Blah-blah Blogs!

Fear Factor: the dreaded TV reality show

2008-06-09T16:14:00.006+08:00

It is so disgusting how top rated reality show reflects the present human behavior. Fear Factor is one of those shows who proliferates the primetime TV of such cringe-if-you-may display of human flaw. There is one clear motivation for every contestant in the game and that is, to grab the $50,000 grand prize, and if you possess the ability and the proper thickness of stomach, chances are, you end up as the winner.

I don’t have to narrate step-by-step the object of the game. I’m sure all of you people who have TV sets in your home have come across this show-—it’s so damn popular as other reality game shows have followed their footsteps as well as Joe Rogan’s infamous “motivational” push over the contestants.

Stunts are okay; hand, body and eye coordination are essential in surviving the world around you. Agility and quick thinking may save anyone from disaster such as earthquakes, fire or terrorist attack. Sports competition also develop this type of competition, but eating worms and cockroaches is another thing.

In third world countries, it is understandable for the people living below poverty line to grab anything that will give them food on the table. Kill for food, kill to survive. But these contestants of Fear Factor are far from being hungry and poor. You can see immediately in their physique of well built footing, as most of them are successful in their own rights. There is also one episode where celebrities were to compete in the game. How come they allow themselves to do humiliating stunts or expose their naked body on national TV for the world to see?

Is $50,000 enough for anyone to eat worm and cockroaches? Rotten squid, decomposing rat and a heap of maggots? Last time I checked on one episode, a couple of contestants were arguing whether the woman will agree to go bald as one stunt would call for her to shave her beautiful hair. The guy was so frantic in pushing his partner to grab the moment and quit having second thoughts as Joe Rogan play devil’s advocate in reminding them the money.

“How do you think would I look like when I’m bald? I’m tall and no hair, I would look like…” (Demonstrating herself like a scarecrow) “Would you still love me then?”

The couple end up disqualified as the woman walks away from the stunt amidst her husband’s red-faced attempt to persuade her to shave her head. Kudos for her! She had her dignity still intact, but I don’t know if they are still together after the show.

People who can do anything, like eating live maggots or cockroaches for the sake of money will do anything to take hold of their ambition. It may sound like a positive trait but I think it isn’t. If they can eat shit for the prize of 50 grand, can you imagine what they can do for 100 grand? Dignity is one factor humans possess that makes them apart from animals.

I have witnessed a mother pimping her four year old daughter to pedophile; a woman who let her husband treat her as a punching bag because she was so financially dependent on him; a beggar eating left over rotten food on a trash can; all because they are pushed by situation where they cannot escape the predicament life has thrown on them. But nothing was so dreadful than a person in a well-off status in life eating maggots while scantily clad in a bikini facing the national TV. Stating how they badly wanted the 50 grand in between burp of fine blended fly slurpee while wiping away the roach’s gooey remains on their face.

What are you willing to do for 50 grand?

Going Back to Basics is such a Wonderful Thing!

2008-06-13T06:58:00.007+08:00

I read an article in an online news website about Bogotá, a city in Colombia. The former mayor of this city, Enrique Peñalosa, was very effective in fighting off high crime rate, roads that are very congested and with very high traffic, and a fast widening income gap between the rich and the poor. Well, according to him, progress in a city may be defined not in the people’s income within the area, but on how the people are safe on the city streets. He further stated that bigger streets and highways mean more vehicles.

So instead of constructing highways, Peñalosa built parks, nurseries, libraries, community centers, and quality homes. New public schools were also built and increased enrollment followed. Gas taxes were also increased and at times, car owners were restricted in using their cars. Bike and pedestrian paths were built thus encouraging people to exercise more and pollution is minimized to a certain level.

As we transferred to our new residence in Laguna, a suburban neighborhood, I came to realize the value of simple living and going back to basics. I got to exercise more by walking the streets and appreciate the surroundings. We always walk going to the mall, to the market or to the bakery. Unlike before, we need to ride a jeep to go to such places. Even our kids also walk to their school; it is just a short distance in going there anyway. We also consider going to the park as city life do not have that many facilities and is very much crowded altogether.

The whole set up is a total diverse apart from the city life we grew up with. We look forward in attending community events here as we noticed local events help the community grow close together. Local government should add your Filipino events in their agenda for the purpose of integrating culture to the people’s daily living.

Pollution is limited, in terms of transportation usage and the efficient waste management by the residents in the area. Reforms like this may be implemented in the city life so that the quality of life of the people may be improved. And these reforms may be developed into policies for promoting public health and to protect the environment.

I think it is better to have cities where adults and kids alike love to stay outside. We all need a place that is safe for everyone and is built around the needs of people and not to compete with the globalization process where things of important are being traded for “progress.”

