I NEED A WOMAN

Send me some silk stockings Smooth talking lipstick and curls I want a woman, more than a girl Need some lip locking, cool walking Diamonds and pearls I'll wrap 'em all up And give them the world
--Bon Jovi "Woman In Love"

Dear Sage, When we were still treating Sabine at home about 3 or 4 nights ago, I had to go to the drugstore to run some errands in the middle of the night. By chance I got a glimpse of Narda. She was inside her car that presumably brokedown with the windows rolled down that's why it was parked in front of the well-lit drugstore. She had 3 male companions with her. Probably boylet wannabees. When one of the buck toothed "mirons" (bystanders) gave a comment, ruing the absence of liquour in the drugstore and saying that "kulang na lang ang redhorse baka pwedenating pasayawin yan, para na rin tayong nasa club", that's when I belatedly realized that I was not exactly in the company of gents that would have flattered Narda. So I decided to leave immediately. I couldn't wait to tell your Mom. She was laughing too when I animatedly demonstrated to her, with my two hands in front of my chest, Narda's generous bosom. I think I used the phrase "Hooter City" too. Afterlaughing with me for a while, she paused. I thought "Hah, finally, napagselos ko." (Gotcha! Now I made you jealous) Then she gave me a naughty grin and said, "too bad she saw you carrying Huggies diapers."

Darn! TOUCHE!

But heck, I'm lucky. Other husbands would have gotten a broken jaw from their wives after that wisecrack. Your Mom took the comment I made about Narda in the spirit intended; an accolade to a woman's beauty, a nod to the wonders of aesthetic medicine/surgery, and a wink to raging teenage hormones that have yet to be tamed by the gods themselves.

Guys, your Mom is really remarkable. When Sabine and Sadie were being treated at home, she acted the part of a Pediatrician, Nurse and Nursemaid (to Sadie). We all sleep on the same bed. And whenever she's in it, you guys swarm all over her. Kinukuyog nyo. While she breastfeeds Sadie, Sage wraps her arms around her while Sabine's habit is to put her hand inside your Mom's shirt sleeve.

She has a profession and a family that adores her. She's really something, isn't she. Actually now that I think about it, the lady I saw inside the car that conked out probably was only a Narda look-a-like. But it really doesn't matter. I have my own Narda.

Let the other Narda have her limited fun with her inexperienced boylets who have yet to grasp the intricate concept of foreplay.

I have my own Narda.

She is a Superwoman

She is a Cosmogirl

She is ALL MINE.

You think that you can Live without 'em But you're asking too much You see I've slept with romance And danced with lust But there ain't no woman Like a woman in love Oh, yeah
--Bon Jovi "Woman In Love"

REALLY TOUGH KIDS

"I got a horse right here, his name is Paul Revere,
And here's a guy who says if the weather's clear,
can do, can do.This guy says the horse can do.
If he says the horse can do, can do.
Can do, can do, can do. "—from "Oh, God! part 2
(The song sung by a Dad after praying for his daughter's health)

Dear Sadie, You've been having acute gastritis since 2 days ago. So yesterday, when we dropped by PCMC, your Mom asked a Pedia resident, Dr. Rochelle Beltran, to give you an IV line. She agreed but requested that we do not stay around to watch while she's doing the insertion. So while your Mom was answering the referral I had merienda in the canteen. When I came back, Rochelle told me that you did not even cry when she inserted the IV. You even played with her afterwards.

You're a brave girl. Gutsy, like your sisters.

We took you home after the line was inserted and since last night you have been well hydrated and you don't vomit anymore. We'll probably remove it after you have consumed the second 500cc.

Maybe it was the food you guys ate. Last night, Ate Sabine started having the same symptoms. She is also febrile. Your Mom also had to insert an IV line. Sabine surprized me. When I tried to put the dropper in her mouth, she grabbed it from me. I thought she was going to throw it away. Instead, she took the medicine herself.

The quote above was taken from the Movie starring the late actor, George Burns (Oh God part 2). After praying for your complete and immediate recovery I try to sing it too. Off key, ofcourse. But I'm sure the Lord understands.

I pray that you guys will be okay.

Anyway, this entry was written on the last day of 2006.It's the time of the year when con artists scam you into listening to their predictions for the supposed events that will happen in the year 2007.

