Plite Palihug!

Top 5 Reasons Why I (REALLY) Want to Join the Cebu Blog Camp

2011-05-21T21:27:00.003+08:00

The Cebu blog Camp is an event organized annually by the Cebu Bloggers of the Blog and Soul Movement which is the educating leg of the Philippine Blog Awards Inc. which has been running for already four years. This is the largest gathering of bloggers in Cebu.

THE CEBU BLOG CAMP 2011

is co-presented by

Bronze Sponsors

Geiser Maclang Marketing Communications, Inc.

Media and Institution Partners

Official Web Browser

Official TV Media Partner

Official Online Print Media

Official Photo-Social Media Partner

DONOR

Academy for International Culinary Arts

My Reasons:

1. I would love to get to know people who are as adamant about social media as I am. I am going to the camp with good friends. Hopefully, I'd create more after the camp!

2. I want to create a network of acquaintances, friends, and colleagues who could help me in creating a start-up business based on technology, social media, IT, and the likes. I want to gather ideas from great minds. Ultimately, through these steps, I want to contribute to the Cebuano economy.

3. I love the all sponsors. (Especially Firefox and Piclyf!)

4. I want to learn from experienced bloggers how to drive traffic to my blog. I would also love some tips in creating content that would entice readers to come back. I want to improve my skills in SEO and marketing. As a neophyte blogger, I have so much to learn from these people.

5. I want to improve in any way I can to the blogging community of Cebu. I want to help in improving the blogging atmosphere and culture of the Cebuanos.

Larga!

My Motivational Song

2011-01-29T22:48:00.007+08:00

School has been so hectic lately. No jeepney stories to tell you so far since I've been stealing some zzz's while cruising the morning traffic on the public transport.

So, just let me share to you one of my many motivational songs; music that pumps me up while I analyze the bugs on my program, or why Microsoft Word always draws green jagged lines under my sentences. The song is from 1984 (I was not born until 1990 FYI) by a legend named Kenny Loggins. Try to NOT dance while listening.

Zzz.

The Foo-foo Dog

2010-11-30T14:16:00.003+08:00

The foo-foo dog, or more commonly known as the poodle is one of the most popular dog breeds. It is regarded as the second smartest breed and it comes in three different sizes namely, the standard poodle, the miniature, and the toy. These lovable hair-dogs come in different colors. It was first bred in Europe as a water retriever, thus the name 'poodle' which basically comes from the German 'pudel', meaning to splash in water.

The poodle is a great family dog and is very eager to please. It is very smart and will surely be one good addition to your homes.

Here's a video on Youtube from AnimalPlanet about poodles and everything there is about them to love. All rights go to the video owners. Enjoy!

For more doggy love please visit CebuDogLovers.co.cc!

Lugar lang!

The Jeepney Magazine

2010-11-28T12:03:00.004+08:00

Here's one that really inspired me to make a jeepney blog. The Jeepney Magazine aims to be the social and personal voice of those in the maginalized Filipinos. The jeepney, for them, and I quote, "is a tool that encourages and empowers the most needy to work their way out of poverty". Simply put, the magazine is for the masses, for the needy homeless and for impoverished families. It is also an avenue for the creation of educational, job, housing, financial, social and cultural partnerships. The site also offers information about the official delegates for the Philippines in the Homeless World Cup. To know more about the Jeepney Magazine and the Homeless World Cup, please visit thejeepney.com.

I encourage everyone to visit the site and share it with someone you know.

Lugar lang, bai.

Jeepney Ride

2010-11-25T23:19:00.003+08:00

I know it's far past Halloween, but here's a story I stumbled upon. It's all about jeepneys and ghosts so I posted it here. :)

By Matthew
Date: 2006-12-03
Country: Philippines

It's funny when certain events in our lives occur and we blame it all to bad luck. What's funnier is the things that we do to counter the flow of bad energy that causes these so called bad luck or bad events. At least at that time I thought it was funny, until my friend shared her unlikely experience.
This story is about my friend and her scary jeepney ride going home. For those of you who don't know what jeepneys are, they are a popular means of public transportation in the Philippines. They were originally made from US military jeeps left over from World War II and are well known for their flamboyant decoration and crowded seating.

My friend went home late after finishing their school project, now since she lives within the vicinity of the U.P. Diliman campus (University of the Philippines) it was perfectly safe for her to take the jeepney instead of taking a taxi in going home during late hours. It was about midnight when she took the ride home, and she could not help but notice the driver kept glancing at her through his rear view mirror and then he would turn to her. (Now all jeepneys have their own route and do not take any turns and they have to stick to their route or else there is a big chance that they would run into some cop trouble). What's odd about this jeepney ride besides the eerie glances that the driver gave from time to time, he was also taking turns in corners that he was not suppose to. Afraid of what the drivers plans are, she was even more afraid of her surroundings because it seemed as if she was in the middle of nowhere already. So instead of going down, she just stayed on the jeep. On the last turn that the driver made, she noticed that they were back on the route that they were suppose to be in the first place.

