nutty mind

Malaya na nga ba ang Pilipinas?

2011-06-10T13:59:00.000+08:00

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Mahigit isang daang taon na ang nakalilipas nang unang iwagayway ang watawan ng Pilipinas sa bahay ni EmiliO Aguinaldo sa Kawit, Cavite. Isang pangyayaring ipinagbunyi ng mga Pilipino. Isang pagpapatunay na malaya na ang Pilipinas sa pananakop ng mga dayuhan. Salamat sa mga Katipunerong nakipaglaban sa mga mananakop. Salamat sa mga bayaning kayang ibuwis ang buhay para sa ating Inang Bayan.

Makalipas ang 113 taon, malaya nga ba tayo?

Marahil, bilang isang republika, isang bansa, malaya tayo. Walang sumasakop.

Subalit ating igala ang ating paningin. Saan mang dako ng Pilipinas... ano ang ating makikita? Mga kababayan nating naghihirap at inaalila ng mga kapitalistang dayuhan. Isang masakit na katotohanan. Nasaan ang kalayaan? Gayung tayong mga Pinoy an alipin sa ating sariling bayan.

Tingnan natin ang mga kabataan. Pilipino pa ba sila? Marahil, mamamayang Pinoy. Ngunit tingnan natin ang kanilang kilos... animo'y Kano. Pakinggan mo silang magsalita... punk na punk. Yan ba ang Pinoy?

Masyado nang malawak ang impluwensiya ng ibang bansa. Nawawalan na tayo ng pagkakakilanlan. Ano na ang nangyari sa kulturang Pilipino? Hindi na napapagyaman. Nakakalungkot isipin na baka dumating ang araw tanging wikang Filipino na lamang ang ating pagkakakilanlan.

Sikat ang Pinoy sa buong mundo. Sa maraming bagay, masama man o mabuti. Marami ang humahanga sa Pinoy. Magagaling tayo. Ngunit saan natin nagagamit ang ating kagalingan? sa ibang bansa. Sa Pilipinas, nagagawa ba natin yan, hindi.

Nakakalungkot isipin na maaming Pinoy ang kailangang mangibang bansa para umunlan ang estado nga pamumuhay. Ang mga OFW, nagtitiis sa malayong lugar, nagtitiis sa pang-aalila ng dayuhan. Wala silang magawa. Kailangang magtiis. kailangang kumita para sa pamilya sa Pinas.

Walang pinagkaiba. Sa Pinas man o sa ibang bansa, alipin pa rin tayo ng kapitalistang dayuhan. Yan ba ang bansang malaya?

2011-05-20T17:46:00.002+08:00

Hinagpis ni Elsa

2011-05-14T14:26:00.000+08:00

Another good FB friend, Ann Abunda, posted this. I want to share it with you as this tackles reality. Sad reality.
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Maraming realidad ng buhay ang indi na naisusulat,di na rin pinag uusapan,mga bagay na kala ng ilan ay imposibleng mangyari,pero sa totoo lang nangyayari at mangyayari pa sa mga darating na panahon..wag na sana!!!

Ako si Elsa,isang OFW sa kuwait,galing sa mahirap na pamilya,nagtitinda ng sigarilyo sa bangketa ang mga magulang ko,panganay sa 7 magkakapatid,nakapagtapos naman ako sa sariling kayod,pero dahil sa kahirapan ng buhay di ko na kayang antayin ung sinasabi nilang "break" sa trabaho,dahil di sapat un sa pangangailangan ng pamilya ko:pagkain,ilaw,tubig,damit,edukasyon at marami pang iba..kaya nagpasya akong mag abroad..

destinasyon:KUWAIT

trabaho:DOMESTIC HELPER

Pero sympre dahil nakatapos ako,di madaling sabihin sa ibang tao o kapamilya ko na nag apply ako bilang katulong sa kuwait,konting yabang siyempre,di bali pagnakapag abroad naman ako at makaipon,magtatanong pa ba sila kung ano ang naging trabaho ko?Cguro hinda na,o kung oo naman,madali na lang magsinungaling..

Taong 2002 ng dumating ako dito sa kuwait,december ang lamig,nanginginig ako,di ko alam kung takot ba yun dahil di ko alam kung anong kapalaran ang nag aantay sakin sa bansang eto,takot o sadyang malamig lang talaga.

Tuwang tuwa ako ng makitang ang dami rin palang mga kababayan dito sa kuwait,sa airport palang naglipana ang mga kababayan,merong magagara ang damit-saleslady,nakauniporme,merong mga cleaner at maraming kagaya namin,nag iisip kung anong buhay ang tatahakin namin dito???

Dumating ang sundo namin,Arabo.typical na arabo ang itsura,nakasoot ng mahabang puting damit(disdasya)me talukbong sa ulo na puting tela(katra) at mahaba ang balbas,typical na arabo..parang gutom sa babae.

Dinala kami sa accommodation,para magpahinga,para daw kinabukasan magpapamedical na at magrereport sa agency.

Nangdalhin kami sa agency,laking tuwa namin,me sekretarya silang kababayan,napalagay agad loob namin,sympre kababayan eh.

Ganito pala ang estilo ng pagkuha ng katulong sa agency,akala kasi namin ung pangalan na nasa visa sila na ung magiging amo namin,hindi pala!Mali kami!para pala kaming mga tao taohan(hindi tao parang hayop) lang na ibebenta sa mga naghahanap ng katulong,na bawat me papasok na kuwaiti eh lalabas kami,nakalinya at parang mga isdang kikilatisin.Sobrang nakakababa ng pagkatao.Sabi ng sekretaryang kabayan,magmukha kayong tanga at mabait,dahil un ang gusto ng mga kuwaiting amo,dahil sayang daw ung araw na pagstay namin sa agency,wala pang sahod un,magstart lang ang sahod pagmakuha na kami ng amo.tsk tsk tsk..mali na naman ang akala namin.

so un ang ginawa namin,sinuwerte naman ako o sadyang mukha lang akong tanga at mabait kaya ako ang unang nakuha.

Ang gara ng bahay ng amo ko,pero sabi nila normal pa daw un,di pa mayaman,aircon hanggang kusina,di pa ba mayaman un?daming trabaho agad,pinaglinis ako,pinagbrush ng carpet,pinatulong sa kusina..eh ano pa ba ang inaasahan ko,eh katulong nga ang trabaho ko dito(un na lang ang nasabi ko sa isip ko).

Sa unang gabi ko palang,iba na agad ang tingin sa akin ng amo kong lalake,me pagnanasa ba,di naman ako nagbibigay ng malisya,pero natatakot ako! makalipas ang ilang buwan,lalong tumindi ang mga mga pinapakitang pagnanasa ng amo ko,umiiwas ako,pero tila naghahanap lang sya ng tiyempo para macorner ako,hanggang nangyari nga isang gabi,wala ung amo kong babae at mga anak nya,kami lang ng amo kong lalake,pinagtangkaan nya akong halayin,nanlaban ako at napokpok ko sya ng tubo,sa takot ko na baka makulong ako,tumakbo ako sa agency,para humingi ng tulong sa kanila,imbis na tulong ang ibigay sa akin, binogbog pa ako mismo ng me ari ng agency at ng secretarya,nagrason ako,sabi ko sa sekretarya "kabayan,sinaktan at inabuso na nga ako sa bahay ng amo ko,pumunta ako dito sa inyo para sana humingi ng tulong,tapos ganito rin pala ang mapapala ko,sino at kanino ba kami dapat lumapit?"sampal ang sagot ng sekretarya,makalipas ang ilang oras,me dalawang pulis na pumunta sa opisina,binaliktad ng amo ko ang pangyayari,nahuli nya raw akong nagnakaw ng pera,kaya sa takot ko pinokpok ko sya?ano mang pagmamakaawa gawin ko,wala na akong magawa,ano mang sabihin ko di rin nila pinapakinggan.

