WWW. THE KID .TK

Grudge

2010-11-30T22:46:00.000+08:00

A Ghost Named Grudge

“A grudge is like drinking bitter poison, then expecting somebody else to die.”

The Knight rode his horse alone. The narrow path to the castle was flanked by fallen knights that went before him to slay the Ghost that has been haunting the kingdom every night for countless years now.

He went past the courtyard and entered the throne room. Then…

Dust from the ground swirled before him to form a hazy, hooded figure of the Ghost he came to kill—like all the other knights before him who failed.

He awkwardly slid down his horse, unaccustomed to the heavy shield and broadsword he had to carry to battle.

The ghost laughed at the amateur slayer sent before him by a desperate Queen who has ran out of real warriors.

“I will be merciful. I will be swift.” He said.

But the knight did not seem to hear the insult hurled at him by his adversary, his gaze was fixed beyond the ghost, beyond the throne. He was reading something written on the castle wall.

The Ghost was puzzled by the Knight who didn’t seem to care that he was about to die.

The knight tore his gaze off the wall and stared at the pair of vacant globs of darkness where the eyes of the ghost should be and finally spoke “You are most surely right, but it will be I who will be Merciful and Swift!”

It was the first time the Ghost had been insulted. The impertinence of the unskilled knight rankled. The ghost briefly recited an ancient curse then mindlessly lunged at him with the broadsword that he pulled out of thin air, aiming for his heart. The knight dropped his own broadsword. Instead of parrying the blow, he pulled opened the chink in his breast plate and welcomed the sword into his heart, from pointed tip to hilt.

Time stopped.

The sword that pierced the knight’s heart magically turned into ash and was blown harmlessly away by the gentle wind from the castle’s windows. The knight stood unhurt.

A guttural cry that seemed to rise from the bowels of hell filled the hall. The Ghost was holding his bony hands where his heart should be on his chest. He had neither eyes nor mouth but the knight knew he was in pain. The wound that should have been his was slowly, painfully bleeding the ghost to death.

“I used to be a court Physician before I was forced into knighthood by the Queen Guenevere, after you killed the last of her knights, Sir Gawain” said the knight.

“I have been a physician to countless other knights in battles and have seen those same wounds before. On my way to your castle I couldn’t fail to mark that each knight was killed by the same type of weapon they held in their hands when they dueled with you: I saw Sir Galahad with an arrow piercing his heart from a crossbow like his own; Sir Lancelot’s face torn in half by a mace, his weapon of choice; And I saw the remains of Old King Arthur cut in half by a powerful sword only Excalibur could wreak”

He turned his back on his fallen adversary now melting into a writhing pool of scarlet.

"All of them caused their own deaths.”He continued, “You could not be killed because every duel, like the one we had, you put a curse on each knight so that when they pierce your heart or wound you, it will be them who will bear the mortal wounds—NOT YOU.”

“It was a clever curse,” said the ghost with every ounce of dignity he could muster.

“Perhaps, but your name gave you away and with it your chance of winning against me.” Then the knight pointed to the name emblazoned on the coat of arms on the wall above the throne.

“Your name is ‘GRUDGE.’”

As he climbed up the saddle of his Horse he continued “When I read your name it dawned on me how you can be beaten. I remember being told by my teachers in the art of healing that a ‘grudge’ is like drinking a poisoned chalice, and then expecting your enemy to die. So I let you strike the blow, knowing that if you wound me, it would be you who would suffer death.”

And with those final words, the nameless Paladin Physician rode away—the slayer of the Ghost named “Grudge.”

Note: Thanks for reading but I don’t think I can consider this an original work since the main concept (being killed by your own weapon used to strike a passive enemy) was adapted from a Book I’ve read and lost years ago. I have to find it again though and give it proper citation.

STAG PARTY

2010-11-25T11:08:00.000+08:00

Every single time I tell anybody about what happened during my OWN STAG PARTY, nobody
believes me? I think it’s because I do not make this clarification: HINDI AKO
GENTLEMAN. TAKOT LANG AKO SA S.T.D.’s KAYA KINANTAHAN KO NALANG YUNG NAKAHUBAD NA CHICK BUONG GABI.

(Kaya kinabukasan kumalat sa ospital ang chismis na... bading daw ako! MOOOHAHAHAHA!)

Sabine's AVP (FULL VERSION)

2010-11-24T17:12:00.000+08:00

In the beginning...

2010-10-16T21:12:00.000+08:00

Written last September 21, 2010

Last Sunday Night, while watching Discovery Channel’s feature on the Big Bang, Sage casually turned to me, smiled and said, the people (astronomers) lecturing about the universe are weird. I was mildly amused and asked her why so. Then she asked me a question that got me stumped:

Why do they study the Big Bang when everybody knows God created it

Tough question and I was caught off guard because I was multi-tasking (I was chatting with a friend about Big Bird and was not really paying attention to the Big Bang at the exact time she asked me that question.)

I unceremoniously logged out of ...the chat and decided to confront her question head on… Then I chickened out.

I told her I’d have to google the answer.

Google was not helpful too.

How in the name of hades can you actually separate science and religion at the point of space-time where it all began: THE BIG BANG. Even the four fundamental forces of nature were unified back then.

So I got back to her and tried to answer it as honestly as I could:

I said that we all know that God created the universe. The Bible says so. But we do not know HOW he created it. It is important to know HOW because it is important to always ask questions. It is important to be makulit. And all questions will ultimately lead you to the beginning of time.

She was not really that convinced. I could tell. But she probably saw the blood trickling down my nose so she mercifully withheld further questions for the night and just slept it off.

So I am asking you people:

JJ, A journalist and future dominator of the world;

JM, A Math Professor;

Mike, Applied Math Professional (ECE);

Gary, Social Mathematician (Biased ako sa Math People here because the BIGBANG is a Mathematical event);

Rush, An Atheist (Because the advancement of scientific knowledge was not hindered by disbelief in the prime mover);

HJ, A School Teacher (She is the most qualified to talk to a child about the point of creation);

I just want your feedback. Did you like my response to Sage’s question? What would you have told her?

(One caveat though, JJ, if you mention condoms to Sage again I swear by any gods there be I’m gonna hotwire an F16 and fire a maverick up your ass armed with anti-matter warheads. Capisce?)

Here are the answers I got from them...

JM: "ako ba yung "JM" dun? hehe... napressure naman ako. haha.. PARA SA AKIN, ok naman po ung response nyo. cguro lang, hindi pa ngaun ung right time para maintindhan lahat ni sage ung mga bagay bagay. Ang importatnte ay nasabi nyo na GOD is rea...lly the Creator. Isa pa, may mga tao pa rin kasi na hindi naniniwala dun kaya they still need to research more about the Creation scientifically.Yun ung purpose nung Discovery Channel. God's ways are different from human ways. God's mind is far above our minds kaya mahirap malaman kung pano talaga nangyari ang creation if we will look at it at very scientific point of view. Sage is so blessed kasi at her age, nandun na yung conviction na GOD is the ultimate Creator. Some may not agree with me, pero this is my stand. Although I belong to a scientific community, I still believe that God is the PRIME CAUSE. Sana nakatulong..."

JJ: "There's nothing to like and not to like. What you teach your kids reflects the values you want them to have. It is a reflection of your faith."

Mike: "I'm no math genius but you told me that I'm that Mike there so I'm gonna give this one a try.

You actually gave a good answer. All discoveries are brought about by a simple question. Now, how would have I answered her? I'd prolly tell her t...hat science continuously challenges religion to be able to strengthen it. Although I can't account for those who lost their faith in the process, I think everyone has this goal to solidify faith, whatever their faith maybe, by finding proof. I'm gonna quote one of my favorite books in hopes to better say my point. "Faith is universal. Our specific methods for understanding it are arbitrary. Some of us pray to Jesus, some us go to Mecca, some of us study subatomic particles. In the end we are all just searching for truth, that which is greater than ourselves."

HJ: "hahahaha... i just read it now... hahahhaha napressure naman ako sa sinabi mong MOST QUALIFIED to talk about the pint of creation??? the first time i read your post natawa ako at naamaze sa little sage nyo... =) at young age she was able to... think and ask that way... =) well sana hndi ko na lang binasa ang comments hahhaha para di ako napressure...

well, you just gave her a good answer.. but then confuse parin ung bata for sure... at right age maiintindihan nya rin lahat... =) if i were the one asked that way, maybe i would answer her this way:

out of curiosity they tried to figure out kung pano nabuo ang mundo.. that is why may mga sciientist kasi not all people believe and knew GOD... (dahan2 ipaunawa mo sa bata na d lahat ng tao kilala si God or they consider God as God.) matalino si sage... just be prepare kasi may mga follow up questions talaga pagbata...

Gary: ...

The way I see it, naghahanap ka lang ng karamay kasi nga "you chickened out" hehe =)

And the Big Bang is a mathematical event, kaya mga estudyante ng Matematika kamo ang dapat mong karamay? Think ...again...

"Many academia mathematicians are happiest when they can find NO real world application to their research. They want to have nothing to do with reality and live in a world of math logic and symbols. They bemoan the fact that a significant portion of mathematics is currently applied to other problems. "

http://samus.wordpress.com/category/proof-series/

"Thus you have completed your first proof and you are beginning to understand how a mathematician is wary of the truth."

Sage: "Why do they study the Big Bang when everybody knows God created it?"

1. Did you like my response to Sage’s question?

- No (Sowee, hehe). You said you decided to confront her question head on. But then your first answer was: "I’d have to google the answer." Bad. And then you tried Religion (using the Bible). "It is important to be makulit." How do you reconcile the two, pre? Limiting ang relihiyon e, and yet you encourage her to constantly yearn for knowledge?

(To be sure, i guess I have to tell you that I believe in the existence of a Supreme Being. But I do not adhere to any religion/religious belief)

2. What would you have told her?

Those guys are weird. Hey, she's right after all, man!

Reminds me of the time my son, who was then six years old, asked me, "Papa, why do I have to be smart? I just said: "It's for your own sake, son." I didn't see the next question coming though: "Why, Papa, do you want me to invent weapons of mass destruction when I grow up?"

THANKS FOR THE COMMENTS GUYS! Pero hanggang ngayon hindi ko parin alam kung pano sasagutin sya...

Miriam Clinic

2010-08-03T21:06:00.002+08:00

Dear Sage, I was asked by Tita Ludette to fetch the three of you (Kaye and Janine) at Miriam. I was excited to see you because I downloaded the last episode of Glee into your MP4 player and a few songs we both like.

But after paging you about 5 times at the designated area where you usually get fetched by tita Ludette, I got worried. Then Janine came over to tell me that you were in the Clinic. After giving my ID to the guard I was let into your school grounds. I saw you resting in the clinic bed.

You told me that you were complaining of abdominal pain and headache with nausea. When I touched your skin it was cold and clammy. The school nurse came over and introduced herself. She said we knew each other before when she rotated at the same hospital I was training in.

You were obviously stable enough to be brought home so I told Monette, the Nurse, to inform the School Physician that you will be coming with me.

In retrospect, what caused your Acute episode of gastroenteritis was probably the meal you ate the previous night. But once we were home your apetite has improved.

You watched history channel while lying in bed. The channel was featuring a story on the shroud of turin and gave high tech imagery of what the face of the man on the shroud really looked like if it were shown in an episode of HOUSE, MD. That particular story assumed without the benefit of doubt that the Face on the cloth belonged to our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Problem is, a couple of nights before that, I already watched a more convincing episode about the same shroud. The story explained how the image was printed on the shroud without the need for divine intervention. Hence if we compare the two conflicting stories (the first assumes that the shroud was the real burial cloth of Jesus; the second, it was a magnificent work of science,) if we use Occam's razor, the episode that says it was made by a genius like Leonardo da Vinci wins hands down.

But that afternoon, I turned off the TV and prayed to the image I have of the Lord which was not necessarily the same as the one in the shroud. I asked him to heal you completely.

And he did-- with or without the Shroud of Turin.

I Never Told You...

2010-08-01T07:37:00.000+08:00

All I've wanted to say...

Tristan: Acting like he took a bullet fired from my index finger

2010-07-27T13:28:00.000+08:00

Still dreaming of April (ang naudlot na pagpunta sa LagoDeOro)

2010-07-27T13:01:00.003+08:00

Lately, I sometimes catch myself staring at this map, daydreaming of the many ways to crash and burn on a wakeskate. Matagal na kong hindi nakapag wakeskating.

Back in mid-April I was actually looking forward to a planned trip to Lago De Oro.

But because of a miscommunication between me and my Dad’s driver, I had to cancel that trip. I didn’t know then that it was probably my last chance to have that trip this year since I’ll have a tight schedule and be on a very tight budget during the next coming months.

July 17, 2010 Sage's First Live Concert

2010-07-27T02:10:00.001+08:00

Dear Sage, I've always wanted to take you to your first live concert. But you watched this at Eastwood mall with your aunt enroute to her own date.

Grade 5 Honor's Assembly

2010-07-27T01:32:00.002+08:00

Dear Sage, The reason why you are a consistent Honor's student since the 1st grade is because of your Lola Letty. She tirelessly teaches you every day including weekends. In fact, her schedule is quite full these days because aside from you she teaches Sabine and Sadie too. She's a great Lola and Teacher.