Technorati Tags:up los banos, laguna, suburban neighborhood, filipino events
Generated By Technorati Tag Generator

How to Stay Alive even if you are Tired in the Journey of Life

2008-06-18T14:19:00.005+08:00

It is common for people to be discouraged and tired when we go through a difficult challenge in our lives. Our feelings come from different sources---the past, the present, and the future. But oftentimes, feelings lie. They are not all the time a reflection of the reality. In addition, life is difficult and we must often live with these kinds of mixed feelings.

Often, people seem to match life with a roller coaster of valleys and hills. Actually life is more like the two rails on a railroad track. One rail represents the good and the bright side aspects in your life. The other represents the bad and the dark side in your life.

At all times, you will have both at the same time. Something good and bad will always happen in your life. We cannot and should not expect everything to be good for one month continuously and everything to be bad the month after. There will always be a combination of both sides; there will always be a mixture and blending of both sweet and bitter taste.

Sometimes the only difference between making or breaking in life is the attitude. The attitude and the outlook on how we see things that came into our way will always get us through. The way we see the glass as half full or half empty will determine what round in life’s boxing will we ever got to suffer a knock out or be declared winner at the end.

Tiredness suggests one thing: we need to take a break. Sometimes we caught so much in work all the life’s miseries that we end up faltering each step we make. Treading along in life with a “weak heart” would only mean a cardiac arrest in existence. Learn your pace; move slowly; breathe; walk instead of run; and while you’re at it, appreciate the beauty that surrounds you.

We have the choice to focus on whatever we are face with; we are to trust with our whole hearts in God and not to trust in our own instincts alone.

Technorati Tags:stay alive, proper attitude, discouraged, tired, trust in god, trust in own instincts
Generated By Technorati Tag Generator

Learning to Listen and Listening to Learn

2008-06-24T10:37:00.004+08:00

In this world, there are lots of interruptions so that you may be able to listen properly. It is better that you focus totally and pay your utmost attention on the speaker itself. As I was teaching my kid on the importance of listening, I think it is the most ignored and neglected upon by most people in all aspects of communication.

Some tips are worth considering that will help you focus while listening.

A deep breath is encouraged. This will stop you from butting in the conversation, and it will supply your brain with such stimulating oxygen. You may like to try it now. And notice that as you are doing it, try to talk. It is not very encouraging to speak, am I right?

Rephrase what the speaker is saying mentally. This process will avert your daydreaming on other unrelated topics. You will be able to focus on the speaker rather than on yourself.

Eye contact is encouraged with the speaker. It is important that you should remain in contact to the speaker through eye contact. It follows that your ears will follow as your eyes focus to the speaker. It will happen that you will listen always to the speaker if your eyes are directed towards him.

Pay attention to listen at all times. It doesn’t matter whom you are speaking with. I think it is better to always pay attention and you will find out something useful or appealing from the conversation. You might learn something without any intention of doing so.

I just hope these suggested tips will be of use to you. Always remember that an untrained listener will understand and retain only half of the content of the conversation after it is finished. And this retention rate will even go down after many days. And it is not a wonder that people argue about what’s been discussed.

Technorati Tags:listening, pay attention, learning to listen, eye contact, good listener
Generated By Technorati Tag Generator

Enjoying your Vacation with your Dogs

2008-06-26T10:11:00.003+08:00

Bringing your pets on your vacation is a home away from home escape, especially if you have your most loved dog with you. If it is your first time to travel with your pet, here are a few simple guidelines on how to go about enjoying the company with your dogs in your much well-deserved vacation.

You would be likely to stay in places like hotels like the affordable hotel in Davao City, inns, and even in camps. There are pet-friendly hotels and they really allow pets to stay in their hotels. In fact, they allow more than one pet. Some hotels even give special dog beds as part of their accommodations. Dog spa services, day care for doggies, among other amenities are also offered. Many such hotels charge a fee; I suggest you do some research about hotels that are friendly to pets.

Not all country inns are fit for dogs, but there are some that offer such treats. You should know how to plan a trip before finalizing your travel plans. There are vacation spots that are dog-friendly; finding one that is suitable for your needs would be a start.

Camping is the best way to spend more time together with your dog while at the same time connecting with nature. Your stay in the campsite will benefit both of you, the owner and the dog, but be aware on the kind of dog that you have. There are breed of dogs that are naturally inclined to have fun outdoors, such as the hunting dogs and the like. Before bringing your dog in the campsite, better ask around first if they allow dogs.

Preparedness in case of an urgent situation is a must. Take note of the list of veterinarians and hospitals for animals in the area where you will be staying. At least, when your dog shows some signs of an illness, it may very well save your dog’s life in the end.

Here is a suggested list that may serve as a guide to you for your dog while you are packing: dog food, dog toys, leash, crate, kennel, water and bowl, first aid kit, bags for dog’s waste, among many others.

Now, be safe and enjoy the trip with your dog.

Technorati Tags:affordable hotel, vacation with dogs, dog-friendly hotels, trip with dog, dogs in camps,
Generated By Technorati Tag Generator

America: See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil

2008-06-27T07:46:00.007+08:00

I have stumbled upon very disturbing news on the internet. Of course there’s so much fuss about the war in Iraq recently especially after the 9/11 incident, but the picture isn’t that complete yet. Michael Moore in his Fahrenheit 9/11 documentary would have said too much, but not too long.

