D A N T H O L O G I E S

Taxpayer's Woes

2010-04-19T07:25:00.003+08:00

It's unfortunate that unpleasant experiences had to happen just to remind me writing again in my blog. And I had to write all about it to release the "bwisit" feeling.

First, me and the rest of Meralco subscribers got the summer surprise of our lives after our electric bills this month shoot up like the volcanic ashes and clouds of current Europe skies. Everyone's complaining but no one's explaining. It's a Metro-wide phenomenon, blacking out every sense of rationality. Parang na-Flash Forward kami kaya lang ang future, kelangan mong magbayad ng bill at kung hindi, baklas ang metro mo.

Next, it happened just this morning while lining up for a ride sa MRT station. 5:30am sila nagbukas pero 6am pa lang, pumipila na ang sandamakmak na tao. Ang dahilan: Nandun lahat ng sekyu, nagi-inspect ng mga gamit sa pinakataas na platform malapit sa ticket booths. They did not (as always) anticipate the rush of people riding on a Monday morning. Kung sa baba pa lang, nagi-inspect na sila, wala sanang maiipon na tao. Nagbabayad ka ng tamang buwis tapos ito ang makukuha mong serbisyo at mapupunta lang sa sweldo ng mga taong walang common sense and practical decision making ability!

oYes!

2010-03-10T16:27:00.002+08:00

This could be the start of something that is financially rewarding. =)

From King of the Road to Street Thugs

2010-02-17T08:27:00.003+08:00

At least in most areas that I have been to, I can say with sadness that gone are the days when the Pinoy Jeepney is a symbol of Filipino hospitality and artistry. Jeepneys today no longer reflects the colorful, festive mood of Pinoys. They are now considered as utility in essence. No more, no less.

I recall them being tagged as the country's king of the road. But there was a time when I thought the title was taken by so-called FX's and other similar AUV's which started to crowd the metropolis during the 90's. They did survived, nonetheless.

But today, there are more unhappy experiences than good ones that I can tell. I do not blame the machines, but the men behind the wheels.

- Lots of units are poorly maintained, thus causing black smoke to engulf the streets.

- Jeepney drivers become younger and younger (some barely qualify for a driving license, if they even have it) and as we all know, youth can be equated to recklessness resulting to undesirable consequences.

- There are also oldies that really don't give a damn when getting passengers, no matter how they stop in the middle of the road, as long as they get everyone aboard.

- Just no proper education on safe driving (not to mention good grooming).

The last time I saw an authentic Filipino-inspired passenger jeep was when I opened a coffee table magazine (thanks Sarao, Lippad and others for the memories). It's just like reminiscing the old Manila through an FB account. How nostalgically sad.

My 10-10 in 2010

2010-02-15T11:36:00.002+08:00

Last January, the inevitable happened: My age is officially beyond the Gregorian calendar month days. As a tribute to myself, here are top ten signs - in no particular older - that tell me that I'm increasing in value in terms of antiquity.

1. Almost 70% of my friends are married and 90% of which already have children aged 1 year and up

2. I started commenting on how teenagers type in their text messages (QuA AzaHn NhA Poh QaU? is nauseously translated as Kuya, nasaan na po kayo?)

3. Reads newspaper more often

4. Feels pain in various region of my body more often

5. More and more kids calling me Kuya or Tito

6. Our wedding album gets dusty

7. Drinks coffee more often

8. Mentions terms like pressure, stress, taxes, billing statements more often

9. Shoots adult jokes like drinking water

10. Starts to worry about my eating habits

This should not overshadow the fact that lots of blessings were and are being given to me, thus here are the top ten:

1. I have a loving wife;

2. I have a wonderful baby boy (girl to follow);

3. My family is healthy physically and spiritually;

4. Both my biological parents and parent in-laws are still here;

5. Families and close relatives from both sides are safe;

6. I have lots of friends;

7. I have my own house (car to follow);

8. I have a stable job (own business to follow);

9. My bills payments are up-to-date;

10. I can share my blessings and afford to help others in any way I can; instead of being on the receiving end.

Google Wave: Preview

2009-12-01T09:25:00.004+08:00

Communication in its most advanced medium, I think. No wonder Google people get pampered while at work in the most literal sense of the word, they are so damn good!

Click here to know more about it and watch the loooongest YouTube video that I have ever seen.

Nice to have an account so request one now.

Top 10 movie flops of the decade (Reuters)

2009-11-30T06:36:00.001+08:00

Source: Reuters Thu Nov 26, 2009, 8:01 pm EST

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Movie flops aren't just about losing money. Yes, big budgets that go bust are one consideration. But flops are also about lofty expectations dashed and high profiles brought low. They trigger embarrassing catcalls from the peanut gallery and a general whoever-thought-that-was-a-good-idea-in-the-first-place bewilderment.

Any judgments of flopitude are necessarily subjective, but here are 10 movies from the past decade that made those few moviegoers who saw them cringe. Disagree? Talk among yourselves.

10. THE SPIRIT

* Release date: December 25, 2008

* Estimated cost: $60 million

* Domestic gross: $19.8 million

Frank Miller, the man who created the comics "300" and "Sin City," and who redefined Batman and Daredevil for the modern age, directed this adaptation of Will Eisner's comic-strip hero. Starring Samuel L. Jackson and a bevy of beauties, it may have looked good on the page. But onscreen, the heavily stylized, nearly black-and-white results were disastrous. The expensive movie was killed by comic fans, who wanted Miller to go back to comics, and critics, who trashed the movie's over-the-top tones and aesthetics. Consequently, the partners at the company behind the production, Odd Lot Entertainment, parted ways after 23 years together. It even killed plans for a Miller-directed version of "Buck Rogers."

9. GRINDHOUSE

* Release date: April 6, 2007

* Estimated cost: $67 million

* Domestic gross: $25 million

Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez managed to turn twice the filmmaking firepower into half the box office (and a third of the critical praise). With "Grindhouse," what began as an explicit exercise in joyous B-movie cinema homage -- a double bill of '70s-style schlock, one film from each director -- ended up aping its scuzzy genre ancestors a little too closely in the receipts department. After the three-hour-plus "Grindhouse" opened to a mere $11.6 million, Harvey Weinstein split the film's two parts -- "Death Proof" and "Planet Terror" -- and shuttled them to international markets individually. While that recouped a little of the Weinstein Co.'s money, it incurred the wrath of purists who were angry that the original film had been corrupted. Tarantino and Weinstein are famously loyal to each other, and while the writer-director eventually made good on the losses with the $120 million-grossing "Inglourious Basterds" this year, "Grindhouse" was one instance where loyalty nearly brought down the house.

8. ROLLERBALL

* Release date: February 8, 2002

* Estimated cost: $70 million

* Domestic gross: $19 million

Norman Jewison's 1975 comment on violence, corporatism and spectacle has its place in the paranoid '70s-era cult film pantheon. John McTiernan's remake, on the other hand, would be totally forgettable if it weren't so spectacularly misconceived in every way. The cast -- Jean Reno, Chris Klein, LL Cool J and Rebecca Romijn-Stamos -- was a C-list mishmash closer to reality TV than big-budget studio moviemaking. McTiernan had long since dented his box-office bona fides with "Last Action Hero" and "The 13th Warrior." And the studio releasing it -- MGM -- was so aware of its bomb-worthiness that it pushed the release back four times, out of the summer 2001 field and into the barren wasteland of February. In a last act of desperation, the movie was also re-edited from an R to a PG-13 rating, sabotaging any last chance it had at an audience. Ultimately, it pretty much wrecked McTiernan's career (he has directed only one film since).

7. THE INVASION

* Release date: August 17, 2007

* Estimated cost: $80 million

* Domestic gross: $15.1 million

Nicole Kidman couldn't have started the decade any hotter, scoring with "Moulin Rouge," "The Others" and "The Hours." But after 2002, her career went cold in the U.S. ("Stepford Wives," "Bewitched," "Australia" and "The Golden Compass"); it's as if the actress was abducted by some sort of soul-draining body snatcher. But wait, isn't that what she's fighting in "The Invasion," Hollywood's latest remake of the 1956 film "Invasion of the Body Snatchers"? This time around, the eerie premise, based on a novel by Jack Finney, failed to catch fire. The Wachowski brothers' second unit director, James McTeigue, was called in to shoot additional scenes written by the "Matrix" whiz kids after original director Oliver Hirschbiegel was sent packing, having filmed the bulk of the movie. In an omen of things to come, Kidman suffered an on-set fender-bender during the reshoots. When the film arrived in theaters more than a year late, Kidman's regal bearing took another dent.

6. CATWOMAN

* Release date: July 23, 2004

* Estimated cost: $100 million

* Domestic gross: $40 million

It was inevitable after Michelle Pfeiffer stole scenes as Catwoman in "Batman Returns" that her black-latexed anti-heroine would get a spinoff of her own. But when the inevitable occurred in 2004, this time with Halle Berry playing the character, audiences tried hard to cover up the kitty litter. No one involved with the movie came out unscathed. Not Berry, who just two years earlier had won an Oscar for "Monster's Ball"; not Sharon Stone, who chewed up the scenery as the movie's villainess; and not Pitof, the French filmmaker making his American directorial debut. He went back to his native land and hasn't directed a theatrical feature since. The movie is another example cited by studios in their long-held contention that female superhero movies just don't work.

5. TOWN & COUNTRY

* Release date: April 27, 2001

* Estimated cost: $90 million

* Domestic gross: $6.7 million

Twenty-five years after he seduced audiences in "Shampoo," Warren Beatty decided the time was ripe for another sex comedy, albeit one with a somewhat older circle of friends. He somehow persuaded New Line, which usually concentrated on the youth market, to foot the bill. And what a bill it was: With the script still furiously going through rewrites, Peter Chelsom began shooting in June 1998; 10 months and take after take after take later, the film was still shooting. That's when co-stars like Diane Keaton and Gary Shandling had to leave to fulfill other commitments. A full year later, the whole cast regrouped to finish the shoot, which had escalated to more than twice its original $44 million price tag. The completed film was actually something of a tepid affair. Beatty dithers as a New York architect who cheats on his wife with several women; Shandling's his best pal trying to come out as gay. And then there's Charlton Heston, playing against type, as a gun nut.

4. GIGLI

* Release date: August 1, 2003

* Estimated cost: $54 million

* Domestic gross: $6.1 million

If the course of true love rarely runs smoothly, then "Gigli" is an object lesson in how rocky it can get. As the new century dawned, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez -- tabloid code name: Bennifer -- were the couple of the moment. With an Oscar for writing "Good Will Hunting" and starring roles in "Pearl Harbor" and "The Sum of All Fears," his movie career was in high gear; she could boast a solid-gold music resume and rom-com appeal in movies like "The Wedding Planner" and "Maid in Manhattan." Onscreen romantic sparks seemed made to order. So what went wrong? Start with that title, "Gigli," that no one was sure how to pronounce. Add lots of lovey-dovey media appearances that erased a bit of their mystique. And then there was Martin Brest's film itself: a low-rent-mobster-boy-meets-enforcer-chick tale complete with a kidnapping, severed thumbs and Al Pacino in high dudgeon. Bennifer split in 2004, just before sharing the bill in another film not too far away on the flop-o-meter, "Jersey Girl."

3. LAND OF THE LOST

* Release date: June 5, 2009

* Estimated cost: $100 million

* Domestic gross: $65 million

Producer/puppeteers Sid and Marty Kroft were masters of the weird and cheesy; their old Saturday morning TV show, "Land of the Lost," is remembered fondly by kids who grew up in the '70s. But the material experienced something of a time warp when director Brad Silbering tried to give it a hipster spin this summer with the help of Will Ferrell, playing a paleontologist who journeys to a parallel universe where he meets the Sleestaks. Normally, any movie with a rampaging Tyrannosaurus (see "Journey to the Center of the Earth," "Night at the Museum") can't miss, but "Lost" was, well, lost in translation. The movie's PG-13 rating wasn't a comfort to many families when word got around of its toilet humor. Older moviegoers weren't interested, and Kroft purists weren't amused. Over the years, Disney and Sony had both held remake rights, but ultimately this hot potato landed at Universal, where it was one of the factors that resulted in the ouster of the studio's two top executives in October.