Nang dumating ako sa police station,maayos naman sila,pero niyakap ako ng matinding takot,takot kung anong kapalaran ang nag aantay sa akin sa loob,uso daw ang panghahalay sa loob ng police station,ginagawang parausan ng mga police ang mga detainees,lalong lalo na ang mga pinay.Pero higit sa lahat mas iniisip ko ung mga taong naiwan ko sa pinas.Paano na ung mga pangako ko sa knila na mabigyan ng magandang buhay,gayong nakabilanggo ako dito.Hindi ko sasabihin kanino man an naging kapalaran ko dito,para di sila mag alala.Kailangan kong makalabas dito.kailangan kong tuparin ang mga pangako ko,kailangan ko silang iahon,kailangan ko silang tulungan..kahit ano man ang kapalit ng mga yan.Paano? paano nga ba?

Biglang napansin ko ung isang kuwaiti na parang nagpapakita ng interest sa akin,nagpapakita na rin ako ng interest,baka eto na ung kasagutan sa problema ko.Nagkausap kami,nangako siya na tutulungan nya akong makalabas sa kulungan,kapalit ang aking sarili.Instant pokpok sa madaling sabi.Pumayag ako,ano nga naman ang mangyayari sa akin sa loob,baka mahatulan pa ako ng bitay(exagerrated)para sa isang taong ala namang alam sa batas nila.So pumayag ako,me tirahan syang kinuha,siya ang nagbabayad ng renta at pagkain ko,un lang daw ang kaya nyang ibigay sa akin.paano ang pamilya ko?Hinayaan ko siyang gamitin ako,gamitin hanggang sa magsawa sya,hanggang sa mapagod sya,tutal malaki ang pagkakautang ko sa kanya,at iyon ang kasunduan,kasunduan na di ko naman gusto o gugustuhin,naipit lang ako.Di naman ako pedeng magtrabaho sa labas dahil 20 visa ako,ang binayaran lang kasi ng kuwaiting un ay ung danyos ko dun sa dati kung amo at ng di na sila magfile ng kaso,di kasama ung paglilipat ng visa,at di basta bastang pera un,malaki..70T sa peso.

Nakakakilala ako ng mga kababayang nagbebenta ng aliw, na nakikisama din kahit kanino para lang me pangrenta,pangkain,pangpadala sa pinas,kadalasan ng mga parokyano nila eh mga arabo at mga americano,at iilang mga pinoy.Instant pokpok talaga ang nangyari sa akin,tsk tsk tsk.

Ganun ang sinuong kong buhay,nagpalipat lipat ng lalake,para makapadala ng pera sa pinas,pagnagtatanong sila kung kumusta ako,ang sagot ko..

"ok naman ako"

palaging ganun..pero sa totoo lang di ako ok,ni inisip di ko naisip na mangyayari ang mga bagay na eto sa akin.Na magpapakababa ako para lang sa pera at seguridad.,di ako pedeng umuwi ng pinas kasi nasa amo ko pa rin ang mga papeles ko,makukuha ko lang un pagnabayaran ko ang 70T na hinihingi nila.pero ano nga ba ang ibang paraan?

Nakikita nila ang mga picture ko sa facebook,ang galing ko,napaniwala ko sila na ang saya ko,na maganda ang kalagayan ko dito,na maayos ang buhay ko.Inisip ko na lang,nagpakababa na rin lang ako,sasagarin ko na,di ako uuwi hanggang di ko lubos na natutulungan ang pamilya ko sa pinas,Dito ako nadapa..Dito rin ako babangon...

Sa pagpalipat lipat ko ng lalake sa loob ng 5 taon,nakakakilala ako ng isang matandang kuwaiti,ok naman sya,sa isip ko lang..matutunan ko na rin sguro etong mahalin,pipilitin ko siyang mahalin.pero di pala ganun ang puso,di mo sya matuturuan kahit anong pilit mo.

Nagpakasal ako sa kanya,umaasa na siguro sa pamamagitan neto ay maiaahon ko ang sarili ko.pero nagkamali ako..pero atleast di na ako pangkaraniwang pokpok ngaun,isa na akong legal na pokpok(with conviction pa talaga)...pokpok na nakakulong pa rin!Nakakulong at di ko pa rin alam kung kailan lalaya...higit na mahirap ang kalagayan ko ngaun,nakatali sa taong di mo naman talaga mahal,at ang natatanging rason lang para mahalin sya ay ang binigyan nya ako ng desenting buhay,di man disente ang pakikitungo nya sa akin,ok na rin..disente naman sa tingin ng mapanghusga at mapagkutyang mata ng kapwa..ang haba na ng biyahe ko sa bansang eto..lumalaban pa rin..at sa totoo lang di ko na rin alam kung ano ang pinaglalaban ko...

flashback.....

Sa tuwing tatanungin ako noon kung ano ba ang pangarap ko..simple lang din ang tugon ko...

"simpleng buhay,me asawa at anak..simpleng pamilya..nagmamahalan..kahit di naman nakakaangat sa buhay ang importante MASAYA kami at magkakasama..."sad to say...di ko na ata mararanasan un...di na...

Asia's first woman commercial jet pilot

2011-04-12T10:09:00.002+08:00

As I go through my morning ritual at the office: browsing the web for some news, taking a peek at my FB account, checking personal email, I came across with this yahoo news: Philippine pilot soars above gender barrier.

Yes, Asia's first woman commercial jet pilot is a Filipino. Being a Filipino based here in Singapore, and working in an environment that is pretty much dominated by guys, I take pride as I know, I have also conquered the man's world and somehow made my way to be recognized not as being a girl but as someone who can also work at par with them.

But Brooke Castillo, really amazes me.

Let me share this with you:

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On the ground, Brooke Castillo is a classical pianist, a rock band manager, an elite sportswoman and a teacher, but it is high in the sky where she truly excels.

Castillo is the Philippines' first female commercial jet captain, and from the cockpit of Cebu Pacific airline's Airbus A319s and A320s she says she has the best job in the world.

"I think I was destined to be here," the tall and eloquent 41-year-old told AFP in an interview, explaining that she realised her many other talents would take a back seat immediately after she got into aviation school.

"I just took up the challenge and I realised it was something that I would love to do, and that was it."

Castillo grew up in a wealthy Manila household -- her father was a banker and her mother managed a casino -- alongside three brothers who helped instill in her a love for sports and competition.

Many hours of her childhood were spent with her family in ten-pin bowling alleys, and she ended up representing the country's junior team in the sport.

She was also a member of the Philippines' youth basketball team, and won a silver medal for her country as an adult at the Southeast Asian taekwondo championships.

Among her other hobbies and talents, Castillo plays classical piano, manages a local alternative rock band and has a business administration degree from the elite University of the Philippines.

Castillo said she never aspired to be a pilot, but fell into the aviation industry soon after her college days when she accompanied a friend to a testing session for a pilot's scholarship with national carrier Philippines Airlines.

Castillo took the tests as well and, while her friend failed, she aced them.

"When I went to aviation school, I realised everything that I learned from music, from my other endeavours in school and from sports -- all of it -- I was able to apply more than in my college subjects," she said.

Her love of flying and her skills saw her become the first woman in the country to fly a commercial jet in 1996, with Philippine Airlines.

After crossing to rival Cebu Pacific, Castillo in 2003 became the first woman in the Philippines to captain a jet.

Throughout her career she has blazed a trail for other women in the industry, with Cebu Pacific now boasting 14 other female pilots.

"Hopefully there will be more," she said.

Castillo, who is now also an instructor for Cebu Pacific's younger pilots, said she had earned her success on her merits, pointing out airline chiefs could not compromise when choosing captains for their jets.

"In our profession there are no double standards because you cannot afford to put anyone's life in danger," she said.

Castillo suggested women had an advantage because they tended to pay closer attention to the smallest details. A pilot needs to check more than 200 items before an actual flight.

"They say that women are more meticulous and more into multi-tasking. Probably that's true. In some instances I see it," she said.

