Flight

The blind sings all his heart out
a celebration of freedom
no shades of color but solid darkness
tamed and justified.

Someone speaks of happiness and true love
only for a moment
the truth seems so far
never to be acquainted nor seen.

Time is the key keeper
for hearts filled with loving
dreams so vivid
only second-thoughts in reality.

One day we'll get what we deserve
no bleeding shall occur
a simple wish granted
no evidence of memory, not even a trace.

Busy bee and Jollibee

Sunday na, wala pa akong napapanood sa mga nilista ko... Me pahabol pa nga, nakahiram ako ng Kyle XY DVD pero di ko sure kung matatapos ko, or kung masisimulan ko man. Hay.

Kahapon galing ako sa birthday party ng kapitbahay, sa Jollibee ginanap. Andun si Jollibee, syempre. Dama ko yung genuine happiness ng mga bata nung pumasok sa room yung mascot, na nakita ko kung sino talaga bago pa siya magsuot ng costume.

Parang masarap maging mascot, na ang trabaho mo ay magpasaya lang ng mga bata maghapon.

Hindi ko matandaan kung si direk R.A. Rivera or prof. Ramon Bautista na parehong naging matagumpay sa kanilang karera, ang nagkwento sa akin nung college days namin tungkol sa isang mascot. May isang mascot raw na bago makarating sa isang children's party ah napagtripan ito ng mga tambay at matapos bugbugin eh iniwan na lang sa isang eskinita.

Madilim.

Tahimik.

Di siya makagalaw, habang nakakulong sa kanyang mabigat na uniporme. Maghapon siyang nakahiga dun kasama ng mga basura at mga pusang gala. Wala siyang magawa. D'un nagsimulang maglakbay ang kanyang diwa.

Di ko alam kung paano matatapos yung istorya eh. Di na sa akin nai-kwento nang kumpleto.

Parang masarap maging mascot. Sana masubukan ko minsan. Pero hindi ako magpapabugbog.

Movie Marathon

Oh no, ang haba ng bakasyon, hindi pa kami pina-sweldo! =((((

At dahil sa walang pera, buong weekend na manonood na lang ng pelikula, thanks to P2P sharing:
1. Bridge to Terabithia
2. 1408
3. I Know Pronounce You Chuck and Larry
4. Wrong Turn 2
5. Reign Over Me
6. The Last King of Scotland
7. Knocked Up
8. The Prestige
9. The Illusionist
10. Pathfinder
11. License to Wed
12. Pan's Labyrinth
13. Bionic Woman Episodes 1-5

Baka hindi ako makapag blog this Saturday and Sunday, so vote wisely na lang sa Lunes! =)

Wireless. Sleepless.

Thanks sir Alex for a one-night use of your Bayan wireless account. Pero instead na magawa ko yung take home work ko eh, nag-surf lang ako nang nag-surf, hehe.

Ok din itong Bayantel, after it's so-so offers, mukhang naka-score sila bigtime over giant PLDT. Balita ko naunahan lang nila ang PLDT eh, at sa panahon naman ngayon, una una lang. Akalain mo pwede mo nang dalhin yung landline phone nyo kahit saan sa Metro Manila at hanggang sa Quezon ay pwede. Oops, salestalk na ba 'to? Bayaran n'yo 'ko, hoy!

Glorietta o Gloria?

Grabe talaga, garapalan na 'to!!!

Why did the League of Governors wait for 2 weeks before they went out and explained that the money given to some governors came from them? They should have responded in an instant or within the day these very simple questions of who and why popped out. And now they are wondering what's all the fuzz? Worse, they sound like whiners, crying "unfair and baseless conjectures" of their "noble deeds." Pwe!

2 weeks, tsk tsk. Masyadong matagal para makagawa ng alibi, next time naman pakibilisan para hindi gaanong obvious!

But I digress.

Baka nagkamali ng pakinig yung teroristang (kung ito man ang dahilan) nagpapasabog sa Glorietta. Baka sabi ng boss niya, "Gloria" hindi "Glorietta."

Speaking of the unfortunate "accident" which happened in Makati a few days ago, naka-receive ako ng e-mail na ang content ay isang e-group message coming from the husband of one of the victims of the incident. Maybe this e-mail has been spreading out like California wildfires, but I'll post it here nonetheless. Sabi nga ng boss ko na nagforward sa akin, "I do hope this letter would give us realization to cherish more our relationship with our loved ones and value each moment we have with them."


-----Original Message-----

Good day everyone,

I wish I were writing under different circumstances.