2. BATTLEFIELD EARTH

* Release date: May 12, 2000

* Estimated cost: $75 million

* Domestic gross: $21 million

Blame it on the Thetans if you want, but John Travolta's space oddity "Battlefield Earth" virtually imploded on the launching pad. Travolta's career was enjoying a resurgence in the wake of "Pulp Fiction" when he wagered a big chunk of his newfound credibility, as well as some of his own coin, on this passion project. "Battlefield Earth" was based on a 1972 sci-fi novel by Scientology guru L. Ron Hubbard, which Travolta promised would be "like 'Star Wars,' only better." Studios shied away, but Travolta found financing from Franchise Pictures, which would later be sued by investors for overstating the movie's costs as $100 million. Originally, Travolta hoped to play the young hero who leads a rebellion against the alien race that enslaves Earth, but the film took so long to assemble he ultimately opted instead to don dreadlocks and platform shoes to play the villain, barking lines like "Execute all man-animals at will, and happy hunting!" A planned sequel, which would have covered the second half of the novel, never materialized. "Some movies run off the rails," observed Roger Ebert. "This one is like the train crash in 'The Fugitive.'"

1. THE ADVENTURES OF PLUTO NASH

* Release date: August 6, 2002

* Estimated cost: $100 million

* Domestic gross: $4.4 million

Eddie Murphy is some kind of miracle. Five of his recent films lost more than $250 million, and yet he not only still gets hired but also commands his salary quote. But on the flop-o-meter, one Murphy title towers above even "Meet Dave," "Showtime" and "I Spy": Trumpets, please, for "The Adventures of Pluto Nash," whose release was delayed for 14 months. It instantly became the "Cleopatra" of our age. A sci-fi gangster comedy, complete with robot sidekick, set on the moon, "Pluto" was neither fish nor fowl -- but mostly foul. But unlike most stars who are tarnished by a mega-flop, Murphy -- who did take time off from broad comedies to redeem himself with his Oscar-nominated turn in "Dreamgirls" -- just keeps going and going and going.

Count, share your blessings

2009-10-01T11:54:00.002+08:00

We made some rounds yesterday in Marikina, Pasig and Rizal to check out and bring some assistance to our colleagues who are affected by floods brought by Ondoy.

The sight (and smell) was really depressing. Paano na kaya ang nararamdaman ng mismong mga residente dun? Nakakaawa talaga.

Who would have thought that the furniture you dusted, electric appliances you used and books you just read last Friday would turn to garbage the next day?

Maswerte ang karamihan sa atin na nakaligtas sa perwisyo at nasa kabilang side ng pangyayaring ito. Mas mabuti na ang makasama sa mga tumutulong kaysa sa isa ka sa mga nanghihingi nito. Dahil sabi nga ng isa kong ka-opisina, hindi lang sa ari-arian ikaw dapat makarekober, kundi pati rin sa trauma na naranasan.

Malakas na naman ang ulan sa labas.

Ingat na lang sa ating lahat.

Belated Happy 3 Years, Happyslip!

2009-09-30T10:42:00.001+08:00

Showing the best during the worst of times

2009-09-29T06:55:00.005+08:00

Nabigo ako sa pangako ko, nag-hibernate mode na naman ako for more than a month. Kung kelan may internet na ako sa bahay, lalo pang dumalang ang pagbisita ko dito. Oh well.

Maraming naganap, maraming nawala, maraming dumating sa loob lamang ng isang buwan.

If my blog is a pet, it could have left me to find a new master. Hiatus = neglect.

Last weekend, as we all know, was another replay lesson for all of us: Mother Nature has its own way of exacting revenge to those who abuse her. We had no other way out emotionally and physically but to call it a day, learn from it and hope for the best.

I won't share na my own stories that day, besides it's way nothing compared to what are being shown in the news.

Sa mga hindi naapektuhan, reach out, help out in any way possible and be thankful for having your properties and your family spared from this very unfortunate event.

Lately kahit papaano napalitan ng mga kwento tungkol sa tulungan at damayan ang mga balita ng sisihan, trayduran at siraan. Nakakalungkot lang at kailangan pa ng matinding dagok sa iba para lang manahimik ang mga taong ito.

Kaya natin ito. Makakaraos din tayo.

Narinig ko kanina sa FX habang nasa byahe kami ng mahal ko papuntang ofc, and I thought napapanahon ito.

Ngiti Lang - KC Concepcion

"Don’t take it as a career, Take it as a calling"

2009-08-25T08:23:00.003+08:00

“That’s the great part of it. I don’t take it as a career, I take it as a calling,” White House chef Fil-Am Cristeta Pasia Comerford said to Inquirer.net on her role in the US First Family's home.

Sarap pakinggan; sana it applies to everybody. Sana masabi ko rin yun sa trabaho ko. Hayz.

I've been contemplating lately about my job. Though relatively it pays well (just exclude the loan deductions) and sure most of the people outside the three corners of my cubicle (pader kasi yung likuran ko) are nice, friendly creatures. What I mean is my work routine. My task. My role.

I still have pending documents to write and my accomplishment so far is staring at my online references for almost a week. The goal is there as well as the deadline; I have enough resources and I'm pretty much interested to do it. One thing is missing: I'm lacking motivation and I don't know where to get enough of it.

Isa pa, I did expect that being part of the project management team, payment follow ups from suppliers and partners are nothing but normal. But it's getting extra phenomenal if it squeezes out your creative juices to give highly believable reasons to them just saying that they will not get what they want. Worse, you do the same thing the next day. So ito pa lang, drained na energy mo sa isang araw.

So what's it gonna be today?

****

Balita muna:

Day off proposed for employees to register

By Lira Dalangin-Fernandez
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 21:03:00 08/24/2009

MANILA, Philippines—Employees should be given one day off with pay to allow them to register for the May 2010 election, a party list lawmaker proposed on Monday.

Kabataan Representative Raymond Palatino said there is a need for the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to encourage more new voters to register given the low turnout of registrants.

Of its three million target, only 821,200 have so far registered, Palatino said, quoting figures from the poll body.

Palatino filed House Resolution 1336 asking the Department of Labor and Employment to direct public and private companies to implement a one-day off with pay to encourage their employees to register.

Deadline for registration is on October 30 this year.

The congressman said that employees often do not have time to register because by the time their shift ends, registration offices have already closed.

“It is the responsibility of the DOLE to ensure that employees nationwide not be disenfranchised in the coming 2010 election because of this limitation,” he said.

Palatino cited the 100 percent employee voters registration program of Nexus, a business process outsourcing firm, as an example of such initiative. Nexus, he said, gave free tickets to Quentin Tarantino’s Inglorious Basterds for the first fifty employees who submit their official voter registration documents to its human resource department.

Happy Three Months, Baby!

2009-08-24T10:33:00.003+08:00

Regalo namin ni mahal sa kanya? Si Tita Angie (mag aalaga muna sa kanya), yehey!!!

Self serving na magulang, hehe. Love u baby!

Katawang laman

2009-08-17T10:59:00.004+08:00

"Nothing to worry," says doc after reading the result of Mahal's biopsy. A big sigh of relief and bigger reason to thank Him (not the doc) for hearing our devotional prayers.

***

It's my turn to wait for my neck x-ray result. It took me almost a month before I decided to have it checked due to its unusual recurring stiffness and mild pain. The doc suspects a neck spasm. Hope nothing really serious.

Joey de Leon says it all

2009-08-13T08:29:00.003+08:00

I'm not an avid fan of the writer and will not express my thoughts on this new scandal of Willie anymore (sobrang dami na, di na ako makikisawsaw); I just want to share Joey's poem for those who do not read The Philippine Star (a local broadsheet).

The funeral cortege of former Pres. Cory Aquino: My tears came naturally

Wala na sa piling ng mga Pilipino,
Tinig ng awiting Mga Kababayan Ko,
At lumisan na rin noong isang Sabado,
Inang nagpalipad sa awiting Bayan Ko.
Ako'y sumasaludo, paalam Pangulo,
May isa 'kong lihim, kay tagal itinago,
Sa lahat nang inabot kong mga namuno,
Tanging ikaw lang sa luha ko'y nagpatulo.

Marami ang nalungkot sa iyong pagyao,
Magalang ang lahat at puno ng respeto,
Nagpasalamat pa nga Kapamilya sa 'yo,
Dahil kanilang himpilan naibalik mo.

Subalit ano itong nabalitaan ko?
Nangyari noong Lunes, a-tres ng Agosto,
Habang inililipat ang mga labi mo,
Ika'y parang nabastos sa isang TV show.

At ang napakasaklap at masakit dito,
Ang nambastos pa'y kapamilya ng anak mo,
Napanood ito ng tao at publiko,
Kakaunti na nga, ngunit lahat nahilo.
Sabi ng TV host na mainit ang ulo
Pagkakita sa video na kanyang kasalo,
"Sandali, meron akong ano... sa'ting ano...
Hindi naman sa ano," nagkaanu-ano!
Ayon sa Internet, meron pa s'yang nasambit,
"Sana pakitanggal muna 'yan sa'ting traffic..."
At 'di maaalis sa iyong pag-iisip,
Ang parada ng patay ang pinaliligpit!
At dagdag pa daw ng naghahari-harian,
"I don't think na dapat n'yong ipakita iyan..."
Nasaan naman ang paggalang, o nasaan?
Mga sinasabi natin minsa'y pag-ingatan.

At 'di pa nangimi nang sumunod na araw,
Pinilit pa ring ginawa n'ya ay tama raw,
Mga nakarinig 'di na nakagalaw
At ayon sa iba sila na la'y napa-wow!

"... Pero ako, totoo 'ko eh ... ", sabi kuno,
Totoo nga at totoo ring walang modo,
Pwede namang sabihin itong pa-sikreto,
Kaya't wala na rin mga paliwanag mo.

"Kung ganyan, pakita na lang 'yan!", ang hamon pa,
Para bang ang prusisyon nila-"lang - lang" lang ba,
Ang pangasiwaan ay pinapili pa n'ya,
Sumunod ang himpilan, nung August 5 wala s'ya.

May mga komentong pwede nang pang-harapan,
"On camera" baga sa TV ang tawag d'yan
At kung sensitibo man ang gustong bitawan,
Pagpasok ng commercial, hintayin mo na lang.

Matutong magbaba muna ng mikropono
At saka idikta lahat ng iyong gusto,
Lagi kang mataas lahat daw takot sa 'yo,
Ratings lang ang mababa — totoo ba ito?

The breaking news breaks your heart — at 'yan ang bawi mo,
Nang mahalata mong sumablay ang pasok mo,
Pero sigurado ika'y maa-abswelto,
'Di ba ikaw rin ang may-ari ng network n'yo?
Nung Hueves nag-apologize sa diario naman,
O, akala ko ba wala kang kasalanan,
Tapos ng angalan, sunod paliwanagan —
COMPLAIN before you EXPLAIN ka na naman!
O ito kaya ay isa na namang "glitch" lang,
Tulad ng "two-zero" 'di na natin nalaman,
O ito ay maliwanag na kabobohan?
Sa tingin ng marami, mahirap lusutan.

Ang sabi ng iba — istupidong mayabang,
At giit ng iba — istupidong mayaman,
Mayaman man o mayabang ang tiyak diyan,
Napakayaman n'ya sa kaistupiduhan.

Buti pa ang apat na honor guards ni Cory —
Sina Malab, Laguindan, Rodriguez, Cadiente,
Walong oras tumayo sa ulan at viaje,
Ang lahat ay tiniis at walang sinabi.

Samantalang ikaw na may bubong sa ulo,
Komportable ka lang sa malamig na studio,
Nang kapirasong libing sa TV sumalo,
Angal at inis ang sumambulat sa iyo.

Maaari din namang pabayaan na s'ya,
Subalit ang nangyari'y mabigat talaga,
Namayapang pangulo'y huling paalam na,
'Di mo pa pinagbigyan ... hoy, nag-iisa ka!

At nais ko lang sabihin at ipagyabang
Sa mahigit na s'yam na libong tanghalian,
Sa limang pangulong sa Bulaga'y dumaan,
Kahit isa wala kaming nilapastangan.

Hope

2009-08-11T09:04:00.004+08:00

Two things:
We got the biopsy result last week. The explanation is quite technical in the medical sense but there is a "benign" word which I think tells a very good meaning. Babalik kami kay dok bukas para malaman namin ang buong kwento.