You received citations for your academic achievement (your average is above 90) AND for being an exceptional member of the Glee Club.

We are so Proud of YOU!

The Last AirBender

2010-07-05T19:23:00.003+08:00

Waiting for the 10PM screening of AirBender at MOA.

Dinner at Yellow Cab MOA before the 10PM movie.

The Coolest AirBender

Dear Kids, you finally got to watch the last AirBender on the bigscreen last saturday 24 July, at MOA.

The very next day you guys watched ECLIPSE at home. You guys think that Wolvy guy was cool. Even though I explained to you that he has a terrible temper just like me, you insist that the similarity between him and moi ends there (He does have 6 pack abs, that steroid mutant)

Gutsy Kid. Kaya nyo 'to?

2010-07-04T12:39:00.001+08:00

Dear Sadie, YOU were the one who insisted that the camera should roll when we give you the anti h1n1 vaccine. You eagerly awaited the shot, cried very briefly but smiled immediately after your Mom finished administering the vaccine.

Ate Sage took this video with the cellphone.

We are so proud of you.

June 30, 2010 Noon. While Watching Benigno Aquino III's Speech

2010-07-04T08:23:00.000+08:00

Kilroy

2010-06-28T19:41:00.001+08:00

"KILROY WAS HERE!

"In 1946 the American Transit Association, through its radio program, “Speak to America,” sponsored a nationwide contest to find the REAL Kilroy, offering a prize of a real trolley car to the person who could prove himself to be the genuine article.

Almost 40 men stepped forward to make that claim, but only James Kilroy from Halifax, Massachusetts had evidence of his identity.

Kilroy was a 46-year old shipyard worker during the war. He worked as a checker at the Fore River Shipyard in Quincy. His job was to go around and check on the number of rivets completed. Riveters were on piecework and got paid by the rivet.

Kilroy would count a block of rivets and put a check mark in semi-waxed lumber chalk, so the rivets wouldn’t be counted twice. When Kilroy went off duty, the riveters would erase the mark. Later on, an off-shift inspector would come through and count the rivets a second time, resulting in double pay for the riveters.

One day Kilroy’s boss called him into his office. The foreman was upset about all the wages being paid to riveters, and asked him to investigate. It was then that he realized what had been going on. The tight spaces he had to crawl in to check the rivets didn’t lend themselves to lugging around a paint can and brush, so Kilroy decided to stick with the waxy chalk. He continued to put his checkmark on each job he inspected, but added KILROY WAS HERE in king-sized letters next to the check, and eventually added the sketch of the chap with the long nose peering over the fence and that became part of the Kilroy message. Once he did that, the riveters stopped trying to wipe away his marks.
Ordinarily the rivets and chalk marks would have been covered up with paint. With war on, however, ships were leaving the Quincy Yard so fast that there wa sn’t time to paint them. As a result, Kilroy’s inspection “trademark” was seen by thousands of servicemen who boarded the troopships the yard produced. His message apparently rang a bell with the servicemen, because they picked it up and spread it all over Europe and the South Pacific. Before the war’s end, “Kilroy” had been here, there, and everywhere on the long haul to Berlin and Tokyo.

To the unfortunate troops outbound in those ships, however, he was a complete mystery; all they knew for sure was that some jerk named Kilroy had “been there first.” As a joke, U.S. servicemen began placing the graffiti wherever they landed, claiming it was already there when they arrived.
Kilroy became the U.S. super-GI who had always “already been” wherever GIs went. It became a challenge to place the logo in the most unlikely places imaginable (it is said to be atop Mt. Everest, the Statue of Liberty, the underside of the Arch De Triumphe, and even scrawled in the dust on the moon.)

And as the war went on, the legend grew. Underwater demolition teams routinely sneaked ashore on Japanese-held islands in the Pacific to map the terrain for the coming invasions by U.S. troops (and thus, presumably, were the first GI’s there). On one occasion, however, they reported seeing enemy troops painting over the Kilroy logo! In 1945, an outhouse was built for the exclusive use of Roosvelt, Stalin, and Churchill at the Potsdam conference. The first person inside was Stalin, who emerged and asked his aide (in Russian), “Who is Kilroy?” …

To help prove his authenticity in 1946, James Kilroy brought along officials from the shipyard and some of the riveters. He won the trolley car, which he gave it to his nine children as a Christmas gift and set it up as a playhouse in the Kilroy front yard in Halifax,Massachusett"

TheC4.mp4

2010-06-12T21:18:00.002+08:00

Independence Day 2010 is also the 45th Wedding Anniversary of Ninong Tirso and Ninang Sonia Calaranan. Renewal of their wedding vow was held at the Stonecrest Village's, Holy Family Chapel, San Pedro, Laguna. Reception was at the clubhouse. Entertainment was by the newly formed Band, C4.

C4 is composed of the Grand Children and Grand Niece of the Calaranan couple ("Calaranan 4" got it?)

Lead guitar: Kaye Calaranan Bangsil. Incoming 4th Grader. She shreds that guitar like a pro. Future Santana.

Vocalists: Sage Decena Galvez. Incoming 5th Grader (singer on the left side of the screen). My daughter. And Janine Calaranan Idquival. Incoming 6th Grader. (Drummer's Sister.)

Drums: Darren Calaranan Idquival. A Surfer dude. His sister's classmates once told her "Your Brother is HOT."

This is their first live gig. They sang Taylor Swift's "Fearless"

BTW, Just ignore the tone deaf idiot singing the chorus in the background... yes. that was me.

Sabine learns to bike

2010-06-08T22:29:00.003+08:00

Boyfriend ng Ninang ni Tristan

2010-06-08T20:21:00.002+08:00

Hoy Lalake! Tutuliin ka namin ng tinidor ng Tatay ko pag pinaiyak mo Ninang Dhes ko. Maliwanag?-- Tristan

New Moon

2010-06-06T16:09:00.003+08:00

Dear Kids, after mass at Megamall, we bought a dvd of New Moon. You're watching them right now.

"These violent delights have violent ends. And in their triumph die, like fire and powder,Which as they kiss consume."- William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, 2.3

Like Fire and Powder... ahh... parang fireworks...

June 6, 1989... Requiescat In Pace

2010-06-06T15:29:00.000+08:00

History calls June 6 "D-Day."

To my wife, Ayheen, and my Mother-in-law, Letty Decena, D-Day 1989 was the day they lost a sister and a daughter, respectively.

My deceased Father-in-law, Lony Decena, was a Filipino Ex-pat, an OFW working in the US. He passed away 21 years ago. He had to leave the comfort of TK, his family and friends to seek fortune in a foreign land to be able to support his youngest daughter's medical treatment. He was a good man. Exactly 40 days after his passing, on D-Day 1989, Ayheen's only sister, Adeline ("Adhey" to her friends) succumbed to Diabetes Type 1. Those were the saddest days of my wife's life.

I wasn't there. I was not yet a part of their life.

To the good hearted people of TagKawayan, thank you for helping Ayheen and Mommy survive, move on, and triumph over this darkest of days.

Malaki utang na loob ko sa inyo.

PRINCE OF PARKOUR

2010-06-04T09:40:00.005+08:00

Dear Sage, while your sisters and bro slept last night, your Mom and I watched Prince of Persia with you in her netbook while we're squeezed altogether in the small sofa in our bedroom. You both enjoyed the movie. As for me, except for the Parkour scenes, I slept most of the time.

Yesterday you also enjoyed a game of street badminton with your Mom. Sabine still has to work on her serve but she will get the hang of it one of these days.

Testosterone: That explains paucity of hair.

2010-06-03T21:01:00.005+08:00

Tristan: Dad, why do I have thin hair?

Dad: Whad you mean thin? it's getting thicker as we speak. So stop whining man.

Tristan: Oh Yeah... while I'm growing some, you're losing yours.

Dad: that's the "circle of life," Dude.

Tristan: Oh yeah. Hey, is it as big as that monkish hairless circle growing on your head?

Dad: Smartass...
Atleast when I finally lose them all, I'd finally look like Derek Ramsey... Ok I'm kidding... kahit si Chris Daughtry na lang.

UP, UP, And AWAY!!!

2010-05-25T10:23:00.001+08:00

"I can’t stand to fly
I’m not that naive
I’m just out to find
The better part of me
I’m more than a bird...I’m more than a plane
More than some pretty face beside a train
It’s not easy to be me

I Wish that I could cry
Fall upon my knees
Find a way to lie
About a home I’ll never see

It may sound absurd...but don’t be naive
Even Heroes have the right to bleed
I may be disturbed...but won’t you concede
Even Heroes have the right to dream
It’s not easy to be me

Up, up and away...away from me
It’s all right...You can all sleep sound tonight
I’m not crazy...or anything…

I can’t stand to fly
I’m not that naive
Men weren’t meant to ride
With clouds between their knees

I’m only a man in a silly red sheet
Digging for kryptonite on this one way street
Only a man in a funny red sheet
Looking for special things inside of me

Inside of me..."

GoodBye FaceBook!

FB post of my kid brother, Noel. WE are so PROUD OF YOU!!!

2010-05-23T14:09:00.000+08:00

Election 2010 - 1st Automated Election in the Philippines

To many, the May 10 election came as a shock. There were a lot of allegations that it would be rigged and the presidential candidates who asked for manual parallel count would be affected. But when the first transmission was received at 8:36PM, which took less than 10 minutes to import and parse, those who saw the first partial unofficial results were relieved to find out that front-runners came from different parties. We aired the first set of data around 9:15PM.

The objective of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas is to deliver timely information to the public and to act as watchdog. The KBP Board of Directors met with Comelec to coordinate and ask for information on how the election would be conducted. The initial talks resulted with KBP to be given PDF files showing election returns which it would collate to tabulate. In a subsequent meeting with the IT heads of different KBP member networks, they requested for a different type of file. After a few days, we were told that apparently, HTML will be the type of file that would be given... and then PDF again.

Because the workstations connected to Smartmatic's server at Pope Pius were only 5 (these were used by KBP-2, PPCRV-2, Others, including non-KBP member networks and different parties), and downloading all 76,475 ER's would take around 2 months, the KBP Board headed by Chairman Ruperto Nicdao, Jr. and President Herman Basbano decided to explore the possibility of partnering with PPCRV.

We met with Ms. Anna Singson of PPCRV at KBP office on the day The Inquirer said that KBP and PPCRV would meet to discuss about the election. Anna said that for them, it would take 1 month to finish tabulating the PDF's but if PPCRV and KBP would help eachother, we can bring it down to 10-14 days. And if the non-KBP member networks would join us (GMA and NBN), their extra workstation would expedite the process. We will just divide the workstations into different regions so we won't make waste time downloading duplicate PDF's.

KBP knew that in the interest of the people, its members had to set aside differences and unite for this single purpose. And with PPCRV, the puzzle would be complete.

That's how I witnessed the start of the partnership between KBP and PPCRV.

Just when the IT people were preparing for Plan C wherein we would download PDF's, we were told by KBP's Executive Director Mr. Hulog that our request was granted by Comelec. However, the company that was supposed to do the tabulation program for KBP already backed out.

Mr. Hulog then approached me after the meeting and asked if we could do something for the members. Though Vanguard Radio Network's initial plan was to be one of the tabulators just like ABS-CBN and MBC and air the results for the benefit of our own listeners/viewers, I agreed to help and do the program under KBP. Thus, the program or software was called 2010 National Election Results for KBP Members. Its creation started 2 weeks before the election.

I remember my friend from MBC, Mr. Jomai Parroco, coming up to me during the culmination of the KBP anniversary in April, asking me how the program was doing. I said it was making progress. He said, "Surely, you have a team that helps you do it". Reluctantly, I said, yes, because I saw the different IT teams and I didn't want the members to fear that the program was being done by one person only. Well, I also thought that technically, I had a team. Whenever there was something that needed an answer, my "Google" team never failed me. So Jomai, I'm sorry, but I really intended to tell you this... after the election. ;) However, your IT person, Tyrone, was seated beside me so I know that while the computer I used shared the information with the outside world and his workstation tabulated independently, the results were the same. That is the beauty of being under one organization. We tabulated separately using different proprietary scripts, but were able to counter check our data.

All 122 KBP member networks representing more than 600 stations nationwide were given user/password combinations so they may give the information to their listeners/viewers as the KBP Unofficial Partial Count or compare it with their results. Unlike the proposed program by the other company, the one shared with KBP can drill down from national, to regional, to city/municipal, to barangay, and up to clustered precinct levels. The data was only available to members so that people would tune in to their stations. The power of radio was shown as its relevance was acknowledged by the people in the provinces. Because national television cannot tell a person who won as councilor in his area, he would tune in to his favorite radio station and text his "requested" election result.

Last night, I was given a plaque of appreciation by KBP which states "In recognition of his unselfish service that made it possible for KBP member radio and television stations throughout the country to bring to the Filipino people in a timely and relevant manner the results of the historic 2010 automated elections. Given this 19th day of May, 2010 at the Crown Regency Hotel, Makati City Phils, signed Herman Basbano-Pres., and Ruperto Nicdao Jr.-Chairman."

Thanks to the KBP members for believing that we can be united in delivering timely information to the public as one organization.