Be they Piper Tomahawk trainers or Airbus jets, Castillo said the hardest aspect of flying was deciding when to take off and land or abort, because the tiniest hesitation could swiftly lead to life or death situations.

Her most dangerous moment was as a DC-9 co-pilot nine years ago, when the cabin lost compression in mid-flight. She said her professional training took over and the plane landed safely.

"The thing that I learned from that was that you don't feel the fear until it's over," she said.

"After you land and everything, that's when you catch the fear."

Castillo's remaining professional ambition is to captain larger, wide-bodied Airbus aircraft, a dream she will likely fulfil as her employers, now the country's biggest airline, push aggressively into international markets.

She said also she wanted to marry and have a child someday. But she has had trouble finding the time for such personal matters and sees herself flying and instructing until she turns 65, Cebu Pacific's retirement age for pilots.

"I hope, I wish, but I really can't see how," she said when asked about marriage and a family.

"Honestly I'm enjoying my flying career and I am enjoying teaching. Being an instructor, in a way, is fulfilling to me, and in a way it's making me think, 'Should I give it up for anything else?"

(please note that the photo is a property of http://sg.news.yahoo.com/)

Glittering Hopes at Midnight (a story of an OFW)

2011-03-21T22:16:00.003+08:00

I left the Philippines in high hopes that I would find a job in a foreign land. My destination: Singapore.

Singapore is an open city and anyone can get in without worrying about VISA. I tried my luck. The country is a haven to jobseekers. I prodded my parents to borrow money from a relative with the parcel of land we owned as the collateral.

I came to Singapore a few years back. All I had were my diploma, employment certificates, guts, prayers and dreams. Dreams of giving my family a better life. My mom, my dad, my siblings.

I came here as a tourist. It was not easy to get past the Philippine Immigration. The government was already tightening the policies for Filipinos leaving the country as some tourists would end up doing illegal things overseas just to survive. I gathered all the courage I could have just to look so smart and pretend that I would only be touring SG. I booked a 3-night stay at a backpacker's hostel just to make my 'tourist-in-SG' drama even more convincing. I succeeded... and arrived in Singapore with no difficulties. I was given a 30-day visit pass.

I used the hostel reservation I made. I rebooked my return ticket to another date, almost a month later. While in the hostel, I went through Pinoy forum websites in Singapore. I looked for a place where I could stay at a much lesser price. Cost of living in Singapore is quite high. I had to consider the most economical way of living that I could have.

I was able to find a bedspace for SGD250. It was already a good price. I had to skip meals. I would just make it a point that I would have one rice meal everyday. I would spend everyday going online, sending my resume to prospective companies. But usually, they would reply to me that they needed PRs and Citizens. I did not lose hope. I persisted.

The 30-day visit pass was nearing expiration. I had to go to Johor Bahru, the capital city of Johor in southern Malaysia. Just a few minutes from Singapore. I just spent a few hours in JB and came back to SG. This time, my drama was I just visited JB before going back to Manila. And yes, I outwitted them. The SG immigration officer believed my story and gave me another 30-day stay in the country.

Again I stayed in Singapore for another 30 days, looking for possible job I could get. Still, I could not find a job. I was determined not to go home as a failure. I had to find a job. A few days before the second 30-day visit pass would expire, I applied for extension. I did it online. Luckily, it was approved.

For more than two months that I had been applying for a job and still could not find one, I was already giving up. But still, the thoughts of going home as a failure scared me. It would be a shame to my family. I wouldn’t want that to happen. I wouldn’t want my family to live in debt and in embarrassment. We all know how judgmental people are.
I could not give up. I could not quit. I would not go home empty handed. I would not go home without achieving anything.

I mingled with other Pinoys, from all walks of life, trying to get tips and help in finding a job.

Until I met this group of Filipina, young ladies of my age. All professionals, earning big bucks. They became my friends. They work somewhere in Tanjong Pagar… at a night club.

Hopeless as I was, I asked them to help me. Hard, but I had to swallow all my pride. My family wouldn’t know, anyway. I told my self, just for the meantime… just for me to survive. I would find a decent job.

Days, weeks, months passed. I earned dollars. I was able to send home money. I was able to pay our debts. I was able to give my parents a better life. They commend me. They would tell other relatives how good a daughter I am. If only they know the truth… If only they know about my fate… sad fate of an OFW.

I have already gotten the thought that I would be getting a decent job here in Singapore out of my head. This is what I got. I did not have any choice. I hated it but I had to live by it. Live being an overseas Filipino whore.

It has been years. I know there is still hope. Not for myself but for my siblings. With every dancing light that glitters at night. With every dollar that I earn and send to them, I know I give them hope. With the story about my made-up-work, I tell them, I know I inspire them.

Soon, I will go home to the Philippines. I will try to start a new life. I know it is never too late.

26 Nov 2010 -- a just another special day on FB

2011-03-10T19:30:00.000+08:00

26 Nov 2010 -- a just another special day on FB. It is so nice reminisce those days… love, songs and rhymes. I just can't imagine my FB life without my cyber mom aka Ta Malditz na Uragon, Fidelity Benedict, Fortitude Benedict. I wonder what would be her next FB name.

Bing Divina:

all day at work not much to do

boredom there was had it not been for you

my friends from afar, mommy G and Joy

it could have been a boring day, oh boy!

...the day went by with us chatting

exchanging thoughts, minds, exercising

the day was filled with songs and rhymes

a cheerful way to pass the time.

Bing Divina:

mommy -Bing Manga-Ocampo and Joy Menguito

I’d like to call the two of you

let's now begin this game we have

and sing along with the songs of our hearts

Bing Manga-Ocampo:

Ow here I am my precious tot

with all my laughter filled with might

gather round the thoughts of day

before we go and hit the hay.

...So much so in us radiates

the sunshine, the stars glistens in haste

for of the womb in thine delight

the charms of angels we got light.

Bing Divina:

let me dance 'neath the moonlight beam

and let my laughter fill the air

let my songs, oh, soothe your ears

song that i hope your heart hears.

Lingering Looks

2011-03-02T11:47:00.001+08:00

It has been a while since I’ve been on Facebook. I met friends, I wrote about them, how they make me feel special, how they hype up my everyday, how they mean to me.

I have always been thankful to FB as it served as a channel for me to meet people with hearts of gold, with compassion, with lending hands.

However, it just saddened me that FB also become a flume where people paraded their lies in all colors so attractive to everyone. A flume that leads to a ravine… unfortunately, I fell… hard.

I just miss the days when everything was so simple.

Mom, I miss the old times. I miss you and Sher. I miss us.

Bing Divina:

i missed you the whole day
i missed the game we used to play
anticipating posts with rhyme
looking forward to such replies

i am also missing our dear friend Sher
Also waiting for a post from her
even a penny that she may share
coming all the way from Vancouver..

Bing Manga Ocampo:

^I haven't been far...juz within your reach,
For how can I forget our walks at poem's beach?
Sher is somewhere there, a friend who loves a lot,
But for a reason, she silence on the gap,
Life for her ain't easy as we look at it like that;
Rather we both know she hangs around the warfts. :)

Bing Divina:

it is amazing, don't you think?
see what our technology can bring
connecting people miles away
with sweet words to say..

you and Sher, to me, are both extremes =)
I am at the middle and so it seems
I may be meek but never weak
I can be wild just like a beast

Bing Manga Ocampo:

‎^^Angels overrun as what we used to say,
For friends to stay and love you in a day;
Let laughters resounds in the depth of our souls,
When for one thinks we can all re-grow.

Bing Divina:

this game we play stirs my mind
brings back the will for me to write
i wanted to stay but i cannot
for job awaits, else, it'll rot.

goodbye for now, still have to work
this pile of papers is not a joke

Bing Manga Ocampo:

^^Soar Fly..my golden Hawk!!!
Go amidst the tentacles of no joke. ;)

Sher Briones:

I`m hovering around no direction I couldn`t find;
I forgot a while that I have two Bees around,
Expressing their thoughts and love which push me to go forward
Left and right they guide me thru the night...
Love you Hunnies♥

Bing Divina:

so delighted to have read
a reply to this post from one dear friend
now i can say my day is complete
you could have seen my smile so sweet

Bing Manga Ocampo:

For all these times you stood by me,
For all the truth that I made you see;
For all the joys we 3 brought to our lives,
For all the wrongs that we made right.

