Divaness: More Wakeboarding Shots

Just received these pics of moi as taken by Erwin de G last weekend. Thanks Erwin and Marlene........
O da va, feeling divaness................

O humabol pa, poginess, macho-fafaness!!!!

chuvaness............

Bongganess: Happy Halloween

Like I said, I love halloween. I'm just not in such a jolly mood since all my siblings and cousins are in Boracay right now. In short, no halloween party to go to. I chose to stay behind so I can 'play' again this weekend. To think I was looking forward to dressing up as a fairy princess this year. Oh well............

Anyhoo, in the spirit of halloween here are some of my favorite shots. I took a lot of halloween pics this year (close to 100, I think) and I seriously can't decide which ones to post for my 'bongganess'. 'Eeenie meenie minie mo' did the trick............

5
Ain't he just creepy???
4
What better way to celebrate than to drink to your heart's content........ 3
Corpse bride and groom???2
Wait a sec............ Aren't they the same couple as in bongganess # 3???

1

Hands down, bongganess..............

What the....???? Is that a hag in black???Happy Halloween!!!

Battle Scars

Believe it or not, I happen to love ALL my scars - each and every single one of them. Even with the latest advancements in cosmetic surgery (and a fitting budget), mark my words, I would never have them removed.

Ask anyone who knows me, I call them "battle scars" or "medals". If scars could talk, each one would have it's own unique tale to tell.

The oldest one being the one on my left knee, I got it when I was about 10. I fell off my bike and rammed my knee into a piece of driftwood. That was the last time I ever rode anything with 2 wheels.

There's a huge one behind my left thigh that looks more like a huge burn. Slipping off while ripping a slider (see that yellow slider on the background), the metal pipe managed to scrape quite a few layers of skin. If it weren't for my knee brace [which I have to wear whenever I play because I tore my MCL (Medial Collateral Ligament) falling with my left leg first from the top of a 6-ft A-frame, the huge white thingy on the background, but that's another story], the entire leg would've probably been grated. To top it off, immediately after the scrape, I fell on my ass and slid down the fiberglass siding, thus sharp fibers managed to find their way into my already burning scrape. I was all alone so I drove myself to the nearest clinic which was about 100 kilometers away. After which, I laid face down on the E.R. bed for more than an hour as the doctor tried to pluck every shard. Since the fibers were translucent, removing every single piece was an impossible task. He then proceeded by pouring antiseptic onto my open wound. I'm sure you get the picture, and it ain't pretty.

I have one right above my right eye. Again while wakeboarding, I was on my way to the dock when a newbie went straight at me. Had I not managed to hide under my board in time, she would have decapitated me (she was probably traumatized by my forked tongue as I never saw her again, ever........).

There's another one near it. Right above my eyebrow. I was ripping a slider (the same one that managed to scrape my thigh), I fell off the wrong side and failed to let go of the rope. Smack!!! The side of my face met the end of the metal pipe. The cut would have needed 3 stitches but thanks to the able hands of Ellen and Keren (of Lago) who administered first aid. Also quite a number of butterfly tapes plus heavy antibiotics, I did not need any stitching.

The most visible (and most recent) is the one under my right knee. We were on our way to a restaurant and I was so hungry that instead of walking 10 extra meters, I jumped over the fence not knowing there was a metal bar protruding from the ground, hidden beneath the grass.

I have a lot more scars. Not physical scars but emotional scars. From childhood. My first heartbreak. Betrayals. Bulimia. Depression. Harsh words from a supposed 'friend'. And many, many others which I'd rather not mention.

They will always be there to serve as reminders. Maybe even mementos.

The battle scar on my left knee symbolizes courage. Even after a major wipeout, I need to muster up the courage to try again. Otherwise, I will never mount again.

The battle scar behind my thigh epitomizes willpower. Even after an injury (or a heartbreak), I know I have to gather up my determination because life, indeed, goes on.

The battle scars on my face emblematizes the power of time, and forgiving & forgetting. Given time, our skin (especially our hearts), can forgive but never forget.

The battle scar on my right knee symbolizes restraint. That some things can definitely wait.

The emotional battle scars represent life. There will always be ups and downs. It may not always be fair, but it sure is wonderful.

So I will keep wearing short shorts no matter how old I get or no matter how many stares get thrown my way. After all, I earned them and I will forever bear them like medals......................

Sugar-Coated Ecstasy

Finally, after nearly 8 months of hibernation........................

I'm back in action................. Heaven in a nutshell, to me at least......................Heck, even Joel managed to find his piece of heaven as well......................... And lookie, lookie what I found inside their new (to me) brochure............... Closer, closer...............(taken during last years comp, ahem, ahem, shameless self promotion alert haha) Sheer bliss........


P.S. Thank you Allan D for taking these cool pics...............

Thank you Erwin & Marlene, super enjoy ako haha. Marlene, sorry for the misspell, na edit ko na di na mauulit. Hope to see you soon, sa Friday gusto niyo??? haha :-)

Thank you Joseph & Celina R. Up until last week, I was thinking of shutting down my blog. It's people like you who give me the energy and the balls to go on. I can't wait to see you both again (plus your kids) in December................

Finding Happiness Amid Turmoil

One.......

Two.......My blog is 2 months old today!!! Two full months, 66 posts, and many sleepless nights................

To everyone who managed to read even just a single post, THANK YOU......
To everyone who took time out to comment even just once, THANK YOU......

To everybody out there,
THANK YOU,
THANK YOU,
THANK YOU......
you make it all worthwhile :-)

P.S. Sem break has finally started. I'm off to you-know-where to do you-know-what for I don't know how long. I'll be seeing you in a few days.

Have a superlative weekend!!!!!!

Trick or Treat

I love halloween. Maybe even more so than Christmas.

All the garish decor................ The sweets........................All the costumes...................Todays was my pre-schooler's halloween party. Nothing unusual, just your average halloween party. What struck me though was one of the winner's costumes. Among them was Optimus Prime. And yes, he transforms....................This one though caught my attention. Well, not so much the outfit but the message. Did you hear that Mr. Trapo??? As I'm writing this, Erap is having his press conference celebrating his freedom....................... Do you really think we are THAT stupid???
I do not recall picking "TRICK"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If my post yesterday was depressing, this is disturbing.......................kakainis

Depressing Shots

These photos are not mine. Just some of the pics I received through an email from my dear sis...............

The blast happened in Glorietta 2 in Makati last Friday, October 19, around 1:30 P.M.

If you're squeamish, I suggest you do not scroll down any further...................According to this morning's paper, 11 people died and about 120 people were injured. I initially wrote Diabolical Idiosyncrasies because the initial reports were leaning on a terrorist attack. Yesterday, the PNP said it was more likely a gas leak. I really don't know........ There are a couple more pics that I'd rather not post. There was one of a woman who died who wasn't even inside the mall when it happened.

I'm saddened just by looking these photos. If it was a terrorist attack, then shame on you people. I do pray that there are no more casualties (the initial count last Friday was 8). Please do pray for them.............

The Shungak Awards at Ang Mahiwagang WangWang

After a serious backlog, here they are..........

The 'CHILD ENDANGERMENT Award' goes to

This tricycle driver along Katipunan. First off, tricycles are not allowed along that stretch. Second, ano nga ba ulit yung award mo???
The 'CHILD & PARTNER ENDANGERMENT Award' goes to

This motorcycle driver along EDSA, Santolan. I have a clearer shot but I opted to use this one just for you to see how fast he was going. Notice his passenger isn't wearing a helmet, not to mention the poor kid with no protection whatsoever (in case of a smash) sanwiched between them...............
The 'WHATEVERPLANETDIDYOUCOMEFROM Award' goes to

This couple along Alabang. Not only is there a kid in between BUT................Pssst, Mr. Pogi, your helmet can in no way protect you in case you crash since you're not even wearing the damn thing, your baseball cap is!!!
And Honey, THAT AIN'T A HELMET. That's a hard hat.
The 'MATIKAS Award' goes to

This soldier along EDSA Ortigas.How the heck can you protect the country when you can't even protect your wife, girfriend, whoever she is........

The 'WHATEVERITISYOURPROFESSIONANDWHYTHEHECKAREYOUINIT Award' goes to

Not one..................But two policemen along Quezon Avenue.....................How the heck are you going to enforce a very simple law that you cannot even follow.....................

Need I say more????


The 'SHUNGAK AWARD' goes to

ALL THE SUV's WITH MATCHING CONVOYS + PNP ENTOURAGE + WANG WANG

If you traverse the streets of Manila on a regular basis, I'm sure you've encountered them. It usually starts with a motorcycle. They intimidate everyone by bullying every single vehicle in sight to move aside so that his/ her majesty can get through traffic!!! Anak ng tinapay, wala namang hari at reyna sa Pilipinas!!!! Akala ko ba demokarasya tayo????!!!! As if that's not enough, this privilege (???) is sometimes even extended to the spouse, children, grandchildren, syota ng anak, pati ata kabit.................. Heck no, simple SUV's do not appeal to them. It's usually Lincoln Navigators, Cadillac Escalades, Lexus LX (s), GMC Yukons & Suburbans, and the like that strike their fancy. Akala ko ba third world country tayo???

Ano nga ba yung sabi sa kanta ni Christina Aguilera??? la la la 'you must talk so big to make up for smaller things' la la And what the heck is a 'wang wang'??? Well as if the intimidating convoy isn't enough to aggravate you, they need, I repeat, they need this loud siren that goes 'wang wang wang' to announce their prescence.
I'd understand this kind of treatment for the President but..................

One question though, who the heck is footing the bill for all this nonsense, I mean luho???!!! Ahem pork ahem barrel ahem ahem ahem

Nagtatanong lang po.............. Something to chew on, pero apparently manhid na ang panga ko sa kakanguya mwahahaha

Diabolical Idiosyncrasies

Thus in the beginning, the two mental aspects, which are twins
Mutually disclosed themselves in their thoughts, words and deeds,
The one as the better (of the two) and the other (as) the evil
The wise and the intelligent did choose correctly but the ignorant and unwise did not.
-Zarathushtra

I'm convinced that there is good and evil battling inside each of us, each struggling for the upper hand. Though in some, good emerges the victor, and sadly in some, evil emerges the winner.

If you don't believe this theory you're probably either
a. in denial
b. a saint
c. living under a rock
d. a hypocrite
e. an alien

Even in the story of Creation in the Old Testament, it is quite obvious that we are fated to be in the midst of opposing poles between good and evil. Remember the forbidden fruit? You know the rest. Hence, Paradise was lost. Forever.

I was never a religious person. I wish I was though, but I've always been a rebel. I went through a period in my life when I stopped believing in God. Total and complete disbelief. And it was at that low, low point in my that I found him.

Terry Anderson once said, "We come closest to God at our lowest moments. It is easy to hear God when you are stripped of pride and arrogance; when you have nothing to rely on except God. It's pretty painful to get to that point, but when you do, God's there."

Random acts of kindness never fail to amaze and inspire me. Random acts of cruelty evoke feelings of dejection and indignation in me. How can a human being plot against his own kind?

Adam and Eve were banished from Paradise. But there is one thing God left all of us with, FREE WILL. The freedom to make choices without His intervention.

Everyday there is a battle inside each of us.

Everyday we make our own choices.

Everyday we exercise free will.

EVIL may sometimes triumph. GOOD sometimes seems the underdog. But always remember, EVIL will never conquer.

I hope you've chosen your side. I hope you chose well.

P.S. I wrote this article this afternoon with the alleged bombers in the recent 'Glorietta Blast' in mind. Apparently, it turns out to be an 'accident'. Hence I had to edit everything including the title. I'm not trying to sound preachy, intyendes.......... Although I'm really not sold on the whole 'accident' theory. Guess we'll have to wait some more......

Bongganess: My Top 5 Fave Biblical Quotations

I've been meaning to do a 'bongganess' on my favorite books but alas, I cannot narrow it down to 5. I can, however, pick 5 favorite lines from one of my favorite books, The Holy Bible.