Thanks to the different IT heads of KBP networks for coming up with great plans that we would use as a team in case we had to do a quick count for 60 days.

Thanks to Raffy Barreiro, owner of RX93.1. While some members were complaining, he gave very encouraging words as we fixed the DSL to give the members access to the server.

Thanks to Ate Nora and the rest of the staff of KBP for making sure that we were taken care of.

Thanks to Exec. Dir. Rey Hulog for suggesting that I do the tabulation program for KBP.

Thanks to Election Committee Chairman Erwin Galang for being able to pull all the necessary resources together, including the partnership with LoadCentral.

Thanks to Jeff, Steve, Jomarc Orpiada and the rest of LoadCentral for sharing their server for KBP's use at Pius Center and for the sleepless nights that they spent to ensure that KBP gives the quickest but accurate count. Jomarc still goes to Pius everyday to send us the latest files.

Thanks to all the representatives of KBP member networks who stayed at Pius. This includes Mar of Bombo. We have shown that regardless of the different competing networks we represent, we can work together.

Thanks to the men and women of Vanguard Radio Network for their cooperation which led to our first networkwide simulcast.

Thanks to Bruce Mones, Sherwin Racelis and Gear Arellano for not hesitating to help when they were most needed. Bruce, you made our vision in 1997 a reality. Sherwin and Gear, we were the ones talking about it during that time. (You too, Diadz Louis.)

Thanks to my family, especially my wife, Jenn, Kitkat, Boing and Neil, for supporting me while I did the program for 2 weeks, day and night.

Thanks to Comelec for allowing us to get the files that enabled us to tabulate quickly.

Thanks to PPCRV's Anna Singson for pushing for the type of file that we needed.

Thanks to the BOD of KBP for making the right decision to partner with PPCRV as non-KBP members benefited from it by receiving the same files we asked for (kaya panalo ang lahat ng Pilipino).

Thanks to the Filipino people, for lining up on May 10, eventhough it was very inconvenient, but still did their duty and hoped that the election would be credible.

Thanks to my dad, Manuel Gregorio Galvez, Jr., for buying me a thick "Mastering PHP 4.1" book worth P1,395 on Jan. 6, 2003 with the following dedication: "To Noel, May this book help quench your thirst for knowledge and understanding in this special field of endeavor...Love, Daddy". After 7 years, you have seen how that single act of generosity towards your son made a BiG difference in the country.

Thanks to Junior Chamber International - Makati or JCI, for always reminding us that "Service to humanity is the best work of life".

And thank God for giving me the privilege to use my passion for the benefit of this nation.

It's great to be a Filipino!

ALIENS

2010-05-19T17:59:00.002+08:00

“There once was a town full of people who grew hysterical because they saw mysterious lights in the sky that they taught were Flying saucers passing overhead. Everybody became paranoid. Everybody suspected everyone as being aliens disguised as humans. Their fear grew when the town was suddenly plunged into total darkness. All houses had power failure, except for a few. Those who lived in them were suspected as part of the alien invasion. Since they could not explain the glitch why their houses had lights and the others didn’t, they were killed by the townspeople. The family who lived in the next house that got back its light were killed by the townspeople too. One by one, as the houses regained power, the people who lived in it got mobbed to death. This went on until all houses lit up, recovering from the brown out.

By then, everyone was dead.

There were no aliens that died that day. And they didn’t even have human collaborators in that town.

The alien invaders were safely orbiting the earth in their spaceship. The mysterious lights the people saw were small, minor lasers targeting the computers of the power plant of the town. The resulting computer glitch was only equally small and resulted in temporary random minor brown outs. But this small computer glitch served its purpose for the aliens: they didn’t have to kill any humans themselves. The stupid humans, with their innate paranoia, ignorance of technology, and murderous distrust of each other are perfectly capable of doing that job themselves.”

I heard this story a long time ago. It’s something I call “Kwentong Barbero.” But in the light of what is happening today I find the story very relevant. I just heard over the radio that Losers in the just concluded elections, the ones I call League Of Losers (LOL), have banded together to question the PCOS machines. They presented a witness. With his disguise he looks like he descended from the Makapilis whose noble lineage can be traced all the way back to the alien invasion of the Philippines by the Japanese during World War II.

They seemed to be determined to move heaven and earth to prove that the election results were faulty, especially in their districts where they lost. They would rather see the national elections nullified or atleast see the country dragged back to the dark ages with interminable manual recounting of the ballots. Like in the story, we stupid humans are perfectly capable of shooting ourselves in the foot while standing on each other’s heads.

What these League Of Losers (LOL) have not realized is that their predictable defiance in accepting defeat has always been part and parcel of the master plan of Invading Aliens who are safely orbiting the earth in the space ship called Malacanang.

She didn’t have to rig the elections in favor of their candidate.

She didn’t have to plot failure of elections.

She didn’t have to lift a finger.

It will be given to her while she Laughs Out Loud (LOL)

All she has to do is sit this one out

and wait…

And wait…

Blog ni Sage

2010-05-17T18:45:00.000+08:00

sagesabesadememories.blogspot.com

Ayheen on Election Day

2010-05-12T17:43:00.007+08:00

I wonder what she's thinking...

"Angel!: If there were a place that we didn’t know of

and there, on some unsayable carpet,

lovers displayed what they could never bring to mastery here—

the bold exploits of their high-flying hearts,

their towers of pleasure,

their ladders that have long since been standing

where there was no ground,

leaning just on each other, trembling,—

and could master all this,

before the surrounding spectators,

the innumerable soundless dead:

Would these, then, throw down their final,

forever saved-up,

forever hidden,

unknown to us,

eternally valid

coins of happiness

before the,

at last,

genuinely smiling pair on the gratified carpet?"

IRON MAN 2 (MAY 1, 2010)

2010-05-03T08:02:00.002+08:00

We watched it on Labor Day. Which is IRONic since May 1 is worker's day while IRON MAN movie is about a billionaire prick who heads the biggest military industrial complex and thinks that Iron Man is a Capitalist's Tool... Sorry guys, that's what I get for talking with Rejectionists and Reaffirmists. Linchak.

I snitched the picture below from Sage's FB account (Sorry, man.)

Sabine's 1st Bouquet

2010-04-26T18:41:00.001+08:00

Dear Sabine, After your ballet recital, you went back to the stage with that bouquet to take a bow. You were hugging the flowers close to you like a babe in swaddling clothes. You looked more perfect with it in your arms. There’s a stuffed toy that comes with it. We just gave it to you when we boarded the car (It’s a cat we named “Snowbelle.”)

The bouquet of colorful flowers of spring is from Holland Tulips. The “tulip” in the wrapper is predominantly… tangerine-- Not exactly the color of integrity these days. So I asked the florist to make sure that it gets tied together by a big yellow ribbon. When we went to TagKawayan (TK) the following day, we brought along your bouquet, Sabine. Your Mom removed the ribbon and tied it to the top of the van.

I swear to God, if she murmurs Noynoy’s name in her sleep I’d hunt him down and break that sonamagun in half with my bare hands.

Our Degas

2010-04-24T18:51:00.001+08:00

Gutsy Sadie. Junior ko.

2010-04-24T00:48:00.002+08:00

Trampoline at Eastwood

2010-04-21T05:00:00.004+08:00

After Sabine's Ballet recital, we went to Eastwood for a snack at KFC. Then we took a stroll and ended up enjoying some "air time"

Happy Birthday, Dad!

2010-04-20T23:24:00.003+08:00

Dad just turned 79 years old today. We went bowling at SM North EDSA. He rolled a 114. May he reach that age with MORE health, wealth and happiness.

Wakeboard

2010-04-19T14:13:00.001+08:00

In front of our log cabin, just before our wakeskating and kneeboarding adventure.

Sage Kneeboarding at CWC

2010-04-19T14:09:00.000+08:00

Zipline with Sage

2010-04-19T14:06:00.001+08:00

the zipline wasn't really that fast. it's more like a "ZZZ" line. but the gentle speed afforded us the luxury of enjoying the view of the lake and the canopy of the trees just a few stories below us.

2010-04-18T12:09:00.006+08:00

So many girls, so little time... WAAAAAHHH!!!

Tristan: Dad, you know your boobs are bigger than the first grader chick who was hitting on me yesterday?

Me: Dude, unless you can take me on the ring with the gloves off, I suggest you lay off talking about my manboobs. capisce?

Tristan: Chill old man. I'm just messin' with you.

Me: Hey, wanna check out the french chicks by the pool?

Tristan: As long as you promise me you won't tell Mom, The Sisters, The Ninang and the Lola.

Me: Scout's honor, dude.

Tristan: Swweeettt...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SAGE!

2010-03-28T05:52:00.005+08:00

Sage, you chose a very simple cake (Brazo de mercedes type.) And blew a candle that even though had seen better days, was made special because it was the only candle who heard you make your 10th bday wish

Gun Ban...

2010-03-27T16:37:00.001+08:00

Sabine as an out of this world "Kitloyd"

2010-03-27T16:30:00.001+08:00

The North Face

2010-03-15T14:51:00.013+08:00

Dear Kids,
There's this one, beautiful, unforgettable face that I always see in my dreams for a long time now. They call it the North Face of Mt. Eiger. But I knew even then that I don't stand a chance of fulfilling my dream of climbing her. Maybe that's why recently, I've been having dreams of being into wall climbing. It is probably my way of trying to sublimate the unrequited love I have for the North Face of Eiger.
Yesterday was my 42nd Birthday on this Earth, I was lucky enough to have a woman who indulges me my every whim. I asked her if I could go wall climbing and like a sexy genie in a bottle, she granted my wish. Off we went to Market! Market at the Fort.

It was around 11:30 AM. While everyone in the world was watching Manny Pacquiao pummel a low calibered fighter named Clottey, I was living a very small part of my dream.

The dudes manning the Sandugo.Ph wall climbing facility at fifth floor of Market! Market! told us that we only have to pay P50 per climb. It was a come on for the undecided to make them shift from being an onlooker to a wannabee adventurer. What they fail (or deliberately failed) to tell us was we have to pay an additional 200 pesos for the dudes outside who will stay on the ground as we climb up. They will pull on the harness attached to us to break our fall or pull us down when we have completed the climb. I had to grudgingly shell out precious moolah.

After putting on the harness I began my self-propelled ascent to the top of the world… I mean… wall.
Itutuloy...

testing

2010-03-06T12:48:00.001+08:00

123

Akyat Center

2010-02-26T21:39:00.003+08:00

When I was a kid as a treat to me when we visit Manila, My Dad would usually drive by Roxas boulevard so that we can see the then lonely monolith, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, rising from what used to be the waters of Manila Bay. Once sighted, I remember I always excitedly wrap my arms around my Mother’s neck as I try to pull myself up from the car seat while shouting “Akyat Center, Akyat Center!” (It was a signal to my Dad. I wanted him to drive the car up the ramp of the Cultural Center so that we can view the length of Roxas Boulevard from the top and then glide down on the other end like a slow moving plane coming back to the level of the earth). That was “the event” that I usually looked forward to whenever we came over for the Christmas Holidays.

My Dad is still fond of telling this story to his grand kids, or at least to those who would patiently listen.

My parents kept on with the routine of taking me to the top of the CCP until those who ran the complex wised-up and started to politely refuse the general public access to the ramps.

That’s why ever since I can remember CCP, had a mystical hold on me-- even though the shows regularly held there were not interesting to me. Because, frankly, they are beyond my budget for entertainment. To me they were expensive and uninteresting…

…Except for the coming show on March 28.

Yesterday Ayheen told me that she was informed by Sabine’s Ballet teacher that she is going to join their Corps’ recital at the CCP on March 28.

This Date happens to be Sage’s Birthday too.

Sabine has been taking Ballet Lessons for only 2 months now that’s why we didn’t expect her to be a part of any show.

So this means just like my Dad, who will be watching the Ballet Recital with us, Sabine will take me to the top of the Cultural Center too, along with her sisters, brother and those who are closest to our Hearts.

I’m sure the landscape that I will view from the top has changed after all these years

BUT not the kind of love that has brought me back there.

I can’t wait to see Sadie and Tristan’s faces when we go up that ramp…

Bravo, Sabine!

Happy Birthday, Ate Sage!!!

Sunday Morning... February 21

2010-02-22T18:12:00.003+08:00

A Sage at 9 years old

2010-02-08T21:33:00.001+08:00

Happy Bloody Valentine's Day...

2010-02-07T19:44:00.004+08:00

Me> On a hot summer night, would you offer your bloody throat to the wolf with the red roses...

Wife> Yes...

Me> owws? Bolera. I bet you say that to all the boys.

Walking in the Sun...

2010-02-03T11:36:00.000+08:00

“You might as well be walking on the sun…”

This morning, while stuck in traffic somewhere under the bridge along floodway, Pasig, Janine, Sage and Kay were talking about how one of their classmates saw a planet the other night. The conversation drifted to include the Stars and the Sun (One of them noted that the sun is the nearest star to Earth.)

Janine skeptically asked off-handedly, “Can a person really walk on the sun?”

Sage answered her “No.”

Then Kay chipped in “they can only walk on the sun in Phineas and Ferb (a cartoon series on TV.)”

Then somebody asked is the sun the biggest star? During the pause that ensued, I volunteered that sometimes stars like our sun balloon into really gigantic stars called “red giants.”