Before reaching the end of the terminal, the driver turned to my friend and said, "Im sorry if I scared you or startled you! It was not my intention".. "Could you do me a favor and BURN all your clothes when you get home".. Wondering why my friend asked why he was acting very strange. The driver explained, "The reason why I kept glancing was because your head was not attached to your body when I looked through my rear view mirror." "That is why I changed my route awhile ago, hoping we could get away from the bad energy present in that area, and thats why I want you to BURN your clothes when you get home because I think its still with you."

Upon arriving home, still shaking from fear, my friend took all her clothes off and burned them as quickly as she could. A few days later she found out on the news that the jeepney driver died a day after the incident. It turned out the warning was not for her but for the driver.

All the credits go to the author and the website which you can access using this post's title, btw.

Plite Palihug!

Comeback?

2010-11-20T23:32:00.003+08:00

I've been pretty busy with school for the months of September and October. As a new semester starts, so does my posts start rolling. Yet, not quite.

Too lazy. Need sleep. Visit UPBatibot! Follow me in Twitter @nmenego!

Over and out.

Kool & The Gang - Celebration

2010-11-17T21:20:00.000+08:00

The happiest song in history. :D

So, did you miss us?

2010-11-08T21:35:00.000+08:00

So, did you miss us?

UP Batibot is back! :D

e-Jeepneys, Jeep Jerks and (Another) a Jeepney Guide

2010-08-22T10:19:00.009+08:00

It's a pretty busy week (or month rather) at school. So before I have a backlog on my blog, here's video from Youtube about Binay's e-Jeepneys from AFP's channel. It would be great to have these all around the country. In that way, we cut pollution as well as save money.

Here's another video relating to my previous post about jeep jerks. Youtube's pesmergayuber calls it the 'Abot Bayad Scandal'. Jeepney jerk caught on cam, FTW!

Finally, here's another jeepney guide from VBS. I like how they described the 'flamboyance' of the jeepney designs. One thing that we can be proud of is that jeeps are found only in the Philippines.

Cheers! I hope you enjoy the videos while I prevent myself from academic extinction. :)

Asa mu-naog ang diyes?

Surefire Ways to be a Jeepney Jerk

2010-08-16T22:16:00.007+08:00

13c jeep, 8:45AM

It was one of those days where you just wanted to enjoy the usual jeepney ride while you are late for school. The driver picked up a man somewhere near the vicinity of the University of San Carlos in Talamban. The man wore an exceptional hair and a prim shirt. The only bad thing about him was stuck between his fingers. A glowing stick of Marlboro Lights was fogging away all the insects and insiks (that was an attempt at joking right there) that could bite anyone in the jeepney. The Marlboro Cowboy did not even bother to see the people pull out their handkerchiefs to cover their noses to prevent inhaling the gas. I can see the distorted face of the Manang who sat beside him, sour to the brim, awful as the face of the konduktor barking for passengers.

There are several ways to be the asshole we all hate. So, as I was inhaling most of the secondhand nicotine, I thought of the different ways how you can be the ‘jeepney jerk’.

Smoke like you’re the coolest guy in town.

I do not question the morality in smoking. Sure it feels good. For one, I was once a heavy smoker. But there is such a thing as ‘ka-ikog’ in Cebuano where one thinks of the welfare of others and how your actions can affect other people. Everyone knows that smoking kills and that is exactly the reason why some people do not smoke. And in very tight situations, like the morning jeep, try to think of the people around you. Need I explain more? Offer them a stick, for Pete’s sake. (Just kidding)

Act like a Radio Jockey.

This one is a bit tricky. You have to have at least a friend to make this tip work. As you and your friend are riding the jeep, talk unceasingly with a very significant volume. Sprinkle some saliva as you speak. Trust me, the other passengers will love it. Pretend as if you are a DJ in your favorite FM station. You can also sing to make matters worse.

You are in a different dimension. You do not see other people. Other people do not see you.

Usually, when jeeps do not have a konduktor around, your plite (fare) is passed on to the driver by other passengers. Sometimes, passengers as they pay pull out their money altogether. When you are situated near the driver, no one is the best victim aside from you. You will be the ‘crowned-konduktor’, so to speak. To be a jerk in this situation, act like you do not see their outstretched arms as they say, “Plite Palihug!” For this tip to be effective, do something else (e.g. listening to music or sleeping) so you’ll look busy. Follow this tip to prevent yourself from being the ‘crowned-konduktor’!

What is the worst jeepney jerk story you have ever encountered?

In other news:

Joseph Estrada had a nosebleed just recently after one of his grandkids said “Lolo, how do you spell Jueteng?”

Knock-knock joke of the week:

Knock, knock.
Who's there?
Baby oil.
Baby oil who?
Baby, baby, baby oil.

God, I love JB.

Cheers!

Ayala, Asilo, Colon!

Inconvenience

2010-08-08T20:56:00.010+08:00

13c, 7:00AM, Before-Cookout MMX

"Naa man daw mga gi-pangdakop diri nga tricycle atong isang adlaw boss?", I asked the jeepney driver as we were waiting for passengers at the corner of Banilad Road (Gov.Cuenco Avenue) and Cabancalan. (click here for the Google Map) "Daghan lagi dong, dako pajud kaayo og multa", he said in dismay as he pulled the ignition.