(oh kanta na yan mga mahal q kaso tig plagiarise buda tig- modify q waaa di dw aq ma... demanda sadi? LOL)

Bing Divina:

because you,two, love me....

Bing Manga Ocampo:

^^hahahahaa ow yeaaaaah ♥ hun .. ♥ fly ... ♥ moi he he..

Bing Divina:

Threesome tayo?

Bing Manga Ocampo:

pde ...pdeee weeeeeeeeeeh LOLz saan? where? yay!

Inadobong Labi (Marinated Lips)

2011-02-22T17:40:00.007+08:00

Something just tickled my mind and posted this on facebook.

naalala ko matamis mong ngiti

ang mapula at mainit na labi

na ang bawat dampi

ay init sa malamig na gabi

I knew I would draw reactions from friends who would always check on me.

Tyche Joy:

Ehem......lol

That's the divine virgin moooooo...

Fidelity Benedict:

tubig at langis.... itarak man sa init di rin lalamig... gwahaha!

I didn't know what to say... so I just laughed

Bing Divina:

Bwahahahaha

But wait... Melai, my sweet li'l Sis from Dubai was also smitten by the bait...

Melanie Peñalosa:

aanhin mo ang maiinit na labi

kung puro kasinungliangan ang na mumutawi

mainam pang ikay walang katabi

basta't ikay walang sakit sa ulo pag-gabi

...*wink*

and there goes Kuya Bob....

Bob Nieva:

Kahit mapula o maputlang labi

basta ang gusto ko ay laging napapakagat labi o

di kaya laging nakakagat ng labi...lol!

The rhymes started to pour in...

Fidelity Benedict:

aanhin q ang matamis mong ngiti

kung pagdating ng araw ito'y mangingiwi?

sa dala mong bagyo at dalamhati

di bale ng bungi, puso q naman ay di tatabingi!!!

**Harharhar

Bing Divina:

dalamhati man ang dala ng aking mga ngiti

aminin mong kahit paano ito'y nakakapawi

ng hinagpis ng puso, nangigiliti

nagpapasaya sa'yo kahit sandali

Melanie Peñalosa:

aanhin mo ang panandaliang ngiti

kung kapalit nito'y sakit na di mawari

pusong sugatan ang maiiwang saksi

sa sugat na dulot ng panandaliang kiliti

Tyche Joy:

Nassan ba ang mga sinasabi mong labi

Hanggang ngayon ako ay nagdadalamhati

Siguro ako ay isinilang na sawi

Hindi nararapat makamtan damdaming masidhi

...Bwahahahahaha!!!! Mooooooooooooooo!!!

Fidelity Benedict:

kiliti nga ba ang hanap ng labi?

o pagmamahal na walang pasubali?

anu't-ano pa man ang bakasakali

pusong nagmamahal ay di malilimi

basta't ang hayag nia ay matamis na ngiti :-)

and this one started the twist:

Bob Nieva:

Ibat ibang uri ng labi ibat iba rin ang dampi.

Ngunit sa lahat ng uri pinakamasarap ang inadobong labi.... LOL!

Tyche Joy:

Panira ka nang concentration Kuya Bob! Nakapay ako kakakalaka jan sa inadobong labi mo. ahahha!

Fidelity Benedict:

Inadobo mong labi,

Maalat ang kiliti!

Maanong mantika iyong "i-titi"

Para labi mo'y di masyadong dudulas ang kanyang hitit!

LOL!!!

Bing Divina:

bwahahaha... kapay na ako... mapapaknit awong ko kakangisi dawa solo

I went nuts... I could not help but laugh my heart out...

Bob Nieva: ‎

@Joy... Ayo ka sana narumduman na ang labi ay pwedeng adobon... LOL!

Tyche Joy:

Masarap man ang labing flavored adobo

Kung wala namang pagmamahal ang humahalik sayo

Para kang humahalik sa semento

Malamig at lahat lang sebo.

Har! Har!

Fidelity Benedict:

Di kaya ang sebo ng labing inadobo

Ay galing sa condom na pinamudmod ng DOH

noong araw ng mga fushoooo?

Hak Hak Hak Hak!

You might wonder where the condom idea came from. You see, early in the morning, we were talking intellectually about the Reproductive Health Bill, its significance, etc...

Bob Nieva:

Lintek na adobong labi.

Ang bilis sumikat kakalipas lang ng ilang sandali... Hahaha

Bing Divina:

mukhang masarap ang lasa ng labing inadobo

naglalaban ang asim ng suka at alat ng toyo

kung ganyan ang lasa ng labing hahalik sayo

isusuka mo ba o nanamnamin mo?

Tyche Joy:

Kuya Bob, sa kamaturan ayu talaga ako narurumduman na ngelina Jolie lips pero ukon an para sakun. Di ko man pwedeng sabiyon ta tibad magunutan ako. Bwahahahaha!!!!

Tyche Joy:

Paksiw na sana ngani! Bai na san adobo ta ma-highblood kita san!! Bwahahahaa!

Fidelity Benedict:

‎@@ Turunuuuuuuung ... nyahahaaa!

Hmmmm... and this astounded us:

Elmor Alfelor:

mainit-init kong katawan

pag inyong natikman

para kayong dinuduyan

sa kalangitan

What the heck was that?!!!

Tyche Joy:

Oh my God!!! Nabuhay si Machete sa itaas. LOL

Fidelity Benedict:

Mukhang pababa ng pababa,

Sa labi lahat nagsimula..

Kalaunan nag bago ng mukha

labing nakangiti ngaun katawang nanggagalaiti?

**Waaahahahahaaa!!!

See their reaction?

Elmor Alfelor:

hindi lahat sa labi ang sarap

mayroon sa ibaba

mayron sa itaas

sa likod at sa harap

pero ang pinakagusto ko ay lahat..lol

what is happening here? I need to do something...

Bing Divina:

mainit na katawan ang iyong natikman

nagmamantika nasa iyong harapan

kutsara't tinidor ating gamitan

kainin na ang hotdog sa hapag kainan

Oopppssss.... why did I use the word hotdog? So silly of me...

Elmor Alfelor:

salamat sa pagkain

ng hotdog kong niluto

iyong nagustuhan

kaya ang mga mata

ko'y tuwang-tuwa

Bing Divina:

tapos na ang kuwento ng mapulang labi

na ginawa ni Kuya Bob comedy

sumali si Melai, si Tyche at si Fidelity

lumihis ng konti sa may utak na berde

sorry kay elmor, siya ay medyo nahuli.

And who said Elmor was late? Please understand Sher as there is a 12-hour difference between Phils and her timezone...

Sher Briones:

Ang kanyang labi na aking iniwan

Dasal ko`y walang tumikim kahit panandalian

tuyo man o mamantika`y aking babalikan

para punuan ang aking pagkukulang.

...Ako`y palaging huli sa inyong talakayan

Subalit namumutawi sa labi ko`y inyong mga pangalan

Puso ko`y nalulungkot ako ay tinanggihan

Maging kaibigan ng isang babaeng ubod din ng kagalingan.

Hey, what was that? hmmmm...

Bing Divina:

sino ang babaeng tumangging ika'y maging kaibigan?

sumbong sa bunso, aking susugurin at tatawanan

isang pagkakamali, baka di niya nalalaman

ang maging kaibigan ka'y isang malaking karangalan

Hahahaha. She did not reject the FR, Ate She. She was just too busy with her mafia. No issues here. Peace... I love you all…

a poem for Tyche Joy

2011-02-18T14:23:00.000+08:00

I thank the Lord, He gave me you
a friend so dear to me
A kind of friend who understands
my feelings and my ways.