They asked how really big do they get? I answered, the sun can become so big it will gobble up the Earth. In the rear view mirror I could see Sage and Kay got a little upset with what I said.

So I added “don’t worry about it, by the time that happens we will all be long gone, including everyone we know and their great, great, great, great grandchildren.”

“What’s the difference between the Milky way and Black hole?” I realized I just opened the Pandora’s box of Janine’s curiosity. Kay gamely answered, “I know: Milky Way is white chocolate while a black hole is a Dark chocolate.” This brought the house down. I mean, Car. We we’re laughing so hard at how ingeniously she phrased the metaphor.

I just added that the milky way is one of the galaxies in space where our own sun is located while the black hole is formed when a red giant becomes so big. I asked them, “what happens to a balloon that has grown so big?” unanimously they said, “It explodes.”

Boom! I said that’s how black holes are formed. Imagine a Red Giant Star exploding because it becomes so heavy, it collapses and becomes smaller than my thumb. Its gravity will suck in everything around it including light…

Then it hit me! Susmaryosep! I’m talking about General Relativity to Grade Schoolers and they are gamely taking it in stride.

“Why did God create other planets when no one lives there?” Wow! That was a hard one. Janine was on a roll. As far as I’m concerned she just asked the grade school equivalent of the question “If a tree falls in the middle of the forest, does it make a sound?” I felt my nose will bleed in a few seconds…

Thank God one of them said that if someday when the sun becomes too big and gobbles up the Earth, we will need to live on other Planets.

Kay exclaimed “Then we will be the aliens in those planets!” (I just realized that James Cameron’s film “Avatar” has entrenched itself in our pop culture.)

When we reached another bottle neck in the Eastwood area, Janine asked “Tito Marvin, is there a planet where time stops.” Ok, I asked myself how the hell does one explain special relativity to a 5th grader?

I treaded carefully, I said we can not really stop time but time slows down. “Ate Janine, right now our car is traveling at around 30 kilometers per hour because we’re in traffic (and we are running late). If your friend is in a car that is traveling at the speed of light , which is almost 300,000 kilometers per SECOND, time will slow down. Once you catch up with your friend who is now in School after riding in a car that traveled at almost the speed of light, and you compare your watches, you will see that her watch ran slower than yours.

I think it was Kay who asked “what about the watch of somebody on a Jet plane who is not traveling as fast as light?”

I answered that there will also be a difference in their watches when compared to the one who traveled on a Jet plane. But I added that difference will be so small.

Kay guessed “Will the difference be one second?”

I answered “Well, not quite. You guys studied FRACTIONS and DECIMALS, right?” I continued, “the difference can be measured by probably a billionth of a second.”

Sage commented that no one can feel THAT difference. Everyone including Sabine agreed with her. On the flyover while looking out the window, she commented that the Sun is like a giant ball with many flashlights. Then added that Ms. Romero said that there was a place called “Big Apple” not because it contains Red Giant Apples but because of the many people there.

I said, “That’s New York.”

I think it was Janine who sang the chorus of “Empire State of Mind.” Mercifully, the conversation shifted to Jay-Z and Alicia Keys. I secretly breathed a sigh of relief and thanked God. I told myself I can relax now. Talking about the Grammy Awards and Beyonce will not make my nose bleed unlike the previous topic.

For the rare and unexpected friend...

2010-01-29T13:16:00.002+08:00

Sadie's Favorite... From Princess and the Frog.

(Ooh)
For the way you changed my plans
For being the perfect distraction
For the way you took the idea that I have
Of everything that I wanted to have
And made me see there was something missing (oh yeah)

For the ending of my first begin
(Ooh yeah yeah)(ooh yeah yeah)
And for the rare and unexpected friend
(Ooh yeah yeah)(ooh yeah yeah)
For the way you're something that I never choose
But at the same time something I don't wanna lose
And never wanna be without ever again (oh oh)

You're the best thing I Never Knew I Needed
So when you were here I had no idea
You're the best thing I never knew I needed
So now it's so clear I need you here always

My accidental happily (ever after oh oh oh)
The way you smile and how you comfort me (with your laughter)
I must admit you were not a part of my book
But now if you open it up and take a look
You're the beginning and the end of every chapter (oh oh)

You're the best thing I never knew I needed (oh)
So when you were here I had no idea
You're the best thing I never knew I needed (that I needed)
So now it's so clear I need you here always

Who'd knew that I'd be here (who'd knew that I'd be here oh oh)
So unexpectedly (so unexpectedly oh oh)
Undeniably happy (hey)
Said with you right here, right here next to me (oh)
Girl you're the...

You're the best thing I never knew I needed (said I needed oh oh)
So when you were here I had no idea
You're the best thing I never knew I needed (needed oh)
So now it's so clear I need you here always
Baby baby
Now it's so clear I need you here always

January 26, Sadie's Birthday

2010-01-26T03:57:00.005+08:00

Ballerina Girl

2010-01-25T13:08:00.004+08:00

Recent Adventures

2010-01-25T12:58:00.009+08:00

On the way to Enchanted Kingdom, last month, they trained Sadie to ask "Are we there yet?" Notice how they made Sadie close her eyes so that she will be able to concentrate on asking that irritating question and not be distracted by the scenery outside.

Enchanted Kingdom's Space Shuttle...

I was the one whispering into the cam phone the words "first loop.... not bad" and something unintelligible that I can't remember now. I was not the idiot shouting his lungs out like a 5 year old kid in his first roller coaster ride

Sage really enjoyed this. Buti nalang. I thought she'd find it boring and sleep halfway through the glide over the lake.

Look at how she posed for the camera...

That was me giving Sage the Thumb's up sign.

The Lovely Bones

2010-01-25T12:57:00.001+08:00

“THE LOVELY BONES.”

Jimmy Lichauco once said that Karma is a law of the universe. Simply put, the evil that happens to you is a direct result of what you did or did not do.

Bullshit... (Pls. excuse my French.)

Everytime I hear self-proclaimed psychics like Jimmy Lichauco talk about Karma, I become nauseated. Because I remember kids like Jon Benet Ramsey and the other DESAPERACIDOS, kids, mostly girls, abducted, molested, and then ultimately murdered.

It doesn’t take a scientist to realize that Jimmy Lichauco is dead wrong. These girls did not, could not have done anything to deserve their fate. If Karma is indeed a universal law like gravity or thermodynamics, then there wouldn’t be any girls like Susie Salmon, the lead character in the novel, Lovely Bones (LB for brevity.)

That book gave a detailed account of the circumstances surrounding the murder and brutal molestation of a teenage girl. She was 14. In the vernacular, “Katorse.”
The same age recently, unfairly, sexualized by a popular telenobela. (Coinicidentally, I finished reading the book LB while the women in my life were watching the replacement of that telenobela in the same room with me.)

IT still gives me chills. I believe in God and the Goodness, Justness of God. But I don’t believe in ghosts or vampires or the Devil. And I believe that Satan is just a symbol of evil lurking within the human heart. Satan is Wrath, Satan is Cancer, Satan is Ignorance- Like the kind of Ignorance being imposed on us by people like Jimmy Lichauco who want us to believe in the extraordinary claim of existence of ghosts without satisfying our scientific requirement for extraordinary proof.

It takes more than a story about ghosts to scare the living daylights out of me. But this book about ghosts, LB, still gives me chills.

I’m scared because even though I know there is no proof that the devil or evil ghosts, or those who have sold their very souls to the devil are capable of breaking the laws of physics, books like LB make me realize that Satan doesn’t need to break Einstein’s laws to wreak havoc in our lives. Satan may not be able make a book levitate at will because laws of gravity prevent him from doing so, but he can whisper unimaginable wrath into the human heart owned by someone flying a passenger plane. With that wrath he could will the pilot to plow the plane into the World Trade Center.

The perpetrator of evil in the book, serial killer/rapist George Harvey, doesn’t have horns, or hoofs, or tail.

Just like Jason Ivler.

He could be anyone. You can never know. Because how exactly can you gauge the human heart? That’s why, as I have said, IGNORANCE is EVIL.

That’s why, reading that book made me paranoid. I wanted to arm those women in my life and my kids and my son with assault rifles whenever they step out of the house, or make them put on chastity belts, or implant them with indestructible Adamantium claws of Wolverine. I couldn’t do that. I could enroll them in self-defense classes for them to learn the ways of mortal combat.

But the truth is, all I can really do is pray as hard as I can for them to be delivered from evil, everyday of their lives…

And he said...

2010-01-23T23:49:00.002+08:00

And he said 'cast your burdens upon me
those who are heavily laiden

come to me all of you who are tired
of carrying heavy load

come to me...

and I will give you rest.'

Dear God, I realized that this is my first blog entry for the new year... for the new decade. I want to thank you... after so long a time

THANK YOU

for lifting that heavy burden.
for letting me see there is real beauty within
for showing me, I'm not a beast at all.

Now I can have faith in myself again.

Merci Tres Beaucoup.

Predictions for 2009 (NOT 2010)

2009-12-31T21:36:00.000+08:00

Nostradamus was a man who wasn’t able to predict anything about the future. Those who study his

writings can not predict anything accurate enough to be of any use to anyone. His quartrains are good only as propaganda to sell poorly written books, B movies, and pseudo documentaries about the supposed existence of “psychic” powers.

Nostradamus’ writings are also useful to dictators like Hitler.

Before the Nazi invasion of France, Joseph Goebbels,
the chief Hitler propagandist, circulated a lie: he said that based on the predictions of this obscure French Doctor, His boss will succeed in invading the whole world. Those in France who were superstitious enough to believe this lie unwittingly contributed to the capitulation of their country to Hitler. In essence, Nostradamus’ writings not only succeeded in pulling the National IQ of France a few notches lower than before, it also contributed to its temporary defeat by lowering its morale.

The truth is, his writings are so vague, if you are smart enough you can take any of them out of context and make it appear that he was able to predict what you had for breakfast this morning. All you have to do is make a vague connection with what he wrote, and Voila! You can make it appear that Nostradamus was able to foretell, HUNDREDS OF YEAR AGO, that you had hot dog sandwich and brewed coffee while watching CNN.

Because they are so vague, you can connect anything he wrote to anything else that has

happened YESTERDAY
or is happening around you NOW.
But you CAN NOT use his writings to predict what WILL HAPPEN TOMMORROW.

Since Hitler’s time, Nostradamus fans have been studying his quartrains. None of them convincingly warned us about September 11, 2001. The only time they claimed that his quartrains were able to predict the 9-11 tragedy was only on September 12, 2001 (when they started connecting what happened in the immediate past to his vague writings.)

In case you missed what I just said… THEY WERE ABLE TO MAKE THE PREDICTION ONLY AFTER THE DISASTER HAPPENED.

That’s why the study of Nostradamus’ writings is also known as Bovine Eschatology (loosely translated, it means bullshit).

That being said, here are my Top 10 PREDICTIONS for the year 2009!!! (a.k.a. more useless crap) :

10. “PeaceMaker” Obama will launch missile strikes against the moon.

9. Andal Ampatuan,Jr.’s picture will be the MOST WANTED newspaper banner.

8. Cory Aquino’s Bodyguards in active duty will become famous for being INACTIVE.

7. Jinky Pacquiao will want to borrow the Golf Club of Tiger Woods’ WIFE.

6. Price of Cars and real estate will… DIVE… in Marikina and Pasig areas.

5. Obviously, NEW YORK YANKEES will win the 2009 World Series.

4. Year 2009? For Michael Jackson… This is IT.

3. Hayden Kho will show he has a SMALL talent in front of cameras.

2. This Internet RUMOR will gross-out even stomachs of steel:
VICKY BELO sex scandal.

AND MY NUMBER 1 PREDICTION FOR THE YEAR 2009…

1. Even though there are no elections, Filipinos WORLD WIDE will vote for a HERO.

My Predictions for the year 2010?... Come back next year… I’ll write them on December 2010.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! (hwag mag paloko sa mga manghuhula)

Happy New Year!

2009-12-30T23:55:00.002+08:00

May the Next Year and the Next Decade be better than the passing one.

A Prosperous and Healthier New Year and New Decade to one and ALL!!!

Praying for a new House

2009-11-05T00:06:00.003+08:00

Famille

2009-10-27T01:44:00.000+08:00

LINTEK LANG WALANG GANTI.

2009-10-22T11:28:00.000+08:00

Tristan is 10 Months Old (October 15, 2009)

2009-10-17T23:12:00.002+08:00

Sunday Night

2009-10-16T12:01:00.001+08:00

You're better then the best
I'm lucky just to linger in your light
Cooler then the flip side of my pillow, that's right
Completely unaware
Nothing can compare to where you send me,
Lets me know that it's ok, yeah it's ok
And the moments where my good times start to fade

You make me smile like the sun
Fall out of bed, sing like bird
Dizzy in my head, spin like a record
Crazy on a Sunday night
You make me dance like a fool
Forget how to breathe
Shine like gold, buzz like a bee
Just the thought of you can drive me wild
Ohh, you make me smile

Even when you're gone
Somehow you come along
Just like a flower poking the sidewalk crack and just like that
You steal away the rain and just like that

You make me smile like the sun
Fall out of bed, sing like bird
Dizzy in my head, spin like a record
Crazy on a Sunday night
You make me dance like a fool
Forget how to breathe
Shine like gold, buzz like a bee
Just the thought of you can drive me wild
Ohh, you make me smile

Don't know how I lived without you
Cuz everytime that I get around you
I see the best of me inside your eyes

You make me smile
You make me dance like a fool
Forget how to breathe
Shine like gold, buzz like a bee
Just the thought of you can drive me wild

You make me smile like the sun
Fall out of bed, sing like bird
Dizzy in my head, spin like a record
Crazy on a Sunday night
You make me dance like a fool
Forget how to breathe
Shine like gold, buzz like a bee
Just the thought of you can drive me wild
Ohh, you make me smile

Long story...

