Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Masaya ako sa Pilipinas pero bakit...
Bago ang lahat...gusto ko lang sabihing masaya ako ngayon kahit na medyo bitchy ang magiging entry na'to. Ito lang kasi ang mga bagay na nakikitang worth i-blog lately (eh, natetengga na nang matagal ang site ko, kawawa naman ang aking dear readers hahahaha!)
1. Lumabas sa frontpage ng Inquirer today (30 January 2008) ang listahan ng Top 10 Most Corrupt World Leaders. Ang kamamatay lang na si Suharto ng Indonesia ang nag-top, in fairness. Pero dalawang Pilipino ang sumunod. Runner-up position si Makoy at "rounding up" the top 10 si Erap! Geesh! "Of all time" ito, ha! Tama talaga ang mommy ko, maraming pera ang Pilipinas, kung kani-kanino lang napupunta.
Lalo tuloy nakakapanggalaiti how nonchalantly we've forgotten everything, noh? Si Erap lumalabas na lang sa "Wish Ko Lang" na kala mo kung sinong santo na tinulungan ang kanyang former colleague na si Palito. At kung umasta siya, parang vindicated na vindicated siya sa lahat ng araw na inilagi natin sa EDSA II.
Noong nag-treat nga si Sheila sa Manila Pen for her birthday, dumating si Imelda. Biglang tumugtog ang orchestra ng "Dahil Sa'yo" at nu'ng umalis na siya talagang ang daming pumaligid at akala mo si Santo Papa itong kinakamayan nila. Pati mga staff nakapila, kasi aabutan na sila ni Madame ng tip... Hindi siguro ganito kahirap umasenso sa Pilipinas kung walang pang-tip si Imelda, no?!
2. Merong na-install na computerized election system ang Congress para raw mas mabilis ang botohan nila sa mga bills. Pero siyempre ang computerization ng national elections dumaan muna sa pagkahaba-haba at pagka-corrupt-corrupt na proseso pero hanggang ngayon hindi pa rin in place. That is another example of what my mom is saying na hindi nagagamit sa tama ang pera ng Pilipinas. Kapag para sa kapakananan ng mga pulitiko (trips, free gas, free food, pang-decorate ng kanilang mga opisina...) laging may budget pero kapag para sa bayan na, laging "walang pera ang gobyerno." Mga gago talaga sila!
3. Narinig ko sa radyo habang nasa taxi ako na ini-interview ang isang Cong. Abante yata ng Manila. Ang panukala niya: gawing mandatory reading ang Bible sa mga private at public schools. Ang daming kabobohan ng panukala, 'di ba? Bobong-bobo, 'di ba? Pero you haven't heard everything yet. Tinanong siya, "Hindi po ba 'to labag sa Constitutional provision separating the Church and the State?" Ang sagot ng bobong congressman from Manila: Eh, kung pinag-aaralan nga natin ang mythology, ang mga gods ng Ancient Greece at Rome, at maging ang myths ng Philippines noong unang panahon, bakit hindi natin pag-aaralan ang Diyos? Aaahhh...so parang iti-treat siya as a literary reading...Puwede... Pero sinabi rin niyang kelangan talagang maging mandatory ang Bible sa mga paaralan para na rin sa values formation ng mga bata...
Gusto n'yo makakita ng tamang values ang mga bata? Gawin n'yo nang maayos ang mga trabaho n'yo at hindi kung anu-anong batas ang ipinapanukala n'yo't pagbobotohan pa gamit ang inyong newly acquired computer voting system tapos 'yung mga pork barrel n'yo eh ipambibili n'yo lang ng mga SUV sa mga anak n'yo at mga bodyguard niyo para may hagad kayo tuwing trapik!!!
3. Hindi pa d'yan, natatapos ang Maynila. Oh, Lord! Help our capital city! Hindi ko lang alam kung ire-reverse 'to ni Lim pero ipinagbabawal na ang distribution ng artificial contraceptives sa mga barangay health centers. Dati kasi may US funding 'yan for population control pero dahil immoral daw ang mga ganyang artificial contraceptives, hayun, hinahayaan na lang nilang mag-anak nang mag-anak ang mga mahihirap!
Idagdag mo pa d'yan ang isang self-righteous group na inirereklamo ang what I think are tasteful and highly informative ads ng Trust Family Corporation (makers of Trust Condoms, Frenzy, and advocate of the Trust Family Program). Ang kikitid kasi ng mga utak ng mga 'to! Akala mo kung sinong nagpapakain at nagpapaaral sa mga dose-dosenang anak ng mga mahihirap, eh! Ilang studies na ang lumabas na ang pagtuturo ng contraception, at pamimigay ng condom o anumang uri ng contraception ay hindi nakaka-encourage sa mga kabataan na mag-sex. Studies have proven nga that education may cause the youth to even delay becoming sexually active, and if ever they do, they are more responsible since they are aware of the consequences, and safe methods or protection are accessible.