I would like to dedicate this post to the concerned government agencies handling the Cebu and Mandaue City transportation issues. Last Wednesday night, a tricycle driver told me that several tricycles were impounded because they were parking near the corner of Cabancalan where passengers from Cebu City step down to take a ride for Mandaue. The previous two weeks were marked with grave inconvenience for both passengers and drivers because the mentioned tricycle terminal near the corner of Cabancalan and Banilad Roads was moved 15-minutes farther. Drivers who docked in the old terminal are fined a whopping 10,000 pesos and their tricycle impounded. According to the drivers I have spoken to, the Cebu City government is responsible for this inconvenience saying that Cebu City wants to eradicate the tricycles. Tricycles used to unload in this terminal so that the passengers can ride for work, school or what-not using PUJ's. The first picture shows the original location of the terminal. The second picture shows the distance of the first terminal to the new one. Tell me if that doesn't sweat you up! Thanks to Google Maps for both pictures.

"Layo na hinoon kaayo og lakawon ang mga pasahero ani Nong?", I replied. "Mao gyud na ang kahimtang dira karon dong", he added, "kung pait man gani ni sa pasahero, mas pait pa gyud ni sa mga driver, kay gi-kuha man ug anam-anam ning among mga panginabuhi. Naa pajud mga storya nga kining mga jeep padung sa Talamban kay tang-tangon na daw pod kay pulihan na ni og bus."

I do not know the real issue behind the displacement of the terminals, but one thing's for sure, walking 15-minutes is a great inconvenience to the citizens of the three baranggays (Cabancalan, Casuntingan, Maguikay) affected. Also, I believe that the perspective that the tricycles are causing traffic clogs in the area is not valid since they are not consuming much of the road space. I believe that the concerned agencies should find a way to address this issue in a manner that public convenience and transportation is not affected. A fair information dissemination should also be conducted so as to properly inform the public of the new traffic regulations that will affect them. Just my two cents.

Knock-knock joke:

Several friends of mine told me that my previous post on knock-knock jokes were fun, so I decided that in every post I will give out a knock-knock. So here's one from my friend Aunne:

Knock, knock.
Who's there?"
Kangkong, lettuce, cabbage, tomato."
"Kangkong, lettuce, cabbage, tomato", who?
In New York, kangkong, lettuce, cabbage, tomato, there's nothing you can't do..

Good times, good times.

In other news:

Last night was UP Cookout 2010 and everyone in campus was excited and hyped up! If you do not know what the Cookout is, you better click on this link and find out. UP Batibot was there to cover the event as we were given an all-access pass by the organizers. I was lucky a friend of mine lend me his camera. I had my shot at photography during the night. As expected, my shots were crappy. The good shots (at least for my point of view), which I will be posting later, was all because of luck. Among the segments, Kantahan, Rampahan, Sayawan, and Bandahan, I was most interested in the Sayawan since the Dancing Iguanas Crew graced the event with their 'IMBA' moves, so to speak. Cheers!

Sikit-sikiti lang palihug.

Human Trafficking: Movie Review

2010-08-08T12:12:00.009+08:00

Human trafficking is one of the most profitable businesses of the world where it follows drugs and weapon sale. Among all the businesses in the world, human trafficking could be the most horrendous. Trafficking in persons is a big issue that we must address and that we can not ignore as human beings.

Last Thursday in Handuraw, the International Justice Mission Advocates of the University of the Philippines Visayas Cebu College met to watch the film Human Trafficking. Human trafficking was a miniseries aired in the States and which was later converted into a DVD. The movie starred actors Mira Sorvino, Donald Sutherland and Robert Carlyle. The movie depicts the suffering and hardship three women, a mother, a young woman, and a child, underwent because of trafficking. As Stanley of The New York Times would say and I quote, “And it is unusually good: a harsh public-service message built into a clever, suspenseful thriller.”

The actors gave out a riveting performance gluing you to your seat from the start of the movie. I paid special attention to Robert Carlyle who performed the role of Sergei Karpovich who was the head of a large trafficking syndicate. Karpovich’s performance was a very rich one that perfectly paints us a picture of the cruelty in prostitution and modern day slavery that is trafficking.

In the later part of the movie, the protagonist states it clearly that this problem is not solved because there is a market, and as long as the market is there, mothers, sisters and daughters will be brought to a hellish existence by these disgusting pigs. Regular white-collar professionals even patronize the crime as the film portrays it which is also one of the reasons why the crime continues to exist. Even the antagonist, Sergei, had a Master’s degree in Computer Science as he used several legal means in order to operate in the underworld. The movie calls us to be part of the movement to stop this problem. It calls us to be part of the movement that IJM is part of. It tells us not to be silent and to be the voice of the people who are stomped on by trafficking.

In sum, Human Trafficking is a must see movie that can really change the way we view things. It taught me how serious the problem is and how the problem will continue as long as a market is not crushed. The movie inspired me to do more as an advocate of the International Justice Mission. The movie leads us to think how these women who are being prostituted and treated like commodity could be your mother, sister, girlfriend, or worse, your daughter.

If you want to know more about IJM and what the mission aims to achieve, click here. To know how you can help, click here.

Lugar lang, boss.