***

Team Pilipinas (Powerade) is doing good in the current Fiba Men's Championship. Don't mind the detractors; basketball - no matter how vertically challenging it is for us - has become our deep-rooted national passion. We cannot deny this fact. Kaya manalo-matalo, ayos lang.

(pic courtesy of china2009.fiba.com)

Looking forward to Philippines (Smart Gilas) Team when they reach their full potential in the very near future. GO PINOY!

Mabilisan lang

2009-07-24T20:59:00.003+08:00

SCENE: Our Ayel was dedicated to Our Lord last Sunday.

SEEN: In just two months after going under the knife, Mahal will take another visit at the OR for a breast mass excision. She was discovered having small cystic lumps in her breasts. Hopefully the surgical biopsy shall give favorable result.

My First Dad's Day as a Dad

2009-06-19T15:15:00.003+08:00

Isa na ako sa mga nakakatanggap ng Father's Day greetings. Para siyang yearly certificate of accomplishment or recognition for passing paternal courses. For me, I guess makakakuha ako ng good grades sa Baby Diaper Changing 101, Baby Supplies Buying 101 at Baby Feeding 101. Medyo kinaya naman ang puyatan kahit "overnight classes" ang mga ito.

So sa lahat ng mga tatay dyan, isang pagbati sa inyo this coming June 20, and we really deserve more than a mug on that day. =)

Our Ayel has Arrived!

2009-06-04T09:06:00.011+08:00

May 23, 2009

10am - Mahal and I planned to go to Robinsons to buy additional baby stuffs, but after going to a specialty clinic referred by my mom to check for their maternity package (though we have agreed to go to New Era Hospital when the time comes).

11am - We arrived at Drueco Specialist Clinic and registered at the nurse station so we could have a record and an initial check up by the Ob-Gyne doctor on duty. This was when we found out that Mahal was already in labor and her cervix had opened na pala @ 3cm! So we have to postponed our shopping.

12noon - Mahal was admitted while I got back to our house to get extra clothes for her and our baby (thanks sir Toyie for the baby gifts last December).

1pm - She went to active labor. Hindi ko maisip ang sakit na nararamdaman ng isang nagli-labor. All I know is I had to be strong and must convince her to be strong as well for our baby. Though she tried to tell me how painful it was:

7pm - Mahal was transferred to the Delivery Room after mag-8cm siya.

On this moment, I was overwhelmed by mixed emotions, same feeling when I was about to get married.

8:10pm - May narinig na akong iyak ng baby!

Ayel was taken out of the Delivery Room and I got to see my son for the first time...

Tatay na ako. =)

Definitely, this is just the end of the beginning of a wonderful journey called parenting.

Argh! Ugh!

2009-05-21T15:00:00.002+08:00

Almost 3 hours kami pinaghintay ng bago sanang OB-Gyne ni Mahal. N'ung una kinausap lang kami sa cellphone at kumatulong na lang ng isang doktor na kamukha ng mga cast ng japanese horror Infection. Ngayon naman nagpa-antay ng isa't kalahating oras at pagbalik namin, namuti na ang mata namin at wala pa rin siya. 1-3 ang schedule niya, so 3:30 umalis na kami.

***

Biglang na lang nag-"no network coverage" yung SIM ko kahapon. Pucha akala ko magpapalit na naman ako ng SIM eh wala pang limang buwan nung nasira yung dati kong SIM. Buti na lang bumalik sa normal kagabi. Malas lang, kinain na yung load ko.

Dugs

2009-05-14T12:59:00.002+08:00

Feeling Employer: Ano n'ang nangyari sa pinapa-update ko?
Empleyado: Ay ma'am, na email ko na po sa inyo.
Feeling Employer: Kaya nga tinatanong ko sa 'yo kasi hindi pa ako nakakapagbukas ng computer.

Papaano maiisa-isa ni empleyado ang laman ng Excel file na pina-update sa kanya, at anong mapapala ng Feeling Employer kung isa-isahin sa kanya yun? Abangan!

Our Ayel's Development: Week 37

2009-05-13T09:44:00.002+08:00

Foetal development during week 37 of being pregnant - Ayel's head may engage, dropping right down into the cervix ready for birth.

My Wife

Mahal may have a sudden urge in the last few weeks to decorate, bake or even start patchwork cot covers, this is known as 'nesting' but not all women experience this. She may feel hot all the time, because your body is working extremely hard. You have more blood circulating and are burning more calories.

-- Exactly what I've been noticing to her this week. Kaya todo bantay siya sa paggawa ng kuwarto ni Ayel kahit pinagbabawalan ko sumilip nang matagal dahil umaamoy yung pintura.

Tapos kagabi kelangan ko itutok yung aircon sa kanya dahil init na init daw siya. So ayun... kaya pala. =)

Ayel

He is now much plumper and his lungs are ready for the birth. As birth approaches, the amniotic fluid inside Mahal's womb has begun to diminish and Ayel is growing to fill the space. His head may engage, dropping right down into the cervix ready for birth. He should settle with his head facing down and tummy facing your back.

Research suggests it's Ayel's hormones that kick-start labour. When he is ready to emerge his brain will trigger the production of hormones that stimulate the uterus to encourage contractions. His face is filling out, and now has eyelashes. His neck is now thickening and his eyelids can now open and close easily.

Infos courtesy of http://www.askbaby.com.

PacMania

2009-05-12T10:15:00.001+08:00

HappySlip Greeting for Manny!

Commuter woes

2009-05-12T07:48:00.002+08:00

Banned dapat ang mga taong ito sa mga public AUV/Garage Service:

1. Humihikab nang bukang buka ang bibig at may tunog pa.
2. Pasahero sa gitnang upuan na alam namang may sasakay e hindi pa agad uusog hangga't hindi mo bubuksan ang pinto.
3. Mga nagpipilit sumandal, kahit balikat mo na mismo ang maipit.

***

Trivia on online videos

2009-05-08T16:19:00.003+08:00

What to know what's the most viewed videos over the web? Here's a news clip from Yahoo News.

Visible Measures, which measures the use of online videos across more than 150 video-sharing sites, has compiled a list called the "100 Million Views Club" which is of online videos that have topped the 100 million viewership.

Topping the list is a music video by rapper Soulja Boy of "Crank That," which recorded 356 million hits, followed by a trailer for the vampire movie "Twilight" with 267 million clicks.

In third and four places, with 230 million and 197 million views respectively, came Mariah Carey's "Touch My Body" music video and a user generated video by American ventriloquist and stand-up comedian Jeff Dunham called "Achmed the Dead Terrorist."

Boyle, who performed on "Britain's Got Talent," was in fifth place with 186 million views.

It pays to ask

2009-05-06T10:16:00.002+08:00

Or it saves to ask, to put it literally; and better if you ask the right person.

Galing kami sa MegaClinic ni Mahal kahapon para magpa-Urine C/S G/S. Nakapag inquire na kami sa fee which is around 700 pesos. Buti na lang naisipan ni Mahal ko na bumisita sa HMO office para magbaka-sakaling covered siya ng benefits. Dati kasi sinubukan namin humingi ng request for Urinalysis pero nasopla kami nung nurse o OJT yata yun na hindi raw mako-cover kapag pregnancy related.

Buti na lang iba ang naka-duty kahapon. So nagtanong ulit si Mahal. Nung nalaman nila na buntis ang magre-request, sinabi lang na kelangan muna ma-assess ng accredited doctor kung ipapa-cover sa HMO yung particular lab test.

Wala pang 5 minutes, approved na yung request namin at nakatipid kami ng Php700 for the Urine C/S G/S. Buti na lang 85 pesos lang ang Urinalysis, kung hindi, ha-huntingin ko yung mga nagmarunong na HMO attendant na yun!

Hospital Hopping

2009-05-05T08:10:00.004+08:00

Last night we went to Hope General Hospital, a private health care establishment to find out their maternity packages. Their normal delivery service costs around Php15K-17K while CS without complications ranges from Php35K-40K. These are actually the usual prices that we also learned from relatives and friends. We also checked out their maternity rooms which I would say comfy enough for us. Its Php800/day is sure ok and within the budget.

Next stop: Novaliches General Hospital. They have this Php7K maternity package promo displayed at their building's facade so we inquired about it. Unluckily, one should have gotten enrolled to this program first during her first to fifth month of pregnancy to avail it. Their normal delivery is Php25K-30K and CS at Php50K-60K.

Last Stop: New Era General Hospital.
Normal - Php25K and up
CS - Php45 and up
The Billing Attendant was kind enough to explain to me how much Philhealth would cover some expenses, depending on various cases. Too bad we are quite far from this hospital.

I guess we'll hope for the best maternity care at Hope.

Our 36 Week-old Ayel

2009-05-04T11:32:00.006+08:00

Here's the last pelvic ultrasound of Mahal. This time Ayel can be very well seen and he's quite busy thumb sucking ;-)

It will somehow look like this if taken through a sonogram (just got the image from the Internet, mahal daw magpaganito e, hehe).

Her OB confirms our baby's gender by pointing out to us Ayel's "pototoy" (BB Boy).

Happy happy!!!

blotter

2009-04-23T10:16:00.002+08:00

Mahal is now feeling okay. Two days siyang nag-leave at mahirap nga mag-isa sa bahay dahil wala pa ngang kagamit gamit dun.

Lumalaki na naman ang tyan ko. Nagsimula ito nung nakaraang long holiday break. Kelangan ko na namang mag mansanas lang sa gabi.

Our Ayel's Development: Week 32

2009-04-21T09:37:00.002+08:00

Our baby weighs around 5lb. He can blink and his eyes will be open if he is awake. The lanugo hair and vernix covering him are beginning to disappear. Ayel spends 60 percent of the last trimester of pregnancy dreaming.

Anniv Erratum

2009-04-16T08:52:00.002+08:00

Ito yung isa sa mga Sustagen Premium moments ko na unti-unting dumarami. Hindi nga pala pritong tilapia at talong ang kinain namin nung first wedding anniversary, kundi Sweet and Sour Lapu-lapu, Baked Mac at Ampalaya Guisado and with Fruit Salad as dessert. How in the world did I forget it??? Yung tilapia session with Japan Pizza ay nung last Saturday nga lang pala. My bad.

Kanina naman sobrang alinsangan na kahit 5am pa lang ng umaga. I think today will be a lot warmer than yesterday. Sabi sa balita, kahapon ang hottest day of this year's summer.

Our Ayel's Development: Week 31

2009-04-14T07:48:00.003+08:00

Ayel's fingernails reach the fingertips, his skin is pink and smooth and his body looks much more rounded. There is a store of glycogen building in his liver. He will draw on this reserve energy during labor and the following days while feeding is established.

Our baby's brain is expanding rapidly, with the hearing and speech centers are maturing to a point where he will be able to recognize Mahal's voice at birth.

1st Wedding Anniversary

2009-04-13T08:21:00.002+08:00

It has been more than a week when I should have wrote this. I could hardly catch up with time, sobrang bilis na talaga ng panahon.

We celebrated it with lots of fried tilapia and talong at lunch and had our "spacious" living room crowded by both sides of our families to watch "Taken" and "Slumdog Millionaire" (spacious kasi wala pang kagamit gamit).

Masarap pala yung pakiramdam na dinadalaw dalaw ka ng mga mahal mo sa buhay, sa sariling mong bahay.

Yes, we have survived our first year as married couple. No major fights, new circle of so called friends na puro may mga asa-asawa na rin, more budgeting sessions, lesser interest on things that we usually hunt when shopping, etc.

Next anniversary will be extra special because we have our very own bundle of joy by that time.

Parang Monday

2009-03-27T16:51:00.003+08:00

I missed the wedding of my friend in the name of work but not definitely for the love of it.

I just had to do it and I also knew that I'm helping out another friend who is helping out our new office mate. So there's a difference.

I hope this new colleague of ours would help our boss in winning big projects and vindicate my no appearance to my friend's wedding.

Congrats my dear Mishy! Idol!

Patay!

2009-03-19T08:53:00.003+08:00

Kahit ilang beses nang napatunayan na sa bandang huli humaharurot ang Barangay Ginebra Kings ko, hindi pa rin mawala ang mga agam agam... E ang lalakas din ng mga imports ng ibang team, makahabol kaya sila?

Kagabi talo na naman sila, buti hindi ako nakapanood kundi sira ang tulog ko.

***

Kahapon galing akong bangko, at ang unang sumalubong na bati sa aking ng customer service attendant nila ay isang malutong na "PATAY!."