I thank the Lord for such a friend
who fills my heart with glee
You brighten up my everyday
with jovial company.

The day we met on FB chat
I knew that we would jive a lot
So many things to talk about,
sisterly love, since then, sparked.

A private Joy, a simple I
we live a life too far, too far
But friendship made its way so clear
and charmed the stars and brought us near

My sister dear, one-of-a-kind
with gorgeous looks and brilliant mind
Indeed a treasure rare to find
can make someone so mesmerized.

If Helen's face launched thousand ships
and brought war to the men of Greece
Your beauty, too, can start a war
appealing mafia, that's what you are.

seductive look, with mystic smile
smitten men from a million miles
but then again the looks and wits
can drive guys crazy, crack their heads.

Simplify

2010-12-08T20:20:00.000+08:00

I have been browsing the net. It has been habit of me to check www.pinoysg.com (the website of the Filipino community here in Singapore), at least to be aware of what is happening to our fellow OFWs here in SG and to check the exchange rate.

Among all the posts about relationships, job hunting, living in SG tips and a lot more, this particular post captured my eyes. Simplify. Perhap's due to the title's simplicity. Looking at it, I was thinking that it might mean another thing. Simple yet ambiguous.

Thanks to Silversurfer for sharing this on the site. Now, I am sharing this to you, guys, on my blog. This is something really inspiring.

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

> My parents breathed simplicity. Oxygen too, but that's pretty obvious. Dad was an assistant vice president for a humongous company, yet I didn't "feel" like I was a rich man's kid because my parents made it a rule to live below their means.
>
> A millionaire's son rode a sleek Benz; I rode our sixteen-year old Toyota that sounded more like a drum and bugle band, with its cacophony of bangs, rattles, and whams.
>
> An heir of the moneyed class was chauffeured to school, but as early as Grade III, I was taking the public jeepney-- sitting, standing, or swinging from its handrails like a flapping flag.
>
> The wealthy dined on gourmet meals every day. But the culinary highlight of my whole week was when Mom bought Coke for our Sunday lunch-- the only time we tasted the stuff. I'm not kidding.
>
> Rich kids wore outfits from America, England, and Paris. I wore clothes from Avenida, Escolta, and Pasay.
>
> The mansions of the rich and famous are veritable furniture showcases, complete with sixteen Egyptian jars from the Nephertiti era. I learned that one of those monstrous flower vases was equal to the price of our entire house. But naturally, we too, had our own flower vases. If my archeological knowledge serves me right, they came from the Nescafe era.
>
> Their estates have playrooms with life-size Barbie's and Power Rangers. But the way I played with expensive toys was admiring them from the store shelf and using my magination to the hilt. That way, I owned all the toys in the world.
>
> You'll be shocked by what I'm going to tell you, but through all this, I recall never feeling deprived in any way.
>
> Let me tell you why.
>
> I remember my father coming home every night and we'd go jogging together--around our old car parked in the garage. (Dad says he wasn't vying for the Olympics anyway.) Then I'd sit on his lap and we'd talk about how to solve the problems of the universe.
>
> After dinner, we'd read the comic pages together. Tarzan was my favorite, until I reached puberty. From then on, it became Jane.
>
> Almost every Saturday afternoon, it was father and son time. We'd walk to the shopping center and Dad would buy me a hotdog. Then we'd walk back home,bringing a little something for Mom, usually a chocolate bar. To add sentimental value to our token, I forced myself to take a few bites from it.
>
> I guess being with Dad and Mom was all that my little boy's heart ever wanted. And I got it, every single day.
>
> I believe that God chose to write the "map of happiness" on the ordinary parchment of simplicity-- like a treasure map written on recycled brown paper.
>
> Consequently, many people ignore that map, and are attracted instead to the more glossy, loud, shiny maps around. But when they follow these others maps,they end up tired as a dog chasing its own tail.
>
> I have a radical suggestion........Simplify.
>
> Simplify because you want to discover the depths of your soul.
>
> Simplify because you want to start living deliberately.
>
> Simplify because you want to love from an uncluttered heart.
>
> Remember that simplicity is only the first step of the journey. Holding the treasure map, memorizing it, photocopying it a thousand times, and keeping it safe in a vault won't make you claim the gold. You actually need to sail through oceans, climb peaks, cross valleys, and explore caves.
>
> Simplicity will point to you where and what and who the gold is in your life.
>
> Once you know your gold, the game has just begun.
>
> Will you treasure your gold?
>
> My parents knew their gold:
>
> 1. Each other,
> 2. Their six children, and
> 3. Their faith.
>
> They tried to live uncluttered lives so that they could have time for what was most important.
>
> They didn't busy themselves buying a bigger house, because that would mean working harder to pay the monthly amortization, doing overtime work or taking a second job. Who would then go jogging with little Bo every night?
>
> Who would read Tarzan for him? They didn't burden themselves buying a BMW because that would mean laboring and worrying about installment bills. Besides, walking to the shopping center every Saturday afternoon with his son gave my dad his needed exercise, and made little Bo feel special.
>
> One of the delights of my heart was seeing Dad and Mom in their bedroom at night, after our nightly family prayer. The lights were turned off, and I'd see the silhouette of my father seated on his old chair and mom standing behind him, gently massaging his shoulders. I'd hear them talk about what transpired during the day. Even as a child, I sensed their quiet pleasure at being together. My question today: Could they have done this rich ritual each night and nourished their marriage if they had been busy paying for designer outfits for themselves or their kids, or if they had been worrying about monthly bills for new hi-tech appliances?
>
> I don't think so.
>
> And I've made the choice: I don't want that kind of life either.

- Bo Sanchez

the rubber poem

2010-11-30T17:44:00.000+08:00

This poem is a bit humorous. But the message is clear. Be responsible.

Try not to do it. But if you cant really avoid it, put the rubber on. Protect your partner, protect yourself. No unwanted pregnancies. No bastards. Just a happy family.

The Rubber Poem

... kissing is a habit
fucking is a game
guys get the pleasure
girls get the pain ..

the guy says : "i love you
you believe its true!"
but when your tummy starts to swell ..
he just says : "who the hell are you?"

5hours of pleasure,
9 months of pain,
2 days in the hospital
.. and the baby without a name

the baby is a bastard
the mother is a whore

this wouldn't happened if the rubber was PUT ON!

Dreams... Rhymes... Love

2010-11-29T17:58:00.000+08:00

Old folks say, that if there is a will, there would always be a way. True. No matter how low we could be, we have that will to help people who are even less fortunate than us. We may have been stuck to a situation that we don't want and that deprives us from doing what we really want, trust me, in our own sweet time, as long as God permits, we will be able to achieve that goal, realize that dream.

In our case, friendship started with rhymes. Until we get to know each other little by little. Until true friendship and love (a love so different yet so pure) bloomed in just a very short period of time. This love binds us... to be strong... not for ourselves... but for others.

To my darling friend Joy, I am with you. We share the same dreams. And in God's grace, we will make this happen.

Joy Menguito: to have the chance of fulfilling,
the unachieved dreams my heart is longing..
these are the things i am always praying,
to the Lord whose love is everlasting

Bing Divina: it's not yet too late to realize these dreams
the Lord is with you making your life gleam
as a darling friend i will walk you through
hold your hand as you we make this dream come true

Joy Menguito: oh, mi amor, you're really such a darling
am really glad God moved to make us friends
a friend like you is truly a blessing
i believe i'll make my dreams come true
with you as the wind beneath my wings..

Bing Divina: sometimes we feel unlucky, deprived
already a cliche but please look at the brighter side
challenges come not to nail us down
but to make us strong until we wear that crown

Joy Menguito: you've got a point there, mi amor
life really is full of challenges
that we have to face and conquer
fight the battle to the end
no matter, come what may
as long as we did not surrender..

Me, My Friends and Facebook

2010-11-29T09:37:00.002+08:00

There was eudora, hotmail, yahoo mail, gmail, etc. Then there was instant messaging, then social networking. Friendster was among the widely known social networking sites. Then there was facebook.

