- Shades of Gray -

Excellence - The True Mark Of A Person's Character

2012-01-23T18:39:00.000+08:00

There was this person who was down on his luck. He recently lost his job and had difficulty paying his bills. He seemed to be a good person though as he volunteered for different organizations and other causes. His life's story was something to be admired if you were one of those people he told his story to. It had all the ingredients and factors needed for one of those feel-good movies that the movie industry seem to churn out these days. A poor boy born into a life of struggle and poverty yet despite all the odds was still able to get a college degree. He didn't accomplish it entirely on his own though for he got help from different people along the way. He was the beneficiary of a charitable institution run by nuns, paid his way through life by doing different jobs, but despite his poverty still managed to volunteer for noble or civic causes and give his best.
It really is good when you think about it. It somehow restores one's faith back in humanity when they see such people pave their ways through society. Indeed, it is something to be admired.

After knowing this, you'd wish to be able to help this person in any way you can because you feel he deserves it. You know that with a little good luck he could do wonderful things. You feel like he is really true and good!

So when you are presented with an opportunity to really extend a helping hand, you immediately contact them and let them know. This is it! It is time you reward kindness with another kindness, with the thought and intention that they will be perfect for it because not only do they subscribe to the same values that you do, they walk the walk and talk the talk too. There was this job opening offered by another and this is the opportunity you see that would help them but it would require them to be away from their familiar environment and good friends. But with this new environment they'd be getting they'll encounter other people to help and expand their horizons. The work was a rewarding one. He'd be given a chance to help out other kids born in the same circumstances as he was. The salary package wasn't bad either. Plus, there was travel in their horizon if they did good.

With such wonderful news they immediately take up your offer and agree to your conditions. They promised to do their best and commit to the project. They gave you their word that they won't let you down.

But just two weeks later in to the job they quit! The reasons given were not even reasonable.
So what do you do? You gave the person who offered them a job a stunning recommendation. And then this person whom you once admired just let it go.

Anyway... This whole episode got me thinking.

What is the true essence of a person's character? People, especially the ones you meet online can present themselves in any manner they wish and in the process fool not only the strangers that they don't have personal contact with but also their own family and friends.

I admit, I was really fooled by this person. I relied only on his information and never really bothered to investigate his true nature. But then again, how does one know really? Everything can be faked or can't it?

Excellence and greatness. True excellence and greatness can never be faked. It is quite impossible to. They don't have to be a CEO of a big company or someone rich and famous to be excellent and great.

An excellent person would follow-up with their commitments and do their job to the best of their ability.
They know that if they give their best they won't be the only one benefiting from their efforts but in the process get to help out a lot of people. Even though their goal is for personal gain, the effort they put in along the way would help improve their situation and by doing so would also impact others.

They develop their self and focus their attention on how to be better. They don't easily let go of responsibilities and abandon tasks just because of paltry reasons.

I would say this event taught me a couple of things. Lessons learned the hard way. I am also wary now of trusting people, I must admit. I would have done the job myself if I could have turned back the clock.

It is too late now though. At least this experience taught me a very valuable lesson.

Some People Don't Deserve Any Kindness

2012-01-18T07:17:00.001+08:00

You know who are!

The road to Hell can sometimes be paved with good intentions. Often you are not even aware you are descending there because you are only thinking about the good for all.
Little do you realize that the people you encounter and trust along the way are the very ones who would make your journey an unbearable, unpleasant one.

Trust is a very sensitive thing especially when the person we wish to trust is someone miles away and our only interaction is online.
We only have their words and stories to rely on.
What they tell you is as good as it gets.

Some people are just very good at manipulating words.
Many also use their unfortunate financial states to justify lying, stealing and scheming.
Often, they immediately throw their dignity away for a very paltry amount.

When I learned your story I was touched. Knowing your struggles and your predicament then, I thought it was wise to help someone like you who was just down with luck. I was very confident you'd do a good job because you would be able to relate to the people whose lives you'll have the opportunity to touch and even change. The very change that you got to experience for yourself when people who formed foundations helping kids reached out to help someone like you. But I was wrong. Instead, you squandered the opportunity. Took advantage of it and sucked it for all it's got.

The only regret I have was to trust someone like you. That was a very big mistake.

You could have had a good future, a career worthy of dedication, a life. Yet, you opted to destroy it and head back to an existence of no opportunity. You destroyed the trust of other people, not only me, who banked on your character. You also destroyed friendships. You didn't think.

You knew the terms, you knew what was expected, you knew the conditions and yet you chose to commit. The least you could do was stick to it until the time your dues are paid up and you fulfill your end of the bargain. But you couldn't or you didn't want to. You did not even have the courtesy to contact me or any of your comrades. Instead you opted to hide and lie some more.

At this point, I find it hard to wish you anything good. I'll just wait for life to deal with you accordingly.

When a Katoliban Speaks!

2012-01-03T13:40:00.000+08:00

I encountered this blog post in one of the debate groups I frequent I can only shake my head at the sheer stupidity of this person's post. At first I didn't want to post a reply but since I took the time to address some of his points in a group then I'll just copy my post here.
We were even discussing to address his issues one by one. But why bother anyway, this post is just way too pathetic and it is clear he's a member of the Katoliban. A quick search on any search engine would show all he has written is pure garbage.

I'm only going to tackle the points that pissed me off.

Number 4 irritated me. “In a poll, the most secular countries in Europe rated themselves as having the best quality of life

... yeah and the highest suicide rates"

An individual's decision to commit suicide is irrelevant to the overall development and quality of life of the citizens in a country. Can anybody spell Ignoratio Elenchi for this poor lost soul?

As I read his 9th point raised, it made me realize that there should be a new internet law to be introduced and I propose we call it Reductio ad Stalinum a short spin on the Argumentum ad Hitlerum but only this time an ignaramus would resort to citing Stalin's non-beliefs. The conclusion is suggested/hinted/pointed based solely on Stalin's claim that he was atheist (but this has been debated in political-literary circles that Stalin was SPIRITUAL but not religious)

"Stalin had a different policy outside of the Soviet Union, he supported the Communist Uyghur Muslim separatists under Ehmetjan Qasim in the Ili Rebellion against the Anti Communist Republic of China regime. He supplied weapons to the Uyghur Ili army and Red Army support against Chinese forces, and helped them establish the Second East Turkestan Republic of which Islam was the official state religion."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Stalin#Religion

Stalin's extermination of believers in his homeland was fueled by political motives BUT NOT DIRECTLY ABOUT HIS NON-RELIGIOUS IDEOLOGIES. Unlike religious wars where the soldiers are told to fight for some imaginary sky dada and the glory of heaven.

And if we must reduce to looking for the most common factors as to why mad leaders resorted to unspeakable crimes against humanity rather than exploring and studying their philosophies and guiding principles let me bring up then that very obvious fact that both Stalin and Hitler sported facial hair, how come nobody's blaming the beard?

11 and 12 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irreducible_complexity

13 We find it important enough because this relidiot's camp keep insisting that certain laws be passed in their favor, tormenting kids and gullible people about hell, tax exemptions because they choose to believe in an imaginary being etc...

This guy had the gal to Hitch an idiot when Christopher's expose of this hypocrite nun called Madder Teresa was one of the most well-researched exposes done by him.

And if that is not enough, Hemley Gonzales and his mission have been working their asses off to expose Madder Terresa's "charity" and really helping the people of INDIA.

15 still doesn't change the fact that "The Catholic church is stuck on moral issues and trivializes world hunger".

After Life: The Strange Science Of Decay

2012-01-03T04:46:00.001+08:00

I admit that the thought of death (my own and my loved ones) scares me. Many people like to think and fantasize about immortality and eternal youth. But what for? What is so appealing about getting to live forever?

I see the whole process of dying as sacrosanct. Why is death and decay important in the cycle of life? Here's something you need to see. Being reborn not in the biblical sense but in a more profound way than it. Life relies on death. Death paves way for life. We need not fear it.

I guess this understanding of death, decay and dying is helping me be comfortable with the idea and natural flow of life. I'd love to live longer though but not forever.

What's Wrong With Me?

2011-12-20T05:39:00.000+08:00

I believe I am stuck in a stupid cycle of always letting go of the people I like. Somewhere between the introduction, getting-to-know-you chats, mobile phone texting, Skype video talks, AOL e-mail exchanges and Facebook status-liking it (whatever IT is) just stops dead on it's tracks and die a very quick death. Silence. No more communications. NOTHING!

After a few days of silence, I then end up spending hours trying to figure out what happened. I then have this burning need in me to find out the precise thing that caused its death. Where did it start getting wrong? Was it something I said, did, didn't do, posted, e-mailed, expressed, texted? Other matters creep into my brain until it hurts.

By then when my energy is already spent; this usually happens two weeks or so after the silence, I am already in the point where I feel a little bit of hatred for the guy because they acted like a dick and just dropped out. But then I end up pining for the guy because I miss the scintillating conversations. Yet I am hurt too and I am too proud to make the other move because I do not know what made them stop talking to me anyway and I might just end up embarrassing myself.

What the hell is wrong with me?

Sendong Flood Relief

2011-12-18T23:34:00.000+08:00

The tragedy that struck CDO is devasting but what pisses me off more is the lackadaisical way it is handled by the media. Just because its outside Metro Manila doesn't mean its any less of a tragedy!
Living in a country that's sitting astride the typhoon belt, most of the islands experience annual torrential rains and thunderstorms. The flood that devastated Cagayan de Oro is nothing one should be shocked about. Yet, it seems that the government has not learned any lesson, especially after what happened in Manila when Ondoy hit the country. Disaster-relief operations still seems like a foreign concept that the Philippine government cannot understand. Villages, barangays and cities are always caught unprepared for this type of mess!
The country should be prepared for typhoon-related emergencies already. Don't you ever learn lessons Pinas?
Cities and municipalities still cannot handle natural tragedies that hit them. Putting a lot of families lives at risk.

This is bullshit!

Anyway, enough of ranting. A lot of people are in need of help. Anything done to help them would be appreciated.
For Filipinos who wish to donate, even the smallest amount you could spare would mean a lot.
You can take out your cellphones and donate via text message. Just follow the instructions on this picture.

For other options, do check this out.

The PHILIPPINE ATHEISTS AND AGNOSTICS SOCIETY - (PATAS) is also conducting humanitarian work. We have volunteers already in the area. For those who wish to donate to PATAS for this cause please contact Mr. Miguel Alfonso M. Murillo

For cash donors please forward all your donations to the following portals, whichever suits you. Miguel will give us detailed reports on what has been done.

For bank to bank transactions:
BANK OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
account name: Miguel Alfonso M. Murillo
account number: 9329 0693 51

PAYPAL
migs_ter@yahoo.com

WESTERN UNION
Miguel Alfonso M. Murillo
Block -11 lot -11 Xavier Heights Subdivision Upper Balulang Cagayan de Oro City 9000

It is best to course the help directly to volunteers already in ground zero. This will eliminate unnecessary transaction fees in moving the money and will save time, also reach the people faster that badly needs the help most.Thank you EVERYONE!

Other portals:

TV5 KAPATID FOUNDATION
Donate in Cash
Bank of the Philippine Islands
Savings Account No. 1443-05333-2

Donate in Kind
News5 Aksyon Center, TV5 office
San Bartlolome, Novaliches, Quezon City

News5 Aksyon Center hotline - 938-6393

SAGIP KAPAMILYA
Donate in Cash
BDO Peso Account
Account name: ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.-Sagip Kapamilya
Account Number: 39301-14199
Swift Code: BNORPHMM

BDO Dollar Account
Account name: ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.-Sagip Kapamilya
Account Number: 39300-81622
Swift Code: BNORPHMM

PNB Peso Account
Account name: ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.-Sagip Kapamilya
Account Number: 419-539-5000-13
Swift Code: PNBMPHMM

BPI Peso Account
Account name: ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.-Sagip Kapamilya
Account Number: 3051-1127-75
Branch: West Triangle, Quezon City
Swift Code: BOPIPHMM

BPI Dollar Account
Account name: ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.-Sagip Kapamilya
Account Number: 3054-0270-35
Branch: West Triangle, Quezon City
Swift Code: BOPIPHMM

Donate in Kind
Sagip Kapamilya
ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.
Mother Ignacia cor. Eugenio Lopez St.
Diliman, Quezon City

Hotlines
(02) 411-4995
(02) 394-9272
0917-887-4411

THE CIVIL RELATIONS SERVICE, AFP
Donate in Kind
Situation Awareness Center (SAC),
CRS AFP, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City

Landline: 912-6615
CP Nr. (0917)2471252
Focal Person: LTCOL ROLANDO RODIL, Opns Officer

Again, my sincerest thank you to everyone!

In Memoriam: Christopher Eric Hitchens

2011-12-17T02:24:00.000+08:00

When I read the news that Christopher Hitchens has died I just felt frozen for a minute and I couldn't believe the words I was staring at on my screen. It seemed like a big joke. If there was a man whom I thought Death would avoid for as long as it could, it would be Christopher Hitchens. He could probably say something clever to Death's face and send him laughing, telling him to come back another day.

But December 15, 2011 would now be remembered as a sad day for the freethinking world. He was 62 and battling esophageal cancer, he put up a good fight for as long as he could.

I never got to see Hitchens in person. I never personally knew the man. But I will be forever grateful to him for the things he has done. Watching Hitchen's videos on Youtube and other various websites, reading his books, writings and listening to whatever audio I manage to come across somehow made me feel I have an ally in him.
His works had a very strong influence in my life especially his criticisms about religion. He made me realize that I need not be ashamed to admit that I am a non-believer. I should not be ashamed on calling people out on their bullshit. I should not be ashamed when my thoughts and opinions would not agree with the majority. Sometimes I could not understand what he was talking about, especially when it was about politics. Simply because I was not as informed as him. But then again, we also really do not have anyone we can agree with 100%. That is just absurd.

His powerful words stirred the fire of strength and life in me. He showed that one need not be afraid to stand up for what they truly believed in. One should be free to voice out his opinions and declare his thoughts. And even though your thoughts may not always go well with the majority, if you speak the truth and you have the evidence to back it up then be strong, be firm, speak up and truly the world will listen.

The exposures he did on famous personalities at one point or another has made him quite unpopular. Yet, since he could back-up his opinions, the world listened and watched and what he said forever changed it.

My heart truly aches for the loss of this great thinker. Yet I am also feeling grateful that I was able to live in a time when he lived. I got to witness his work. He may be dead but his works and words will live on.

“Hitchens’ mastery of a logical argument along with his confident demeanor gave many the courage to come out of the atheist closet,” Roy Speckhardt said about him.

Hitch I salute you!

Some of Christopher Hitchens' quotes that I love and treasure.

“You don’t so much as become an atheist as find out that’s what you are. There’s no moment of conversion. You don’t suddenly think ‘I don’t believe this anymore.’ You essentially find you don’t believe it,” Christopher Hitchens said in an interview with Sally Quinn.

"What can be asserted without evidence can also be dismissed without evidence."

"For a lot of people, their first love is what they'll always remember. For me it's always been the first hate, and I think that hatred, though it provides often rather junky energy, is a terrific way of getting you out of bed in the morning and keeping you going. If you don't let it get out of hand, it can be canalized into writing. In this country where people love to be nonjudgmental when they can be, which translates as, on the whole, lenient, there are an awful lot of bubble reputations floating around that one wouldn't be doing one's job if one didn't itch to prick."

"The only real radicalism in our time will come as it always has — from people who insist on thinking for themselves and who reject party-mindedness."

Screwed?

2011-12-15T15:43:00.002+08:00

So here I am, pondering about what happened this year. Over all I can say 2011 was not so bad. A lot of new things happened and many doors were opened. I got to meet good people and experienced new things but it seems the good ride is coming to a halt. Personal life and my career (if I can consider my current job as one) are slowly heading down a slippery slope.

When they said life was like a wheel, they meant it. I just now fully realized what it truly means and I'm hating it. It would be much easier if we get a clear warning whenever our wheel heads down.

I made so many stupid moves lately. I've been irrational.
Also I seem to have alienated a few good people or I suppose they have now decided to distance themselves from me. I can't tell anymore.

I admit that oftentimes I try not to care, no matter how much I do because I realize that sometimes you can mean nothing to someone who means so much to you. It's not pride, it is self-respect.
They're the ones who promise a lot of things, say they'll always be there but when tomorrow comes they are gone and you find yourself alone again.

But I guess the important thing is to keep and cherish the good memories. And as always, one must go on. I must continue and see where all this will take me.

This post doesn't mean anything. I just want to vent out frustrations.

A Prime Example of Stupidity

2011-11-18T09:47:00.001+08:00

This article made my blood boil and I wanted to kick the nutsack of any religious person that will come my way. But getting a grip on my sanity (for now), the argument that because someone is Atheist he/she will then immediately be immoral has been proposed so many times that there seems to be no end of it.

This age of morality, the age where we do not have slaves, do not stone people for adultery, do not deal death for apostasy (In most countries at least)... All these enlightenment/s came forth because they were well thought out, argued, reasoned and discussed.

If you actually look at the "moralities" promoted by any goddamned hole-y book, you would find that they incite wars, pedophilia, slavery, subjugation of women, death and almost every act of hatred and violence you could think of.

Pedophilia is a psychiatric disorder! Having a religion and worshiping a deity won't be a cure-all for this mental disease. If that is the case priests won't be the number one doer of this horrific act. Damnit!

You cannot use ONE verse/phrase from the entire hole-y book that you managed to have read in one of its chapters and immediately declare that that's what the hole-y book was all about while you disregard the other fucked up shit they were talking and telling people to do. Because if THAT is the approach you use, then it is simply called CHERRY-PICKING!

My understanding of his article is this:

Atheism = No belief in God, the guiding light and highest example of morality => Leads one to the path of fucking a goat and fondling a child.

Fuck you Averick!

Death and the Business of Dying.

2011-10-22T05:43:00.000+08:00

Assisteddying or Euthanasia is still a very hard topic to open up and discuss inFilipino society. The subject is often taboo among social circles and people ingeneral exhibit a fear of confronting death and the thought of dying. In thispost I’ll try to talk about Euthanasia (for those who are ill and chose it).

To losesomeone is hard. This I know and have experienced for myself. The emotionalbattle that we, the ones left behind, will face is immense.

Dying,although many have accepted as natural, is still viewed as evil. And many timesI've heard of the sentiment expressed that if they are granted one wish, theywould want immortality.

But ashumans, we are doomed to die and most times before we approach our final stage;expiration, we are often going through a series of pains and illnesses.

I see therationale of Euthanasia because to keep someone alive through artificial means,even when death is a more humane option to take, is a cruel thing to do. Butkilling someone even with their permission is a big issue because todeliberately take someone's life is not natural.

But is there really a natural death? Death is death. Some die in their sleep,accidents, and murder.

Is the actof taking your own life really a cowardly way to go or a rational decision tomake?

Wouldn’t it be much better for you and your loved ones to see you go peacefullyand in clean conditions than see dying miserably and in a lot of pain?

I believeEuthanasia should NOT be a crime and should be an option that is open to all.

If I would ever be in a state of dementia or extreme pain I see no point in living when I am robbed of my abilities to reason, be aware, to know, to enjoy life.

No one hasthe right to tell me to continue living, enforce their will on me, despite meexpressing that I'm tired or extremely suffering. If someone is WILLING to helpme achieve my goal in my incapacitated state then that person does not deserveto be jailed for it.

Who will dothe killing is another topic though. I'm sure there are individuals who willhave the guts to "help" people who wish to take this option. Thekiller instinct is a debatable issue. How to kill and the instinct to kill aretwo different things.

A Rant About Respect and Religion

2011-08-12T03:23:00.000+08:00

A question posted in the PATAS forum.

Some PATAS members said they do no respect religion. Does that mean they are:

A) Disrespectful to religion.
B) Lack of respect to religion.
C) They respect theists but not their religion.

How can Atheism in the Philippines flourish without being "blasphemous"?

***********************************************************
Here's my reply to it.

First we must tackle what the word "respect" means.
According to www.dictionary.com here are just a few definitions of the word respect which relates to this post:

*the condition of being esteemed or honored.
*esteem for or a sense of the worth or excellence of a person, a personal quality or ability, or something considered as a manifestation of a personal quality or ability.
*deference to a right, privilege, privileged position, or someone or something considered to have certain rights or privileges; proper acceptance or courtesy
**Deference - respectful submission or yielding to the judgment, opinion, will, etc., of another.

I do not believe any religion should be honored or esteemed by the government and the people. It is nothing but a mind-control tool that people in power like to use to impose their will on others.

For someone therefore to claim that they are religious is not a sign of personal good quality or ability because religion limits the mind. It abhors freethinking, it prevents people from implementing responsible acts to be done because one responsible act like planned parenthood by using contraceptives goes against their doctrines. It impedes the growth of science and reason. It has committed many atrocious crimes against humanity throughout history!

I will therefore never "respectfully submit" myself to its doctrines, teachings and indoctrination. I will speak out against it. Support any one who encourages others to think freely for themselves like artists and their works questioning the current doctrines and practices of the church and I will never yield to any of the Church's pressure.

/rant

A Note To Guys

2011-08-03T08:09:00.002+08:00

I created this as a response to a friend's note that I was tagged in.

An original composition by Jovelean Borces.

NOTE TO GUYS! :)

Guys it is ok to ask us where we are. Honestly, it tickles us pink that you are concerned. But it pisses us off when every ten minutes we get asked the same question of "Where are you?" and "Who are you with?".

Also don't talk about your ex-girlfriends.
We don't want to know. Period!
Don't compare us to your ex-girlfriend because it really pisses us off. There's a reason why the "ex" comes first before the word girlfriend. She was PROBABLY a psycho bitch you had to dump.

Guys don't hump everything with a skirt.
Seriously, just because you don't get preggo and carry a fetus in your belly for NINE freakin' months does NOT give you the license to just put your stick in every hole that peeks.

Guys, we actually can sense when are being sincere or not. But, I personally don't want to be a femme apologist so I'll state it for the record, some women who deny a compliment are just really fishing for more.
So women, when you hear good words thrown your way, smile and say "Thank you!" with enthusiasm. Believe me, it sounds much better that way.

Chivalry is dead but I won't be complaining if its revived. I love a guy who does all of the things in paragraph four and more.

Carry breath mints. Don't expect us to throw random kisses when you just finished smoking two packs of cigarettes.

We dress up to look good basically for our selves and then for other women and then lastly for you. Women are mostly competing against each other in the looks department. Its a fact!

Don't flirt with girls when we are not around.
We'll find out. Trust us.
We have eyes everywhere. And gossip travels fast in the femme circle.
And when we find out, we're pissed.
Not necessarily with the girls you flirted with, although we'll curse them to death too, more-so with you.

Don't take everything we say seriously.
Sarcasm is a beautiful thing. See the beauty in it.
Don't get angry easily.
Stop asking your male friends about us when they also do not have a clue.

Don't talk about how hot and gorgeous Megan Fox is or how perfect Jessica Alba's ass in front of us. WE KNOW!
And it also fuels the nasty eating disorders that destroy our psyche.
Beauty after all is not just about the body.

Whatever happened to the word "Beautiful" or "Pretty"?
Why does every thing have to be "hot/sexy"?
I'd be utterly shocked by a guy who has more descriptive words in his vocabulary to describe me. Instead of shouting out "Yo sexy hot momma!"
Not knowing more than those words to describe a female shows a severe lack of knowledge and a stunted vocabulary.

Guys, I cannot stress this enough: If you get yourself a good girl please take care of her. Don't parade her around like a piece of meat you wiggle in front of a dog. Be proud of her accomplishments and treat her right. Not every female is a psycho-bitch.