Mga Anakis, if you guys want to know the future, statistical and actuarial studies will help a lot but only upto a certain extent. It will depend on a lot of mathematical variables. Now if you'd ask me if astrology, feng shui and fruitcakes like madame auring, jimmy lichauco, rene mariano could predict the future, the answer will depend SOLELY on your sense of humor.

The future can only be known with exact certainty only when it is already the past (I think I got the quote from the movie "Oh, God! part 1")

Having said that, these are my top three (3) predictions for 2006:

1. While hunting for helpless birds, Dick Cheney will prove that he belongs to the "gang that couldn't shoot straight."

2. Women will prove to be getting smarter every day (Britney will divorce K-Fed/ Fed-ex, "Nicole" will continue to fight for justice and get a conviction, Wife of TV's misogynist, Revillame, will kick him out of their domicile to prevent further wife battery. etc.)

3. On Rizal day 2006, a political leader with grave sins against the Iraqi people, who caused the suffering, death of Iraqi men, women and children; who destroyed Iraqi properties worth billions of dollars; who took away Iraqi Freedom, WILL BE EXECUTED… (Oh, and it's not George W., Okay?)

MAY WE ALL HAVE A HEALTHY, WEALTHY, HAPPY NEW YEAR 2007!

NO, Virginia!

Click on Santa to read my post last year.

The Force

Dear Sage, It was my turn to review you last night for your Science exam. Our review went something like this:

Me: Can a non-living object without an engine move by itself?

Sage: No.

Me: is wind a force?

Sage: Yes

Me: is your book living or non-living

Sage: NON-living

Me: What outside forces can move the pages of your book?

Sage: Humans, wind, running water if I drop it in the river...

Me: Can ghosts move the pages of your book?

Sage: No, they're not real.

(Well done my young Pad-wan)

Legazpi City, December 8-9

It was not a windy day when this picture was taken. The typhoon Reming's wind was so fierce, the palms of the coco trees were somehow frozen in the general direction of where it was headed when it left the country (due west.)



Hardest hit was the poorest of the poor.



Man-made steel reluctantly bowing down in defeat.

Dear Sage, the pictures of devastation above were taken by a companion who went with me to Bicol last weekend.

The trip... well... it was like living the satire "Candide". In that novel, the protagonist found himself in Lisbon after it was devastated by a powerful earthquake and tsunami. Being surrounded by the stench of death and unspeakable horrors brought about by the forces of nature, he couldn't bring himself to agree with the prevailing belief of the age: That we are living in the best of all possible worlds.

Loosely translated, the belief implies that without the pain of loss, we cannot appreciate what we have. To put it in another way, you can never enjoy the "sweet" without knowing what "bitter" is.

Sounds logical? Try telling that philosophy to an orphaned child whose family and friends are burried underneath tons of volcanic rock and ash together with the rest of his hometown.

We do not need such horror in this world. More importantly, the question the book makes the reader ask is how can we believe in a God who let these horrors happen and still believe that he is Good and Just?

The book did not even attempt to provide an answer to this question. Just like the similar book in the Bible: The Book Of Job. It's a classic case of bad things happening to good people, the book of job ended with God gently reminding Job that the physical universe is full of wonders that we can't even explain. If our minds can barely make sense of the physics of the universe, how can we possibly understand the answer to metaphysical questions? We can't!

Whenever I encounter self righteous and pretentious preachers, who in their hubris try to provide the answer to the question that even the book of Job and Voltaire did not answer, I always quote this verse from the Bible to them

"as the heavens are higher than the Earth, so are My (God's) ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts higher than your thoughts."

I wont try to provide the answer too. I wrote this entry to caution you about asking this question, about questioning God's existence and his Love for you and me.

The difference between science and religion as far as you guys are concerned should be this: You can defy, recheck, review ALL scientific laws-- that's how science moves forward.

But do not question God or faith. Nothing comes out of it except schisms, heresies and self-righteousness.

If there will come a time in your life when you have to question the rationality of human religion (i.e. Catholic Church doctrine) please read this entry. I must confess, I too do not subscribe to all the doctrines of the catholic religion. In fact, I particularly do not like the present pope. I've been following his career for the past ten years and I almost cried when he was elected pope.