4. Lately, laging nababalita na ang dami-daming job openings daw for Filipinos sa Canada at sa iba pang bansa. Then a cameraman commented that an applicant would need about 150,000 Pesos just to apply! Sabi nga niya, "kung may ganu'n akong pera magnenegosyo na lang ako." Tama! Eh, ang kaso, 'yun na talaga ang mindset natin dahil 'yun na rin ang in-encourage ng gobyerno. Isa na talaga silang ad placement agency. At ngayon, talagang mini-milk pa nila 'to to the max by imposing new restrictions on the direct-hire process kasi sa ganu'n naka-cut ang role ng gobyerno, so nababawasan din ang kita nila tsktsktsk...
Ang empleyo sa ibang bansa ay maganda nga, pero empleyado pa rin. Hindi ang pagiging empleyado ang ikinayaman ng mga Chinese-Filipinos. At hindi ang pagpapadala ng world-class minds at labor force sa ibang bansa ang naging sikreto sa tagumpay ngayon ng Singapore, China at India. Talagang dapat ma-encourage at ma-educate ang mga tao tungkol sa entrepreneurship, kahit ano, dito talaga iikot ang pera sa'tin, eh, at nang hindi tayo nagkukumahog sa pera ng iba. Ang problema, well, pati naman ako, pinag-aral ako para makahanap ako ng magandang trabaho pagka-graduate. Ang tinatanong sa'kin, "Saan ka nagwo-work?"
Siguro talagang uunlad ang Pilipinas kapag pinag-uusapan na natin kung saan tayo magi-invest, anong klaseng negosyo ang maganda i-put up...Go negosyo!
1. Lumabas sa frontpage ng Inquirer today (30 January 2008) ang listahan ng Top 10 Most Corrupt World Leaders. Ang kamamatay lang na si Suharto ng Indonesia ang nag-top, in fairness. Pero dalawang Pilipino ang sumunod. Runner-up position si Makoy at "rounding up" the top 10 si Erap! Geesh! "Of all time" ito, ha! Tama talaga ang mommy ko, maraming pera ang Pilipinas, kung kani-kanino lang napupunta.
Lalo tuloy nakakapanggalaiti how nonchalantly we've forgotten everything, noh? Si Erap lumalabas na lang sa "Wish Ko Lang" na kala mo kung sinong santo na tinulungan ang kanyang former colleague na si Palito. At kung umasta siya, parang vindicated na vindicated siya sa lahat ng araw na inilagi natin sa EDSA II.
Noong nag-treat nga si Sheila sa Manila Pen for her birthday, dumating si Imelda. Biglang tumugtog ang orchestra ng "Dahil Sa'yo" at nu'ng umalis na siya talagang ang daming pumaligid at akala mo si Santo Papa itong kinakamayan nila. Pati mga staff nakapila, kasi aabutan na sila ni Madame ng tip... Hindi siguro ganito kahirap umasenso sa Pilipinas kung walang pang-tip si Imelda, no?!
2. Merong na-install na computerized election system ang Congress para raw mas mabilis ang botohan nila sa mga bills. Pero siyempre ang computerization ng national elections dumaan muna sa pagkahaba-haba at pagka-corrupt-corrupt na proseso pero hanggang ngayon hindi pa rin in place. That is another example of what my mom is saying na hindi nagagamit sa tama ang pera ng Pilipinas. Kapag para sa kapakananan ng mga pulitiko (trips, free gas, free food, pang-decorate ng kanilang mga opisina...) laging may budget pero kapag para sa bayan na, laging "walang pera ang gobyerno." Mga gago talaga sila!
3. Narinig ko sa radyo habang nasa taxi ako na ini-interview ang isang Cong. Abante yata ng Manila. Ang panukala niya: gawing mandatory reading ang Bible sa mga private at public schools. Ang daming kabobohan ng panukala, 'di ba? Bobong-bobo, 'di ba? Pero you haven't heard everything yet. Tinanong siya, "Hindi po ba 'to labag sa Constitutional provision separating the Church and the State?" Ang sagot ng bobong congressman from Manila: Eh, kung pinag-aaralan nga natin ang mythology, ang mga gods ng Ancient Greece at Rome, at maging ang myths ng Philippines noong unang panahon, bakit hindi natin pag-aaralan ang Diyos? Aaahhh...so parang iti-treat siya as a literary reading...Puwede... Pero sinabi rin niyang kelangan talagang maging mandatory ang Bible sa mga paaralan para na rin sa values formation ng mga bata...
Gusto n'yo makakita ng tamang values ang mga bata? Gawin n'yo nang maayos ang mga trabaho n'yo at hindi kung anu-anong batas ang ipinapanukala n'yo't pagbobotohan pa gamit ang inyong newly acquired computer voting system tapos 'yung mga pork barrel n'yo eh ipambibili n'yo lang ng mga SUV sa mga anak n'yo at mga bodyguard niyo para may hagad kayo tuwing trapik!!!
3. Hindi pa d'yan, natatapos ang Maynila. Oh, Lord! Help our capital city! Hindi ko lang alam kung ire-reverse 'to ni Lim pero ipinagbabawal na ang distribution ng artificial contraceptives sa mga barangay health centers. Dati kasi may US funding 'yan for population control pero dahil immoral daw ang mga ganyang artificial contraceptives, hayun, hinahayaan na lang nilang mag-anak nang mag-anak ang mga mahihirap!