It was only late last year that I got myself really hooked into it. So many things happened.

I befriended people that i do not really know. I chat with them, sharing experiences even without meeting them yet. Funny, to some people but for me it is amazing.

Facebook is a witness to the evolution of true friendships, relationships, whether they have a happy ending or otherwise.

Just like mine. Facebook was there from the very beginning that love sparked. It was a roller coaster love affair. Sweet, deep, terrific, intense... only it got derailed.

FB was there during my happiest moment, the same during the loneliest. It takes whatever animosity the world has. It offers comfort to those who need it. It shares friends and happiness, and even spreads it.

I find it so amazing to see how people get connected and interact with people from around the globe. Virtual camaraderie. But FB has done even more than that.

A friend (FB friend) of mine will soon ring the bells. She is in HK and will be going to the Phils for the wedding. A friend of ours (whom we met on FB also) will be one of her bridesmaids. And she will go to the Phils all the way from Dubai. Sadly, I cannot join them.

My FB friend Mommy G, a nurse and Clinical Instructor in Bangkok, has helped another FB friend, Joy Menguito, who has cancer, all the way. From checkups to the chemotherapy. They did not know each other before. Although they came from almost the same place in the Phils, it is only through FB that they really became friends.

It is also through FB that I was able to get help for my outreach program, and influence people to do the same, to take part in my own little cause. It is also through this social networking site that I was able to touch more lives, inspire more youth... to be compassionate, to be helpful, to care for others, to have a big heart.

There are so many things that I thank FB for. On FB, I am surrounded with beautiful people, with beautiful hearts. People who have affected my life, my whole being. People who shared my happiness, pains, aspirations, failures and success. We may be coming from different locations, with different culture, with different perspective. Yet FB bonded us, not just as plain friends. There is more to it. Advocacy, passion, compassion. One day I will meet them. We will work together. I just hope very soon.

A Bleeding Heart's Poem

2010-11-25T14:04:00.002+08:00

This is my first day back at work after a week-long vacation and a 2-day seminar. Today seems to be a very easy Thursday. Not much updates, not much issues. I logged in to Facebook as my means of killing time. My friend, whom I call Mommy G, posted something about love... a not-so-happy post, though. Her post tickled my mind.

Having come from a breakup, the feeling is still lingering - Love, hope, pain. So I posted something on my wall... a 1-stanza poem. I knew she would reply to it... adding another stanza. We have been doing this... exchanging thoughts the poetic way. Her friend, Joy, joined us and shared her thoughts as well. Mommy G called it our poem on bleeding hearts. Now I gave it the title: A Bleeding Heart's Poem.

Here it is:

Bing Divina:
I miss the days of tales and lies
of fantasies seen in your eyes
I miss the feeling of love and pain
Just like summer, longing for the rain.

-Bing Manga-Ocampo:
I miss the days
Of love and smiles,
Of longing and honesty astrides
I miss the days when you're by my side,
Of Loving only me, oh love do bites!

Joy Menguito:

i miss everything in my life
that i wanna go back to all those times
i cherish everything in my life
...that's why i miss all those times
i wish everything is constant...
so that changes don't make us sigh
but changes is the only constant
that would ever happen in our lives
reality bites..

Bing Divina:

I miss the days we were together
Each moment's filled with happiness and laughter
But in this world, nothing is constant
Reality bites, that is a fact

Joy Menguito:

we can never really turn back time,
that's why we have to make the most of every time
no matter what no matter how
as long as there's no resentment in our hearts
cherish everything, good or bad
...coz that's what consists the memories
that we are going to look back come the dusk of our lives..

Bing Divina:
yes, move on as time goes by
cherish happy memories, let the bad ones fly
let the wind blow them to the skies
to the outer space, out of our lives.

A Singapore Taxi Driver's Diary

2010-11-07T15:45:00.000+08:00

IT is a lazy Sunday afternoon. While browsing, i acme across this blog. Wow! A taxi driver with a PhD. I began reading his entries. Cool. But what really caught my attention is this. Well, being Filipino, this makes me proud. I wish would be able to ride his cab.

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
April 30, 2009. Thursday: For sentimental reasons
As usual, after the evening peak hours ended at 8pm, commuters who had shunned away from taking taxis in the past three hours because of the 35% surcharge started to flock at various taxi stands in the central areas. Today, this temporary surge in demand for taxis seemed to be particularly palpable, maybe because it was a holiday eve.

I drove by the Outram Park MRT station shortly after 8 and saw a very long queue, at least 20 or so people, waiting at the taxi stand. I knew they would have to wait there for quite a while, since that was probably the least favored place for most taxi drivers to pick up passengers at this time of the day.

I, however, stopped at the head of the queue without a second thought.

A young Asian man boarded my taxi and told me to go to the airport. “Please take the quickest way, uncle.” He said. “I am really, really late.” Though he was trying his best to look calm and collected, his voice was tense, anxious, weary, and relieved, all at once.

He was dressed neatly, in what could be referred to as “smart casual”: A short sleeved shirt and a pair of cotton trousers. He carried with him a midsized suitcase which he had graciously declined to put in the trunk. Overall, he projected an aura of maturity and composure, although I was certain that he was no older than 30.

“What time is your flight?” I asked, as I was driving towards ECP.

“Nine o’clock. Do you think we can make it? It’s ten past eight now.” The anxiety in his tone was easily detectable.

“Should be able to, if there is no jam on the highway.” I answered, knowing that it didn’t help him very much.

He then told me that he was from Philippines and was on his way flying back to Manila. He said he had waited at the taxi stand for more than half an hour. “I saw many taxis passing by and all of them carried no passengers. Why they don’t want to stop for us?” He asked, apparently more out of annoyance than curiosity.

“It is because that taxi stand is too close to CBD, the Central Business District.” I answered as matter-of-factly as I could. “They drive five more seconds, they will be inside CBD, where they will get extra three dollars, as the CBD surcharge, from the passengers.”

“It’s very nice of you, uncle, to stop there.” He said gratefully. I could tell.

We soon found out, however, that our wish for a smooth ride on the highway was too far-fetched. Soon after we got on ECP from the Keppel road, the traffic started to halt. In five minutes, we moved a distance that was shorter than if we had walked. No, shorter than if we had crawled.

The situation, as grave as it looked, was pushing the young man to the edge.

“How long you think this jam will last, uncle?” He asked, agitatedly.

Just then, I saw the electronic message board. The digital letters spelt, “MASSIVE JAM TILL MARINE PARADE”. And he saw that, too.

“Marine Parade is too far away.” I said to him. “This is not gonna work. We need to change plan.”

I told him that our only hope would be to take KPE, which was not far ahead, and get to the airport by PIE, provided there is no congestion over there, of course. He said he would leave it to me to decide.

As I moved with much difficulty, and some ungraciousness, to the extreme left lane, I found that the flow of traffic was better there, because some of the cars on this lane were exiting to KPE. It didn’t take us long to reach the entrance of the KPE tunnel.

Luckily, I made a right decision. The traffic on KPE and PIE was indeed much lighter. I drove as fast as I could and arrived at the airport some 20 minutes before nine.

“Thank you, uncle. I owe you.” He said to me as he handed me the fare, after we stopped at the departure hall of T1.

“No, you don’t.” I replied. “And if you really feel thankful, thank your fellow countryman.”

“Okay.” He flickered a glance of confusion at me. But he had no time, and no mood, to fancy my riddle. He took his suitcase and rushed into the building.

I was smiling as I drove away. I felt really good, though I didn’t have a chance to tell him the reason that I stopped to pick him up at that taxi stand. It is not because I am particularly a nice guy. I always stop at that taxi stand, whenever I pass by there. It holds a special place in my heart. It is the location where I served my very first customer on my very first day of becoming a taxi driver two months ago. He was very nice to me even after I made a mistake and took a wrong way.

And he happened to be a Filipino, too.