Please, whatever happens, never doubt this:

GOD LOVES YOU VERY, VERY MUCH.

Please remember tha NO natural Philosopher or scientist can prove this to you. And they have no right to tell you not to believe it. Not Einstein. Not Voltaire. That's the same reason why No priest, pastor or preacher has any right to talk to you about cosmology, evolutionary biology, geology and everything scientific. The realm of science is separate from the realm of faith. Never mix the two.

We are not living in the best of all possible worlds. The face of human tragedy will always remind us of this fact-- Just like what happened in Bicol. But having faith in the reality of God's love for you will keep you safe and sane. To live a full life, this is a necessity.

Forget about what the philosophers say.

Conviction of US Marine in Subic Rape Case Was Fair

click here to read the post of RASHEED



DECEMBER 10, 2006

WOMEN'S RIGHTS IS HUMAN RIGHTS
Power to the Sisters!

Kiray

Dear Sage, A couple of nights ago, while watching the news, I was eagerly waiting for the local version of the hollywood minute where they show cleavages... este... movie clips of local starlets. In particular, I was waiting for them to show pictures of Katrina Halili. She does have stunning features and an attitude to match. however, she said something stupid in the interview that really turned me off. She said that to maintain her figure she practically starves herself.

Maybe it was just me but I swear I heard a very disappointed voice in my head saying "minus a thousand pogi points"

Why is it a big turn off? A woman admitting that she has an eating disorder is the equivalent of the members of the Male species admitting to being impotent and sterile.

Even though she is just a dumb starlet, her publicist should atleast be aware that what she says and does can affect a lot of women her age or even as young as those in the prepubescent years.

Anorexia, Bulimea, and other dumb eating disorders are serious illnesses and should never be glorified. Those who have these should seek treatment immediately. Katrina, sorry baby, Angel Locsin is looking a hell of a lot sexier these days than your pathetically starving body.

Actually, Sage, we saw a pseudo biopic a few nights ago about somebody who is a lot more beautiful than either Angel Locsin or Katrina.

I never really watch biopics shown on TV but this particular episode really pricked the corners of my calloused heart. It was about the child actress known in local TV as "Kiray" She is somebody you see in a sunday comedy series called "Going Bulilit"

Untalented and unimaginative directors and producers of the show always try to make her facial features as the punchline of their predictable scripts. I saw it a couple of times with you and one time I heard your Lola Letty ask out loud if it isn't wrong to tell the child that she is ugly, to be the butt of jokes, to be laughed at by the whole archipelago.

What's heart warming about that pseudo biopic is that it ended with the press conference of the very witty and talented Kiray. The last question asked was the question that Lola Letty had in mind the day I watched an episode with you. Kiray's answer to the querry was iconic:

"Pangit nga ako, may talent naman...
Pangit nga ako, may pamilya naman akong nagmamahal sakin... so...
Pangit ba 'yon?"

Whoa! she really knows how to deliver a line. After watching it, gusto kong sabihin "Hija, hindi ka pangit. You're a natural beauty. Pero yung mga katulad nila Angel at Katrina, they need to work on being beautiful, they need surgery, airbrush magic and atleast another half of a brain to reach your level."

Sage, please remember, whenever I say the words "Real beauty..." you always finish them for me with the response "...lies within." Teach that to Sabine and Sadie too. Okay?


Btw, I snatched the quotation below from Rain's blog.


The beauty of women...


Did you know that if shop mannequins were real women they'd be too thin to have babies?

There are 3 billion women who don't look like supermodels and only eight who do.

Marilyn Monroe wore a size 14.

If Barbie was a real woman, she'd have to walk on all fours due to her proportions. The average woman weighs 144 lbs and wears between a 12-14.

One out of every four college aged women has an eating disorder. The models in the magazines are airbrushed - not perfect!

A psychological study in 1995 found that three minutes spent looking at a fashion magazine caused 70% of women to feel depressed, guilty, and shameful. Models twenty years ago weighed 8% less than the average woman. Today they weigh 23% less.

Today women are lovers, mothers, and career women. Who else is able to balance such a load, and do it with a smile?
The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. The beauty of a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the care that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows. The beauty of a woman, with passing years - only grows.