Idagdag mo pa d'yan ang isang self-righteous group na inirereklamo ang what I think are tasteful and highly informative ads ng Trust Family Corporation (makers of Trust Condoms, Frenzy, and advocate of the Trust Family Program). Ang kikitid kasi ng mga utak ng mga 'to! Akala mo kung sinong nagpapakain at nagpapaaral sa mga dose-dosenang anak ng mga mahihirap, eh! Ilang studies na ang lumabas na ang pagtuturo ng contraception, at pamimigay ng condom o anumang uri ng contraception ay hindi nakaka-encourage sa mga kabataan na mag-sex. Studies have proven nga that education may cause the youth to even delay becoming sexually active, and if ever they do, they are more responsible since they are aware of the consequences, and safe methods or protection are accessible.
4. Lately, laging nababalita na ang dami-daming job openings daw for Filipinos sa Canada at sa iba pang bansa. Then a cameraman commented that an applicant would need about 150,000 Pesos just to apply! Sabi nga niya, "kung may ganu'n akong pera magnenegosyo na lang ako." Tama! Eh, ang kaso, 'yun na talaga ang mindset natin dahil 'yun na rin ang in-encourage ng gobyerno. Isa na talaga silang ad placement agency. At ngayon, talagang mini-milk pa nila 'to to the max by imposing new restrictions on the direct-hire process kasi sa ganu'n naka-cut ang role ng gobyerno, so nababawasan din ang kita nila tsktsktsk...
Ang empleyo sa ibang bansa ay maganda nga, pero empleyado pa rin. Hindi ang pagiging empleyado ang ikinayaman ng mga Chinese-Filipinos. At hindi ang pagpapadala ng world-class minds at labor force sa ibang bansa ang naging sikreto sa tagumpay ngayon ng Singapore, China at India. Talagang dapat ma-encourage at ma-educate ang mga tao tungkol sa entrepreneurship, kahit ano, dito talaga iikot ang pera sa'tin, eh, at nang hindi tayo nagkukumahog sa pera ng iba. Ang problema, well, pati naman ako, pinag-aral ako para makahanap ako ng magandang trabaho pagka-graduate. Ang tinatanong sa'kin, "Saan ka nagwo-work?"
Siguro talagang uunlad ang Pilipinas kapag pinag-uusapan na natin kung saan tayo magi-invest, anong klaseng negosyo ang maganda i-put up...Go negosyo!
Monday, January 28, 2008
Sesame Street is Evil!
First posted December 11, 2007
I've kinda believed that one reason my generation speaks better English than the younger ones is because we grew watching Sesame Street and English cartoons. Even Voltes V was dubbed to English by Filipino talents!
Now, here's an interesting Yahoo! article about different things that we grew up with...
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/18/magazine/18wwln-medium-t.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1
I've kinda believed that one reason my generation speaks better English than the younger ones is because we grew watching Sesame Street and English cartoons. Even Voltes V was dubbed to English by Filipino talents!
Now, here's an interesting Yahoo! article about different things that we grew up with...
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/18/magazine/18wwln-medium-t.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1
Batang Batibot
First posted December 11, 2007
Para sa mga kahenerasyon ko, mahalaga ang taong ito... (Lalo pa't ang kahuli-hulihan niyang isinulat ay isang pagtuligsa kay Trillanes haha!)
http://renevillanueva.blogspot.com/2007/11/kasong-trillaness.html
Si Rene Villanueva ang creator ng Batibot, ang TV show na nagturo sa'ting magbasa at magsulat sa Filipino. Nakaengkuwentro ko siya sa UP Film Center nu'ng isang buwan, sa special screening ng indie film na "Endo." Naririnig namin siya ni Adrian Ayalin na kausap ang manunulat na si Neil Garcia. Nu'ng mga panahon na'yon ay na-stroke na si Mr. Villanueva kaya medyo garbled na ang pananalita niya. Hindi ako nakikinig, actually. Si Adrian pa ang nag-point out sa'kin na si Rene Villanueva na nga 'yung nasa likod. Gusto ko ngang tumayo at kamayan siya. Magpakilala lang na ako po ay bahagi ng unang henerasyon ng Batibot viewers na nagpapasalamat sa kanya. Ganito kasi ang ginawa ko nu'ng nakatrabaho ko si Kuya Bodjie Pascua a few years back. Natawa lang nu'n si Kuya Bodjie at sinabing, "Buti at hindi ka napariwara." Sabi ko, "Heto po. Bakla na po ako."
Pero gusto kong isipin na naa-appreciate ng mga taga-Batibot kapag may mga tulad kong lumalapit sa kanila't ine-express ang appreciation nila...
Ngayon, wala na si Rene Villanueva. Hindi kami nagkakilala pero isa siya sa pinakamahusay kong guro. Maraming salamat po.