Find one who will honor your morals.
Someone who will also show you the different sides to life and offer new perspective.
Someone who can make you smile and make you feel good regardless of your bank statement.

A Reason, A Season or a Lifetime

2010-12-10T06:48:00.004+08:00

A good friend of mine forwarded this to me recently. Although I am not in the habit of reading forwarded emails and spam (sorry dearest) as they usually end up in my trash bin even before I open them something urged me to click this particular email. (Call it divine intervention or whatever comes to mind) It didn't have fancy words in the title. That could have been one reason why I decided to open it.

I was pleasantly surprised when it contained nothing but plain text.
After reading I felt inspired to post it and share.
Someone out there might be experiencing the same mental roller-coaster I am on right now and the recycled wisdom of internet spam might just prove to be the answer they've been waiting for.

A Reason, A Season or a Lifetime
Author: Unknown

People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. When you figure out which it is, you know exactly what to do.

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed outwardly or inwardly. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend, and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrong doing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up or out and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and it is now time to move on.

When people come into your life for a SEASON, it is because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn. They may bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons; those things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person/people (anyway); and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

Good-bye To "Love"?

2010-08-20T04:48:00.004+08:00

You called me from your office asking how things are with me and how I've been. I have not heard from you for quite some time and hearing your voice again made me feel okay. But my intuition told me something's not right. This is just not right.

Then, you dropped the bomb and informed me you're already married and it has been three days into your honeymoon. I was shocked! How could you be calling me at 3 o'clock in the morning while your wife's gently sleeping?

Speechless!

Then you told me how "happy" you are now that you are settled. Sharing to me both your future plans and dreams. Yes, you are lucky with her I acknowledged. She's educated and plans to pursue more things with her career. You were asking me about Canada, as if I've ever been there. You want to migrate and start your family in the Maple Country, okay that's fine. It's a swell idea I said. They have free healthcare for their citizens.

Then, silence...

You were the first to break it. You asked me how I felt.

Numb.

I am actually genuinely happy for you now. You've always been the one more inclined to romance and settling down. I'm happy that you finally got your wish fulfilled.

You asked me if there's someone new. I gave you updates about me. Then you sighed.

"It could have been us." Were all the words you could utter.

Silence again...

Had I ever entertained the thought of even marrying you? You asked.

Yes. But I never thought you were serious. So I abandoned any idea of something deeper than our then relationship and just focused on the things that I were sure of. Work.

Now that you are married though, you have absolutely no right to even contact me just to reminisce about old times' sake or talk about your dreams nor mine.

You still keep my pictures you confessed. In fact you said you uploaded them on your new mobile phone. How could you?

I was mad at this. I told you to erase everything and forget all.

"No!" you said. You have the "right" to keep them.

I could no longer reason with you. Nor stand talking to you.

You've been married for 3 days and this is what you do!?! I thought you've moved on? Why contact me now? Why?

But instead of asking this aloud though it was better to disconnect that phone call.

We have each drawn our own lots and chosen different paths. Let's stick with it. Not just for our sake but for the people who love us. Talking about the past will do nothing but bring us pain. Really I'm okay now. I'm happy and also consciously trying to be.

Good-bye and may you be happy too.

PLEASE DO NOT CALL ME AGAIN!

Thoughts of Death On A Friday Morning

2010-07-09T06:24:00.004+08:00

Last June 30 was supposed to be my dad’s birthday. We do not celebrate it the usual way anymore since he has already passed away. The entire family just went to the cemetery, offer our candles and prayers for his departed soul as this has already become our “tradition” whenever this day comes.

The cemetery lot he’s buried in has been in the Borces/Codeniera clan for years. Anybody from our clan that dies is buried in that small plot of land. Since the area is quite small, to make up for lack of space, burial chambers are built atop one another. The Philippine burial places look funny when one thinks about it. I would like to think they resemble little condo unit boxes for the dead.

Seeing my dad’s final resting somehow pains me. Even in death, he seems to be stuck and crowded in.

When we returned home I immediately looked up prices for new burial lots. The idea of getting our own cemetery lot appealed to me. That way, we won’t be forced to “share” or make room for future relatives that might pass away. Yet, when I looked at the prices online for these small plots of land my jaw literally dropped. I did not expect that it would cost so much! A plot of land can equal to investing in a small house.

Seeing this, I could only shake my head. Why does it have to cost so much when it is for the dead? I know and understand people could be sentimental because I feel the same way too about my loved ones but then it also made me realize that if ever I would pass away I do not wish my folks and family to be bothered. The thought of being buried without even undergoing the usual customary procedures suddenly appealed to me. Just wrap my body up, don’t pump it full of embalming fluids, bury it deep and then plant a tree to mark my grave. Then, sit back, relax and let Mother Nature do its thing. I think, is more appealing.

I looked up other “burial” alternatives and my research proved to be interesting.

A sky burial is also good. At least you would directly provide food to the other members of the food chain.

Cremation is expensive now. Plus the amount of fuel needed to char one’s bones is too high.

Yet, the most interesting one I have recently encountered so far is the plan to just dissolve corpses and flush them down the drain. Literally!

“The end result is a small quantity of green-brown liquid containing amino acids, peptides, sugars and salts.” Sounds yummy? Do read more for yourself here and then be the judge.

I’ll get back to the usual daily grind of my boring life and hopefully won’t kick the bucket any time soon. I’m broke and can’t afford a funeral.

A Picture Says...

2010-02-11T03:11:00.002+08:00

This picture was uploaded by a friend on Facebook and it really made me laugh out loud.
The political fever is officially on... Let the mudslinging begin

The Gift of Understanding

2009-12-15T13:00:00.005+08:00

I was cleaning up our storage room last week and I managed to dig up some old textbooks which my mom has kept and stubbornly refuse to throw away.

A lot of memories came to mind when I saw the old pile of books. It seemed like I was instantly transported back to a time when big problems didn't seem to exist and the only things that occupied my then world was video games, tv shows and homework.

One textbook I opened was the one we used in English for our Reading class. It was full of short stories. One of the stories it featured was one written by Paul Villiard entitled "The Gift of Understanding". I read it again and this time, now that I've matured enough, I fully understand the impact the story communicated. I will post the text here to share with you all the beautiful story.

The Gift of Understanding
By: Paul Villiard

I must have been around four years old when I first entered Mr. Wigden’s candy shop, but the smell of that wonderful world of penny treasures still comes back to me clearly more than a half-century later. Whenever he heard the tiny tinkle of bell attached to the front door, Mr. Wigden quietly appeared, to take his stand behind the candy case. He was very old, and his head was topped with a cloud of fine, snow-white hair.

Never was such an array of delicious temptations spread before a child. It was almost painful to make a choice. Each kind had first to be savored in the imagination before passing on to the next. There was always a short pang of regret as the selection was dropped into a little white paper sack. Perhaps another kind would taste better? Or last longer? Mr. Wigden had a trick of scooping your selection into the sack, then pausing. Not a word was spoken, but every child understood that Mr. Wigden’s raised eyebrows constituted a last-minute opportunity to make an exchange. Only after payment was laid upon the counter was the sack irrevocably twisted shut and the moment of indecision ended.

Our house was two streets from the streetcar line, and you had to pass the shop going to and from the cars. Mother had taken me into town on some forgotten errand, and as we walked home from the trolley Mother turned into Mr. Wigden’s.

“Let’s see if we can find something good,” she said, leading me up to the long glass case as the old man approached from behind a curtained aperture. My mother stood talking with him for a few minutes as I gazed rapturously at the display before my eyes. Finally Mother picked out something for me and paid Mr. Wigden.

When I was six or seven years old my family moved to a new community where I grew up, eventually married an established my own family. My wife and I opened a shop where we bred and sold exotic fish. The aquarium trade was then still in its infancy, and most of the fish were imported directly from Asia, Africa and South America. Few species sold for less than five dollars a pair.

One sunny afternoon a little girl came in accompanied by her brother. They were perhaps five and six years old. I was busy cleaning the tanks. The two children stood with wide, round eyes, staring at the jeweled beauties swimming in the crystal-clear water. “Gosh,” exclaimed the boy, “can we buy some?”

“Yes,” I replied. “If you can pay for them.”

“Oh, we have lots of money,” the little girl said confidently.

Something in the way she spoke gave me an old feeling of familiarity. After watching the fish for some time, they asked me for pairs of several different kinds, pointing them out as they walked down the row of tanks. I netted their choices into a traveling container and slipped it into an insulated bag for transport, handing it to the boy. “Carry it carefully,” I cautioned.

He nodded and turned to his sister. “You pay him,” he said. I held out my hand, and as her clenched fist approached me I suddenly knew exactly what was going to happen even what the little girl was going to say. Her fist opened, and into my outstretched palm she duped three very small coins.

At that instant I sensed the full impact of the legacy Mr. Wigden gad given me so many years before. Only now did I recognize the challenge I had presented the old man, and realize how wonderfully he had met it.

I seemed to be standing again in the little candy shop as I looked at the coins in my own hand. I understood the innocence of the two children and the power to preserve or destroy that innocence, as Mr. Wigden had understood those long years ago. I was so filled up with the remembering that my throat ached. The little girl was standing expectantly before me. “Isn’t it enough? She asked in a small voice.

“It’s a little too much,” I managed to say, somehow, over the lump in my throat. “You have some change coming.” I rummaged around in the cash drawer, dropped two pennies into her open hand, then stood in the doorway watching the children go down the walk carefully carrying their treasure.

When I turned back into the shop, my wife was standing on a stool with her arms submerged to the elbows in a tank where she was rearranging the plants. “Mind telling me what that was all about?” she asked. “Do you know how many fish you gave them?”

“About 30dollars’ worth,” I answered, the lump still in my throat. “But I couldn’t have done anything else.”

When I’d finished telling her about old Mr. Wigden, her eyes were wet, and she stepped off the stool and gave me a gentle kiss on the cheek.

“I still smell the gumdrops,” I sighed, and I’m certain I heard old Mr. Wigden chuckle over my shoulder as I swabbed down the last tank.

Get Back Up!

2009-12-09T13:56:00.003+08:00

Grandpa Chris linked this video to me in my FaceBook account and when I saw it I really can't describe how I felt.

I was touched by this man's spirit. Despite his deformity he has managed to do things so many ordinary, normal people take for granted. He didn't use his malady as a reason to wallow in self-pity and let his life go to waste. He is indeed an inspiration to all.
I can't help but admire him.

Yet as I watched the video I also felt ashamed of myself. Here I am, thinking my life is shit because most things are not going my way, bemoaning the fact that I'm scoliotic I'll never be normal, I'm not going anywhere blah, blah, blah and here's this guy who seems to be carrying more on his shoulders without the aide of limbs and yet he was able to carry the load, not thinking it's a burden.
I too have my own deformities and maladies but I must say it's not as severe as his yet he views life more positively than I do.

At around 8 or so I too contemplated suicide because like him I felt hopeless, broken and alone.
To find the words to describe that dark time in my life is impossible. But I'm so happy that my nefarious plan didn't push through and I'm alive today. I'm slowly building my life and trying my best to make something out of it. And I'm getting somewhere, with the help of the people I love and who loves me.

Here's the video of Nick Vujicic. I hope you will also be inspired.

China And It's Crackdown On Internet Porn. Oh Noes!

2009-01-06T11:13:00.004+08:00

For a country that has a great shortage of girls, it's safe to assume that a lot of Chinese men get their sexual gratification from whacking their ding-dongs to girls online tackling on probably two, three or even more dicks at a time. (Where gangbangs arises from a need more than a want)
Yes, I'm talking about porn!

In a country that is so hell-bent on controlling its population, I would have thought that the Chinese was using pornography to promote this cause, then I am proven wrong. "China warned Google and other popular Web portals Monday that they must do more to block pornographic material from reaching Chinese users, the latest in a series of government crackdowns targeting Internet content." A bold move once again China but think about it. If more dudes are furiously masturbating and getting their sexual gratification online there is no need to have real sex. Without real sex that significantly lowers the numbers of your limited girls getting pregnant. You therefore have a win-win situation.

I know this isn't about porn alone. China has been trying to heavily censor its internet and blocks anything they think is poisoning their population's minds... and failing!
Many Chinese users are able to go over the great firewall and surf sites that they want. A lot of Chinese bloggers have maintained sites and publish their thoughts so many others can know of the real situation there.
And fuck it China, you really need to review your stand and know what the internet was really intended for.

In situations like these it's perfectly okay to grab your dick, double click and watch all the pornography you can handle as errr a way of protest.

On a more serious note. Banning something will always have a severe side-effect. China being also one of the biggest exporters of pirated (often sexual) videos, sales of said product would just rise. Prohibition never works because people will always look for ways to obtain what they need and want. A crackdown on child porn is always welcome but pornography involving consenting adults is something that no one else should decide for you.

And for being patient enough to have read this far. Here are pictures of Zhang Ziyi sunbathing topless. (Thank me later...)

Duck, Duck Bush!

2008-12-16T19:40:00.004+08:00

A lot of people are talking about the recent incident were a journalist threw his shoes at President Bush.
Muntadar al-Zeidi, a correspondent for Iraqi-owned Al-Baghdadiya television based in Egypt, shouted "this is the end" as he hurled them at the American leader.

Although I pity the guy for having poor aim I somehow understand why Mister al-Zeidi chose this course of action.
Bush is the person who many believe is responsible for the demise of his country Iraq, the death of many of his countrymen, the destruction of businesses, the shifting of their entire lives for the worse. Throwing a shoe or shoes at him is a very small, insignificant thing compared to what Bush has done so far.

Many say that that particular action was an insult to all U.S. Americans.
But I beg to differ. It was an insult to only ONE and that one person was the supposed target of those size 10 shoes.

My mother always told me, respect is EARNED and it can never be demanded.
This situation just proves it.

Also, one could wonder if this happens quite often whenever Bush would visit another foreign country. Just look at how fast he managed to get out of the way and avoid those shoes. Reflexes like that need to be honed by constant practice.

He should just be glad there wasn't any bomb in those footwear.

Related news article: CNN report

Pacquiao vs. Dela Hoya

2008-12-07T13:06:00.006+08:00

Many have said that when Pacman decided to take on Dela Hoya the golden boy of boxing that would be the end of his winning streak. But again, Pacman has proved them all wrong by beating Dela Hoya's beautiful face into a pulp.

The fight was amazing! Pacquiao dominated all the rounds. By round five Dela Hoya's face was already bloodied and many could not believe he could go on anymore.
By round seven it was apparent that Manny will be winning and by round eight, Dela Hoya finally gave up the fight.

Pacquiao won via TKO!

I'm writing this blog while still watching the interviews.
I'll post videos of it when I can obtain them.

Again, congratulations Manny! Saludo kami sa'yo!

And rumor has it, Floyd Mayweather may come out of his retirement to try and take on the Pacman. Now, that's another fight that's worth looking forward to.

Spam! Spam! Spam!

2008-04-05T11:29:00.004+08:00

I get spam letters every single day and I must admit that whenever I see them cluttering my inbox and taking up a lot of space, I get really pissed!
I have categorized the 4 types of chain/spam letters.
Often people just forward those stupid, idiotic, nonsense things like :

Spam letter type 1:
Send this to every goddamn person you know within the next five seconds or you will be hit by a flying carabao from the sky.
*P.S. Don't dare ever break this chain for its really true!
It happened to someone I know.
Now the poor guy is in some crappy hospital being treated with salt on his wounds and one of the carabaoes horns is still stuck in his asshole.
Remember, it could happen to you!*

Spam letter type 2:
Make a desperate wish...
Good boy/girl!
Scroll down and count one to *insert infinite number here*.
Now think of someone or something you really like
Then, with lightning fast speed, forward this to 5000 or so people within the next 5 seconds for your wish to come true. blah blah blah
Come on! Do you think people would fall for this type of crap?
Well, if they do. Uhm!
They surely must be that desperate!

Spam letter type 3:
For every spam letter you forward a kid in Aasdljfaidhg who is crippled, maimed, mute and probably haven't eaten for a year will get a dollar.
Some hand in the sky would magically appear in the clouds and would help this pathetic excuse for a human being to finally have a decent meal and get a life he deserves.
So forward this letter now you heartless son-of-a-bitch, if you want to help that poor non-existent kid.
What? You don't want to forward this? Why you good for nothing son-of-a-gun!
Remember the consequences of spam letter type 1.
Well, all the bad karma would happen to you plus some more! *be afraid, be very afraid!*
And don't forget since you refused to help another soul, you would be anally raped by a hundred midgets dressed in gay sailor costumes!

Spam letter type 4:
This chain letter was started since the late 15th hundred by the great Magellan himself, who sailed around the world bringing this exact letter with him for good luck.
If you break this spell by not sending this to your gazillion friends then imps and demons would come out of your closet in the middle of the night and mercilessly sing and dance to the Barney song 'til you are at your wits end and can't take it anymore.
So forward this now!

*Which is really amazing since during those times computers and email still didn't exist. Or I could be wrong which is unlikely.*

My point is I'm sick of spam. I can't block or filter spam that my "friends" have sent but I'm telling you guys if you keep forwarding me those crap I will now block you.
Same goes for those recycled text messages.

Please just stop!!!

A Moment of Reflection

2007-12-19T01:45:00.005+08:00

There are more than 200 families left homeless today, a week before Christmas, their homes ravaged by fire.
While most people often groan about the coming holidays because of the additional expenses, me being one of them, it often escape our minds that some are having it a lot worse.

I am not saying one should take comfort in another person's misery but I hope incidents like these remind us that our life is not so bad after all.

Despite the harsh trials my family and I have endured this year, I still have a lot of things to be grateful for. I often just forget these things and get stuck up with the little troubles life deals me. A shame, but one that I hope I can correct.

I made enemies this year but I also gained new friends, strengthened my old bonds and got to spend another year with my loved ones. They, who I most cherish and adore.

I'm now looking forward to the coming new year and to the new addition of our family soon...

So I'm going to end this post with me wishing each and everyone of you a Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon! (Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!)

Edit:
My friends have prepared this little dance number for all of you.
Its their way of saying "Happy Holidays!". Enjoy!
Dancing elves

What Is A "Blogger"?

2007-12-16T03:39:00.003+08:00

I hate the term "blog". Why couldn't they have named it something else?
Blog to me sounds like a disease. It sounds stupid too. Of all the names they could think of they had to stick to this one.
Please for the love of god and whatever it is you consider holy, don't post the word's history.
I already know what it stands for and how it came about.
This little tidbit of information was acquired because I know how to google stuff.

Anyway, I still keep a diary. I still love to write the old-fashioned way using pen and paper for my entries.
All my thoughts are released, frustrations set free, no word uncensored and I am loose.
I also keep an online journal, blog, website whatever you may wish to call it. This page you have accessed now being one of a few.
Here I freely share my thoughts and views, quirks and rants to anyone who cared to click and read.
The difference of the two medium is immense.

On the latter I do not disclose any intimate details. Only allowing the stories that usually does not involve me, to be published when I know something is learned, provide entertainment to someone or just me letting off steam.

With the advances in technology and the sprouting of so many free web-hosting sites more and more people are given access to keep their own blogs and be given a niche in the "writing" industry.
Yes, a blog let's you voice out your opinions. Yes, you can influence some people too (If your blog is a bit popular). But let's admit it, just because you have a blog doesn't fucking mean to me you can now legitimately call yourself a "writer". Newsflash dear, you are still not.

Of course, this being the "in" and "hot" thing, many people immediately jumped on the bandwagon and opened their own sites.
But finding out later that it is not easy to write something informative, entertaining, funny or witty.
Without any subject of interest to focus on, a lot of people then got this brilliant idea to blog about "ME!".
Yes, to a point I do agree with this article that the problem of the blog world is it's riddled with too many self-obsessed airheads, who think that they should blow out every detail of their existence to the world, is true. Often times they don't really make a point but just ramble.

This being a new thing, a phenomenon. People just need to be reminded and educated it's not right and safe to disclose personal information at all.
The best writers they say, write for themselves but this does not mean you have to document every goddamn move you make and every food stuff you take, listing your feeding reactions, what time you took a poo, what gave you gas etc.

We can do better than that, can't we?

Down Time

2007-12-16T03:11:00.001+08:00

Sorry for the shitty layout folks. I was about to customize my page again because I got tired of the whole look but blogger right now is not working properly at my end.

I will take care of this as soon as possible.

Soon My Shit Will Glitter

2007-12-11T17:24:00.001+08:00

Okay... Christmas is around the corner and this is probably one of the most celebrated yet wasteful holidays ever.
How many times do people throw money down the drain by gifting someone with a present they do not want, use or need?

Well, if you are looking for a smart glittery way to make a political statement voicing your disgust at this waste. Then let me point you to the new, golden way.
Gold is one of the most precious metal resources available.
What better way to waste it, than to poop it out your ass and flush it down the drain.
It might make for a good social commentary, political statement or merely an idiot's way to waste grand bucks.

Feeling cheap, down and depressed?
For the low price of $425usd well, you can now pop one of these golden pills to make your shit sparkle and shine.
It doesn't cure your depression and other self-esteem issues, it just literally increases your poo I mean self- worth.

Whatever your reason may be, this gold pill will make your shit sparkly.

Now, this pill is made of gold leaf dipped in gold, talk about gold overload.
I can think of another cheap alternative but that's not the baller's way to go.
So cough up your money and let your shit shine!
I'll just market the black toilet papers to wipe your ass. It will provide great contrast to the gold poo.

A fair warning to all. Many rappers will soon release videos where they would give a close-up, close camera angle to their glittery shit while talking about their bitches, cribs, rides, money and hoes. Woe to us all! As if we don't see shit on tv on a daily basis anyway.

Time Killer With A Good Cause

2007-11-30T11:12:00.001+08:00

Ah boredom! It seems more common these days than the flu or any disease for that matter.

If you ask people how they are, the usual responses are either a sigh, a fake smile, a litany of how their day was, telling you the bland details of the events that occured that day and skipping on the more juicy parts. At the end they finish it off with these words "Its boring...".

"Perhaps the world's second worst crime is boredom. The first is being a bore." Sir Cecil Beaton

He is probably right, but as I am not yet in the mood to argue this statement I'll leave it as is.

One way most people combat boredom is to play games online.
But when I say "games" people immediately associate it with those hard to play, time consuming games like WoW.

Though I love World of Warcraft and similar games, I find that I do not always have the time to play it now.
So, whenever I am online feeling bored and inactive I usually look for games that are easy and relaxing. Its a bonus if I find one that I can also learn from.

My friend from Australia told me about this particular game while we were chatting yesterday and the concept could just blow you away.

How would you like to be able to "feed" some hungry people while relaxing at the same time?
I'm sure many of you would like to do that so check this game out and see for yourself.

Without further blab, just head on over to Freerice.com and start putting those mouse clicks to good use. Have fun!

Britney and the Philippines

2007-11-05T18:37:00.001+08:00

A lot of buzz has been floating around my little country about Britney Spears' new leaked song Pieces Of Me. The buzz is due to the fact that Ms. Spears mentioned the name of my country, the Philippines in her lyrics which goes something like this.

"I’m Miss American Dream since I was 17
Don’t matter if I step on the scene
Or sneak away to the Philippines
They still gonna put pictures of my derrière in the magazine
You want a piece of me?
You want a piece of me…"

The whole lyrics can be found here
And if you want to listen to the whole obra maestra, just let this video load.

By the way, I chose to embed an AMV (anime music video) because its much better to look at than listen to.