The truth will always come out. So they say. America after Vietnam suffered a massive brain damage, and from that cranial hemorrhage come a very painful lesson in aggression. America learns how to hide his dirt under the carpet right at the very nose of its citizenry. Modernization in military does not only deal with weaponry, but in tactics as well. The military knows so well that citizen’s awareness of their Iraqi people carnage would lead the government to fall flat on his face and eventually funnel them to crucifixion.

On the other hand the fourth estate such as the media played a fundamental role in this game. Hiding the truth within the earshot of the Americans in this modern age is quite a feat, and indeed the media as being handled mostly by transnational-thinking bigots succeeded in gagging the truth. Americans and the world have found Britney Spears and Paris Hilton as newsworthy as millions of Iraqi people being butchered everyday. People currently are slowly suffering from Alzheimer’s disease as they forgot to ask Mr. George Bush the question: “where is the weapon of mass destruction? Have you found it?”

Watch This Video, it may not offer you entertainment, but sometimes poking our sensibilities for a while makes us to think and have a reality check. Verify if you still can feel compassion, confirm if you have the ability to feel anger and pain, make sure to see if you are still human capable of loving and caring.

If the media today are not doing what they are supposed to do, maybe blogging should pose as a fifth estate, after all awareness and compassion should always stem from the grassroots level. Tell me what you think, people.

Video courtesy of The Real News Network

Guidelines in drinking eight glasses of water

2008-07-17T13:39:00.003+08:00

Though still not that proven by medical experts, I think it is best to follow the eight-glasses-of-water-a-day rule. Others say it is one of the best way for everyone to stay healthy is to make sure your body is hydrated always. In this way, your skin is always well-moisturized, decrease possibility of having colon cancer, and improved waste emission.

Any liquid is also good, and not just limited to water. Coffee, fruit juices, tea, and other liquids will have to do. Here is a simple step by step guide to make sure that you are drinking eight or more glasses of water each day.

Upon waking up, it is suggested that you drink a glass of water. (Counting: glass 1). During breakfast, ensure that your meal goes together with a glass of juice or milk or a cup of coffee. (Another glass: counting glass 2).

While working, fill your cup or office mug with water and make certain to drink all the water while working in the morning. (That is glass 3). And during lunchtime, drink at least two glasses of water. Water can be substituted with iced tea, or soda, or juice. (That is glass 4 and 5).

Drink your coffee during your break in the afternoon. (That is glass 6). And keep your mug or coffee close to you in your work area for the rest of the working day. (That is glass 7).

During dinner, drink a glass of water. (That is glass 8). A nightcap before bedtime is advisable—either a cup of tea or a glass of milk will do. (That is glass 9).

But if a person is feeling sick and suffering from cough and colds, more liquid intake is advisable. Pregnant women are also recommended to drink more than two liters of water per day between meals. The amount of water that you need really depends on you.

Technorati Tags:drinking water, eight glasses, health, guidelines in drinking enough water
Generated By Technorati Tag Generator

Manila seventy years ago

2008-08-06T08:49:00.007+08:00

I found this very interesting video on the site of Rain Contreras as most people nowadays (at least in the Philippines) are going ga-ga over this video as it shows what could have been and what should have been Manila. This video is Manila Queen of Pacific 1938 footage. Every one that have already seen the video especially Filipinos residing in Manila have one way or the other wish for that "glory days" of old times to remain, well at least through this video time travel exists. Thanks to Rain Contreras for posting this video. Enjoy it!

The SMART Goal Setting means SUCCESS

2008-09-06T09:46:00.005+08:00

To attain goals and striving for it will make your life meaningful. One should have a goal always to create the drive but must be set the right way to achieve the goals in the appropriate way. I learned a few years back in my graduate school days that the letters in the word SMART are very helpful in goal articulating. According to the word SMART, goals must be Specific, Measurable, Action-Oriented, Realistic & Relevant, and Time-Bound.

Specific and Measurable talks about on how you will express your goal. Be specific. If your goal is vague, it definitely shows that genuine commitment is lacking as well.

For instance, you have a goal of going on a trip by next year; you just don’t say “I like to travel next year.” Just be specific and instead say in what country you like to go to and all the other travel details, something like this “I like to go to Vienna Austria and I will stay in Intercontinental Hotel in Vienna.”

If you like to be an outstanding salesman, you may say “I will improve my performance and increase my sales next year by fifteen percent” instead of saying “I would like to sell much more next year”.

If you have goals, you need to monitor also if your goal is Measurable so that you may know if you are doing some progress with your goal. Develop some checkpoints in the progress and depending on the intensity of your goal, you may check your progress once a week, or everyday, or every other month.

Action-Oriented denotes that your goals need to take action. Take note that each and every goals cannot go on and move by being stationary and telling your goals that needs to take action thus releases the power that is available inside you naturally.