Para sa mga kahenerasyon ko, mahalaga ang taong ito... (Lalo pa't ang kahuli-hulihan niyang isinulat ay isang pagtuligsa kay Trillanes haha!)
http://renevillanueva.blogspot.com/2007/11/kasong-trillaness.html
Si Rene Villanueva ang creator ng Batibot, ang TV show na nagturo sa'ting magbasa at magsulat sa Filipino. Nakaengkuwentro ko siya sa UP Film Center nu'ng isang buwan, sa special screening ng indie film na "Endo." Naririnig namin siya ni Adrian Ayalin na kausap ang manunulat na si Neil Garcia. Nu'ng mga panahon na'yon ay na-stroke na si Mr. Villanueva kaya medyo garbled na ang pananalita niya. Hindi ako nakikinig, actually. Si Adrian pa ang nag-point out sa'kin na si Rene Villanueva na nga 'yung nasa likod. Gusto ko ngang tumayo at kamayan siya. Magpakilala lang na ako po ay bahagi ng unang henerasyon ng Batibot viewers na nagpapasalamat sa kanya. Ganito kasi ang ginawa ko nu'ng nakatrabaho ko si Kuya Bodjie Pascua a few years back. Natawa lang nu'n si Kuya Bodjie at sinabing, "Buti at hindi ka napariwara." Sabi ko, "Heto po. Bakla na po ako."
Pero gusto kong isipin na naa-appreciate ng mga taga-Batibot kapag may mga tulad kong lumalapit sa kanila't ine-express ang appreciation nila...
Ngayon, wala na si Rene Villanueva. Hindi kami nagkakilala pero isa siya sa pinakamahusay kong guro. Maraming salamat po.
Last Comic Standing
First posted December 13, 2007
Merong email sa'kin ang isa sa mga featured alumna na magpe-perform sa Ciento Comico, a comedy revue produced by the UP Alumni Association in celebration of the UP Centennial.
I'm writing the continuity script; since gahol na nga sa oras para makapagsulat pa ng mga bagong materials ang mga performers na sina Tessie Tomas, Willie Nep, etc., mga existing materials na lang nila ang ipe-perform tapos iti-tweak na lang for the occasion. Eh biglang a few days ago, a week before the show, may isang comedienne na balak gumawa ng all-new, original script. She was very gracious to do so, and she was very funny and receptive at the brainstorming. Tapos hindi ko namalayan, kaka-suggest ko ng mga puwede niyang i-punchline, sa akin na-assign ang magiging initial script niya. Tapos ie-embellish na lang daw niya.
Kahapon 'di ako magkanda-ugaga sa pagsusulat ng mga corny jokes. At kahit ayoko mang i-email ang mga nasulat ko, wala na talagang time. Very apologetic ako sa basurang ipinadala ko sa kanya. At ngayon nag-reply na siya. Hindi ko makuhang buksan. Natatakot ako na at malamang okray lang niya 'yung sinulat ko. Hindi ko kaya.
Siguro sa mga nakakakilala sa'kin na isang taong palabiro at mahilig magpatawa, nakakapagtaka ang insecurity ko na'to sa aking "funny-ness" pero ganu'n, eh. Alam n'yo bang Last Comic Standing lang ang reality TV show na talagang nakakapagpa-tense sa'kin? Talagang hindi ako makahinga at namamawis ako kapag pipili na kung sino comic na mas nakakatawa.
***
O, basta. Manood na lang kayo ng Ciento Comico. It features performances by Ms Tessie Tomas, Mr. Willie Nepomuceno, Ate Glow, Herbs Samonte, Miss Ador, Tuesday Vargas, and many more.
Nakakatawa 'to! Pramis!
Merong email sa'kin ang isa sa mga featured alumna na magpe-perform sa Ciento Comico, a comedy revue produced by the UP Alumni Association in celebration of the UP Centennial.
I'm writing the continuity script; since gahol na nga sa oras para makapagsulat pa ng mga bagong materials ang mga performers na sina Tessie Tomas, Willie Nep, etc., mga existing materials na lang nila ang ipe-perform tapos iti-tweak na lang for the occasion. Eh biglang a few days ago, a week before the show, may isang comedienne na balak gumawa ng all-new, original script. She was very gracious to do so, and she was very funny and receptive at the brainstorming. Tapos hindi ko namalayan, kaka-suggest ko ng mga puwede niyang i-punchline, sa akin na-assign ang magiging initial script niya. Tapos ie-embellish na lang daw niya.
Kahapon 'di ako magkanda-ugaga sa pagsusulat ng mga corny jokes. At kahit ayoko mang i-email ang mga nasulat ko, wala na talagang time. Very apologetic ako sa basurang ipinadala ko sa kanya. At ngayon nag-reply na siya. Hindi ko makuhang buksan. Natatakot ako na at malamang okray lang niya 'yung sinulat ko. Hindi ko kaya.
Siguro sa mga nakakakilala sa'kin na isang taong palabiro at mahilig magpatawa, nakakapagtaka ang insecurity ko na'to sa aking "funny-ness" pero ganu'n, eh. Alam n'yo bang Last Comic Standing lang ang reality TV show na talagang nakakapagpa-tense sa'kin? Talagang hindi ako makahinga at namamawis ako kapag pipili na kung sino comic na mas nakakatawa.
***
O, basta. Manood na lang kayo ng Ciento Comico. It features performances by Ms Tessie Tomas, Mr. Willie Nepomuceno, Ate Glow, Herbs Samonte, Miss Ador, Tuesday Vargas, and many more.
Nakakatawa 'to! Pramis!
Kissing You
Ang mga sumusunod na posts ay matagal nang nakasulat sa'king primarmy blog site sa Friendster.
First posted January 2, 2008.