Hindi, "Hi sir," o "Good afternoon po." Isang kahindik hindik na... "PATAY!"

Heto ang buong linya niya sa abot ng aking pagkakaalala:

"PATAY, IPAPA-VERIFY PA NATIN ITO!"

Bakit kaya patay ang nasabi niya? E magpapa-encash lang naman ako ng cheke mula sa ibang branch nila at natapos naman ang verification in 30 minutes nang walang dumanak na dugo.

Freaky lady.

Our Ayel's Development: Week 28

2009-03-17T16:19:00.003+08:00

Our baby Ayel's nostrils are now open and his lungs are developing air sacs. He is now taking on a more normal flesh colour and a less wrinkled appearance. His bones will be hardening and the lanugo will start to disappear, though some patches may remain after birth.

As he grows bigger he will have less space to turn and roll, but will still kick vigorously. His arms and legs pull up towards the chest as he finds a position which is comfortable for his developing size.

Our doctors may check at this stage to see which position Ayel is lying in. If born now, he has over a 95% chance of survival.

He will be learning to live with the sound of Mahal's blood humming and whooshing and all the digestive gurglings. Apart from the lungs, his major organs are functioning. The lungs are still full of amniotic fluid and the air-exchange sacs (alveoli) will not be formed for several more weeks. His brain has grown larger and a fatty protective sheath covers the nerve fibres. This allows the impulses to the brain to travel faster, so he can learn more quickly.

SSS (Super Stupid System)

2009-03-16T14:49:00.003+08:00

Ngayon lang ako ulit nakabisita sa SSS Online at hindi ako makapaniwala sa ginawang downgrading ng nasabing website. Heto ang ilan sa mga nabago na syempre ang assumption nila ay mas makatutulong sa mga pobreng myembro nito:

1. Naging inutil na ang Online Inquiry dahil tinanggal na nila ang mga useful tabs like Member History, Actual Premiums, Loan Status.... Pagka-click mo, hihingan ka ulit ng username/password at pagka enter mo, ibabalik ka lang sa main page. Nakakabobo, di ba?

2. Ang pinalit nila sa Online Inquiry ay Request Records. Dati makikita mo in an instant yung mga kelangan mong info, pero ngayon, kelangan mo nang mag-request and you have to pick it up at their uber crowded metro branches. Heto pa ang malupit... MAGBABAYAD KA NA! Paano ko nalaman? Kapag nakagawa ka na ng request at nai-send sa 'yo yung confirmation via e-mail, dun mo lang malalaman na may babayaran ka. Wala ka nang magagawa, walang cancel or abort option man lang:

Hindi kaya pakana ito ng sangkot sa ZTE scandal? Dagdag kita mo ba ito, Sec?

3. May Schedule Appointment na sila. Sana lang pagpunta mo dun ay i-honor nila ang nai-set mong appointment sa kanila. Alam mo naman, sobrang busy sila kaya kelangan nilang mag check muna sa system nila na laging down para malaman nila kung sino-sino ang nakipag set ng appointment sa kanila. Again, walang option to cancel kaya hindi mo alam kung anong gagawin sa 'yo kapag hindi ka nakasipot sa appointment, wala silang pakialam sa idadahilan mo.

4. Online Transaction - Ito pinakawalang kwenta. Ang makikita mo lang ay "Maternity Notification" at pagka-click mo, sasabihin lang sa 'yo ay ganito (naisalin na sa tagalog):

"Hoy tanga, alam mo namang employed ka kaya dun ka magpasa sa opisina n'yo, at wala akong pakialam kung may tanong ka, gaga!"

Sana nasa "beta" phase lang muna itong mga pagbabago sa site nila dahil walang mapapala ngayon ang mga members sa ginawa nilang "improvements." Hayz.

3 Stories

2009-03-16T07:52:00.003+08:00

Three movies over the weekend was good 'nuff of a break after a 5 mentally atrophic office days:

Friday: Shrooms - Virus meets Gothika. Ito ang hirap kapag nasanay na sa mga palabas na yung twist ng istorya ay ipapakita sa last minutes nung film. Mahirap na ma-enjoy yung kwento kasi mas ina-anticipate mo na there was something behind all the crimes and it will be exposed before the credits show up.

Saturday: Slumdog Millionaire - It reminds me of Lino Brocka/Ishmael Bernal social realist genres pero ang pagkakaiba nila happy ang ending. Kakabilib umarte yung mga batang Jamal, Salim at Latika who, if I'm not mistaken, are amateurs in acting. Nakatulong din kasi siguro yung tunay na pamumuhay ng mga bata, na kung hindi ako ulit nagkakamali, kinuha sila sa slum area ng India. From the dynamic direk Danny Boyle (Remember Trainspotting?).

Sunday: Changeling - 2 things:
1. Mahabang komentaryo ng bulok na sistema noon na kita pa rin ngayon (Ho-hum).
2. My first encounter of the word 'Changeling.'

Tipid Mode

2009-03-11T09:14:00.002+08:00

Ang tagal pa ng sweldo, aarrgh! - tipikal na reaksyon ng isang certified manggagawa.

Sa ngayon, tiis tiis muna kami ni mahal. Hindi muna makakakain sa Yoshi at Wham, hati muna sa medium size na Mango Frugurt ng Fruit Magic, at wala munang bili bili ng ng kung anu-ano.

***

So far, so good ang baby namin ni mahal after their check up. Sobrang likot (lalaki talaga), hirap yung OB niya na ma-steady yung Fetal Doppler Baby Heart Beat Monitor aaahhhhhhh(habol hininga).

Next check up would be on the 31st.

Live to work?

2009-03-10T13:52:00.007+08:00

Hindi ko natapos ang isa sa tatlong proposals kahapon.
At ang proposal na ito ay nanganak ng isa pa.
Plus may isang presentation pa ako na gagawin...

But wait, there's more!

Isang bid document at mga request letters sa clients.

Lahat dapat matapos today.

Please give my life back!!! T-T

Mamaya check-up ni mahal for her 6th month of pregnancy. Balitaan ko kayo bukas.

Thank you, Master Rapper...

2009-03-09T08:55:00.002+08:00

Enough poetic excuses. This blog could be one of my few legacies to my loved ones so I'd better take care of it as if each day would be my last.

Sad news to all Pinoys last weekend. Francis Magalona succumbed to 4th-stage leukemia after a gallant battle with it which I think lasted for seven months. I checked his multiply account and read his last posts that reflected his burning passion to life and undefiable hope of winning over earthly death.

Salamat sa lahat, kababayan ko...

***

Just had breakfast with our Prez and the 'twas first time I was asked to go with him without the rest of the early bird guys.

Free breakfast = Confidence level upgrade = Workload = Monday, it is!

Anyways, gusto ko pa sana magkwento pero past 9a.m. na and I have 3 proposals to complete today. Ciao!

Blog Coma

2009-02-24T19:21:00.003+08:00

It struck me without warning, without mercy.

Thanks for this dose of occupational idleness...

Dalaw lang...

Galaw galaw lang...

Lapit na anniversary namin...

Then in a few months more, our Ayel (Jan Daniel) will arrive!

Naghahabol-naghahabol!

2008-11-21T14:08:00.002+08:00

Hay naku, heto na ang masamang impluwensiya ng sobrang subsob sa trabaho. Ayoko man isubsob, wala akong magawa kundi sumubsob. Kapalit na yata ito ng dagdag na sahod. Dagdag na sahod? Meh ganooon!!!??? (Langyang mga FX na yan, nahawa na ako kay Mr. Foo).

Ilan sa mga na-miss ko ikwento:
Unang-una, ang pagbati ko sa aking mahal na asawang buntis noong Nov.7
Ikalawa, ang unang sulyap namin sa aming baby sa ultrasound. Buo na pala siya kahit wala pang 2 months. Kakatuwa, nagteary-eyed nga si tatay e. T_T
Ikatlo, ang aking pakikiramay sa aking Tiyo at mga pinsan sa Laguna kasi namayapa na ang aking Tiya Nineth.

Ano pa ba... ito lang muna.

Ikariam

2008-10-10T09:36:00.005+08:00

Nakaka-adik na browser-based game. But unlike DOTA na kelangan nakatutok ka sa buong laro, this is more relaxed yet has more interesting gameplay. Same level of addiction? Could be.

Mas safe din laruin sa office. Just add another tab in IE/FF/Opera.

Here are my first town's current stats so far (less than a month pa lang ako nakigulo eh):

More details here.

Cycle of Life

2008-10-09T11:41:00.002+08:00

A day after we found out that Mahal is almost 6 weeks pregnat, a sad news about the demise of my mother-in-law's parent came. I guess Lola Oseng had been sick and bed-ridden for almost a year and she wasn't able to travel all the way from Cabanatuan to attend our wedding. Fortunately, we managed to see her twice while she was ok back then and when she'd undergone an operation.

Bye, lola.

Daddy Danny?

2008-10-08T09:57:00.001+08:00

Speechless. Priceless. =) =) =)

Wooosh!

2008-09-26T18:18:00.002+08:00

Weekend again, hay.

Hindi ako makapag avail ng SSS loan dahil may balanse pa raw ako sa huling loan ko 3 years ago. Natural, hindi ko kasalanan yun dahil regular naman akong nakakaltasan. Kung hindi pa ako nag-isip na mag-renew, hindi pa malalaman ng kumpanya. Aasikasuhin naman daw ito kaso sa ngayon tinatamad pa raw itong ka-opisina ko.

'San ka pa?

Post Mortem

2008-09-22T15:08:00.002+08:00

A late nice news came. My tita in Canada just made me realize that my lolo wasn't that bad after all. She told me his decision to transfer his pension benefits to my beleaguered Uncle. She tried showing my wedding photos and she said he smiled a lot and even asked how big my own house is.

Sorry po at salamat, lolo.

Oldies story

2008-09-10T09:46:00.005+08:00

Wala na rin ang lolo ko sa mother side. He passed away last Friday in Canada and I never had the chance to see him or even talk to him, not even once. He might have cared less to his apos, since he didn't even bother getting in touch with my mother when he was still able. Simula nung nakarating 'yun sa Canada, parang wala siyang iniwan na mga anak dito sa Pilipinas. May tig-tatlong tito at isang tita ako doon at dito, pero yung dalawang tito na nandito ay namatay na rin. Minsan iniisip ko kung ano ang nararamdaman ng nanay ko sa gan'ung ugali ng lolo ko. Madalas na nga lang sabihin niya sa akin yung laging sinasabi ng tatay n'ya bago mangibang bansa. Wala na raw siyang pakialam kung makapagtapos sila ng pag-aaral, bahal na raw sila sa mga buhay nila.

Maybe that's why wala masyadong impact ang pagkawala niya sa akin.

I only have one living grandparent who is now suffering from severe Alzheimer's. Asawa ng kamamatay lang na lolo ko. Itong lola kong 'to, nakapagbalik-bayan pa (1990's yun) and kahit papaano nayakap kaming mga apo niya dito sa Pinas. I won't forget one ocassion na kumanta siya as I played the guitar. Hindi nga lang kami nagka-usap nang matagal. Ngayon, may sariling mundo na siya.

Anytime soon, darating na ulit si Father Time to adjust generation wheel.

Photofunia

2008-08-29T13:14:00.002+08:00

Check their website, click me.

High and Low

2008-08-29T12:58:00.003+08:00

Sobrang busy na naman this month, muntik nang maging lowest record ang August posts ko this year.

Pakiramdam ko tumaas ang confidence level ko sa pagsasalita pero bumaba naman sa pagsusulat.

Paano kasi, relaxed na relaxed ako sa interview session ko sa Telus. Wala rin gaanong pressure sa 3-day meetings with one of our biggest clients along with our foreign partners. Wala masyadong nose bleed.

Sa bago kong sideline ako nangangarag. This month I was welcomed by Writers.ph as one of their freelance writers. Nung nag browse ako sa mga available writing jobs, potek, wala akong masimulan! Ang higpit sa writing standards at ambibigat ang topics! Dun ko nalaman na marami pa akong dapat na kaining bigas.

Congrats, mga taga-Barangay!!!

2008-08-21T14:46:00.002+08:00

bits and pieces

2008-08-13T09:33:00.002+08:00

Plano namin ni mahal sa December siya magbubuntis, pero due to insistent friends' and relatives' demands, imu-move namin nang mas maaga. Like this month na. So by end of August, magkakaalaman na kung positive. =)

***

Hay naku, may medals na ang Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia at Vietnam sa Beijing Olympics. Tayo? Wala, puro dada lang kasi.