Realistic goals should be within your reach and should be attainable but still challenging. In addition your goal should be Relevant to your general plan and direction in life or else it will be damaging and will serve as a diversion to your overall aims and objectives.

A goal that is impossible to attain will not motivate you to succeed and make a go for your goals. Alternatively, whenever you achieve the goal in a basis of 100 percent, it is not considered a success for you. It really defeats the goal purpose of moving forward of making you strive harder and getting more resources that what you had earlier.

Time-Bound is the last smart goal setting rule. It is really not a goal yet until you are able to set a specified time frame within which your goal will be attained. Do set up the exact time when your aim will be accomplished and if it is a long term goal that is over three months, short term checkpoints should also be set so as for you to measure your progress easily and be able to correct yourself to go back in the right track whenever necessary.

As you go on, you may be able to discover if your goal is not realistic and not reachable. Be adaptable about your plan before considering any goal. Just remember that nothing goes exactly the way we plan it so adjustments may be made in order for you to stay on track and be able to maintain your motivation.

Some goal suggestions that may come in handy:

• Write your Goals. The planning process involves some thinking and writing as well. Thinking about your goals is another thing with putting your goals on paper. Writing it down will make your goals more meaningful, more concrete and more vital thus making your goals an agreement with yourself and a drive for action.

• Make your Goals Positive. If you say something, your mind will not be able to say no to think of something when told to do so. If you say something like this “I will not play video games today,” your mind will mechanically do more about the statement that you have said. Instead you should have mentioned in your mind something like this “I will work more effectively today,” indicating the same aim but more definite and effective.

• Make your Goals Personal. Your goals should be genuine and heartfelt and a goal that you wanted to do instead of something that you think you should accomplish. Goal reasoning should be strong enough to intensify your desire to work more effectively to fulfill all the goals no matter what your objective is.

Technorati Tags:goal setting, goals, smart goal, success, specific, measurable, action-oriented, realistic, relevant, time-bound
Generated By Technorati Tag Generator

ShopWiki is the Google of online shopping

2008-08-13T18:10:00.003+08:00

If you find Google as a colossal search engine that provides you everything you need to know just about anything under the sun, you will be glad to know that ShopWiki is a shopping engine that can provide you with virtually everything you want to shop for online. Everything you might think of buying you will find at ShopWiki and everyone knows that having more choices means the ground is bursting with bargains, good deals and best buys not to mention hard to find items for your discriminating taste.

What sets ShopWiki apart from other sites that offer online shopping is that others only exists because they have publishers who have something to sell, they access the shopping site and paid for a slot to show the world what they have to offer. While ShopWiki acts like Google, you type, you search and then you find the items for sale right in front of you in full details with related finds. The whole World Wide Web is your shopping store.

I personally find the site cool as I saw “long live the king” icon on the site clicking it would lead you to virtually everything that is pure Elvis Presley for sale, from memorabilia of the king up to tiny trivial matters that is Elvis. There’s a horde of Elvis’ stuff for collectors including mug, bags, DVDs, costumes, umbrella, ornaments and much more even those ubiquitous Elvis glasses are there.

It’s shopping virtually around the globe right at the comfort of your home.

Always exercise your intellectual muscles!

2008-09-21T10:39:00.007+08:00

The way you project yourself intellectually comes from how well you develop what is inside your head and this is your intellectual persona. This is how deep your knowledge is and how fit you are mentally. All of us have the intelligence and it is really all up to us on how we will use it to the most of our ability, or else it will be as stagnant as ever if not in use.

You always need to practice to exercise your mind and brain in order for you to take on more difficult tasks ahead. Simple reading will enable you to answer questions like “Can your mind lift abstract concepts from any business journal related to your field?” or “Can you foresee some issue from a certain perspective that is totally different from your own gut and feelings?”

Further, can you look through a concern from your perspective that entirely contradicts your own thoughts and feelings? And can you see ideas from different cultures or from people that you dislike? As you read through some articles in the New York Times or The Wall Street Journal or any journals in your field, can your mind be able to understand at once such concepts? Or can you get the ins and outs of a problem as described by someone in an entirely different field from your own?

Training your mind to undertake more difficult and longer-term tasks will practice your mind especially when the mental race comes up. Different ways for mind strengthening may include the following:

• Learn to play a musical instrument or even learn to scuba dive depending on your preference.
• Join an investment club or reading club or even a foreign affairs organization where new speakers and different issues are tackled.
• Take some classes in a subject you’ve always like ever since like acting, geology, painting, art history, etc. but never got the opportunity to study it.
• A commitment to teach yourself a new and difficult skill like gourmet cooking or winemaking or even origami.
• Subscribing to an expensive series of books or musical performance. If you pay so much, you will be obliged to get the worth of your money.

