It's Another Friday!

My 199 paper was crap. I slept early last night because I wasn’t feeling well. I started to do the methodological insights just this morning. I was able to write a half page methodology. *%$&#%&(**(&$# she’s going to have an impression that I’m not taking things seriously. What a shame! My dad asked me “Kelan graduation mo, sa October?” suddenly I remembered my conversation with Ayee. I shouldn’t have told people I was about to graduate this sem. If I manage to pass 199, then it’ll just be a surprise and if I don’t, well they wouldn’t be that disappointed. Sayang! Me and my stupid mouth. Tsk. Now I’m anxious.

Anyway, I asked Ate Zen if we have class, she said we do. I wasn't able to go ro Hub. :|

After class, I went straight to C.M.C. to meet Miko. Pam came - you know what's next: FOOD! Haha we were thinking of where to eat and we went around to invite friends. Thesa was missing in action, Joy had a shoot, Neka has to meet her prof for her thesis consulatation. At least we managed to bully Carmi to come with us. HAHA.

We talked about a hypothetical situation: what if your girlfriend's brain dead and you want to break up with her?

We had different views. After discussing this I thought, well at least you're safe.

Ate Chicken Alfredo! Tagal ko ng di naka-kain nun ha. YUM! Thank God I can now chew chicken :D

LIGHT! Sakto lang sa Friday.

Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/briankingong/3356451848/

Headache Hassle Hatsing

I arrived early at school today. As I waited for Prof. Alburo, I got my 2nd hand copy of "To Kill A Mockingbird" which I bought from ANTAS last week. I opened the book at Chapter 4. Woosh. It smelled OLD. I read it once last Friday and I know it was in such condition. But wth, I automatically sneezed as soon as I opened it. I eventually had this cold the whole day! I was tempted to go home at around 2:00 p.m. It was so awful!

Anyway I still decided to attend class. It gave me a headache. All the "O tapos?" "E ano ngayon?" "Bakit nga?" made my head spin. I felt suffocated.

I managed to hang out with friends after class. I don't know why I felt better after leaving the room. Maybe there's no scientific explanation, it's just me.

We spent about 2 1/2 hours at R.O.C. I really thought I was getting better. However, on my way home, I felt sick again. The pollution got me back to hardcore sneezing. I went to bed as soon as I got home. I was about to take medicine (since it feels like I already have fever) when I remembered I haven't had a decent meal since last night. Removing my molar bonds came with a price - toothache.

It was a bit devastating. I don't even have an idea on what to write for tom.'s paper. Gaaaaaah panic!

Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tudor/430929976/

My Teeth Cleaned Before Last Supper

Watched Last Supper No. 3, Best Film for 2009's Cinemalaya. Some may argue that it wasn't realistic; but it was. The story itself is a "normal" thing in the Philippine justice system. The comedy parts like when Wilson ran after the vehicle just to get a ride, the translation of testimonies by witnesses etc. of course, are not realistic but what do you expect? Pelikula yun e.

I really enjoyed watching it because I felt that I could relate to the story. Not because I filed a case or I was sued but because that was what we were required to observe in POLSC 153 last sem. I remember going to QC City Hall every now and then to observe court trials, inquests, prelimenary investigations, interview PAO lawyer etc. I can say I have learned much in that subject. Thanks to Prof. Baylon!

Oh! Before I forget, I went to the dentist before watching the film. What a great surprise, I am now separated to my molar bonds! (woot) Every time I visit my dentist, I wonder when will those bonds leave my life? Haha well, good thing it finally happened today. After 3 years, I'm semi-free! :))


Photo: (tooth) http://www.flickr.com/photos/abductos/2323252548/

What a Roller Coaster Feeling

I did not have plans of posting anything today since I have lots of things to do. However, I think I need an outlet. It's almost 2am.

I had a great day. Things started to mess my mood when I got home though.

So first, today was Miko's dinner treat! We ate with Neka and Thesa. The conversations we had were so much fun and well, "interesting". Like what Miko said, it's feels good to know you have sensible friends. I always enjoy conversations that touch just about any part of life. I like it when we analyze (or anal-yze) things and not just talk about them. Why did the entrance of TOSH didn't look so TOSH, why does MRT represent the "market" that establishments would like to attract, why are activists finding it hard to mobilize people. Stuff like that. Anyway, the food and the conversations made my night. I even told Miko, I wanted to just sleep when I get home. It's like feeling "solb na ko sa araw na to". But we do what we have to do.