Sunday Call Center Job

2010-09-05T21:37:00.002+08:00

Today, I took in calls for Samsung contact center. My first call was a big mess. since I did not really go through a classroom training, I don't believe that I have adequate knowledge about the product and my support.

As a General Advisor, I am supposed to answer generasl questions as quick as I can. But Since I am not really sure of what to tell the customer, I am at a loss.

Perhaps, I wouldn't have any difficulty dealing with customers as this has been my job for the last five years back in the Philippines. My job was to assist customers whatever issues they would have with the product our center supported, whther it would be a gaming console, computers, routers, network issues, technical assitance and we would even provide general customer service such as billing and disputes.

My task here is quite easy. jsut pretty much advise the cust whether their warrnty is still up, set up appointment with technicians, set up appointments for the technical advisors to call them. Easy! To add, there are not a lot of calls on Sundays. If I would have to compare this account with the previous accounts I have had handled, this one is like a past time for me. not much calls unlike before that I would have to always press ACW just for me to have at least a breather. Here I spend most of my time doing my own stuff.. like this one, blogging. I would take calls for about 5 mins and rest for the next 20 minutes. How I wish, everyday is like this.

August… Oh, Ghost!

2010-08-27T00:12:00.000+08:00

I have been wondering why there are a lot of people burning paper money, lighting candles and even offering food on the streets, in hdb blocks, anytime of day. There were even programs or gatherings being held. At first, I thought they were celebrating in line of NDP. But NDP has already passed and I could see similar thing from almost every block, every corner. Thanks to Ros who told me about the Hungry Ghost month.

Hungry Ghost month is usually celebrated during this month in Singapore. As the legend goes, it is believed that the gates of hell are open by this time of year and the dead go out and wander freely among us – to seek food or even revenge.

Chinese believe that ancestral spirits, given respect will bring good luck and good fortune. Hmmm… is this also a time to ask for lucky lotto numbers?

Thu Hungry Ghost is being held to appease the spirits specially those who were denied entry to heaven. They offer light candles for them, offer food, prayers, etc.

This is similar to All Souls day that we have in the Philippines every first day of November. During this time, we offer masses for our beloved who have joined our Creator. We also pray for those who may have been denied entry to heaven. Most families o to the cemetery, clean and decorate the tombs of their loved ones, spend the night there (as if spending it with their dead beloved). Some would even have picnics right there.

Before, I used to look at this day as a sad day as we have to think of our loved ones who have already departed. But now, I look forward to this day… not only to pray for the but to see relatives and friends. This day is usually an unplanned reunion. What a place of choice to reunite! Cemetery. But no matter how we look at this day, it is important not to forget the real essence of what the day is. Remember the dead, pray for them, honor them. And we should do that not only one day. We should do it everyday. Even if they are not with us, I am sure they would still feel our sincerity through our prayers.

WANTED PERFECT HOUSEMATE

2010-08-22T09:47:00.002+08:00

WANTED PERFECT HOUSEMATE... I and my co-workers often complain about our house mates. We live in deferent houses and it just so happened that our house mates seem to have the same attitude. Inconsiderate and for them everything about you matters.

Life overseas would test your patience and would test how good you are in dealing with people. For years that I have been living with other people aside from relatives, I have already, kinda, mastered how to go along with people. Working in a call center for years also put my patience to test but I was able to deal with irate customers gracefully.

But here, it is different, They would mind everything you do, everything you have. From food to the things you do. Is it a taboo to put a jar of peanut butter in the fridge? It was just a small Peter Pan peanut butter jar. Should not occupy much space in the fridge. And golly, it was the only thing that I have inside the fridge. One of my housemates complained. I actually heard him. Said 'ano naman kaya ang lasa ng peanut butter na malamig? Pampasikip lang' Right on time that I actually arrived from work. Ad you know what I did, I got the peanut butter and made a shot to the trash bin. And he asked 'bakit mo itinapon?' and I answered, 'pampasikip lang naman yan di ba. Ayan, masaya ka na?' That created tension between us. Who cares? Will I not live without him?

Does going on a fruit diet indicate that you are stingy? Oh, They never thought that going on a fruit diet is even more expensive as you have to also buy foods that can supply the other nutrients our body need. Going for Breeze detergent powder and Downy Antibac fabric softener makes me maarte. And they are expensive brands. Am I asking money from you to buy these brands? Excuse me, mas gusto ko ang amoy ng downy kesa sa amoy ng damit ninyong amoy 5/6 dito.

Does not watching TV and not going to movies on Sundays make me a loner? F**k you! It is as simple the genre where the movie belongs is not my type. And, Id rather go online, facebooking, chatting with my loved ones in the Philippines rather than watch TV. Kapatid, magakaiba ang tipo natin. Walang pakialamanan.

Last night, one house mate was telling me how to cook pili 'the right way' to think that he has never even seen how to ook crispy pili before. Last night was the only time he saw one cooking pili. Kuya, taga Bicol po ako at yan ang madalas naming gawin everytime na may luluwas ng Manila. Wala ka bang tiwala sa luto ko? Eh bakit nung nagluto ako ng adobo, naubos ninyo? Natatawa ako, hi-hi-hi-hi... sayo!

Sigh. My colleagues at work made it easy for me to get adjusted to this country, lifestyle, passion. My these Pinoys at home... They made living in a foreign land very hard for me... Sadly, they are my kababayans.

Panlasang Pinoy 101: Pork Adobo

2010-08-22T09:39:00.001+08:00

This is one truly Pinoy. Adobo. we have chicken adobo, pork adobo or combine chicken;pork adobo. Since I am not fond of eating chicken dishes aside from Fried or roasted, pork adobo is one menu I love to prepare. Each of us has different ways how to cook adobo. This one seems to be the traditional way. Combining all the ingredients together then cook. Mine, I marinate pork with a small amounbt of soysauce, pepper powder and lots of minced garlic. With this way, my adobo would smell really good. also have different variations of adobo. Adobo with pineapple chunks, sweet adobo, adobong tuyo, adobo with liver spread, adobo with nestle cream (an alternative to our adobo sa gata).

No matter how adobo is prepared, no matter what variant is prepared, bottom line is, adobo tastes good. Now I am craving for adobo. Will go to NTUC and buy ingrdients. Later, I will post the pics of adobo I will have to take as I cook. Of course, since I am the one taking pics, you won't see me cooking.

Panlasang Pinoy 101: ISAW

2010-08-21T20:33:00.000+08:00

Isaw... grilled intestine (usually chicken's) is one of the Philippine street foods. Best for pulutan. Michael V's music video makes this seem yummier...

Panlasang Pinoy 101: Sinigaqng

2010-08-19T20:30:00.000+08:00

This is one dish almost all Pinoys abroad crave for. This one is a bit different as pork here is sauted. This used to be the way I cook sinigang until a cousin told me I was doing the wrong way. But I would like to tell my cousin, I am not the only one doing it.

Panlasang Pinoy 101: Kwek Kwek

2010-08-15T13:05:00.000+08:00

Almost everywhere we can find a stall or a food cart selling kwek kwek or Tukneneg. Be it in the mall, marketplace, jeepney terminal, toda. This tastes good when dipped in sweet and sour sauce, But I prefer spicy vinegar to go with this fave.

(thanks to panlasangpinoy.com)

Being Pinoy 101: Balut

2010-08-09T13:50:00.001+08:00

In one of my earlier entries, I have shared that I would often be mistaken as an Indonesian and not a Filipino.

Hmm, that made me think of showing them that I am really Pinoy aside from speaking Filipino. Let me start with food. Foods that that are truly Filipino Top on the list: Balut. A fertilized duck (or chicken) egg with a nearly-developed embryo inside that is boiled and eaten in the shell. Usually eaten with a pinch of salt and sometimes with spicy vinegar. This is usually being sold by a Manong, carrying a basket, roaming around the village, shouting " Baluuuuuttt.." at night (starting from 9pm or around that time). Balut is belived to be aphrodisiac and energy booster. You would see a lot of drivers and people working in the night shift eating balut as for them, it makes them awake for the night.