An intellectual exercise that you can do is to get used to the habit of avoiding assigning labels to others. For instance, if you are in a gathering and a guest is introduced to you as an accountant. You may brand him as having a boring profession or if he is a professor, you may brand him as very reserved and professional. Try to maximize your intellectual impression in avoiding the label assignment to a person. It will take the strength of your intellect to evade the trap of mystifying the specific for the general. An ordinary clerk should not be overlooked and a consultant should not be overvalued.

If you get into the habit of appreciating a person in its human side and not judging them in a generic way, you will be able to win the respect that you deserve and you will learn something also.

My Free Classic eBook

2008-09-29T07:21:00.005+08:00

I am launching today a section on this blog along with its new template a free eBook segment where anyone can browse and read classical literature at the comfort of their computer. I have found a treasure in the internet through Planet Ebook.com. Their collection of free downloadable literary masterpieces is awesome, makes any book lover drool over the massive literary information contained in their collection.

The eBook player from Issuu.com is equally remarkable too. Reading through computer seems a bit uneasy if I were to ask, the PDF reader interface seems a little stiff when it comes to flipping pages. There are times when you get lost in trying to turn over into another page as the cursor accidentally point out of bounds, but not in the embeddable Issuu player. Just CLICK the player’s screen to view the FULL PAGE or whatever your reading pleasure prefers.

I am planning to upload more eBooks in a weekly basis and add some of my collection of Neil Gaiman eComics and other literary stuff. Please let me know if there are other eBooks or eComics you want me to upload and I will gladly find it for you.

Every eBook published in this site are open for discussion, you can leave a comment here if you like or otherwise what you have just read, sometimes people see thing differently—let me know yours.

The resurgence of Comic Book industry in the Philippines

2008-10-06T12:29:00.005+08:00

This page requires a higher version browser

This is good news to the entire Comic Book artist here in the Philippines, as the Animation industry suffers a lull in the presence of job outsourcing to India and China. The Philippines is densely populated with artists and not just ordinary artists but with an excellent calibre one that can compete internationally. Many of them can be found employed by the leading proponents in the entertainment industry such as Disney, Fox Studios, Pixar and Marvel Comics.

The Comic Book industry in the Philippines suffered a “coma” in the past where publications stopped running and printing due to loss of followers. It failed to evolve into something far-reaching. They failed to anticipate and develop side by side with the current trend and the market. I have seen and known a lot of Comics Illustrator who lost their job and had gone into “oddities” far from their art. Most of them are being considered “over age” to be employed for a nine to five job, but a handful makes it to the international scene with the help of some comic book institution like Whilce Portacio of the X-men fame.

With the resurging spirit going on in the comic book industry, we can safely say that the artists of this land will rise again into something exciting. Especially with the modern technology, things will be different-- like a Phoenix who will rise from the ashes its wing would fly across the world.

Video courtesy of inquirer.net

Prelude to Disaster

2008-10-13T14:58:00.003+08:00

As if I think preposterous is an understatement, the world watch in agony the ongoing bailout by the US government in the wake of Lehman Brothers controversial bankruptcy, the citizens around the globe grips in bitterness and uncertainty.

Below is an ad from Craigslist where the site for advertising mundane queries becomes a niche for personal spew of otherwise disgruntled citizens of United States and the world.

Such a pitiful sight prelude to disaster.

Disgruntled American Seeks Canadian For Political Asylum, Maybe More - 32 (Washington State, USA)

Reply to: pers-862818036@craigslist.org ^[^?^]
Date: 2008-10-01, 6:00PM EDT

Like so many in the USA, I've become increasingly fed up with my country. The last 8 years have been a nightmare of perpetual motion. The presidential election is almost a month away, but let's face it. If Bush's cronies were able to set him up for two terms, then McCain and Palin are practically a shoo-in. When that happens (and it will, just you watch) I would rather be somewhere else. Like The Great White North!

Are you a lonely, possibly desperate Canadian woman aged 18-50? Tired of trying to find a good man among your flannel clad, Labatt's drinking, moose hunting country men? Willing to take in an American who is fed up with his country? Then I'm the guy for you! Maybe you're a bit overweight or suffer from "Lifelong Ugly Duckling" syndrome. I don't care.

What I'm All Aboot:

32, tall, a bit pudgy around the middle, starting to go bald, but other than that it's all good.
IT Professional, skilled with computers, can fix yours.
Will get whatever job(s) available to help support us.
From Washington State, appreciates nature.
Willing to learn French.
Polite, working on being more humble.
Hates littering.
Will pet your cat(s)/dog(s) and tell you how cute it is.
Enjoys Rush.
Can fake an interest in hockey.
Knows the first line to the Canadian National Anthem.
Will do whatever it takes to get the fuck out of here.

What You're All Aboot:

Canadian.
18-50 year old female.
Willing to marry me for citizenship.

So there you have it ladies! This is your chance to help your neighbors to the South. Get at it!

Location: Washington State, USA
it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

PostingID: 862818036

Hear Those Little Voices

2008-10-14T15:31:00.004+08:00

A Child's Prayer-Against Abortion - More free videos are here

Too much noise around us makes our soul numb of the small voices that should be heard from within. These voices are calling us seeking our help for their lives.