After an hour and a half, I got home. A little annoyed with the traffic, I went straight to check my mail. No emails from group mates - now I'm pissed. So then I took a nap, just to energize myself. I woke up just now, I haven't done anything for 199 yet. I checked my phone, no message from that someone. All the while I thought, maybe not yet home, maybe busy, maybe just a message to say good night. But I was wrong again. Parang wala na. Ewan ko.

I wish the conversations over dinner never ended - into this kind of atmosphere at least.

Thank you Miko, Thesa, Neka. Dinner was like some cushion that enabled me not to scream, thinking it was just one of those "crappiest days".

I've been waiting for hours. My messages still unanswered. I recall, about a month ago I was not feeling this way. Everything was fine. It wasn't exactly euphoria but it wasn't as awful as this either. Sometimes I feel so weak. Physically and emotionally. I cannot think clear, my words are not the best things I could say. My timing got worse, my arguments became vague. I became this clown that drew someone farther and farther away from me; that drew myself farther and farther away from who I am, from who I want to be.

I no longer know what to think about, what to feel.
"I'm no longer willing to do everything for you, for us." I felt like I was at one of the lowest points in my life. How do I get you back? How do I get myself back?

I am waiting for something that maybe does not exist anymore.
You do not even bother to reply. Does that mean you don't want me anymore? I am just someone who runs after you?

SONA NA NAAAA

Yup, say that it a horror tune.

How to start writing about 2009's S.O.N.A.? I don't really know.

I got a pen and paper, as usual, to take down notes. I reserved the top part of the paper for the tally of applause given by the very attentive audience.

Notes:

Strong economy despite the global recession
Popularity is not important, right decisions are ("...political price of doing the right thing")
New tax revenues - sin taxes instead of taxing books
Infrastructure projects (roads, airports, seaports)
Agricultural reform (giving land titles)
Addressed issue on drop calls and cellphone loads
Government salaries raised
Achievements in tourism
Cash hand-outs (stimulating effects in the economy)
Inflation dropped to 1.5% by lowering interest rates
Over a million jobs created (each year)
Cheap medicine (RiteMed)
Lowered public debt to half
Improved banking system
Investment in food and education
OFW protection

yadayadayadayada

I stopped writing, I just continued to tally since it got boring.

Achievements were as always, a bit shallow in description. What is the nature of jobs created? Yung mga contractual na nag-wawalis sa tulay? Nung kelan may nabundol na nagwawalis sa Kaipunan bridge, bumagsak sa kalsada at na-hit and run ng van. Mga ganong trabaho ba?

Laid the foundations so that the Philippines could join the first world in 20 years? I find it difficult to know how. The rise of foreign investments are a bit vague. It increased but relatively, is it high? When you compare it with investments in other countries, do we rise up from the ranks of the poor nations? Sure, the economy is in a "decent" state; not so much impoverished, not so much devastated. Is there a better state? I do not know, ask an economist. We are lagging behind. In S.E.A. we are better off compared to Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia. Is that the nature of our achievements?

The Philippines will chair the review of the nuclear weapons non-proliferation Treaty in New York in May 2010. Well, yeah. Good diplomatic achievement for the Philippines. I say saling kit-kit lang tayo jan, wala naman tayong nuclear arms.

The biggest statement I guess was the claim that people who perceived they were poor dropped by 2M. It was like a huge bang! with no follow up. Ok bumaba siya - Where? Baka naman itong mga nagsabing hindi na sila mahirap e yung mga may mga kamag-anak na nakapag-abroad bilang DH o ano man. Ang daming layers ng masang Pilipino: mahirap, mahirap pa sa mahirap, mas mahirap pa sa daga etc. Sa bagay kung may naalis man sa hirap maganda yun db? Pero and matinding tanong ay How? Were your survey questions reflective of one's perception of poverty? Baka naman binago niyo na naman yung parameters at standards sa pag tingin sa kahirapan. Ano na ba ang minimum na batayan niyo sa pang-araw-araw na gastusin? Baka naman 20php na lang ha. O baka naman kapag sinabing nakakakain ng isang beses isang araw, di na mahirap. I think she owes it to the people to elaborate on this. Poverty is not just any other problem of this country because it is, if not the root cause, the excruciating effect of almost all other problems.

So there, I will stop at these points (I still have articles to read)

I just like to quote some things. First, I hope G.M.A. would really oppose taxing books.

"Taxes should come from alcohol and tobacco and not from books. Tax hazards to lungs and livers, do not tax minds. Ang kita mula sa buwis sa alak at sigarilyo ay dapat gamitin sa kalusugan at edukasyon. Pondohan ang Philhealth premiums ng pinakamahihirap. Pondohan ang mas maraming classroom at computers."

