Power of a Filipino

Ey, guys...a good friend needs our support. His site is one of the entries, in fact hoping to be in the finals at the 7th Philippine Web Awards (PWA). A representation of a Filipino ingenuity on Web Designing...the power of creative imagination. This is John Louie's pet called Superluwi.com.

 
Come on friends, nothing to lose...we could cast our votes at the PWA site by registering first, then we could give our people's choice vote. I am in no way connected with the PWA, just a friend who gives his wishes to another friend.

Many thanks to you all!

Funny Yet Grand

Saturday
My wife and I had to travel to Baliuag, Bulacan to attend the wedding of an officemate, it was a 3-hour long drive from Rizal. I am not familiar with this town, kaya maraming beses kaming nawala...we have to ask every person we could find and ask for directions. Time is of the essence and we have to be on time. The ceremony was supposed to be starting at 4:30 pm (as stated on the invitation) and exactly, we were on time.

At the time we were in front of the church's gate, there was already a couple (in a kneeling position) at the altar facing the priest who was initiating the ceremony. My wife, who was one of the "ninangs", and I thought the wedding that we are supposed to attend to had already been started...so, I told her to just proceed and sit with the other sponsors. And so we did. Everybody were all eyes on us just to learn that it was somebody's wedding. Sa susunod pa pala yung kasal ng kakilala namin! I looked at my wife's eyes and without word, we both stood up poised, and exited from the church. We just gave a good laugh on what had happened...anyway, it was an honest mistake, a good experience.

The wedding started at around 5:30 pm at the Mt. Carmel Church, one of the nicest church i've seen. The groom, as i've said is my officemate and the lovely bride (standing at around 5'10" tall) is a native of that town. She belongs to a well-to-do family and in fact a niece of the town's mayor. What really amused me is how the couple prepared for their wedding...it is a grand one, flowers everywhere, chandeliers lighted, rose petals were scattered at the feet of the bride as she marches towards the altar, mass booklets distrubuted to everyone, dresses of the sponsors were nicely done. The ceremony was very solemn and orderly.

Reception followed in a local resort and the food was superb...hay, sarap, talagang nabusog ako. It is so inspiring to see a wedding so sincere, so archaic, so grand i wish i could marry again...not with another women but again to my wife...siyempre.

Sunday
This made my kids' day...i brought them to a nearby resort for a dip. I called my barkada and everybody enjoyed the sun and the water. Ah, life..still gratifying at times like these!

Missing the Starting Gun

I was sooooo pissed today! I was supposed to have a meeting with the task force on Energy Consumption and Conservation here at our office, and i was in the office as early as 10 minutes before. It has been my attitude to be on time, if not a bit earlier to any commitment...be it a meeting in the office or even outside to meet someone. Mahihiya na ang mukha ko pag ako'y ma-late.

But what made me irritated today was that some guys don't care about your time, they lack respect, man. Some showed up 10 minutes late, a guy even showed up 30 minutes after the agreed time, the worst was that some guys didn't even showed up at all...damn! And we say...ahhh, life's too cruel, life's too difficult nowadays...our country's really poor, we're not moving forward (big bulls**t) and we don't even bother to do something about it, even with a mere respect of other's time. I hate these guys, man...

I hope they come across this post and knock their senses...they should know (they are old enough), time is one of the most precious resources. It is valuable. Time waits for no one and probably, nobody wants it wasted. It defines the beginnings and ends, and what we fill it up with, is what we get out of our lives. The sad reality is that we have all the time there is and yet we are not making more of it.

There are a lot of ways in respecting one's time. Preparing ahead of time is one, unpreparedness is a big waste. Of course, being on time and keeping on track...staying too long is also not good. And what do we get: a good reputation that will build an atmosphere of trust and goodwill.

Respecting time doesn't just help the other person...it reflects greatly on you as well. (Hayyyy, nakakalungkot at nakakaburat na rin kung minsan *buntong-hininga*)

Paalam...Kaibigan

Bertdey ko nung nakaraang araw...maraming bumati at marami ring nakalimot, pero suma total...masaya at kumpleto araw ko. Siyempre, ang aking misis, mga anak at magulang ang unang bumati, at nakatanggap rin ng regalo mula sa kanila maski papano. Maaga akong nagsimba at nagpasalamat sa ating Ama sa walang hanggang biyayang di nya naipagkakait. Isang pahina na naman ng aking buhay ang mag-uumpisa...pinagdasal ko pagkagising ng araw na yun, na sana'y tulungan at gawin pa nya akong mas mabuting kristyano.

Syempre, kailangan regaluhan ko rin aking ang sarili...una, maghapon akong di nagtrabaho. Binigyan ko rin ng "break" ang aking sarili. At pangalawa, naipangako ko sa aking sarili na kakalimutan ko na ang aking bisyo..."ang aking paninigarilyo". Nakadalawang araw na rin akong nagtitiis na walang hithit...mahirap at di ako mapakali pero kailangan kong tiisin. Hangga't maaari, di ko na babalikan ito. Matagal-tagal ko na rin binisyo ang sigarilyo at kung kukwentahin mo ang naipambili ko nito, baka nakapagpa-aral na ito ng isang "Nursing". Di naman ako yung tipong sugapa, sampung (10) sticks lang ang average ko sa maghapon...di ko kayang umubos ng isang kaha, pero, marami man o kaunting sticks ang ating nakukunsumo...bisyo pa rin yun. Walang pinagkaiba.

