warning Signs of Debt Problems

1. You don't have any savings.
2. You make minimum payments on your credit cards.
3. You use credit cards for things you used to buy with cash, such as groceries.
4. You use increasing amounts of your total income to pay off debts.
5. You have more than two or three major credit cards.
6. After you pay your credit card bill, you increase your balance by the same amount (or more) the following month. 7. You're at or near your credit limit on your credit cards.
8. You count on the float in order to pay your bills, writing a check hoping that you'll be able to cover it by the time it clears your bank.
9. You're unsure of the total amount you owe on all your debts.
10. You take out cash advances on your credit card to pay other bills.
11. You've tried to make a purchase with your credit card and been declined.
12. You've been denied credit.
13. You bounce checks.
14. You get calls from collectors.
15. You lie to your spouse or other family member about your spending or hide credit card statements from family members.

If you realize that you are in over your head, the sooner you act, the easier it will be to get out from under the burden of debt. Beware of companies that promise to fix your credit or debt consolidation companies. There's no easy fix, but it is possible to turn your finances around if you work at it.

When was the last time you heard an Erap Joke?

Nakatakas si Erap, FVR at GMA sa mga terorista at nagtago sa mga sako sa isang farm...

Terorista1: Anong nakita mo dyan?
Terorista2: Mga sako lang.
Terorista1: Tingnan mo ang laman!

Sinipa ng terorista ang unang sako, "Meow", sabi ni FVR!
Terorista2: Pusa!

Sinipa ang pangalawang sako, "Aw aw!" sabi ni GMA!
Terorista2: Aso!

Sinipa ang ikatlong sako... Walang tunog kaya sinipa uli ito ng sinipa ng terorista.

Dahil sa sakit ng sipa, napasigaw na si Erap:

"PATATAS!"

Apple I-Phone

I think these will sell like hotcakes once it reaches Asia in 2008.

Review of the Holidays

Here are some random thoughts about how I spent the Holidays:

Top of my list, of course, was having to spend Christmas and New Year in Manila with the missus and my boy. Seeing my boy getting more Christmas gifts than me and the missus combined showed how much the little fella is loved by his relatives. Too bad we weren't able to dress the entire mini Santa suit on him. It would've been cuuuute with the beard and all. Maybe it'll fit him this year.

Much to the dismay of his titas in Paranaque, he was asleep throughout the 2006-2007 turnover. This was inspite the titas' "indirect paggising sa kanya."

I've attended 3 Company Christmas parties ---which some say is below average of the Filipino employee. It was a joy to have experienced this since there wasn't one when I was in Malaysia. Christmas is just a one-day event there. Our department also had a Kris-Kringle wherein my "daddy" gave me very weird gifts: a toilet-plunger, 2 living white rats in an air-vented iced-tea bottle, and a baby chick (sisiw) spray-painted in red. The gifts caught everone's attention, including my boss, so I spent the next two weeks finding out who the suspect was. I had one particular guess who was considered the weirdest guy in the department. The other year, when the instruction was "something twenty," I heard that he gave his "baby" a balloon filled with, get this, twenty used McDo french fry bags. Creative isn't he? (But it wasn't as creative as the gift given by one of the VPs for "something funny:" a framed pic of Fanny Serrano)

Eventually, the culprit surrendered himself to me during the revelation night and was apologetic when he gave me a checkered short-sleeved polo as my Christmas gift from him. The shirt was definitely worth the wait.

I was able to remember all my inaanaks and bought each of them Christmas gifts ---some of whom I've never seen in years and would've been surprised that one of their Ninongs is back in the aguinaldo loop.

As for the holiday food, it is of no surprise that the missus and I consumed more than our average intake. The morcon, the Excellente ham, the hito, the molo soup, and the assortment of cakes from Conti's and Red Ribbon (and Krispy Kreme donuts) among others, have attributed to the rightward movement of the bathroom scale pointer. Good thing we bought a threadmill which we *hope* to use often to shed the unwanted fat.

During the missus' friends' Christmas party, the host pulled out his poker set. Now as you may know, my card-playing is only limited to 21 and pusoy-dos. But I've been watching a lot of poker on cable-TV and "sort of" understood how it was played. After the host and the other players taught me the rules of the game, we played for what I thought was only for fun.