Oh my fucking lord god almighty! The Philippines was mentioned in some mediocre song by a mediocre "pop princess" yeay! Lets report it on the prime time news and make a big deal out of it, because apparently it means so much to the ordinary Filipino citizen, who doesn't even give a fuck about Britney, her shenanigans, her music and over all her pathetic life.
I'm going to bring out the champagne now and give an overbearing toast to all this.
Finally, someone noticed and cared to mention the Philippines in their song.
Frankly, I was sick and tired of all these pop stars mentioning countries like Paris, Jamaica, Africa, Japan et cetera in their songs that as a Filipino I felt so left out.
But now, my spirits are lifted and I can travel around the world, proudly declaring my country's name.
If someone would ask me where I'm from, I will gladly tell them I'm from the Philippines.
You have not heard of the place you say, oh then you must have heard of Ms. Britney Spears' song where she mentioned my country, a place where she wanted to sneak away to.

The only reasons I could think of why she even mentioned it in her song is because it rhymes with the word scene. Yeah! Very poetic of you Shakespeare I mean Spears.
Or the other reason could be, its because her song writer (I doubt Britney writes her songs or writes at all) is a Filipino.

And if you analyze her song, which I doubt many do.
She is implying that she might as well come to an isolated country (which the Philippines isn't) so these paparazzi and other douchebags could not get near her.
Brilliant Ms. Spears! I'm sure when you come to the Philippines, these retards could no longer be after you because its inaccessible and so remote they can't possibly find you here and you will finally have the quality, quiet time you deserve. Boo hoo!

Anyway, whatever her reasons or lack of it, so what?
Its just a song, not even a good one at that.
I doubt other countries ran a headline in their news segment when a song mentioned their country's name. Jesus!

While the Desperate Housewives cast and crew are still busy answering the lawsuit filed against them about their offensive remarks, here comes Britney Spears wanting to sneak away here.
I think its another marketing plot, maybe it would boost her record sales and she may consider doing a concert here now, after all this time.
At the height of her popularity, I never could recall if she ever came to the country to do a concert. But she's a has-been at the very bottom of the has-been pit right now, so she could finally insert us in her concert tour (if ever there would be one, heaven forbid!).

Well, even if she mentioned my country in her song and in a neutral light, I still would not be buying her cds or any merchandise for that matter that is connected to her.
To quote Britney, "You want a piece of me? You want a piece of me..."
I will gladly answer you in two words my dear and I hope you can comprehend, "Hell No!"

What about you? Wanna piece of Britney?

Idiocy Is Indeed Gender Neutral

2007-10-31T12:53:00.001+08:00

I was exploring websites and other blogs yesterday when I came across this blog entry which was pretty interesting and aptly titled Idiocy Is Gender Neutral.
I agree with her opinions and views.
Idiocy won't choose genders and its fairly distributed among the sexes.
Your IQ and and line of logic is not determined by what is in between your legs.

My experiences (this has never been sexual) with Men have been fairly good and nice.
I never really had problems dealing with and relating to them.

My father and brother are both very loving and kind.
Which has probably influenced the way I look or even think about men in general.
Majority of my friends are male.
I must say, most times I prefer to be with them more than my female friends.
I can talk to them with different issues and subjects like news and politics, philosophy and religion, cars, movies *that aren't cheesy*, video games, rock songs and different genres of music other than pop, games, guns and other things.
Plus they are not so much into gossip and celebrities.

Girls have this bad habit of bad-mouthing their fellow females and gossiping a lot, finding it entertaining.
Which I don't really find worthy and above all appropriate.
That is probably the main reason why I have few real female friends.

Before you females blow your heads off, let me just make this clear just in case you'd be blabbing I know NOT all women are gossip mongers.
And yes I'm talking in general terms because I cannot possibly pin point each and everyone of you who does not fall under the typical category.

My two best friends are both female and I'm very blessed to have them.
They are one of the very few females whom I can really relate to.

The majority of women I see who constantly bad-mouth men are usually the foul-mouthed, ill-mannered twats who do nothing but complain and complain.
Constantly saying that men nowadays don't know how to treat a woman right and be chivalrous. blah blah blah
*Maybe if you act more lady-like and behave properly, they might...

I for one do not believe that chivalry is dead. It is not!
If you will conduct yourself in a more appropriate, lady-like manner men would treat you like a lady.
*I'm just saying this again because many have failed to realize this or somehow forgotten.

Mind you, I still find men opening doors for me, standing up so I can sit on their chair, be protective of me etc.

Looking back, I remember a classmate in elementary school his name was John Christian.
He was very kind and good kid. He would even carry my bags without me asking him to do such a thing.
My brother and his friends all treat me very well. Very protective of me in fact.

Since many of these women demand equal rights, I am just confused why they keep complaining when Billy, Bob or Tommy would treat them like the average joe?

Its equality you want, right?
So there it is, EQUAL RIGHTS!
*Don't expect them to do anything special, not unless they are looking to get laid.
Hell, even if they want to, why would they be doing you any thing special if you want to be treated like one of the guys.

Men are not idiots.
I would even go a further mile and say, I find more men logical and realistic compared to their female counterparts.
*Don't believe me?
Just look at all those bridezillas and fashion maniacs. The latter is mostly composed of women, who think their existence and happiness means spending tons of hard-earned money on a branded bag, shoe or piece of clothing.
The men in this area don't count because most if not all are gay.

If we just stop awhile and focus on what the other is really trying to do or say we would have a better understanding of them.
Plus it pays if we praise them for their efforts other than criticize them immediately for their shortcomings.

People praised and appreciated would then strive to do better.

And for the record, no I don't want to be treated like one of the guys.
I want men to treat me special, open doors for me, offer his seat and just treat me like a woman, just because I am one.
But not always, it does get boring!

Out of Commission

2007-10-20T12:58:00.001+08:00

Shades of Gray would be down for some time.
The author would be online to read your blogs, comments and other quirks the soonest as she can.

Thank you to all those who still drop by *according to my status tracker people still drop by here, odd* and most especially the ones who bothered to leave a message.

Take care all!

Be safe and well.

Sincerely,
JeanGray

Desperate Housewives, Desperate for Ratings

2007-10-03T18:55:00.002+08:00

All hell and damnation was raised when the premier episode of the fourth season of the American TV show "Desperate Housewives" aired some time ago. Prompting a response from the Malacañang palace and a slew of comments from Filipinos all over, said a report I was reading online.

A dialogue between Teri Hatcher's character and her doctor implied that Filipino doctors are substandard and inferior.
In that particular scene, Hatcher's character asked for her doctor's credentials because she thought she was approaching menopause and she just wanted to make sure it was not substandard and did not graduate from a med school here in the Philippines.
"Can I check those diplomas 'coz I just want to make sure that they're not from some med school in the Philippines."

The premier episode was posted on YouTube.com drawing in comments and outrage.

A ban and boycott of the said show has already been proposed by Sen. Rodolfo Biazon as a way of protesting against this very derogatory remark.

A slur like that would somehow tarnish the good image of Filipino doctors and health workers around the world. The show being famous and shown in many countries.
Not only was the remark racist but it was baseless and irresponsible.

Filipino-Americans have already launched an online petition calling for the ABC Network, who airs Desperate Housewives, to apologize.
The petition also points out the major contribution that Filipinos and Filipino Americans make in health care in the United States:

"[A] statement that devalues Filipinos in healthcare is extremely unfounded, considering the overwhelming presence of Filipinos and Filipino Americans in the medical field. Filipinos are the second largest immigrant population in the United States, with many entering the U.S. (and successfully passing their U.S. licensing boards!) as doctors, nurses, and medical technicians.

"In fact, the Philippines produces more U.S. nurses than any other country in the world. So, to belittle the education, experience, or value of Filipino Americans in health care is extremely disrespectful and plain and simply ignorant. Many of the hospitals in major metropolitan areas of the U.S. (and the world) would not be able to operate without its Filipino and Filipino American staff members."

Jay Ngo, a Filipino health professional from Riverside, California in the United States ABS-CBN News that the episode was an outrage, saying, "the health care industry, including the best hospitals, is full of Filipino medical professionals."

We may not have the high end medical equipments here in the Philippines (unlike other advance countries) to train medical students but our doctors, nurses and workers in the health industry have proven that despite the lack of equipments they are still able to treat patients competently.
A remark like what Teri Hatcher said on her show not only belittled the Filipino doctors but the Filipino race as a whole.

Their show is aptly titled though, they are so desperate for ratings that they had to lower themselves to such a level.
I'm just glad I have never watched it. I see no point in watching a show that talks only about some housewife's boring life, her insecurities, infidelity and sex escapades.
If you wanted to secure your show's comeback make sure your plots are bearable, with a good story and the dialogues humane with a little wit in it.

If that comment was made in jest, well its not funny and no one is laughing!
And for those who would just say to "Get over it!" please educate yourself first and try to understand the whole situation. I don't think you would feel very fine and dandy when someone would berate you.

Many Americans or Westerners for that matter are flying to "third world" countries like India or the Philippines to get surgeries. Not only do they offer great medical services and lower fees they also have proven that we are very competent when it comes to treating sick people.

When you are already old and probably dying, a Filipino doctor or nurse may just be the one standing right by your side and taking care of your sick ass.

===========================================================

I checked out the Desperate Housewives message board and read some of the comments being made.
One particular poster, I forgot his/her name, was very passionate with their comment but fell short on English.
Of course, seeing the mistake an American then bashed him/her because of their English skills.

Another newsflash to those grammar Nazis out there.
We make errors when talking in your tongue and the more ironic thing is, so do you!
But despite the errors we still try hard to learn and master your language.
And one's skills are not determined by how well they speak English.
Just look at Japan and other nations that also lead in the different fields.
They are hardly taught English but they have excelled!

So, the next time you cannot give a relevant response and then just proceed to criticize someone's language skills just keep your mouth shut.
Spare us the verbal diarrhea! Thank you.

Related stories:
Barong Tagalog Controversy
News article

I Am Robot?!?

2007-09-27T00:24:00.001+08:00

The Personality Defect Test

You are 71% Rational, 14% Extroverted, 14% Brutal, and 0% Arrogant.

You are the Robot! You are characterized by your rationality. In fact,
this is really ALL you are characterized by. Like a cold, heartless
machine, you are so logical and unemotional that you scarcely seem
human. For instance, you are very humble and don't bother thinking of
your own interests, you are very gentle and lack emotion, and you are
also very introverted and introspective. You may have noticed that
these traits are just as applicable to your laptop as they are to a
human being. You are not like the robots they show in the movies. Movie
robots are make-believe, because they always get all personable and
likeable after being struck by lightning, or they are cold, cruel
killing machines. In all reality, though, you are much more boring than
all that. Real robots just sit there, doing their stupid jobs, and
doing little else. If you get struck by lightning, you won't develop a
winning personality and heart of gold. (Robots don't have hearts,
silly, and if they did, they would probably be made of steel, not
gold.) You also won't be likely to terrorize humanity by becoming an
ultra-violent killing machine sent into the past to kill the mother of
a child who will lead a rebellion against machines, because that movie
was dumb as hell, and because real robots don't kill--they horribly
maim at best, and they don't even do that on purpose. Real robots are
boringly kind and all too rarely try to kill people. In all my years,
my laptop has only attacked me once, and that was only because my
brother threw it at me. In short, your personality defect is that you
don't really HAVE a personality. You are one of those annoying,
super-logical people that never gets upset or flustered. Unless, of
course, you short circuit. Or if someone throws a pie at you. Pies sure
are delicious.

===================================================

I was just taking this personality defect analysis test
online *yes damn it I was bored* the other day and the overall results pretty much said that I’m an
unemotional, unfeeling, cold-hearted *or no heart at all* robot!

Well, at first I really didn’t mind and just chuckled at it
but somehow I stopped giggling and finally reflected on it for a minute.
What were my answers to those questions that somehow gave me
that kind of result?
Am I that really that emotionally unattached, that somehow
they say I have the emotional attachment of a laptop or computer?
Good Lord!!!

I have often joked that it is better by far to be stone-hearted
than to be very emotional.
But I realize extremes are always a bad thing.

Its not like I don’t feel anything at all. I do feel hurt, pain, suffering,
joy, sadness and all those other human emotions. Its just that I have made a
decision that I won’t express them too much to the world for I see no reason
for it.
Always keep the firm upper lip, I always say.

I wonder if this explains the fact that I have been getting
lines like these in my chats.
“You are such a snob!”
“Why are you such a bitch?”
“Are you always that hard?”
“What can I do to get to you?”
“You seem so cold.”
“What did I do wrong this time? You are quiet.”

I’m not always hard, I’m just quiet most of the time.
I hate it when I constantly have to repeat myself.
I also hate it when people start acting cocky.
I am not good in opening up and sharing my past and all that
kind of stuffs.
I tend to slowly warm up to a person over time.
Well, maybe this test hit a few nails on the head. I may indeed have some robot-like qualities. And I am just fine with that.
That is just me! And the bad news darling, I am not about to
change anytime soon…
Then again, why am I bothered about all this? This was a personality defect test after all!

If you want to take the said test too, then just click here.

Cheese!!!

2007-09-18T17:59:00.001+08:00

Just when I thought my brain was melting at room temperature because of inactivity I forced myself to get up and find something to do.
As I was finishing tidying up my room I decided to log in and check my e-mails and read articles online.
It has been raining here for the past week so most activities are limited indoors.

The news is basically all the same.
Bombings here, corruption scandals there.
Updates on abandoned/missing children here, custody battles of embattled has-beens there.
Damnit! We live in such a fucked up world.

Then boom! Right before my eyes was a line that somehow made me feel much better.
My life is not so boring after all, I thought.
What line was it you asked.

"Thousands of cheese lovers to log on... to watch cheddar mature."

It was as if the unseen forces of another parallel universe or higher powers that be, were trying to cheer me up on this gloomy weekday.

"Over the last nine months, more than 1.5 million people across the globe have logged on to www.cheddarvision.tv to watch a round of cheddar cheese as it slowly matures.

Viewing is expected to reach a fever pitch on Wednesday when something is actually going to happen in the project for the first time in many months.

The 44-pound handmade cheese, named Wedginald by its creators, will undergo its ninth month grading test."

I did log in and see for myself what this new trend is all about.
Well, there's the cheese and nothing more. But, since I only stayed on the website for less than a minute, I think my opinion won't mean much to the millions of cheese lovers out there.

If you are feeling bored. Then by all means check that 44lbs of fermented wonder and watch the magic happen right before your eyes.
Meh? I'd rather sleep.
Ciao!

Where Is The Honour in "Honour Killings"?

2007-09-17T01:35:00.002+08:00

As I was scouring the different news sites that I check on a daily basis I came across this chilling revelation that I feel everyone should read.
For many of us women who enjoy the freedom of speaking one's mind, having the power to choose and make decisions, being open with anything in our society; oftentimes we forget how precious this gift could be. Taking it for granted even.

Yet, in other parts of the world women are silenced, forbidden to speak, told what to do like robots. They are expected to do only two things. "Respecting" the man and bear babies.
Now by "Respect" it simply means forsaking your rights and be like a programmed robot saying yes always to a man's every wish.
Now, if you are a woman who were bold enough to disobey or give out a different opinion you shall pay dearly... with your LIFE!

As Bekhal Mahmod will tell, her tale is of a horrible one.
I salute her for having the courage to speak her mind out and break the silence.
By speaking out against this and confronting the problem, instead of hiding and giving the illusion that all is well, her sister's death has been given justice.

And for the assholes who will just say

1.) I don't have a reliable news source because The Daily Mail is like the Fox News of the UK.

Yes please let your ignorance astound me more. The news site might have run some controversial articles before, but what news site hasn't?
That said, it doesn't discredit the credibility of said article.

2.) The author merely wish to paint a portrait of Islamophobia by spreading wrong information.

First off the girl was "interviewed".
She's a real, breathing, gloriously alive human being.
Helen Weathers wrote of her experience, bringing the truth out.
I would say that you too are a part of this horrendous crime if you feel that everyone or anyone who dares to speak and air out their side of the story should be silenced.
NO less than the very despicable criminals who perpetuated this crime. And IF this is how the ordinary person interprets Islamic teachings then don't you think it is about time Moslems take a moment of their time to examine such a horrible thing that is somehow giving their religion a bad name?

Lastly, think what you like about the article. I for one, just wish to air out this girl's side and let the world know that women have a right, the freedom and a voice and it should be heard.

The concept of "honour killing" is as honorable as peeing and spitting on your parents' faces.
To take the life of an individual simply because they violated the code of standards you imposed on your self is not honourable.
Killing an innocent, defenseless person is one of the most evil of crimes and if hell really does exist, may your souls rot in there for all eternity.

*Story copied and pasted here. Links available at the bottom.*

'Honour killing' sister breaks her silence

By HELEN WEATHERS

Britain was appalled by the horrific 'honour killing' of a girl murdered by her father for daring to kiss the man she loved.

Here, her sister, who narrowly escaped death herself and now lives in fear of her life, breaks her silence.

Every time Bekhal Mahmod leaves the safety of her home, she wears the
hijab with a black veil covering her face - even though she would give
anything for the freedom not to have to.

She has no family to turn to, few friends, and has to lie to new
acquaintances about who she is and where she is from. She is constantly
looking over her shoulder.

"My life will always be at risk," says 22-year-old Bekhal. "There are
people in my community who want to see me dead, and they will not rest
until I am. I will never be safe. I wear the veil so no one can
recognise me."

It is a desperately lonely and isolated existence, but at least she is alive - unlike her younger sister Banaz.

Both young women brought "shame" on their strict Muslim Iraqi Kurdish family by disobeying their father Mahmod.

Bekhal, 22, ran away aged 16 rather than agree to an arranged marriage to a cousin in Iraq.

She survived an attempted killing by her brother, but her sister
Banaz, 20, paid the ultimate price for leaving her own arranged
marriage and then falling in love with an "unsuitable man" of her own
choice.

On the orders of her 52-year-old father and uncle, Ari Mahmod,
50, she was strangled with a bootlace by Kurdish assassins, her body
stuffed in a suitcase and buried six feet down in the garden of a house
belonging to an associate in Birmingham.

Two of the murderers, who fled back to Iraq after this horrific
so-called "honour killing", have since boasted of raping Banaz before
she died in January 2006.

"Honour killing?" cries Bekhal. "Where is the honour in a
father putting his status in the community before the life of his own
flesh and blood?

"They should be disgusted with themselves. Honour in our community is about men having the upper hand, having the ruling power.

"Banaz was the most beautiful, loving, caring, easy-going girl you
could ever hope to meet. Her only crime was to want to have some say in
her life. Where is the shame in that?

"After I refused an arranged marriage, I knew I had two
choices; stay and be killed, or leave and live. I chose to live but I
had to leave everything behind."

Bekhal was one of the key prosecution witnesses at the
three-month trial of her father and uncle, which this week resulted in
their convictions at the Old Bailey for murder.

They have yet to be sentenced. A third man, Mohamad Hama, 30, of South Norwood, London, had already admitted the killing.

The other key witness was Banaz's boyfriend Rahmat Sulemani, 29,
whose own life was threatened because he was considered an unsuitable
match for Banaz, despite also being Iraqi.

Bekhal and Rahmat now face a future of secret addresses and identities under police protection.

"When I stared into the eyes of my father in court, there wasn't
even a twitch of guilt," says Bekhal. "No emotion at all. I still love
him because he is my father, but I can never forgive nor understand
what he did.

"Why, if he didn't want us to be influenced by Western ways,
did he bring us to Britain? You cannot expect your children to follow
the same traditions as back in Iraq.

"It is an impossible expectation. This would never have happened back there because we would have known no different."

Bekhal has shown incredible bravery in giving evidence against
her father and speaking out now in her first major interview, for the
threat of reprisals is very real.

She is believed by British police to be the first female family member ever to give evidence in an "honour killing" trial.

Indeed, her mother and three other sisters refused to cooperate with the police for fear of upsetting the community.

"Why should we have to die for wanting no more than for our voices to be heard, to have a say in our lives?" Bekhal says.

For it seems that it is women who are the main casualties when some
ultra-traditional immigrants are determined to protect their own
culture, even if it means operating above the law.

According to Bekhal, integration was the very last thing on
her father's mind, although she says he seemed happy to accept
Britain's hospitality in the form of a council house and benefits.

Despite being relatively well-off back in Iraq - his family
were property owners and ran various businesses - he never worked here.
His status in the community and the respect of Iraqi Kurds were all
that mattered to him.

Bekhal was 14 and Banaz 12 when they first arrived in England,
as asylum seekers fleeing Saddam Hussein's Iraq, with their parents
Mahmod and Behya, brother Bahman, now aged 28, and sisters Beza, 25,
Payman, 20, and Giaband, 16.

Having moved into a council house in Mitcham, South London,
Mahmod's daughters, who couldn't speak a word of English, were enrolled
at the local Bishopsford Community School.

Inevitably problems started almost immediately as Bekhal began to learn
the language and made friends with Western boys and girls.

She started to envy their freedoms, to the evident fury of her father.
The more Westernised his daughters tried to become, the more he tried
to control them, often resorting to verbal abuse and violence.

"We used to have to wear a headscarf and trousers to school, which was
so hot," Bekhal recalls. "I didn't want to wear mini-skirts or makeup
like some of the girls, but I longed to take my headscarf off.

"One day I was walking home through the park and I'd taken my
scarf off and my father saw me. He screamed at me: 'Who do you think
you are? You are acting like a bitch.'

"He pulled me inside the house, spat in my face and then
picked up his slippers to beat me around the head as he shouted: 'Don't
you ever disobey me.' In the two years before I ran away, I think he
beat me more than 20 times.

"It would be over silly things like undoing the top button of
my school shirt, or using hair gel. Once, he picked up a metal soup
ladle and hit me round the head repeatedly with it.

"I didn't want to have boyfriends or go out at night or anything like that. I was respectful to my parents.

"I just wanted to be able to have friends, to give my opinion, very small things that British girls take for granted."

Bekhal left school after taking her GCSEs and took a part-time
job working in a supermarket. All her earnings - around £300 a month -
were taken by her father; she was given just £50 from it.

"One day I was walking home from work and a male colleague was walking beside me, pushing his bike along," she says.

"All of a sudden my father drove up. My friend leapt on his bike to
cycle off and my father tried to run him over. Back home after that I
was beaten again.

"When I used to confide in friends what was happening to me, they used to accuse me of exaggerating.

"They couldn't believe that such things could go on in today's society.
They thought there were laws to prevent it, but they do happen and
there are many other women still suffering.

"It is not a cultural issue. It is criminal and people need to take it seriously."

Bekhal first ran away when she was 16 and went to live with a
schoolfriend. Her parents tracked her down and after countless threats
she reluctantly agreed to return home.

The second time, she ran away after she was locked for a week
in a bedroom for refusing to accept an arranged marriage with a cousin,
calling the police to rescue her after escaping her confines while the
rest of the family were out.

She was placed in foster care by social services, but again, reluctantly went home after a few months.

"My parents again tracked me down and kept sending me audio
tapes. At first they would be tearful, with my dad calling me his
'little rose'.

"Then they became more menacing. My father told me that unless
I went home he would kill all my sisters first, then my brother, then
my mother, then himself, such was the shame I had brought on them.

"I believed him, so I went back. Did I think he was capable of doing that? Absolutely."

The beatings continued, as did the demands that she agree to
marry her cousin. "I kept repeating 'I will not do it'. I could not
agree to marry some stranger and live an unhappy life."

It was when Bekhal ran away for a third time -returning to her
foster mother - and found herself a Muslim boyfriend, who was not
strict in his religion, that Mahmod decided he could not allow her to
live.

During Banaz's murder trial, the court heard how Mahmod
dispatched his only son Bahman to restore the family's honour by
killing Bekhal.

Bekhal recalls how her brother lured her to meet him at a
remote spot in South London, with promises of money, and then hit her
round the head with a dumb-bell while her back was turned.