Eh, 'di dumating nga si JJ sa party ko. Which was totally unexpected dahil parang he sorta hated me and the rest of the team when he left for Singapore two years ago. Nawarningan na'ko na kasama nga siya ni Vyzx. Kinilig-kilig ako pero hindi rin ako mapakali. As usual, I tried to put on the usual oh-thanks-for-coming-salamat-sa-wine face when he arrived. Kahit pa ang background niya eh sina Claire, Eisa, Pen at Haydee na nang-aasar. Tinawag pa nila ako nang pagkalakas-lakas nang dumating si JJ. So obvious na'ko, 'di ba? Well, eversince naman obvious ako pero bahala na. Nasa Singaproe na si JJ ngayon (he left the day after the party) so malayung-malayo na siya. Wala rin.
OK, so since it was my birthday I was feeling extra crazy that night. Sabi ko, hindi lilipas ang gabing 'to nang hindi ko mahahalikan si JJ. Pero siyempre kinakabog pa rin ako. Bakit kaya ganu'n? Kung OK lang sa'yo 'yung guy kaya mo talagang mag-flirt all-out, kahit straight pa siya. Lalandi-landiin mo talaga hanggang sa makama mo na shit! Pero kung crush mo (ahihihihi) parang ang hirap. Dinadaga ka talaga sa dibdib. And to think nakainom na'ko nito, ha. (Wala pa si Pen sa bahay niya, ako pa lang mag-isang nag-aayus-ayos eh naka-dalawang beer at isang maliit na bote ng red wine na'ko). Ine-encourage na'ko nina Pen. Basta kausap ko lang daw. So kahit may iba nang nakaupo sa tabi ni JJ, minamando ko talaga, like, pinapaalis ko sila para ako ang katabi ni JJ. Sinu-small talk ko naman siya pero alam mo 'yung feeling na nasa blind date ka tapos ingat na ingat ka sa sasabihin mo? Ganu'n.
Then I thought, what the heck! It's my party! It's Christmas! I was born on Christmas Day - the Day! This is gonna be my day! My night! Most of the guests nu'ng andu'n na sa may labas naka-dalawang helerang magkaharap at nagsasalu-salo sa beer at red wine (salamat, salamat sa mga nagdala ng red wine!) at sa inihaw (salamat, salamat kina Danny na nag-ihaw)... I'm gonna make my move! Bahala na! Sabi ko kay JJ, "Du'n tayo sa likod." Then i casually stood up and walked towards the backyard - away from the crowd. And for some reason, kahit pa takot na takot ako na baka hindi mangyari 'yung inaasahan ko, sumunod naman si JJ. Mga a few seconds pa lang akong nakatayo sa may lababo sa likuran eh andu'n na si JJ. Humarap ako sa kanya. And andu'n lang siya. We stood there for what seemed like centuries pero siguro mga one minute din 'yun. Oo, short time pero kung tahimik lang kayo, magkaharap, walang sinasabi, tapos ninenerbiyus-nerbiyos ka pa kasi finally nasolo mo 'yung crush mo (crush talaga ang term? how very high school!) nakaka-tense ang every second na'yun, ha.
Napalunok na'ko. Ang plano ko lang yayayain ko siya sa likod bahay. Wala nang next step. So parang iniisip din ni JJ kung ano'ng gagawin ko. Napa-smile ako nang konti kasi iniisip ko, "Shet ang tanga mo Rey! Now what?" So napangiti na rin si JJ. Sabi ko, "Musta ka?" ("Shet! Heto na! Small talk pa rin?!") "OK," natatawang sagot ni JJ.
So I did the bravest thing. Nag-small talk ulit hahahaha!
"Tagal mong nawala."
"Onga, eh."
I stepped a little closer towards him while saying, "Ang taba mo na."
"Onga, eh." (Natawa)
("Yikes! Tama ba'yung sinabi ko?")
Then hindi ko na malaman kung paano nangyari. Para siyang slow motion. I kinda sensed someone was going to the backyard so bago pa mawala ang kakaunting alone time namin together, I bent over (slightly mas maliit si JJ sa'kin) and pecked him on the lips. Wholesome, sweet quick kiss on the lips.
AAAAHHHHH! GANU'N PALA 'YUN? Ambilis-bilis na kiss. And it probably means nothing to JJ. Pinagbibigyan lang niya ako, at nahihiya siyang pahiyain ang host pero para sa'kin na halos limang taong pinagpapantasyahan ang kiss na'yon, OK na'ko...
***
Eh, ang kaso, hindi nangyari 'yun.
Umabot lang ako sa small talk habang nasa upuan. Then my bisita akong dumating na sa gate lang. Marami-rami na'kong nakaing happiness. Tapos nagsuka ako nang mga tatlong beses na yata. Pagpasok ko sa gate, may dumaan sa harapan ko tapos biglang nag-freeze tapos umandar ulit. Sabi ko, "Ibang tama 'to!" Napaupo na'ko sa garahe, nakasandal sa gate. Wala na'kong makita pero naririnig ko pa ang mga tao and I remember feeling like I'm about to die so I was urging my guests to rush me to the hospital. Pero apparently alam nilang OK pa'ko so they just carried me to the couch inside. That was before midnight pa. Shet! Kaya for this Rey-Pen N'yo Kami Party, sa imahinasyon ko na lang nangyari ang lahat ng mga dapat mangyari hahahahaha!