UP Batibot, Knock-knock Jokes

2010-08-06T22:20:00.013+08:00

13c Jeep, August 6, 2010

Howdy! I have been quite busy lately which explains the date differential from the last post. So, you ask, what’s keeping me busy lately? UP Batibot is the answer. UPBatibot.com is the unofficial online news source of the University of the Philippines Visayas Cebu College students. UP Batibot presents campus news and events, photoblogging, comics, Gossip Geng and so much more – by the students, for the students plus so much fun and awesomeness! Currently, I’m working on listing the site with online directories to make it more visible in the web. So if you are cool, awesome and bored, do me a favor, and visit the site! Also, please click on a link or two, in that way you can feed and send our writers to school (kidding)!

Anyways, I was on my way home on a 13c en route Talamban when I sat across a group of four nursing students in their so-white uniforms. They were laughing their brains off with their knock-knock jokes. It was hard trying not to laugh given my easily-tickled funny bone. As they continued with their jokes, I took out my phone and wrote some of them in my text drafts. So here are some of the jokes that I can remember. By the way, some of the jokes need some processing time for you to get them, so be patient! LOL! I'd like to dedicate this post to my girlfriend, Shenna, who is the only one in the world I can deliver a knock knock joke to. Cheers!

Knock Knock.
Who's there?
Radio
Radio Who?
Radio not, here I come!

Knock knock.
Who's there?
“Ayokong panty ayokong brief gusto ko t-back lawlaw puwet”
“Ayokong panty ayokong brief gusto ko t-back lawlaw puwet” who?
Ayokong panty ayokong brief gusto ko t back lawlaw puwet
you are my heart you are my love and we will ever ever be apart!

Knock knock.
Who's there?
Panget
Panget who?
Siya, Siya, Siya, Siya, Siya, Siya, Siya, Siya, Siya, Siya, Siya, Siya, Siya, Siya, Siya, Siya, Siya, EVERYBODY!

Knock knock.
Who's there?
Lactum
Lactum who?
I Lactum move it move it!
You Lactum move it move it!
We Lactum move it!

Knock knock.
Who's there?
"This guy's inlab with you, pare"
"This guy's inlab with you, pare" who?
If ever you're in my arms again, this guy's inlab with you, pare!

And for the win,

Knock knock.
Who's there?
"Hate you na"
"Hate you na" who?
Hate you na, hate you na, hate you na, waaaaaahh Doobi doobi doo bidoo bidoo!

You can just imagine how that kid sang that last one. Here's another one, this time from Youtube!

How about you, do you have a knock-knock joke? Share it up here by leaving a comment. Mabuhay ang mga corny! :D

In other news:

In sports, Shaq signed with the Boston Celtics! Could he be the missing piece? O’Neal is expected to replace Kendrick Perkins who was injured in last season’s heated final with rival team, Lakers. Click here for more information.

Plite palihug!

Refurnishing! Yay!

2010-07-11T09:01:00.005+08:00

I tried out the new Template Designer feature of blogger. And my blog turned out quite well. I hope you guys like the new design. :)

Thanks to Blogger!

By the way, I listed my blog in one of the coolest web directories for Pinoy blogs! Check it out here.

Lugar lang!

Actions or Intentions?

2010-07-09T13:34:00.019+08:00

17C jeep, 3:45PM

Extra change. You might have encountered the experience of receiving more change from a payment, may it be from the jeep or at the Yogu store, than you even deserve. It's like being long-changed, get it? (That was my best try to pull out a joke there.) So here's the thing. As I rode the jeep on my way back to school from work, I passed on a whole 20 peso bill for my fare. For those of you who do not know, the minimum fare for the first 4 or so kilometers is 7 or 6 pesos(if you are a student). The driver then passed on back my change. As I counted the bills, I noticed that I had more that what I paid at the beginning- two twenty peso bills and 3 coins.

Hypocrisy aside, a part of us always tells us to keep the money for ourselves. For one, it was not my fault that I got more that what I was expected to receive. Secondly, I need the money. 23 extra pesos can already buy me dinner! But another side of us is the part where the so-called guardian angel whispers to us to do the right thing, that is to never take what is not ours. My dignity was at stake at that certain moment, so I did the 'right thing'. I returned the change accordingly and went on to have my class at the Arts and Sciences Building.

A question almost always come to mind in a situation like this. Are we judged through our actions or intentions? Sure, I did the right action yet the intention was not there. What if instead of returning the change I kept it although I had the intention in the back of my mind to return the spare bills? The intention is there, but I did not do the action that corresponds to it. Are intentions the criterion in which we are judged as good people? Or is it just as forceful as our actions? Given a situation, where we can only intend or act, what will be the right move?

Here's a short film by YouTube sensations Wong Fu Productions entitled The Returning which is an official selection to the LA Asian Pacific Film Fest 2009. It is a story about two pickpockets and the morality of the action-intention paradox (I made that one up). Hope you enjoy!

While you're at that, here's another one of their videos, this time in humor. It is a part 1 of two videos. Check out part 2 in their YouTube channel!

In sports:

King James finally signed up with the Miami Heat to team up with Wade and Bosh! At last, we have something to look forward to. Could they be the next 'Big Three'? We'll find that out next season!

The Dutch are set to finalize it with the Spanish in the FIFA World Cup Championships this coming July 12, 2010, 2:30AM. Ole, ole! Ole, ole! Paul the Octupus has predicted it in the last game correctly where the Spanish would win against the Germans! The German fans are now sending in death threats against the eight-legged jinx!