"I felt this terrible pain in my head and collapsed," recalls Bekhal. "Blood was streaming down my face.

"I felt dizzy and sick, but I looked up at him and said: 'What are you
doing?' He was crying like a baby and kept repeating: 'I've got to do
it, you have brought shame on the family. It is my duty.'

"As he started to drag me across the gravel I was pleading:
'Please don't do this, I will do anything, just tell my father you
killed me and let me go, you will never hear from me again.'

"Thankfully for me, he couldn't go through with it. He put his
hand in his pocket and gave me six £50 notes before telling me to go. I
phoned my boyfriend, screaming hysterically: 'Please come and get me,
my brother's trying to kill me.'

Bekhal was taken to hospital where she received several
stitches to her head, but she refused to inform the police or press
charges, because - despite herself - she didn't want to shame her
family by involving the authorities.

From then on, she occasionally phoned her sisters in secret, careful not to tell them where she was living.

Some months later, she learned that her younger sister Banaz,
unlike her, had agreed to an arranged marriage when she was 17 to a
Midlandsbased Kurdish man, then aged 28, whom her father described as
"the David Beckham" of husbands.

But the marriage was a disaster. Banaz, the court would later
hear, fled home after two-and-a-half years complaining that her husband
was violent, regularly beating her.

"I remember going to see Banaz in secret when she was married and she was terribly unhappy," Bekhal recalls.

"She finally understood why I had run away. I told her she could come
and live with me, but she said she couldn't bring further shame on the
family. She later told me she only put up with her husband for so long
because she wanted to keep our father happy."

What a bitter irony that this young girl continued to try to please the man who would later take her life.

Back home with her family, Banaz was not yet divorced when she
met Rahmat Sulemani, from South London, at a family party in 2005.

For a long time they were just good friends before falling in love, but Mahmod did not approve.

Rahmat - despite being a family friend - was not from the same
village and not as religious as the Mahmods. He was warned off with
threats to his life.

Banaz, 20, was taken to a relative's house in Sheffield, where she was locked up for two weeks and beaten.

When that did not work, a family meeting was called by Banaz's
uncle, Ari Mahmod, a wealthy entrepreneur who ran a money transfer
business, where it was decided to kill the couple unless they stopped
seeing each other.

But Banaz and Rahmat, whose occupation has never been revealed to
protect him, and who now lives under an assumed name, continued to meet
in secret.

Their fate was sealed when a member of the Kurdish community
pictured them kissing in the street in Brixton on his mobile phone.

The first attempt on Banaz's life was on New Year's Eve 2005,
when she was taken to her grandmother's house in Wimbledon and plied
with brandy by her father, who then came towards her, arms outstretched
wearing surgical gloves, as she fought off sleep.

She ran out through the back door when her father briefly left
the room, and broke a neighbour's window to try to raise the alarm,
cutting her wrists in the process.

The police were called, but the female officer who interviewed her, PC
Angela Cornes, didn't believe her. She dismissed Banaz as an attention
seeker and even considered charging her with criminal damage for
breaking the window.

It was left to Banaz's boyfriend Rahmat to record on his
camera phone her chilling testimony, explaining - as she lay in
hospital - what had happened and describing how she was "really scared"
for her life.

This was played to the jury during the murder trial.

PC Cornes is one of five police officers under investigation in
an internal review by Scotland Yard over the handling of the case, for
it emerged during the trial that Banaz had told police on at least four
occasions that her family was plotting to kill her.

Yet, crucially, she declined the police offer of a place at a
refuge, believing no harm would come to her while at home with her
mother.

Mahmod never reported his daughter missing to police after she
suddenly vanished in January 2006. It was left to Rahmat Sulemani to do
that.

When the police first called at the family home on the day she was murdered - January 24 -
Mahmod fobbed them off, saying she was out.

Two days later they classed her as high-risk after the family refused
to report her missing and launched a full-scale investigation.

Bekhal describes the day she was told by police that her
sister's body had been found buried half-naked in a garden - three
months after her death - as the very worst of her life.

"What they did to my sister was devilish, despicable and
disgusting. Can a family's honour be worth more than a life? I can't
bear to think of the way she must have suffered. I had no choice but to
stand up in court and give evidence for her."

Today, Bekhal has no contact with her mother, brother or
sisters. She cannot risk any communication, in case her new whereabouts
under police protection is inadvertently revealed.

More importantly, however, she does not want to put them at risk from the Kurdish community for associating with her.

"I would rather live like this than live in fear," says Bekhal.
"I will never be able to tell people who my father is - not only
because of the risk to my life but because I'm ashamed. He is the one
who has brought dishonour to our family."

Source: The Daily Mail
Click the link to see their pictures.

Other stories related to this article
Thousands of Women Killed for Family "Honor"
Honor Killing
International Campaign Against Honor Killings

This World Is Going To The Dogs

2007-09-16T20:54:00.001+08:00

As I've said before I hate it when people try to dress up their pets, especially their dogs.
And just when I thought I've seen everything when it comes to doggy couture something pops that literally makes me shout "WHAT THE FUCK!!!"

A woman started a company that designs wigs for dogs.
Yes, you read it right! She is making dog wigs.
Why a dog would need or even want a wig is beyond me.
I can't find any logical explanation for it. I just can't!

I do admire this woman for her shrewd business mind.
Now, a part of me wishes I have thought of that.

Anyway, I'm sorry I cannot give you guys more information on this one because I just came across this and hell I did not have the strength to do a search on it because I was laughing way too hard upon looking at the pictures and then being mad because the thought of the dogs being forced to wear such ridiculous things entered my mind.

Poor pooches!!!

Related post: Pants On Poochie

H.S.M Bruhaha

2007-09-14T17:59:00.001+08:00

*Contains pictures not safe for work*

The kids I tutor, some of my friends, their kids and siblings absolutely adore High School Musical.
At the height of its popularity, they kept singing the songs, discuss about the film like its the best thing that ever happened after chocolate cake, rave about that dude with the surfer boy looks and profess how they love it!
At times I can't help but think and brace myself that any moment soon, they'd also be breaking out into a song and dance number, jumping on tables and spilling out their deepest, darkest secrets in the cafeteria. Brrrr...

I have seen the film twice. Not by choice but because two little angels wanted me to watch it with them.

With the popularity of the film, the actors in it were instantly catapulted to stardom.
Kids, especially the little girls were so excited about it.
The main cast was composed of Zac Efron who has this boy-next-door appeal and Vanessa Hudgens, the sweet and wholesome girl which most would surely like.
And parents for one were able to breathe a sigh of relief for a while seeing these two on screen, especially Vanessa who has now become one of their precious one's role models.
Hey, at least she's still too far from the Britney Spears/Paris Hilton/Lindsay Lohan trainwreck that seems to be the new role model of today's generation.

The problem lies in the fact that when kids see these sort of films they can't help but look-up and idolize the actors who played in them.
They think its all true and that these actors are really like the characters they portray, in their real lives.

Then, a bomb is dropped that has devastating effects on these kids psyche. *That's what the parents say*

A sex video or a nudie pic suddenly gets circulated online.

Goody-goody actors have a bad side!

Parents raise hell. The outrage, the disappointment, the horror!!!

How?
Why?
Why?
Why?

Well, they are only human. That's why!
They are not saints. And now they are fully grown, they are exploring other angles of being human.
Being naughty and sexually active is one.

It was not a shocker at all that photos of Vanessa Hudgens naked have now made its way across our computer screens. *I knew it was only a matter of time*

Why do I know all these these? Its all over the NEWS!
I really don't a damn what these two do in their spare time and I do not wish to be informed of it. But since my local tv network thought that it was of utmost importance, it was broadcasted all over. The internet was not so kind too. Every website I visited has had a forum or topic dedicated to it.

I could remember two weeks ago, a lot of Pinoys were elated of the news that Vanessa's mom is also Filipina.
She's got Pinoy blood in her veins and by golly she's making this country proud because she's one of Hollywood's highest paid actors below the age of 20.

Then boom! A week later, scantily clad Vanessa and a nudie Vanessa was smiling shyly at the camera, staring at us on our computer screens.
And a lot of people raised seven levels of Hell because of it.

The following photos are not safe for work.

And here's the nudie shot

She could have just denied the reports and said it was all a fake but this starlet admitted of taking the said photos. And if that was not stupid enough, she further stated that she had confidence taking them because it was a private matter.

Yeah right! Has this girl not learned anything from all those sex video controversies of other Hollywood starlets?
There is no such thing as a private matter in showbiz.
Sooner or later it would all surface.

She did apologize for her actions, saying it was a mistake.
But before this could be put under wraps other photos of this person have made their way around the net and this time it shows her taking pictures with other girls in "very suggestive ways."

Parents, mothers have expressed their disappointment.
Who will their kids look up to now that this person has slowly started showing their "not-so-wholesome" side?

That other girl in the movie has not yet shown any nude photos of herself but hell her boobies have started showing in her photo too. *Though not with her consent this time I'm pretty sure*

I do not understand why such a discussion has cropped up because of all this.
Looking at the photos, all the talk is not worth it, second the photos were not at all as bad as I expected, third if you think your child would be distorted because they saw a boob or a shaved twat online then its time to ask yourself who really has a problem.

If you are indeed a concerned parent who looks after and monitors your child, there will be no reason why your children be able to see these.
They are not shown on tv and if they surf the internet just so they could see this, as a concerned parent, I'd bet that you have some parental lock software installed in your computers.

And despite all that, IF your precious angel was still able to get a glimpse of all these. It is your job as a parent to explain to them that a naked person is all but normal.
To pose in front of a camera and take a snapshot naked, was that person's decision.
And though its not really something wrong, please remind them that if ever they would do such a thing and they are still underage you have all the right to beat them black and blue.

And, last but not least...
Your kids should look up to you and think of you as role models first. Not some actress/actor that played a part in some mediocre film.
Be the number one example of how an adult should act and behave.
Don't let the tv be their baby-sitters.
If you raised your child well, images like these would not be an issue.

Maybe she's now sick and tired playing the role of 15-16yr old goody-two shoes nerd chick and is using this as a publicity stunt for her upcoming more juicy roles or porn flicks.
That's Hollywood for you folks.
Either way I don't give a rat's ass what she'll pursue next.
Things just might get interesting if the cast of H.S.M would finally come out of the closets and admit they are all gay.
But then again maybe not.

Now that my rant is through, I'll just sit here and wait for the others to quit bitching about this and move on!

Barong Tagalog Controversy

2007-09-13T17:35:00.001+08:00

Filipinos are crying foul when the organizing committee of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in Sydney, Australia called the Philippines' male national costume; Barong Tagalog, as a mere peasant's shirt.

Apparently, our national pride took a stabbing as it further stated that the Filipinos were forced by the Spaniards to wear it because of its translucency.
With no pockets and worm untucked, so the Spaniards could see that the wearer was not able to conceal any weapons under the garment.

But, this theory has been questioned by other scholars and historians. They note the absence of a citation to the specific law where the Spaniards supposedly prohibited the natives from tucking in their shirts. Secondly, they note that natives during the Spanish Era wore their shirts tucked at times. A common example cited in support of this argument is Jose Rizal and his contemporaries, who were photographed in Western clothing with their shirts tucked, although the era of the barong predated Rizal's time. Thirdly, the Philippines is a tropical country, and it is common for shirts worn untucked because of the hot climate. Finally, the barong is thought to be either the local adaptation or the precursor to the guayabera, a shirt popular in the Latin American communities. According to those who claim that the barong is the precursor of the guayabera, the guayabera shirt was originally called "Filipina" during the era of Manila Galleon tradeships when it was brought to Mexico from the Philippines.

(Read more about the Barong Tagalog here...)

"It’s very important that the clarification be made. I’m not sure about the origin personally but at the moment it’s is practically the people in high society and government, this national costume is being used by heads of state," said Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye, himself a delegate to the summit.

(link to the news article...)

=================================================

Well, the damage has been done.
Once again, an idiotic person in charge or in power opened their mouth, said something they hardly know a thing about without at least reading a little about the subject, made a comment without thinking of the consequences of what his words may have impact on.

I am not surprised not the least...

The only thing that pisses me off is the completely hypocrisy of the people who are "supposedly" raising hellfire about this, trying to defend national pride.

Local politicians hardly wear the Barong Tagalog, damn it!
Look at our congress and senate, they always wear those 3 piece Americanas and suits.
Men working in high positions don't wear it either.
It is a common joke that the only ones wearing the Barong Tagalog are their bodyguards and drivers.

If you ask an ordinary pinoy teenager about what they think of the Barong Tagalog as a garment.
They would say its "baduy!". *Tagalog slang for corny*
Not worthy of being worn as a shirt of status or symbol, fit only for those rare occasions like weddings, funerals, baptisms. Where if you are rich you would probably be sporting a suit, but since you can't afford it the simple Barong will do.

Hypocrite bastards!

Whether we admit it or not, we pinoys know that the Barong Tagalog did start off as A PEASANT SHIRT. It is a peasant's shirt!
And the people who have no idea what a barong tagalog is and reads this article would forever link it to a peasant's shirt. If this is considered damaging to our country's national costume's image, then there is nothing now that we could do. The news is already out there.

The best we could possibly do is spin it off to our advantage.

Though, it did start off as a peasant's shirt, once a sign of one's low status in society, it rose above the ranks to become a symbol of equality. Inspiring and reminding its wearers to rise above the rest and never forget about their origin.

The wordings may need to be changed a little but you get the idea.

Tag And This Time I'm It!

2007-09-11T23:48:00.001+08:00

It has been a slow week for me. I have not updated this blog much and the creative juices in my brain seems to have all dried up, leaving me uninspired.
Though there are a ton of things I want to discuss, finding the right words to get it all down to writing is quite hard.
So, as always I have left this blog for a minute, waiting for the time 'til I can come up with something I think that is worthwhile and good to share.

I have been tagged by this little game bloggers do these days.
Hey, I don't know who started this all *must be another bored-to-death soul*.
But the concept is good.
It gives me something to be occupied at the present time.

Here's how it goes...

Rule 1: Without changing the first word, after each letter of the alphabet, write a sentence that captures you/your essence.
Rule 2: Tag as many people as you want, but do tag at least one. This is an eye opening experience and can express to those who read it, things about you that they did not really understand before.
Rule 3: List who you are tagging.

So, let's begin shall we?

*A* Accept me for who I am and do not try to change or impose anything on me.
*B* Break not the heart that loves you.
*C* Create something or anything. It could be a great way to unwind.
*D* Decide NOW what you want to do with your life and waste no time in achieving it.
*E* Explore every possible angle and option in whatever it is you decide to do.
*F*Forgive those who have hurt you. *IF you achieve this, kindly let me know how you did it.*
*G* Grow and be an example to others.
*H* Hope is the only thing at times that keeps us going in this life.
*I* Ignore the naysayers. They are not worth your time.
*J* Journey is long, but its not always about the destination but how you got there that counts.
*K* Know yourself first and the rest will follow easily.
*L* Love is a mystery unsolved. Its everything one could think of and more.
*M*Manage everything well. Do not think you'll be exempted from life's troubles.
*N*Notice your loved ones and don't take them for granted.
*O* Open your heart and mind. There are many sides to a story.
*P* Play and have fun. Its not always about winning for as long as you enjoyed yourself.
*Q* Question and try to reason. Its the way to develop a sharp mind.
*R* Relax and unwind. A well-rested body and spirit can do much more.
*S* Share anything that you think would be worthwhile and spread the knowledge.
*T* Try to see things from another person's light. Be open-minded.
*U* Use things and opportunities given to you wisely.
*V* Values and beliefs, these are the things that would determine what kind of person you are.
*W* Work hard. If you wish to achieve your dreams and goals in life.
*X* X-rays are primarily used for radiography and crystallography.
*Y * Yield To life's certain inalienable truths
*Z* Zoom in and see the details that you might have missed. You might see a different picture this time.

Last part of the game is the tagging another blogger to participate.
I can't think of another blogger to tag but, I did send the invite to Jei. Now, if only that Padawan Valentino would have a teensy time to spare updating his blog...

Thank you Ankit for sharing the fun and game.

10 Benefits Of Drinking Tea

2007-09-05T14:16:00.001+08:00

When I was a kid, I was over-weight!
Tipping the scales at almost 175lbs, it wasn't an easy life for a fat 12 year old to say the least.

I noticed I had difficulty breathing and was often short of breath.
A check-up to my cardiologist changed my life.
Because of my weight and fat, my heart was starting to have further problems.
He told me gently that if I don't want to have further problems, I needed to lose all that weight.
His advise was for me to minimize my intake of sweets and junk foods. As it would help me shed the unwanted pounds.

When I got home, I decided right then and there to stop eating junk foods and other unhealthy stuffs completely!
In less than two months my weight dropped 20lbs and this is without exercise.

Another thing I did was start drinking tea. Green tea to be exact.
Then, a friend who just came from Taiwan gave me a whole bag of loose leaf green tea.
I did not like tea before. My kiddy taste buds craved for sweets and anything carbonated.
But taking up the tea-drinking habit changed everything.

A friend said that I somehow influenced him to start drinking tea. hmmmm... Well, buddy you made the right choice *not just by drinking tea but also by listening to me lol But as promised here's the article I read or more like an ad in this female magazine I once read, giving 10 reasons why tea is good for the body. Happy drinking and weight loss!

Wow! Can Tea Really Do That!?!
10 Things You Outta Know About Tea

Drinking a hot cup of tea is more than just one of those thirst-quenching activities. Tea leaves function in many ways. Your fortune can even be told using tea leaves. That may be true! At least, when it comes to health, tea definitely assures you of a bright future. Here are ten reasons why tea fits health to a T.

1) TEA FIGHTS FREE RADICALS
Tea’s high level of anti-oxidants called polyphenols, flavonoids, and catechins wage war on so-called “free radicals” in the body and prevent them from harming your healthy cells.

2) TEA KEEPS YOUR HEART HEALTHY
Lower the risk of heart disease by drinking tea. It improves the function of endothelia, the inner lining of all blood cells such as the arteries and veins.

3) TEA UPS YOUR IMMUNITY
Whenever you feel a cold coming on, do yourself a favor and reach out for that cup of tea. An amino acid in tea called theanine activates cells involved in the body’s first line of defense, reducing the risk of infection.

4) TEA IS AN ANTI-INFLAMMATORY
Here’s good news for arthritis patients and people with injuries. Catechins in tea may be prophylactic for arthritis and bone injuries by reducing the swelling and allowing cartilage breakdowns.

5) TEA HELPS FIGHT THE BIG C!
One of the best cancer fighters you can put in your body is tea. Its antioxidant properties keep cells healthy and inhibit an enzyme which cancer cells need in order to grow.

6) TEA MAKES BONES HEALTHY
Bag healthy bones! A substance in tea called flavonoids help build strong bones and increase bone mineral densities.

7) TEA MAKES TEETH STRONG
Perfect smiles are not merely the work of toothpaste. Tea contains fluoride which benefits your teeth by killing bacteria and controlling bad breath and plaque formation.

8) TEA HAS THAT KICK!
Tea has been shown to increase alertness and improve concentration. When the heart and respiratory system are stimulated by caffeine, it brings more oxygen to the brains.

9) TEA KEEPS YOU SLIM
If you are dying to shed off unwanted pounds, tea just might do the trick. It helps burn fat and calories and increases your body’s metabolism. Can keeping trim be any easier?

10) TEA KEEPS YOU HYDRATED
We all know the drill: An adult should consume 8 to 11 cups of liquid a day. Squeeze in 2 to 3 cups of tea daily to help satisfy your body’s daily water requirements.

Blood Moon Rising

2007-08-31T23:56:00.001+08:00

Last August 29, 2007 was very memorable for me.
Not only did my mom reach "Golden Girl" status by turning into the big Five-0, a rare event also took place. A total lunar eclipse happened. But it wasn't like most lunar eclipses.
The moon this time indeed looked like a big round pizza pie smothered in tomato sauce. It was red!

The weather wasn't so favorable at the start of the eclipse.
It was partly cloudy here in Cebu and we were not able to set-up camp at one of the mountains.
We didn't have any special instruments aiding us in watching this wonder, left only with our naked eyes we prayed for good weather.
I was hoping fervently for the pesky clouds to part so that I could witness it.
Enduring all sorts of insect bites in the chilly early evening air.

Finally the clouds gave way and I was squealing like a piglet for everyone to come out and see!
They have all gone inside to watch tv or do other things thinking that the weather would be crappy the rest of the night.

Then we saw it. After looking up a few minutes, slowly having stiff necks.
They all went inside and started to watch tv again. Saying it was "Okay" "So that's how it looks, beautiful!" and that's about it.
I, on the other hand, dashed inside and took out my camera and started snapping pictures.
Wishing to preserve a part of it.

I don't have a high-end digital camera. I just used a Kodak C330 for taking these photos.
The resolution is crap! But this is the best I could do with the equipment that is at my disposal.
Still, even with the crappy resolution, I would share my pictures. I'm generous like that.
And I was kind of proud of myself for taking said photos. I rarely take photos.

This last one is not actually mine, I saw it online.
Had the weather been favorable and if I had better equipment, the pictures would have looked something like this.

I was just chuckling on the inside when I heard the old folks' tales, explanations and superstitious beliefs about the total lunar eclipse.

Some did not permit the children, especially the very young ones from going out past 6:00pm.
Pregnant women were also forbidden to step outside the house much more look at the moon at the time it happened.

They still view the eclipse as a bad omen.
It has something to do with a giant fish-like creature swallowing the moon that time.
Pregnant women were not allowed to look at it, as it may have adverse effects on the unborn baby.

Still, it was fun listening to these folktales.
For those who were too chicken to step out and look.
Well, there is always a next time.
Since lunar eclipses happen at least twice a year.

Sleep Deprived

2007-08-22T09:03:00.001+08:00

There are times when I find it really hard to sleep.
I don't know if subconsciously I am avoiding it.
Sometimes I could stay up for days. I've been up three consecutive days without getting any shut eyes.
It was a horrendous experience but sleep just eludes me.
My mind seems restless and troubled.
Yet, whenever I try to sleep, I just can't!
I lie there staring up at the ceiling and thoughts just flood my mind.
Fuck it! I know what you are all thinking and NO I'M NOT ON ANY DRUGS/LIQUOR!
I just had to make it clear.

Days errr nights like these I spend it on polishing my writing.
I try to jot down the thoughts that crowd my head, yet every time I pick up my pen and start, the thoughts that were once there suddenly just vanish in thin air and I'm left with a void, a blank. Nothing comes out!
It sucks!

But last night was different, hell I couldn't sleep again so I was back in my old cycle.
This time, I partially won the battle. I was able to write something down.
It's still is not quite finished. But I decided to put it in here anyway.
Love it or hate it. This blog is just all about me baby!

(Read more...)

I couldn't come up with a title, so suggestions are also welcome.

Changing Times?

2007-08-17T19:32:00.001+08:00

*Don't even think about it bub! That person is only 15 years old! So kindly get your hand out of your pants lol*

I have said before that kids today are growing up at such a rapid rate, sometimes you tend to think they all skipped that part of growing up and immediately moved on to being adults.
Looks-wise probably this is most true.

I was once again reminded of this when I chanced upon this blog entry.
My sympathies goes out to this dude, its alright, I don't think you are a dirty old man.
With how kids dress today and look sometimes it can't be helped that they would attract sexual attention from older people. *Though this is not reason for older people to act on their desires*

I have also heard of so many stories of men being imprisoned, labeled as sex offenders for dating a minor because they lied about their age. *This excludes the DateLine NBC's To Catch A Predator category* where they knew, were informed at the beginning that the other person is supposed to be underage and still continued with their perverted desires.

They look old and mature too so I can't really blame these guys for believing their lies.