Believe it or not, I won ---with a full-house to end the final round. Beginner's luck I suppose. Then the 3 who lost pulled out their wallets and started handing me P100.00 each. I declined but then they insisted. What I didn't hear was that during the start of the game the pot was P300.00 for the winner. The missus heard this but maybe since I was overwhelmed with excitement I didn't pay attention. But hey, if they insisted that they give me P300, why not? Hehe. I considered it tas heir aguinaldo for me. Hmmm, I hope they'd still invite me for poker on their next Christmas get-together.

All in all, it was a wonderful Holiday. I'm very grateful to have experienced it from start to end ---which I believe ends today coz of the Feast of the Magi.

In case I didn't greet you, here's a belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from me to you!

Jordan Team Handlez

The Jordan Team Handlez shoe. My next prospect for basketball shoes. Found it on Sale at a sports shop in Libis for P3,777.00. I'm still in a bind whether to buy it or not. It's the last pair in the shop and it's my size.

Pag andun pa yun this weekend, bahala na. ;-)

O Come All Ye Faithful (with a twist)

Katawan

This week has been one Christmas party after another ---a great "welcome back" for me who's missed happenings such as these during the holiday season.

Our company's Christmas party was held at the Hardrock Makati wherein cash prizes where at stake for the department that performed the best in their presentation. Our dept (nope, I didn't take part ---maybe next year) spent countless hours rehearsing their dance which was a mix of 60s, 70s, and 80s tunes. I was sure that they would win.

But then, the Marketing dept showed up with a skit performance of Pinoy performers of old: Pepe Smith, Mike Hanopol, and Sampaguita. Their winning performance, which brought the house down for obvious reasons, was this:

Ulan

Sung by Cueshe, I first heard this song via this flash-MTV.



Nice.

Green Tea

When we were in Malaysia, the missus and I would often go to our favorite Japanese resto, Genki Sushi. Aside from the fresh sushi and temaki, we would order green tea as our drink. What makes the green tea special here is that it's powdered green tea and you'd mix it yourself ---apart from it being cheaper and bottomless.

Consider the health benefits of green tea:

• Boosts your immune system
• Lowers blood sugar
• Helps prevent cavities and tooth decay
• Slows the aging process
• Helps reduce the risk of cancer
• Lowers cholesterol
• Aids in weight loss by burning calories
• Reduces high blood pressure
• Prevents arthritis
• Reduces the risk of heart disease
• Reduces the risk of stroke
• Lowers the risk of blood clot

I've been missing it since I came back so I searched around the 'net and came to O-cha which sells powdered green tea from Japan. It was a long wait (I ordered early-Oct but the package only arrived late Nov), but finally it's here!

Rapsa!

Glazed

The missus has been waiting all week for the opening of Krispy Kreme. Not even the winds of Reming deterred her from going to The Fort to queue up for a dozen. It was going to be this week, or else.

The shop itself wasn't easy to find. I knew that it was on The Fort, but didn't know where it was exactly. It was a good thing that there was a Krispy Kreme sign just right after the Adidas Sports Camp that pointed towards the direction of the Gonuts Donuts shop. We passed Gonuts Donuts but didn't see another sign of KK.

I turned around and followed a hunch that those 3 or 4 cars going to that small street *could be* lining up for KK.

As luck would have it, we found it ---the end of the queue that is. I told the missus and my sis to queue up as I parked the car. We spent around 10-15mins on the line before we managed to set foot on KK's doorstep, the missus filled with delight as we saw the machines process from dough to donut ---glazed, that is.

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My sis had never tasted KK before so she was questioning the hype about it. As one of the crew served us a glazed sample as a simple thank-you for lining up for so long, my sis uttered something like, "I don't know what the fuss is all about..." as she took a bite.

Then, as she munched her first melt-in-your-mouth bite of KK, her world stopped for a moment:

"Awwwhhhmmmmmmmmm!!!!"

She became a convert from then on.

The missus, on the other hand, was in a daze as she couldn't decide what combi should our first KK-dozen be: a dozen glazed? half glazed, half variety? 8 glazed, 4 variety?

It was a difficult choice, as if the store was only open for the day and will cease operation the next day.