Believe it or not, I love reading the holy book, papaano palagi akong nasasapol bwahaha. A tried and tested bestseller, heck even J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series cannot outsell it. Bar none, the Bible is one of the best books ever written, trust me........

Here they are, 'bongganess' quotes from the holy book:

5
Proverbs 3: 5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.

4
Matthew 6: 22-23
Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light. But when your eye is bad, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is darkness, how deep that darkness is!

3
Matthew 7: 1-2
Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.
Ouch ouch ouch ouch. Guilty ako palagi.

2
Matthew 16: 26
And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but to lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?

1
Matthew 7:12
The Golden Rule
Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.

When I was little, I thought someone just made this up. Only 2 years ago did I found out it was from the holy book. Napaghahalata haha.

Have a sunshiny day (even though it's raining)!!!

Highly Evolved Defense Mechanisms

Sometimes I wonder if there's something infinitely sardonic to preferring animals to people.

I like reptiles of all shapes and sizes. I like snakes. I like turtles. I'm sure you know by now.

Snakes I can identify with because of their solitude and terrorizing facade. Turtles because of their tough looking shell.

I've always loved seclusion. I've always managed to intimidate people I've just met by feigning indifference; by seeming antipatika, maldita, mataray, suplada.

I do not fear death, I said so recently.

Then what is it that would evoke fear in you, she asked.

Heights, I said to myself. But not really, because as soon as I get the chance, I will base jump off Malaysia's KL Tower.

Intimacy and decadence, I retorted.

I'm sure she wanted to ask why but she didn't. Maybe she thought I was being impassive.

Truman Capote once said, "When God hands you a gift, he also hands you a whip; and the whip is intended solely for self-flagellation".

I fear losing anybody I care about. I fear having my heart broken, as it has been many, many times. I fear losing my wit, sometimes even my sanity.

I got teased a lot in grade school because of my weight and my gap teeth. I would cry as soon as I got home. My father told me, "Never let words get to you. Remember, 'Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me' ". Only then would I be appeased.

Why are tears, especially from a woman, always seen as a sign of weakness? I still cried though, but I did it behind closed doors.

I have a very high tolerance for bodily pain. Even the deepest lacerations cannot make me shed a tear. But the slightest cruelty in expression can make me sob.

These days, I don't cry very often. But when I do, it is out of anger.

That's probably what I love about the written word. I can edit it, I can even delete everything I just wrote. But something that is said, you can never take back.

All venomous snakes are capable of biting without injecting their venom into their victim. This is called a 'dry bite'. They do this to indimidate rather than waste their venom on a body much too large for them to eat.

Even non-venomous constrictors can deliver damaging bites.

In a turtle, the shell is there to make it extremely difficult for predators to inflict damage on their very sensitive interior.

As for me, I'm writing this shrouded in obscure madness. All by myself, but that does not mean I am lonely. I'm going back into my shell now.

Tag, You're It

"How do you see yourself? As a free spirit? Do you recognize the goodness in you that others do? Is there something extraordinary about you that you do not recognize as extraordinary? Is there a chance that your life is more wonderful than the way you currently see it? What does that mean to you?"
John, Chimeric Day Dreams


The other day my fellow blogger Melai, tagged me. In return, I'm supposed to tag 7 other bloggers who have managed to inspire me. A pretty difficult task for a newbie like me as I do not know a lot of bloggers out there. I do read a lot of other blogs but not for purposes of inspiration. I admit to being drawn to 'darkness'. Not for anything else, but seeing 'darkness' makes me appreciate the radiance and magnificence of 'light' even more. Twisted analogy, I know.

I thought I would need a full month to find them. Maybe it was divine inspiration, maybe even fate that I have found 7 bloggers that have managed to inspire me.

Without naming them, I'm supposed to write a sentence or two about them. Here are my messages to the 7 people who have inspired me...................


1. Your warmth is such a blessing, like a cold breeze through the desert in mid afternoon. Your humor and laughter, infectious. You are a true inspiration in every sense of the word.

2. Your honesty to a point of sheer brutality never fails to impress me. Do not let other people intimidate you.

3. Your sincerity and courtesy shine through in your posts. You illuminate the blog world with your wisdom.

4. Your wisdom, depth, and compassion managed to inspire me in more ways than one.

5. Your generosity in sharing your knowledge is Godsend. Keep doing what it is you do.

6. The things you do, I can only dream of. Keep doing what you're doing and inspire more ladies.

7. Your passion for what you do is amazing. It makes me want to do more.


Here's to you Melai, Corrina, Ate Sienna, John, Peter, Elay, and Rino.

You're it. Who's your big 7???


P.S. O hayan Melai, bayad na utang ko haha.........

P.P.S. I do not mind being asked questions. I believe, however, that there is an appropriate time, place, and setting for such. The manner in which it is said counts as well. I get a little feisty especially when aggravated. That explains my corrosiveness yesterday. Or is it lack of sleep? Sinabi naman pati sa inyong hormonal at bugnutin ako.

P.P.P.S. Have a blessed Sunday!!!

Random Questions Answered & Paparazzo Shots: Take 2

I've just noticed that my posts lately have been bordering on either solemn and/or grim and/or serious.

I'm not a serious person.

For one thing, my husband thinks I'm a goofball, my sisters think I'm a lunatic, my brother thinks I'm senseless, my parents think I'm daft, even my own relatives think I'm possessed.

I'm the type who always trips, falls off a bed, and/or trips, slips and falls flat on her back at E.K. To prove that I am indeed the opposite of serious, here are this week's paparazzo shots.......... No, hindi ako nag-iinarte, my eyebags are ginormous as I haven't had deep slumber in the last 2 weeks........Piss off!!!
O see, I'm not at all serious. My parents were right all along.


Questions, questions, questions.............

Here are my answers................

I've been asked many times whether I have background in writing. I've been writing grim tales (as in violent tales, murderous plots, and villainous schemes) in my diary since kindergarten, does that count? I was Literary Editor of my high school paper. I won a Rector's Literary Award in UST during my freshman year for scribing something about Ninoy Aquino. Pretty weird for someone who was then taking Fine Arts. Satisfied??? This is probably because I read a lot, which explains why I have no social life and I only have 2 friends total, which would explain why I have no friendster account. It would be pretty stupid of me to sign up for friendster when I am fully aware that I only have 2 friends. Sedira counts as 1 friend, so that would narrow down my friendster contact to only 1. I do not have multiply either, I have no plans of signing up, so stop inviting me. I do maintain a flickr account, if only to (a) promote my blog, (b) so that I only have to upload my photos once instead of uploading them again and again and again to send to all my relatives, and (c) well, wala lang. I am seriously backlogged in my traffic posts and my very own Shungak Awards. Why? My dear Tito Bennet instilled terror in me. How? By telling me not to use my camera especially at night because I might get into trouble since some fraternity members might just shoot me for aiming a camera at them. So I got to thinking, what the heck, death does not scare me, so I still kept shooting. Now I have dozens of photos to choose from. Among them are pics of policemen and soldiers with traffic violations. Of which you'll see in the next few days as I have something in mind to blog about tomorrow. Apparently, because of Joel's birthday, I've been a little self-restrained. But now that it's been nearly a week, I'm back to my old self. See, who ever said I was serious? mwahahaha

National Thank You Day

Today, October 20, is National Thank You Day.

"Thank You" is my one of my favorite phrases. Two very simple and concise words that express gratitude. To celebrate, here's a short list of people I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart. mwah mwah


Thank you God.......for the countless blessings you have showered me with. You are the Alpha and the Omega

Thank you Joel.......for the loving me the way that you always do and more (see 'Hey Handsome' post). I'm lucky to have found my soulmate

Thank you J & J.......for keeping me grounded. You truly are my little angels

Thank you Mommy.......for being a superlative mom. You are my pillar of strength

Thank you Daddy.......for being a great dad. You are my wellspring of intellect

Thank you Tita Loi.......for always being there when I need you. You always had faith in me even when the world did not

Thank you Nanay Cora.......for always being there for us. You are the best lola evah

Thank you Vince.......for being a true friend. You have shown me what it means to pay it forward

Thank you Roselle.......for always being there for me & my kids. You are such a great 'tita' to my kids and you are my most avid commenter and reader

Thank you Alvin E.......for always being kind and patient with my children. You are such a wonderful 'tito'

Thank you Ate Mel.......for all the kind and flattering words you said. You have shown me what it means to give with joy

Thank you Allan, Mon, Joseph, & Cely.......for always reading my posts and making me gush with all your pleasant messages. You make it worth my while

Thank you Melai.......for being so warm and pleasant to a newbie like me. Your joy and 'kakulitan' is so infectious

Thank you Tip.......for perpetually calling me chuvaness, chakaness, & eclavu. You inspired my blog title


If there's anyone out there I forgot to thank.........Sorry..........but just the same, thank you, thank you, thank you................


Go on now, who do you have to thank?

A Skeleton Out of My Closet

Does anybody know this person?

I do.

This was me in my teens. I used to BE her some 14 years ago, although I don't remember BEING her. I was severely overweight. At 16, I weighed in (at my heaviest) at around 130 lbs. (note that I'm only 5'1"). I decided to finally lose the weight when I was 19. This was when I first met my future husband (even then I knew in an instant he would someday be mine). He wouldn't throw me a glance and I couldn't blame him.

I went on a (near) starvation diet. I ate a single pack of Lucky Me pancit canton and ate half of it in the morning and saved the other half for lunch. For dinner, I'd have nothing but Skyflakes and orange juice.

I lost over 30 lbs. in 6 months but not without a price. I had bruises all over my legs and my arms, my hair was falling off, my nails chipped, my skin was really dry, I was super cranky, and my soul, depleted.

Losing the weight was the easiest part. Keeping it off however, was the most difficult.

At 100 lbs., I should have been satisfied, but I wasn't. Instead I felt a need to eat more. I became a voracious eater. I remember feeling scared because I did not want to gain a single pound of the weight I've already lost.

I developed a habit where I would eat to my heart's content, then a few minutes later I would rush to the toilet, face the water closet, stick my fingers (later on my hand) into my throat and then regurgitate everything I ate.

Yes, I was bulimic.

I recall that in one sitting I could gobble down loads of spaghetti, chicken, chippy, chocolate bars, then later running towards the bathroom. I remember feeling a certain rush whenever I did that. It felt exhilarating at first, it was as if I had control over my life. Then I'd feel tired, exhausted. Then feelings of guilt, shame, depression, sometimes even anger would start to set in.

At my thinnest, I remember tipping the scales at only 82 lbs. My Mom and my siblings called me 'soup bowl', because my collarbone was so pronounced, they said they can pour soup on it. At one point, my mother nearly had to carry me out of bed to bring me to a shrink. Even Prozac wasn't enough to help me.

It went on, unnoticed by some, but known by nearly everyone closest to me including my husband. He knew because there were 'signs' I left (unknowingly) behind. Like the smell of my hands, the stench of acid left in the bathroom, the marks on my hands, and the watery, bloodshot eyes.

I used to own 2 weighing scales to constantly monitor my weight. I would weigh myself 3 or more times a day. As if that wasn't enough, I even took diuretics and diet pills.

It went on even during my pregnancies. In order to leave something for my unborn child, I would eat what I call 'markers'. I called certain foods 'markers' because I would vomit until the moment I see them just to provide a little nourishment for my baby.

I felt guilty especially when my second child came out really frail. I felt like I was such a terrible mother and I did not deserve them. I felt shame, disgust, guilt, sadness all at once. But that wasn't enough to stop it.

In 2004 (I was already 27), I was still on my usual routine of bingeing and purging. One day, while I was vomiting, I felt as though my small intestine was being swallowed whole by my stomach. For a moment, I felt my heart stop and I was unable to breathe.

From that moment on, I went cold turkey.