***

Kung totoo man yung binalita ni Jiggy Manicad na nasaksihan niya kung paano mag-agaw buhay ang isang sundalo sa loob ng apat na oras na paghihintay para madala sa pagamutan, hindi na kataka-taka kung ilan pang Trillanes, Faeldon at iba pang sundalo ang mawawalan ng pag-asa sa militar natin.

***

Heto pa, kahapon di raw makita yung 34M USD na nakuha sa yaman ni Apo Makoy. Tapos ngayon, accounted na raw ng COA. Ang bilis, no?

The Rush Hour Commute - Day 3 Result

2008-08-07T16:45:00.000+08:00

Day 3: LRT is tops again; jeepney is last
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 05:50:00 08/07/2008

MANILA, Philippines -- The train kept a-rollin’—and took people to their destination in a jiffy.

On the last day of the “Rush-hour commute” race of the Philippine Daily Inquirer and INQUIRER.net on Wednesday which covered the Baclaran to Monumento route, the LRT emerged as the fastest and by far still the best mode of transportation in Metro Manila.

The race was aimed at determining the fastest and cheapest commute during rush hour.

Team LRT, composed of Tere Cruz and Tsai Montegrande of Philippine Daily Inquirer and Izah Morales of INQUIRER.net, found the queue at the ticket booth of the Baclaran station surprisingly light at 8 a.m., considering it was a Wednesday.

In two minutes the women of Team LRT were inside the train. They noticed that it needed repairs because some of the lights were not working. They also felt warm inside the air-conditioned coach.

The bulk of passengers came from the EDSA station; more were seen boarding from the Libertad and Gil Puyat stations. By that time the train was a standing-room-only affair. But the volume of passengers began to thin out as the train approached the Vito Cruz station.

The team arrived in Monumento in Caloocan City at 8:34 a.m. after traversing 15 kilometers and 18 stations. The best part of it all: not a whiff of pollution as the train whizzed by.

Convoy

Team Car, composed of Tessa Salazar, Maricris Tamolang, Emman Cena and Amy Rañola of Inquirer and Alex Villafania of INQUIRER.net, led a four-vehicle convoy and took one hour to complete a 17-kilometer stretch.

It traversed Roxas Boulevard, Burgos Avenue, McArthur Bridge going to Sta. Cruz, Manila, Abad Santos and Rizal Avenue. Numerous choke points, such as the stoplights at nearly every intersection along with the unpredictable jeepneys, slowed the team down.

The fuel consumption estimate for the Mercedes Benz S-Class (3.5 liter V6 engine) for the stretch was P212 to P219 (consuming 3.66 liters of gasoline). The 1.3-liter Toyota Vios consumed about P50 (0.84 liters). The Toyota Prius hybrid car (electric-gasoline engine) consumed P56 to P58 (.97 liters—surprisingly more than the Vios), and a 1.1-liter Chana Multicab needed 2.10 liters of gasoline, or P120 to P126 at prevailing pump prices.

Devotees

Team Taxi, composed of Ken del Rosario of Inquirer and Jane Octia of INQUIRER.net, reported that the cab driver suggested a shorter route to Monumento. But they could not take that route because of the traffic buildup. According to the cab driver, the traffic gets worse at around 10 a.m. when devotees flock to the Baclaran church.

The only delay it encountered was a gridlock on Quirino Avenue in Manila and a traffic buildup on 5th Avenue in Caloocan.

Team Taxi finished third. It paid P175 for the 56-minute trip.

Detour

Team Jeepney, composed of Pocholo Concepcion and Fran Gumapac of Inquirer and Lawrence Casiraya of INQUIRER.net, finished last and discovered riding the jeepney from Baclaran to Monumento was an exercise in stress management.

There were moments when it was like getting caught in a long funeral hearse; and then suddenly it felt like being rushed in an ambulance.

Finding the jeepney itself was difficult, especially if one has not traveled the route in a long time. A rerouting scheme in Baclaran has forced the jeepneys coming from Monumento via Mabini Street to make a detour in Pasay Rotonda. Standing on F.B. Harrison St. near Baclaran, the team were left with no choice but to take two rides—first was to board a Divisoria-bound jeepney, get off at Harrison Plaza across the Bangko Sentral, and then wait for another jeepney bound for MCU.

The first ride got stuck in a choke-point on Roxas Boulevard’s service road a few meters away from Heritage Hotel, before it slowly wound its way to make a U-turn along EDSA Extension and then turn right to F.B. Harrison in Pasay City. Traffic slowed down at the corner of Libertad St.

It took around 20 minutes waiting for the second ride at Harrison Plaza. Another slowdown occurred at the Manila Zoo approaching Quirino Ave.

Like Schumacher

Traffic was light along Mabini all the way to T.M. Kalaw and Taft Avenue—which goaded the jeepney driver to step on the gas and race like Michael Schumacher on a rampaging comeback.

It was a relief that Rizal Avenue in Sta. Cruz, Manila has been reopened to vehicles; however, the pockmarked road jarred the senses and seemed to transport the team in a rough rodeo game.

Demolished shanties

The scene was depressing on Blumentritt Street, where demolished shanties left a mother and her child staring into space beside a few belongings.

The entire trip took two hours and 10 minutes. Fare was P25.50—P8.50 from Baclaran to Harrison Plaza, and P17.00 from Harrison to Monumento. Those who can catch the jeepney from Pasay Rotunda will pay only P23.00.

Everything would’ve been bearable, except for the air pollution. Reports from Tere Cruz, Tessa Salazar, Pocholo Concepcion and INQUIRER.net

The Rush Hour Commute - Day 2 Result

2008-08-05T12:35:00.000+08:00

Team LRT 2 wins Day 2 of 'Rush Hour Commute'

Aug. 05, 2008 10:50:00
MAKATI City, Philippines – After a tight and exhilarating day two of the Rush Hour Commute, Team LRT 2 finishes first in the race from Santolan in Pasig City to C.M. Recto in Manila.

Experiencing a warm and shaky ride in one of the carriages of the LRT 2, Cita Goyagoy, Rissa Camongol and Lyn Rillon of the Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) and Izah Morales of INQUIRER.net arrived at their final destination in 33 minutes after leaving Santolan and spending P15 each.

The Rush Hour Commute is a race involving four teams from the Philippine Daily Inquirer and INQUIRER.net volunteers taking a train, bus, jeepney, taxi or car in three routes in Metro Manila during a rush hour from August 4 to 6.

The concept of the race is to determine the cost and time spent getting through pre-selected routes in Metro Manila. For Day 2, the teams races from Santolan in Pasig to C.M. Recto in Manila.

Team CAR, composed of Abel Ulanday and Fran Katigbak of PDI and Janie Octia of INQUIRER.net, finished second after being bogged down by traffic in Cubao and Legarda in Manila and witnessing two jeepneys collide, causing slight and brief congestion in Magsaysay Blvd.

Despite the delay, Team CAR cruised to the finish line in an hour and nine minutes, spending a total of P180 and traveling 12.8 kilometers. Team CAR reported consuming about two to three liters of gas.

Team TAXI made up of Ernie Sarmiento of PDI and Lawrence Casiraya of INQUIRER.net finished third without the frustration of hailing cabs and negotiating with taxi drivers, which was the experience of Team TAXI on Day 1 of the race. It took Team TAXI an hour and seven minutes to reach the finish line, costing them a total of P190.

Team JEEPNEY, composed of Cenon Bibe of PDI and Alex Villafania of INQUIRER.net finished last after having to switch rides in Cubao from Santolan to take a jeepney ride to Divisoria. There are no direct jeepney routes from Santolan to C.M. Recto. It took Team JEEPNEY 1 hour and 26 minutes and P27.50 each to get to their final destination.

For Day three of the Rush Hour Commute, the volunteers will be traveling from Baclaran to Monumento.

Accounts of the race, photos and videos of the volunteers are posted on the Rush Hour Commute site. The results of the race will also be summarized in the Talk of the Town section of the Philippine Daily Inquirer on Aug. 10.

Posted by : Erika Tapalla

The Rush Hour Commute - Day 1 Result

2008-08-04T12:23:00.001+08:00

DAY One of the “Rush Hour Commute” ended with Team MRT winning the race from Trinoma North Avenue in Quezon City to Taft Avenue in Pasay.

Team MRT is composed of Amy Rañola and Penelope Endozo of the Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) and Janie Octia of INQUIRER.net.

The Rush Hour Commute is a race composed of four teams of volunteers taking a commuter train, bus, jeepney, taxi or car in various parts of Metro Manila at 8 a.m. on August 4-6.

The idea is to compare the costs and determine how long it takes for ordinary Filipinos to travel from one point to another during the rush hour. Day Two of the race will be from Santolan in Pasig to C.M. Recto in Manila while Day Three will be a commuter race from Baclaran in Paranaque to Monumento in Caloocan.

Team MRT suffered delays due to the large volume of people queuing at the North Avenue Station during Monday morning traffic. People swelled at the MRT ticket booths as passengers started trickling in. The team even had to leave a teammate behind since she did not make it to the starting line in time for the race. In the end, Team MRT still managed to finish first. Each team member spent P15 for the trip.

Team CAR, composed of Elvira Mata and Steph Asuncion of PDI and Alex Villafania of INQUIRER.net, finished second despite slight delays in leaving the starting point. Team CAR also stopped to gas up toward the end of the race.

Team TAXI, made up of Grig Montegrande and Kiko Gopez of PDI and Lawrence Casiraya of INQUIRER.net, had the most difficult time as they tried to hail a cab under the rain from SM North Station. Team TAXI was only able to get a cab more than 30 minutes after the race started. By the time they were finally able to hire a cab, Team MRT had already reached the finish line. As they braved Edsa traffic, members of Team TAXI said they had a lively discussion with their cab driver Jojo who was ranting about the effects of the oil price hike. Team TAXI spent a total of P180 for the trip.

Team BUS, composed of Iris Desvarro and Nita del Rosario of PDI and and Izah Morales of INQUIRER.net, was the last team to arrive at the destination. Team BUS took two hours to get from Trinoma in Quezon City to Taft Avenue in Pasay, listening to old songs from the bus as they plied the Edsa route. Members of the team spent P40 each to get to their destination.

Accounts of the trip, photos and videos of the volunteers are posted on the Rush Hour Commute site (www.inquirer.net/rushhourcommute). The results will also be summarized in the Talk of the Town section of the Philippine Daily Inquirer on Aug. 10.

weekend watchables

2008-07-28T08:26:00.002+08:00

WALL-E

Another masterpiece from Pixar!
My rating: 8 of 10 stars

WANTED

Angelina is still hot!
My rating: 6 of 10 stars

MEET DAVE

He's not as funny as Dr. Doolittle.
My rating: 5 of 10 stars

PROM NIGHT

Trying hard to make you scream.
My rating: 4 of 10 stars

THE LOVE GURU

Trying hard to sell old jokes. Austin Powers is a little funnier.
My rating: 4 of 10 stars

anti-stress online canvass

2008-07-23T09:41:00.003+08:00

I found this very nice website that brings out the artist in me (naks). Visit http://bomomo.com/, kudos to Philipp and Nikolai!

Here's my first outburst of accidental creativity:

Then a more studied approach:

Cool, huh? Try it.

Greedy Sony

2008-07-22T08:36:00.002+08:00

I was surprised and amused after discovering that Sony (the manufacturer of my Vaio laptop) have disabled the audio signal recording TO PREVENT PIRACY, based on one Sony laptop reviewer. If this really is the reason, I would say that this is a very lame anti-piracy effort for the giant company. Parang sinabi nila na hackers and music pirates ang buyers ng Sony laptop. I don't know if other companies have also disabled this standard audio feature in their machines, but I'm pretty sure it won't help at all in protecting Sony Music artists from piracy. My old Thinkpad could have scored a lucky punch if such weakness was dicovered earlier. Don't know what I'm saying? Read here.

File permission error! T_T

2008-07-18T11:23:00.007+08:00

I'm back and seeking for vengeance. I can't help but to spatter in this blog my frustration while using MS Word 2007. I lost my two oh-so important documents in a span of three days and it really got into my nerves. Tried cheking the Web for possible solutions or even simple, straightforward explanation but went in vain and even encountered similar grievances among fellow Word 2K7 users. How pathetic.