First posted January 2, 2008.
Eh, 'di dumating nga si JJ sa party ko. Which was totally unexpected dahil parang he sorta hated me and the rest of the team when he left for Singapore two years ago. Nawarningan na'ko na kasama nga siya ni Vyzx. Kinilig-kilig ako pero hindi rin ako mapakali. As usual, I tried to put on the usual oh-thanks-for-coming-salamat-sa-wine face when he arrived. Kahit pa ang background niya eh sina Claire, Eisa, Pen at Haydee na nang-aasar. Tinawag pa nila ako nang pagkalakas-lakas nang dumating si JJ. So obvious na'ko, 'di ba? Well, eversince naman obvious ako pero bahala na. Nasa Singaproe na si JJ ngayon (he left the day after the party) so malayung-malayo na siya. Wala rin.
OK, so since it was my birthday I was feeling extra crazy that night. Sabi ko, hindi lilipas ang gabing 'to nang hindi ko mahahalikan si JJ. Pero siyempre kinakabog pa rin ako. Bakit kaya ganu'n? Kung OK lang sa'yo 'yung guy kaya mo talagang mag-flirt all-out, kahit straight pa siya. Lalandi-landiin mo talaga hanggang sa makama mo na shit! Pero kung crush mo (ahihihihi) parang ang hirap. Dinadaga ka talaga sa dibdib. And to think nakainom na'ko nito, ha. (Wala pa si Pen sa bahay niya, ako pa lang mag-isang nag-aayus-ayos eh naka-dalawang beer at isang maliit na bote ng red wine na'ko). Ine-encourage na'ko nina Pen. Basta kausap ko lang daw. So kahit may iba nang nakaupo sa tabi ni JJ, minamando ko talaga, like, pinapaalis ko sila para ako ang katabi ni JJ. Sinu-small talk ko naman siya pero alam mo 'yung feeling na nasa blind date ka tapos ingat na ingat ka sa sasabihin mo? Ganu'n.
Then I thought, what the heck! It's my party! It's Christmas! I was born on Christmas Day - the Day! This is gonna be my day! My night! Most of the guests nu'ng andu'n na sa may labas naka-dalawang helerang magkaharap at nagsasalu-salo sa beer at red wine (salamat, salamat sa mga nagdala ng red wine!) at sa inihaw (salamat, salamat kina Danny na nag-ihaw)... I'm gonna make my move! Bahala na! Sabi ko kay JJ, "Du'n tayo sa likod." Then i casually stood up and walked towards the backyard - away from the crowd. And for some reason, kahit pa takot na takot ako na baka hindi mangyari 'yung inaasahan ko, sumunod naman si JJ. Mga a few seconds pa lang akong nakatayo sa may lababo sa likuran eh andu'n na si JJ. Humarap ako sa kanya. And andu'n lang siya. We stood there for what seemed like centuries pero siguro mga one minute din 'yun. Oo, short time pero kung tahimik lang kayo, magkaharap, walang sinasabi, tapos ninenerbiyus-nerbiyos ka pa kasi finally nasolo mo 'yung crush mo (crush talaga ang term? how very high school!) nakaka-tense ang every second na'yun, ha.
Napalunok na'ko. Ang plano ko lang yayayain ko siya sa likod bahay. Wala nang next step. So parang iniisip din ni JJ kung ano'ng gagawin ko. Napa-smile ako nang konti kasi iniisip ko, "Shet ang tanga mo Rey! Now what?" So napangiti na rin si JJ. Sabi ko, "Musta ka?" ("Shet! Heto na! Small talk pa rin?!") "OK," natatawang sagot ni JJ.
So I did the bravest thing. Nag-small talk ulit hahahaha!
"Tagal mong nawala."
"Onga, eh."
I stepped a little closer towards him while saying, "Ang taba mo na."
"Onga, eh." (Natawa)
("Yikes! Tama ba'yung sinabi ko?")
Then hindi ko na malaman kung paano nangyari. Para siyang slow motion. I kinda sensed someone was going to the backyard so bago pa mawala ang kakaunting alone time namin together, I bent over (slightly mas maliit si JJ sa'kin) and pecked him on the lips. Wholesome, sweet quick kiss on the lips.
AAAAHHHHH! GANU'N PALA 'YUN? Ambilis-bilis na kiss. And it probably means nothing to JJ. Pinagbibigyan lang niya ako, at nahihiya siyang pahiyain ang host pero para sa'kin na halos limang taong pinagpapantasyahan ang kiss na'yon, OK na'ko...
***
Eh, ang kaso, hindi nangyari 'yun.
Umabot lang ako sa small talk habang nasa upuan. Then my bisita akong dumating na sa gate lang. Marami-rami na'kong nakaing happiness. Tapos nagsuka ako nang mga tatlong beses na yata. Pagpasok ko sa gate, may dumaan sa harapan ko tapos biglang nag-freeze tapos umandar ulit. Sabi ko, "Ibang tama 'to!" Napaupo na'ko sa garahe, nakasandal sa gate. Wala na'kong makita pero naririnig ko pa ang mga tao and I remember feeling like I'm about to die so I was urging my guests to rush me to the hospital. Pero apparently alam nilang OK pa'ko so they just carried me to the couch inside. That was before midnight pa. Shet! Kaya for this Rey-Pen N'yo Kami Party, sa imahinasyon ko na lang nangyari ang lahat ng mga dapat mangyari hahahahaha!