I do not recall ever fearing death. Even at this moment I do not think I am afraid of it. If there's one thing I love about mortality, it's that we have one great equalizer.

It was the thought of my children (then aged 5 & 2) becoming orphans at such a young age that scared the hell out me.

And then destiny. We usually go to Punta Baluarte in Calatagan during the weekends. That weekend, however, they were closed due to management changes (I think). We eneded up going to the resort nearby, Lago. That was when I discovered wakeboarding. Wakeboarding gave me a rush, the kind that didn't make me feel guilty afterwards. It served as an outlet that helped me discharge all the hostility and aggression that I used to aim towards myself.

Of course a very good shrink (my dear friend Vince), and a very stable support base (my husband) were also crucial.

After 8 years of misery, I was finally liberated. It's been 3 years that I have been freed of my tormentor.

Why am I telling you this? I know 2 people very close to my heart, suffering from it. They never said anything, they don't have to. I even tried talking to them (separately, of course) about it. Apparently, both are in denial. The signs cannot be missed.

So if a single soul gets touched by this message. Then I did my part.

I hope you do yours.


P.S. Currently, I do not own a weighing scale. I am bulimic no longer. Last I weighed , I was 94 lbs. Whether I'm heavier or lighter than I once was, I don't f***in' care. It really doesn't matter. And I've never been happier...............

An Ode to Snow White

(Melai, in lieu of the article I promised, I hope this will do for the meantime. Para sa ating mga kababaihan ang post na ito............)

As far back as I can remember, I've always considered myself an eccentric. As a kid (until now), my favorite tales were Foolish Frances, and The Snow Queen. I never (and I mean NEVER) enjoyed reading fairy tales like Snow White, Cinderella, or Sleeping Beauty.

Why in the world were they considered heroines in the first place? What was it they had that made them stand out? Which quality was it that made them superior to their next door neighbor or even their stepsisters?

Maybe I envied them. Maybe not.

Yes, they were kind, no doubt about that. But not 'saintly'.

Maybe they were smart. But not 'ingenious'.

What made them such 'trophies' worthy enough for Prince Charming to risk his neck for? (I don't even know why he's such a catch himself when all I know about him is that he's filthy stinkin' rich and always on a white horse, but that's another topic................)

I'm sure you know why. They were all stunningly gorgeous.

Fairy tales like Snow White made me even more insecure than I already was. I used to curse the cute girls in grade school. Just because they were so darn white, they caught all they boys' attention. Even in high school where only the va-va-voom sexy ones got dates to the prom. I would imprecate them because they had what I did not.

We are at an age where physical beauty is such a commodity. It's so commercialized. I, for one, used to think that the only people who claimed to have 'inner beauty' were the ones who lacked it's physical component. I used to think that the only way to get a man to notice you was if you had flawless white skin, a 36-24-36 frame, and a face to rival any beauty queen.

I look at modern day philanthropists like (the late) Princess Diana, Queen Rania, or even Angelina Jolie. If they weren't as stunning as they are, would they still be as hounded as they are by the media? Would they still be exemplified as modern day heroines?

What about women like Marie Curie and Mother Teresa. Or Filipinas like Gabriela Silang and Teodora Alonzo. Or Margaret Thatcher, Indira Gandhi, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, and Corazon Aquino. To me, they are the epitome of beauty.

Maybe it's called midlife or probably a certain level of maturity to be able to see past the external. There's some beauty we see, some we even hear, but the most resplendent, we feel inside.

Physical beauty is so f***in' overrated.

So here's to us plain janes . Sheer, unadulterated, non-airbrushed (or photoshoped) beauties. Myself, Melai, Ate Sienna, Mommy, Tita Loi, Ate Mel, Tany, Telly, Celina, and all Pinays out there.............. Let us bask in splendiferous glory and our beautiful Kayumanggi skin. Mabuhay!!!


P.S. Melai, I've only been blogging for a little over 6 weeks pa lang. Pinasakit mo ang ulo ko. I honestly don't know any other bloggers except for you and Ate Sienna. I still owe you an article though :-) saka isaw at yema...... haha

My Happiness Index

If there was an award for 'Most Moody', I'd be an indisputable and undefeatable champion.

When it comes to happiness, I'd probably also get an award for 'Most Shallow'. My criteria being as deep as a mud puddle. To give you an example, here's a preview of my happiness index; 1 being the lowest and 10, well, a state of euphoria.

receiving heartfelt messages from friends: 8.5
getting 10 hours of (straight) sleep: 8 (I haven't had this in a while though)
giving birth to my eldest: 10
giving birth to my youngest: 10
doing absolutely nothing: 7.5
first kiss with Joel: 10
watching Sedira: 9
my wedding day: 10
seeing 'chakaness' on google: 8
eating 3 Krispy Kreme doughnuts: 8
buying my first luxury item with my hard-earned moolah: 7
getting a colorful greeting card from my son/s: 8.5
seeing comments on my comment page: 8
an 'i love you' out of nowhere from Joel: 9.5
an 'i love you' out of nowhere from my son/s: 10
wakeboarding: 1,434,452.54 (malapit na ko mabuang, 2 weeks na lang haha)

O see, I'm the 'Most Shallow', where's my award???


P.S. I may be moody but I'm not 'pikon'. I value opinion. Everyone is entitled to one (see my last month's Malou Fernandez article). The reason why I got upset over the comment (see story below) was because (to me) it did not sound like an opinion, more like a judgemental pre-conceived notion. The remark was not meant to humor anyone but merely a show of something he does not/ will not and/or won't ever understand. I don't mind comments like 'Yuck', 'I hate snakes', I'm scared of snakes', those remarks I can call opinions. But to use words like 'filthy' and 'disgusting' to portray them, and to state his opinion (with hearsay and not hard proof to back it up) and make it sound as if it were factual, THAT detonated the bomb within...........

P.P.S. Or probably I'm just a little emotional these days when it comes to Sedira as she'll be leaving me in the next few months. I've realized that she has entered an age of sexual maturity and for her to complete her cycle of living, I would have to give her up to someone who truly understands and appreciates her. The thought alone puts me in a state of melancholy. And when that day comes, I'm sure my heart would break into pieces.............

P.P.P.S. I meant every word I've said and I take nothing back.

P.P.P.P.S. Melai, salamat ng marami sa lahat lahat ng komento mo. Touched naman ako. Biglang pumanaw kaninang umaga ang gigil ko kay Mr. Ignoramus. Tama na, sobrang flattered na ako baka maging kare-kare at lechon bigla yung isaw at yema na utang ko sa 'yo haha...........

Dante N, bakit mo naman inindyan ang waswit ko??? Pero sige na nga, dahil sa mga sinabi mo (sa asawa ko) tungkol sa blog ko, friends na tayo. Salamat sa sinabi mong malikhaing bata ako, dahil yan sa gatas na iniinom ko nung beybi pa ako. Simula pagsilang, gatas ng ina agad ang nilalaklak ko, hanggang 9 na ako, may baon pa rin akong 'bote' sa iskul haha.............

Allan D, utang na loob, tigilan mo na ang pagtawag sa akin ng 'Madam' at 'Donya', unang una wala akong datung, pangalawa, hindi ako mashuba. O baka mashuba na nga ako, di lang masabi ng asawa ko??? Na conscious tuloy ako.........

Conservation 101 for Dumdums

Joel's birthday is finally over. I've been raving for the most part of the week. Now I'm free to rant all I want. Matapos ang isang linggo ng pagtitimpi, handa na akong magpakawala ng galit. Umaalab at naglalagablab na galit.

In my quest to share my blog all across the world wide web, I join different blog communities. In one of the communities I posted a thread titled, 'Do snakes interest you?' That simple. To my surprise I receive a few comments such as...........

'I'm scared of snakes.... '

'I hate snakes.'

These comments I can take, I understand that not all people share my passion for serpents. The next one, however, managed to strike my nerves. Note that I did not edit anything out except for the name. These were his exact words:

'I'm with YOU, ----! Sheesh, I had a flickr widget on my blog with a Nature Group Pool and one day, after a year, I asked them, politely casually, not to include snakes in the Pool. Those amateur snappers went Bonkers. So nasty. I was so 'crushed' it took me an Entire 42 seconds to dump the bums and put up a Classy Group! They lost a TON of traffic --every day my readers clicked on those photos to look at their pics. Serves 'em right!
And most people don't know: snakes have salmonela on their gross skin. Easy to get sick touching those filthy things, but who would want to, you'd hafta look at 'em. YUCK. Totally Diz-gusting. (Geez, why did I read this...now I'm going to have a nightmare, sheesh.)'

To the dimwit who posted this on that particular site, first off, you misspelled salmonella. hahaha.

Second, HOW DARE YOU CALL THEM GROSS, FILTHY, AND DISGUSTING! Did you know that snakes play a very significant role in many ecosystems around the world. Saang planeta ka ba nakatira??? Snakes benefit humans by controlling rodent populations (hallur, ever heard of the bubonic plague??? tingin ko hindi, mwahaha). Even snake venom has been used to treat various diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and hemophilia.

Third, yes, I have heard that reptiles do carry some strains of salmonella. But so do amphibians, mammals, that includes us humans (o baka naman alien ka???). Even common house pets like dogs and cats. Chickens can even carry up to 2,000+ species of salmonella. Sources of salmonella include contaminated meat, improperly cooked meat, undercooked eggs, animal feces, even raw milk or certain fertilizers and animal feeds. It is probably associated with them because they do come into contact with their feces dahil hallur, hindi sila nakakalakad katulad mo. They can move in 4 different ways; rectilinear movement, serpentine movement, concertina movement, and sidewinding, notice walang 'walking' dahil wala naman silang legs (o baka hindi mo rin alam yon???). Correct me if I'm wrong [calling all herpetologists (as in scientists who study reptiles and amphibians, hindi sila manggagamot ng herpes baka kasi yun ang akala mo) please help me out here............], I once heard that there is a solution to getting salmonella from reptiles, hand washing and alcohol!! I hold (even kiss) Sedira a lot, but one thing I always do is to wash my hands afterwards. It's so easy to wash one's hands: water + soap + common sense lang yan, unless of course you lack the latter (turuan din kita maghugas ng kamay gusto mo???). You have more chances of getting the bacteria from improper food handling than you would from a reptile, intyendes?!!!

Fourth, ever heard of CONSERVATION????? Why the heck do you think Steve Irwin wrestled all those crocodiles??? Did you actually think he had nothing better to do??? Did you know that some 200 species of snakes are considered threatened or endangered? The biggest threat being habitat loss resulting from human activities like logging that causes deforestation. They are hunted for their beautiful skin which we humans turn into bags, belts, wallets, etc. In some countries, they are killed for their meat which is considered a delicacy. Others hunt them for their blood which is valued for its alleged pharmaceutical effect of warming the blood of the drinker. In fact, WE ARE A THREAT TO THEM AND NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND. And FYI, snakes do not bite humans and are harmless unless provoked.

So unless you start taking an interest in their survival, snakes may find themselves banished from our planet. Unless you start caring, baka sa books o sa pictures mo nalang sila makita.

There a lot of things I still do not know about them. In fact, I only started reading about salmonella in reptiles when I heard Mr. Ignoramus Stupidus Maximus (ginawan pa kita ng scientific name.......bonggacious da va). There a lot of species I would love to learn more about, read about, and if I'm lucky, to hold and handle. But alas, I can only drool in envy as I watch reruns of the late Steve Irwin handle the most venomous species. Whenever I go to zoos, I head straight for the serpentarium as they never fail to mesmerize me. In case you didn't notice (my username alone screams snakes, black_mamba, duh), I LOVE SNAKES MORE THAN ANY OTHER ANIMAL ON THE PLANET!

So to the a**h*** who said that, next time you feel like saying anything bad about them, think again. Or better yet, start watching more Nat Geo or Animal Planet instead of watching Paris Hilton's porn videos. Or read more books instead of all those Playboy and Hustler magazines.