If you care enough to grant a little silence in your life to hear them and speak to them the world will be a better place to live in.

SuperSession Concert--The Golden Era of Pinoy Rock

2008-10-29T10:30:00.002+08:00

October 25, 2008, the 45th anniversary of DZRJ via the concert dubbed as SUPERSESSION in A. Venue Hall in Makati. It was the night of fun and reminiscing, the era of Pinoy Rock as well as the classic rock of the golden era of music—the 70s.

We were there so much early as we travelled 64 kilometers from our place just to be there on time and witness once again the culminating event in the history of Philippine music. The event ain’t so much of a Woodstock or anything like that of love, peace and music for three days but anything close to that would merit my attention in this rap stricken-shallow fad country of ours.

The stage resembles the humble beginning of DZRJ 45 years ago, when Ramon Jacinto put up his first radio station in his Dad’s garage. The stage is an 18-wheeler flat bed trailer truck, a makeshift reminiscent of my Mendiola days where we held most of the theater and band performances during the demonstration. I remember Noel Cabangon and Chikoy Pura, as we used to perform together on top of the flat bed truck in Mendiola during Cory Aquino’s State of the Nation Address many years ago.

It has been a while since I’ve attended such a concert, and I tell you the crowd is much different ever since. Though they are not that stage-diving-slam-dancing people, they know how to appreciate a good song when heard. Most of the crowd age ranges from 25 to 60, I guess.

An hour before the show people started pouring in. You will immediately notice the absence of the slam-banging teenagers in Punk get up, Poseurs and other wannabees. However, my attention caught an old man in his 70s I think, in white ponytail, beard and long hair. The old man is a frail looking rock n’ roll veteran wearing a reporter’s vest tattered with button pins complete with wrist band and other paraphernalia except for the microphone and guitar. I’m glad I didn’t wear black shirt that day—as everybody does, complete with huge print of different bands or personalities of rock music, a cliché during concerts like these.

Beside the 18-wheeler flat bed truck-cum-stage is an old automobile, a 1940 limousine where the VIPs of the show wallow in their wine and songs. The lighting is great as it gives justice to an improvised look, but the sound system lacks luster. The organizer could have surrounded the place with good speakers instead of putting it only in front. The vocal sound suffers quite a bit and being overshadowed by the instruments.

Joey “Pepe” Smith brought the house down with his own antics. Joey is a legend on his own when it comes to Pinoy Rock music scene. The 65-year-old ex-detainee and a veteran musician come in sober in a leather suit and sporting a clean cut hairstyle. The crowd suddenly rush near the stage as Joey belts out songs from his legendary JUAN DE LA CRUZ BAND.

Marc Abaya of KJWAN gave justice to the seminal song Stairway to Heaven as Cookie Chua sings out with him in the last part while Tirso Ripols of RAZORBACK axed down the road with his Peavey Guitar. Chikoy Pura of THE JERKS was the busiest among the performers; he was almost always present in every set and sessions doing vocals of DOORS’ Light My Fire, STEELY DAN’s Reelin’ in the Years and ERIC CLAPTON’s Sunshine of your Love, and Layla along with Ramon Jacinto and Pepe Smith.

The finale was awesome; the makeshift stage was full of Pinoy talent. Pure music at its best as the crowd was misty eyed in between riffs of 13 guitarists all session and seasoned musician. Two hard pounding drums set left and right, percussion instruments and keyboards in the middle. The musicality was so thick and the fusion of the American-born and Pinoy-bred music can’t be distinguished.

All artists played their own original piece in between covers and the fusion was good, in fact, it was great. The crowd isn’t that much frenzy back in the old days of Pinoy Rock era, maybe it comes along with age. But still, the passion can’t be denied. It was still there that evening; burning as soon as the event started with the national anthem played in a bluesy-passionate guitar while the crowd raised their fists.

Ang Taong Grasa ng Lopez Avenue (The Psychotic Vagrant of Lopez Avenue)

2008-11-19T09:09:00.004+08:00

There he is roaming the streets of Lopez Avenue come rain or shine. Walking aimlessly in the early morning and taking a nap in the heat of the afternoon anywhere near the road where there is a shade to protect him from the scorching heat of the sun. Night becomes a solace in his tired soul as the cold breeze serves as his blanket.

He never worries about what to eat and where to get it; he always depends on the generosity of those people who always hand him something to eat, that is if his appearance does not become so taunting to them as well as his stink. He got the whole Lopez Avenue as a home; the street adopted him like a prodigal son—roaming along with stray dogs and other unwelcome soul wandering the street and looking for something that was never been there.

Alex Catacutan is a 53-year-old ex-soldier (according to him) who shares with me his views in life and how he sees it beyond. It took me about 30 minutes of convincing before I finally got his approval to point a camera at him and hurl away questions that instantly become a conversation so engaging that I forgot I was talking to what they called a “Psychotic Vagrant.”