***

Later today I'll send my boss an email requesting for a four-day work week. If granted, mahal and I will be saving more than 500 pesos every Wednesday. A 10-hour work day (in lieu of this request) isn't bad at all, since we always arrive in the office as early as 7am and leave at 6pm.

Waiting for E-Six

2008-07-09T13:34:00.002+08:00

Mali ako, dapat kumain ako nang mas maaga para nakarating sa SSS at least before 7am. Ang nangyari, 7:30 na ako nakapagbigay ng form na ang katumbas ay apat na oras na paghihintay. Apat na oras na nakatayo ay 'di biro. Hindi ka naman makapagreklamo dahil ganito na talaga kakupad ang proseso. Parang bumabalik ka sa medieval ages.

***

Nakakatuwa at naging magka-kapit bahay pa kami ng aking dating highschool mate na si Christy. Kung di ako nagkakamali, first hanggang fourth year ay magkaklase kami. She has her own family na rin... grabe, tanda na talaga namin.

Tidbits

2008-07-07T07:00:00.004+08:00

* Absent ang mahal ko ngayong Lunes courtesy of Kancura herbal tea.

* Panalo ulit ang Ginebra kagabi, yey!

* Parang patamad nang patamad na ang mga tao ngayon. Kaninang 6:30am, pagsakay ko ng FX mula megamall papuntang tektite, napansin ko yung dalawa pang pasahero na wala pang 200 meters ang tinakbo ng biyahe nila eh, bumaba na. Hindi sa pakialamero ako, pero kung nilakad na lang nila yun, bukod sa nakatipid ng 12 pesos, nakapagsunog pa ng calories. Pero sige, baka naman di nila kailangang magtipid, o kaya naman masakit ang mga paa nila.

Win win

2008-06-30T06:52:00.002+08:00

What a way to rev up the brand new week... Nanalo si Pacquiao, nanalo ang BGK. Enough energy boost for another batch of bids, meetings and emails.

Point and shoot

2008-06-25T14:51:00.002+08:00

Nasaan ang "GAMING"??? Pacor, este Pagcor tarpaulin inside MRT station

Tha Marina Bay, Singapore

Singapore's F1 pitstop and floating stage as viewed from Ritz Carlton Hotel

Balik sa Pinas: Ang Jeep na malupit!!! Byaheng Crossing-Ugong (Pasig)

Uniquely been there...

2008-06-23T09:36:00.003+08:00

Marami akong gustong i-kwento sa tungkol sa pagpunta ko sa Singapore pero hindi ko alam kung paano ko sisimulan. Hindi dahil sa sobrang excited ako. It's just that wala masyado akong iku-kwento.

Huh?

***

Hindi ko naman nalibot ang buong Singapore so in fairness kay pareng Metro Manila, I won't make any comparison. Para makakuha kayo ng kumpletong impormasyon tungkol sa Singapore, check n'yo na lang wikipedia.

***

Ang mga sumususnod ay pansariling obserbasyon sa bansang ito batay sa aking karanasan sa loob ng apat na araw na pamamalagi roon:

1. Mainit din dun (nag-compare na ba ako, nag-compare na ba ako, ha?)
2. Maraming puno at halamang bulaklakin sa highway
3. Parang 4 out of 10 na makakasalubong mo ay hindi Singaporean batay sa kulay at pananalita
4. Halos walang traffic build ups (nag-compare na ba ako, nag-compare na ba ako, ha?)
5. Walang visible na usok na lumalabas sa mga sasakyan na ang normal na takbo ay 80-90 kph sa highway na mala-C5.
6. Legal ang sex work
7. Walang kanin at gravy sa KFC na nagtitinda rin ng Pizza Hut
8. Ang "Take Out" at "Dine In" ay "Take Away" at "Eat Here" sa kanila
9. Mahal ang cost of living
10. Maliwanag na maliwanag ang mga ilaw ng kalye at malls sa gabi

Commuter woes

2008-06-16T08:05:00.002+08:00

Things that almost turned on my Monday mayhem mode again:
1. Overshooting the trike stop.
2. Blocking the ticket machine because he is yet to get his MRT ticket from his wallet.
3. Leaving the FX on the right side and hassling other passengers because he's seated on the left most side.

Kung hindi ko lang kasama ang mahal ko... hay naku.

***

My first plane ride tomorrow courtesy of a company-sponsored trip in Singapore. Need to skim over Air Travel for Dummies, baka mahalata ako, hehe.

Sayang

2008-06-12T11:52:00.002+08:00

Hanggang ngayon nanghihinayang pa rin ako't di ako umabot sa sale ng Rudy Project last week dito sa Tektite. Yung mga items na sana nabili ko, puro regular priced na sa mga malls. Pumunta ako sa office nila and unlike other distributors holding offices here in Tektite, they don't entertain walk-ins. Sayang talaga, lalo na yung luggage na 7K plus na naging 3.2K na lang.

Oh Pepe, where art thou?

2008-06-06T12:06:00.002+08:00

Kung hindi pa nagbalik-bayan Uncle ko, hindi ko mararamdaman ang papalapit na Araw ng Kalayaan. Pinasyal namin siya sa Intramuros two weeks ago at mukhang nag enjoy naman siya.

Sa hirap ng buhay ngayon, magdadalawang isip pa ang isang pamliyang pinoy sa pamamasyal sa Intramuros. Sa Fort Santiago, may entrance fee na 50 pesos. Pwera pa yung mga minimal charges sa portion ng Rizal Shrine (10 pesos). Sa Casa Real naman, 25 pesos. Di mo naman mae-enjoy nang husto kung maglalakad ka lang sa mga kalye at papasok sa dalawang antigong simbahan na nand'un.

So sa isang pamilya ni Juan na may apat na anak, kelangan niya ng at least 500 para sa isang araw na sulit na pamamasyal sa Intramuros. Paano kung si Juan ay nakiki-boundary lang sa tricycle o patanggap tanggap lang ng trabaho sa construction? Walang kaso sa mga turista kaso sana may subsidized portion pa sana ang gobyerno para sa mga tumatangkilik ng sariling atin.

***

Nakakagaan ng pakiramdam kapag naa-appreciate ng ibang lahi ang kasaysayan natin. Nabasa ko kasi yung visitor's logbook ng Rizal Shrine, gaganda ng comments nila tungkol kay Rizal. May mga nagbigay rin ng donation para sa museum. Kung pwede lang sana na mas madalas ako makaramdam ng kasiyahan dahil sa pagiging Pinoy ko, hindi tuwing may boxing lang si Paquiao.

War zone

2008-06-05T09:21:00.003+08:00

Isa na namang madugong araw. Tambak ang mga dokumentos sa mesa ko. Kahit anong ayos, gugulo at gugulo sa dami ng mga papel. Well, kaya nga technical documentation. Makes sense, somehow.

2 urgent projects plus documentation plus unlimited "paki." Paano ako makakatapos nito? Hay naku.

need salbabida

2008-05-30T09:10:00.002+08:00

Kung sino ang makasalba, siya ang bida.

Wala lang.

Mukhang nagkakatotoo na yung pagyari sa akin, a. I'm involved in 3 projects plus the regular documentation work. Medyo hirap akong maisingit yung mga "on the side" ko. Sinusulit ako ng kumpanya, hehe.

Happy weekend na lang sa lahat.

Where are you now?

2008-05-27T19:47:00.005+08:00

(creator unknown)

Tosgas

2008-05-22T08:14:00.004+08:00

1,165 pesoses ang gastos namin ni mahal sa isang linggo sa pamasahe pa lang. That is 4,660 per month. Para na ring gumagastos ng pang gas kung may sasakyan. Again, wala pang pagkain dun. Though this is inclusive of waking up at 4am, slight traffic, minor bumping and shoving and a little sweating.

If I can only change this ritual in a snap. Or how about a thousand snaps?

Power of prayer

2008-05-20T08:30:00.003+08:00

Sana makumpleto na namin ang renovation ng bahay at makalipat na kami this June. Divider sa kwarto, tiles sa ground floor, granite sa kitchen at pintura na lang ang kulang para pwede nang lipatan. Sa susunod na lang yung bakod, cabinets and exhaust system sa kitchen.

Buti na lang at may bagong biyaya na darating. Sana tuloy-tuloy na ito.

Bump

2008-05-19T08:57:00.003+08:00

Just filling in the gaps. I have nothing much to type. It's not that my life is getting less and less interesting. Blogger's block. Could be.

Yesterday was a great Sunday. Watched an action movie with my family, visited my 'still under renovation' house, went to church, had a quick habulan with mahal's askal 'Bogart,' and got a long sleep. Oops, I almost forgot, BGK won, woohoo!

Masikip ba kamo sa MRT/LRT?

2008-05-13T10:22:00.002+08:00

Medyo nabawasan na ang init ng ulo ko tuwing nagkakasiksikan sa MRT. Bakit? Watch this...

In a dash

2008-05-09T11:17:00.002+08:00

Apparently, naging buong week ang toxicity. Di ko halos naramdaman na weekend na naman pala. Parang time machine. Pero parang ang dami pa ring dapat gawin. Ano 'to, loking forward to Monday?

Radioactive Monday

2008-05-05T08:54:00.002+08:00

Sanay na ako bumangon ng 3:30am just to arrive in the office @ 6:30. Iwas trapik, iwas init ng ulo (though tambak na ang tao sa MRT kahit wala pang 6, salamat sa mabibilis na ticket booth attendants). Need to sleep naman by 9:30pm which is very hard to get. New bodyclock sked, new marital status, new home, new life.

I have tons of toxic things to finish today. Ho-hum...

GISEEENNGG!!!

Hikab

2008-05-03T01:14:00.003+08:00

Heto bantay bantay sa opisina
Pantry, banyo at iba pa
Inaayos, pinapaganda
Busog naman pero luwa na ang mga mata
Sa kakatutok sa laptop at kakabasa
Wala lang ako magawa
Kundi sumubok maglaro ng mga salita
Habang ang oras ay unti-unting nawawala

What where when...

2008-04-30T09:55:00.002+08:00

Friday - overnight sa office para magbantay sa mga nagre-renovate ng pantry at comfort room. 3 movies napanood ko that time: United 93, Cloverfield and 11th Hour. Syempre, kasama ko si mahal sa pagpupuyat. Actually, sinamahan niya ako pero ako lang ang hindi natulog.

Saturday - watched eliminations of Musikapisanan 3 (church choral competition)

Sunday - started the kitchen renovation of our house. gastos na naman, haaay.

Monday - went to DFA for appearance, then to Makati Med for voluntary blood donation. Later in the evening, dinala namin sa hospital yung kapatid ko because of a ruptured vein in her leg. Buti na lang di na kinailangan ng opera. Pinauwi rin ng doktor.

Tuesday - 2am na nakauwi galing hospital. Work work work.

Wednesday - received a GC as token for my "unselfish effort" after I gave some blood last Monday. Still waiting for other blessings, maaga pa naman. =)

Which is which???

2008-04-24T11:31:00.004+08:00

As of this writing, I'm playing around with my new baby (Sony VAIO NR260E/W). Mestiza siya (white color kaya medyo dumihin, dugyutin pa naman ako) at malaking bulas (15.4-inch widescreen, 6.2lb). I'm about to put her pic here using my camera phone via infra-red kaso wala siya nun. Via Bluetooth? Wala rin siya nun. Kaya naman bigla akong napaisip kung aangkinin ko ba 'tong batang 'to, o ipa-upgrade ko na lang si T42. Kasi kung magpapalit ka lang din ng bago, e di yung kumpleto na. Pero kung magbubugbugan itong dalawa, medyo panalo ang mas bata, este mas bago.