P.S. I will post pics of me & Sedira kissing, but later na as it is only 5 in the morning, I haven't brushed my teeth, baka mahimatay siya hahaha..............

Wild Food Orgy

It's Joel's (and Allan D.'s) birthday so you know what that means...............

I broke my 'I don't cook!' covenant this year. Yes indeed, I cooked. (Of course not by myself. I had a lot of help, pre-party, from Mommy Nita and bro-in-law, Bobby S, and post-party, from the other birthday celebrant, Allan).

My specialty, Tausi Chicken Feet to rival Henlin's and Le Ching's (just give me a holler and I'll give you the recipe)
Joel's Tokwa't Baboy Mommy Nita's Menudo Fried LechonLumpiang Shanghai
Inihaw na Tilapia (grilled to perfection by Bobby S., thank you thank you)
Inihaw na Liempo Joel's Barbecue
Joel's Crabs ??????? Pansit Palabok courtesy of Hector, Au, & Malou (thank you)
Pansit Malabon courtesy of Allan D. (the drinks as well) Yum yum Cherry Cheesecakes by Bobby S.
Early birds, lovely couple Erwin & MarleneBarangay TagayGrabbing a bite.........
High school buddies The ladies......... Aileen, Anna, Vicky, & moi................ Moi, Aileen, Malou, Gerry, Aunora, Hector, Sol, Anna, & Vicky A reunion of sorts.......... Class picture???First row (L-R) Lindley, Aileen, Anna, Sol, Sir Sammy, Hector, Aunora, Vicky, Jing, Allan
Second row: (L-R) Arnold, moi, Joel, Paolo, Gerry, Malou, Julius
BTW, I meant orgy as in excessive indulgence in something especially to satisfy an inordinate appetite or craving. Not as in sexual indulgence. What the heck were you thinking???

P.S. I should really get some shut-eye. I haven't had more than 4 hours (straight) of sleep in the last 5 days. Everyone left at about 1 a.m. We finished tidying up at 2. It's now almost 3 a.m. (I'm supposed to be up by 4) and here I am still wrapping up this post.................. tsk tsk

P.P.S. Nope, I did not guzzle down alcohol. I do not have plans of dancing the hula ever again.

P.P.P.S. Thanks to everyone present during the party. To the ones who helped, you know who you are, thank you very, very much.........................

Hey Handsome

Pssst......... Sa pinakapogi, pinakamakisig, pinakamacho, pinaka 'hunk', pinakamabait, pinakapasensiyoyso, pinakamaabilidad, pinakamamahal, at lahat na ng pinaka sa buong mundo ko..............

Oo, ikaw.......... Joel A............

Happy birthday!!!

I wanted to give you a Rolex Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona or a Tambour LV Cup Automatic Regatta Chrono, but since I'm broke I have nothing to give you.

In the absence of that material present, I hope you'll love this epistle from the bottom of my soul (and a million kisses) as you would that Rolex or LV...................


Joel,

I may not always tell you that you've made world of difference in my life.
I may not always tell you how much I value all I've learned from you.
I may not always tell you just how much I love you.

I want you to know that you've made a difference - a wonderful difference, in my life.

Thank you for being the man that you are that I married.
.......... for always putting up with me no matter how wild and unruly my moods can get.
.......... for always tolerating me no matter how short my temper is.
.......... for providing for me and our sons with everything as best as you can.
.......... for your patience, compassion, and understanding which gives me great relief to know that I have the perfect example for our boys.
.......... for loving me the way that you do.
And for being the kind of husband, lover, best friend, and father that you are.
Thank you.

I can't imagine what my life would be like if you aren't in it.
You have no idea how much joy you bring me.
I give you my love, no matter how imperfect it may be, knowing that in giving it, I find happiness myself.

I love you very, very much.

Happy birthday.

Happy Blog Action Day

Tomorrow, October 15, is Blog Action Day!!! I'm supposed to be doing this then but since tomorrow is a very, very, very special day and I have a couple of things lined up wink wink, I might as well do this now.

Blog action day is all about bloggers around the world (wide web) uniting to put a very important issue to everyone's mind - the environment. The aim being to get people thinking, discussing, questioning and talking about it. Bloggers are encouraged to write something that has anything to do with the environment. They have a website that you can visit, simply click on the square banner on right side of my blogsite that says 'Unite! Blog Action Day'.

I dislike being preachy preachy. Unang una hindi naman ako pari and besides, malalaki na kayo, alam niyo na ang tama at mali. I’m doing this for Mother Earth. So, instead of homilizing on what you should or should not do, I’ll simply give you a runthrough of what I do, in my own little way, for dear Mother Earth.

Reduce............... Hindi magpapayat, mag compost kayo. Composting is probabaly one of the easiest, but it is quite important as it can easily reduce by half the volume of material your household sends to the dumps. Like tea or teabags for example
You can also use various kitchen wastes such as fruit and vegetable peels, coffee grounds, eggshells, and similar materials. Even stuff you find in the garden such as leaves and grass clippings can be used as well. You can even just keep adding material at the top. Big no nos are meat, bones, fatty products, and for obvious reasons, human and pet waste. O da va, madali lang.

Reuse............. Plastics made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), usually the ones used in water or soda bottles are made of this material. This is great as it can be recycled into stuffing, carpets or molded into bottles again. So don't just throw them away. In big Coca Cola plants, like the one in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, they have this huge container where you can just throw your used soda or water bottles and they'll take of the sorting and/or recycling. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I once heard that once the plastic is recycled, the loop is closed, it cannot be recycled again.

Hence, we reuse. Remember those plastic bags you get from the grocery or tiangges, save them and reuse them. Instead of buying those expensive garbage bags, I use them for our rubbish. O da va, nakatipid ka pa. Same goes with paper bags. You can reuse them again and again and again.
Recycle, recycle, recycle………… Paper products such as newspapers, office paper, corrugated cardboard, old phone directories, old books & notebooks, mosts papers as long it’s not lined with plastic or wax and is not contaminated can be recycled. I try to gather all our papers and then give or sell them to the dyaryo bote roaming around the neighborhood. That way the papers get a good shot at being recycled since the dyaryo bote sells this to a recycling center.
Support Greenpeace............... I signed up only last October 2, hence I only have the welcome kit and I'm still waiting for my membership card. Greenpeace runs campaigns and projects that concern climate & energy, genetic engineering, toxics, and forests. They have a lot of national and regional offices in 42 different countries worldwide, all of which are affiliated with the Amsterdam-based Greenpeace International. This organization receives its income through the INDIVIDUAL contributions of financial supporters, as well as from charitable foundations. They do not accept funding from governments or corporations, which I think is very good. Since mahal ko ang Pilipinas, I made it a point to sign up for Greenpeace Southeast Asia. I'd really love to volunteer but since I'm always pressed for time, contribute na lang muna ako. Hopefully in the next year or two, I'd be able to volunteer. If you want to help as well, contact a Greenpeace organization near you, or you can go to their website simply by clicking the green banner on the right side of my site, right on top of the blog action day banner. Gets???

Spread the word............... Since I rarely go out, I don't make telebabad, and I barely answer text messages or emails, the best I can do is to at least teach my kiddielets. Start them young. Start small. Like those little candy or chocolate wrappers, you won't see them just throwing their rubbish around. They make it a point to either find the nearest bin, or put it in their pockets until they get home. See even little kids learn fast.

Lastly, practice what you preach.

So don't just sit there, do something! Now na!!!

Happy Blog Action Day!!!!

One Gastronomical Day

Yesterday was Cel's despedida and Mommy Nita's pre-birthday party (her birthday is today). Bon Voyage Cel & Happy birthday Mommy!

Of course this could only mean one thing.............food!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cel and Mommy started cooking real early. I can only watch in awe. Here's Cel preparing sushi (and she taught me this a few years back) SushiCel's TempuraCel's Lumpiang ShanghaiInihaw na Liempo (all grilled to perfection by Bob's aunt, Auntie)Inihaw na HitoInihaw na BangusFried ChickenSinigang na BaboyMorconPansit Malabon [our only contribution and a bottle of Baileys (Cel's Favorite), sinabi naman sa inyo shungak ako sa kusina] The setting........Ano, gutom na ba kayo???And my favorite part.......dessert..........

Cel's Blueberry CheesecakeYum yum............the best..............Isn't it divine.............And it doesn't end there.........

Cel's fruit concoction with lime & kiwi jelloGrabe, everything was superb. She should really start her own resto..................

Auntie, Daddy Frank, Mommy Nita, Cel, Bobby & PatrickThe ladies, Telly, Cel, moi, Auntie, MommyThe birthday boy and the birthday girl.............Not in pics (sorry, I forgot.... Alvin I, Allan D, Bob's bro, Kuya Bernard)

P.S.
To the ff. October celebrants:

Mommy Nita (13)
Cely Razon (13)
Dante N (13)
Joel (15)
Allan D (16)

Happy, happy birthday!!!!!!!!

Bongganess: My Top 5 Fave Beaches in Pinas

In gayspeak, bongganess simply means bongga. Allow me to give a new meaning to the word. From now on, I will use it to mean 'my favorites'. I will use bonggacious (pronounced as in delicious) to mean 'bongga'. Claro M. Recto???

I love the Philippines. I love the weather. I especially love the beaches. Since I've been talking chaka for the most part of the week, today I will talk about the places I love here in Pinas, the beaches in particular.

Well then, here's my top 5 bongganess beaches in Pinas.........

Number 5: Puerto Galera in Mindoro

We used to go here a lot since my parents then had to go here nearly every week for work. Syempre, sama kami lahat magkakapatid.
(1994)
(1995) (1996)
Number 4: Fortune Island in Nasugbu, Batangas

Although this is still a boat ride away from the island proper, I love the exclusivity feeling bonggacious. This is an exclusive members only resort then, although I don't know if it's still running as this was in 1995 pa. Grabe it's been so long but I can still remember all the fun my sisters and I had. This was atop a steep hill. Of course I'm not in the stills as I was the photographer/ choreographer of this shoot. Grabe ang kukulit namin noh??? Uso noon ang Maskman...........Probably the only picture with me in it, gosh ang botchog ko..... Inside the ship (Tipaklong, Tellylumbaloo, Momoshi, Cocoroco, I was Ivyribichichihuahuatarampipipomporontongwatongwatong, in short, Ivyribi - see hindi lang kami ang weird, pati nicknames namin haha and FYI my maternal grandmama Nanay Cora still calls me this to this day as do all my titas haha)At the marina
Number 3: Boracay

We went there January 2000. I don't really know if it's still as pristine now as it was then. We were on the other side of the white beach and there was no one ther but us (well, plus the bantay there). Again, an exclusive resort. Kung iniisip nyong may pambayad ako, wala akong pambayad dyan. Our stay there was courtesy of my dear Tita Lily. Sunset

Number 2: Punta Baluarte in Calatagan, Batangas

Why??? I have several reasons......

1. Dito nabuo ang aming pagmamahalan nyakanaman. (1998)2. Dito kami nag re relax pag super stressed kami. (1999)3. Wala lang. (2000)4. Di lang siya pang sports, pampamilya pa. (2001)5. OO, pampamilya siya talaga. (December 2001)6. Hindi lang pagmamahalan namin ang nabuo dyan, pati yung bunso namin mwahaha. If my eldest was made in Frisco, my youngest was made in Punta Baluarte. In case you didn't notice, I was 2 months preggers already at this time. (2002)7. Babalik at babalik ka talaga. Here we are again in 2002, about 3 months after Josh was bornP.S. It's under new management so it's not as fun as it used to be. The last time we went there was in 2003. The restaurant has closed down as some of the facilities as well. Baka kaya hindi na nasundan si bunso??? mwahahaha

Number 1: Lago de Oro in Calatagan, Batangas

One reason, and one reason only..................