I would like to inform you that my wife Leslie Cruz

was part of the casualties in the Glorietta 2 Mall

bombing in Makati City, Philippines. She was supposed

to have a minor out patient surgery at Makati Medical

Center at 230pm.

I had taken a leave from work to accompany her there.

We dropped off our daughter, Amber, at my parents

place in QC to babysit at around 10am. We then

proceeded to Makati and was there at 1230pm. Since she

had been fasting in preparation for her procedure, she

wanted to move ar ound and listen to some music while I

grabbed a bite to eat. We parked at the basement of

Park Square 2, and headed for the Glorietta 2

entrance. We parted at the top of the escalator, she

turned right towards Filbar's while I went left

towards the restaurants. That was the last time I

would see her.

Around 120pm, she had called me so that we can meet at

the Glorietta 2 exit just in time to make her

appointment. As I made my way there from Glorietta 1

through the connecting hallways, and was about to turn

the corner, I heard 2 deep thumps and the shock-wave

from the blast hit me. At that moment my heart dropped

as I knew that the origin of the blast came from the

same place where we were supposed to meet. I tried

getting to where my wife was, but the dust was too

much and it was as if I was staring at a white wall.

I still tried to convince myself that she was able to

make it out, and that after ringing her mobile without

a response only meant that she dropped it in the

confusion. After 6 hours of searching from Makati Med.

to Ospital ng Makati, the blast site, and back again

to MMC - with the help of all the people I could get

hold of, that I was able to get confirmation in what

the state of my wife was.

My Dad and Uncle signaled me in from the ER of MMC. My

Uncle (who's a doctor) asked me to describe Leslie's

appearance to another group of doctors. I saw in the

eyes of one that the description made sense. Instead

of confirming it to me, they huddled together, then

brought me to a small examination room. It was only

through a digital camera that I was able to confirm

(and deny) that she was indeed gone.

I have so many regrets. I should have met her sooner.

I should have ran instead of a brisk walk. I should

have not chose to park where I did. I should have

braved the dust and went in the blast site. I should

have ...

Today's the 4th day. It is still terribly difficult to

breathe, let alone wake up realizing that your source

of strength, your best friend doesn't lie beside you

on your bed. That my deepest worry is when Amber

starts asking for her Mama.

I am glad that Amber's too young to understand the

loss and pain. In time I would like to tell her the

details of how her mother died, but more importantly I

would like to raise her as how her mother lived - a

loving person, strong willed, decisive, caring, and

nurturing. She has always cared for her family and

friends, and sacrfied her career for being a full time

mom and home maker.

As with all couples we had our ups and downs - none of

which I regret not going through. The sweet is never

as sweet without the sour. For almost 4 years of

marriage, we've finally hit our balance in life only

to be taken away in an instant. I have no regrets

about our marriage. She has loved me and Amber beyond

her capacity. I will always love her.

It is my first time to write to egroup as I've lurked

and watched emails being sent to and fro. All I want

now is that for each of the couples here is to cherish

each moment that we spend with our loved ones. Pretty

simple to say, very easy to take for granted.

Thank you all for the prayers. I would still like to

ask you to please include Leslie in them until her

40th day so that the path to God's kingdom is well lit

and she is no longer in the dark.

Sincerely,

Carlo Cruz

Unforgivable Me

Last night nawala ko yung engagement ring ko. Kasama ko ang mahal ko nang mawala at hindi ko maisip kung paano nangyari yun. Sinabi ko agad sa kanya. Pareho kaming nalungkot. "Ano kaya'ng ibig sabihin 'nun?" sabi ng mahal ko. "Simpleng pagkawala lang yun mahal, huwag mo na isipin na may koneksyon yun sa mga plano natin," kontra ko naman.

Sama ko.

Monday mayhem

Monday, 7:30 in the morning. Viewing the Manila skyline 32 floors high is not so envigorating as dark-grayish layer of smog covers the entire metropolis. I just can't imagine that it's the air that we're breathing. We're like infectious agents whose lives depend on a deadly reservoir.

A more mentally mutilating fact: A new employee in our office with sub-normal modern office intelligence is making 18K, way above the salaries of some well-deserving people in our Tech Support Unit. I have nothing against this person, but 18K as starting for someone who doesn't know how to e-mail and access a USB drive? C'mon, these are basic computing tasks!

Well, she happens to be a relative of our company FAG head (what's this? please read my blog's 1488 "entry-serye").

Manila Ocean Park to open very soon!

Ako na lang yata sa mga kaibigan ako ang hindi pa nakatutungtong sa banyagang lupain. Next year plano ko sana pumunta sa Sentosa and visit it's famous oceanarium. Pero kababasa ko lang kahapon na this coming December, magbubukas na pala ang
Manila Ocean Park. Read the news here.