What sort of punishment would be appropriate for a minor who does something like this or would it be okay to let them off the hook because they are kids?

As kids we already know what the difference between good and bad is.
When we did something wrong like tell fibs, most of the time our parents had some sort of punishment ready for us so we be discouraged in doing it again.
So, I ask in these instances where the minor had the full knowledge of what they were doing and still did it anyway, what should be done?

I always shout bullshit when some people say they would acquit the kids of all the blame because they did not know what it is they were doing!

related articles: Kiddie Skanks or Idiotic Parents?

An Insight Part I (The Early Years)

2007-08-13T03:33:00.001+08:00

At such a tender age, I already knew how it was like to suffer. To be different.
I was born it seems just a normal, healthy baby. Yet, as I grew, different illnesses would come up.
Draining my strength, my family's, our finances, everything.
Knowing later, that most if not all of them were manifestations of Marfan's Syndrome.
A rare congenital disorder that affects the connective tissues.
Yet despite these troubles, my parents made sure that even with our problems, we would get to have the best of what they could give.

My brother and I were sent to one of the top schools in our city.
When it came to material possessions, we had the things we wanted and needed.
We were loved, pampered and cared for.
I had all the love and security a child could want and need.
But the world outside my little sanctuary of a home proved to be a more different thing.

The first manifestation of this disease ever observed in me were my flat, bow-legged feet.
I had to wear shoes that double as braces, orthopedic shoes, but I hated it.
Another alternative was to wear my shoes inverted. Putting the left shoe on the right and the right to the left. Of course people thought I just made a mistake. Sometimes well-meaning strangers would even come up to me and put on my shoes for me, the right way.
I always had to explain in my own childish reasoning that its what my mama taught me.
And explain about my feet and all that. They just smile and say "Oh, I see!" and off they go.
One gets used to those kinds of little annoyances, sometimes I say people are not so bad after all.
With perseverance, a few fights on putting on those bloody shoes, wearing inverted shoes, bearing all humiliation, that problem was eventually corrected.

The second problem that came up was my eyesight.
I couldn't see clearly. I had to bring the pictures so close to my face, I almost had to kiss it.
My brother kept asking me if I couldn't see. My mother heard him and became distressed.
I was starting out kindergarten then.
One time, the teacher asked me to answer something on the board. I couldn't!
My mom observed that I kept taking two steps forward until I was already so close to the board, then I answered.

After that incident, she decided to take me to an opthalmologist.
Every doctor she went to, gave the same findings. It wasn't good at all. My lens were dislocated, I was nearsighted. My vision was fluctuating and blurred.
The doctor said I may need eye surgery as the only means of me being able to at least see.
My mother did not consent to the idea. I was still three years old! Yet, already considered medically blind.

Then an international team of eye specialists visited the Philippines.
My doctor recommended me to be checked, since I was a rare case.
Thanks to Project Orbis they gave me hope. They did not recommend surgery for I was too young. They advised me to take some vitamins and I could remember these eye drops were given too.
My eyesight was improving. By age of five I was able to have glasses.
I was ecstatic! I could see! But my glasses were so thick the eye grade so high that literally I looked like a frog with bulging eyes whenever I put them on.

Before I reached the age of five, I was also hit with another rare disease, life-threatening this time. I almost died. It was called Kawasaki's disease.
At that time my doctors didn't know what it was, they thought it was a severe case of amebiasis. They did all sorts of lab tests, they almost had to cut me open just to figure out what the matter was. It got so bad that some relatives even thought that it had a supernatural cause. Faith healers were brought in as an act of desperation.
Then, one doctor found the answer. I spent thirteen days in that hospital.
Soon, it proved to be a sort of pattern. Whenever I'd be hospitalized I always seem to spend thirteen days in confinement.

By the time I was nine, it was discovered that I had scoliosis.
The discovery was made accidentally.
I feel off a chair and had fractured my right arm. When they took x-rays on my arm the doctor saw a little curvature of the spin so he suggested that another round of x-rays be taken to confirm his suspicion.
When he had the x-rays, he was shocked that the curvature was already so severe, being more than fifty degrees, it formed an S shape.
Surgery was again suggested. Which again my parents did not consent to.
Besides, the cost was staggering! At that time they told my parents it might cost about half a million pesos. We didn't have that much!
So I had to wear Milwaukee braces to help stop the deformation of the spine and to correct it.
This was the start of my nightmares.

Before reaching ten, it was also found out that I had a heart disease. Still connected to the Marfan's syndrome. My aorta was dilated and I had a leak in my left ventricle. So far, my doctor did not advise yet for me to get surgery for this particular problem. If things get worse, it might reach that point.

Yet, even with all these things plaguing me. I still turned out to be a good individual.
Many thanks to my parents for this.

Pants On Poochie

2007-08-08T13:43:00.002+08:00

You can call it my pet peeve, an irritant of some sort. Because it really pisses me off when I see people clothe their animals.
Why do people put clothes on their pets? Why???
It is something which I strongly believe is stupid and crazy!
Whenever I see such a sight I can't help but feel sorry for the animal.
This trend was started by an equally stupid person; Paris Hilton. Now, almost everyone is doing it to their pets.

No matter in what angle I try to look at it, I do not find it cute!
Merely just a waste of money. Now, there are hundreds of companies trying to cash in on this ever-growing stupid trend.
There are already companies that cater to pets. They have a line of clothing for dogs and other animals that includes jackets, shirts, pants, accessories and even shoes! for pete's sake!
No self-respecting dog would ever put on a pair of sandals if its up to their choice! *even if god would give them the ability to put on those things themselves*

Don't get me wrong, I am a pet-lover too and I own 3 dogs, 4 puppies and a cat. I love them with all my heart and I pamper them as much as possible, treat them like babies. But I do not put them in clothes because I have not forgotten one thing, THEY ARE ANIMALS! Animals that need not be clothed!

Related post:
This World Is Going To The Dogs

I Want My Earrings Back!!!

2007-08-05T16:16:00.001+08:00

We were out four days ago with my family. It was already two o'clock in the morning when we decided to call it a night. At the last hour we decided to not go home and have an early start with grocery and produce shopping so we headed for the wet market to buy the things needed for the house.
Immediately jumping at the opportunity to go for I rarely go there, only tagging along whenever I wished to before.
I was excited because I was hoping I might pick up a few tips and pointers on how to select vegetables, meats and stuff. Since lately I've been interested in learning how to cook.

It was nearing three o'clock when we got to the place.
Even at that hour there were already a number of people busy with their own shopping.
I was enjoying my self, looking at the fresh produce that just arrived, observing the whole market scene, sharing jokes with my brother and sister-in-law, cool air and shopping.

As I was walking along with my sister-in-law, my brother who was walking a few steps behind us noticed a guy was following us.
He called out our names, making us stop and turn our heads to see what he wanted.
The moment I did, I noticed the guy but didn't think anything of it. I assumed he was just someone who lives near there. He didn't carry anything and looked kind of scruffy.
He kept right on walking and brushed past me.
My brother immediately approached us and told us to be more observant in our surroundings since the market place is also known not only for their produce but also of the many scalawags who 'work' in that area and victimize unsuspecting buyers.

I completely forgot about the guy following us soon after. We kept walking and shopping and looking around when my brother's mother-in-law said we were going to buy some rice.
She headed for this store that sells only rice, we went along with her.
As we waited for her, my sister-in-law and I were busy talking, my brother was peering at the different kinds of rice being displayed and sampling some.
It was an open type of store. Anyone could just pass by without you noticing it.

We were all standing facing the rice being displayed when suddenly I felt someone put their arm around my neck. I thought it was my brother, so I didn't bother looking up immediately.
Then, he moved his hands to my ears and started massaging my earlobes. I wanted to turn my head right then, but he prevented me from doing so. He then whispered that if I exert pressure or scream and cause a scene he would stab me.
My sister-in-law who was standing beside me was unable to move or even speak, she was so nervous it rendered her immobile.
I felt my earrings lock snap and he took them.
He, then slid his hands all the way down to my waist and I thought he was going to check my pockets.
That's when my brother noticed the thief and pushed him away.
When his hold was released I immediately turned and faced the person who robbed me.
My heart was pumping because my brother was about to beat the crap out of this small man and I knew he must have a weapon concealed.
When my brother was about to punch him he pulled a thick, sharp ice pick from his waist and told my brother that if he puts up a fight he'd stab him. My brother didn't move as I was so close to the thief, we were standing face to face.

I told him that we won't fight with him and he should just leave.
My brother wasn't aware the thief already had my earrings and he was just thinking that the guy was a pervert.
The thief then turned to me and asked me for fifty pesos cash! The nerve of the freak!
I had a good look of his face. His eyes were a bit bloody. He looked stoned or high.

I told him I didn't have any money with me. He then eyed my bag.
He said he didn't ask much, just fifty pesos and he'd leave.
I was firm with him. I told him I didn't have any cash with me which was true.
Before we started shopping, I gave the money to my brother's mother-in-law as we left her in-charge of the expenses since she knew more about produce shopping more than we do.

When my brother's mother-in-law saw the guy she thought it was just another beggar hassling us for money. When she asked what was the matter the thief then turned his head.
My brother was about to approach him when he noticed and pulled the ice pick.
He stopped and told the thief to just go away. He was fearful that the thief would attack his mother-in-law next.
The thief faced my brother and asked him for twenty pesos as if they were buddies all this time.
My brother told him that he has nothing to give.
He asked again, but my brother was quite firm.
I don't know what possessed him to just walk away after my brother told him for the second time he didn't have the money.

These all happened without a single person trying to help us.
The clerks in the store's excuse were, they thought the guy was with us because they saw us just talking there.
Then one of the girls who were selling some vegetables then whispered to me that people here don't really exert any intentions of helping since these low-lifes have little gangs and whoever tries to get in their way would be dealt with violence.
So the locals reaction is to just turn their heads and pretend they didn't see anything happen.
Nobody in that crowded marketplace even tried to help.
Thank you so much Filipino helpfulness and sympathy!

When the thief left, my brother asked me if I was okay.
I told him there's nothing he should worry about since I was fine all he was able to take was my earrings.
He was surprised since he didn't notice the guy took my earrings. He thought the guy was just being a pervert.
I tried to dismiss it immediately and not cause any further scene.
Though I was burning inside and wanted to kill that person.
He violated me and the people I love and hold most dear!

I've had those earrings for three years.
It was a pair of silver earrings with stones, not really worth that much if you take into account the market value of the thing.
But, I loved those earrings because they were a gift from my brother which he gave to me when he was still in high school.
He patiently and diligently saved a little of his allowance everyday 'til he was able to buy them and surprise me with it on my birthday.

He turned his head to where they thief went and was about to go after him.
I stopped him and said that even if those earrings were indeed valuable to me, his life was more valuable than them.
I would not let him risk it for a pair of silver earrings which I could always buy.

If that piece of trash wasn't carrying an ice pick even I could beat him black and blue.
In my eyes he was a midget, very short man. I was taller by two inches and I'm only five foot three!

I told them to continue shopping and not think of the incident any further.
I refused to let that scum further ruin my day. I won't give him that victory too.
So we bought other things we needed and walked back to our vehicle where our mom was waiting.
As we walked towards our vehicle, my brother saw a patrol car and hailed it to stop.
He then talked to the police officers on board and told them of the incident.
But the unsympathetic, lazy, good for nothing 'arm of the law' just shrugged and said that its a natural incident especially in those parts of town.
They then said the best thing we could do was go to the police station and report the incident and look at some old mug shots.
My brother then asked IF we could identify the guy would they go out and have a search and arrest him. They then looked at each other and then turned to me, asked what item was stolen. When I told them it was a pair of silver earrings they sort of smiled and said they'll do their best.

"Fuck you!" I said to myself. Right then, I decided to not report it. I'm not going to go through all that hassle and still have nothing done about it.
If the thing is not deemed expensive might as well forget about it even if a CRIME was committed.
Thank you so much Philippine Justice System!

When we got to our vehicle, I immediately told my mom what happened.
She was fuming mad, as any mother would be, but I immediately said we'd just go home.
I needed the rest and I don't want the incident to be brought up again.
I'll just log it here and save it as part of the many misadventures I've had.

I still want my earrings back but I'm just glad we got out of that one without a scratch.

I Now Remember Why I Abandoned Watching Local Shows

2007-08-04T14:08:00.001+08:00

Geeeeeeeeeesus!
What the hell happened to the Filipino shows?
Everything is so trashy these days!
I seldom tune into local networks now. And looking at local channels again, I realize why I almost abandoned watching TV.

All the shows are crap!
And thats putting it rather mildly.

Many older folks wonder why kids today have dumbed down. If only they'd watch what's being fed to our youths, what type of information these little sponges are absorbing via the tube, they would know the answer to their questions.

I have categorized all the shows in prime time into 3, not counting the NEWS of course. But then again, most news today are all about celebrities and what they do with their pathetic lives. They think that people care who it is they are rumored to currently sleep with, who's their new beaus/girlfriends, what type of fights they are into etc.
I will try to word it out in a language many would understand...
WE DON'T GIVE A FUCKING DAMN!

So, can you please give us decent news?

Here are the three categories:

1) The cheesy dramas/soap operas/koreanovels

Good lord please spare the young Filipino masses!
Its always the same story over and over and over again!

Poor girl and her family is abused.
Poor girl decides to fight back
Poor girl gets job
Poor girl gets successful
Poor girl is always pretty
Poor girl gets rich boy of abusive rich family to fall in love with her
Rich boy already has vile, malevolent girlfriend
Vile, malevolent girlfriend schemes with rich boy's family to break the relationship apart
Vile, malevolent girlfriend and abusive family never succeeds
Vile malevolent girl friend and abusive family becomes poor
Poor girl becomes rich and helps rich boy

And with other plots either the bad guys die and they all live happily ever after

Blah!!!

Its the same story time and time again, you can immediately tell what would happen next. But it seems the people can't seem to get enough of this trash.
Every local channel has their version of this story. Same thing only with different actors/actresses!

When will you people learn?

2) Fantaserye/magic

The story again is poor and lame
The special effects horrendous
And did I say the story is poor and lame?
Oh yes I did!
Its more or less the same with the cheesy dramas/soap operas/koreanovels but this time they tossed in a few elves, dwarfs, ghouls and other creatures that I can't even identify.
Never thought provoking...

Next!

3) Comedy/sitcom/gameshow

If the contestants in said game shows are not celebrities, you can bet your last cookie they won't win the grand prize.
Pre-planned? Its up to you to judge...

The comedy is hardly ever funny in local sitcoms.
Most is slapstick.
They always pick on some random ugly and/or gay dude to be the recipient of all their nasty jokes and crass humor. They do so because they know damn well their jokes are not funny.

==============================================

I am no longer surprised why the IQ's of today's Filipino generation is way below satisfactory.

With what they are watching on tv today, it is more entertaining watching monkeys throw shit at each other.
Uhm wait! We see that on t.v. everyday as well.

All I can do is shake my head.

Give me a good book anytime please!

And thank God for cable and satellite. Amen!

Suicide

2007-07-31T19:19:00.001+08:00

Sometimes life gets so tough and fucked up that the only option one sees is to end it all and be done with it.
Still, there are a thousand more reasons why a person decides to take this road.
I am no different from the thousands out there who have contemplated about it during the past years of my existence.

To judge them and call them names, thinking that they are weaklings and fools because they have even entertained such a thought while not knowing the situation that they are going through is not only unfair but unsympathetic.

We don't know what goes on in their lives, what rages in their heads and what is in their hearts so to pass such harsh judgments and criticisms would only make you a contributor to their inner pains and turmoils.

Suicide is considered murder and the religious ones would try to scare the potential doer that his soul would never enter heaven and experience eternal light.
What many fail to realize is they cannot convince these people on dropping the idea of suicide because they fear that an 'Almighty being' would not accept his 'soul' anymore.
The problem is deeper than that and truth be told they no longer give a shit of such things.

Having entertained the thought many times.
I understand why such things would fill one's mind.
They feel hopeless, they see no room for improvement.
Abandoned, alone, rejected and other negative emotions fills one's mind to the point that it becomes too unbearable that the thought of death would appear sweet and a liberation.
The thought of bearing it all, despite the harsh conditions hoping that it would improve is more appalling, for we never know if things would improve. And its the wait that is slowly killing.

I was even able to come up with many reasons how my death would benefit the greater majority.
I felt that if I did it, I would perform the ultimate act of heroism and my action would be justified.

I reasoned that I have no dependents. No one would really miss or need me.
One less person is consuming precious oxygen and other resources.
More elbow room for the living who need the much needed space in this overly populated world.
And I could go on and on...

But, to make this story short. I did not succeed in this endeavor.
Partly because all my three attempts were botched and it was not well executed. I was still very much a child then and the funny part is, when you are close to dying or harming yourself, your instincts would kick in. Somehow, your body fights it all and tries its best to keep you alive.

Reading the article on BBC and the report on Japan's rising suicide rate and 'suicide clubs' wasn't really surprising.
First off, suicide is part of Japanese culture. In the old days Harakiri was even seen as a honorable way out.
So to put the blame on the internet on the rise of suicide rates in a country that somehow holds it as part of their customs is crazy and an insult.

Insult in the sense, that you think these people are mindless twats that just decided to end it because they saw that it was the 'in' thing to do.
Many people who commit suicide are deeper than that.
The person has already thought hard about what he'd do with his life, he's just using the technology to find other people who have also thought about the same thing.

Instead of blaming the internet of the high suicide rate, like what the idiots would immediately do.
Why not ask the question why many young people are now entertaining the said thought to begin with.
In a country of opportunity and with a lot of things to keep you supposedly occupied and happy,
it baffles me why these people would choose to do such a thing.
Here in the Philippines, where most of the people are way below the standard of living,
a lot are unemployed and living in appalling conditions, still people keep going and going.
A news of someone killing himself still comes as a shock to many.

If they want to curb the problem they should address the core of the issue and not just present a lame excuse to try to explain something that is sweeping the youth of this time by storm.

Going to a psychiatrist is the best option one could take.
But, if you can't afford the services of one, just find someone to talk to.
You'll be surprised how relieved you feel, when you decide to just let it all out and be true.

Related: Kiddie Skanks or Idiotic Parents?

Madness

2007-07-29T20:26:00.001+08:00

One of my new online hobbies is to tinker with avatars.
I have never liked playing with dolls as a kid.
Having found no enjoyment in playing dress up. I preferred the boys games and toys.
So this is the closest I am getting to actually playing with dolls.

One of these online avatars I tinker with is Yahoo.
I noticed that Yahoo has uploaded a lot of new backgrounds and outfits to their custom options.
One that caught my eye was the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras background and Ifugao costume.

I guess I was the only one feeling the irony of it when Yahoo did it. I asked if this was some sort of joke. Knowing very well when Yahoo uploaded these updates the local and even international news agencies were buzzing of the gruesome and untimely death of Julia Campbell.

My condolences goes out to the Campbell family. Julia has done so much for this country and she did not deserve any of it. Knowing well she loved the Filipino people with all her heart.

The news was all over the place. It got so bad that the tourism industry there plummeted to an all-time low.
I asked myself if they purposely timed the release of this new background as a way of helping the country or mocking it by riding the waves of popularity the bad news has generated.
Well, I could not find answers to those questions.
And in fairness to Yahoo they did make it look so scenic and nice.

I was inspecting it with a giant magnifying glass the other day when my brother came in and saw what I was doing, he was "curious" to put it mildly, asking me what on earth I was up to.
I told him to just shut up and help me spot a leg or arm sticking out in the background as a tell-tale sign of a bad portrayal of our country.
He shook his head wearily, as if of pity. An indication that I have finally lost my mind.

I stopped, told myself maybe he's right this time.
But one must always keep an eye out for these sort of things, you see.
And to conclude this little story, I didn't find any appendages or body parts in the picture.
But then again I have terrible eyesight. So if you spot anything, buzz me!

Kiddie Skanks Or Idiotic Parents?

2007-07-26T14:27:00.001+08:00

I was in the mall yesterday and it was one of those days when you just have a lot of time to kill.
I didn’t buy anything, I just sat in one of my favorite coffee shops and observed people passing by as I sip a nice cold mocha frappe.

It really warms my heart to see families going out and just have a good time. I sometimes say to myself, one day I’m going to get married and have a family of my own. Seeing the cute kids with their moms and dads running about after them is one of my favorite sights to see.
The mall is like their playground.
Yup! Kids look so innocent.

But, upon closer observation, you stop and shout, EGAD! What are those kids wearing?!?!
I am shocked at the sight of these kids *little girls* wearing clothes that are too raunchy to put it the least.
I don’t know what possessed their parents to buy such distasteful items for their darling little daughters, but it is somehow just not right.

I saw a kid wearing boots, a black mini skirt with sheer stockings, a white shirt that was tied at the front and then maybe to add a little innocence to the whole she-bang she had pigtails on.
At first I didn’t notice, not until one of my friends pointed it out.

She was with mommy!
And in the back of my mind, I just wanted to give mommy a good smack on the head for letting her probably five or six year old daughter get out of the house looking like a mini whore. How could she let her daughter walk around in such an outfit?
Maybe, she felt it as okay because she was with her. But, its just not right.

Another kid I saw was probably nine, she had a very tight top on and she wore red pants with the word “JUICY” imprinted at the bum in black and glitter accents.
Plus, a lot others too. Wearing tube tops, mini mini skirts, tops that are designed for more mature bodies.

If you go to the children’s wear section, the clothes available there looks like it was for a much older woman but in quarter sizes.
Whatever happened to the children’s outfits of frills, bows, cutey bears and other things?
Where did it all go?
It seems they are inviting unwanted paedophilic attention! *my term by the way, no use to look it*
I just hate it! But is it really the kids’ fault or their parents?

Can you blame these little girls, if they want to look like their favorite pop or tv skank icon/stars?
Or must you blame the parents for them looking like mini trailer trash copies?
Others think its its neither of the two's fault, instead pointing out a stubby finger at the media for portraying such things.
They have forever destroyed humanity’s perception of morality *if there was any to begin with* by broadcasting such things as booty shaking, tight outfits, sex, girls like Britney Spears or Paris Hilton, etcetera.

Most girls try to emulate Barbie, Bratz and those other dolls mass-produced and vastly marketed as child icons, toys and idols. Damn it! At such a young age they are already being brainwashed as to what beautiful ought to be. No wonder these kids grow up with such distorted views of their own selves, bodies and of the world.

I wish I could say that the situation is improving. But, who am I kidding here. It is only worsening every single day.

Vote Straight?

2007-07-04T03:54:00.001+08:00

During this past election's campaign a lot of things happened.
The usual violence and election-related crimes were present.
Pre-election campaigns were as always targeting the poor, huddled masses.
Political ads of different political hopefuls all portrayed them as approachable people who are not afraid to shake hands with the poorest and dirtiest of the population, even giving them hugs and pats on their backs for trying to earn a decent living. Bah humbug!

I was more interested in their speeches and platforms more than anything else.
I couldn't give a rat's ass who was the latest celebrity they coerced to appear in their campaigns are.
The call to vote according to their conscience and to scrutinize each and everyone running for office, made by the Church as well as by different concerned organizations, non-government units and by the politicians themselves was rampant too and it did not fall on deaf ears.
They say voters' education is the key in this year's elections.
I would have to say that the Filipino voters have smartened up a bit.
Now, popularity alone is not the only key to win a victory in the polls.
As exhibited by the poor number of people voting for celebrity candidates, like Cesar Montano, Tito Sotto both of Team Unity and Richard Gomez running as an independant candidate, have shown.
They are trailing far behind in the polls.