In politics:

I read this following news from professionalheckler's very humorous and entertaining blog. I believe that you guys heard the Inaugural Speech of Noynoy about wangwangs right? Well, last Monday the GMA 7 crew spotted VP Jejomar Binay's convoy beating the red light in Quezon City. So much for being the right hand of the President eh? Maybe the right thing that Binay and his convo could have done was to drive by during night time, in that way people won't see him beat the red light.

In other news:

The University of the Philippines Visayas Cebu College had its Freshies' Night last July 9, 2010. Organized by the UP Sagabay together with the Student Council, the event was presented to us by Globe Tattoo. UPBatibot.com was also there to cover the event!

Cheers to the stressful yet rocking week it was! Have a great rest-of-the-weekend!

Lugar lang sa unahan, boss!

Love Story on Video

2010-07-08T22:31:00.002+08:00

Basta driver, Sweet lover! I am not a fan of love stories and mushy kicks, but this one is worth the acclaim. Storytelling through videos? Now that's cool.

Plite, brad!

How to Ride the Jeepney - The Moymoy Palaboy Way

2010-07-04T20:55:00.008+08:00

I stumbled upon this on Youtube and I had my share of laughs. All rights go to moymoypalaboy! Have fun people. Remember to pay your fare!

Plite palihug!

International Justice Mission

2010-07-01T23:36:00.004+08:00

6:30pm, 17D jeep

I was on my way to Golden Cowrie in Salinas Drive with my colleagues in the International Justice Mission(IJM). IJM is a NGO that envisions to stop slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression. The IJM tapped several University of the Philippines Visayas Cebu College (UPVCC) student leaders to be the core group in the advocacy's expansion to the academe. I was lucky enough to be part of this core group of leaders who will be the seeds in creating more noise in hope to stop human trafficking. Human trafficking is the third most profitable crimes - it follows drugs and arms. With this fact in mind, it is empirical that we do measures to stop the perpetrators and bring them to justice - and this is what IJM envisions and can hopefully accomplish. Amidst all the different ideas and opinions we have about Noynoy, Global Warming and what-not, we should remember that Human Rights and Justice are equally important issues that need addressing.

It was to be our first meeting and everyone was anxious to see what IJM brings us. So as I was in the jeepney with the people, I thought about writing something to spread the advocacy that IJM lives for.

Please visit www.IJM.org for more details about the International Justice Mission.

If you are a victim of exploitation, oppression or trafficking, or you know someone who is, please contact the Cebu Field Office at (+6332)256-2866 or at the Email cebu@ijm.org.

Stop trafficking. Stop injustice.

Lugar lang!

Kcuf Aunne!

2010-06-30T10:33:00.006+08:00

Taxi, 9:30am

I woke up at 8:30am this morning, and as usual, I was late for what-not. I was part of the Ayala Technology Business Incubator (TBI) TechBootCamp held in City Sports Club Cebu in Ayala Business Park. Today was our final day and part of it was where we present our business concept to the distinguished panel of Engineers, PhD's and business tycoons. TechBootCamp is a venue where an ecosystem of starting entrepreneurs are gathered so they can venture out there ideas on business and be empowered to develop these ideas to real world profiting. Anyways, I was part of the event together with my not-so good friends Aunne, JP, Jonas, Lopez and Ruffy and we are to present our business concept to the scary panel of old farts.

Again, I was late for the event that was supposed to start at 8am. I texted Aunne asking if the pitching of ideas and defense were already starting. Aunne replied with "dali! kita una!". I was reluctant in believing him at first being his friend for some time, I know how Aunne's head works. This jocose is the type that is always fooling around every chance he gets. Yet something tells me I am really gonna be late and another side of me tells me that I will be the subject for laughs if I listen to him. F**k you Aunne! Call me stupid, but I believed him and after I dressed and suited up, I was on my way to the venue on a taxi - yes, a taxi. I think you get the point of the story already, I was scammed by the scumbag and I spent my day's allowance just for hurrying on a taxi. When I arrived in City Sports Club Cebu, Aunne and my other 'thoughtful' friends showed their malicious grins. God! I have such good friends. :)

Wish us luck in our presentation today!

In other news:

There is a benefit concert today in Quirino Grand Stand for the benefit of the World Retardism Day! The representative of the foundation, Mr. Abnoy is present and smiling because Kris Aquino bought him a PSP! Salamat Ma and Pa!

Spain won against Portugal in a heated old-age battle. 1-0.

Lugar lang!

HIV Scare?

2010-06-27T17:32:00.008+08:00

June 27, 13C Jeepney

It has been some time since my last post. The Boston loss over the Lakers and my confident post about how they should be the 2010 NBA Champions seemed to get me to a semi-depression mode which was a bit hard to get over, so to speak. But here I am, back in writing jeepney stories.