Paper Cranes

Dear Sage, this weekend, your Mom did something unprecedented: She stayed up all night watching the first season DVD compilation of the TV series "Prison Break." She started watching around 10:30PM last saturday. When I woke up at 3:00AM and the TV was still on, I thought that she forgot to turn it off so I reached for the control button to shut it down. I was really shocked when she complained. She was still wide awake. I slept for a few hours then watched the last few episodes with her (I still have a headache for lack of sleep.)

Fortunately I was able to catch the episode that served as a "Prequel" to the events before the protagonist was jailed in a facility called "Fox River". One image struck a chord. The Protagonist explained that he used to wake up alone at night because his big brother was out working to be able to buy them a decent meal. The next morning when he wakes up he always sees an Origami of a Crane beside him. He said that later on when he read about it, he realized that it was his brother's way of saying that he was looking after him even when he was away. The paper crane symbolized familial obligation.

This reminds me of an email I received from Doc Pat recently about cranes...

There was once this guy who is very much in love with his girl. This
romantic guy folded 1,000 pieces of paper cranes as a gift to his
girl.

Although, at that time he was just a small fry in his company, his
>future didn't seem too bright, they were very happy together. Until
>one day, his girl told him she was going to Paris and will never come
>back. She also told him that she cannot visualize any future for the
>both of them, so they went their own ways there and then...
>
>Heartbroken, the guy agreed. But when he regained his confidence, he
>worked hard day and night, slogging his body and mind just to make
>something out of himself.
>
>Finally with all the hard work and the help of friends, this guy had
>set up his own company ..
>
>You never fail until you stop trying. One rainy day, while this guy
>was driving, he saw an elderly couple sharing an umbrella in the rain
>walk ing to some destination. Even with the umbrella, they were still
>drenched. It didn't take him long to realize they were his girl's
>parents.

>
>With a heart in getting back at them, he drove slowly beside the
>couple, wanting them to spot him in his luxury sedan. He wanted them
>to know that he wasn't the same any more; he had his own company, car,
>condo, etc. He made it! What he saw next confused him, the couple was
>walking towards a cemetery, and so he got out of his car and
>followed...and he saw his girl, a photograph of her smiling sweetly as
>ever at him from her tombstone and he saw his paper cranes right
>beside her...
>
>Her parents saw him. He asked them why this had happened. They
>explained, she did not leave for France at all. She was ill with
>cancer. She had believed that he will make it someday, but she did not
>want to be his obstacle... therefore she had chosen to leave him.
>Just because someone doesn't love you the way you wa nt them to,
>doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have. She had wanted
>her parents to put his paper cranes beside her, because, if the day
>comes when fate brings him to her again...he can take some of those
>back with him...
>
>Once you have loved, you will always love. For what's in your mind may

>escape but what's in your heart will remain forever.
>
>The guy just wept...The worst way to miss someone is to be sitting
>right beside her knowing you can't have her, see her or be with her
>ever again

Well, this story in turn reminds me of the Music Video I saw a few months ago. Although it was in spanish and featured JLo (for the record, I'm NO fan) I was awed by it. Marc Anthony (the singer in the video) was obviously suffering from a terminal illness (my guess is it's probably AIDS or a Blood Dyscrasia) and was trying to push back JLo away from his life so that she won't have to suffer with him. We can only understand why he was doing this if we apply the moral of the emailed story and the symbol of the paper crane in "Prison Break" which is: It is our obligation to protect the ones we love from suffering the pain of loss even at the cost of keeping ourselves away from them.

But then again, IMHO, Marc Anthony should have done what Ben Afleck did: Leave JLo and "suffer" life with a gorgeous blonde named Jennifer Garner...

The moral of this blog entry? Guys, too much TV is bad for you! (It can make you write the most senseless thing in the blogosphere)

NOVEMBER 22, 1963

"Superman was killed in Dallas"-- Used To Be by Stevie Wonder

"JFK blown away, what else do I have to say?" -- We Didn't Start The Fire by Billy Joel

Dear Sage, I think you're still too young to have childhood heroes other than the ones close to you. Eons ago I remember idolizing a man who, at the age of 46, embodied the boundless idealism of youth, courage and strength. Maybe it was because of the songs, more like elegies, about the man himself. Maybe it was because of the legend. Maybe it was because of the speeches he made in his brief life and even briefer stint as the most "Heroic" US president of the Cold War. I really don't know. And I also can't remember when I stopped worshipping the man as a hero. Maybe when I first heard about Marilyn Monroe, or Joseph Kennedy's deals to get the critical number of electoral votes, or when I first read about Ted Kennedy's actions or inactions in Chappaquiddick.