I've been doing this since March 2004.............Asan na yung beach??? O ayan yung beach matatanaw mo sa kanan.................The next shots are courtesy of our good friend Mon delos Santos....... Hay naku, it's been 8 months. Wala na akong pakaialam kahit bumagyo, I will go there everyday this sem break. Bahala kayo.........

P.S.
To my most avid commenter and dear sis tellylumbaloo.............O ipipilit mo pa yung Caliraya, hindi yun beach, lake yun, shungak mwahahaha..............

To my dear cheverloung kafatid Tip...............No I'm not joining this coming comp. No, I'm not scared of losing, ano ka ba naman 8 buwan na akong walang praktis noh. Hindi ko kailangan ng lakas ng loob, marami na ako noon. Ang kailangan ko ay sponsor. Any volunteers???? mwahaha

Googling oneself

O siya, sige na, vain na kung vain.................I googled myself this afternoon and guess what I found........
Wala lang. Aliw da va????

Same results (#1 yehey) for

chakaness
eclavu
blackbaies
chakaness blog
chuvaness chakaness
chuvaness chakaness blog
chuvaness chakaness eclavu
chuvaness chakaness eclavu blog
eclavu blog
blackbaies blog
ivy agustin blog
You'll still find me under chuvaness, chuvaness blog but in the seventh spot, but that's okay. I'm still happy..................

Try nyo rin para masaya mwahahaha


See I'm so babaw. I'm so happy, lilibre ko kayo lahat ng isaw yehey.........

Statutes from Kahlil Gibran

I once heard that a truly great book should be read in youth, again in maturity and once more in old age. One of my oldest possessions is this book, 'The Prophet' by one of my all-time favorite authors, Kahlil Gibran.I've had this for more than a decade (about 12 years now) and I never tire of reading it over and over and over again. I've managed to even memorize some lines in the process. Allow me to share some of my favorites.


ON GIVING
You give little when you give of your possessions.
It is when you give of yourself that you truly give. . . . . . .
There are those who give with joy, and that joy is their reward.
And there are those who give with pain, and that pain is their baptism.

ON JOY AND SORROW
Your joy is your sorrow unmasked.
And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears.
And how else can it be?
The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.

ON REASON AND PASSION
Your soul is oftentimes a battlefield, upon which your reason and your judgement wage war against your passion and your appetite. . . . . . .
Your reason and your passion are the rudder and the sails of your seafaring soul.
If either your sails or your rudder be broken, you can but toss and drift, or else be held at a standstill in mid-seas.
For reason, ruling alone, is a force confining; and passion, unattended, is a flame that burns to its own destruction.

ON PAIN
Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding. . . . . . .
Much of your pain is self-chosen.It is the bitter potion by which the physician within you heals your sick self.

ON TALKING
You talk when you cease to ba at peace with your thoughts. . . . . . .
And in much of your talking, thinking is half murdered.

ON CHILDREN
Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you.
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.

ON MARRIAGE
Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping. . . . . . .
And stand together yet not too near together:
For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow.

ON LOVE
When love beckons to you, follow him,
Though his ways are hard and steep. . . . . . .
And when he speaks to you believe in him,
Though his voice may shatter your dreams as the north wind lays waste the garden.
For even as love crowns you so shall he crucify you. Even as he is for your growth so is he for your pruning.


Have a smashing day!!!

More Sedira Facts

I'm really no authority on this but I'll try as best I can and know to help you know her more. Most info I've learned through books, the net, and through observation. There are a LOT of different snakes out there, and each has its own distinct characteristic and behavior. Last I looked, there are about 2,700 different species of snakes. Then there are subspecies pa, so I really don't know the exact figure. I'll focus on Sedira..............

ON COLOR
Hers is a transverse band of red, black, and yellow. This color mimics the coloration of highly poisonous coral snakes. Venomous coral snakes usually have a red, yellow, black pattern. If you see one, run for dear life..................

ON SNAKESKIN

Most people are surprised to find that her skin is smooth and dry instead of a slimy texture. Her skin is very elastic and the scales stretch apart when the she is swallowing and digesting large prey.

ON SKIN SHEDDING

The skin is usually shed in one piece, from the head down to the whole body, turning it inside out in the process. She sheds about once every 2 weeks although she did shed more often when she was younger.

ON EATING HABITS
She eats just once every week. Sometimes even once in 2 weeks. We've tried giving her more, she'll eat it but then she'll regurgitate it the next day.

ON WHAT WE HAVE IN COMMON
We are both solitary creatures. I can count my friends with one hand. My definition of 'gimmick' is simply going to the mall, and my definiton of 'good time' is wakeboarding. I don't like to party, neither does she.

ON COURTSHIP AND MATING

Sorry, very strict ang parents niya. She's still a virgin haha.

Meet My Baby Girl

Meet my baby girl, Sedira.

Common Name: Mexican Milk Snake

Scientific name: Lampropeltis triangulum annulata

Age: about 4 years old (I've had her since she was a baby, she's been with me for more than 3 years already)

Maximum Length: 1.2 m

Current Length: 1.0 m

Diet: Small warm blooded animals, lizards, and other snakes

Sedira's Diet: Strictly small rodents

Before I met Joel, I was never into animals. I thought they were a burden, expensive, messy and high maintenance. Apparently, his love for animals rubbed off on me. Since I'm asthmatic, I cannot handle furry creatures so I decided to stick with turtles. I used to have 5 red eared turtles. They were a bit messy and since I had to clean their terrarium every other day, I had these really bad rashes all over my hands and arms. But even then I wouldn't let them go. Joel wanted to get rid of them.

One day he tells me, "What animal can I get you that you'd agree to let them go?"

Kidding, I said "Ummm, since I was born in the year of the snake I want a snake. A real live one."

Less than a week later he comes home with her.

Ain't she a beauty???

Well, in case you haven't eaten I suggest you stop scrolling this page down as this is really graphic.

It's a good thing though that I was born in the year of the snake. Imagine if I was born in the year of the tiger. Or the dragon haha.

More Statutes for Daily Living

1. Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light. But when your eye is bad, your whole body is filled with darkness. Matthew 6: 22-23

2. Maturity does not necessarily come with age. Sometimes, age just shows up all by itself. You can be 50 and still act like a 15-year old, or you could be 20 and have the wisdom of a 70-year old.

3. They say BIG SHOTS are only small shots that keep shooting. So just keep shooting!!!!

4. Doubters do not achieve;
Skeptics do not contribute;
Cynics do not create.

5. A person who walks in another's tracks makes no footprints. Have a little originality, huwag gaya nang gaya.

6. Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut. Proverbs 10: 19


Have a nice day!

1 + 1 = 2,106 ???

Yesterday, the peso soared as it hit a 7-year high of 44.35 to a dollar.

Gas prices, however, are still on an all-time high. These are the current prices of petrol in the Philippines, I took these just about an hour ago. I remember (was it only last year?) when the peso was 55+ to a dollar, gasoline prices cost this much already. Correct me if I'm wrong, a barrel of crude oil right now costs about $80.00 plus or minus, that's still not a a lot compared last year as it fluctuated to about $70.00 last year. A gallon is 3.7854 liters, if the peso right now is 44.35, a gallon of premium gasoline would cost about $3.65.

Yes, gasoline companies do sometimes rollback prices. Say about 10 to 25 Philippine cents per liter. But everytime there is a slight rise in crude oil prices, they jack up their prices to about 1 to 2 pesos per liter.

The goverment insists our economy is booming. Who or what were they referring to??? The economy of their pockets or their Swiss bank accounts???

I just don't get it.

What do you think???

The Importance of Being Earnest, este Eldest....

What do Ferdinand Marcos, Oprah Winfrey, Bart Simpson and over half of all the U.S. Presidents have in common???

I'm sure you can tell by my post title. They were all firstborn children.

'Firstborns are natural leaders. They also tend to be reliable, conscientious and perfectionists who don't like surprises. Although, firstborns are typically aggressive, many are also compliant people pleasers.......Also, firstborns are perfectionists their whole lives. ' (source: cbs.com)

I am the firstborn among 6 kids. My mother is also the eldest among 6 children. When My Mom and I argue, naghahalo ang balat sa tinalupan. She won't let me have the last say because she thinks she's always right. Well, I wouldn't let her, because in my opinion I'm never wrong. Hence, the recipe for disaster.

If you think being the eldest is a bed of roses, think again. It's not as easy as it seems. There may be certain privileges but a lot of responsibility comes with it. I recall attending my younger siblings' PTCs and First Communion(s) when both my parents were busy. I remember washing the pwets of my younger siblings. Maybe because of the (slight) burden, we do have the tendency to bully, I mean boss around, I mean guide the younger ones sometimes.

I remember a few years back, while my sisters & I were in a mall we chance upon this shirt
"Ate, get that shirt. It's so you", one of them exclaimed. I ended up buying it tuloy. It's a good thing I was in good spirits otherwise talagang maghahalo ang balat sa tinalupan.

On Middle Children:
'Middle children may not feel they have a special place in the family so friends and peer groups become much more important. They can usually read people well, they are peacemakers who see all sides of a situation, they are independent and inventive.' (source: cbs.com)

My husband Joel is a middle child (the 4th of 7). Middle children are usually the mediators in the family. As with anything, he is always an arbitrator.

Or my sister Telly (also a middle child), anytime I complain she always tells me "Hayaan mo na, okay lang yun". Minsan kahit umuusok na ang ilong ko sa galit, "Hayaan mo na lang" is all I hear from her.

Aside from being peacemongers though, I've noticed they are very patient and at times, secretive.

On Lastborns:
'Babies of the family are social and outgoing, they are the most financially irresponsible of all birth orders. They just want to have a good time............While lastborns may be charming, they also have the potential to be manipulative, spoiled or babied to the point of helplessness.' (source: cbs.com)

Being the lastborn, my sister Memai is a typical bunso. Although she is very outgoing, she is a bit more 'financially responsible' than the ones in between us. But one thing's for sure, no matter how old we get, I will always think of her as the baby of our family.

If firstborns have the tendency to be MBs. I do agree that (unguided) lastborns have the tendency to be SPOILED BRATS. O batu bato sa langit..............

On Only Children:
'Only children are firstborns in triplicate. They are even more responsible and even bigger perfectionists. They usually get along better with people older than themselves.' (source: cbs.com)

I personally don't know anyone in this category. I'll probably get back to you on this one.......


My good friend Vince and my dear sister Tip are psychologists so I'm very, very lucky to get a lot of (free) info and advice. Apparently, there's more to this pa. Take Joel for example, he may be a middle child but he is the first born male so he has a lot qualities of a first born. So when we argue, I don't always get the upper hand. Or my brother Richard for instance, he may be a middle child but he is the only male so he also has characteristics of an only child. Although seriously, I think between him and Memai, he acts more like the bunso. (Good thing he doesn't read my blog haha)

Apparently, birth order does have an impact on our personalities. See, it's not my fault I get bitchy at times. It's nature's fault, and besides it's my birthright. Am I right, or am I right???

The Shungak Awards - Traffic Violators of the Week

And the winners are:


The 'OVERLOADING' Award goes to..........

This bus somewhere along East Avenue................
The 'COUNTERFLOWING' Award goes to.................

These 2 pedicabs and the bicycle traling behind them along Elliptical Road, Quezon Memorial Circle. Circle nga di ba, clockwise ang flow diyan, mga shungak...........
The 'DUMB AS ON OX' Award goes to.........

All the tricycles along Katipunan................Why????Care to know what this sign says???????I don't know if it's ignorance or pigheadedness, maybe both. What do you think??????

The 'HELMET' Award goes to..............

The passenger of this motorcycle along West Avenue.
The helmet is for your head, not to be used as a purse. Isuot mo nga yan at wag mo isukbit sa kamay mo.............

The 'SUICIDAL/ HOMICIDAL' Award goes to....................

The 3 morons aboard this motorcycle along Del Monte Avenue. For Chrissakes, tatlo na nga kayo, pare pareho pa kayong walang mga helmet.............
The 'SIGA' Award goes to.............