Kelan ba ako unang nanigarilyo...tagal na...3rd year high school...paisa-isa (at patago sa magulang...tagpas ang ulo ko pag nahuli akong me yosi). Ewan kung anong dahilan noon, siguro paporma, barkada. Nahuli nga ako minsan ng aking tatay, kalaboso inabot ko. Pagtungtong sa kolehiyo, ayan na...sineryoso ko na, palagi na akong me nakabulsang yosi. Lalo pa sa Baguio kung saan ako nag-aral, masarap at malamig ang simoy...napakasarap manigarilyo, walang pait. Mga barkada ko, mahihilig rin...pag wala na pambili, hati-hati na kami sa isang stick. Maalala ko pa, pag naninigarilyo ka at sinabihan ka na 50-50...ibig sabihin nun, ipasa mo na sa kanya ang yosi pag nangalahati na, sigurado 'ala siyang pambili.

Pagpasok ko sa trabaho, puro maninigarilyo rin kasama ko rito...talagang di makaiwas, puro kasi kami lalake rito. Noon di ko na tinago sa magulang ko ang bisyo...sarili ko na kasing pera ang pambili. Pero, sermon pa rin inaabot ko pag nakikita ako ng nanay ko...masama raw sa katawan, etc, etc...pero labas lang sa kaliwang tenga...Sabi ko sa sarili ko, "ngayun pa ba ako aayaw, eh malaki na ang puhunan ko rito"...hahaha

Noong bata kasi ako, siguro mga edad 11, mahilig kasing magpasindi ng sigarilyo ang aking lolo (sumalangit nawa). Pag nakatapos na yun ng tanghalian o hapunan, tatawagin na ako at magpapasindi na ng isang stick sa kusina, tamad siyang magsindi para sa sarili. Pagbigay ko sa kanya, baka nakadalawa o tatlo na akong hithit..."kasalanan mo 'to lolo, di mo namamalayan, naitri-training mo na pala ako pagyosi".

Pero nakakasawa na rin...parang inoobliga ko ang sarili ko na bago pumasok sa trabaho, eh me nakabulsa ng yosi na baon. Nagsasawa na utak ko pero hinahanap naman ng katawan...bisyo na talaga. Kaya isang buwan bago sumapit ang aking bertdey, pinangako ko sa sarili ko na titigilan ko na talaga ito, alam ko kaya ko naman ito. Sinabihan ko rin ang misis ko na alalayan ako't baka siya'y malingat, eh me hawak na naman akong yosi. Noong isang gabi...sinunod-sunod ko ang sindi, pinagsawa ko talaga sarili ko bilang pamamaalam sa aking paninigarilyo.

Pangalawang araw ko nang walang yosi...nawa'y di ako sumuway sa aking pangako. Kung kaya ng iba, sigurado kaya ko...

What I Did, What I did Not

I Love Sundays
Yesterday, Sunday, was a good day for me...it was time to sweat all that lard of fat off my belly.

As early as 5:00 am, my family and I together with a friend's family drove to Roxas Blvd, at the CCP Complex for some streching. A lot of people were there too for the same purpose or whatsoever. You could see a lot of activities, it is up to you on what would be your desired physical exertion or just hang around to clear all the clouds of pressure in your mind.

 

A lot of girls & guys danced their hearts out with aerobics and taebo...that i also did (also had a chance to peek at some of the world's nicest, curvaceous butts...i am a pervert, sometimes, if i have a chance) .


Some did fishing on the shores...that i didn't do (i'd rather go to the market and buy some fish, "effortless").

Some wandered around with their bikes...that i did minus the bike.

Some had their cute puppies and dogs for a walk...that i didn't, i have dog phobia.

Some kung fu dudes practiced their styles...that i didn't do, that is not my stuff.

Some whispered their sweet nothings on the shore...that I did, too (of course with my wife...who else?... i practice fidelity!)

A lot of families had a picnic under the trees...that we did (i liked the prepared "tapang kalabaw").

Some guys just laid on the grass for a continued sleep or stare at the sky for some daydreaming...that i did, i was daydreaming on how to get rich.

Next stop was Luneta for some sights...i just laid there on the grass and continued my daydreams. After which, kinumusta ko si Rizal (as suggested by Pareng Pepe...ok lang daw siya, "si Rizal"...visit him if you have a chance).

I love Luneta...lugar para sa mga taong gustong mamasyal kahit na walang pera, kagaya ko.

Afterwards, we had to go home, my wife had to drive, i still have to continue my daydreams in the car...then rest and slept for the rest of the day, Amen!

I Hate Mondays
A song from the Boomtown Rats, I really, really hate this day of the week & often suffer Monday sickness...
 