I am missing this. Honestly.

Outrage over woman getting maid to tie shoelaces

2010-07-22T17:47:00.000+08:00

Singapore, July 22, 2010- AN UPROAR has erupted over a woman seen telling her maid to tie her shoelaces in public.

The maid had to squat down and tie her employer's shoelaces as the latter chatted with another person.

The furore arose over a video clip posted on citizen-journalism website Stomp.

Contributor Larvitar witnessed the action at 313@ Somerset shopping centre and felt offended to see the maid being treated like a "slave".

He recalled: "I spotted a maid who was ordered to kneel down and tie both the shoelaces of her employer.

"It was downright offensive to observe the maid being treated like a lowly servant in public.

"The employer looked perfectly capable of tying her own shoelaces and was clearly abusing her authority over the maid."

Larvitar concluded: "I was unaware that maids are still being treated like slaves in modern-day Singapore. That employer should be ashamed of herself."

The clip, up since last Thursday, has been viewed nearly 12,000 times on Stomp and has elicited feverish responses.

One poster, sgboylive, exhorted Larvitar to complain to the Ministry of Manpower, while another netizen, hellokittybabe, said that "maids are humans too".

However, some people have speculated that the employer may not have been able to bend down and tie her laces. A few said that she seemed to have difficulty walking, as observed from a supposed limp.

In response, Larvitar wrote to Stomp yesterday to say that the woman was fully capable of tying her shoelaces herself.

He acknowledged that it might have seemed as if she was limping as she walked towards an escalator near the end of the video.

"But I was observing her movements as she approached the escalator from a distance, and it appeared that she was perfectly capable of tying her shoelaces," he explained.

"What was not captured in time on video was how the employer pointed at her shoes and ordered the maid to tie the shoelaces."

To watch the video clip and judge for yourself, go to Singapore Seen on Stomp at www.stomp.com.sg and click on the item.

Filipina maid inherits millions from employer

2010-07-22T17:29:00.001+08:00

SINGAPORE (AFP) - – A devoted Filipina maid inherited six million Singapore dollars (more than four million US) from her late employer after more than 20 years of service, a newspaper report said Wednesday.

"I am the luckiest maid in Singapore, with or without the money," the 47-year-old single woman -- identified only by the pseudonym "Christine" -- told the Straits Times in an interview.

The maid refused to be named in public for fear of possible threats to her life in the impoverished Philippines, where wealthy people have been kidnapped for ransom and some killed by their abductors.

The windfall, including cash and a luxury apartment near the Orchard Road shopping belt, came from the estate of her employer Quek Kai Miew, a medical doctor and philanthropist who died last year at 66.

The maid had also taken care of the doctor's late mother, and was told that she would be a beneficiary of her employer's will when it was drawn up in 2008.

"There were no secrets between us. I was not surprised at all when she told me how much I was going to get," the maid recalled.

"Christine" was devastated when Quek died a year ago, as the two were inseparable, and temporarily moved in with the doctor's nephew for solace.

"It was heartbreaking for me as I saw more years with Doctor Quek than with my own mother. I would break down every time I thought about her. I could not be by myself," she said.

"I was always beside her. Wherever she went, I was with her."

The maid, who is now applying for permanent residency in Singapore, said her newfound wealth had not changed her lifestyle.

"I do not really think much about the money I got. I just live my life as I did before, and not as a rich person," the maid, dressed simply in a blouse and slacks with short-cropped hair, was quoted as saying.

"I am still who I was before. I cannot behave differently because I have money now. Even my Filipino maid friends here still treat me the same."

Nearly 200,000 foreign maids, mostly from the Philippines and Indonesia, work in affluent Singapore, which has a population of five million.

nutty mind

Malaya na nga ba ang Pilipinas?

Hinagpis ni Elsa

Asia's first woman commercial jet pilot

Glittering Hopes at Midnight (a story of an OFW)

26 Nov 2010 -- a just another special day on FB

Lingering Looks

i missed you the whole day i missed the game we used to play anticipating posts with rhyme looking forward to such replies

i am also missing our dear friend Sher Also waiting for a post from her even a penny that she may share coming all the way from Vancouver..

Bing Manga Ocampo:

^I haven't been far...juz within your reach, For how can I forget our walks at poem's beach? Sher is somewhere there, a friend who loves a lot, But for a reason, she silence on the gap, Life for her ain't easy as we look at it like that; Rather we both know she hangs around the warfts. :)

Bing Divina:

it is amazing, don't you think? see what our technology can bring connecting people miles away with sweet words to say..

you and Sher, to me, are both extremes =) I am at the middle and so it seems I may be meek but never weak I can be wild just like a beast

Bing Manga Ocampo:

‎^^Angels overrun as what we used to say, For friends to stay and love you in a day; Let laughters resounds in the depth of our souls, When for one thinks we can all re-grow.

Bing Divina:

this game we play stirs my mind brings back the will for me to write i wanted to stay but i cannot for job awaits, else, it'll rot.

goodbye for now, still have to work this pile of papers is not a joke

Bing Manga Ocampo:

^^Soar Fly..my golden Hawk!!! Go amidst the tentacles of no joke. ;)

Sher Briones:

I`m hovering around no direction I couldn`t find; I forgot a while that I have two Bees around, Expressing their thoughts and love which push me to go forward Left and right they guide me thru the night... Love you Hunnies♥

Bing Divina:

so delighted to have read a reply to this post from one dear friend now i can say my day is complete you could have seen my smile so sweet

Bing Manga Ocampo:

Bing Manga Ocampo:

^^hahahahaa ow yeaaaaah ♥ hun .. ♥ fly ... ♥ moi he he..

Bing Divina:

Threesome tayo?

Bing Manga Ocampo:

pde ...pdeee weeeeeeeeeeh LOLz saan? where? yay!

Inadobong Labi (Marinated Lips)

a poem for Tyche Joy

Simplify

the rubber poem

Dreams... Rhymes... Love

Me, My Friends and Facebook

A Bleeding Heart's Poem

A Singapore Taxi Driver's Diary

Sunday Call Center Job

August… Oh, Ghost!

WANTED PERFECT HOUSEMATE

Panlasang Pinoy 101: Pork Adobo

Panlasang Pinoy 101: ISAW

Panlasang Pinoy 101: Sinigaqng

Panlasang Pinoy 101: Kwek Kwek

Being Pinoy 101: Balut

Outrage over woman getting maid to tie shoelaces

Filipina maid inherits millions from employer

i missed you the whole day
i missed the game we used to play
anticipating posts with rhyme
looking forward to such replies

i am also missing our dear friend Sher
Also waiting for a post from her
even a penny that she may share
coming all the way from Vancouver..

^I haven't been far...juz within your reach,
For how can I forget our walks at poem's beach?
Sher is somewhere there, a friend who loves a lot,
But for a reason, she silence on the gap,
Life for her ain't easy as we look at it like that;
Rather we both know she hangs around the warfts. :)

it is amazing, don't you think?
see what our technology can bring
connecting people miles away
with sweet words to say..

you and Sher, to me, are both extremes =)
I am at the middle and so it seems
I may be meek but never weak
I can be wild just like a beast

‎^^Angels overrun as what we used to say,
For friends to stay and love you in a day;
Let laughters resounds in the depth of our souls,
When for one thinks we can all re-grow.

this game we play stirs my mind
brings back the will for me to write
i wanted to stay but i cannot
for job awaits, else, it'll rot.

goodbye for now, still have to work
this pile of papers is not a joke

^^Soar Fly..my golden Hawk!!!
Go amidst the tentacles of no joke. ;)

I`m hovering around no direction I couldn`t find;
I forgot a while that I have two Bees around,
Expressing their thoughts and love which push me to go forward
Left and right they guide me thru the night...
Love you Hunnies♥

so delighted to have read
a reply to this post from one dear friend
now i can say my day is complete
you could have seen my smile so sweet