I really don’t know if Alex sees himself in me or he just merely came so acquainted with my presence that he fires away tons of anecdotes and personal stories from his dwindling vault of memories. His stories came unbridled, without restriction—that borders from the death of his family to salvation and eternal damnation and even drug abuse. He speaks without batting an eyelash, just like a little boy who looks straight into your eyes chatting about nothing.

His eye speaks of different sadness in between tales of destitution and poignant events in his life. His smile shows a broken smirk from a wounded soldier that merely escapes a war-torn life. He wore an all-time black long sleeve shirt with hood and tattered grimy pants that who knows when it was the last time soap had laid a hand on it. He got a grungy shoulder length thinning hair sticking to his bony head in a shrubby moustache and a beard.

I got so many insights talking to him than any other so-called “educated” people I have met. Alex never had any pretentions when he speaks, he does not have any reputation to protect or a name to safeguard. Sometimes I stop and wonder who really the Psychotic is—the world we live in? Or the world Alex inhabit?
I got smirk from onlookers who saw me talking to Alex. Their stare penetrates me deep that somehow I feel uncomfortable. They look at us in a strange manner as if tossing insinuations in the air as we walk past them. One Jeepney driver passes our way and shouts some ridicule which made the silent gawking crowd chuckle in insolence. I really don’t care.

We part our ways shaking hands. I learned a lot from that conversation. What I was expecting is a garbled idea from the so-called muddled mind—I was wrong. His insights may not be of Philosophical or evangelical, intellectual or logical to a common mind. However, one thing is for sure, he speaks from his heart with peace. I saw in his sad eyes an allusion of peace free from want of this materialistic world we live in. A peace most of us are dying to achieve.

Truly, God give his blessings sometimes in the most peculiar ways. There is this person, broken and downtrodden but rich in peace and free from yearning. Sometimes I wonder who the most fortunate soul is.

The Importance of the Body Language to Your Success

2008-11-25T15:12:00.002+08:00

Study shows that when you understand the body language better, you will be far more successful in leading and getting what you want in whatever kind of situation. You will easily convince other people to believe in you and you will create such a good impression on other people.

You may wonder why bother to give some extra time in your schedule to master the body language. The underlying principles are itemized as follows.

Better relationships stem from better communication. The knowledge of the body language will help you read and understand the attitudes and sentiments of others that you interact with either at work or at home. Increased awareness and productivity in every endeavor that you will do is the result of this increase in close relationship with those that you interact with.

Others will also understand you better as you will be able to transmit messages clearly and effectively as intended. Be aware of the messages transmitted in a nonverbal way. You may either increase tension or decrease some trust by projecting such negative body language. These so-called “bad vibes” may be devastating to your present relationships and future connections as well.

Unconscious actions cannot lie. The body language provides a window into the real intention of a person. Through body language, people show their conscious and subconscious desires, attitudes and emotions. By intuition, we can often see whether someone is telling a lie, or angry, or happy or upset or scared. Moreover, we meet people whom we cannot seem to get through the person. The mastery of the body language will provide some tools to help recognize the movements or body parts to concentrate on in checking the credibility of others. You may also learn how to make use of the body language to convey credibility, trust and honesty to the people you encounter in your everyday life.

Mastery of the language may be done. The understanding of the body language is not connected with the ability to take tests or the grades that a person makes in school. Practice makes perfect according to studies. People who took tests for the comprehension of the body language generally score much higher on the next tests than on the first tries.

I think you have no excuse now of not understanding the body language after all the reasons has been laid out. You may start in committing one hour a week to read, study and analyzing about the body language that you and your friends always encounter. After so many months, best results are guaranteed in having your body language produce such finest results.

Ricky Lee Launches His First Novel

2008-12-02T10:35:00.004+08:00

Undeniably, it was a star studded night where Ricky Lee the Philippines foremost and most awarded scriptwriter launched his first novel November 30, 2008 at UP Diliman Bahay ng Alumni. The occasion is a gathering of his close friends from the local movie and TV scene as well as academe.

It was no ordinary book launching. What I thought of was just a simple and ordinary event synonymous to Ricky’s character as straightforward and down-to-earth, instead the whole auditorium was jam-packed with ordinary people and celebrities intermingled with each other. Camera flashed unremittingly amidst the sea of people greeting each other and in awe, seeing their favourite movie stars.

Ricky’s first novel titled Para kay B (o kung paano dinevastate ng pag-ibig ang 4 out of 5 sa atin) is another feather to put on his cap. The award-winning scriptwriter is still humble in stature in spite of the celebrity treatment he acquires from the movie and literary world. Part of the proceeds of the book will benefit the struggling writers of the Philippines as Ricky Lee will put up a foundation that will grant free workshops and the writers will greatly benefit from it.