I really don't think of him as a hero these days. I have become very objective of my assessment of the man, JFK. I still love reading and re-reading his speeches though. I admire most his speech about the decision to go to the moon before the 60's were out "not because it is easy, but because it is hard."

When you grow up, Anakis, you will find out that the real hero didn't die in Dallas, or Luneta, or the Manila International Airport; the only true HERO died in calvary.

Yesterday was JFK's death anniversary. They say that he became president for only one thousand days. You can say that it was America's "one, brief, shining moment."

What's good about the Philippines, Sage? It's this:

unlike America,

Our shining moment,

Our finest hour,

is yet to come...

All Glory...

Dear Sage, Yesterday I was able to watch, quite accidentally, "the fight" . We were in a mall buying a gift for your friend, Katrina, when I heard thunderous shouts coming from one direction. I realized they were showing the boxing match in public. I became curious enough to come close to the screen with you three girls in tow, together with your Mom,  and Lola. I think I was the only grown man in the crowd with a baby in my arms wearing a barbie backpack full of baby paraphernalias-- an oddity that was fortunately lost to the crowd mesmerized by the bitter glory of the sweet science of boxing.

We only saw the 3rd round. That was enough. When "he" got knocked out and it was all over, we did not stay for the de rigeur interview which probably featured not just the winner but also a lot of hangers on.

I'm sure they were all saying that the winner was great, impressive, brilliant etc.

I'm sure none of them ever told him that when a conquering hero enters Rome with all the pomp and pageantry befitting a demi-god, a slave stands behind him whispering in his ear the words "All glory is fleeting"

Mrs. Speaker

Dear Sage, meet the first Woman Speaker of the US House of Congress. She will certainly not be the last. When you guys grow up, I hope the marble ceiling in the UN will have also been shattered. If not, then it's an opportunity for you guys to be one of its first Lady Secretary Generals.

Happy Birthday Bettina!!!

Dear Sage, Yesterday we went to Bettina's birthday party, at A Venito Pizzeria. She's your best friend. After all three of you had your arms and faces painted with water-based paint, your Mom and I decided to have one too.we chose the same design. Cute pair of dragons.
After the party we went to the grocery.I almost forgot about my "tatoo". People were looking oddly at me. How odd? Just look at Sadie's expression above. Lucky for your Mom, she was wearing long sleeves. But people who saw us probably thought she married a Yakuza.

Sabine's going to school now...

Dear Sabine, everytime you answer the phone, every morning when you wake up, every chance you have to say something, these are the words that come out of your mouth..."Sabine's going to school now."

But you have to wait for one more school year, anaki. Right now you love going to the day care center. You are very well-behaved. At first I was worried that you might punch back and push back at the other kids who get into your nerves (you have a decent jab and a respectable right hook ). Those fears were unfounded. You love playing with them and with the teachers there. They all love you.

(BTW, as of this writing, the Democrats in both houses are not only poised to reverse the curse of newt gingrich, they are also about to give a woman the chamber's gavel. Godspeed, Speaker Pelosi!)

NOVEMBER 3

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM!!!

"And I know you're shining down on me from heaven,
like so many friends we've lost along the way,
And I know eventually we'll be together...
One sweet day. "

Baptism and Birthday

Dear Sadie, Welcome to the Christian World! You were baptized last sunday, 29th of October. You are a new creature now in the eyes of the Lord. That's why your baptism is also a birthday. The ceremony was held at the People's Church (EDSA Shrine) That's your Ninong Hadji and you just before the baptism.




Shown holding the candle representing your Male Godparents is your Ninong Jayson "Dr.J", and for the Ladies, your Ninang Chi-chi.


Ninang Chi-chi and Ninang Anna (women of substance and beauty) like you and Mommy.