**photo courtesy of inquirer.net, akin yung caption**

TDP: Risen from digital ashes

Welcome back TDP (The Digial Pinoy)! Ito lang ang online community na naging active ako, and after a few weeks in limbo, it came back on the websphere like a new born baby again, thanks to a ruthless web hosting company. To know more what had happened, I invite you to click here and read along because this could save your time, hardwork and contacts to online friends someday.

Kudos to sir bloodredxxx for his resiliency, patience and faith after that very unfortunate experience. We believe in you sir and you didn't fail us at all because we understand that you did your best to recover the stuffs essential to you and to all the TDP members. Pero sabi nga ng ilan sa amin, shit happens. More power to you!

Marami na rin palang nabiktima itong company na ito:
Victim 1
Victim 2

Kuwentong Elevator

Bad trip kanina pagsakay ko ng elevator.

May isa akong nakasabay from ground floor, then may pumasok from level 2 parking na isang babaeng in her 40's siguro at sa itsura pa lang eh medyo sosyalin. Sabi nung babae, "27 please." Pucha, sino'ng kausap niya sa aming dalawa? Nagkatinginan kami pero out of pagbibigay galang sa nakatatanda siguro, yung katabi ko na lang ang pumindot. "Thank you." sabi nung babae na never tumingin sa amin dahil busy siya sa pag-aayos ng buhok niya sa tatlong pader na salamin ng elevator. Nasa mall ba siya para mang-utos ng pipindot, ha? Kung big time boss siya at sanay mang-utos, bakit wala siyang executive key para dun siya sa hi-speed elevator sumakay at manalamin? hay naku.

Bakit ba ako masyadong effected? Kaliit-liit na bagay eh.

Wala lang, just ranting out the heat. Sira kasi aircon ng office namin. Kahapon nawalan naman kami ng kuryente (as in kami lang ang wala, mga katabi naming opisina meron). Hay naku ulit.

Susi na lang!

Got a letter from Pag-ibig fund, saying that they have already approved my housing loan! It's just a matter of attending our developer's orientation and claiming a Permit to Occupy certificate before I get my brand new property, Woohoo!!!

Grabe, ito na talaga. Kasalan na lang. Pangkasal na lang. Ipon rin ng gamit muna, tapos ipapa-renovate yung loft para magkaroon ng 3 kwarto sa itaas. Pwede na "32 LCD TV (Eden, pahiram ulit ng credit card mo, hehe). Saka na kotse. *Isip-isip-isip*

1488 - E05

**Previously on 1488**

** This Episode**

0416:45
Dan receives a call from the Company President (CP)...
CP: Dan, I'll wait you here in Starbucks.
DB: Okay sir, I'll just get my notepad and pen (i-mention pa ba yun?).

Dan arrives at the famed Cafe...
CP: Hi Dan, please get something to eat or drink.
DB: Okay (pansin ko laging "okay" lang ang linya nito, ah.)

After a few sips on his hot milky choco...
CP: Well, are you busy?
DB: Busy enough, sir... *smiles* I've been doing some blah blah blah...
CP: Anyway, I like you to prepare a documentation for this and that, etc. etc.

Discussion continues until the CP invites him to go to his office.

This is where the boss opens up Dan's career issues...
CP: How much are you getting with us, Dan?
DB: *beep* sir. (hehe, kala n'yo, ha!)
CP: And how much is the offer of *beep*
DB: 11 grand higher plus bonus package for every project milestone reached plus opporunity to go to canada.
CP: I'll tell you this... I'll review your compensation thoroughly. You might not get the needed increase effective next month but I'll add the assumed adjustment to your yearend bonus. So, how's that?
DB: It's fine with me sir, as long as you think it is fair to the company as well.
CP: So, we're ok with it na. Unforunately, I cannot promise you an opportunity to go in Canada *smiles*. Thank you Dan. By the way, please tell *beep* (one of the finance officer, not the FAG head) to come here.
DB: Okay, sir. Thank you for discussing with me my concerns.
CP: I-thank you mo mukha mo! Yari ka sa akin, marami akong ibibigay na mabibigat na projects sa 'yo, yari ka!
(Nasa isip-isip lang ni Dan yung last line, hehe).

**to be continued**

We just can't do it all alone.

Feeling a bit melodramatic this morning about how everyday life is likely being survived na lang, instead of enjoyed by most of us nowadays.

The author of the following song says, "I wrote this song while overwhelmed by the suffering and pain felt in this world where death acts undefeated. I know we can offer the much-needed peace, hope and love-- but we can't do it alone."



I hope Imeem.com keeps this full track in couple of days more.