Round 1: Processor
Vaio (Core Duo T2330 1.6Ghz) vs. T42 (Single 1.7Ghz) - Vaio won

Round 2: Hardisk
Vaio (200gb) vs. T42 (120gb) - Vaio won

Round 3: Memory
Vaio (2gb) vs. T42 (1gb) - Vaio won

Round 4: Screen
Vaio (15.4-inch widescreen) vs. T42 (12-inch) - Vaio won

Round 5: Wi-fi
Vaio (Yes) vs. T42 (Yes) - Tie

Round 6: Bluetooth, IR, S-Video
Vaio (No to all) vs. T42 (Yes except Bluetooth) - T42 won

Round 7: Optical/Data drives
Vaio (DVD-RW and SD, MMC card reader) vs. T42 (DVD playback only) - Vaio won

Round 8: Other Useful features
Vaio (Firewire connection) vs. T42 (Keyboard light, biometric access, trackpoint) - T42 won

Round 9: Packaging
Vaio (White color, bulky, laptop bag not included) vs T42 (scratch-proof black, compact, with laptop bag) - T42 won

Round 10: User-friendliness
Vaio (ok lang, sanayan lang) vs. T42 (ok lang din kasi nakasanayan na) - Tie (walang kwentang round, hehehe)

Round 11: Reviews
Vaio: (medium-sized, medium priced laptop, bago pa lang kaya wala pa gaanong reviews) vs. T42 (well-tested, top-of-the-line in its class, and its an IBM!) - T42 won

Round 12: Other issues
Si bossing naman kasi, di naman ako nagre-request ng bagong laptop pero he's eager to give me a new one. Sabi naman ng IT head namin, ang nag-improve lang ay yung speed, data storage capacity at optical drive. Sabi ko nga kanina, halos lahat naman nito upgradeable kay T42 pero hindi lahat masasagot ng company. Cost on my part. On the other hand, I also need to buy a VGA to RCA video cable for the Vaio. Tsaka pala mouse kasi nasanay na ako sa trackpoint ng IBM. Madugong suntukan 'tong round na ito. - Tie!

Winner: Vaio by split decision!!!?

Paki-inform lang ako kung kailangan ng rematch.

Heto pala yung pic ng dalawa during the weigh-in (tinatamad na kong kunin digicam ko sa bag =P).

Bye, tough guy

2008-04-23T14:16:00.004+08:00

I've been using this pumped up black T42 Thinkpad for 2 years now and I'd say that this machine is really outstanding in performance. I'm not ready to part ways with it yet, really (at least for another month or two) but an upgrade is inevitable.

As I'm still enjoying it's company, my boss included me as one of the early recipients of Sony VAIO NR260E laptop. Specs wise, the T42 would definitely and obviously eat its dust. But the next issue is, is it as notoriously tough as my thinkpad? I'll try to find it out.

A thousand memories

2008-04-22T14:02:00.002+08:00

Hindi pa kami nakakapili ng 150 wedding photos out of 1,442 for our album. Hirap naman mag-filter nang ganun kakonti sa ganun karaming pagpipilian. By weekend siguro may mailalagay na ako sa Friendster. Speaking of, hindi ko pa pala nababago status ko dun, makapasyal nga mamaya.

This afternoon a-attend naman kami ng kasal. Hay parang babalik ulit ang pakiramdam nung kami ang nasa sentro ng okasyon. Pero ang masaya ngayon, malalasahan na ulit namin ang food sa reception, yehey!

Pila, pila, pila.

2008-04-21T17:36:00.003+08:00

Grabe, kanina ko lang ulit nabigkas ang Panatang Makabayan after ??? years (highschool pa yata). Dami na palang nabago sa mga linya nito. Nasa SSS kasi ako kaninang umaga para mag-apply ng digitized ID. 7:30am na ako dumating kaya pang-30+ na ako sa pila. Yung mga dumating ng 8am, pang 50+ na tapos yung mga 9am (niners)pinababalik na nang 1pm.

Pumila rin ako sa MRT at LRT pagpunta ko sa Manila for my passport application.

Siguradong pipila na naman ako pagsakay ng FX mamaya. Magpapa-late na lang ako ng uwi.

Weekend again =)

2008-04-18T13:21:00.002+08:00

Yay, nakuha na namin yung wedding pics namin para mapili namin yung ilalagay sa album! Daming namin naman nun, nanu-nanu. =P We were also given a copy of the raw video, and while we were watching it last night, yung feeling nung mga time na yun e parang nag-rush in kay mahal. Kakatuwa. Dapat sana maglalagay na ako ng ilang pics sa Friendster kaso sa pagmamadali kaninang umaga (Late na kami nagising - 4:40am nagising), naiwan ko yung mga CDs. =(

Morning madness

2008-04-17T07:27:00.003+08:00

If not for my wife, I'd consider this morning as a forgettable one. Too many @$$holes are scattered today. To name a few that I've noticed - smoke belching cancer fanatics who don't care on where their carbon monoxide-filled fumes go, a pea-brain who doesn't know how to fall in line, and a driver who doesn't give a damn if his PUV's aircon is broken. It's still early so I need to get prepared for the worse/worst. But I'll try not to get affected. Good stuffs' abound as well, I hope.

Bagong layf

2008-04-14T15:57:00.003+08:00

I must admit na nakakapanibago ang bumukod after 30 years na kasama ko yung mga kapatid at magulang ko sa iisang bahay. Just like yesterday, na-miss ko yung sabay kami ng tatay ko na manood ng live telecast na boxing. Kapag may ganitong palabas tuwing Linggo, kami lagi ang laman ng sala. Kahapon, text-text na lang kami.

Dumarating din ang pagkakataon na naitatanong ko sa sarili ko kung ano ang ginagawa nila, ano ang ulam nila, ano ang pinapanood nila, napag-uusapan kaya nila ako, atbp.

Pumasok ang mga ito habang super busy ang mahal ko sa pag-aayos ng mga damit namin. Sobrang sipag ni mahal pagdating sa pagsisinop ng mga gamit, wala akong masasabi.

Dan in Married Life

2008-04-07T21:08:00.003+08:00

It came through me like a whirlwind. Hindi ako nakasabay sa bilis ng mga pangyayari. May asawa na ako. Bago na ang civil status ko. Hindi na ako sa amin uuwi. Ngayon medyo hindi pa totally nagsi-sync in ang realidad na ang singsing sa kaliwang palasingsingan ko ay simbolo ng pagkakatali sa aking minamahal na kabiyak. Maging si mahal eh, hindi pa rin lubos na makapaniwala na kasal na siya. Mrs. Fernandez na siya.

Salamat sa mga sumaksi sa aming pag-iisang dibdib. Salamat sa mga nagbigay ng mga alaala. Salamat sa mga bumati. Salamat sa mga nasiyahan sa okasyon. Ako man ay nagalak sa pagpapalipad ng mga paru-paro.

Trivia: 3pm ang kasal. 1:30pm nasa palengke pa ako at naghahanap ng VCD ni Gary V. na may "How Did You Know" kaso wala akong nakita. Buti na lang alam ng banda sa reception ang piyesa. Kahit sablay sa tono (ang alam nila kasi yung acoustic version), nairaos ko ang harana ko sa aking misis.

Less than a week na lang

2008-03-29T16:16:00.002+08:00

Hay talagang medyo nakakakaba pala kapag narito na sa huling linggo. Mixed feelings. Thursday leave na ako sa work. Sana by that time, wala nang nakalimutan sa preps. Kalito, ngayon pa lang, lutang na utak ko, hindi na ako makapag-concentrate sa trabaho.

8 days to go

2008-03-27T16:49:00.003+08:00

"After ng kasal, malalaman mo ang pakiramdam ng ginagastusan mo ang hindi mo naman talaga kaanu-ano."

"Hindi mo malalasahan ang pagkain sa reception dahil lutang ka n'on. Pero sa honeymoon mo mararamdaman ang gutom."

-Quoting my married officemates while they check out my wedding preps.

Malapit na!

2008-03-25T07:28:00.002+08:00

11 days na lang sabi ng counter ko, at masisilayan ko na ang unang araw na may pagbabago sa marital status ko. Sa ngayon, siguro nasa 95% ready na ang lahat for that day.

***

Bad trip talaga yang MRT na yan, kabibili lang ni mahal ng SV ticket tapos nung nagkaproblema, pinagawan lang nila ng incident report at i-follow up na lang daw niya AFTER FIVE DAYS. Kelangan pa raw ng investigation. Kung tutuusin, dapat re-fund or replacement na lang dahil system error naman at walang physical defect na nakita sa card. Paano kung kulang na ang pera para makauwi? Bwiset talaga, public transportation equates to major hassle dito sa Pilipinas. Kaya kelangan in two years, makabili na ako ng kotse. Ay let me rephrase it: In two years, may kotse na ako!

Reduced operation

2008-03-20T13:56:00.003+08:00

Habang nasa bakasyon na halos lahat ng aking mga mahal na kaopisina, may ilang nilalang na kabilang sa kanilang hanay, kasama po ang inyong lingkod, ang na-obligang pumasok alang alang sa interes ng kumpanya. Mahal namin ang kumpanya, mahal na mahal. Sana gayundin siya sa amin.

Long vacation your face!

2008-03-17T08:27:00.003+08:00

I can't beleive it. I was anticipating a bit relaxing time when I plan to work on my wedding invites this week when my office colleague delivered the doomsday news: a bid invitation due Monday next week! Patay na, mukhang masisira plano namin ni mahal. Abangan na lang.

***

Nag-pictorial kami ni mahal sa UP lagoon last Saturday. Pamasahe at pagkain lang ang nagastos namin, and I think we made some pretty good shots na gagamitin namin sa wedding ek-eks. Heto sample...

Joke. Saka na lang. =)

Timeout muna

2008-03-15T13:05:00.002+08:00

Tigil muna ako sa pagpapa-renovate, tinatamaan na yung budget sa kasal namin. Nakiusap yung foreman ko na doon muna siya titira habang hindi pa kami kasal ni mahal para makahanap pa siya ng kliyente sa loob ng subdivision. Okay lang, para mabantayan na rin yung mga materyales na natira.

***

Nireklamo ko yung site engineer sa subdivision namin dahil pinatitibag yung pader sa laundry area ko. Engot ba siya? Kung kelan patapos na saka lang niya sasabihin na bawal yung gan'un kataas. 7.5 meters lang yung pader ko at ang nakalagay sa contract, not above 9 meters. Isa pa, bawal daw magkaroon ng 3rd floor, e yung sa amin naman rooftop lang na gagawing sampayan ng damit at labahan. Considered as 3rd floor yun kung talagang kwarto ang ipapagawa namin. Ito namang developer namin, matagal ko nang ibinibigay yung floor plan ko, hindi na raw kailangan, basta naka-specify sa letter to request permit to construct. O ngayon kung kelan patapos na yung renovation, saka nila hihingiin yung drawing ng design. Hay naku.

Trimona lang sa iba pwera sa Trinoma

2008-03-13T14:48:00.004+08:00

Wala naman talaga akong balak bumili ng stub sa Colbie Tour - Trinoma 'coz I was expecting a large projector display which is enough na for me para ma-appreciate ko kung gaano siya ka-cute in person at ma-confirm kung kamukha niya ba talaga si Jennifer Aniston (as what others have noticed). Pero pagdating ko sa Trinoma, PATAY! Walang projector screen na naka-set up! Bwiset! Kamoteng Trinoma na 'to, buti pa nung Lunes sa Glorietta, laki ng screen nila. Kaya hayun, nagtyaga na lang ako sa labas ng non-stub area, nakatayo sa railings for more than two hours siguro.

Bago mag-start, may nakatabi pa kami na lolong manyakis at minamanyak yung babaeng nasa tapat niya. Di ko na ide-detalye, pero buti na lang nag-umpisa nang magpapasok kaya nabitin ang matandang mokong.

Tapos nung nag-start na yung show, may isang kamukha ni Joey de Venecia w/ his GF ang humarang sa mga kuha ko (pati kuha na rin ng mga katabi ko). At nagpiktyuran pa sa tapat namin! Heto o!

So, nag-enjoy ba ako sa panonood? Pinilit ko na lang makontento sa pakikinig ng boses ni Colbie na talaga namang sarap pakinggan. =)

Colbie in Manila

2008-03-12T08:04:00.002+08:00

Nasa Trinoma mamaya si Colbie Bryant, este Calliat. Kung hindi lang ako super tipid, bibili ako ng album niya later to get a chance to have her sign it personally and take some pics with her na rin. Kahapon ok daw yung performance niya sa Glorietta.

Sure updates tomorrow.

Tawa muna part 2

2008-03-11T08:55:00.002+08:00

Kiko: Berto, bakit naghihilamos ka sa inidoro? napakababoy mo ah!?

Berto: Bakit ako napakababoy, eh malinaw naman at malinis ang tubig na yan!

Kiko: Oo nga! eh hindi mo ba alam na d'yan ako umiinom, tapos hihilamusan mo! huwag naman ganon..