But isn't it an oxymoron when the politicians who are campaigning, telling the people to use their head and vote whom they think would best fit the position and then at the end of their speeches urge the people to vote straight and vote solid for their own political parties?
What the fuck!?!
To tell someone to vote straight is akin to telling them that you have no brains to think for yourselves so you might as well vote these people in office because I know far more than you.

When Malacanang palace was braying the news of a 12-0 sweep by Team Unity senatorial candidates in the Maguindanao elections not only did it raise eyebrows but also cries of election fraud!
Not only was it b.s. it also showed the rampant cheating still going on in the different almost isolated islands of the Philippines.
Mindanao has always been an opposition! How do I know this, you ask?
Simple, not only do I have roots in Mindanao but sheer common sense.
Mindanao, being always behind in projects and other developments made by Imperial Manila over the years have caused tension and ceaseless fighting in the area, especially in the South.
This is one of the biggest factors why extremists rebels have all along wanted Mindanao to break free from the country and form their own nation.
So, for Malacanang to say something so impudent like this was not only unethical of them but very dumb!
If they wanted to rig the elections they should have kept their bloody mouths shut and have done it discreetly.

===================================================================

I'll be gone for a few weeks, feeling sick and tired and I think my body needs a break.
Plus also other issues.
So this won't be updated as regularly.

Coconut Oil

2007-07-02T06:03:00.001+08:00

Coconut Oil… pure, rich and utterly good for the hair.
For centuries my people have been using it to beautify their tresses and give it that sweet, bouncy, lively shine.
For the past year or so though a lot of hype has been spread of the oil's beneficial goodness for the body once ingested.
And in a short amount of time there have been lots of brands out there suddenly popping up on the counters that have come up with their own formulations, flavors and other whatnots claiming theirs is the most pure coconut oil out in the market today.
The list of diseases it could cure/prevent is long and uhmmm impressive.
• could prevent heart ailments
• cure/prevent certain vitamin deficiency
• can aid in weight loss
• can restore hair
• prevent hair loss
• detoxify the body
• It is anti anything! antihistamines, antiinfectives/antiseptics, promoters of immunity, glucocorticoid antagonist, nontoxic anticancer agents,
• Anti-obesity
• Anti-aging
Blah blah blah blah blah…
*just google it if you are really interested to know more of the miraculous healing powers of the coconut oil lol*

Well, my friend and other people I know have been pestering me errr suggesting that I should get into it.
Take some, see and experience for myself all the health goodness that my body could surely benefit from it.
There is nothing I would lose, they kept pressing on.
Its good for me, they say.
I will be more healthy etc.
After months of pestering well, I finally gave in and decided to give it a shot. I went down to the nearest pharmacy and bought a 500ml bottle of said oil.

When I got home I sat in my room, took out the bottle from the plastic bag and started to read whatever was written on the packaging.
Yup! All looked okay to me!

I got a small medicine cup and poured about 2tbsp of coconut oil.
How it glistened under the fluorescent light.
It looked so clear and shiny!
I held it to my nose and smelled it.
It’s a habit of mine, to take a good whiff and sniff of what the food product I’m about to ingest first.
It smelled like coconut alright!
Hmmm… This could actually be good, I mused to myself.

Then without further hesitations I drank all the contents of that little cup in one gulp.

YUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKSSSSSSSSS!!!
It was absolutely DISGUSTING!!!

I was very close to puking in my room and gagging for something, just about anything to wash it down!
How it slid in my throat and made all the hairs on my body stand!
Que horror!!!

I think it is one of the most vile substances I have ever ingested!
Probably next to that aloe vera juice extract my mom made me drink years ago also because it claimed to have beneficial effects.

How people were able to stomach such things is a big mystery to me!
I wanted to shake like I was parapalegic because of the taste. *not in a good way*
Ewwww…

Then they say to try the flavored ones available in the market today.
It might be better.
I was foolish to give in to the first one, but hey since all they want is something good for me.
I tried it again.
I'm so easy to convince, really easy.
Anybody could probably talk me into something foolish if they are sweet enough *just kidding*

I tried the banana flavored one.
Banana being one of my favorite fruits.
*Okay you perverts, no need to think nasty now. I really mean the fruit. That yellow thing growing from that tree like plant*
Holy Cow! It was still disgusting!
I said to myself I’m never drinking this vile, evil, disgusting substance ever!
*But knowing me, I'd probably give it another shot to see if I still have the same reaction later.*

I was about to throw the whole thing out but then hey I could still use it for my hair.
It was not such a waste of money after all!

Insults

2007-07-01T05:45:00.001+08:00

I was in this forum I frequent before and just checked out what is going on there as I did not log in for a long time now.
As usual it was more or less the same website as I left it.
People were discussing, debating and fighting. More fighting in fact than in previous months.

There were also discussions of the site's rules and Terms of Service.
Everyone was on a reporting spree of other members whom they deemed 'insulted' them in certain topics most especially the ones pertaining to Religion/Philosophy.

Now that was something I find hilarious.

Can words really have that power to demote you to a point that you feel you are stepped on or is it because you gave that certain word and the person who uttered it the right to do so?

In these debates and different forums that I have participated over the years a lot of heated words were exchanged.
Some were intentionally said, people cannot keep their cool for a lengthy period of time especially when their stand on issues are challenged.
Others just couldn't help utter these said words maybe because they have already gotten so used to it that it becomes part of their speech, their being. They are natural foul-mouths.
Or maybe they just thought that by saying expletives all the time they would appear tough.

I am not a politically correct creature, never have been.
I could be rash, blunt even smug at times.
In these debates I too have been the receiver of 'insulting' words and sometimes the giver.

But do they really bother me and do I ever feel insulted? NO!
Because I do not see it as such.
People can say or think whatever they want about me because I know my own self more than anybody else.
I will not give them the time and satisfaction of even thinking that their words has hurt me.

Words are only words.
It cannot do much if you don't give it the power to.
It pisses me off to see grown people suddenly turn into blabbing babies because someone used a bad word. A BAD WORD!!! What the fuck? Since when did words have attributes?!?
Aren't we big enough to handle our own troubles now?
Must we always go to someone with authority because we did not approve of his/her point of view?
Life deals you with shit! You would have heartaches, misunderstandings, troubles and other hardships. No one has a perfect life. NO ONE!
You can only do two things in times of adversity. Stand up and face it. Be strong. Don' tmind the naysayers.
Or wail and cry your eyes out, sob to someone whom you think has authority to try to make your boo-boos better and be a big, helpless baby!

I don't know about you people but I chose the former.

I'm not saying that you do not have the right to be insulted. Of course you do!
It is your right and no one is taking that away from you.
But the only problem with most people these days is, IF they feel they are/were insulted by what you write, say or do they think that they have this god damn given right and power to shut you up!
Which is not the case.
If you don't like it, then don't bother with it and just walk away.
There is this overwhelming need to always be politically correct and in doing so they often put common sense in the back place.

People are being too sensitive these days. Getting 'insulted' by almost anything.
Making an issue of things that should not have been an issue to begin with.

Soul Cleansing and Spring Cleaning

2007-06-29T11:49:00.001+08:00

My room is another universe where I go to and retreat especially when the world is just being so damn unbearable.
Its like a black hole, sucking objects in.
I've had many things "disappear".
Then, like some sort of magic *poof!* things appear randomly when you least expect it.
I certainly will not say it is messy, for its NOT!
I have this ability to tell where my stuffs are despite the unorganized way of which things are laid about.

Summer's here, the heat is intense!
Looking for a way to cool down that is easy on the pocket.
The best thing to do is of course... Spring Clean!
It makes you sweat, leaving your body cool while you get to take out the clutter that has accumulated over the previous year/s.

I came across my old journal as I was rummaging through my closet and drawers.
Reading it again, I was transported to another time.
I couldn’t help but laugh at some entries.
Asking, who is this person that wrote these all down?
The things written certainly ringed a bell and brought back memories but it seems it was written by a completely different person.
I kept asking myself, “Was that really me back then?”

It has unleashed memories, monsters past, pains gone through.
And just my luck!
As I was reading my old journals, suddenly, sentimental love songs bursts forth from our neighbor’s sound system.
I was crying like a freakin’ idiot for almost an hour.
Talk about purgation of the soul!

It felt oddly good though to be reminded of these things, after of course a few buckets of tears shed.
Looking at the mirror now, I wouldn’t be the person I am today, if not for the things that that girl has gone through.

I Can't Get No Satisfaction

2007-06-28T07:11:00.001+08:00

"I can't get no satisfaction
I can't get no satisfaction
'Cause I try and I try and I try and I try
I can't get no, I can't get no satisfaction."

I just realized that the great majority of the ills plaguing mankind are not caused by pathogens but more of greed and our insatiability to acquire things. Things we think would bring us happiness.

My cellphone finally conked and retired the other day.
This one I have been carrying for years now and was the last cellphone my dad bought for me before he died.
I was peeking in the windows looking for a good deal and unit that I could probably save up for and buy.
As I was going from one electronic shop to the other, salesladies were then greeting me at the entrance and enticing me with every electronic gadget a young one like me would drool over and die for.
I really don't have the money to buy one now, I was just looking around, trying to enjoy my idle time, when suddenly these vultures descended on me as if I was a week-old carcass, ripe for the pecking.
To shoo them away is easy though, just tell them you don't have money and they'd leave you alone immediately.

As I was looking at the different cellphone brands and models, reading brochures. I realized that if I was not broke I'd probably buy any thing that catches my fancy right there on the spot.

One unit was boasting of 3G, bluetooth, wi-fi, e-mail, infrared and other capabilities I can no longer remember or know.
Others have added features like mp3's, digital camera to take stills and videos, radio, organizer and other whatchamacallits.
I was like in electronics heaven!
Truth be told I don't really understand half the shit I just read but it surely sounded so good!

All I really need is something that reads my sim card and enables me to send/receive calls and text messages. I do not need the rest. But because it is looked upon as a status quo, bragging tool I was glancing at the pricey items and wished to have one.

When I was in elementary and the first cellphones were released how I wished to have one.
I said to myself, I'd be satisfied with anything as long as I have one! I don't care what unit it is. I just want one. It was the gadget of the in-crowd. The famous people. The important ones.
I did not know any better then. I was a disgusting little retard because I did things just to be liked and "fit in".

A week before my birthday and three months before graduating elementary my parents surprised me with my own cellphone kit. A Nokia 3210. I was ecstatic and over the moon!
Oh I was so happy. Being the first kid to own a cellphone in our area only added more boost to my ego.

Anyway, months after that, different units popped up in the market.
That was the start of the cellphone craze that gripped the Philippines.
A brand new, more desirable unit kept appearing probably every second.
I then started to look at my unit with hate. It wasn't "in" anymore.
I was starting to crave for the "better" ones. The units with better games.
During that time you really can't download games for your phone, it just came pre-programmed with its own.
I was trying to get my dad to buy me another phone. Inventing lame excuses and reasons.

My obsession did not stop with cellphones.
I had to have the branded stuffs like bags, shoes, clothes, perfumes etc.
I was not satisfied. I wanted more and more.
My mindset before was, if it is not branded then its no good. Its not beautiful!

My father in a way, kind of spoiled me. Always giving in to my wishes for as long as he could.
Shortly after I got my cellphone he bought me another one.
The second unit was a Nokia 3310.
Again, it was newly released. I was like a celebrity among my peers. My ego soared to incredible heights.
My greedy attitude persisted 'til my late teens. Always wanting/demanding for the latest in things. Was I ever happy during those times, NO!
I knew I had problems, but I dealt with it the wrong way.
I focused on my insecurities trying to mask them hoping that by doing so others would not see through me. As I said, I was a disgusting little retard.
I should have known better.
My wanting of things was never satisfied. The more fuel was added to my fire the more I consumed and craved. In the end I was left feeling empty, unhappy, unfulfilled.

I grew tired of always feeling that way. I wished to stop. So I just did.
Growing tired of it all. I wanted change I craved for change.
I did not have any life-turning experiences to make me realize it.
Simply feeling tired, I resolved to do something to change it.

I looked at my parents, my dad most especially.
Working day in and taking overtimes at night to make more money in order to pay for things that REALLY mattered ; food on the table, electric bills, tuition and other essential things.
A cellphone or those branded clothes don't fit the category.

I stopped going out with my friends and hanging out in the mall. I saw no point in that exercise.
I tried to be a smart shopper, scouting places to get bargains and discounts.
I did not frequent the high-end boutiques or expensive stalls in the mall.
People whom I thought were friends slowly dropped off one by one because I was no longer in.
Of course I was disappointed for a while but I realized that they were the vexations to my spirit. I no longer cared. I slowly became my own person, no longer dictated by what fashion, peers or society wants. I was able to think for myself and form my own opinions without trying to conform to anyone's standards.
I was slowly freed!

At this point let me tell you I still crave for good things. I am still not satisfied and I can't get no satisfaction. Its a human trait, to always crave for a higher standard of living.
To want, to aspire, to dream...

I dream of good things but now I slowly work for them.
I still would appreciate a good designer bag, shoes, clothes or good electronics and other stuffs but the only difference is that my being is no longer ruled by the thought that I must get the latest and best in order for me to be happy.
Whatever comes my way is much appreciated.

And back to cellphones, I'll just use my old unit, it still works!
This one doesn't look so bad...

My Visual DNA

2007-06-28T01:05:00.001+08:00

I remember taking this online quiz months back and when I visited another blog today and saw this being uploaded there, I said to myself that it was a neat idea. I should put mine up too.
I have not talked much about me on this page but with this little quiz people who visit my blog may have an idea what type of person I am.
The result of the quiz was pretty good. Quite accurate in fact.
Besides, its for fun's sake!

So here it goes...

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

Not Ready, Love Or Something Like It

2007-06-27T10:42:00.001+08:00

I had a talk with my best friend last night.
She was voicing out her litany of sorrowful mysteries about life in general, relationship and married life.
At the age of twenty-five she already looked like someone way past thirty.
With one kid to keep her busy and another one on the way, life was becoming hectic!
Bills, bills, bills are all she could think about since the guy she's with only works in the construction yard earning meager pay barely enough to support his and his small family's daily needs.

She is a college graduate but she was never able to put her degree to good use.
Right after she graduated she became pregnant out of wedlock, a very common tale of today's youth and generation.
Though she did finish her studies, she ended up with someone who still thinks that a wife's duty lies in taking care of the household, family and kids.
They live in the province and to compensate for their small income they plant vegetables and other crops too.
She was telling me her daily routines, for we haven't seen each other since she moved in with the guy and went to the province.
With today's hard times and their present economic situation still another baby is on the way.
It pains me to see her. Knowing that the person she has become is too far from the person I knew and last saw just two years ago.

I asked her how its like living the way she does.
She told me, she had some regrets that one she doesn't deny.
But she said her regrets are then muffled whenever she sees her baby boy.
She loves him so much and she can't imagine her life now without him.
Yet, she just misses the days when she was free to do the things she wanted, to pursue her ambition and to dream.

I do not know much about love or relationships, apart from a long distance internet relationship I do not have any experience in the department.
Some things are easier said than done, that I acknowledge too.
But I was curious. If you feel so empty in the present situation why stay WHEN YOU HAVE THE OPTION to leave?
I see the appalling conditions she now endures yet why does she stay? WHY?
Logic tells that its easy to leave.
Pack your things, take your kid, get your transcript and look for a job to support yourself and the baby. And the father is still financially obligated to support his kids. So, why stay and endure all hardships when there is a way out?

As an observer, I see that she is in this vicious cycle.
She's young, she'll have more babies because they don't practice family planning and safe sex, she's not on pills. They barely have enough to buy food contraceptives are out of the question.
Its complicated yet simple at the same time.

She gave me the answer to my questions in four words. "Because I love him..."
That left me flabbergasted. "What is love?" I immediately asked her, because I doubt people really know what it is.
"I can't explain it. It just makes me have the strength to endure all these things.
He's a good man, he treats me nice, he looks after me and the kids.
He may be poor, uneducated and not that attractive, but he's a good man. I feel that he really loves me. He really works hard to provide for us." she said.

That left me confused. In a way I do understand her. I really do.
I know the guy personally. His personality is indeed good.
But still, I can't help but feel angry because they knew their situation before they had the kid yet they did not take the necessary precautions.
They were careless! The result was a baby that was unplanned another one on the way and what then?
Poverty is not a crime, but if you are going to pass it on to another generation that would have to endure the same appalling or worse condition then that is the crime.

She is no different from the thousands or millions of young women out there that are now in poor conditions because they didn't think!
Our government offers no financial or any other support for that matter to these teenage, young mamas. Family planning is frowned upon by the Church that still exercises a great power on how this country's affairs are being run.
There are thousands of kids on the streets, orphanages, rescue centers that are left or neglected by the parents that spewed them.
These kids were born and are now living like that because they didn't think!

The cycle of poverty will never be stopped in this country it seems.
And people blame the government, not thinking what it is they did to contribute to the whole mess.

One should be financially ready before they have children that much I really believe.
I consider it child abuse too if you can not provide for the financial needs of your child.
That child would need to have good meals, good education, good shelter, good health care, good clothes, good things to make his life comfortable. Sadly these things are not free.

Love is a wonderful thing, it sure is!
It makes living in this world bearable. It gives you something to look forward to.
It keeps you sane in this crazy world. It gives you hope.
But love can only do so much I guess. I have seen families part ways even though they love each other too much because of financial difficulties.
Love always jumps out the window when poverty knocks at the door as my mother would always say.

She just smiled when I told her what I had to say.
"Sis, I just hope you won't make the same mistake as I did. Please don't because its hard.
I am already here, I can't do much about it, but you must not be in the same situation. Learn from my mistakes." she told me as she rocked her baby to sleep and I was horribly bastardizing a lullaby about hushing a baby on a tree top with my deep yet squeaky out-of-tune voice.
She is resigned to her present fate. She has become part of the growing statistic of poor, unwed mothers.

Well, one thing I can assure her though. Looking at my present situation, I don't think I'll be in same boat soon. Or I fervently hope not.
I don't know if I would live long enough to ever reach twenty-five and have babies or if I can ever have babies, but then that's another story.

Things Ticking In My Head

2007-06-26T23:06:00.001+08:00

I have been sitting here for an hour now, staring at my screen. Occasionally scratching my head.
Simply thinking, maybe its about time I add some pizzaz to this blog.
It looks too plain, too simple, too boring!
A little glitter might do wonders, another color scheme perhaps, apart from the yellows, greens and gray might make it look nice.
But then again it might turn into another MySpace-look-alike page of disgusting graphics and trashy music, enough to drive the visitors of your page nuts!

And I don't really know much about customizing styles.
My HTML and editing skills are between non-existent and mediocre.
And not to mention my laziness is preventing me from reading tutorials and other whatnots.
CSS for Dummies didn't help either.

Also, many have asked *actually three at the last count* why I do not pose pictures of myself only the silhouette of a woman who seems to be in deep meditation.
Well, my cam whoring days are over! Not really...
I still take photos, photography being one of my hobbies.
But I wanted this site to be read for its contents, not because you think my pictures are pretty.
There is no annoying music to bust your eardrums too, as I personally find it a hassle and rude.
If you wanted to listen to some tracks I'm sure you would have clicked a music hosting site like Imeem and other similar websites.

I have not bothered to write a FAQ page. As nobody gives a damn to even read them.
If you have questions, feel free to contact me or leave a message in my chatbox.
That way I can easily answer your question/s.
But before you ask questions kindly read this post first.
If you fail to follow my set of rules do not be surprised that I will ignore/rant/rave/insult you.
It all depends on my mood.

I'm not really cross, bitchy or a violent person.
Those sides of me only surfaces when the time and person calls for it.

May This Serve As A Guide, Warning and Threat

2007-06-26T07:48:00.001+08:00

READ THIS BEFORE YOU EVEN TRY TO POST ANYTHING ON MY SITE AND/OR SEND ME MESSAGES!!!

*the keyword to this statement is READ!!!*

DON'T POST ON MY PAGE IF:

* You worship the ghetto god.
* You talk like some moron that crawled out the nearest sewer in your "hood".
* You can't grasp the concept of grammar.
* YoU TyPe LiKe ThIs? Your not wanted here. SERIOUSLY! I CAN'T SPEND THE WHOLE DAY TRYING TO DECIPHER YOUR MESSAGE/S! I do not recognize Leet as a language. It is only fit for retards who have nothing better to do and cannot grasp the concept of spelling.
* If your name includes the following words: Ghetto, bro, bitch, brah, sup, dick, cock, pussy, *insert adjective here* cock *again* sex etc etc... Perverts stay away!!!
* IF YOU REPLACE THE S's AT THE END OF EVERY DAMN WORD WITH A Z e.g Fuckers = Fuckerz. I don't like it, only your little group of 13 year old mates like it and think that its cool, please leave me alone. *See, I asked you kindly and said the word "please". I am not that bitchy really.* Also, if you can't seem to accept what race you are from, don't comment on here. By that I mean: Wiggas. Wanna be asians, whites, blacks, yellow/red skins. Don't do it, all you're doing is lowering the collective IQ of humanity.

OR IF YOU CAN'T ACCEPT OTHER RACES AS WELL... RASCIST PIGS CAN ALL DROP DEAD FOR ALL I CARE!

If you are just going to bother me with stupid questions like:
"Do you like sex?"
"Do you have a boyfriend?"
"Can I be your boyfriend?"
I do not discuss anything in my personal life to a complete and total stranger who really doesn't give a damn and is just looking for some way to wank off. Fuck yourself, I know that's what you do most of the time anyway.

"What's your ASL?" <<< Honestly, how stupid can you get? Check the profile because that's what its for!!!

Extremists and Hardcore anything. Get lost! I am not interested in your twisted political/social/moral views. I would like to argue with you but it is akin to talking to my blank wall. Bottom line, there's no point! Obviously, you are already convinced that Osama, Kim Jong-Il and all those retards are some sort of demi-gods and the US and all the west is the axis of evil and the media is nothing but a brainwashing tool to fool the people. And just because I do not believe in your personal philosophies I'm already a poor brainwashed dimwit that doesn't know anything. Well yeah, check again! Yes, keep telling yourselves that and hopefully when a next suicide bomber tries to detonate his bombs may you be included in the fatalities! Serious waste of oxygen and other precious resources! Really, I will be happy once you people are gone, there would be more room for me! hahaha

Don't call me baby, babe/s, darling *any sort of endearment*! It just pisses me off! I am not your baby, babe etc. Gray is fine. It saves you the hassle of typing as well.

If you are in any of the said groups the best thing you can do is find another page to grafitti or find a person with the same mentality or IQ level as yours.

Thank you for adhering to these rules. If you have any problems with these written rules I am looking forward to your retarded flames in my guest book/email/comment box and will deal with each one as I see fit.

15 Things No Man Wants To Hear From A Woman... And My Thoughts On It

2007-06-23T03:23:00.001+08:00

I came across this article today and I was really laughing hard.
Don't worry boys, I'm not sexist.
I could laugh at these anti-female jokes any day, after all they are just jokes and we all need a good laugh. Being too stuck up and proper and oh-so-politically-correct is not my cup of tea because its too boring. I am never politically correct anyway.

So, back to the topic. Somebody from The Guardian by the name of Mick Hunter came up with this very 'interesting' compilation of things MEN *Notice I said the word MEN* do not wish to hear from their women. Though the article is a bit old, released last April 09, 2006 still what is stated here is timeless and the laugh you get, priceless!
Hmmm... The only thing that was surprising about this so called list is that there were ONLY 15!?!? FIFTEEN!?!?! 15?!?!!? things they don't want to hear. Can you imagine that ladies!?!
I know its a shocker.
I was thinking, since men were given their space to let all the things out that's been bothering them about their women partners I thought there would be more.
I surely was thinking of adding more to it... I know I could be evil too.