Lately, there are RUMORS about HIV spreading in Cebu through people who may inject you from anywhere with syringes from people infected with HIV. Texts and emails I have received seem to point to a hotspot – Mango Square. You see, Mango Square is one of Cebu’s favorite nightlife arenas. Mango Square offers you lots of drinks, girls, drunken girls, songs and a whole lot of dancing. The alcohol, sweat and libido filled dance floors, of course, is a perfect avenue for pre-fornication – on a dirtier scale. Some overly idiotic and morally dumb shenanigan has been, or so the texts say, pricking on other people just for the heck of it. Convenient, right? Making matters worse, new chismis have been circulating saying that these pricks are now literally pricking in 13C jeepneys! The first time I heard this rumor, I almost cursed the heavens for creating HIV! Yes, people, it is scary to think that while you are sitting in the jeepney and trying to listen to the people converse for your next blog post, someone injects you with HIV blood and poof, hello HIV! So, the ever vigilant 13C Rider has formulated a do-at-your-own-risk tip list. So, here are some tips to get you started and protected from HIV – the 13C Rider way!

Tip 1: Wear 2-inch thick worth of clothing all over you!
With clothes this thick, no needle will reach your skin! Don't worry about the fashion and how hot it is in a mascot-like suit, it's better safe than sorry! Just remember that the clothing should be all over you. You can even have jolly times with kids if your mascot looks friendly enough! Well, if this does not work for you, check tip 2!

Tip 2: Wear an "I am HIV Positive" shirt while holding a syringe with tomato sauce!
Chances are, people are going to be afraid of you and its either you are gonna get kicked from the jeep or everyone is going to jump off and run for their dear lives, adios HIV, and I think the latter is fun to watch. :D If this still doesn't work, look at tip number 3.

Tip 3: Scratch your balls vigorously like there's no tomorrow!
I got this tip from a friend of mine who is the author of the fun blog Kabuang Lang, JP Catubig. Rub your balls like you're pleasured in doing so. Close your eyes and think of the itchiest itch you ever had! As you robustly scratch the nerves off your balls, people will scoot away from you and your vehemently itching balls. Chances are, even the needle pricking antagonist will even be afraid of you! That would be one hell of a HAHAHA! If this tip won't work, I don't know what else will!

In other news:
I went past by University of San Carlos in Talamban the other day and saw their newly constructed pedestrian gate which they named "The Portal". I hate the name.

Kris Aquino is, finally, giving up her SNN spot. Thank God for James Yap.

I heard June 30 is a holiday where we celebrate World Retardism Day.

Ghana is in the Quarter Finals! Italy is dropped. :(

In UP:
Visit UPBatibot.com and you might find some real cool stuff. :D

Usa ra nang beynte, bossing!

Top 5 Reasons Why the Boston Celtics Will be the NBA 2010 Champions

2010-06-06T11:44:00.008+08:00

12:45pm, 13c Jeep

As I was on my way to the mall one literally steamy Saturday afternoon, I sat across a man blatantly reading the paper and trending across its pages as if he were reading it – nice try. I tried to peek at the back portion of the paper and saw yesterday’s Celtics-Lakers game that didn’t go as planned. I risked getting another memo, which would mean a 4-day work-day suspension from work, for the play-by-play in NBA.com just to see my Boston Celtics being overpowered by the great Kobe Bryant. :(

So, I am dedicating a post why I think the Boston Celtics deserve that every-player-wanna-kiss Larry O'Brien trophy. I’d like to apologize to the Los Angeles Losers, I mean Lakers, ahead of time for this post – I mean no offense. Don’t get me wrong, I have my greatest respect to Kobe Bryant, he’s one great player; and IF EVER the Losers, I mean Lakers, (I didn’t do that on purpose, I swear!) win the championships, he’d absolutely have the Finals MVP award.

Top 5 Reasons Why the Boston Celtics Will be the NBA 2010 Champions

1. Rebounds
Everyone knows that in terms of defensive rebounds, the Celtics have a big advantage. The Boston Celtics were second in the postseason in terms of defensive rebounding percentage. The Celtics overpower the Lakers in terms of rebounds. During one of the OKC-Lakers games, Durant almost reached an impressing 20-rebound game – so much for Bynum and Gasol I’d say.

2. Jersey # 9
Rajon Rondo – need I say more?

3. Pressure
Well, to put it frankly, the Boston Celtics does not deserve this NBA Finals spot if we consider their season performance. Heck, the Celtics does not even deserve the play-off spot, yet they did after performing pretty well against the Cavaliers, then against Orlando. Everything happened during the play-offs and they shouldn’t be here. The Lakers on the other hand, had the best of the season – top-seed! The Finals pressure is all on the Lakers and on Kobe. They can’t stop now; they worked so hard for this spot! Kobe can’t stop now, he needs the championship to cement his legacy, and he’s 31 for Christ’s sake! And I believe this pressure is going to bring them down, down, down.

4. Bynum’s Ankle, Artest’s Attitude
Ron Artest was fined after being late at practice the day after his winning shot against the Phoenix Suns. Analysts believe, including not-so-analyst me, that Ron Artest’s Airhead will give Phil Jackson some headache. Bynum is carrying an injury that could cost them the game. How long can he hold?

5. Telepathy and Psychic Shit
Yes, telepathy. I can see the future. I can see game 6 with all the commotion in the Boston side. Pierce is holding the Finals MVP and Rondo the Larry O'Brien trophy while Nico Martin Eñego is helping Kobe Bryant wipe his tears.