The driver of this truck along Katipunan Avenue. What the heck is wrong with you????!!!
And the 'SHUNGAK AWARD' goes to...................

These 2 Quezon City Traffic Enforcers along Elliptical Road, Quezon Memorial Circle.........

No helmets.......... Wrong body positioning................ And your job again is to do what????

Say cheese..............
I therefore conclude that................

The Law applies to all, or only to some????

Watch out next week for more 'Shungak Awards'.................

Only in the Philippines, Filipino 'SIGNS' of Wit

I received an email a couple of weeks ago from dear Ate Mel, and again from Joseph R., on Filipino wit. Why settle for mere words when you can capture it on film. Some of them are blurry as they were taken (by me) while on a moving vehicle.

Here they are...........


Asan na si Bob Barker???
Jailhouse Rock??? Di ba kanta yun, tapos naging movie pa ni Elvis Presley??Ano ba to motel o restaurant???Ever heard of CUISINART??? Here's the Filipino version..........I'm sure you can...........O taya na................Shoes, I'm confused............Ooooohhhh, so this is where all those funds went.................Ay sus ko po........... Mr. Bean, Filipino style.......... Whatever happened to Victoria's Secret???

Why end at signages when you can even print it on shirts?

Sorry for the cloudy shots. I took these from afar as I don't think they'll let me do this inside the store. I edited the originals so you can see them much better..............

More than meets the ????

Care for some coffee? I mean, ice drop................The Fat & The Furious..............

I'd really rather not say anything..........
Starring Tom Hunks and Tim Alien...............

There's more to come, promise.................

Abangan.............

Tripping: Paparazzo Shots

My husband calls me a 'paparazzo'. Why? Let me give you an idea, I have about 25 gig worth of photos on my computer alone, that does not include photos taken with my old, dinosaur age (Advantix) Ixus, photos from my cell, and photos that were taken with old analog cameras, like the ones that need developing. If you've been to my flickr site, that's not even half, maybe a third, I'm not sure. I try to edit my selection at ayoko namang puro litrato ng kacahakan ang nandoon.

My Dad (Hi Daddy) was actually the one who taught me how to use a camera. He taught me how to use a manual camera when I was ten. He taught me the basics of focusing, film loading, lighting techniques, which lens to use for what, you get the picture. Although now, dahil wala naman akong high tech fancy schmancy camera, I make do with a very simple Ixus. And since it's so tiny, I get to bring it anywhere I go.

I take pictures of nearly anything and everything. Road conditions, traffic violators, road accidents, pati mga squatters, tambay at nanglilimos sa kalsada. I don't even know what to do with some of them although I don't have the heart to delete them. Nope, I don't like local artistas although I do collect thumbnails of my favorite Hollywood fashionistas. So technically, I'm probably what you can call a 'snaparazzo', noh?

My husband is sometimes annoyed as I take pictures of him while eating, sleeping, walking, even in the toilet mwahaha........Wala raw akong patawad. Trying to get even, he now brings his camera with him and takes my photos. Well, paparazzo style........

I literally had to run away from him haha....... Feeling celeb??? kapal.........."Talk to the bag!"
Just trying to live out my fantasy of being celebrity. O huwag nang kokontra. Besides, can't a girl dream??? haha

Isang Linggong Food Tripping

One thing I love about living the Philippines is that anywhere you go, no matter what time of day, for whatever budget you may have, there will always be a restaurant that's right for you. Kahit saang kanto ka magpunta may makakainan ka.

Between me & my husband, he's the one with a penchant for cooking and eating. Everyone, and I mean everyone in his family knows how to either cook or bake, and boy are they good at it. Name it, they can cook it; kare kare, batchoy, bopis, papaitan, dinuguan, sinigang, and the best barbeque evah from my mother-in-law. His sisters are also virtuosos when it comes to baking cakes, pastries and even bread.

I, on the other hand, am a complete disaster when it comes to the kitchen. I can cook, it's just that disater always looms when I do, so I avoid it at all cost. I probably inherited it from my mother (nangsisi pa), her only specialty being Spam and fried eggs, minsan sunog pa. Consequently, I eat almost anything. Wala akong kaarte arte pagdating sa pagkain.

Since we're out most of the time, we end up eating out a lot. As in fast food. To give you an idea, her's a chronicle of our food trippings for this week..............

SATURDAY: Chowking

(for 4)

Braised Beef

Fried Noodles Tokwa't Baboy Yang Chow Fried Rice Beef Wanton Noodles

SUNDAY: Pizza Hut

(us 4 again)

Cheezy Pops Bacon Supreme

Spaghetti, 2 orders

Ceasar's Salad, 2 orders

MONDAY: Tokyo Tokyo

(Me & Joel)

Tokyo Tokyo in Trinoma

Beef Misono I told you we have a gazillion coupons. All we have to do is buy their red iced tea and the meal is free. Eat all you can rice too..............

TUESDAY: Tokyo Tokyo

(Me & Joel again)

Beef Misono ulit.

California Maki

Sayang yung coupons.............Parang hindi nababawasan.........

WEDNESDAY: Tokyo Tokyo

(Joel & Allan)

Tokyo Tokyo in Fiesta Mall Alabang

Walang kamatayang Beef Misono na naman.

Sorry, no pics. He was with his buddy Allan D. And yes, he did use the coupons...........yet again

THURSDAY: Dimsum & Dumplings Tea Bar

(Me & Joel ulit)

King Dao Spareribs

Braised Beef with Chopsuey

Chicken Feet

FRIDAY: Taco Bell

(as usual, the 2 of us)

Grilled Stuft Steak Burrito

Crunch Taco

Nacho Sprinkle

Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes

It wasn't enough to fill us up so ended up ordering some more Nachos & Cinnamon Twists

We arrive at Taco Bell around 11:50. There was no one there but us.

Apparently, we were 10 minutes early.

No thanks, I'd rather not.

Unless of course gusto niyong bumagyo haha...........

P.S. If you happen to want Beef Misono, just give me a holler. Sagot ko yung Misono, drinks na lang sa inyo haha........

Pinoy Text Messaging, For Special Ocassions & More Erap Jokes

More more more..........

FOR MOTHER'S DAY:
Pakisabi nga sa
PINAKASIGA,
PINAKAMATON,
PINAKAMATAPANG
@ SA LAGING
NASUSUNOD DYAN
sa pamamahay niyo na............
Happy Mother's day!

FOR ALL SOUL'S DAY:
Save yourself the trouble
with traffic at cemeteries.
DO NOT VISIT your departed loved ones anymore.
Instead, ask them to VISIT you.
It's more personal and meaningful.

FOR CHRISTMAS:
Magandang
ibigay
na regalo
sa darating na Pasko.

Sa kaibigan:
KATAPATAN
Sa kaaway:
PAGPAPATAWAD
Sa magulang:
PASASALAMAT
Sa Diyos:
BUHAY MO

Sa akin:
1. Nokia E90
2. Ipod Video
3. PS3
4. Fujitsu Laptop
5. Mini theater
6. 10-megapixel digital camera
7. Swiss bank account
8. Hummer H2
............yun lang, hapi na 'ko!
ang babaw noh?
Merry Christmas!


MGA EKSENA SA PELIKULANG PILIPINO:
napapansin nyo ba...................
- bad guys - laging naka black leather jacket
- kapag nabagok and bida - nagkaka amnesia st kailangan uli mabagok para bumalik ang ala-ala
- laging sinasabi ng bida ang title ng movie
- huli ang dating ng pulis sa eksena
- agaw-buhay na ang isang tauhan pero wala pa ring tumatawag ng tulong o saklolo
- pansit ang laging pasalubong
- napakahabang usapan ng bida at kontrabida bago magbarilan
- pagka haba habang habilin bago mamatay
- noong 80's at 90's, yung mahirap na babae kapag yumaman nagiging kulot ang buhok
- ngayon, yung mahirap na babae kapag yumaman nagiging straight na ang buhok, may pampa rebond na siya


Miscellaneous:

Wanna know how
Hindu (Indians) people communicate
without talking?

see the red dot
on their forehead?

Infrared pare,
Infrared...........


Chinese man on his death bed...........
aki asawa ajan ba?
00.
aki panganay ajan ba?
opo.
aki bunso ajan ba?
opo.

walanya! dito kayo lahat.... wala tao tindahan!


More Erap Jokes:

Breaking his silence on the jueteng issue, Erap was reportedly heard saying:
"Do not believe all these lies!
I did not receive gambling money!
I don't gamble!
Damn it!
Wag niyo kong subukan!
Wanna bet?
Double my terms or nothing!

Reporter: Mr. President, how was your visit to Australia?
Erap: Well, it was nice. I saw many dangaroos.
Reporter: Sir, you mean kangaroos?
Erap: No! Dangaroos! It was written: "Beware, these animals are dangaroos(dangerous)!"

Pa-landing na ang presidential plane.
Napansin ng stewardess na parangsumasakit ang tenga ni President Erap dahil sa air pressure kaya lumapit ito.
"Sir, chewing gum para hindi sumakit ang tenga ninyo sa flight," sabing stewardess.
Tinanggap ni Erap ang chewing gum. Ilang sandali pa, lumapag na ang eroplano. Kinausap ni Erap ang stewardess."Miss, paano ko tatanggalin ang chewing gum sa tenga ko?" tanong nito.

"Ang gatas ko noong baby ako, Lactum," kuwento ni Marcos sa ibang presidente.
"Ah ako, Enfalac, 'yun ang mahal, eh," sagot ni Cory.
"Ako, Lactogen, kaya ganito ako katalino," sabi ni Ramos.
"Ikaw, Erap, ano ang iniinom mo noon?" tanong ng tatlo.
"Ano yata Lactacyd."

Q: How are a San Miguel Beer bottle and Erap alike?
A: They are both empty from the neck up.

Q: Why does Erap keep empty beer bottles in his fridge?
A: They are for those who don't drink!

Q: How do you confuse Erap?
A: Stick him in a round room and tell him to sit in the corner.

Q: Why did the Erap stare at a can of frozen orange juice?
A: Because it said concentrate.

Q: What do you do if Erap throws a pin at you?
A: Run like hell, he's got a grenade in his mouth!

Q: Why did Erap get fired from his job at the M & M's factory?
A: He kept throwing out the Ws.

Gayspeak (Part Trois)

Are you Luz Valdez or Winona Ryder??? Heres more:


Luz Valdez/ Lucila Lalu/ Luz Clarita - loser, talunan

Winona Ryder/ Winnie the Pooh/ Winnie Monsod - winner, panalo

Manilyn Reynes/ Cathy Santillan/Cathy Mora - horny, sa Tagalog ma-'L'

Indianna Jones/ indira Gandhi/ Sushmita Sen - no show, indyanero

Pocahontas - slut, pokpok, pakawala

Dakota Harrison - big, malaki

Bitter Ocampo - bitter, malungkot

Anjo Yllaña/ Anda - money, pera, datung

Rita Avila/Rita Magdalena - kainis, irita, imbyerna

Sheryl Cruz/Sharmaine Arnaiz - huwag madupang, mag-share

Moody Diaz (RIP) - moody, bugnutin

Cookie Monster - cook, magluto

Joey Albert - go home, uwi na

Halle Berry - bad breath

Statue of Liberty/ Liberty Condensada/ Liberty - free, libre

Malaysia/ Kuala Lumpur - I don't know, hindi ko alam


babush

Only in the Philippines, Mga Pamahiing Filipino

Filipinos, by nature, are very superstitious. Pagkarami rami nating mga pamahiin. Most of our pamahiins envelop a broad spectrum of daily activities influencing even the way we behave, think and react. I find a lot of them are baseless. Well, at least some of them. Some are totally hilarious and insane. Here are some of them and my take on them...................


If you face a mirror at midnight you will see the reflection of your future husband.
No matter what time of day, you will always see one reflection........YOURS. If you happen to see any other reflection other than yours, scream and run. That's probably a ghost.