After the baptism we went to Max Tiendesitas to Celebrate both your baptism and Ate Sabine's Birthday. That's Ate Sabine. Helping out with the cake blowing duties are Ate Kitkat and Ate Sage (partially covered)

TO ALL THE GODPARENTS AND GUESTS WHO MADE THIS DAY MORE SPECIAL SIMPLY BY BEING THERE...

...to Jayson and Anna who came despite of such a short notice (They were notified just a day prior to the event). These two faced a supertyphoon and had to take public transportation just to be there with us at the People's Church, Sadie.

...to Noel and Jenn who lent so much of their precious time to help prepare for this BIG DAY.

...to Hadji who took so many beautiful pictures during the baptism.

...to Robie who didn't flinch when I brazenly stole the parking space his security guards reserved for his car in front of Max's Restaurant. (mwahahahahahahaha!)

Happy Halloween!!!

Dear Sabine, The real essence of Halloween is that Christ's triumph over the Devil is so absolute that all evil has lost the power to really scare us.

Just like Che Guevarra here (the poster behind you, Sabe.) During the 60's, his picture was feared by those in the non-communist world. Now, after the defeat of communism, he's become a harmless icon of a bygone era. Just like garfield (the stuffed toy beside you. Even mice fear him not)... Just like the devil.

Christ's victory on the Cross proved that the devil is defeated. Ghosts and witches and goblins are only as real as the plastic and paper that children wear as costume during halloween. The powers they supposedly wield exist in newspaper clippings and books and stupid movies because those are the only places that they can exist. Because thanks to Christ, the defeated enemy has no power to break the laws of Einstein and Newton in this Universe. We celebrate Halloween to remind ourselves that the devil may scare kids but he can't scare adults anymore --Atleast those who believe in the reign of Logic, Truth and Science in God's Universe.

Your Ninong Noey and I loved the movie "Labyrinth" ages ago. Jennifer Connelly quoted something that we should all say to the devil:

"From dangers untold and hardships unnumbered
I've fought my way into the castle beyond the goblin city
to take back the child that you have stolen...
For my will is as strong as yours
and my Kingdom is as Great..."

and then she said the magic words...

"YOU HAVE NO POWER OVER ME."

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. To "Fear" means to respect. That's why we must show NO respect to a defeated enemy called the devil for he has no power over you and me anymore. The only power he has is that of a village idiot. Every halloween we kick him around and mock the once mighty enemy who used to scare the wits out of the ignorant. And we have the Lord Jesus Christ to thank for that.

To Noey and Jenn,

Fear God!

Defy The devil!

Celebrate Halloween!

--Kuya

Mathematical Logic

There were two nuns...

One of them was known as Sister Mathematical (SM),

and the other one was known as Sister Logical (SL).

It is getting dark and they are still far away from the convent.

SM: Have you noticed that a man has been following us for the past thirty-eight and a half minutes? I wonder what he wants.

SL: It's logical. He wants to rape us.

SM: Oh, no! At this rate he will reach us in 15 minutes at the most! What can we do?

SL: The only logical thing to do of course is to walk faster.

SM: It's not working.

SL: Of course it's not working. The man did the only logical thing. He started to walk faster, too.

SM: So, what shall we do? At this rate he will reach us in one minute.

SL: The only logical thing we can do is split. You go that way and I'll go this way. He cannot follow us both.

So the man decided to follow Sister Logical. Sister Mathematical arrives at the convent and is worried about what has happened to Sister Logical. Then Sister Logical arrives.

SM: Sister Logical! Thank God you are here! Tell me what happened!

SL: The only logical thing happened. The man couldn't follow us both,so he followed me

SM: Yes, yes! But what happened then?

SL : The only logical thing happened. I started to run as fast as I could and he started to run as fast as he could.

SM: And?

SL: The only logical thing happened. He reached me

SM: Oh, dear! What did you do? SL: The only logical thing to do. I lifted my dress up.

SM: Oh, Sister! What did the man do?

SL: The only logical thing to do. He pulled down his pants.

SM: Oh, no! What happened then?

SL: Isn't it logical, Sister? A nun with her dress up can run faster than man with his pants down.



And for those of you who thought it would be dirty,

I'll pray for you!