So there you have it. Five reasons to ponder on! Enjoy the rest of the week people, four days until the FIFA world cup! I heard BTV over the cable is going to air out all the games live!

In other news:

Pag-asa declares: it’s the start of the rainy season. Pour on the rain!

Mar Roxas's request for manual audit - denied!

Some shit I heard:

Boy Abunda to be declared Department of Tourism Secretary in Aquino’s cabinet?! Why not the DepEd Mr. AbNOY?

HOOOOY, lugar lang!

Appreciate

2010-05-30T15:48:00.009+08:00

04C jeepney, 5:43 pm
I just had one of the worst days of my life.

All of these happened last Friday. The day started well. It was game 6 of the Lakers-Suns skirmish. I was hoping Steve Nash would lead the game to a 3-2 in their favor. Unfortunately, Ron Artest gave a buzzer beater shot that took the sports headlines the next day. And as I was writing this post, the Lakers have already took the conference championship and are set to meet up with Boston (my NBA 2010 Finals Champions) at the Phoenix home court. Anyways, as I was watching the play-by-play at NBA.com one of the owners of the company I was working for saw what I was doing. I didn’t even know that we were restricted to browse these kinds of sites. It was early that morning, and so far, I had nothing to do. You know what happened next. One of those corporate reprimands you see in TV. That dampened my already damp spirit with the Phoenix loss. It felt bad.

As the day prospered, I found myself working with CentOS and Zabbix Server Monitoring Tool. It was my daily task and it was not an easy one for that matter. CentOS was very new to me and the environment geared me up for something really different. Setting up Linux based applications is not a walk in the park. For the rest of the day, with my OJT partner JP (visit him in kabuanglang.blogspot.com), I found myself tweaking and yanking with Zabbix and CentOS and ‘till the end of the day I haven’t even budged from square one. Before I signed out, our team’s supervisor called a meeting. I was hurrying myself so I can catch up to my cousin’s birthday party. Some work related jabbers and then the coup de grace of my day. My supervisor told me about an incoming memo from the company’s co-owner himself regarding the earlier incident viewing restricted sites. Talk about an OJT having a memo. It couldn’t have been better, my first corporate reprimand and an unceasing memo in my record. It reminded me that the only reason I chose to work here was because of the allowance and the much needed 120-hour OJT course requirement.

So going back to my jeepney ride, I was already on my way to the party. So much for a good day at work, I found myself at lost for a taxi, so I rode a jeep to the hotel. Yes, I was on my party clothes and I was riding the jeep, who cares? Sitting across me was an old lady with tattered clothes. Her hair was messed up and she was carrying a big wet bucket which looked (and smelled) like it was used to carry fish that she sold around town. She looked tired, yet happy. Her grin was as sweet as how Anne Curtis’ looks at me. HAHA. Together with the lady was a young boy who carried with him a smile so big that it almost reached his ears. He was wearing a sando and a school slacks that were trimmed to the knees. The grandmother looked tired but I saw the way that she was smiling and she seemed satisfied with what she and her grandson had. It made me realize how small my problem seemed to be. Here across me was a poor old lady who is supposed to be resting at home and enjoying her golden years was on her way to Carbon market to probably buy some more fish. She did not think of a memo. No boss to give her a corporate reprimand. No internet connection to see who is leading at the 3rd quarter of game 5 of the Lakers-Suns game. No worries.

I think you get the point here. The less we have, the more we appreciate what we have in life. The more we have, the more worries come and the more we tend to disregard the more important things in life. Statistics show that the Philippines is a third world country, one of the poorest even. Statistics also show us that the Filipino is one of the happiest people in the world. Let us learn to value the more important things that we have like what the grandmother showed me. The memo completely disintegrated from my mind. Heck, I had a better life than the old lady and her grandson have, I should be thankful of what I have. Let us live high, people. Appreciate.

In other news:

The Celtics are to face the Lakers for the NBA Finals Thursday in LA Stadium, which is Friday here in Pinas! 12 days to FIFA World Cup 2010! VIVA FORZA ITALIA!

Jeepney stop lang boss!

Putting Others First

2010-05-25T08:26:00.012+08:00

62C Jeep, 7:46 am
"Ayala, Asilo, Manalili, Sikatuna", barked the sweaty konduktor. It was the usual weekday rush hour and people were ready to stampede the next jeep that comes their way, literally. "Sikit-sikiti lang palihug mga inday be", making everyone in the jeepney scooch as he was hammering the sides of the yellow jeep. The jeep was obviously full and a lady with a Noynoy Aquino t-shirt, let's call her Krissy, was sitting a quarter of her butt. Some guy who apparently seemed to be Krissy's husband, in his mid-40's, was grumbling how uncomfortable a ride it was for him. He was announcing to the crowd how he knows someone from the LTO (Land Transportation Office) and that he can easily issue a complaint. To his dismay, the konduktor gave him the usual practiced shrug off, which I think made the angry guy a lot more pissed. Some girl, was laughing at the situation. It was as if she was happy to be crushed and squeezed to an inch. Good for her and I think she needs to see a shrink. The guy sitting beside me was a nursing student at a nearby school who kept on looking at his watch. It was a walking distance which could take less than five minutes. I feigned that he was late. Well, shit happens. After a million or so people filled the already full jeep, and a million more blabbering words by the angry guy, several time checks by the late nursing student, and a minute more giggles by the masochistic girl, we were on our way and I gained a headache.