2009-10-11T21:11:00.006+08:00

NO TV WEEKEND

I received a letter last week (September 18) from Sage's teacher, challenging me to spend the coming weekend with my daughter without watching TV. My first reaction was, "You have gotta be kidding me." How am I supposed to bond with my kids over the weekend without TV? The answer to that question came really fast... about 150 km/hr fast.

I woke up that Saturday morning without seeing the sun. Thick sheets of rain roared down from the heavens. Typhoon Ondoy came knocking at our doors with gale force winds. We suspected there will be serious flooding. Problem is we still had no groceries because during the past few days, Ayheen was sick, she even had to miss several ER duties at St. Luke's last week, and Sadie, our youngest daughter, started having febrile episodes the night before.

Ayheen and I went out to buy much needed supplies. But the water level outside the village was already knee-high. We decided to go back and prepare the house before the flood breaches our front door.

The rain kept pouring in buckets (in the vernacular "Balde, balde"), the first trickle of flood water stealthily crept into our house through the front door around 12:30PM. Seeing it goaded us to move faster. We were playing beat the clock against Ondoy. The bastard was winning. But I told myself that was just round one.

The water almost reached an exposed portion of an extension electric cord lying on the floor which I had not noticed before. Fortunately Ayheen alerted me of the danger. and so I was able to get the cord out of the way. She's the reason why I didn't get fried last week (just imagine the kind of obituary I would have gotten. I mean, burning to death... in the middle of a flood?).

We only moved the essentials to the second floor and we asked the kid's yaya to cook anything and everything edible as fast as she could then send it upstairs. I can tell you now, in times of crisis, those omelets and hard-boiled eggs taste like million dollar Faberge’s.

We joined the kids and my mother-in-law upstairs just before the level reached the electric socket in the kitchen. While doing an inventory of the food we rescued from the ground floor, the kids asked about the whereabouts of Parrot fish-- their only pet I allow them to keep. Without second thoughts I ran back downstairs to get the fish and its aquarium. While my kids were in awe thinking how heroic their dad was in saving their pet, their dad was trying to remember how many calories does a very, very raw sushi have.

SURVIVOR: Pasig

At one point, the flood water rose at a rate of 3 ft./hr. At that rate, I figured if we were to be rescued, we’d be on our toes… standing on the roof.

That’s when our brains clicked into survival mode. Our furniture and vehicle below were starting to swim in the flood but they were farthest from our minds. I started to pull out the curtains and strung them together as makeshift ropes just in case we need to tie ourselves together to prevent being washed away from our house by the rampaging floodwater. I looked for a large tarpaulin that I kept in the attic that would serve as a shelter above our heads should we find ourselves fighting for our lives against the wind and rain should we need to make our last stand against these elements on our rooftop.

We have an attic but the windows have grills. Should the flood reach that level we’d be trapped. I tried to pull out the air conditioner but it wouldn’t budge because it was awkwardly positioned. The part outside the house is slightly tilted towards the ground, hence pulling it out of its casing would have required superhuman strength. So I did what all other self respecting husbands would have done under such extreme circumstance—I called Superwoman, my wife, for help.

Together, and with the use of a barbell handle bar as a lever, I was able to yank the air conditioner out of its casing. As it slid out, the kid’s yaya Ning helped me carry it down to the attic floor. The air conditioner’s casing was extremely difficult to pull out since it was nailed to the window. The roaring sound of wind and rain was joined by the periodic, metallic clang of my barbell handle bar as I tried to use it as a pike to pry the metal casing loose. It took me a while to get the job done. Later, the neighbors told me they thought I was going desperately crazy by making all that bone chilling noise.

My mother-in-law was rock solid all throughout this ordeal. She kept on telling Sage not to panic, to have presence of mind because we might need to swim that night. She sounded like she was talking to Sage just before we go to her school’s family day. The only time I heard her voice falter was right after she lead the praying of the Rosary, she muttered, “Dyos ko, tama na po.”

The wind and rain were merciless. If I were to die that night and should the kids be lucky enough to live, they would remember everything I’d say, so I chose my words very carefully. To all my three daughters, I repeatedly told each one of them that:

“You are very beautiful. You are beautiful because real beauty lies within.”

“Dad loves you so much. But God loves you even more. Whatever happens, God loves you more than I love you.”

But the truth is, should we find ourselves that night outside the comfort of our bedroom, their chances of survival is practically nil. Sadie had fever and Tristan is just a babe; their bodies are the least prepared to fight the biting cold outside. In the cold calculus of survival, I will lose some of my family if we find ourselves trapped in the roof. And I will lose all of them if we get washed away by the flood.

AWAITING DAWN

Earlier that day I was thinking of the battle against this typhoon as a game or a boxing match. He was ahead on points and I had to hustle. I was wallowing in the illusion that I was living Sebastian Junger’s Perfect Storm. That illusion turned into a nightmare with the sudden realization that I can lose my wife, my kids, my life that very night. It humbled me. It depressed me. I felt so helpless.

We did everything we could. I already prepared my family and asked our neighbors and everyone within hearing range to prepare for the worst. The only chance we have is for the heavens to answer our prayers and stop the rain from falling. I found myself echoing the plea of Ayheen’s Mom: “Dyos ko, tama na po.”

I turned my attention to my kids. I may not be able to stop the rain, but I can try to make this experience less traumatic for them. I let them sing songs. I think their favorite was Taylor Swift’s You Belong With Me. My most important duty is to help them go through a rough experience without letting them get emotionally scarred.

Of the three girls, it was Sabine who showed signs of being distressed. She becomes reticent when she feels something is terribly wrong. Her eyes become alert… and terrified. Looking into those large brown eyes is like seeing her beautiful soul. That night I saw fear when I looked at her.

I tried to talk to her but for the longest time she stubbornly held on to her fear. She finally smiled only when I said that on her 6th birthday (October 30), we will go to CAMSUR so that we can go wakeboarding. That perked her up. She finally smiled and said she only wants to swim in the pool there. Sabine started wearing the inflatable rings around her chest and arms. She started walking around as if she were a beach bum.

(In retrospect, I feel so sorry now since I can’t make that promise happen. We have to wisely allocate our surviving meager resources and prioritize meeting our budget.)

The rains finally stopped furiously beating on us sometime that night (I couldn’t tell when since I measured the passage of time not by the ticking of the clock but by the number of steps in our stairs that the water level has reached.) But even though the rain has stopped, the wind was still howling. I knew that rescue will come not earlier than the coming dawn.

SABINE PRIVATE RYAN

After a sleepless night, a cloudy dawn greeted us. The water level has yet to recede. And the rain occasionally poured down the water that has yet to be drained from the heavens, further slowing the flood level’s descent. As we talked among ourselves (our small neighborhood became tightly knit overnight) we started hearing the sound of helicopters mechanically chopping the air around us with their blades. They were flying so low, I could see the serial number near their tails. Sabine came out of our small balcony, smiled at the pilots, waved at them and playfully shouted “FOOD PLEASE!”

I guess the pilot scratched his head, decided that Sabine didn’t look the part of an emaciated flood victim, then tossed out his kitty of relief goods to the other side of the row of houses away from us. It actually made me smile-- Atleast my kids look healthy even if they are candidly caught by those big broadcast network’s cameras for their prime time audience.

But at that moment I did an inventory of our supplies and despite of my absence of actuarial skills, I can tell that we wouldn’t last a day without more supplies of water and food.

Fortunately, Ayheen spotted the tightly sealed, 2-gallon bottled water we left behind as we dashed to the second floor the previous day to prevent getting electrocuted in the flood water. It was floating in filthy, mud filled water that was still about 7ft. deep. I tied the makeshift ropes (curtains) I made to our balcony window and carefully climbed down to a waiting liquid pool of brown filth below. I swam towards the 2-gallon bottled water and tied the handle to the end of the rope so that Ayheen could pull it up the balcony. It was so heavy, I was waiting for it to drop so that I can just climb up the rope and pull it myself. To their credit, Ayheen and Yaya Ning didn’t let it drop down. With sheer force of will they were able to pull it up. I said to myself I was one luck SOB being in the company of Superwomen. I climbed back using the rope and promised myself that I will never, ever drink Café Mocha again for as long as I live.

Though that water has been secured, our food has yet to be replenished. And Sadie was still febrile.

I learned later that my whole family were working the phones through the night, asking help from friends, trying to pull whatever strings they can pull, collecting on whatever debt owed them by somebody or anybody just to get us out of there by any means necessary.

My sister, Ate Joy, and her whole family came all the way from Cabanatuan in the middle of the storm to try to help us. My brother emailed the coordinates of our apartment to a friend who is also a fellow KBP Standard’s Authority Director, and Air Force Officer, Col. Somodio, using Google Earth. My sister-in-law, Jen, braved the receding flood waters at the foot of Rosario Bridge, Ortigas Extension to talk to our Dad’s old friend who has become a top notch technocrat in this administration’s Press department. She was endorsed to his people and was ultimately referred to very tall, melanin-impaired guys with big boats.

Later that day, inside our flooded apartment, I heard my name being called out by a familiar voice. When I peeked outside our window, I saw my diminutive sister-in-law, Jen, looking every inch like Bonaparte in yellow raincoat and New York Yankees’ cap, in command of a small fleet-- Two rubber boats manned by the US Navy.

ANSWERED PRAYERS

The kids and my mother-in-law and Yaya Ning had already been rescued about 30 or 40 minutes earlier before Jen came with her boats. We decided to let them leave with the police because:

Sadie may need to be hydrated with Intravenous Fluid which we didn’t have,
Tristan’s can of milk powder is starting to hit Tin bottom.
Ayheen’s Mom was complaining of non-specific symptoms including epigastric pain,
Food supply is really low I’ve been eating only small quantities of high caloric peanut butter and Ayheen, despite of my prodding, was developing her own version of a killer south beach diet which involves eating only liberal quantities of air.

When Sadie was asking for real food instead of crackers, Sage replied that she will call 911-11-11 for a Pizza. Marie Antoinette would have been proud.

My instructions to Sage before she left was that she was to take really good care of her sisters. She was not to let them out of her sight-- even when they had to use the Restroom they should all stick together. She was to maintain her presence of mind.

When they boarded the police's boat, I heard our neighbors cheering them on. They were all smiling and my kids smiled back at them. "Para lang silang nagpi-picnic" commented one. When they left Ayheen smiled at me and said "o ngayon pwede na tayo magutom."

ANNIE AND SOFIE

30 minutes after they left, Jen arrived with her fleet. When we boarded one rubber boat I wanted to tell our caucasian friends "Welcome to New Orleans!" but I decided it was not the time for wisecracks. They kept on telling us that they only have 5 minutes to spare. And that they can only accommodate the two of us.

Right.

We told them that there are others needing rescue near the back of the Village where the flooding was worse. After hesitating for a moment, the guy who looked like Dennis Leary radioed his CO then asked me for directions. Jen, on the other hand, was rescuing a whole family trapped inside a house near our apartment. She asked, or was it "ordered," those burly guys she was with to breakdown the submerged frontdoor so that those people can get out.

From 2nd avenue we went all the way to the 10th. There we aided a young mother named Annie and her 6month old daughter, Sofie. We assessed that Sofie was not yet dehydrated, thank God. She looked so fragile and terrified of her new acquaintance. We didn't pry her away from her Mom for the rest of the trip to Rosario.

The Americans were amazed at what they saw around the village. Despite of the rubbish and devastation, people were waving at them, sometimes playfully chanting "VFA! VFA!" There was evenone guy in his balcony waving at them with soap suds all over his body, apparently bathing in flood water. Rich and Poor residents are asking for food and water. The Navy grunts promised us that after dropping us off, they are coming back to supply our neighbors with those basic needs.

AMAZING KIDS

Meanwhile, The Kids, their Yaya and Ayheen's Mom were all safe inside the Ambulance of The Medical City. I was told that when an MD commented that Sadie didn't have fever, it was Sabine who correctly volunteered the information that it was because Sadie was just given medicine at 11 AM and that it hasn't been four hours since her last dose of paracetamol. The doctors asked why she knew those things. She replied it's because her parents are Doctors too.

They were all supposed to be taken to an evacuation center, but Sage's eagle eyes spotted the Car of her Ninong Noel, my kid brother, that was parked near a gasoline station. iT turned out that my all members of my family were all there at the Rosario gasoline station.

All their cousins were there to greet them. It was like a reunion for them. After spending an afternoon picinic.