(Doc Patricia Ga, thanks for forwarding this email a few hours ago.)

Dear Sage, Sabine and Sadie, I've been visiting a forum lately. (Some habits never die, you know.) I just hope I'm conducting myself honorably. Maybe someday you can read my posts in Nicole's blog. In essence, what I tell those who would care to listen is that there is no woman alive, or dead, who does not deserve respect from us men-- Especially those men armed with guns and trained to use force on equally armed combatants.

And for those of you who thought that Filipina women (like Nicole) deserved to be victims of that kind of a heinous crime,

We'll pray for you too!!!

Middle Child

Dear Sabine, Sometimes you notice that we spend more time with your Ate Sage because your Mom and Lola help her study her lessons, and Sadie monopolizes Mom's time because she breastfeeds her. Pero you know what? We make it a point to take you out once in a while. Kami lang ni Mommy kasama mo. We enjoy being with you so much. We enjoy showing you off. And you enjoy flashing your "wolfy smile" to everybody else (it's wolfy because your pair of canine teeth are prominent.)

Lance Kieffer

Dear Sage, this is the first picture of your cousin Lance. Got attitude written all over his face, eh? This guy will break a lot of hearts someday. Hope he finds la femme. Hope he'll be as lucky as your old man.

Hey, Lito! Congrats sa inyo ni LALA!!!
Tilot, Gwaping din itong isang ito. Mukhang may susunod na sa yapak mo talaga.

Cuban Missile Crisis

Dear Sage, over 4 decades ago this October, the World came close to witnessing a nuclear exchange between the now defunct Soviet union and USA. I don't know what makes a man Hate his own kind so much that he would even contemplate nuclear annihilation as an option to resolve any conflict. Maybe it's because we tend to demonize our enemies or the object of our hatred.

I had a classmate once who hated my guts. We were in gradeschool. When we fight I don't back down because I believe I was always on the side of Truth, Justice and the American Way (I told you, too much CARTOONS is bad for you) In my mind I always imagine him as an ENEMY of the "Superfriends" Somebody who hates Superman and Loves Lex Luthor.

I was surprised when I saw him play with Superfriends action figures. It was very hard for me to comprehend that he also hates Lex Luthor. I was more surprised when he told me once that he likens me to Lex Luthor and he thinks of himself as Superman.

We both thought we were on the side of GOOD and the other is on the side of EVIL.

Years later I found out this is one way of demonizing our enemies. We think of them in the worst possible light, hence whatever actions we take against them (be it a punch in the face, an icepick puncture between their ribcage, a hale of bullets, or Nuclear fire) will be justifiable from our warped point of view.

Whenever you feel like demonizing whoever is the object of your dislike, always remember that deep inside he or she also wants to be counted as one of the good guys. One of the Superfriends.
JUST LIKE YOU AND ME.

And the similarities between us and our perceived enemies do not stop there...

"WE all inhabit this small planet,
We all breathe the same air,
We all cherish our children's future,
And We are ALL mortal."--JFK

Christine

Dear Sage, It was very frustrating for me not to have been able to bring your mom with me back to NY last March. Ten years ago I saw “The Phantom” and promised myself that I am going to see it again with Ayheen. Maybe next time.

Before I saw it at the majestic theater I was already enchanted by it. I even bought a “Tape” (it was the Pre-digital age) and listened to it whenever I could. I already memorized the songs. Though I hate the opera (I still do) I fell in love with Christine’s story. There was this very unforgettable scene when Christine took pity on the Phantom who was threatening to kill her lover and to exile her from the light of day so that she could share with him his fate: To forever suffer the torment of loneliness as an homage to music.

Then, she sang to him, like lullaby, these words:

“Pitiful creature of darkness,
What kind of life have you known
God give me courage to show you
You are not alone…”
Unexpectedly, she kissed him. A kiss both supremely passionate and chaste, it was able to reach down the infinite chasm of his being until it breached the caverns and awakened the humanity hibernating within.

He was human after all. And his humanity was lying there, dormant for so long that it just needed the spark of Christine’s kiss to erupt into the open sky- it became a fiery furnace that cleansed the beast and change the color of his scarlet soul into molten white.

That is the power you beautiful creatures have over horrible oafs/men like us. Your Mom gave me such a kiss a long time ago.