I Don't Like Mondays
The silicon chip inside her head.
Gets switched to overload,
And nobody's gonna go to school today,
She's going to make them stay at home,
And daddy doesn't understand it,
He always said she was as good as gold,
And he can see no reason.
Cos there are no reasons.
What reason do you need to be shown.

Tell me why.
I Dont't like Mondays.
I want to shoot.
The whole day down.

The Telex machine is kept so clean.
As it types to a waiting world,
And Mother feels so shocked,
Father's world is rocked,
And their thoughts turn to.
Their own little girl.
Sweet 16 ain't that peachy keen,
No, it ain't so neat to admit defeat,
They can see no reasons.
Cos there are no reasons.
What reason do you need to be shown,

Tell me why.
I Dont't like Mondays.
I want to shoot.
The whole day down.

All the playing's stopped in the playground now,
She wants to play with her toys a while.
And school's out early and soon we'll be learning
And the lesson today is how to die,
And then the bullhorn crackles,
And the captain crackles,
With the problems and the how's and why's
And he can see no reasons
Cos there are no reasons
What reason do you need to die

Tell me why.
I Dont't like Mondays.
I want to shoot.
The whole day down.

Signs of the Times

I had a chance to visit a long lost friend, Raul, last Sunday in Bulacan. He was in fact one of my 10-man barkada back in college. He called me up one time asking me to visit his house (got my number from one of the barkada) and get to know his family. So, I did, had a long drive together with my family to meet him...and was a bit amused on what i've seen...

Way back then, Raul was the kind of guy you don't want to mess around with...he was the so called "Bad Boy" in our school, intimidating everyone...because of his built and the way he lives his life. He was a known figure in the university's Guidance & Counseling office because of his notorious behavior...everybody then simply calls him "siRAUL-o". The school could not just kick him out...though he was a pain in the ass, he got brains, too. We were his only friends then, in fact his best friends, maybe because we understood him and we treated him as our brother...we had accepted him of what he was. The good thing about him was that he will never abandon you, defend you from your enemies and would in fact sacrifice his own life just for the sake of friendship. That was proven when one of our friend got a heated arguement in a small bar in Baguio...Raul did all the work, beat all the enemies black and blue...he really crushed them. He was in jail for a week because of that incident. After that, he gave his word: " that was all for you, never will i abandon you 'til the end"...indeed, this guy is fearless, a tough one, we thought.

One time i asked why on earth does he act like that...his reply was: "it is for my own survival...I got no family, my mom & dad were separated when i was young and now they have their own families, i have no relatives here...i only got you, my friends"...he is in solitude. So, from 2nd year until the end of college, the 10 of us were unseparable...we would share everything, from food, clothing and even our deep secrets...through thick and thin (kabutihan at kalukohan), we were brothers. But at the moment our eyes are not set on him, he would continue his wicked ways. That was his natural.

But the company has to end...after the last semester, nine of us have to come here in Manila for our board exam review. He was left in Baguio to finish some unfinished subjects...it was the most painful feeling we had...as much as possible, we would like to be with him but that was not possible...our lives have to move on. All he had to say before we parted was: " take care of yourselves, i would not be there to protect you...don't worry about me here. We would see each other again, someday."

Last Sunday, the first time i saw him again, we embraced for a minute...i was very, very glad to see him. I was in fact, in awe for while...the fearless guy is now a changed man...his face was pleasant, without his mustache trademark, he dresses well (not unlike before, shirts with soiled pants...very rugged), soft spoken...di na barumbadong magsalita at mahinhin ng gumalaw. He has a lovely wife with two healthy kids, and now a manager in a telecommunications company. I shoke my head and smiled when i saw him cook and fixed the table for our lunch...i have to approach him and ask, "pare, di ako makapaniwala...akala ko sa preso kita makikita, pero ang ganda na ng buhay mo ngayun. Anong nagyari ?". He replied: " pare, tinandaan ko yung huli mong sinabi sa akin noon bago tayo naghiwalay...na kung hindi ko babaguhin ang buhay ko, habang buhay akong magulo. Sinabi mo nun na mangarap ako, kaya ito ako...nagkaresulta na rin yun mga pangarap. Salamat sa 'yo, pare...ikaw ang pinaniwalaan ko noon". After that, he gave me another brothery hug...i felt very happy for him.

While writing this post, a song suddenly came into me...it was an old favorite from Van Halen, "Big Bad Bill (Is Sweet William Now)"... and it goes like this:

Had the whole town scared to death
When he walked by, they all held their breath
He's a fightin' man, sure enough
And then Bill got himself a wife, now he leads a different life
Big Bad Bill is Sweet William now

Married life done changed him somehow
He's the man the town used to fear
Now they all call him Sweet Papa Willy Dear
Stronger than Sampson I declare
'Til a brown-skinned woman's bobbed his hair

Big Bad Bill don't fight anymore (No, no, no)
He's doin the dishes an' moppin' up that floor (Yes he is)
Well he used to go out drinkin' lookin' for a fight
Now he gotta see that sweet woman every night
Big Bad Bill is Sweet William now

Dreams of Reason

 
...we found our names in a dream
we had farmhouse coffee and cream
colors and visions the test supreme
we made our lives your dreams...