But since we were still inside the Village in the rubber boat, we didn't know they were OK. Ayheen cried when she called My Dad's house and was told that the Kids were not there yet. We were so worried we thought we made the wrong decision in letting them Go before us.

It was then Annie’s turn to comfort Ayheen as Baby Sofie quietly looked on, more relaxed as if sensing that she had been delivered out of danger.

We started calling out Sage’s name while walking along the length of Rosario Bridge. I looked for them at Grocery just beside the Rosario Church. When I couldn’t find them there I went inside the church. I tried to look at all the faces inside and outside the church. It was the middle of the homily. The priest was giving a sermon about why we shouldn’t blame God for disasters like floods because Men are to blame for these disasters—Not GOD. I heard that sermon before or a variation of it. It’s a cliché but it has taken on a new meaning for me. Almost tearfully I told myself that God is also not to blame for my stupid decision of letting my kids leave the house without us.

Fortunately, when I left the church I saw Jen talking to her CP that finally got a working mobile phone network signal again. She then shouted out to me that the kids were safe. They were all in the van with the rest of their cousins.

Itutuloy...

2013

2009-09-14T11:12:00.005+08:00

The Great Seer predicted that the world will end on December 31, 11:59PM in the year 2012. Every body believed her when she made this prediction back in 2009 which was more or less 3 years before the world ended. After all, she correctly predicted that Kris Aquino will become the President of the Philippines. She accurately predicted that Korina Sanchez will seek annulment of her wedding to former senator roxas so that she can marry Willie Revillame instead. When she predicted that Usama Bin Laden was hiding as a second courser nursing student in one of the colleges of the Philippines, which lead to his eventual capture, the US government gave her the Presidential Medal of Freedom. And when she saved the world from economic meltdown, the dow jones industrial average climbed to 20,000 points in just 30 minutes. And she was immediately given two Nobel Prizes: 1st in Economics and the second, for PEACE.

The Great Seer was so heartbroken when she made the prediction of the world ending in 2012. According to her closest confidante, she was last seen entering the convent in Mt. Zion where Nun Novices take a lifetime vow of silence.

And so the whole world was left with no choice but to wait for its coming end which everybody thought was irreversible.

The Great Seer was NEVER WRONG in her predictions before.

And so, on the last day of the year 2012, the countdown for the end started… Everybody was resigned to their common fate. They have been shedding tears for years and months now, when December 31 came, there were no more tears left for anyone in the world to shed.…

By 11:30 PM… every body in the world came out of their houses to look at the night sky for the last time.

11:45 PM… there was complete silence.

11:50 PM…

11:55 PM…

11:58 PM… Everyone held their breath, their last breath before everybody dies.

10 seconds...

…

5…

4…

3…

2…

1…

11:59 came and went. BUT EVERY ONE WAS STILL ALIVE!!!

On 12:04 AM, January 1, 2013, everybody realized that for the first time, THE GREAT SEER HAD BEEN WRONG in her prediction. The whole world was shaken by ecstatic shouts of joy by the living who couldn’t contain their emotions for surviving the predicted end..

By 12:20 AM, Radio, TV and the Internet came alive again, mocking the once infallible seer for the prediction that didn’t come true.

And so Everybody was drinking champagne, or red horse beer, or GSM blue, or Fit n Right and were all laughing their hearts out, celebrating being alive when the END of the world came on

12:29 AM, January 1,

2013…

It was as if God just snapped his fingers and the whole Earth suddenly vaporized, leaving nothing but cosmic dust in its place in the space between Venus and Mars.

The great was indeed wrong for the first and last time.

The prediction was 30 minutes TOO EARLY.

(The Great Seer spent her High School days at the prestigious Our Lady of Lourdes Academy, TagKawayan or TK, where students were taught the value of punctuality. They wear time pieces adjusted to be 30 minutes earlier than real time. That’s why even though their classes start at 7:30AM, they were expected to be in their classrooms by 7:00AM. In making the prediction for the end, The Great forgot to make the proper adjustment, hence the prediction was inaccurate because it was TOO PUNCTUAL.)

(Author's Note: the story is just an adaptation of one of the short stories in this book of Isaac Asimov et al. My apologies to those who thought it was an original. Please call off your plans to campaign for my inclusion in next year's national artists awards. Please lang po. Allergic ako kay Carlo Caparas. )

Miriam/Maryknoll College Alumni Homecoming Mass (Sept. 5, 2009)

2009-09-06T12:42:00.004+08:00

Sage sang at the Alumni Homecoming Mass yesterday at the MC Chapel. Days before that, when I learned that she'll be singing with the Jr. Glee club I asked if I could watch them. She rolled her eyes in exasperation and said, " Dad, it's a MASS, yo."

Interpretation: "ofcourse you can come and you don't have to ask, you moron."

Sage, You were lustily applauded by those inside the chapel after the mass. We're so proud of you.

Burnham Park, Baguio; Isdaan, Tarlac

2009-08-24T17:47:00.004+08:00

St. Joseph's Church

Camp John Hay's Pet Cemetery

a message from MJ...

2009-08-21T08:32:00.006+08:00

"(My dad taught me) If you ever make a move, whether it's for a kiss or something more intimate, and you feel the slightest bit of resistance, stop. A lot of times, after you stop, they're going to then say, 'now it's OK. '...DON'T... That time, that day, that's as far as you go."- Mat McConaughey

Tristan, these words of wisdom will not make you a good person. But they will save you from getting arrested when you start dating girls. So tell all your guy friends about this piece of advice, Dude. And someday, when you talk to your son/s, and the SONS OF YOUR FRIENDS, always tell them about this. I'd like to take credit for it but that quote is not from me. I just read it yesterday from Men's Journal.

Morpheus' Speech

2009-08-20T20:44:00.002+08:00

ZION hear me!

It is true what many of you have heard.
The machines have gathered an army

and as I speak that army is drawing nearer to our home.
Believe me when I say we have a difficult time ahead of us

but if we are to be prepared for it

we must first shed our fear of it.
I stand here before you now truly unafraid!

Why?

Because I believe something you do not?

No!

I stand here without fear because I remember.

I remember that I am here not because of the path that lay before me,

but because of the path that lies behind me!
I remember that for one hundred years we have fought these machines!
I remember that for one-hundred years they have sent their armies to destroy us

and after a century of war I remember that which matters most!

We are still here!

Tonight let us send a message to that army!
Let us shake this cave!
Tonight let us tremble these walls of earth, steel and stone!
Let us be heard from red core to black sky!
Tonight let us make them remember

this is ZION

and we are not afraid!

August 18. 12AM...

2009-08-19T11:22:00.005+08:00

I couldn't afford to buy her De Beers. so she had to settle for a Cappuccino. "Handmade" (I have no Cappuccino maker. I know. I am such a cheapskate).

Happy Birthday Ayheen!

This song is for you. CLICK HERE.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmu8sa2YJVQ

TIMEZONE winnings and my attempt at Tribal Art

2009-08-15T12:55:00.001+08:00

Photograph

2009-08-06T00:32:00.003+08:00

Look at this photograph
Everytime I do it makes me laugh
How did our eyes get so red
And what the hell is on Joey's head

And this is where I grew up
I think the present owner fixed it up
I never knew we'd ever went without
The second floor is hard for sneaking out

And this is where I went to school
Most of the time had better things to do
Criminal record says I broke in twice
I must have done it half a dozen times

I wonder if it's too late
Should i go back and try to graduate
Life's better now than it was back then
If I was them I wouldn't let me in

Oh, oh, oh
Oh, god, I

Every memory of looking out the back door
I had the photo album spread out on my bedroom floor
It's hard to say it, time to say it
Goodbye, goodbye.
Every memory of walking out the front door
I found the photo of the friend that I was looking for
It's hard to say it, time to say it
Goodbye, goodbye.

Remember the old arcade
Blew every dollar that we ever made
The cops hated us hangin' out
They say somebody went and burned it down

We used to listen to the radio
And sing along with every song we know
We said someday we'd find out how it feels
To sing to more than just the steering wheel

Kim's the first girl I kissed
I was so nervous that I nearly missed
She's had a couple of kids since then
I haven't seen her since god knows when

Oh, oh, oh
Oh, god, I

Every memory of looking out the back door
I had the photo album spread out on my bedroom floor
It's hard to say it, time to say it
Goodbye, goodbye.
Every memory of walking out the front door
I found the photo of the friend that I was looking for
It's hard to say it, time to say it
Goodbye, goodbye.

I miss that town
I miss the faces
You can't erase
You can't replace it
I miss it now
I can't believe it
So hard to stay
Too hard to leave it

If I could I relive those days
I know the one thing that would never change

Every memory of looking out the back door
I had the photo album spread out on my bedroom floor
It's hard to say it, time to say it
Goodbye, goodbye.
Every memory of walking out the front door
I found the photo of the friend that I was looking for
It's hard to say it, time to say it

Goodbye,

goodbye.

I was not exactly your biggest fan, Cory. But even I must admit... you had guts, man. And a lot of heart. Someday I shall have to explain to my kids why I did not go to your funeral.
Someday...

JULY 29

2009-07-27T15:15:00.004+08:00

Sunday, July 29, 1979 (Henry is 42)

As she stands,

she stumbles toward me and says,

“Oh!”

and is gone…

Vanished…

and I stand there on the beach,

Alone,

staring at her slender footprints

in the fading light.

--From Time Traveler’s Wife

Mom passed away on July 29. 12 years ago. We were all there by her deathbed. But I was the only one who accompanied her to the morgue and the ambulance that brought us to the wake. The driver looked surprised when I said I was climbing aboard. What can I say, it was really hard to let go. I sat beside her body and held her icy hand which I knew I’d have to let go for the last time once the ambulance stops.

That was strange because I pushed her away from me all my life. When she had misunderstandings with Dad, I always sided with him. When she got impatient with Lolo, I always tell her to go easy on him. I always took Lolo’s side against hers. I didn’t believe her when she said I was a handsome bloke (I figured correctly that all mothers say that), or that I was talented. I didn’t seek her affection but she gave it to me without asking anything in return. When she offered to take me to Paris during the Bicentennial of Bastille Day, I even refused. I was pushing her away.

But for every triumph I have had, I knew it was only possible because she was praying for me every night. And when those small triumphs came I was not the one who cried-- It was her.

She died. And I couldn’t stop it. She died. And I couldn’t let go. I couldn’t let go when there was nothing to hold onto, when everything was too late.

“Sorry, I never told you.

All I’ve wanted to say…

Now you’ve flown away, so far away.”

Fight Club

2009-07-26T22:27:00.002+08:00

Deterministic Universe

2009-07-25T07:05:00.005+08:00

"Clare: Do you think I wanted this life, this husband that disappears? Who would want that?

Henry: You have a choice.

Clare: I never had a choice."

Tristan, Dude, I just watched the youtube trailer of the novel I blogged about weeks ago. I just realized the whole thing is a deterministic interpretation of the universe. It practically means that time is just like a circle: What happens now has already happened and the future lies not only ahead but also in the past. Every decision we made about our lives was already pre-determined. We have no control over it. Just like what Clare said, we had no choice... Einstein was the last Physicist who believed in a deterministic universe. Just like Clare he probably also believed we had no choice. That the future is predictable. And that we are so helpless we can not do anything to change it.

Einstein was wrong.

It is important for you and your sisters to believe that our future has yet to be written, to believe that no living person on earth has a magical gift to see the future. Otherwise you may become gullible victims of Con men who pass themselves off as "Manghuhula."

I wrote the blog entry below 2 years ago (during the last few days of JULY 2006). Thanks to PrinsesaMusang's comment, I remembered it yesterday (Thanks, RN!)

"When a person hears self-proclaimed psychic or psychic promoters like jimmy lichauco, rene mariano and madame auring, he hears people who speak of things he does not understand. He may rightfully think that what these people are saying is CRAP. BUT... Out of ignorance and lack of education, he may also think that GOD is mysterious and beyond understanding. So he may erroneously think that these people are speaking the language of GOD.

Politicians use these gullibility to their advantage. You know why Nostradamus became famous in the first place? A certain adolf hitler used the writing of this obscure french guy to make a self serving prediction. He used a Quartrain (a part of the french guy's book) to say that nostradamus predicted that he will be victorious in his war against the allied powers. It was purely psychological warfare.

What's hilarious is that the allied powers used THE SAME BOOK OF THAT FRENCH GUY to predict that they will win their war against the axis.

What is not funny anymore is that when the allies won the war, people actually started believing the propaganda of the allies about nostradamus-- they forgot that his quartrains are so vague, even hitler USED them in his own propaganda to predict a victory that NEVER WAS.

Please don't believe the propaganda of tyrants about so called psychics. They are as clueless about the future as everyone else.

The God who loves each and everyone so much is the God of Logic, of Mathematics, of Science, of TRUTH. His ways and language is mysterious BUT please remember that self proclaimed psychics DO NOT SPEAK for him.

There is a really, really stupid game show out there called "deal or no deal". It does not test any skill that the contestant may have. whether one wins or lose depends on Mathematical probability (dumb people call it "luck")

Thank God he found a way to use even a lowly game show like this to enlighten us and warn us about believing in abominations called "psychics". They are abominations because I think I've read somewhere in Jeremiah that these people (Psychics/false prophets) "prophecy of things they have not seen"-- which means they are abominations in the eyes of God not because they have demonic powers but because they PRETEND they have supernatural/demonic capabilities.