Anyway, here's the list!

15 Things No Man Wants To Hear... From A Woman!

1.) Any stories about ex-boyfriends, even ones told against the poor blokes. If your ex was a violent, brainless, tattooed ex-con, this will only make us feel boring and unmanly. And scared.

Okay, okay, okay... I am guilty of this! It's hard to find a woman these days of not being guilty of this number one NO-NO.
Just a note to all you men out there. If you do not wish to hear about our pasts bruhahaha's then DON'T FUCKING ASK! Because once you raise that question up we would surely tell.
You see, us women have this thing about oh I don't know... HONESTY!
Like we were conditioned to believe in always being honest in the relationship. Damn!
So again I say, Don't ask! What you do not know wouldn't hurt you and your little ego.

2.) The phrase 'I'd say it's bang-on average, if not slightly bigger'. Best to steer clear of the size issue. Like us talking about your weight, it can only lead to misunderstanding and hurt.

And they say us women have issues! pft!
Bottom line is, we all have insecurities be it with our weight and you guys with the size of your shrong. All of us are somehow affected by numbers. No wonder many people hate Math!

3.) Obsessive accounts of your diet and exercise regime. Men like skinny women, true. But they dislike being exposed to the borderline eating disorders and pathological obsessiveness that produce them. And curvy and sane always beats mad and thin. Eventually.

Ahhh the weight issue!!! *runs around the room pulling hair off!*
Fellas, fellas, fellas! Be damn grateful that your ladylove is looking after herself, its all for your own benefit anyway. I'm sure you would want to be that bloke with the gf with the hot bod.
I know we could be paranoid at times but we only have you in mind.
Just reassure her that she's fine, she is sexy in your eyes and that no matter what happens you will still love and treasure her.

4.) The accusing phrase, 'What's wrong with the blue dress, then?' after we have said we like the red one.

Honestly, I don't get how some women's minds work either. You already answered the question. That should have been enough. But noooooo!
I am even baffled and to think I AM A WOMAN!
Maybe they just like to know exactly why you didn't choose the blue.
Questions like these would be left alone when you just answer "Because red is my favorite color." If somehow that would lead to an argument. I say you are stuck with a semi-psycho.

5.) Any details of your day at work. Although men can find the most basic things endlessly fascinating - the number of buttons on their shirts, farting - they will suddenly develop ADD when it comes to your professional life. Unless you are a porn actress. No, actually, even then...

Women are communicators. In a relationship we expect our guys to listen to what we have to say to get a little comfort out of a very stressful day at work.
When you have something to say, we'd give you our undivided attention.
Its called respect.
Those of you who won't even listen to your woman do not deserve to have one.
Don't be surprised and whine that your woman's affection somehow changed and dumped you because she's now hooked up with her officemate then.
The officemate that was geeky but was always there to listen to her.
We just want you to listen and be there for us. Is that so hard to do?
Simple things like these help the relationship and hell listening doesn't cost you a dime too!

6.) Any information about things you thought about buying. We are perfectly happy to admire actual purchases, but yearning for those phantom shoes/dress/bag exasperates us.

Errr another thing I don't get about the females' attitude in general.
Note: Not all women are like that.
I only see two possibilities of why this is so...
One is pretty obvious, she's making sure you hear about these things and secretly praying that you suddenly pop up one day with a paper bag in hand that contains said articles to surprise her or she'll directly ask you for it.
Either way I do not know...

7.) Stories about other men patronizing you. This will give us an irresistible urge to ruffle your hair and say in a kids-TV voice, 'Awww, did dey? Did dey do dat to oo?' I know, sometimes we're asking for trouble.

Its a bad day, give us some slack!
I've seen men whine about mundane things too!
And yes goddamnit! IT IS ANNOYING!
But, we are in a relationship! It's our obligation to listen and give some comfort in at least some little way possible.
So eh! The genders are even in this area.

8.) The word 'Fine' as a stand-alone sentence. The scariest syllable in the female vocabulary.

This is usually the response given to the question "How are you feeling?".
This is given when one feels that you are not interested really in listening and you don't really give a damn!
Remember, you keep complaining of women being talkers not wanting to shut up.
Now that they have decided to shut up and give you the room to figure it out on your own, you nasty men complain again!
WTF!!! And they have the balls to complain us women are confusing! Sheeeeeesh!

9.) The sound of weeping. It destroys us.

Really now?!?! Hmmm... Then better make sure your woman won't have reason to cry then except tears of joy.

10.) Any details of strife you may be having with your female friends. The endless round of hurt and rapprochement that constitutes girls' friendships mystifies us. If she's that much trouble just delete her from your bloody mobile.

I disagree totally! Men are gossip mongers!
Please whether you men admit it or not, I know you are excited by the latest scoop of dirt about the former best friend now official worst enemy. You wish to listen and in this area boy! Do you biotches listen good!
Why do you think fantasies of watching cat fights fill your minds so much? Hmmm....

11.) The phrase, 'Hang on, I'll just reply to this text before we order'. We want first claim on your attention, woman.

Oh gee! So being ignored hurts then eh? Ooooh too bad! *tunes you out at this point.*
Well, I say you go back reading numbers 3, 5, 7 and 10 once again please.
Now shut up for a second because I need to send this text message!

12.) The phrase, 'Can you turn over, you're snoring'. Great, that's both of us awake.

Stop being such an insensitive clod! You know how essential beauty sleep is to us women.
Now if only you didn't sound like Puff the Magic Dragon with a toothache once you are asleep, we would not really complain much.
See a doctor!

13.) The words 'Am I special? Am I?' Especially if you are drawing a circle around our nipple with your finger at the time.

Part of foreplay and a little thirsty for praises from your end.
We know this is the best time which to ask such questions because you seriously would not fuck up the answer by saying something idiotic. Keep in mind our fingers are onto your nipples.

14.) Anyone else's name, in your sleep.

Same goes for us women! If by some unknown reason you started shouting Fifi, Brandi, Jenna or another bitch's name in your sleep or the time you orgasm that is not ours, we are very much licensed to chop you twangs off! Understood? Good! Got we got this clear.

15.) Your dreams. Unless we're in them. And in a good light, too. If not, save 'em for the shrink.

Go back to number 11.
Geesus! Another issue of you not listening. Whom do you wish us to confide in then?
Pedro from across the street or to Johnny in the office?
F*ck you! Again, if you are not willing to listen to your woman don't have one.

================================================

Ahhh the complexities of love!
It does take commitment, understanding and a lot of patience to be in one and keep it.
But the rewards are great once cherished.

If you still believe you are not fit to be in one, singledom is not so bad.

Future Terrorist Attacks Justified By Rushdie's Knighthood?!?

2007-06-20T19:00:00.001+08:00

I'm sure many of us have already heard by now about the buzz of the recent knighthood of controversial author Salman Rushdie and the many sentiments it has stirred. Rushdie's work, particularly The Satanic Verses is seen by many Moslems as an insult to Islam.

"Some Islamic and most non-Muslim Western historians and commentators on the Qur'an have accepted this story of Muhammad's momentary acceptance of the verses. However, a common Muslim viewpoint is that the existence of the verses is just a fabrication created by non-Muslims."

Last Monday, June 18, 2007 BBC released a news article where it stated that the Religious Affairs Minister Ejaz-ul-Haq of Pakistan's parliament said that the action "are the root cause of terrorism". Further saying that it may lead to attacks. Pakistan's parliament and other Moslem countries have condemned the knighthood and even demanding that the said prestigious award be withdrawn. His comments in the Urdu language caused an uproar. "If someone commits suicide bombing to protect the honour of the Prophet Mohammad, his act is justified." he said, according to the translation by the Reuters news agency.

Urging fellow Moslems that if Britain doesn't withdraw the award all Moslem countries should break off diplomatic ties. He then denies inciting violence saying that the said statements doesn't mean its a justification of suicide attacks.

Now Iran has jumped into the boat of the said issue further escalating the tension. Again, demanding that the said award be withdrawn because it was an insensitive and insulting act.

======================================================

First off, all the hypocrisy is almost choking me!
I'll bet my last 2cents that most of these "protesters" have never even read the book and yet they are now rallying for something they are so ignorant about, just because their religious leaders says so.

How come protests like these never happen when atrocious crimes are committed in the name of their so-called peaceful religion?
When a suicide bomber kills tens/thousands in the name of Islam?
When innocent people are kidnapped in the name of Islam? etc.
Where is the protest?
They are far more damaging in spreading this hatred among Moslems.
These lowlifes are the ones lowering their image more.

Well, they may act brainwashed over there but in the West or in places where freedom of speech and your right to choose is treasured, we don't give a damn what they think!
Everyone has a different view/opinion that is something that they should at least squeeze into their brainwashed, mushy minds.
If they wish to be understood they should also at least try to understand.

And on another note, they might say that Islamophobia is increasing in the West.
I don't think so. The West isn't afraid of people practicing Islam it is just another religion.
What most is afraid of is the radicals in their religion who wish to impose by any means possible their views/beliefs on other people.

If the West would let themselves be intimidated then I guess these lowlifes and terrorists have already succeeded in driving us into our own rocks and making cowards out of us by letting us bend over whenever something doesn't go their way.

If they wish to discourage diplomatic ties just because of said knighthood, then be our guests. Deport all the Moslem followers and send them to countries where it is practiced as a 'religion' and let them live their lives there forever in peace.
I heard Sudan is lovely this time of year.
Their presence would not be missed.

But then, that action is stooping to their level and that is also as worse as being a terrorist.

Musings Of A Happily Ever After and 99c Weddings

2007-06-18T16:24:00.001+08:00

June is here, apart from the start of classes the other reason why I hate this month is because its that time of the year again where most females are bombarded by advertisements of le grande weddings.
June being known as the 'wedding month' should be enough to give you that idea.
I have nothing against weddings. I just don't understand the ridiculous expenses people acquire just so they can have the most posh weddings to top the one their neighbor had last January or something like that.
But then again, that's just me.
If you take the time to read this article you will know exactly what I mean.

Competitive Wedding Syndrome is pushing up cost of average bash.

And I am not surprised at all. I still view marriage as an institution.
And every woman at one point in her life whether they admit it or not has thought about having a grand wedding and walking down the aisle in this beautiful gown made exclusively for them.
In that one moment she feels and looks like a princess and have the world's *well, probably not the world but everyone in that room's* attention.
The cake is grand, the music blazes as she walks down that aisle toward her prince charming whom she's going to spend the rest of her life and have lots of babies with.
All eyes are on her and this is her special day.
Its a fairytale come true!

But after the ceremony its a snap back to reality...
The problem with these grand weddings and their planners is that is how they want the bride and the people to believe.
Make her think that the only way that this life-time commitment would ever start on the RIGHT track is to spend thousands of hard-earned money on a party that would hardly last a day and whose ultimate goal is just to generally brag.
Then after everyone leaves and goes back to their mundane lives doing once again their jobs and routines the new Mr. and Mrs. Bridezilla are now knee deep in debt and instead of enjoying blissfully their first years together as man and wife, they are stuck paying for a debt they incurred for that supposedly happily-ever-after ending.

When poverty knocks at the door, love jumps out the window.
They would then have their fights, at first it starts with ordinary things then tension builds up, moving on to more pressing matters. It would reach a point where their differences would be irreconcilable that the only solution they have is to split up.
Now, many wonder why divorce rates these days are so high! *Am I the only one seeing this people?*

Anyway, its your money you are very much entitled to do whatever you want with it.
But for those with enough heart to hear what I have to say, do read on.
Its not about the wedding!!
All that hoopla boils down to one thing and one thing only, and that one thing is YOU and YOUR PARTNER.
If you are a bunch of millionaires who don't know how to spend your piles of cash anymore then go ahead give that muy grande wedding a shot.
You would be helping the community by providing more jobs by doing so.
But please regular joes and janes don't let the hoopla get to you!
It would be okay to spend some more on your wedding to make it special but don't go overboard!

The best start for your married life is not a grande wedding but a debt-free relationship and a down payment on your house, so that you won't be living like flies moving from one place to another.

IF I would ever get married I would want to make it special too but not at the cost of my future together with my hubby.
Besides, even if I go overboard I could only think of a few people *not more than 10* to invite to my wedding.
So the cost would probably balance itself out. haha
Just imagine spending a $200 or more per head on people you invited on your wedding.
And you came up with 500! Even inviting your kiddy friends back in nursery. WTF!

And here's some great news for those who wish to tie the knot but don't want to spend a fortune in doing so...
If you are living near or in Lewisville, TX then better head on down at this dollar store and tie the knot for the low, low price of 99c on the 30th of June 2007.
Hurry while you still can!
I keep repeating to myself that there is always a cheaper alternative and who knew it was for only 99c!?!

Father's Day Tips

2007-06-18T03:24:00.001+08:00

You need not break your arms, legs and backbone in order to give your dads a great Father's Day gift.
A simple gesture of cooking him his favorite meal, massaging his neck and just telling him how much we love and appreciate him would be more than enough to re-energize our tired, overworked fathers.
Let your fathers or any one that matter to you feel how much you care by cooking them a simple, delicious meal.
Who says that this kind of gesture is stuck during Father's Day or the holidays?

Take a look at Gastronomic Haven and browse the simple recipes there.
Your dads will think you are the best cook in the world even if your dishes is already making him barf anyway. *That's the beauty of fathers*
Besides, men have pretty strong cast-iron stomachs! *kidding*

The recipes there are easy, fun and tasty. Which I'm sure your fathers will love and appreciate. Enjoy!!!

For Papa On Father's Day

2007-06-18T02:18:00.001+08:00

LADIES and gentlemen...
It is only fitting that we at least set aside one day to pay tribute to a very important man in our lives, without whom none of us would be here.

He's the man who toil and work in order to provide for our needs.
The man standing right behind us in order to give us that boost when at times we just feel so down.
Most of the time he's the one who teaches us the real valuable lessons in life like driving and punching that little sleaze bag who kept pulling our hair while we were in kindergarten.
His goal was not to make us violent. All he wished to do was encourage us to fight back, stand up for ourself and not act like a wimp and cry our eyes out whenever things just don't go along our way, because he knew he won't always be there to guide and help us when things get rough.

Though he's not as good at reading stories, he tells us of different tales not found in fairytale books of happily-ever-afters and fairies but of real people!
He's not afraid to make himself look silly by re-living the action scenes for us so that we'll chuckle.
At times he gets annoying, constantly spying who we are out with, imposing strict rules, even eavesdropping in telephone conversations, interrogating the potential hombre who might "hurt" his princess in the near future, being so strict it seems like he's only doing so to annoy us.
But whether its admitted or not, deep down in our hearts we know that he's only doing so, because he is concerned and is only looking out for our best interests.

Sadly, most of us only realize this the moment its too late.
When he's gone and words would no longer reach his ears.
Words of gratefulness, appreciation, sorry and love.
Pride prevents us from ever telling him how much we appreciated the times he tried making and giving us things. No matter how silly at times the requests are, he seldom says no or turns it down.
Sometimes we feel that we need not thank him because it is his obligation to do so, which I believe is pretty wrong.
Apart from clothing, food, shelter and education he's not really required to do much, yet he does so out of the sheer goodness and love in his heart.

Papa I was never really able to tell you how much I love you and that I thank you for everything that you did for us.
You were one of the best! We shall forever miss you but you will always be in our hearts and no one can ever replace you there.
I love you pa, rest in peace... Happy Father's Day!

Posing For Photographs

2007-06-16T16:47:00.001+08:00

I admit, at times I could be very vain and conceited.
Being told lots of compliments when they see a picture or two has indeed boosted my ego to soaring heights.
There are moments that it did get to my head, that much I'd be honest.

Looking at profiles in different social websites to kill time, I came across lots of pictures.
Females often post the most provocative, beautiful, sexy etc *insert adjective here* pictures.
And I am not an exception. I too have done the same at one point or another.
The goal is not always to lure men to your profile, like what most of you would probably think
But, somehow you just want to preserve that moment in time where you posed for a photograph and it turned out so right. You felt so beautiful that now you are no longer ashamed to post and let the world see.
The minute second was captured where you felt beautiful and preserved for eternity.

Seeing the different photographs of strangers is a humbling experience.
There are by far more gorgeous people out there and if you think you are all that good, then think again.
Letting compliments get to your head can do so much damage to your person as a whole.
"For always there will someone greater or lesser than you."
That is how the world works and it won't change any time soon.

10 Reasons For Practicing Masturbation (Female)

2007-06-14T18:30:00.001+08:00

A great number of females are still very much shy in admitting that they masturbate.
Some even find the word disgusting, masking the word by referring to it as "doing the deed" "solo flight" and a lot more terms that I cannot even recall.

I for one have been one of those said females.
Growing up in an environment that somehow still find the talk of sex and the mere mention of that word as taboo.
Every question lingering in my mind was repressed.
Though I knew I could always go to my mom if I wanted answers, the mere thought of going to your parents to ask about delicate subjects was enough to scare me to wits end.
How could I?!?! I just couldn't!
The mere admission of self-pleasure would not only bring you "shame" *in society and close circle of friends* but reprimands from all sides telling you it is dirty, bad and disgusting.
Everyone is raised to follow the Christian law and be good, pure, meek individuals.
But everyone gets curious, and in their curiosity they look for answers anywhere even in inappropriate places, experimenting and then ending up fathering/mothering an unwanted, unplanned baby.

My view of the whole matter gradually changed when I started to be open with myself and be truthful to what I am, what I want and need.
Being honest with yourself is indeed the first and often hardest thing to do to achieve liberation.

I have been reading different articles on human psychology lately and with knowledge comes empowerment.
You no longer feel ashamed of something that is so natural and should be accepted as a human need.

I still cannot describe clearly how this whole journey has been so enlightening to me.
For I lack the words for it.
I just wish to share the things that I have read and found interesting to anyone who clicked and bothered to read.
More to come as I try to gather my thoughts.

10 REASONS WHY ITS GOOD TO MASTURBATE (FEMALE)

1. Masturbation allows us to investigate our body and to discover the sensations, the movements, the caresses which excite us most. We then know best our sexual needs and the way of satisfying them. This knowledge can obviously be shared with our partner.

2. Masturbation is a physical and emotional reassurance. It releases the tensions that arise from sexual impulses, and helps us to sleep. No more need of sleeping pills!

3. It makes us more lucid by teaching us to separate love from sex. Reaching an orgasm obviously does not prove that one is in love!

4. If you're single, your will power may still fail concerning chocolate bars, but by masturbating regularly, you won't tear your hair out, and you won't be tempted to go to bed any more with whoever is handy.

5. It's an occasion to concentrate on your own pleasure, without needing to worry about your partner's pleasure.

6. Masturbation allows you to fight the effects of certain sexual dysfunctions: anorgasmy for women and premature ejaculation for men. After a period of abstinence, it's better if the man masturbates at least one hour before sexual intercourse; it'll help him to delay his ejaculation.

7. The more you masturbate; the more orgasms you can have, with or without your partner. Women who get used to masturbating until they have an orgasm have more chances to reach an orgasm later with their partner.

8. It's good for your health: orgasm increases the blood circulation, fights the effects of stress, and gives you sensational skin. For women, it strengthens and at the same time softens the muscles Kinsey used during love.

9. The report proved it: people who masturbate when young have a more fulfilled, more active sex life, and continue to do so much longer.

10. There is no evil in doing oneself good!

Telling A Guy You Are Lesbian Won't Make Him Stop Pestering You

2007-06-14T17:32:00.002+08:00

As what the title says, telling the male of the species who is absolutely hell-bent on taking you out that you are lesbian WILL NOT stop him from pursuing your ass and pestering you day in and out.
I had so many people call me, even at unholy hours of the night.
I have had my old cellphone number for years now and I cannot remember all the people whom I have given this number to.
Some people who managed to get my number have also passed it around like it was a bottle of ketchup on the picnic grounds.

*Assholes!*

There are days that I am bombarded with text messages and calls that I no longer bother to check my cellphone immediately just to see who it was who called or texted.

It just gets too annoying!

Now there are these guys who just don't understand the meaning of the word NO.
Its really a simple word composed of two letters. Its one of the first words we hear and pronounce as babies.
Yet the meaning of this word somehow just escapes the mind of the general populace.
Let us look at definition of said word in the dictionary.

adv.

Used to express refusal, denial, disbelief, emphasis, or disagreement: No, I'm not going. No, you're wrong.
Not at all; not by any degree. Often used with the comparative: no better; no more.
Not: whether or no.

n., pl. noes

A negative response; a denial or refusal: The proposal produced only noes.
A negative vote or voter.

interj.

Used to express strong refusal, doubt, or disbelief.

[Middle English, from Old English nā : ne, not + ā, ever.]

no²
adj.

Not any; not one; not a: No cookies are left.
Not at all; not close to being: He is no child.
Hardly any: got there in no time flat. See Usage Note at nor.

See, its so simple yet why is it so complex to most?

This guy has been asking me out for almost a year now and I have refused so many times.
So when I was out with my friend days ago, he kept calling and texting me asking if we could just have a movie or dinner date.
I don't meet with random people. I am also wary if a stranger keeps pestering me to go out and then offer to foot the bill. I just ask myself one question, what do they want in return?
So this guy was calling and texting and my friend finally grew tired of it.
She asked me, who the hell he was.
So I told her the whole story and she said philosophically, "Just tell him you are into lesbians and you are out on a date with your lesbian lover. That should solve your problem"
I was amused with her reply. I thought she was just kidding and going crazy.
It sounded so crazy to me that it was something I thought might just work.
I tried to reason and say "What if he calls just to verify?"
She nonchalantly said, "Don't worry I'm here I will be the one answering it."
So out of desperation, curiosity and mischief I gave into the plan.

One thing I have learned from that though is;
One, there are just some people who refuse to take no for answer. *No brainer actually*
Two, never take "philosophical" advice from someone who is loaded on mocha frappe and cheesecake. It does something to your brain and stomach. Seriously!

We were still chuckling our hearts out when minutes later Mr. Can't-take-NO-for-an-answer called. He and my friend had a talk while I was cowering in embarrassment and amusement on the chair I was sitting on.

He still keeps texting and calling me.
But the only difference is, now he thinks I am a lesbian and the only reason why I won't go out with him is because well I am into girls.
Yet, that *knowledge* does not stop this amorous one from trying.
There is just no stopping a determined man, is there?

P.S. I am not lesbian by the way. I am straight as a ruler. So don't have any other ideas now.

A Day Out With A Friend

2007-06-10T00:38:00.001+08:00

I just remembered why I abhor public transportation.
Yesterday, my good friend Rae insisted we hang out and meet.
I woke up quite late so I had to take a quick shower and catch up.
Dressed lightning fast, didn't even bother to put make-up and all that jazz.

Confession time here and though it is embarrassing to admit, truth must be told.
I cannot drive! Though I have the license for it. *That is another story*
There I said it. Damnit! *Oh the relief*
I am used to being driven around.

I waited for a taxi, but hardly one ever shows up in our place.
I still say I live in an isolated environment.
So board the jeepney I must!
It was uber hot! Luckily, the jeepney wasn't cramped when I first bordered it.
But it was soon filled with people.
It was unfortunate because I was seated next to this guy with terrible B.O.!!!
B.O. plus hot weather plus cramped space only equals disaster.
I wanted to faint!
Every time the jeep stops this guy would raise his hand and rest them on the hand rail.
And oooooh the odor!!! Le gasp! Le choke! Le peeeeeeeeeee-UUUUU!
I was about to ask him to put his hands down for the love of God, humanity and all things holy.
Yet, I stopped myself and endured the stinky odor as best as I could.
Telling myself "Don't worry we are almost at the stop, its nearing the mall."
Yeah right! I was putting myself into this semi-state of hypnosis.
I kept repeating that line for almost an hour.
Dreading each stop the jeepney makes.