Probably, all of us in the Philippines have experienced this kind of frantic jeepney frenzy where people are literally canned like sardines. This situation is even worse in provinces where even the jeepney roof is used to accommodate a hundred more people or so, figuratively speaking. In a jam-packed jeep, we all have certain characters or roles that we play just as we have certain roles in this country. Some of us are a lot like the mid-40's guy who did nothing but complain about his situation and never even thought that his wife had only an inch of her butt sitting down. Most of us, count me in, are guilty of complaining our current situation that we do not even mind the little that others have. Guilty? 'Cause I am. Sometimes, we can also be like the konduktor where we try to get what we have at the expense of other people, selfish, if I may say so. Then some are a like the nursing student who sat beside me. He was just quietly complaining to himself and did nothing to improve his situation. He could have just ran it all the way to school and he would have saved us the headache and I wouldn't have to write about him. Hopefully, none of us are like the schizo girl who was giggling.

In practicality, we can't blame it all on the konduktor. Let us try to put ourself in his shoes. He needs to feed his kids and he has a quota to reach. He and the driver divides the revenue and they have to pay the rent for the jeep. We can't blame the mid-40 man either. It is normal for us to complain especially when we are at a disadvantaged position. Who wouldn't? Some also prefer to keep quiet and retain the status quo much like the nursing student saying 'bahala na mo tanan, basta di lang ko ma late'. And we can't blame miss schizo if she thinks it was funny. But the scenario could have been way better if the characters just did one thing - putting others first.

Before I discuss my point, I would like to introduce another character. Let's name him Mark. Mark was sitting on my right and was apparently on his way to work or something. Mark, after the last person went in to squeeze his butt in, stood up and decided to angkas. (Please forgive my conyo-ish language) Whether Mark stood up because he felt his butt was going to burst because of the intense clinch or he wanted to give his seat for others, we'll never know. But let's just say he did want to give it for others. The point is, as long as we put others first such as the example shown by Mark, the different scenarios we are in would be all better. If the konduktor considered that squeezing all those passengers in would cause discomfort to the majority, it would have been all better. If the mid-40's guy gave his seat to his wife, it would have been all better. If the student beside me rather walked, or ran, his way to school, it would have been all better. If the giggling schizo girl stopped laughing, I wouldn't have had a headache. If we put other Filipinos first, it could have been all better for the Philippines. And it could still all be better.

In other news:

NBA, 8:20 am
In other news, Orlando Magic and Boston Celtics are going to play game 4 in a best of 7 series of the Eastern Conference Finals in the NBA. Boston Celtics dominated Magic with 3-0. Go Celtics!

Update 12:00 nn
Boston Celtics lost the game after an overtime. :(

Lugar lang.

My First Post! Yay!

2010-05-24T13:57:00.000+08:00

It was 8 in the morning and, as usual, people were scurrying about the streets on their way to work. I found my self in a packed jeepney which was supposed to lead me to work early. You see, I just turned 20 (yes, you heard it right, to my dismay, I am 20 years old!) and I wanted to make a 'birthday-resolution' of some sort, just for a change. This resolution is to contain my plans for the coming year or so. Things I should gain or accomplish. I wanted them to be specific, concrete and attainable. I want them to be fresh. So here it goes.

Stop Smoking. This is a hard one. Smoking, as most of us already know, is a very hard habit to break. Smoking becomes a habit, a way of life so to speak. And, as all of us know, it is very harmful, not just for the smoker, but even the people around us. Smoking is bad for me, and I shall stop this habit - or not.

Work Out. Together with drinking and smoking is a beer belly and a short breath. A beer belly is probably the worst look a guy could do to his gut. The bloated look makes your shirts tighter and makes you look a lot more older than you are. I may not have the biggest beer belly among my drinking buddies, it still looks ugly to know that if I do not act on my soon-to-be-bloated-tummy ASAP, I might look like Jinggoy Estrada or worse, his father. Working out will not only improve the way you look at yourself, it will also divert my attention from smoking and drinking.

Create a Blog. Lastly, I decided to go back to blogging. I needed something fresh out of my routine. I need to expand. This explains Plite Palihug!'s existence. So you ask, why Plite Palihug! ? Well, I do not really know. Maybe it was because I thought of this idea when I was riding the jeepney, or probably because of the lack of a better topic. Or maybe because, jeepney rides are very entertaining. We meet different kinds of people. Students, lovers, workers, sizzling sexy chics, jolog-ish jejemons, noisy brats, rich kids, avid texters... the list just goes on. But eventually, all of us are gonna step down and say 'para'. So let us make the most out of the jeepney ride experience - why not blog about it? Why not blog about the experiences we have as we ride the daily jeepney, however small or big, significant or not, it may be?

So those are my resolutions which I can hopefully do. I would like to send my gratitude to a good friend of mine, Ruffy Heredia, who gave me the much needed extra push to blog again. You can catch him blog in http://totoongpanaginip.blogspot.com/ . And for those of you wasting your time doing nothing, why not share your jeepney ride stories here?

Lugar lang sa Ayala, boss.