Somebody should sue them for fraud.

Anyway, back to the game show, a so-called "psychic" (rene mariano) was dumb enought to accept the invitation to be one of the contestants. Everybody, especially the very gullible gameshow hostess, thought that being PSYCHIC he would win 2 MILLION BUCKS. He ended up with 75 PESOS and a deeply red face as if tomatoes were thrown at him by the audience. See how foolish it is to entrust one's faith in somebody who PRETENDS he can see the future."

WE have a choice.

July 22 Eclipse

2009-07-22T15:08:00.007+08:00

Dear Sage, This morning while on our way to school, I told you guys “Hey, there will be an eclipse today: An eclipse is when the Sun gets slowly eaten by a giant dragon in the sky. But because it is so hot the dragon eventually spits it out after few minutes of trying to swallow it.” You guys were unimpressed and told me “We know what an eclipse is. We studied it in school.”

Smart ass.

Usually, nothing comes between the rays of the sun and the Earth (Just like Brooke Shields and her Calvin Klein Jeans.) But in regular intervals, the moon crosses the path in the sky in front of the sun. The shadow it casts on the Earth is the one we view as an eclipse. Depending on where you view this event, the moon’s shadow may totally blot out the sun from the sky (total eclipse) or you may just see a part of the sun darkened by the moon’s shadow (partial eclipse)

I have yet to witness a Total Eclipse. But it really is a cool event. It’s like the night descending in the middle of the day and staying briefly for a visit, then slowly yielding the heavens again to the light of day. During that brief interval, the chickens roost and the stars become visible.

During one total eclipse that happened in the early part of the 20th century, a prominent astronomer was able to observe that the position of the stars near the sun appear to be different during a total eclipse.

This simple observation proved the accuracy of General Relativity. The erstwhile crazy theory that a massive object (like the sun) can actually bend space finally gained acceptance among the world’s astrophysicists. A massive object like the sun can distort the “Flat” surface of space. In doing so, the lights from the stars that pass by its vicinity are "bent" because they have to travel a curved path instead of going straight to Earth. Which explains why the stars near the sun in a Total Eclipse appear to have changed position.

Remember at the basement of SM mega mall? There is this huge, black, circular funnel where we let coins spin around it until it reaches the center where it eventually drops out of sight? like in the youtube video below...

It is a good illustration of General Relativity. It actually represents a very massive, very dense singularity. The density of a singularity is so… huge (when you grow up, you will chastise me for this understatement) that it does not just bend light when it passes by its vicinity, it actually sucks it into the hole and does not let it escape. That's why a singularity is also know by another name, "Black Hole."

I bet they have yet to teach you that in 4th grade, huh? Huh?

Karma

2009-07-21T14:10:00.002+08:00

Dear Tristan, more than once I came across people who, after learning that I have three daughters, always call them my “pambayad utang.” And they always add that I should not fool around because my daughters are the ones who will suffer the consequence of KARMA. The fact that those stupid fools are still breathing is proof that anger management does work.

Let me get this straight- There is no such thing as Karma.

Karma is an illusion.

Nature may have a mechanism to seek balance in Physics, in Chemistry, in Biology. But the laws of men and human relationship are inherently unfair-- Always have, always will.

Injustice rules. Equality is an exception. How else can you explain the good fortune of Erap. How else can you explain the fact that the world is still mourning the death of a singer while glossing over the passing of Walter Cronkite or the fact that it is not outraged by the death of that Iranian girl, Neda, in the brutal hands of a totalitarian state.

Even if I go whoring, my daughters will not suffer because of Karma. Simply because:

KARMA DOES NOT EXIST. GODDAMNIT!

It was not fear of Karma that’s why I chose not go whoring. It was Choice.

I chose to go against the norm. I chose to recognize the fact that chicks need dignity and decency to live. Just like me, they need to realize their real worth. Just like me they should not let any man look down on them. Just like when I chose not to smoke because I knew that halitosis will not endear me to chicks, or when I chose not to love drinking alcoholic beverages (because there is no other drug more satisfying than sex) it was borne out of simple CHOICE.

Karma has no scientific basis. That is why in human relationships it is HARDER to choose what is right. It is harder to let go, to walk away to let yourself be wounded rather than see her in tears. That is why we need strength from God. This means, every time we make the right choice…

it is nothing short of a Miracle.

JULY 19 and JULY 20

2009-07-20T22:30:00.002+08:00

Yesterday, July 19, we went to church at CTK (thank God JJ wasn't around because the mass was for late morning). In the pew just infront of us was a baby around 6 months old in the arms of her Mom. Sadie, you and Ate Sabine played peekaboo with her. You made her laugh and giggle. You also sang twinkle twinkle little star for her. later I had to take you and Ate Sabine outside. There is a series of small puddles which you guys used like a hopscotch board.

Today, July 20, looking at the picture reminds me of the famous line first uttered 40 years ago today by Neil Armstrong...

"That's one small step for (a) man,
One giant leap for mankind."

itutuloy

after JULY 4... Dad, Noey and Whatshername

2009-07-19T09:24:00.003+08:00

Taken two weeks ago in Baguio. Soiree right after 4th of July. With a President named Hussein Obama and a hip Ambassador like her, I don't see how Ka Satur or Ka Teddy can sustain their crusade against what Iran's Dictators call the Great... You know who.

JULY 18

2009-07-19T01:20:00.004+08:00

Im Test driving the video capture capability of Ayheen's Nokia 5800. We just got it today. GRand Dy was with us at the Megamall and he spent the weekend here too. He wasn't in the frame when the shot was taken though.

The Kids are watching Discovery Channel (Evolution of dinosaurs.) Later Sage asked me "how did they know there were scorpions 1 meter long and that they feed on fish?", "how did they know that the fish is our ancestor?"

I wanted to say that it's because of the fossil record. but come to think of it, everything that they've seen in that discovery channel special is just scientific guess work, Sage. Maybe one of you guys will look at the fossil records someday and say, "You got it WRONG discovery channel. This is what really happened during the pre-cambrian period..."

b4 JULY

2009-07-17T22:58:00.003+08:00

Taken during the PCP convention at MOA-SMX.

You both skate better than me.

I love this shot.

Sadie is too young to try Ice skating so we rode the carousel instead.

I don't know when this was taken. last month I guess. You guys are starting to learn to kick some ass.

Sabine's first few days in Miriam.

Sleepy head. but you perked up after.

Taken last week. we bought new furniture at Mandaue's storage building. They will be delivered tomorrow.

JULY 15

2009-07-16T22:16:00.003+08:00

Dear Tristan, yesterday was your 7th Month. You are a quiet kid who regards people and you smile indiscriminately. Every morning when your sisters wake up, the first thing they do is pat you in the pate or gently rub your head and say "aaahhh, you are so cute." You are still breastfed but your Mom started weaning you. We were not around when you had your first taste of cerelac a couple of weeks ago. We were in our bedroom because we had to undergo quarantine. Ate Sage took pictures though. once I learned how to transfer those pictures from her DSi to this Laptop, I'll try to post them ASAP.

JULY 14

2009-07-13T22:01:00.002+08:00

QUATORZE JUILLET

Bukas, Bastille Day!

Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite!

"One day to a new beginning
Raise the flag of freedom high!
Every man will be a king
Every man will be a king
There's a new world for the winning
There's a new world to be won
Do you hear the people sing?
My place is here, I fight with you!

Tomorrow is the judgement day
Tomorrow we'll discover
What our God in Heaven has in store!

One more dawn
One more day
One day more!" -- from Les Miz

JULY 9

2009-07-13T21:21:00.007+08:00

Last novel I read is Time Traveler's Wife. But it's the first time I read the whole novel in an ebook form (Breaking Dawn ebook I just skipped and read only the honeymoon part). Thanks to Angela Maureen, JJ's protege, who downloaded it for me then forwarded it via email.

July 9, 2009 was the day I finished reading the book.

The book is written like a non-linear diary (dates are jumbled-up). and incidentally, the diary entry for July 9, 1994 is my favorite...

July 9, 1994 (Henry is 31, Clare is 23)

"Today was Moving Day. All day it was hot; the movers’ shirts stuck to them
as they walked up the stairs of our apartment this morning, smiling because they figured a two-bedroom apartment would be no big deal and they’d be done before lunch time. Their smiles fell when they stood in our living room and saw Clare’s heavy Victorian furniture and my seventy-eight boxes of books. Now it’s dark and Clare and I are wandering through the house, touching the walls, running our hands over the cherry windowsills. Our bare feet slap the wood floors. We run water into the claw-footed bathtub, turn the burners of the heavy Universal stove on and off. The windows are naked; we leave the lights off and street light pours over the empty fireplace through dusty glass. Clare moves from room to room, caressing her house, our house. I follow her, watching as she opens closets, windows, cabinets. She stands on tiptoe in the dining room, touches the etched-glass light fixture with a fingertip.Then she takes off her shirt. I run my tongue over her breasts. The house envelops us, watches us, contemplates us as we make love in it for the first time, the first of many times, and afterward, as we lie spent on the bare floor surrounded by boxes, I feel that we have found our home."

You will enjoy the story If you can just forget about your rudimentary knowledge of physics and buy into the conceit that genetic mutation can actually cause one to travel through time. It is a novel for girls; it's mushy, cheesy, romantic. So what made me read it?

Blame it on the Heroine, Clare. She is HOT.

JULY 6

2009-07-11T05:37:00.007+08:00

July 6-14. Feast of San Fermin

"A San Fermín pedimos, por ser nuestro patrón, nos guíe en el encierro dándonos su bendición" -- Prayer before the Run

Dear Kids, every second week of July and just before the French Bastille Day, the Feast of San Fermin is celebrated in Pamplona, Spain. They celebrate by running with the bulls in the streets of that city until reaching the arena. I still wish I could run with the bulls someday- Because when I was a kid your age now, Sage, I dreamed of becoming a Bullfighter. Running with the bulls of pamplona is my way of making a piece of that dream come true.

But as for the four of you, I do not want you to dream of becoming a bullfighter, so that you do not have to dream of running with the bulls someday.

Be TriAthletes instead. TriAthlon is more challenging.

_____________________________________________________________

Here's my final word on that deceased pop singer. I've received a lot of flak, very polite criticisms actually, for saying that I really couldn't care less about the death of the deceased popstar who has been accused in court of being a pedophile. I also didn't like him for making a mockery of marriage and the women he married (especially that Nurse, Debbie Rowe who doesn't even have visitation rights to HER OWN children)

Sorry people.
I should not have even opened my mouth about him.
I should have emulated President Barack Obama.

Read the full CNN story about OBAMA DISTANCING HIMSELF FROM JACKSON click here

Sabi ko na ngaba e. BA-ROCK music is better than POP music.

Sadie's Favorite... at the moment.

2009-07-10T22:14:00.004+08:00

The song is from the movie "Transformers 2"

When we watched the movie last week, Sadie, you kept on going up and down the stairs of the movie house. Sometimes you ask me to sit with you on the stairs. Then you ask me to take you outside to get drinks... Then you ask to be taken back inside. this happened a few times.

Thank God I wasn't really keen on watching that movie. And you started asking to go outside the theater only after this scene flashed on the screen...

Pachelbel on the Rocks

2009-07-06T21:24:00.004+08:00

Dear Tristan, Pachelbel's Canon in D was the first classical music you ever heard in your life. I was playing it in our laptop when we were still in the hospital.

This anonymous musician below gave it a twist by shredding his electric guitar with the tune from that classic.

Dude, whoever you are, you Rock.

Liberty

2009-07-05T09:48:00.003+08:00

"Real Freedom can not be given. It must be Taken-- by arms, by cunning or both."

That's seems to be the message of Revolutionary America and its founding fathers.
If it's true then I'm worried about Iraq. should Obama decide to really give them Political Freedom on a silver platter, they will end up being politically free to be an economic and cultural slave of a superpower...

they will end up like the Philippines.

Guys, chill out. This is just a nonsense post.

anyway, Happy Independence day to the Galvez Clan in the US! and to You, President Obama! Rock On, Dude!

(actually, 4th of July used to be the Independence day of the Philippines too. Because one 4th of July right after the 2nd world war, the US gave this former colony Political Independence on a silver platter. Now we are free to buy products Made in America.)

Apocalypse

2009-07-01T20:36:00.008+08:00

Dear Tristan, last sunday we were supposed to watch Transformers the Movie. But the crowd was so thick we decided not to line up for it. Instead, your Mom and I just watched Nick Cage's "Knowing" at home. It's a movie of the "end of the world" genre.

Watching it made me wonder, How exactly will everything end? Experts used to say that the universe will implode someday. Eons from now, it will stop expanding. Then slowly it will gather speed and instead of expanding it will contract. Everything will race towards the point in Space-Time where the Big Bang occurred. Everything will Collide. In short, the universe will crash and burn.

Recently, though, the consensus is that it will continue expanding. the galaxies will forever race away from each other. This expansion will continue even at the level of the building blocks of matter: the atoms, leptons, quarks. Everything will dissipate into nothingness, darkness. In the end there will be nothing but endless space full of matter that are no bigger than atoms; no more stars, no galaxies, no planets... no people. The small spark of Life in all the worlds will have been extinguished long before the universe meets its end. No one will be there to see how the darkness slowly smothers everything. The universe will not crash and burn. It will just fade away.