Sunday, January 27, 2008
The UPLB Trantados Full Moon Run...AWWWOOOO!!!
“Buong Buwan Akong Tumakbo!”
Slogan sa Finisher Shirt ng
UPLB Trantados 20-km FullMoon Run
25 January 2008, 9PM-12MN
ICS Bar, UP Los Baños
What better way to fulfill my goals to be more active in races this year than to go back to where my triathlon career started (triathlon career talaga?! Hahahaha!) - THE UPLB TRANTADOS FULLMOON RUN!
Unang labas palang ng mga announcements nila sa egroups alam kong katarantaduhan na naman 'to! So masaya 'to! What else can you expect from the same group that requires non-beginners to wear costumes at their Beginner's Triathlons, came up with the 3-Pool Challenge, and boasts three internationall ranked triathletes among their members (and some of the cutest Pinoy triathletes around! As in wala kang itatapon!)?
I had a couple of minutes na lang to dress up and rush to the starting line, at the ICS Bar (owned by Trantados president Ian Castrilla) because of the horrendous zigzag of a construction site that is the SLEX (Thanks to fellow UP Mountaineers Bernice for driving and Coach Bernie for tagging along). No time to learn the route, no time to warm-up; which wasn't much of an issue, anyway, since I was just gonna treat this as a training long run. Sir Ian gave the signal and we're off!
Followed longtime Trantados crushie Ige because he promised to show me the route. He still had this Koreanovela leading man going on so it was fun following him for a while. That is until he decided to take on a really competitive pace as soon as we entered the UPLB Campus. The route also immediately turned uphill! It will also go downhill but only for a few meters, and then the gradient will increase immediately! I was already complaining loudly, “Ganito ba talaga dito?” Not knowing the route makes every uphill climb seem like it's gonna go on forever. Good thing the local runners were kind enough to reply to my whiny queries with an encouraging, “Konti lang 'yan tapos patag na ulit.” Though they were rarely right.
It was nice having some people running with you in the dark forests of Los Baños. Then I reached a turnaround. I don't know whether it was going to be the first turnaround (the marshals didn't know either, nor do they know at what distance marker they are) but at least they have cold ice tubig ready. I immediately sprinted downhill, bit the ice tubig and the water burst all over my face (hindi pa naman ako sanay nang napuputukan sa mukha!) at may mga tubig pang pumasok sa ilong ko. Next time talaga, titigil muna ako bago uminom ng ganyan!
The first scariest (yes, maraming scariest) part of the route was about to happen. There was this dark curve covered by trees so not even moonlight could penetrate. Good thing I had my headlamp with me. I tell you I was running so fast through that curve. When I emerged, I saw two ladies going up a hill. I asked them directions once I went past them and continued running uphill....Then i reached the turnaround. The same turnaround!
This time i really stopped and asked them for directions but they still didn't know. So i had to sprint downhill again, sprint past that scary dark curve again partly because I wanted to make up for lost time, and largely because I was so scared that moo-moos will come out and eat me!
Realizing I should've taken a right, instead of following the two ladies who were going left, I ran past some runners who were strolling...Hindi ba sila takot sa moo-moo?? Then a guy caught up with me. I looked back and asked, “Alam mo ba kung ano ang ruta?” He just mumbled. I figured he's one of those Korean students being trained by Trantados (in their quest to spread world peace?) so I asked again, “Do you know the route?” He goes, “No.” “OK, I don't know where I'm going also.” “OK, I will just follow you.” Kakaiba, 'di ba? He soon slowed down and I heard some screaming and biting and munching sound. Kinain yata ng moomoo.
I got myself out of the forest and found myself into the academic oval. There were some runners there that I could follow. And I remember this route from the beginner's triathlon years back. Then it was off the International Rice Research Institute daw. Again, I was just going where there were runners. I was running through a tree-lined path that is usually the bike route in Trantados races so I know this is gonna be looooong.... Finally, at the end of the road, some people were doing the turnaround. I was about 54 minutes into my run by now.
There, famed Trantados Edison Ticzon was manning the water station. He said if I were running the 20km, I had to make a right and run all the way out becayse this was just the 10-km run turnaround! I chatted for a while and took my time taking in some fluids. Then it was back to running again into the unknown.
Again it was a long stretch of road...that became a dirt road...that became a muddy dirt road...and more muddy dirt road with nothing but vast rice fields on either side, stretching out into the black mountains in the horizon...it was full moon alright but it was cloudy so it was still darker...
Most of the time, I was running alone through this dark vista but I wasn't scared anymore. From afar you could see the blinking tail lights of the cars at the turnaround. It was a weird zen experience.