Never sweep the floor at night or you'll sweep all the good luck out.
I think my luck would be perfectly fine as I rarely sweep the floor.

Wearing a diamond protects the bearer from bad people.
Quick!!!! I need to alert my husband. Pwede bang 5 carats???

If you drop a spoon, you'll have a lady visitor; a man if you drop a fork; a child if you drop a teaspoon.
What if I drop a knife? Eh papaano kung may party? Papaano na yan?

Do not mend your clothes while wearing them, or harm will befall you.
I agree. Baka hita mo na pala ang nasusulsi mo.

Bees found inside the house will bring you good luck.
Bees belong in a garden. If you see them inside your house, run. Putakti yun, hindi suwerte.

If a person gets sick, it means evil spirits are playing with him.
Aren't they called bacteria and viruses?

Do not place your handbag or purse on the floor or you won't prosper.
Never have, never will.

If your right palm itches, you will receive money. If your left palm itches, you will spend money.
Did you not consider washing them?

During New Year's eve, jumping 12 times as the clock strikes 12 will make one grow taller.
Yeah right. I have been doing this every every year since I was 12. I'm still petite.

During New Year's eve, swallowing 12 grapes at midnight will make one's wish come true.
Not at the same time though unless you want spend the New Year choking.

Trimming or cutting a newborn's eyalashes will make it grow long and thick.
Make sure that you a have a 20/20 vision. If you do not, pray that you do not trim past the lashes. Baka mamaya eyelids na pala ang nagugupit mo.

Twisting the head of a match on the cheeks of a newborn baby will create dimples.
I think my parents made a serious mistake by twisting the head of the match on the wrong set of cheeks. My dimples are nowhere near my face.

Eating papayas everyday will help diminish sexual urges.
I love papayas. I eat them everyday. Seriously, my husband does not think this works haha...........................

P.S. Due to insistent public demand (feeling) [read: 3 people namely Mon, Ruth, and my Dad (yes indeed, my Daddy religiously reads my posts)] I'm using larger fonts. Apparently they have to squint to be able to read my posts, especially my Dad. Daddy, you are the reason why I cannot go any 'greener' haha Luv ya mwah mwah...............

The Philippines Through the Eyes of A Filipina

The Philippines Through the Eyes of a Filipina
By Ivy Agustin
http://blackbaies.blogspot.com/, October 2, 2007


I received a copy of 'The Philippines Through the Eyes of a Foreigner' through an email last June 2007. Why did I not react then? First, I did not have my own blog yet. Second, and more importantly, I did not see the need to do so as it was one man's sentiment and there was some truth to it. So why am I reacting now? Well, yesterday as I was sorting out my email I chance upon the letter again and then later on as I was doing some research on Filipino culture I chance upon the same essay. This time though, I was surprised to see a lot of reactions from my kababayans, ranging from defensive to violent rections. Why be so harsh on the guy when he is merely voicing out his sentiments as he is entitled to in the first place.

Although there are some truths in his essay, there are also some overstatements.

Let me start with the sad truths:

1. Yes, it is true that we do have streets lined with street people, beggars and squatters.

But, let me remind you that those people did not dominate our sidestreets overnight.

Once upon a time, those people used to live happily in the rural areas. Then one day, a politician named Mr. Trapo arrives in a shiny limo and promises them the sun, the moon and the stars. But there is a catch, they have to go to his town to help him win elections by becoming 'flying voters'. They were pledged mammoth promises, given a few measly bucks and picked up by huge Sarao jeepneys bound for Zion. After Mr. Trapo wins his election, he leaves all the necessitous folk behind. With their families still with them, hungry, broke and exhausted, where do they go now? With very little money left from Mr. Trapo, they begin building shanties along the sidestreets. And the rest as they say is history........

2. Yes, it is true that our roads are cursed with pollution and our public utility vehicles are in disreputable states of repair. Yes, we have streets full of potholes and unrepaired streets.

Then one day, after Mr. Trapo is sworn into office, he becomes Congressman Trapo. He decrees that the roads be repaired and lined with asphalt. Since he has the power to pick the contractor, he selects the one who offers him the most proceeds. And because the contractor has to give a huge chunk of his earnings to Congressman Trapo, he figures that to earn more he could probably gain more by using substandard materials. That explains the potholes.

Congressman Trapo runs for the Senate and wins. Senator Trapo is now even more jaded by all his power. He does not care (or he has been bribed enough) to overlook that the other government subsidiaries are allowing bus comapnies to import buses that are really old and dilapidated. So that explains the disintegrating vehicles and the pollution that comes with it.

3. Yes, it is true that our educational system allows children to attend schools without desks or books to accommodate them. Yes, it also true that teachers, even college professors, are paid salaries so disgracefully low that it's a wonder that anyone would want to go into the teaching profession in the first place.

Senator Trapo has his share of the The Pork Barrel, A.K.A. Pork, Countrywide Development Fund (CDF) or Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF). These are funds given to both members of the Senate and Congress, these are discretionary in nature so it is up to Senator Trapo to identify the projects that will be funded from these funds. Senators get P 200 million each while the congressmen are allotted about P 70 million each. To have something to show for, Senator Trapo builds small waiting sheds with a huge picture of his face and his name in large fonts to advertise what he has done. He forgets about the public schools that cannot accommodate half the school's population. Senator Trapo also needs more funds to help him in his re-election bid. He forgets about the teachers who, aside from a meager salary, work long, grueling hours.

There are a lot of Mr. Trapos all around us. He could very well be holding office at your Barangay Hall, the City Hall, the House of Representatives, the Senate, maybe even in Malacañang. Who knows?

There is no ending to my fairy (goblin) tale. The rest is up to you.


As for the overstatements, here's my take on that:

1. Filipinos do not worship, almost slavishly, everything foreign. Foreigners are not looked up to and idolized.

Filipinos are essentially warm, nurturing, and tolerant to a fault.

Do not mistake Filipino hospitality for worship. Having said that, it is but natural for Filipinos, even Asians in particular to be generous givers. Luxury goods, more often than not, imported brands flatter not just the giver but the receiver as well. Isn't that what it's about, status quo?

Case in point, last week my husband & I were in Greenhills for an errand. In case you don't know, it is a shopping mecca for everything faked or copied. We traverse the tiangges as I wanted to do some research on the demographics of people who patronize fakes. Surprise, surprise. In one corner, we saw 2 Americans (males) searching for an 'authentic looking fake' briefcase. We walk some more and more and we see 3 foriegners (they sounded British but I wasn't sure) looking for 'authentic looking fake' Mont Blanc pen. We walk a bit more and we see 2 foreigners (males) looking for 'authentic looking fake' Louis Vuitton bags for their girlfriends. Is that what character is to you? I'm not even making this up.

Allow me to spill another anecdote. A few months ago I was at Louis Vuitton in Greenbelt waiting for my purchase to be wrapped when I was approached by a man in his 60's (about my Dad's age) asking my impression on 4 LV bags laid out in front of him. He said he was having a hard time deciding which one to pick as an anniversary present for his wife and the SA(sales associate) wasn't much help. I gladly oblige. Mind you, he was Filipino, very simply and unostentastiously dressed. He didn't look like a fashion victim nor did he look uber rich. Maybe just like the rest of us, he appreciates a little luxury. Don't you think?

Even in HongKong, walk around and you'll see about 60% of the locals are carrying LV bags. Real ones, I'm sure. We went to all 3 stores and all of them were packed. In one store, we had to wait in a long queue just to get in. You wouldn't call them slaves to foreigners, would you?

2. Filipinos are not itching to leave the country.

It's just that sometimes, for some people, there seems to be no other choice.

Do you think our OFWs would still leave the country if they were given the same rate here as they are given abroad? Domestic helpers abroad are paid more than thrice over than what our teachers are paid here.

In the United States for instance, the minimum wage (average) is about $6.00 an hour. Did you know that that same amount is the minimum wage here BUT for a full day's labor? I hate it when I hear foreigners say, 'Oh, the gasoline prices here are the same as in the US' or whatever country. No matter how the numbers match, it's still not the same. No matter how our government rubs all sorts of figures on our faces, they mean nothing. Absolutely nothing. Why? Because we, the Filipinos, feel nothing. The government has nothing to offer. The jobs they claim to have are mediocre compared to what we as parents have to pay for in tuition fees. What jobs await U.P., Ateneo and La Salle graduates? Jobs at call centers?

To strive for something better is no shortcoming on our part. We will always strive for the best, not just for ourselves, but for our families and our nation.

The government claims that it is helping boost tourism in our country. How exactly?

When we went to Bangkok just a few weeks ago, I wanted to visit Siam Paragon. We could've walked as the mall was only about 5 kilometers from our hotel, I merely wanted to ride a tuk tuk so we hail one to take us there. Since the cab and tuk tuk drivers there understood very little English I brought a map, a picture of the mall and a copy of the exact address. About 15 minutes and many kilometers later, still no mall in sight. He brings us to a jewelry store, when we asked why, he said that he's bringing us there at no extra charge to us. It's just that everytime they bring in tourists, they get a coupon for free LPG (their petrol) from the government. We aren't under any obligation to buy, just come in for a visit. He then takes us to another shop (and thus my asthma was triggered by the stench of LPG). We ended up buying some goodies as he says he will get a small commission if we do so (yes, we were that gullible, but to us it was being helpful). Even during the temple tour, the tour guide told us that it was compulsory for them to bring tourists to particular spots. That is because their government encourages exactly that. Do you think the tricycle drivers here would get an incentive if they bring you to Luneta? I don't think so.

But what about tourism in the Philippines. My husband & I were surprised to see on a cable channel that some of our museums are still open. Note that it was on a cable channel and not even a local channel. Up until that moment we thought all our museums have closed down. Is that the government's definiton of 'boosting' tourism?

We are a free country. We are free people. We are entitled to our own opinion. In the same way that each of us is free to voice that opinion. If you'd want to block or edit everything negative you hear just to make it favorable to you, won't that be the start of censorship?

The reason behind my poking fun at Filipino drivers (in my blog) isn't to insult, ridicule or degrade them but maybe, just maybe with those little insights I could reach out to someone to do something about it, be it by doing better at it (it is a skill after all) or by at least implementing the laws that are there for a reason.

Hats off to Mr. Barth Suretsky. I do believe that it was in his best intention to put a little perspective into our culture and I take no offense whatsoever. I thank him for taking the time to analyze the things that somehow puzzle me as well.

To all foreigners, always remember this, we Filipinos have managed to unseat 2 presidents in the last 2 decades. It is my belief that we can do so again. It's just that at this point, there is no one person who could penetrate the system and not be spoiled by it. It will take time, discipline, and the will to change in each of us. Like I said, probably not in my lifetime. But soon, I hope.

I am a Filipino and I am proud to be one. I love my country and it is here that I will spend my old age until the rest of my days.


I hope you can say the same for yourselves.

One Man's View

Hello peeps. I'd like to share an email I received last June. Please bear with me as it is quite long. I'll give my views in a few hours as I have tons of errands waiting to be completed. Here it is......................


The Philippines Through the Eyes of a Foreigner
By Barth Suretsky
Atin Ito Philippine NewsFeature April 2007

My decision to move to Manila was not a precipitous one. I used to work in New York as an outside agent of Philippines Air Line, and have been coming to the Philippines since August, 1982. I was so impressed with the country, and with the interesting people I met, some of whom have become very close friends to this day, that I asked for and was granted a year's sabbatical from my teaching job in order to live in the Philippines

I arrived here on August 21, 1983, several hours after Ninoy Aquino was shot, and remained here until June of 1984. During that year I visited many parts of the country, from as far north as Laoag to as far south as Zamboanga, and including Palawan. I became deeply immersed in the history and culture of the archipelago, and an avid collector of tribal antiquities from both northern Luzon and Mindanao.