A woman’s love may not save the human soul. But it can save a man in so many ways.

FEAR NOT

Dear Sabine,

A few nights ago we were surprised to see you drinking water from your plastic cup since none of us brought one upstairs to our bedroom that night. We became more surprised when we realized that you went downstairs, on your own, grabbed your plastic cup from the cupboard, opened the ref door and poured yourself a drink. And you did it all by yourself IN COMPLETE DARKNESS.

Even Ate Sage is impressed. You ain't scared of the dark. And you shouldn't be. Darkness is erroneously associated with "Ghosts." Ate Sage knows that there are none but sometimes she still gets a very goofy feeling when we turn off the light.

Someday you may hear of ghost stories told even by respected people. Just tell them that it will take more than stupid apparitions to scare the heck out of you.

Ghosts are not real. They are simple momentary delusions of common people, brought about by fatigue, alcohol, depression or simple supertitious beliefs. They become urban legends after endless repetitions. We all love fantastic stories. Ghost stories are part of a very entertaining genre. It's okay to appreciate such stories. Just don't let con men sucker you into believing that they are more than that.

just in case fruit cakes like lichauco and rene mariano and madame auring start to make you doubt your inherent faith in TRUTH and SCIENCE, I suggest you start watching the TV cartoon series "Scooby Doo" again.

Issa alayhi salam

Dear Sage, Today is September 11, 2006. Five years ago I know exactly where I was when NY and DC were attacked. The first person to ask me who could have done such an atrocity was your Ninang Jenn. Incidentally, my answer to her question was a certain Usama bin laden. I read in the news that the american naval destroyer, USS Cole was attacked a few months before and he was suspected of being the mastermind. But I think the real reason why I told your Ninang Jenn it was that guy who was behind the attack was because I saw his name and picture in the movie "Hannibal" (it was shown alongside the FBI's Most Wanted Criminals). Just a few days later I was having doubts on whether he was capable of doing something so horrible. I speculated it could've been domestic terrorists. America has its share of those too. David Koresh, Ted Kaczynski (he is the HARVARD educated "Unabomber"), Randy Weaver, Timothy McVeigh and a host of para military/militias that are so enamoured by the second amendment, some of them probably sleep with their American Made Remington Rifles and actually fear "world dominance" of the UN.

Anyway, it was very convenient for W. Bush to pin the blame on "Islamists" because the current bedrock of his party are religious conservatives who think that ALL moslems are the devil's agents.

Some friends of mine told me that according to the movie "farenheit911" the attack was the best thing that ever happened to the bush administration. It solidified his hold on the religious conservatives and gave him an excuse to unleash his hi-tech military hardware against a third world country barely out of stone age (IRAQ).

Maybe someday they will question the prevailing conventional wisdom that it was a foreign terrorist group that attacked NYandDC and not a domestic one. I just want you guys to remember that the September 11 attack was not carried out by "Moslems." Just like the Holocaust was not executed by "Christians." Or the recent massacre of lebanese children was initiated by "Jews."

To call those terrorists Moslems, Christians, or Jews, implies that they follow the dictates of their religion. Islam, Christianity, Judaism FORBID atrocities like september 11, the holocaust, bombing of lebanese children. The terrorists who carried out those things are like the terrorists who invaded palestine in the convoluted belief that they are doing God a favor by engaging in such a "crusade," or like those who carried out bloodshed in the sikh golden mosque.

They were carried out by ignorant Men waving the Bible, the Qur'an, and the Torah.

Everyday is Christmas

Dear Sage, It's the First of September. First day of the "Ber months."

We are having problems. Lots of it. But you know what? Two nights ago, while praying, you said something that really tugged at my heart. You said that in a conversation with your classmate Anika, you told her that you heard me say that EVERY DAY IS CHRISTMAS. It's true. You guys always make me feel like it's Christmasday. I really don't know why you mentioned it. Maybe because you knew I needed to hear it.

Maybe because GOD does speak to us through our children's lips.

Kitkat and Boing

Click on the pic to go to the blog of
Kitkat and Boing Galvez

Dear Sage, Cousins Kit and Boing have their own blog. Thanks to your Ninong Noey. Welcome!!!