After 2 hours and 21 minutes I got back to ICS where cold beer, free mixed drink with fresh fruits, lechon and the rowdy fun company of the UPLB Trantados await! Walang marshals, walang markers, who cares?! May moo-moo, may mga Trantados, may sense of adventure ka at sense of humor, ayos ka na rito! Binigyan pa nila ako ng medal for “Best in Night Lampa” haha (At fourth daw ako sa age-group, nawala pa'ko niya, ha! Eldani, humanda ka next time! Hahahaha!)
Slogan sa Finisher Shirt ng
UPLB Trantados 20-km FullMoon Run
25 January 2008, 9PM-12MN
ICS Bar, UP Los Baños
What better way to fulfill my goals to be more active in races this year than to go back to where my triathlon career started (triathlon career talaga?! Hahahaha!) - THE UPLB TRANTADOS FULLMOON RUN!
Unang labas palang ng mga announcements nila sa egroups alam kong katarantaduhan na naman 'to! So masaya 'to! What else can you expect from the same group that requires non-beginners to wear costumes at their Beginner's Triathlons, came up with the 3-Pool Challenge, and boasts three internationall ranked triathletes among their members (and some of the cutest Pinoy triathletes around! As in wala kang itatapon!)?
I had a couple of minutes na lang to dress up and rush to the starting line, at the ICS Bar (owned by Trantados president Ian Castrilla) because of the horrendous zigzag of a construction site that is the SLEX (Thanks to fellow UP Mountaineers Bernice for driving and Coach Bernie for tagging along). No time to learn the route, no time to warm-up; which wasn't much of an issue, anyway, since I was just gonna treat this as a training long run. Sir Ian gave the signal and we're off!
Followed longtime Trantados crushie Ige because he promised to show me the route. He still had this Koreanovela leading man going on so it was fun following him for a while. That is until he decided to take on a really competitive pace as soon as we entered the UPLB Campus. The route also immediately turned uphill! It will also go downhill but only for a few meters, and then the gradient will increase immediately! I was already complaining loudly, “Ganito ba talaga dito?” Not knowing the route makes every uphill climb seem like it's gonna go on forever. Good thing the local runners were kind enough to reply to my whiny queries with an encouraging, “Konti lang 'yan tapos patag na ulit.” Though they were rarely right.
It was nice having some people running with you in the dark forests of Los Baños. Then I reached a turnaround. I don't know whether it was going to be the first turnaround (the marshals didn't know either, nor do they know at what distance marker they are) but at least they have cold ice tubig ready. I immediately sprinted downhill, bit the ice tubig and the water burst all over my face (hindi pa naman ako sanay nang napuputukan sa mukha!) at may mga tubig pang pumasok sa ilong ko. Next time talaga, titigil muna ako bago uminom ng ganyan!
The first scariest (yes, maraming scariest) part of the route was about to happen. There was this dark curve covered by trees so not even moonlight could penetrate. Good thing I had my headlamp with me. I tell you I was running so fast through that curve. When I emerged, I saw two ladies going up a hill. I asked them directions once I went past them and continued running uphill....Then i reached the turnaround. The same turnaround!
This time i really stopped and asked them for directions but they still didn't know. So i had to sprint downhill again, sprint past that scary dark curve again partly because I wanted to make up for lost time, and largely because I was so scared that moo-moos will come out and eat me!
Realizing I should've taken a right, instead of following the two ladies who were going left, I ran past some runners who were strolling...Hindi ba sila takot sa moo-moo?? Then a guy caught up with me. I looked back and asked, “Alam mo ba kung ano ang ruta?” He just mumbled. I figured he's one of those Korean students being trained by Trantados (in their quest to spread world peace?) so I asked again, “Do you know the route?” He goes, “No.” “OK, I don't know where I'm going also.” “OK, I will just follow you.” Kakaiba, 'di ba? He soon slowed down and I heard some screaming and biting and munching sound. Kinain yata ng moomoo.
I got myself out of the forest and found myself into the academic oval. There were some runners there that I could follow. And I remember this route from the beginner's triathlon years back. Then it was off the International Rice Research Institute daw. Again, I was just going where there were runners. I was running through a tree-lined path that is usually the bike route in Trantados races so I know this is gonna be looooong.... Finally, at the end of the road, some people were doing the turnaround. I was about 54 minutes into my run by now.
There, famed Trantados Edison Ticzon was manning the water station. He said if I were running the 20km, I had to make a right and run all the way out becayse this was just the 10-km run turnaround! I chatted for a while and took my time taking in some fluids. Then it was back to running again into the unknown.
Again it was a long stretch of road...that became a dirt road...that became a muddy dirt road...and more muddy dirt road with nothing but vast rice fields on either side, stretching out into the black mountains in the horizon...it was full moon alright but it was cloudy so it was still darker...
Most of the time, I was running alone through this dark vista but I wasn't scared anymore. From afar you could see the blinking tail lights of the cars at the turnaround. It was a weird zen experience.
After 2 hours and 21 minutes I got back to ICS where cold beer, free mixed drink with fresh fruits, lechon and the rowdy fun company of the UPLB Trantados await! Walang marshals, walang markers, who cares?! May moo-moo, may mga Trantados, may sense of adventure ka at sense of humor, ayos ka na rito! Binigyan pa nila ako ng medal for “Best in Night Lampa” haha (At fourth daw ako sa age-group, nawala pa'ko niya, ha! Eldani, humanda ka next time! Hahahaha!)