Finally! I was able to reach the mall.
I waited for Rae to show up. i kept texting her to please come over as quick as possible.
I had something interesting to share.
I lingered in the bookstore and waited.
Looking at books, read a few pages of something which I found interesting.
Opened magazines. *Thank heavens National Bookstore allows you to read some of their books.*
Its amazing how time flies when you are doing something you like.
But I really didn't enjoy my stay in that bookstore that much.
There were sooo many books that I wished to buy. *I think half of their selection*
From the classics to plays, poetry, political and historical books, then plain magazines.
Oooohhh so many great books that I have envisioned to be in my library, no money, no time to read them all. *Cruel are the fates*

Then I met Rae she told me she was waiting for me since 1-ish in the afternoon.
I got there around 2-ish something. I told her blame the jeepney!
It kept stopping to pick up passengers lol *Oh yes I act like an idiot at times* lol
I immediately told her about my experience on that jeepney and some more.
She understands me... So I need not further explain myself.
We hanged out for some more time in the bookstore.
She was looking at different cookbooks.
While I was glancing and checking out some Anne Rice selections.
We chatted and chatted like there was no tomorrow.
Laughing at a few odd selections that was in that store.
i.e. A recipe book for microwave meals! *WTF!*

It has been months since we last hooked up and eh I was missed.
We talked and talked and talked some more.
Then she said we'd just go to this coffee place she really likes.
We could sit comfortably there and enjoy the place's ambience.

I have been putting off the meeting for quite some time, because of "issues" that I need not elaborate.
I was about to say "No" again when she asked me out for the upteenth time.
But hell! Her statement that really caught me off guard was "Damn it biotch! I have been asking you out since last year. I now feel like a lesbian stalker here."
*P.S. She's not lesbo. Not that there is anything wrong with that too.*
Sorry if I made you feel that way Rae, but you know already.
We went to Coffee Beanery and stayed there for almost 6hours!
I am not into coffee but their's was good! So unlike that Starbucks shit! *heaven forbid*
It can't compare to Seattle's Best either.

The service was impeccable too.
The waiters were kinda cute. *Must be because of the dim lighting that they have or my poor eyesight*
the cakes they had were oooh-la-la!
The cheesecake was to die for.
I was stuffed with love, coffee mocha frappe, cheese and chocolate cakes!

Thank you for a great day Rae! It will be my turn soon.
Though I was off with a very bad, smelly start it was worth it.
And oh yes, I will write about that prank we pulled. lol

Free Abdel Kareem

2007-06-07T14:49:00.001+08:00

I was seething mad when I read this news article.
This was surely a low blow for freedom of speech and human rights.

You will know why, if you read this article.

ALEXANDRIA, Egypt (Reuters) - An Alexandria court convicted an Egyptian blogger Thursday for insulting both Islam and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and sentenced him to four years in jail over his writings on the Internet.

Abdel Karim Suleiman, a 22-year-old former law student who has been in custody since November, was the first blogger to stand trial in Egypt for his Internet writings. He was convicted in connection with eight articles he wrote since 2004.

Rights groups and opposition bloggers have watched Suleiman's case closely, and said they feared a conviction could set a legal precedent limiting Internet freedom in Egypt, the Arab world's most populous country.

The London-based rights group Amnesty International said in a statement: "This is yet another slap in the face of freedom of expression in Egypt." The group considers Suleiman to be a prisoner of conscience, jailed solely for peacefully expressing his opinion, the statement added.

The Paris-based press freedom organization Reporters Without Borders said the sentence was "a disgrace" and the United Nations should respond by disqualifying Egypt from hosting an Internet Governance Forum in 2009.

"It is time the international community took a stand on Egypt's repeated violations of press freedom and the rights of Internet users," a statement added.

In Washington, State Department spokesman Tom Casey also criticized the verdict, telling reporters that Washington was "very concerned" about Suleiman's conviction and sentencing and regarded freedom of speech as a basic human right.

MAJOR FORUM

A fellow blogger who runs the "Rantings of a Sandmonkey" blog

(http://sandmonkey.org/) said: "It's a dangerous precedent because it will impact the only free space available now, which is the Internet. The charges were undefined and vague."

"Tell me. What does insulting the president mean? What is the difference between criticizing religion and being in contempt of religion?" he added, asking to remain anonymous.

The Internet has emerged as a major forum for critics of the Egyptian government to express their views in a country where the state runs large newspapers and main television stations.

While Suleiman was the first blogger to go on trial for the content of his writings, other opposition bloggers have been arrested periodically during street protests and then held for weeks or months before being released.

Suleiman, a Muslim and a liberal, has not denied writing the articles but said they merely represented his own views. His lawyers said they planned to appeal the verdict, and one member of the defense team described the trial as unfair.

One of Suleiman's articles said that al-Azhar in Cairo, one of the most prominent seats of Sunni Muslim learning, was promoting extreme ideas. Another article, headlined "The Naked Truth of Islam as I Saw it," accused Muslims of savagery during clashes between Muslims and Christians in Alexandria in 2005.

He has also described some of the companions of the Muslim prophet Mohammad as "terrorists," and has likened Mubarak to dictatorial pharaohs who ruled ancient Egypt.

"I was hoping that he would get a harsher sentence because he presented to the world a bad image of Egypt. There are things that one should not talk about, like religion and politics. He should have got a 10-year sentence," said lawyer Nizar Habib, who attended the trial as a member of the public.

Yahoo news link

Somebody who lives in that country, went to school in that very institution and knew exactly what is the present situation of his people decided to post a blog entry sharing his sentiments with fellow Egyptians and probably others around the world was sentenced to four years of prison just because he had the balls to air out his own PERSONAL OPINION!

Cheers to all those who say otherwise. You have once again silenced a person from speaking his mind and dare calling yourselves "open" to things and criticisms.

""I was hoping that he would get a harsher sentence because he presented to the world a bad image of Egypt. There are things that one should not talk about, like religion and politics. He should have got a 10-year sentence,""

Such is the hypocrisy!
First of all let me just say this...

Fuck you Nizar Habib!!!
You hypocrite!

He didn't insult ISLAM. Just an institution and a leader of a nation.
And why would you silence someone who wants to talk about religions and politics?

Can't someone voice his grievances and opinions in a system that is so backward and run by an aging dictator that is really a megalomaniac?

By posting this blog entry I wonder what my jail term would be...

Bring it on you bitches!
The problem with the world today is that everything has to be politically correct.

Ever heard of the fable of the father, the son and the ass?
Moral of that story is, YOU CAN'T PLEASE EVERYBODY!
Whatever you do or say, someone would always stand up and complain and feel they were insulted.

So fuck them all! And just live your life the way you want to.

Please join the on going online petition to free kareem!

Free Abdel Kareem, Sign up here please!

To add insult to injury, Kareem has been disowned by his parents!

Essay Written By A Korean Student About The Philippines

2007-06-05T06:32:00.001+08:00

As you all know, many Koreans come here to the Philippines to study English as their secondary language.
Taking advantage of the low tuition fee, excellent service and cheap rates.
Their presence has done so much good for the country.
English institutions have popped up everywhere just to cater to their demands.
Having increased the tourism rate here and provided jobs for thousands.
In the process, not only do they learn English while staying here but they get to experience, observe and see for themselves the reality of everyday Filipino living.

One Korean student has this to say about the Philippines.
I hope us Filipinos would take what he says to heart.
For he really has a great point.

What this Korean said pretty much hit the nail on the head so to speak.
Corruption is not a problem that is only found here in the
Philippines, in fact any form of government or position with power has it.
Indeed what we lack now is love of country.
Most want to leave and never come back, with the thought that life would be
better in some place.
They say the grass is always greener on the other side.
What irks me is that we Filipinos could follow rules in other
countries but we seem to be so hard-headed in our own.
That is the sad part and clearly shows the lack of love and respect we have for our nation.
I hope more will be enlightened.

Just don't mind the grammatical errors, he's learning...

MY SHORT ESSAY ABOUT THE PHILIPPINES
Jaeyoun Kim

Filipinos always complain about the corruption in
the Philippines. Do you really think the corruption
is the problem of the Philippines? I do not
think so. I strongly believe that the problem is
the lack of love for the Philippines.

Let me first talk about my country, Korea.
It might help you understand my point.
After the Korean War, South Korea was one
of the poorest countries in the world. Koreans
had to start from scratch because entire country was
destroyed after the Korean War, and we had no
natural resources.

Koreans used to talk about the Philippines, for
Filipinos were very rich in Asia. We envy Filipinos.
Koreans really wanted to be well off like
Filipinos. Many Koreans died of famine.
My father & brother also died because of famine.
Korean government was very corrupt and is still very
corrupt beyond your imagination, but Korea was
able to develop dramatically because Koreans really
did their best for the common good with their heart
burning with patriotism.

Koreans did not work just for themselves but also
for their neighborhood and country. Education inspired
young men with the spirit of patriotism.

40 years ago, President Park took over the
government to reform Korea. He tried to borrow money
from other countries, but it was not possible to get a
loan and attract a foreign investment because the
economic situation of South Korea was so bad. Korea had
only three factories. So, President Park sent many mine
workers and nurses to Germany so that
they could send money to Korea to build a factory.
They had to go through horrible experience.

In 1964, President Park visited Germany to borrow
money. Hundred of Koreans in Germany came to the
airport to welcome him and cried there as they saw
the President Park. They asked to him, "President,
when can we be well off?" That was the only question
everyone asked to him. President Park cried with
them and promised them that Korea would be well
off if everyone works hard for Korea, and the President
of Germany got the strong impression on them
and lent money to Korea. So, President Park was
able to build many factories in Korea. He always
asked Koreans to love their country from their heart.

Many Korean scientists and engineers in the USA
came back to Korea to help developing country
because they wanted their country to be well off.
Though they received very small salary, they did their
best for Korea. They always hoped that their children
would live in well off country.

My parents always brought me to the places where
poor and physically handicapped people live. They
wanted me to understand their life and help them.
I also worked for Catholic Church when I was in the army.
The only thing I learned from Catholic Church was that we
have to love our neighborhood. And, I have loved my
neighborhood. Have you cried for the
Philippines? I have cried for my country several
times. I also cried for the Philippines because of so many
poor people. I have been to the New Bilibid
prison. What made me sad in the prison were the
prisoners who do not have any love for their country.
They go to mass and work for Church. They pray
everyday.

However, they do not love the Philippines. I
talked to two prisoners at the maximum-security compound,
and both of them said that they would leave the
Philippines right after they are released from the
prison. They said that they would start a new life in other
countries and never come back to the Philippines.

Many Koreans have a great love for Korea so that
we were able to share our wealth with our neighborhood.
The owners of factory and company were distributed their
profit to their employees fairly so that employees could
buy what they needed and saved money for the
future and their children.

When I was in Korea, I had a very strong faith and
wanted to be a priest. However, when I came to the Philippines,
I completely lost my faith.
I was very confused when I saw many unbelievable
situations in the Philippines. Street kids always make me sad,
and I see them everyday. The Philippines is the only Catholic
country in Asia, but there are too many poor people here.
People go to church every Sunday to pray, but nothing has
been changed.

My parents came to the Philippines last week and
saw this situation. They told me that Korea was much poorer
than the present Philippines when they
were young. They are so sorry that there are so
many beggars and street kids. When we went to Pasangjan,
I forced my parents to take a boat because
it would fun. However, they were not happy after
taking a boat. They said that they would not take the boat
again because they were sympathized the
boatmen, for the boatmen were very poor and had a
small frame. Most of people just took a boat and enjoyed it.
But, my parents did not enjoy it because of love
for them.

My mother who has been working for Catholic Church
since I was very young told me that if we just go to
mass without changing ourselves, we are not
Catholic indeed. Faith should come with action.
She added that I have to love Filipinos and do good things
for them because all of us are same and have received a great
love from God. I want Filipinos to love their
neighborhood and country as much as they love God
so that the Philippines will be well off.

I am sure that love is the keyword, which Filipinos
should remember. We cannot change the sinful structure at once.
It should start from person. Love must start in everybody,
in a s mall scale and have to grow. A lot of
things happen if we open up to love. Let's put away
our prejudices and look at our worries with our new eyes.

I discover that every person is worthy to be
loved. Trust in love, because it makes changes possible.
Love changes you and me. It changes people, contexts and
relationships. It changes the world. Please love your
neighborhood and country.

Jesus Christ said that whatever we do to others we
do to Him. In the Philippines, there is God for people who
are abused and abandoned. There is God who is crying for love.
If you have a child, teach them how to love the Philippines.
Teach them why they have to love their neighborhood and country.
You already know that God also will be very happy if you love
others.

That's all I really want to ask you Filipinos.

We Filipinos Are Mild Drinkers

2006-02-22T19:31:00.001+08:00

This is a funny story which I want to share to all those who dared and cared to click and enter my blog. Read the following for its humor and satire. Are Filipinos really mild drinkers? You can conclude after you read this selection. Enjoy!

WE FILIPINOS ARE MILD DRINKERS
By: Alejandro R. Roces

We Filipinos are mild drinkers. We drink only for three good reasons.
We drink when we are sad.
We drink when we are very happy.
And we drink for any other reason.

In 1945, the Liberation Forces landed in the Philippines. We Filipinos were very glad to see the Americans back, not so much because they were Americans but because they were not Japanese.
In our barrio, drunk Americans became a common site. A favorite story in the barrio then was that of a Yank soldier who stumbled with a bottle of whiskey in his pocket. According to the story, the first thing the G.I. did was to feel his pocket. Finding it was wet, he alarmingly looked at his hands: then, with a sigh of relief, he exclaimed: "Thank God, it is blood! I thought it was my whiskey!"

My first acquaintance with groggy GIs began one late afternoon. I was plowing our rice field with our carabao named Carpio. Disabled tanks and shot-down planes still cluttered the fields. I was barefooted and stripped to the waist. My hempen trousers were rolled up to my knees. My bolo was at my side.
An American soldier was walking on the highway. When he saw me, he headed toward me. I stopped plowing and waited for him. I noticed he was carrying a half-pint bottle of whiskey. Whiskey bottles seemed part of the American uniform.
"Hello, Joe" I said
"Any bars in this town?" he asked.
That was usually the first question American soldiers asked when they visited our barrio.
"I'm sorry, Joe," I replied. "There are no bars in this barrio."
"Oh well! You know where I could buy more whiskey?"
"No Joe, I am sorry. We do not drink whiskey."
"Here have a swig. You have been working too hard." he said, offering me his half-filled bottle.
"No, thank you, Joe." I said. "We Filipinos are mild drinkers."
" Well, don’t you drink at all?"
"Yes, Joe, I drink but not whiskey."
"What the hell do you drink?"
"I drink lambanog"
"Jungle juice, eh?"
"I guess that is what the GIs call it."
"You know where I could buy some?"
"I have some you could have, but I do not think you will like it."
"I'll like it all right. Don’t worry about that. I have drunk everything -- whiskey, rum, brandy, tequila, gin, champagne, saki, vodka."
He mentioned many more that I cannot spell.
"Say, you sure drink a lot, don’t you?"
"I not only drink a lot, I drink anything. I drank Channel no. 5 when I was in France. In New Guinea, I got soused on William's Shaving Lotion. When I was laid up in a hospital I got pie-eyed with medical alcohol. On my way here in a transport I got soused on torpedo juice. You ain’t kidding when you say I drink a lot. So let's have some of that jungle juice, eh?"
I unhitched Carpio from the plow and massaged the back of his neck.
"You sure loved that animal, don't you?" Joe remarked.
"I should." I said. "It does half of my work."
"Why don’t you get two of them?"
I made no answer.
After kneading the neck of the bull. I led him to the mud hole. Joe followed me. The beast lay in the mud and was going: "Whoooooooosh! Whooooooosh!"
Flies and other insects flew from its back and hovered in the air. A warm miasmic smell rose from the mire. When the first American troops invaded the Philippines in 1898, carabaos used to chase the Yankee soldiers off the fields. Now even the lowly water buffalo recognizes the American as a friend.

I scooped the turbid water and splashed it on his back. He rolled over and was soon covered with slime. An expression of perfect contentment came into his eyes. Then he swished his tail and Joe and I had to move back to keep from getting spattered. Presently I turned to Joe and said: "Let us go."
We then left Carpio in the plash and proceeded toward my house. Joe was curiously looking around.
"This place is full of coconut palms." he said.
"Don’t you have coconut trees in America
"No." he replied. "Back in God's country we have the pine tree."
"What is it like?"
"Oh, it is tall and stately. It goes straight up to the sky like a skyscraper. It symbolizes the States."
"Well." I said, "the coconut tree represents the Philippines. It stands up to the sky, but then its leaves sway down to earth as if remembering the land that gave it life."

In a short while we arrived in my nipa hut. I took the bamboo ladder and leaned it against a spiny tree. Then I climbed the ladder and picked some kalamansi.
"What is that?" Joe asked.
"Philippine lemon," I answered. "We will need this for our drinks."
"Oh chasers."
"That is it Joe. That is what the soldiers called it."
I filled my pockets with kalamansi and then went down. I went to the garden well and washed the mud from my legs. Then we climbed up into my hut. The rubescent sun was fast sinking against a roseate sky. Dusk came with the setting of the sun. So I filled a coconut shell with oil, dipped a timsin wick in the fluid, then lighted the wick. It produced a wavering, dull yellow light. I unstrapped my bolo and hung it on the wall.
"Please sit down Joe." I said.
"Where?" Joe asked looking around.
"Right there." I said, pointing to the floor.
Joe sat down on the floor. I sliced the kalamansi in halves, took some rough salt and laid it on the foot high table. Then I took my bottle of lambanog from the kitchen and handed it to Joe. Joe removed the dalino stopper from the bottle, sniffed the contents, and then said:
"It smells OK. What is the stuff made of?"
"That is from the coco palm, Joe." I said.
"Oh, is this jungle juice?"
"No Joe, that drink is not from the fruit. That is tapped from the tree itself."
"I see." Joe said.
Lambanog is a potation procured from the coconut bud, with pulverize mangrove bark thrown in to forfend spontaneous combination. It has many uses. We use it as a remedy for snake bites, as a counter-active for malaria chills, as an insecticide and for tanning carabao hide. If you imbibe enough of it, your senses amalgamate and you get to hear three-dimensional rondalla music in color.
"Would you like some water to mix with your drink?" I asked Joe.
"Nope" Joe said, holding his palm before me. "There are two things that all red-blooded Americans love naked. One of them is his drink."
Joe punctuated this statement with a knowing look.
I poured some lambanog into two polished coconut shells and gave one of the shells to Joe. I diluted my drink with some of Joe's whiskey. It became milky. We were both seated on the floor. I poured some of my drink on the bamboo floor. It went through the slits to the ground below.
"Hey what are you doing?" Joe asked. "throwing good liquor away?"
"No Joe" I said. "It is the custom here always to give back to the earth a little of what we have taken from the earth.
"Well" he said, raising his shell, "here's to the end of the war!"
"Here is to the end of the war" I said, also lifting my drink.
I quaffed my drink down and followed it with a slice of kalamansi dipped in unrefined salt. It made my stomach all sunshine. Joe lushed his drink but reacted in a peculiar way. His eyes popped out like a frog and his hand clutched his throat. He looked as if he swallowed a centipede.
"Quick, a chaser!" he said.
I gave him a slice of kalamansi dipped in coarse salt. He squirted it to his mouth. But it was too late. The kalamansi did not help him. I don’t think even a fire extinguisher could have helped him.
"What is wrong Joe?" I asked.
"Nothing." he said. "The first shot always affects me this way." He was panting hard and tears were rolling down his cheeks.
"Well the first drink always acts like a mine sweeper," I said. "but this second one will be smooth.
I filled his shell for the second time. Again I attenuated my drink with Joe's whiskey. I gave Joe his bowl. I noticed that he was beaded with perspiration. He had unbottoned his collar and loosened his tie. Joe took his stuff but did not seem very anxious. I lifted my shell and said:
"Here is to America!"
I was trying to be a perfect host.
"Here is to America!" Joe said.
We both consumed our cordials. Joe again reacted in a funny way.
His neck stretched out like a turtle's. And now he was panting like a carabao gone amok. He grasped his tie, threw it to one side, and said:
"Oh Christ, for a while i thought it was my tongue!"
After this he started to tinker with his teeth.
"What is wrong Joe?" I asked, still trying to be the host of hosts.
"Plenty! This damned stuff has loosened my bridgework."

As Joe exhaled, a moth flying around the thickening flame fell dead. He stared at the dead moth and said:
"And they talk of DDT."
"Well, how about another draw?" I asked. "It is what we came here for."
"No thanks." he said, "I'm through."
"Surely, you will not refuse my hospitality?"
"OK. Just one more."
I poured the juice in the shells and again thinned mine with whiskey. I handed Joe his drink.
"Here's to the Philippines!" he said.
Joe sipped his drink. I could not see very clearly in the quivering light, but I could have sworn that I saw smoke come out of his ears.
"This stuff must be radioactive!" he said.
He threw the remains of his toddy on the wall and yelled:
"Blaze goddamn you, blaze!"
Then just as I was beginning to get thirsty, Joe began to act in a very unaccountable manner. He fell into the delusion that I was a Japanese. Warning me not to try to escape, he demanded my unconditional surrender. He wanted to know why I had bombed Pearl Harbor and committed so many atrocities when Americans had never done them any harm. I had a difficult time trying to convince him that I was anything but a Nipponese and that I had never dropped bombs on Pearl Harbor or anywhere else, for that matter. In short, that I was what I was - Just a poor Filipino boy trying to get along.
I tried offering him another drink. He declined, saying that he could not be bribed with sake but that he was going to make things easy for me at the War Crimes Commission if I fixed him up with some geisha. He said he was privy to all the war atrocities that I had perpetrated, but he was a personal friend of General Douglas MacArthur, I need not worry. He had no racial prejudice, he said, and insisted on proving this point with a Japanese josan.
Then, desperately impatient for his kimono girl, he grabbed my arm, pulled me toward him, and offered me black market goods in exchange -- cigarettes, chocolates, canned goods and jeeps.

It was at this stage that Mother walked into the house.
Mother was ten years older than the century. And even in the glimmer, she bore no resemblance to a geisha. Nevertheless, Joe mistook her for one.
With great effort he got up on his feet and wobbled toward Mother.
Mother ran out of the house screaming with Joe in hot pursuit. She unofficially broke several Olympic records that evening. They located her twenty minutes later. Some say she was still running amain when they found her.

Her screams alarmed the entire barrio. Everyone came out armed with rifles, pistols, spears, bolos and knives. They all thought that Japanese interlopers had penetrated the village.
Joe narrowly escaped being shot for a straggler. He staggered from side to side then his legs turned to noodles and he collapsed on the ground -- flat as a starfish.

Our wassail was over. It just just goes to show you that one man's drink is another man's poison.

I knew that the soldiers had to be back in their garrison at a given hour. And since Joe had been a compotator, I felt it my obligation to take him back to camp. Our drinking together was like a bloodless compact.
I tried to lift him; it was like hefting a carabao.
Four friends had to help me carry Joe. The white man had become the brown man's burden! IN VINO VERITAS! We placed him on a carabao-drawn sled. I took my bolo from the house, strapped it on my waist, and proceeded to take Joe back.

After two hours, I arrived at the plane field. I found out which tent he belonged to and took him there. His friends helped me to take him to his cot. They were glad to see their bottle-fatigued buddy back.
Everyone thanked me for taking him home. As I was leaving, one of his friends called me and said: "Hey you! How about a can of beer before you go?"
"No thanks." I said, "We Filipinos are mild drinkers."