She came to a decision: 8 glazed, 4 variety.

Within the next 24 hours, I, the missus, dadofbree, and the bugoys were able to consume the sumptuous dozen.

I guess we need to replenish again this weekend. ;-)

Homesick-Attack

I was able to download Google-Earth, a wonderful tool for all those who have nothing to do in the office. Hehe.

The missus frequently mentions na inaatake sya minsan pag namimiss nya ang Malaysia. I've stayed there for 3.5 years and frankly, I never had that "homesick-attack" since I left last July....

...until I saw Sunway again via Google-Earth (click on the pic to get the full view).


*SIGH*

Nakakamiss nga.

Jamming again

The band reunited last Monday evening in a studio in Makati after months in hiatus. The 2-hour session was mostly trying to recall old riffs. We ended up jamming around 2 or 3 songs that we *think* we got it right. To sum up, the jam session was very rusty so we hope to do better next time.

But it was great to hold my bass guitar again after a long while.

Patunay na mas mabilis ang kamay ni Manny kesa ke Eric

CS

I remember playing CounterStrike every Saturday morning when I was working in Singapore last 2001-2002. I'd walk to Plaza Singapura, the mall next to my friend's pad where I stayed in, and for 5 (or was it 10?) Sing-dollars an hour I'd shoot 'em up with those kids in the computer shop ---which I would lose most of the time.

Forbidden Questions

The missus and I often listened to Chico&Delamar's morning show when we were in Malaysia. I would download the recorded files from the 'net, burn it to an audio CD, and then we listen to it at home or in the car ---everyday.

But nowadays, their show seemed to be going downhill, especially with all those radio-idol contestants trying hard to sound like DJs in between the :30 and :00 minutes since those two slots are reserved for ChicoDel's morning top10.

Still, my interests to listen to it during my morning drive to work started to wane.

I've been hearing a lot of DJ Mo a couple of weeks back when, as the missus was watching The Buzz, the hosts of the said show seemed to be irritated by DJ Mo.

This interested me. For what could DJ Mo be doing that the likes of Boy, Kris, Cristy, and Lolit will get irritated for they are the ones irritating me every week? I need to know what's going on.

As you may know, local showbiz-talkshows are not as exciting as before when CharlieArceo ruled the Sunday afternoon TV slot when he sits in the hosting-controls and reports the latest movies to be seen ("ffffavb shtars!") or not to be seen ("whhaaahn shtar! Nya mahay nyah nyang ngayoh!"). Now THAT was entertainment.

TheBuzz and S-Files stories are too predictable and more importantly, for all terms and purposes, too stupid to digest even for the masa who I think are not that naive anymore. These 2 shows are just scratching the surface. Why are they not telling the stories that I only hear from the missus care of her inside sources?

I, for one, have been left wanting to see (or hear) something different.

Last Wednesday morning I was driving to work again. And again, those radio-idol-idiots are on my stereo. As the EDSA southbound-traffic started its perpetual crawl, I recalled that DJ Mo's show is every Wednesday morning. The show's 8-9am but it was already 8.45am but "what the hell!" I thought. It's either I listen to these radio-idiots up to Galleria or I switch channels.

I pressed "2" on my car stereo which speed-dials to 89.9.

It was Aubrey and Jacq, a team on the ongoing AR-Asia, who were the week's guests.

For those who missed it, especially the latter questions (and dares), you've missed a lot. It was definitely entertaining. I was laughing and shouting "GOOOOO!" inside my car that I hoped the car next to me didn't think I was going insane. Definitely entertaining indeed.

No wonder Boy, Kris and company got irritated. Actually, they weren't irritated. I felt that they were intimidated by the success "Forbidden Questions" is currently getting. DJ Mo's questions had definitely gone beyond the tip of the iceberg, making showbiz's secrets (and dirt) become transparent for all the world to see (btw, Lolit was also a previous guest. You can read here for snippets of that episode).

To Boy, Kris, and company, I leave you with the words of Charlie Arceo:

"Nya mahay nyah nyang ngayoh!"

Pinoy ang tumapos!

Pacman was obviously the stronger and faster boxer in this fight. Even Morales "El Terrible" himself, continuously described Manny as "mucho rapido" during the post-fight interview.