Love Alone
Caedmon's Call

No one would love me
If they knew all the things I hide
My words fall to the floor
As tears drip through the telephone line

And the hands I've seen raised to the sky
Not waving but drowning all this time
I'll try to build the ark that they need
To float to you upon the crystal sea

Give me your hand to hold
'Cause I can't stand to love alone
And love alone is not enough to hold us up
We've got to touch your robe
So swing your robe down low
Swing your robe down low

The prince of despair's been beaten
But the loser still fights
Death's on a long leash
Stealing my friends to the night

And everyone cries for the innocent
You say to love the guilty, too
And I'm surrounded by suffering and sickness
So I'm working tearing back the roof

And the pain of the world is a burden and it's my cross to bear
And I stumble under all the weight
I know you're Simon standing there
And I know you're standing there

1488 - E04

**Previously on 1488**

**This Episode**

0394:30
Dan's Immediate Superior (IS) talks to him...
IS: Dan, tell me if there is no development on your salary this coming payday, so I can remind our boss about it.
DB: Sure, sir. Thanks.

The Company President (CP) steps inside the conference room where the two are having a chat...
CP: Dan, I have something to discuss with you tomorrow. Go to my office around 8am.
DB: Okay, sir.

**to be continued**

It's the beat.

ONE LOOK
Kjwan

woh woh woh
i know you hate it
when i say these things
right in your face, yeah
but i can't lie
you know me better
'cause the words inside
just speak the truth, yeah

one look
and i'm mesmerized by your eyes
you're coming like a hurricane
blowing down on me yeah
'cause it's a mystery
that captures me
i'm falling in
drawing closer and now
oh now yeah yeah

pardon me
i'm being honest
'cause i don't hide
i speak my mind, yeah
things get wierd
but we know better
'cause i know you know
that i love you so, yeah

one look
and i'm mesmerized by your eyes
you're coming like a hurricane
blowing down on me yeah
'cause it's a mystery
that captures me
i'm falling in
drawing closer and now
oh now yeah yeah

blowing down on me
blowing down on me
blowing down on me
blowing down on me

one look
and i'm mesmerized by your eyes
you're coming like a hurricane
blowing down on me yeah
'cause it's a mystery
that captures me
i'm falling in
drawing closer and now
oh now yeah yeah
yeah yeah eh eh eh
yeah yeah

1488 - E03

**Previously on 1488**

**This episode**
0242:01
Dan Bowel dreams of an old conversation with the Finance and Admin Group Head (FAG Head - pun highly intended) of their company...
FAG Head: Dan, I told our President to give you a big yearend bonus because you are so kind naman! And for your annual increase, just be patient and don't expect too much. Hayaan mo na silang mas mataas ang sweldo sa 'yo, hindi ka naman programmer eh.
DB: (snake bitten look) Ah ok, thank you po.
**dream scene repeats for about 10x before Dan wakes up abruptly**
DB: Whoa, why did I let that stupid explanation about my compensation get a score in my face at maximum point blank range!? Didn't the FAG head realize that it's my performance that should dictate my company perks, and not because I'm "kind" or because my job description does not include writing codes for applications of mass destruction?! Where did she come up with that silly assessment? Where was my defensive reaction artillery that time? Darn, I should have reacted immediately. What a nightmare!

**to be continued**

Road Rage

A few seconds of unpleasant traffic experience could lead to a lifetime of regrets.

A news came up a few days ago about a public lawyer who shot and killed two fellow motorists after a heated road confrontation. The murderer was able to post bail in a haste and continues to enjoy normal, unremorseful life, allegedly with the help of his friends who somewhat took care of the case. It's just hard to imagine how justice works this way nowadays. On the brighter side (as far as I'm concerned), this event made me think of my driving behavior, and perhaps one possible reason God won't let me have my own car is my short temper while driving. So, He makes sure that I won't get enough money to buy one, tsk tsk. =P

Some tips below might come in handy courtesy of Roadragers.com:

1488 - E02

**Previously on 1488**

**This episode**
0002:01
In the conference room (wala akong cubicle, pathetic me)...
DB: I think I gave him my decision too early.
Executive Secretary of the President (ESP, o di ba!): And he didn't even make a sweat in convincing you to stay.
DB: Yeah. Is it good or bad?
ESP: Can't say. Better to wait na lang. But others who have left seem to be in a better situation now.
DB: Okay, I'll give myself 3 months. Rather, I'll give him 3 months. If nothing happens, then I'll do what has to be done.

**to be continued**

Pinoy bashing 2

Ganito naman talaga tayo minsan, este, madalas pala...