Depressing, isn't it?

That's what your Mom told me last week after watching the world end... again... in a disaster movie. It's healthy to reflect on our mortality once in a while. But don't let it distract you from thinking about the Here and Now. There are more interesting things to think about: How to make friends, how to make out, how to make a buck (not necessarily in that order.)

There is beauty and grandeur in God's laws that govern this universe, but don't think too much about the end to the point of neglecting the present-- even if you decide to be the hunkiest cosmologist alive. Remember that we love you all so much with all our heart and soul.

The human soul is not made up of atoms.

The human soul will definitely out-live even the end of the Universe itself.

The Last AirBender

2009-07-01T20:11:00.002+08:00

Sage can't wait to see this movie...

On Hatred

2009-06-29T00:35:00.003+08:00

Dear Kids, yesterday, your Mom saw me watching the MTV of "Thriller." She asked me if I felt any sadness when I heard him (the popstar) pass away a few days ago on the same day Farah Fawcett died. I said "No". I thought to myself that I already considered him Dead years ago, when he started to mutilate the color of his skin and african american facial features with surgical procedures (Such action belies his sickening contempt for being black, a display of disrespect for his heritage). It was compounded by reports that he was a pedophile.

From some dark corner of my mind one verse in the bible popped out- The line that says to hate anyone is to murder him (I'm paraphrasing here.) IT gave me chills to realize how true that is. The day I hated Mr. Jackson was the day I considered him dead. That's why when I heard him really die, it was already old news to me. Ancient. It was like hearing the news that Jack the ripper is already dead.

I am so heartless. Cold. Only God knows what lies in the Human Heart. Yesterday, I had a glimpse of how dark mine is. When I hate, or When I burn bridges, I let that person leave my life and considered dead.

That scared the shit out of me. Hatred is not just a sin. Hatred is a curse. If I am capable of considering somebody like Jackson as long Dead because my hatred made him so, then my hatred for those people who slighted me in the past is exceedingly greater. I am not scared of ghosts. I don't believe they exist. But I am scared of hatred. I know it exists.

Create in me a clean heart oh God
Let me be like you in all my ways
Give me your strength, teach me your psalm
Shelter me in the shadow of your wings
For we are your righteousness
If we die to ourselves and live through your death
Then we shall be greatly blessed in your love...

(lyrics of a Song I memorized by rote a long time ago)

BAKUNA

2009-06-27T21:02:00.004+08:00

Dear Kids, you guys received flu vaccine this morning. You didn't cry too much. It was your Mom who gave the vaccine to you. Tristan had two vaccines, Pentaxim and Flu. After she vaccinated you all, including me, I had to give the vaccine to your Mom. Then she also administered the vaccine to your Ate Yaya.

itutuloy...

Dear God

2009-06-22T13:00:00.000+08:00

Thank You Very Much!

SUMMER SOLSTICE 2009 (JUNE 21)

2009-06-21T05:43:00.002+08:00

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO US, DAD!

Woof!

2009-06-19T02:58:00.004+08:00

Overheard while taking them to school last wednesday morning.

ATE JANINE: Hey, have you seen the trailer of New Moon
KAY : Yes, Jacob looks so CUUUTE!
SAGE : YEAH, is he a Siberian Husky?
KAY : I think he is a German Husky.

Lady of Shalott

2009-06-17T22:26:00.004+08:00

He said, "She has a lovely face;
God in his mercy lend her grace,
The Lady of Shalott."-Alfred Lord Tennyson

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Mall Of Asia

2009-06-11T00:05:00.004+08:00

Dear Sadie, We had Pizza for dinner tonight (June 10) at the MOA. It's your Ninang Joy and Ninong Edsel's wedding anniversary. Yellow Cab had small tables but they can be moved closer together to accomodate big groups of clients. The other occupant of the table just beside ours was a smaller group with a baby who is probably just a year old.

Sadie, you made her laugh so hard while we were there. You played Peek a Boo with her. And you always say "I love You!" She was a complete stranger but after dinner you proudly told me "Dad, I have new friend."

itutuloy...

D-Day

2009-06-06T21:44:00.003+08:00

Dear Kids, history commemorates June 6 as D-Day, the allied invasion of Normandy during World War II. To your Mom and Lola Letty, and by extension, to Me and All of Us, this date has a personal significance. Your Mom's sister, Your Tita Adeline "Adhey", passed away due to Diabetic Ketoacidosis. I think she was 18 at that time. That was exactly 20 years ago today.

What made it very painful to your Mom and Lola is that she passed away exactly 40 days after the untimely demise of Your Lolo Loni who was an expat in the US (he had to go away as an OFW to support the expensive medicines your Tita Adhey needed as a diabetic patient.)

Your Mommy and Your Lola Letty. They have been through a lot. They are very tough women. I really do not know how they survived that, how they triumphed despite of the loss of your Lolo and Tita Adhey.

Both are Women of Substance.

To the Goddess of Democracy

2009-06-04T19:53:00.003+08:00

The massacre of Students in Tian-an-men Square happened exactly 20 years ago today. The central committee of the Chinese Communist Party authorized the PLA to kill unarmed students and to destroy the Goddess of Democracy. TO their eternal shame, the world will always remember.

We can never forgive what we can never forget...

New Moon Coming

2009-06-03T00:20:00.003+08:00

The only reason why I'm gonna watch it is because I want to find out what makes this cullen guy stupid enough to leave Bella unprotected in the middle of the woods. what a blood sucking moron.

Dead Poet's Society part 1

2009-05-28T12:50:00.004+08:00

I was supposed to write about bloggers who visit this blog who could actually write good poetry (Prinsesa Musang, Atticus, Prof BeatBurn). But I just visited JJ's blog and got pissed when MEATLOAF was not even mentioned as one of the seminal Rock artists of the 20th century.

How could you man? He has the voice of a Tenor and his songs are straight out of a Lord Byron canto.

The song below is MeatLoaf's. Even though it's mellow,
it so f*c*ing ROCKS.

Baby we can talk all night
But that aint getting us nowhere
I told you everything I possibly can
Theres nothing left inside of here
And maybe you can cry all night
But thatll never change the way that I feel
The snow is really piling up outside
I wish you wouldnt make me leave here

I poured it on and I poured it out
I tried to show you just how much I care
Im tired of words and Im too hoarse to shout
But youve been cold to me so long
Im crying icicles instead of tears

And all I can do is keep on telling you
I want you
I need you
But -- there aint no way Im ever gonna love you
Now dont be sad
cause two out of three aint bad
Now dont be sad
cause two out of three aint bad

Youll never find your gold on a sandy beach
Youll never drill for oil on a city street
I know youre looking for a ruby in a mountain of rocks
But there aint no coupe de ville hiding at the bottom of a cracker jack box

I cant lie
I cant tell you that Im something Im not
No matter how I try
Ill never be able
To give you something
Something that I just havent got

Theres only one girl that I will ever love
And that was so many years ago
And though I know Ill never get her out of my heart
She never loved me back
Ooh I know
I remember how she left me on a stormy night
She kissed me and got out of our bed
And though I pleaded and I begged her not to walk out that door
She packed her bags and turned right away

And she kept on telling me
She kept on telling me
She kept on telling me
I want you
I need you
But there aint no way Im ever gonna love you
Now dont be sad
cause two out of three aint bad
I want you
I need you
But there aint no way Im ever gonna love you
Now dont be sad
cause two out of three aint bad
Dont be sad
cause two out of three aint bad

Baby we can talk all night
But that aint getting us nowhere

The Great Jay Gatsby

2009-05-25T12:48:00.005+08:00

Dear Sage. I bought this very short booklet before the holy week. When you saw it and read it the first thing you said was it's very expensive (it was P325 but I got in on sale for P285.00). Only recently did I find out why books in the Philippines are really expensive these days. CLICK HERE

F. Scott Fitz, the author of Button, was very gifted. I have yet to read The Great Gatsby but I've seen more than half of the movie.

His novels are mirrors of our urban, Male fantasies. In Button, his character ages in reverse (he grows young, not old) and in Gatsby, it's the story of the man who had everything, except that one woman who got away. So he throws wild parties almost every night and opens his mansion to everyone. His eyes always scanning the horizon, hoping that woman would one day come to one of his parties and make him whole again.

But what happens when you get what you want? When you don't grow old? When you get the girl back? F. Scott showed us that we will find the fulfillment of our most fervent wish to be a tragedy. Benjamin Button lived a full life and grew young and died an infant without any memory of his wonderful achievements as an adult or the love of his life. Jay Gatsby got Mlle. DaIsy back. His world was complete. But only for a short while... And after that there was tragedy. Maybe she shouldn't have entered his life again. She should have been spared. Jay Gatsby should have protected her from the pain of loss instead of wishing with all his strength to have her back.

Going back to Button, reading the original short story made me understand why in the movie, Brad Pitt had to leave Cate and his Daughter. I rebelled against that idea because I thought he was abandoning them. It was a wise decision after all. He knew that had he stayed, he would not be able to stop his march to young adulthood and adolescence. He wouldn't be able to Love her the way she needs to be loved. He had to leave as early as possible and leave a smaller scar in Cate's heart. Or he could leave later when the pain could concievably kill her very soul.

This Too Will Pass Away

2009-05-22T21:46:00.005+08:00

I really don't know you. I remember my mother-in-law watching you in one of those mediocre teledramas and I always tell her: She's beautiful AND she can act; so what the hell is she doing in that crappy TV series?

Be Strong. Be Strong...

She faced the hardest times you can imagine
And many times her eyes fall back the tears
And when her youthful world was about to fall in
Each time her slender shoulders
For the weight of all her tears
And a sorrow no one hears
Still rings in midnight silence in her ears

Chorus:
Let her cry
for she's a lady
Let her dream
for she's a child
Let the rain fall down upon her
She's a free and gentle flower growing wild...

...Be careful how you touch her for she'll awaken
And sleep's the only freedom that she knows

And when you look into her eyes you won't believe
For the way she's always paying for a debt she never owed

And a silent wind still blows that she can only hear
So she goes...-- WILD FLOWER

Why I Will Never Support a Military Coup

2009-05-17T08:01:00.004+08:00

"The more chains you put on her, the less like a slave she looks." from the Movie, Spartacus

(CNN) -- Aung San Suu Kyi, the Nobel Peace laureate now facing trial on charges of government subversion, has been the face of Myanmar's pro-democracy movement and the focus of a global campaign to free her.

Aung San Suu Kyi was first detained in 1989 after mass protests against the military government.

The 63-year-old has been under house arrest for 13 of the past 19 years and is rarely allowed visitors, except her doctor. Her detention was scheduled to end May 27, until an American allegedly swam across a lake and sneaked into her house, violating the conditions of Suu Kyi's house arrest, according to the country's ruling military junta.

The American, John Yettaw, has been charged on two criminal counts: entering the country illegally and staying at a resident's home without government permission, according to a spokesman for Suu Kyi's political party.

Both charges carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

After Yettaw's visit, Suu Kyi was arrested and charged with government subversion. She faces up to five years in prison, if convicted. Watch a neighbor describe his impressions of Yettaw »

Suu Kyi was born on July 19, 1945, the daughter of Aung San, who fought for Burma's independence from Britain and became the first prime minister of Burma, and of Khin Kyi, a diplomat and later ambassador to India.

Aung San was assassinated in 1947, and Suu Kyi grew up in Myanmar and India before moving to England during the 1960s to study at Oxford University. Myanmar, also known as Burma, has been under military rule since 1962.

Suu Kyi did not return to Myanmar until 1988, when her mother had a stroke. While there on September 24, 1988, Suu Kyi co-founded the National League for Democracy amid mass anti-government demonstrations. She was placed under house arrest the following July on charges of trying to divide the military, charges she denied.

Her party won over 80 percent of the legislative seats in 1990, but she was disqualified from serving because of her house arrest, and the military junta ignored the results.

It was during her house arrest that she won the Nobel Peace Prize and the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought in 1991, and the Marisa Bellisario Prize, in recognition of women who promote peace and solidarity, in 1992.

During that time, she gained admiration for sometimes speaking over the wall of her garden to her supporters.

In an interview she gave to CNN in 1996, a year after she was released from house arrest, she said, "I always felt free even when I was under house arrest. There's no question of me not feeling free now. And the more restrictive the authorities are, the more clear it is that they know how much support we have."

She was again placed under house arrest on September 22, 2000. The following December, then-U.S. President Bill Clinton awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom in absentia.

After a brief release in May 2002, she was placed under house arrest again -- her most recent -- the next year, and authorities have extended it regularly. The country's law allows for a detention of five years without charges being filed, and that period ended at the end of May 2008, according to her lawyer Jared Genser. The government nevertheless extended the house arrest by a year.

In October 2007, clashes sparked by a huge fuel price increase imposed by the military junta erupted between pro-democracy demonstrators and government security forces, killing as many as 110 people, including 40 Buddhist monks.

The junta said then that it had detained more than 2,900 people.

The government has scheduled elections for next year that they say will lead the nation toward democracy. Human-rights organizations have said the vote will merely extend military rule in the nation.