After an overdose of Dyan Castillejo sticking to Manny like glue weeks (months?) before the fight, encapsulated by her anorexic-muscular look during fight-night, after all the unnecessary TV delays and commercials, and even JDC's text to me that Pacman won it (I guess he watched it in SM), I was still delighted to watch the fight on free-TV. Erik had no chance against Manny's deadly left punch (kinaliwa eh!).

This goes to show that the one who had the better training and mental preparation for the fight won. Erik's weight problem obviously affected his stamina. He seemed to be tiring as early as the end of round 1. He was wobbly on round 2. And, obviously, he was sitting at the canvass looking dazed by round 3. That pose had definitely put a "period" into his illustrious fighting career since he said that he may decide to "stay at home" from hereon.

I think Manny is at the peak of his form and should continue to earn from it (USD3,000,000 + payperview shares ---not bad for a night's work). Since it might be a while before he fights again, I suggest he contacts Mrs. Madrid, my 2nd-year college English professor. Come on, you have to admit it. His English is not as good as his boxing.

Or an alternative would be to hire an interpreter.

May I suggest Jimmy Santos.

"Holy Cow!"

End of the line for Gonuts Donuts

"Crispy na, creamy pa!" ---Andrew E

The missus asked me this morning as to how did one TV show had so many Krispy Kreme donuts catered for the hosts.

"San kaya nila nakuha yun?"

The missus always included "Krispy Kreme" whenever she mentions her trips to the US. I myself have tasted it once (or was it twice coz I had 2 helpings?) whenever Mom of Bree brings back a dozen from Cali.

Then I recalled what my sis told me last weekend over crepe: Krispy Kreme is opening here soon ---at the Fort.

This is definitely good news for all those craving for the said succulent dessert ---the missus included. This used to be available only to families of OFWs coming from the US whenever they bring pasalubong.

But not anymore.

As I told this to the missus, she gasped and her eyes opened wide like a kid on Christmas morning:

"Oh no! We have to go!!!!"

I thought that it was already open but I wanted to be sure. I browsed the 'net and came to the Krispy-Kreme Philippines website. I called up their office number and verified if the news were true.

"I'm sorry sir but the opening is moved to Nov.30."

Well, the missus and I have to wait for 14 more days before we grab a bite of those freshly-baked, creamy, yummy donuts (sprinkled with calories).

You better not pout...you better not cry

It was a typical Monday evening drive from work. With EDSA moderately moving, I was able to reach Valley Road in 10 minutes. As I made the left turn to the garage, I saw at the corner of my eye who I thought was the missus, waiting to greet me. The garage was not lighted up so I couldn't really see who it was.

Then, in a couple of milliseconds, my thoughts changed from curiosity to fear....

....put#$%#$%^^$&*()!@+!@!!!!!

Then I realized, it was him. That same guy in the red suit that A-L-W-A-Y-S gets me every year.

Galeng mo!

It's undoubtedly one of the Philippines' finest moments in world pool. Alcano "The Volcano" beat Ralf "The Kaiser" Soquet in a lopsided 17-11 final of the World Pool Championships here in Manila.

After a long wait, a Filipino (again) has won the prestigious title (Alex Pagulayan won the title a couple of years back but he was playing for Canada back then). Officially, Reyes was the last Filipino champ in 1999.

My heart goes out to Ralf, who broke down in the post-game interview amidst the cheers of the Filipino crowd chanting "Soquet! Soquet!" to boost his moral. I congratulate the unbiased crowd during the final, showing great respect and applause to Ralf whenever the German made a good shot or won a rack. Ralf last won the title in 1996, then became runnerup on 2002, and then runner up again this year. "I feel very frustrated right now," Ralf said.

I feel you Ralf. But sorry, you just have to try again next year. Alcano deserves it.

Yup, after being bottom in the last 64 he zoomed past 3 WPC champs: Reyes, Wu, and Soquet to claim the WPC title.

With a USD100,000 cash prize, not bad for 1 week's work of pool.

Galeng mo idol!!!

Barbados Football

A soccer team advanced in a cup match by deliberately scoring against itself. Read here.

Btw, I managed to play football earlier. I realized that I'm not as quick as I was 10-12yrs ago. I guess I need to starting working-out again to get back in shape.