Sarcastically funny but true. I'll try to find out who the author is.

Pinoy Haircut
There was this good old barber in a city in the United States . One day a florist went to him for a haircut. After the cut, he wanted to pay the barber but the barber replied, "I don't accept money from you. I'm doing community service." The florist was happy and left the barbershop.

The next morning when the barber opened his shop, there was a "thank you" card and a dozen roses waiting at his door.

The following day, a policeman went for a haircut and he also wanted to pay the barber after the cut. But the barber replied, "I don't accept money from you. I'm doing community service." The cop was happy and left the barbershop.

The next morning when the barber opened his shop, there is a "thank you" card and a dozen freshly baked donuts waiting at his door.

On the third day, a Filipino software engineer went for a haircut. He also wanted to pay the barber. But the barber also replied," I'm sorry. I don't accept
money from you. I'm doing community service." The Filipino software engineer was happy and left.

The following morning when the barber opened his shop, he had a big surprise! Guess what he found!

Can you guess?....



Come on, think like a Filipino....



O, sirit ka na ba?



There were a dozen FILIPINOS waiting for free haircuts!!!

Funny vid clips

Some videos which made me smile today:

Train Drives Through A Bangkok Market by Mindil


Extreme Bad Luck Mercedes by kenlonzh


Duck Feeding Fish in Pond by Anarion524

Kuwentong FX

Chika ng mahal ko:

Last week napasakay siya sa FX na malakas ang aircon. Iniba niya yung direction ng lamig papunta sa katabi niyang lalaki. Pagkatapos ng ilang minuto, ibinalik ng pobreng mama ang pagkakatutok ng aircon sa kanya. Hindi muna niya agad pinansin. After ilang minutes ulit dahil sa hindi na siya makatiis sa lamig, kelangan nang gumawa ng aksyon. Pero nung gagalawin na nya yung aircon, umakma din yung katabi niya na para bang makikipagunahan sa pag-adjust. Dito nagsimula ang kanilang pag-uusap...

Mahal: Gusto nyo po ng aircon?
Mama: Ok lang... ayaw mo ba?
Mahal: *tango*
Mama: Nilalamig ka ba?
Mahal: *tango*
Mama: Gusto mo ng jacket? Heto o... (WATDAF?%$@!!!)
Mahal: Ay 'wag na po, okay lang ako!
Mama sa FX driver: Pakihinaan naman yung aircon, nilalamig siya eh.
Mahal (sobrang gulat): Ay hindi kuya (driver), huwag nyo nang hinaan!

Hininaan pa rin ng driver.

Ilang sandali pa ay kinausap niya yung driver dahil sa hiya niya sa mga pasahero sa bandang likod. Hindi na siya pinakinggan.

Moral of the story: Sakay na lang sa jeep para walang aircon. =)

Time to put things in proper order

After I informed my bosses about my desire to resign, I got a news that there will be a board meeting on Monday (today) to check the organization's admin policies. It's not that I initiated the meeting, but it's one of the managers who requested to talk things over. I knew from the start that it's not only me who is seeing the problems plaguing our company. While projects are pouring in, the workforce seems to be less taken care of. Worse, others, particularly the new ones, have taken this situation to their personal, mean advantages.

As I recall, we used to have monthly, sometimes quarterly status meetings with our company boss. As the company grows, we now get the chance to see everybody and talk only during special ocassions. And since December of last year, we haven't made any effort to check how the company is doing. This is where shit started to happen.

The meeting is actually taking place as of this writing. I know it's not too late.

Pinoy bashing

Sometimes I feel like shaming the Pinoys of my generation. Parang gusto kong isigaw na "Ikinahihiya ko kayo, mga leche kayo!" Where is the sense of doing small good things like throwing used styropacks in trash cans, waiting others to alight the train before getting inside, slowing down to let commuters walk accross the road, and thanking someone who just passed your fare to the driver? Kung ang mga simpleng bagay na ito eh hindi natin magawa, paano pa kaya yung mga bagay na huhugot sa atin ng panahon at lakas? I am so pissed off! Bumalik na lang kayo sa mga pinanggalingan nyo!!!

1488 - pilot episode

Kung si Jack Bauer may 24, ako may 1488. Walang pakelaman (o pakialamanan, haba eh pero sinulat ko pa rin, ah basta). Starring Dan Bowel (DB).

Timeline: 0000:01
After 7 years of working in a Telecom System Integration company, Dan courageously (what a choice of adverb1!) informed his boss about his plan to resign.
DB: I'll try other opportunities outside of the company.
Company President: I'll look at your current compensation. Please stay.
DB: Ok, I'll go back to work.

**To be continued**