*****
Pedro: Pare, sobrang taba talaga ng Misis ko kaya't gusto niyang magbawas ng timbang!

Pablo: Sabihin mo sa Misis na mag Horseback riding siya.

Makaraan ang dalawang buwan.

Pedro: Kumusta naman ang resulta ng Horseback Riding !

Pablo: Nabawasan ng 40 Kilos ang kabayo!!

*****
Lumindol ng malakas noon. Nagkagulo ang lahat at nag panic!

Sigaw ng isang lalaki: "Katapusan na! Katapusan na!"

Sumagot ang isa rin lalaki: "Tanga! a-kinse pa lang ngayon"!

*****
Sakristan: Father, may libangan din ba ang mga Pari?

Pari: Oo, naman, pag dating ng hapon, kaming mga pari dito sa bayan ay naglalaro ng Mahjong.

Sakristan: Bakit po naman Mahjong pa ang napili niyong laro?

Pari: Kasi, dito lang kami nakakasalat ng flower, Iho!

*****
Misis: Hoy, Tumigil ka na sa pag inom ng Beer, masyado kang magastos.

Mister: Ikaw, make-up mo ang magastos!

Mrs: Nagpapaganda ako para sa iyo.

Mister: Ako umiinom naman para gumanda ka!

*****
Isang araw sumakay ng Bus si Lola

Konduktor: Lola pasensiya na po kasi puno na! payag po ba kyo ng patayo?

Lola: Tinamaan ka ng Lintek kung inabot mo lang ang kabataan ko, kahit patuwad payag ako!

*****
Isang U.S. Major ang na-stationed sa isolated na Kampo sa Iraq. Kinabukasan, habang may inspection, napansin ng Major ang isang camel na nakatali sa likuran ng Barracks. Nagtanong siya sa Sergeant kung bakit may alagang camel sa Kampo.

SGT: Major, dito sa kampo, masyadong malayo ang bayan kaya't kung sinuman ang gustong makatikim ng ligaya, nandito naman ang camel.

Major: Bawal mag alaga ng hayop dito sa Kampo pero kung para sa 'morale' ng mga Troops, it's okey with me.

Makalipas ang anim na buwan, hindi na makatiis ang Major kaya't tinawag ang Sarhento.

Major: Dalhin mo dito sa tent ang camel. Walang nagawa ang Sarhento kaya't dinala ang camel sa loob ng tent. Makalipas ang 15 minutes, lumabas ang Major na nakangiti.

Major: Sergeant, ganito ba ang ginagawa ng mga Troops pag nalulungkot sila?

Sergeant: Hindi po Sir, sinasakyan nila ang camel papunta sa bayan para makahanap ng mga babae!

*****

ANG PALAY

Nitong mga nakaraang buwan napapansin ni Mister ang pagiging matabang ni Misis.
Walang maisip na dahilan si Mister sa pagiging matabang ni Misis kundi ang
posibilidad na si Misis ay kumakaliwa. Sa pag-iisip ni Mister kung papaano
ang gagawin upang mapatunayan kung totoo ang kanyang hinala, nabanggit niya
sa kanyang Kumpare ang kanyang niloloob.

Mister: "Pare palagay ko ang Kumare mo kinakaliwa ako ngunit hindi ko mapatunayan."

Kumpadre: "Sana naman Pare hindi totoo ang hinala mo, pero kung gusto mo, mayroon
akong alam na paraan para mo mapatunayan ang hinala mo."

Mister: "Siyanga Pare, ano ang alam mong paraan?"

Kumpadre: "Di ba Pare ang kama ninyo ay 'yong double bed, 'Yong bang box spring na
may nakapatong na mattress sa ibabaw?"

Mister: "Ganoon nga ang kama namin Pare, Oh - ngayon?"

Kumpadre: "Ganito iyon Pare, maglagay ka ng isang gatang na palay sa kama ninyo. Sa
pagitan ba ng box spring at mattress pero huwag mong ipaaalam kay
Kumare."

Mister: "Eh, ano naman ang kinalaman ng palay kung totoo ngang kumakaliwa ang
Kumare mo?"

Kumpadre: "Pare, iyong palay pag naging bigas..............SIGURADONG MAY
BUMAYO."

*****

BABAE DAW

Nagkaroon ng trouble ang airplane at sabi ng piloto "Fasten your seat belt".
Isang babae nag-panic at ang sabi: "Ako'y babae, nais kong maranasan ang dapat
maranasan ng isang babae bago bumagsak ang eroplanong ito! Mayroon ba sa iyong
magpapatunay na ako'y babae?"

Tingin ang mga kelot at kinilatis si babae. Medyo may edad at medyo di maganda.
Walang nag-voluntir agad.

Sigaw ng babae: "Patunayan ninyong ako'y babae!"

"Ako!" sigaw ng isang pogi at matchong lalake habang ina-alis niya ang bitones
ng kanyan kamisedentro.

Nanginig ang babae habang lumalapit ang kelot sa kanya.

Tahimik ang lahat...

Hinubag ang polo at ini-abot sa babae. Sabe niya sa babae, "Pakiplantsa mo 'to!"

*****

NAKATIPID

Takbong pumasok ng bahay si Mario.
Pagud na pagod, pero masayang-masaya.
Nagmamayabang pa sa ina.
"Nanay! Nanay! Nakatipid ako ng uno singkwenta."
"Nakatipid? Paano?" tanong ng nanay.
"Aba'y 'di ako sumakay ng dyip.
Sumabay lang ako ng takbo.
Kaya't nakatipid ako ng one-fifty!"
"Bobo ka pala, eh. Kung taxi ang sinabayan mo,
'Di mas malaki ang natipid mo!"

*****

AGAW-BUHAY

Nakaupo sa tabi ng kanyang asawang agaw-buhay si Juan.
Hawak hawak niya ang kamay nito at nararamdaman ni Juan
na hindi na magtatagal at babawian na ng buhay ang kanyang asawa.

"Juan, bago ako mamatay, mayroon akong gustong ipagtapat
sa iyo."

"Mahal, huwag ka ng magsalita at makakasama pa sa iyo."

"Pero Juan, kailangan talagang malaman mo na........"

"Sssshhhh, kung ano man iyon ay hindi na mahalaga, ang
importante ay nasa tabi mo ako sa huling sandali mo
rito sa mundo."

"Juan, nais kong ipagtapat sa iyo na pinag-taksilan kita
sana ay patawarin mo ako."

"Alam ko iyon, kaya nga kita NILASON."

*****

Ano ang kaibahan ni Prince Charles sa kulangot?

Si Prince Charles ay heir to the throne.

Ang kulangot ay thrown to the air!

*****

An alcoholic son's letter to his Dad:

Beer dad,

Gin na 'ko mag-iinom whisky kelan man.
Tanduayan mo yan.

Your son,
Miguel.

******

The body builder takes off his shirt and the blonde says, "What a Great Chest you have!"

He tells her, "That's 100 lbs. of dynamite, Baby."

He takes off his pants and the blonde says, "What massive Calves you have!"

The body builder tells her, "That's 100 lbs. Of dynamite, baby."

He then removes his underwear, and the blonde goes running out of the apartment screaming in fear. The body builder puts his clothes back on and runs after her.

He catches up to her and asks her why she ran out of the apartment like that.

The blonde replies: I was afraid to be around all that dynamite after I saw how short the fuse was!

*****

I just received this text earlier...just want to share it

Abalos' Prayer

ZTE father,
who are in China,
hakot be thy name,
thy kickback come,
thy wealth be done,
in Wack-Wack as it is in COMELEC...

Give me this day my daily bribe,
and conceal all my sins,
as I conceal those sin along with me,
and if I am led into temptation,
deliver me from criticism,
its power and its money,
forever and ever...

*****

THE PARROT

A woman went to a pet shop and immediately spotted a large beautiful parrot. There was a sign on the cage that said $50.00. "Why so little," she asked the pet storekeeper. The owner looked at her and said, "Look, I should tell you first that this bird used to live in a house of prostitution, and sometimes it says some pretty vulgar stuff."

The woman thought about this, but decided she had to have the bird anyway. She took it home and hung the bird's cage up in her living room and waited for it to say something. The bird looked around the room, then at her, and said, "New house, new madam."

The woman was a bit shocked at the implication, and said, "That's not so bad."

When her two teenage daughters returned from school the bird saw them and said, "New house, new madam, new whores."

The girls and the woman were a bit offended but then began to laugh about the situation.

Moments later, the woman's husband, Keith came home from work.

The bird looked at him and said, "Hi, Keith."

Our pad and her dad

2008-03-10T08:49:00.003+08:00

Ang itim ko na sa kababantay ng bahay. Ano ba ang pinakamabisang whitening soap at lotion? I'll try to post some pics of the renovation next time. Mga one week pa bago talagang makita yung pagbabago sa bahay. Heto muna yung video clip ng model unit. This was taken summer of last year, yung bare type unit (sa kaliwa) ang kinuha namin na ngayon nga ay ipinapaayos na. Makikita nyo na wala pa halos bahay na nakatayo, pero ngayon almost 95% ng subdivision gawa na.

***

Si Papa (daddy ni mahal) dinadramahan si Mama kahapon, na kesyo ramdam na niya na malapit na ang kanyang pamamayapa. May sakit siyang diabetes, medyo matagal-tagal na rin. Patigil-tigil ang gamutan, tapos medyo pasaway pa ng konti. Hay Papa, marami pa tayong pagsasamahan, papasyal ka pa sa bahay namin ni mahal, at lalaruin mo pa ang parating na mga apo mo sa amin. Sumampalataya ka lang.

Filler

2008-03-07T11:32:00.002+08:00

Natuloy din kaming mag-leave ni mahal today para ayusin mga wedding papers namin. Less than a month to go, woohoo!

Just dropped by @ Netopia to check e-mails and news, eh wala naman masyadong balita sa office at sa ating inang bayan.

E ako wala rin naman masyadong masabi kaya adios at happy weekend sa inyo!

The power of mobile pun este, fun este phone.

2008-03-06T18:59:00.003+08:00

(Content scraping muna tayo, and this one's a classic)

Do you want to know and see where your friends and loved ones are by simply using your mobile phone number? Click here!

The end means the beginning

2008-03-05T11:41:00.003+08:00

Last monthsary namin today ng mahal ko as GFBF. 90 months ago nung sinagot niya ako nang sapilitan sa Brownies snack-stop sa SM North. Paiyak na raw kasi ako nung hindi siya maka-oo, tsaka baka iwan ko raw siya noon, eh di niya kabisado umuwi. Ayos ba? hehe. Hindi pa niya ako lab noon pero tingnan mo naman ngayon, kapit-tuko siya sa akin, hah! Joke lang my mahal, ako talaga yung kapit nang kapit e, tapos ikaw yung tuko. Yay! Lab yu! =)

Nagfile nga kami ng LoA kahapon for today to bring our wedding requirements sa Chuch Admin, kaso may ilang technicalities pa kaya dumirecho na lang kami sa office and cancel our leave. Sa Friday na lang kami tutuloy.

Kaso may konting problema kami, tinamaan ng house renovation yung remaining budget namin sa kasal. Kasi naman, ang ganda tingan ng bahay, sayang naman kung hindi pa matatapos. Wala na kaming pa-sweldo sa mga gumagawa. Pero sabi ko nga, konting problema lang ito, kaya let's see what I can do...

Nutting match

2008-03-04T08:39:00.003+08:00

Katuwa yung kaibigan ko, ni-refer daw niya ako sa kasama niya sa industriya para i-feature sa program nila yung wedding preparations namin ni mahal. Aba kung saka-sakali, talbog pa yung kasal ng boss ko nung January, hek-hek.

***

Sorry mahal, hindi ko mapigilan na humanga sa kanya. Pero ok lang naman 'di ba? Di naman niya ako maaangkin, tsaka kesa naman kay Justin Timberlake o Enrique Iglesias na video ang ilagay ko, har-har.

March na!

2008-03-03T08:13:00.003+08:00

***

This coming Saturday na sana ang kasal ko. Kung matutuloy, leave na sana ako sa Wednesday. Pero siguradong hindi pa nasisimulan yung renovation ng bahay namin. May isang buwan pa ako para makahanap ng pamalit sa nagastos namin sa bahay. Sa mga gustong mag-advance wedding cash gift dyan, heto ang account number ko...*toink*