I think she said this in a decent though a bit dramatic way. Do this.

(2nd) The President is in a nice mood. It was awkward for me to watch those smiles that seemed to almost turn into a soft laughter. What's with that? Maybe she's thrilled, excited to throw those "witty" lines more often reffered to in Philippine language as "pasaring" or "parinig".

"To those who want to be President, this advice: If you really want something done, just do it. Do it hard, do it well. Don’t pussyfoot. Don’t pander. And don’t say bad words in public."

"Those in the past administrations conjured the demon of foreign debt. We exorcised it."

"Compare this to 2001, when some of my current critics were driven out by people power. Asia was surging but our country was on the brink of bankruptcy."

"The noisiest critics of constitutional reform tirelessly and shamelessly attempted Cha-Cha when they thought they could take advantage of a shift in the form of government. Now that they feel they cannot benefit from it, they oppose it."

"At the end of this speech I shall step down from this stage, but not from the Presidency."

"As the campaign unfolds and the candidates take to the airwaves, I ask them to talk more about how they will build up the nation rather than tear down their opponents. Give the electorate real choices and not just sweet talk."

"But I never declared martial law, though they are running scared as if I did. In truth, what they are really afraid of is their weakness in the face of this self-imagined threat."

"I never expressed the desire to extend myself beyond my term. Many of those who accuse me of it tried to cling like nails to their posts."

"I am accused of misgovernance. Many of those who accuse me of it left me the problem of their misgovernance to solve."

"I am falsely accused, without proof, of using my position for personal profit. Many who accuse me have lifestyles and spending habits that make them walking proofs of that crime."

"Those who live in glass houses should cast no stones. Those who should be in jail should not threaten it, especially if they have been there."


Grabe naman ang finger pointing ano, pero may mga linya ding ewan ko ba pero nakakatawa lang.

"EPIRA dismantled monopoly. Ngunit minana natin ang power purchase agreements, kaya hindi pa natin makamtan yung buong intended effect. Pero happy na rin tayo, dahil isang taon na lamang iyan." (Eh yung "Pero happy na rin tayo said in a very G.M.A. way)

"We love you, Leah!"

"Ang ating taong bayan ay masipag at maka-Diyos. These qualities are epitomized in someone like Manny Pacquiao….Manny trained tirelessly, by the book, with iron discipline, with the certain knowledge that he had to fight himself, his weaknesses first, before he could beat his opponent. That was the way to clinch his victories and his ultimate title: ang pinakadakilang boksingero sa kasaysayan. Mabuhay ka, Manny!"

2010: Manny vs. Mar

I wasn't able to watch G.M.A.'s documentary entitled "Gusto Kong Maging Pangulo" because I was upstairs "reading". I happen to hear a few lines that caught my attention from my room.

Manny Villar has the longest air time of TVC, next is Mar Roxas then Jejomar Binay.




Manny:
2 versions of TVC in the tune of "Sasakyan Kita"
The famous "Itik" commercial
The "Tindera kong nanay..." Pabahay commercial
OFW commercials: Riyadh and Jordan
"Akala Mo" TVC (latest)



Mar:
Tide Sulit Bags
Voter Education ad in the tune of "Mr. Suave"
"Murang Gamot" ad
"Padyak"
"Ramdam Ko Kayo" (lastest)


It's unbelievable. The amount they pay for these ads are enormous!

It gets more irritating each day. I do not know why no one regulates this. It's an early campaign for the presidentiables. Why don't they revise the rules to eliminate or even reduce this loopholes?

Villar is putting so much effort on these ads. He's like forever active - dramatic, optimistic, life history etc. And now that Mar is all over the place as well, it seems Villar is more prepared than ever. The "Akala Mo" ad definitely won over "Ramdam Ko Kayo" commercial. "Padyak" was already dramatic, other TVCs of Villar were already dramatic; as Mar puts on another drama, Villar releases this fresh ad with a catchy jingle (rap) and a very light feel (with all the cartoons andperky colors). All of a sudden, Mar's "Ramdam Ko Kayo" became redundant, blunt, and very plastic. It makes me grin. Kung love lang ito, aminin niyong sobrang cheezy!

Will there be any other choice to be the president of this republic?

(to be continued)

Photo: http://sikwati.wordpress.com/category/legal-and-constitutional-issues/; http://www.flickr.com/photos/38204808@N and http://www.flickr.com/photos/repormar/3410650340/02/3657284532/