In subsequent years I visited the Philippines in 1985, 1987, and 1991, before deciding to move here permanently in 1998. I love this country, but not uncritically, and that is the purpose of this article. First, however, I will say that I would not consider living anywhere else in Asia, no matter how attractive certain aspects of other neighboring countries may be.

To begin with, and this is most important, with all its faults, the Philippines is still a democracy, more so than any other nation in Southeast Asia . Despite gross corruption, the legal system generally works, and if ever confronted with having to employ it, I would feel much more safe trusting the courts here than in any other place in the surrounding countries.

The press here is unquestionably the most unfettered and freewheeling in Asia, and I do not believe that is hyperbole in any way ! And if any one thing can be used as a yardstick to measure the extent of the democratic process in any given country in the world, it is the extent to which the press is free.

Nevertheless, the Philippines is a flawed democracy, and the flaws are deeply rooted in the Philippine psyche. I will elaborate. The basic problem seems to me, after many years of observation, to be national inferiority complex, a disturbing lack of pride in being Filipino.

Toward the end of April I spent eight days in Vietnam, visiting Hanoi, Hue, and Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC). I am certainly no expert on Vietnam , but what I saw could not be denied: I saw a country ravaged as no other country has been in this century by thirty years of continuous and incredibly barbaric warfare. When the Vietnam War ended in April, 1975, the country was totally devastated. Yet in the past 25 years the nation has healed and rebuilt itself almost miraculously ! The countryside has been replanted and reforested. Hanoi and HCMC have been beautifully restored.

The opera house in Hanoi is a splendid restoration of the original, modeled after the Opera in Paris , and the gorgeous Second Empire Theatre, on the main square of HCMC is as it was when built by the French a century ago.

The streets are tree-lined, clean, and conducive for strolling. Cafes in the French style proliferate on the wide boulevards of HCMC. I am not praising the government of Vietnam, which still has a long way to travel on the road to democracy, but I do praise, and praise unstintingly, the pride of the Vietnamese people.

It is due to this pride in being Vietnamese that has enabled its citizenry to undertake the miracle of restoration that I describe above.

When I returned to Manila, I became so depressed that I was actually physically ill for days thereafter. Why ? Well, let's go back to a period when the Philippines resembled the Vietnam of 1975. It was 1945, the end of World War II, and Manila, as well as many other cities, lay in ruins.

As a matter of fact, it may not be generally known, but Manila was the second most destroyed city in the entire war; only Warsaw was more demolished.

But to compare Manila in 1970, twenty five years after the end of the war, with HCMC, 25 years after the end of its war, is a sad exercise indeed. Far from restoring the city to its former glory, by 1970 Manila was well on its way to being the most tawdry city in Southeast Asia. And since that time the situation has deteriorated alarmingly.

We have a city full of street people, beggars, and squatters. We have a city that floods sections whenever there is a rainstorm, and that loses electricity with every clap of thunder. We have a city full of potholes, and on these unrepaired roads we have traffic situation second to none in the the world for sheer unmanageability.

We have rude drivers, taxis that routinely refuse to take passengers because of "many traffic !" The roads are also cursed with pollution spewing buses in disreputable states of repair, and that ultimate anachronism, the jeepney!

We have an educational system that allows children to attend schools without desks or books to accommodate them. Teachers, even college professors, are paid salaries so disgracefully low that it's a wonder that anyone would want to go into the teaching profession in the first place.

We have a war in Mindanao that nobody seems to have a clue how to settle. The only policy to deal with the war seems to be to react to what happens daily, with no long range plan whatever. I could go on and on, but it is an endeavor so filled with futility that it hurts me to go on. It hurts me because, in spite of everything, I love the Philippines.

Maybe it will sound simplistic, but to go back to what I said above, it is my unshakable belief that the fundamental thing wrong with this country is a lack of pride in being Filipino.

A friend once remarked to me, laconically : "All Filipinos want to be something else. The poor ones want to be American, and the rich ones all want to be Spaniards. Nobody wants to be Filipino."

That statement would appear to be a rather simplistic one, and perhaps it is. However, I know one Filipino who refuses to enter a theater until the national anthem has stopped being played because he doesn't want to honor his own country, and I know another one who thinks that history stopped dead in 1898 when the Spaniards departed. While it is certainly true that these represent extreme examples of national denial, the truth is not a pretty picture. Filipinos tend to worship, almost slavishly, everything foreign. If it comes from Italy or France it has to be better than anything made here. If the idea is American or German it has to be superior to anything that Filipinos can think up for themselves. Foreigners are looked up to and idolized.

Foreigners can go anywhere without question. In my own personal experience, I remember attending recently an affair at a major museum here. I had forgotten to bring my invitation. But while Filipinos entering the museum were checked for invitations, I was simply waived through. This sort of thing happens so often here that it's just accepted as routine.

All of these things, the illogical respect given to foreigners simply because they are not Filipinos, the distrust and even disrespect shown to any homegrown merchandise, the neglect of anything Philippine, the rudeness of taxi drivers, the ill manners shown by many Filipinos are all symptomatic of a lack of self love, of respect for and love of the country in which they were born, and worst of all, a static mind-set in regard to finding ways to improve the situation.

Most Filipinos, when confronted with evidence of governmental corruption, political chicanery, or gross exploita tion on the part of the business community, simply shrug their shoulders, mutter "bahala na," and let it go at that.

It is an oversimplification to say this, but it is not without a grain of truth to say that Filipinos feel downtrodden because they allow themselves to feel downtrodden. No pride.

One of the most egregious examples of this lack of pride, this uncaring attitude to their own past, is the wretched state of surviving architectural landmarks in Manila and elsewhere. During the American period, many beautiful and imposing buildings were built, in what we now call the "art deco" style (although incidentally, that was not contemporary term; it was coined only in the 1960s). These were beautiful edifices, mostly erected during, or just before, the Commonwealth period.

Three, which are still standing, are the Jai Alai Building, the Metropolitan Theater, and the Rizal Stadium. Fortunately, due to the truly noble efforts of my friend John Silva, the Jai Alai Building will now be saved. But unless something is done to the most beautiful and original of these three masterpieces of pre-war Philippine architecture, the Metropolitan Theater, it will disintegrate. The Rizal Stadium is in equally wretched shape.

When the wreckers' ball destroyed Frank Lloyd Wright's Imperial Hotel in Tokyo, and New York City's most magnificent building, Pennsylvania Station, both in 1963, Ada Louise Huxtable, then the architectural critic of The New York Times, wrote: "A disposable culture loses the right to call itself a civilization at all !" How right she was ! (Fortunately, the destruction of Pennsylvania Station proved to the sacrificial catalyst that resulted in the creation of New York's Landmark Commission. Would there be such a commission created for Manila ... ?)

Are there historical reasons for this lack of national pride ? We can say that until the arrival of the Spaniards there was no sense of a unified archipelago constituted as one country. True. We can also say that the high cultures of the nations in the region seemed, unfortunately, to have bypassed the Philippines ; there are no Angkors, no Ayuttayas, no Borodudurs. True. Centuries of contact with the high cultur es of the Khmers and the Chinese, had, except for the proliferation of Song dynasty pottery found throughout the archipelago, no noticeable effect. True. But all that aside, what was here ? To begin with, the ancient rice terraces, now threatened with disintegration, incidentally, was an incredible feat of engineering for so-called "primitive" people.

As a matter of fact, when I first saw them in 1984, I was almost as awe-stricken was I was when I first laid eyes on the astonishing Inca city of Machu Picchu , high in the Peruvian Andes. The degree of artistry exhibited by the various tribes of the Cordillera of Luzon is testimony to a remarkable culture, second to none in the Southeast Asian region. As for Mindanao, at the other end of the archipelago, an equally high degree of artistry has been manifest for centuries in woodcarving, weaving and metalwork. However, the most shocking aspect of this lack of national pride, even identity, endemic in the average Filipino, is the appalling ignorance of the history of the archipelago since unified by Spain and named Filipinas. The remarkable stories concerning the courageous repulsion of Dutch and British invaders from the 16th through the 18th centuries, even the origins of the Independence of the late 19th century, are hardly known by the average Filipino in any meaningful way. And thanks to fifty years of American brainwashing, it is few and far between the number of Filipinos who really know -- or even care -- about the duplicity employed by the Americans and Spaniards to sell out and make meaningless the very independent state that Aguilnaldo declared on June 12, 1898.

A people without a sense of history is a people doomed to be unaware of their own identity. It is sad to say, but true, that the vast majority of Filipinos fall into this category. Without a sense of who you are how can you possibly take any pride in who you are ? These are not oversimplifications.

On the contrary, these are the root problems of the Philippine inferiority complex referred to above. Until the Filipinos take pride in being Filipino these ills of the soul will never be cured. If what I have written here can help, even in the smallest way, to make the Filipino aware of just w ho he is, who he was, and who he can be, I will be one happy expat indeed!

-- Shared by Nenita Brown

Pinoy Text Messaging, Erap Jokes

Of course text messaging won't be as hilarious without the witticisms and one-liners on the deposed president. Here they are.............

Erap's Dictionary:
ASPECT - pantusok ng yelo
CD-ROM - tingnan ang kwarto
EFFORT - landingan ng efflane
PROFIT - patunayan mo
PREDICATE - pakawalan ang pusa
DILEMMA - brown out

A sexy reporter was about to interview Erap
Pinisil ni Erap ang boobs ng reporter
"Sir, bakit nyo pinisil ang boobs ko?"
Erap: "Kasi nakalagay PRESS"

Sabi ni Marcos: "Mabuhay ang Filipino"
Sabi ni Cory: "Laban Filipino"
Sabi ni Ramos: "Sulong Filipino"
Sabi ni Erap: "Casino Filipino"
O taya na kayo

Clinton to Erap: I'm planning to stop poverty and mass starvation.
Erap: Maganda i-stop poverty pero yang masturbation hindi pwede, human rights violation yan.

Scenario: Malacañang on fire
Guard: Dito po ang daan sa fire exit
Erap: Gago, dyan nga dadaan ang apoy eh!

3 women figure prominently in the life of the Erap:
LOI (Lady Often Insulted)
GUIA ( Girl Using Intimacy to Advantage)
LAARNI (LAdy na maraming ARi-arian kaya No Imik)

ARMY: No pain, no gain
AIR FORCE: No guts, no glory
MARINES: No retreat, no surrender
SECURITY GUARD: No ID, no entry
ABU SAYYAF: No ransom, no release
ERAP: No read, no write

Nakapila si Erap sa likod ni FVR sa isang ATM machine
FVR: O, bakit nakangiti ka?
Erap: Alam ko na ang PIN number mo hehe
FVR: Sige nga, ano?
Erap: Eh di apat na asterisk

Erap flew on a foreign airline in one of his trips abroad.
Stewardess: Sir, are you done?
Erap: No, I'm Erap
S: No, I mean are you finished?
E: No, I'm Filipino
S: I mean are you through?
E: What do you think of me false?

Reporter to Erap alighting from a PAL flight:
Reporter: Mr. President, what can you say about the economy?
Erap: I don't know, kasi nasa first class ako

Jinggoy: Dad, help me, uminom ako ng Baygon
Erap: Bakit? Magsusuicide ka?
J: Hindi, nakalunok ako ng ipis
E: Tanga, dapat kumain ka ng tsinelas!

Jinggoy: Dad, di kita madadalaw ngayon may urine test ako.
Erap: Okay lang anak. Mag-aral kang mabuti.

Sa New York, ini-interview ng isang reporter si Erap.
"Mr. President, what do you think is the secret of happy marriage?" tanong ng reporter
"Well, for me?" paumpisang Ingles ni Erap, "Everything I demand for sex, my wife supplies"
Na-turn off ang reporter, "Isn't that hostile [pronounced as hastayl]?"
"Hostile, dog-style, any style is okay for me," sagot ni Erap na may ngiti pa sa labi.


haha.........