Of the multitude of people, celebrities and friends surrounded him that night and a long, long line of people waited for their books to be signed by him. It is indeed a very warm feeling as I flashed my camera at him--he looked at me and instantly recognized me from a chance meeting two years ago in a Chinese restaurant in Malate Manila. He smiled and nodded, recognizing me as if we know each other that well.
Ricky Lee is one treasure the Philippine Cinema and Literature has—and a sparkling treasure without a doubt.

Borders UK - The Intelligent Alternative

2009-02-19T22:18:00.000+08:00

Book lovers around the world will find borders UK an exhilarating venue where they can find lots of awesome books for the taking. They have the latest and the greatest collection of books, text books, audio books, books about travelguides, magazine subscriptions, music, and gift cards as well as DVD collection of rare and classic films through time.

Ordering is a breeze as they don’t charge shipping fee on all orders above £15, which is good news to those who find their shopping basket full of books—as the site offers vast amount of titles from fiction to non-fiction paperbacks.

I have come across their book of the month titled Darwin’s Island by Steve Jones, another witty and illuminating book about the man and his works that until now pose controversy among the believers and the students alike. Border UK also have in it’s shelve a book version of Slum dog millionaire, the award winning movie now on book. Check out their borders jan 2009 collection and book of the month and their reviews of best selling paperbacks for details.

In this world of technological advances, where book reading are substituted by numerous innovation in life such as the internet and the movies—flipping papers through book reading remains steady in its quest for giving off entertaining and intelligent options for the people around the globe. And this pursuit to bring back the intelligent habit of book reading to the public is one of the noble deeds Border UK carry on its shoulders.

PowerBooks Poetry Night

2009-02-17T12:53:00.004+08:00

It was a busy Friday night at the Makati City where everyone is obviously going frenzy about the occasion. It’s just a day before Valentine’s Day, but people with red in their aura are all over the place while commercialism is in the air---well, that’s what Valentine’s day for others.

The day is just another traffic congested, asphyxia induced and migraine gracious event provoked by the occasion. However, lovers everywhere are not being daunted, though their bodies are already immune to urban chaos, their hearts are still compassionate, at least those who participated and attended the PowerBook’s Poetry Night held at Greenbelt Makati City.

Poetry lovers tread over the event amidst their busy schedule to participate and grace the occasion of reading poems through their hearts content. The event was sponsored by PowerBooks Greenbelt Makati and the PowerBooks Club. The affair is composed of artists and poets, academician, and band members, as well as teachers and professionals from all over the place. They rendered their time and talent to make things happen.

The display window of PowerBooks Greenbelt was beautifully designed for the occasion; it serves as a stage where passersby are being treated with show in a different aesthetic level. The Jazz performance by the Prelude Jazz Trio and the Soprano rendition of Nenen Espina pleasures spectator who passes by the window. As the night falls, the second floor of the bookstore turns into a poetry hookah jamming session, where artistic smoke fills the lung of those who choose to inhale the bitterness and the saccharine flavored air in the Love/Obsession theme of the poetry night.

Close to thirty poets participated in the event, they rendered their talent pro bono, just for the love of the art and sharing. Poets and artists who participated are Teo Antonio, Ronald Baytan, Tobbie cadhit, Ronald Datan, Triccia David, Agnes Dimaculangan, Rom Factolerin, Karen Kunawicz, Bea Ladra, J. Luna, Krissy Manalo, Wawi Navarozza, Patrick Orquia, Katrina Pallon, Raul Roco Jr. Danton Remoto, Syke, Jimsmar Paulino, Charms Tianzon of Matilda, Prelude Jazz Trio, Maxine Syjuco and Trix Syjuco, Aimee marcos, Ginny Mata, Kooky Tuason, Vivien Mangalindan and with the special participation of Nenen Espina, soprano, and the guest of honor, the multi-awarded screenplay and novelist Ricky Lee.

Spoken words of love are never been the same again with these artists who rendered their time and talent just for the sake of sharing it in solidarity with fellow poets in the pink of the night, the eve of the red-lettered day.

to view the event pictures click this link: PICTURES

ShopWiki: a Hodgepodge in Online Shopping Networks

2009-03-13T23:04:00.003+08:00

The internet is full of information that browsing them everyday seems like endless. It is like when you are thirsty; holding an empty glass in your hand and right there in front of you is a gush of an open fire hydrant. However, when it comes to shopping online there are few reliable sources and sites that can be trusted. Who would ever want their hard earned money disappear into oblivion when shopping online? Of course nobody wants that. Then came along ShopWiki.

The good thing with ShopWiki is it is like a big shopping place where different stores can be found inside. Recently our family needs an additional computer; the kids in their school requirements needs to finish almost every projects and papers all at the same time and you know how it is like when they breathe in the back of your neck demanding their turn to pound the keyboard.

This is where ShopWiki helps a lot. Browsing on their Laptop and computers buying guide helps us to choose what is best and suitable for our budget. Their computer monitors buying guide gives me an idea where to shop and the price range of a good and latest monitor to replace the old one.

I am thinking of buying a new printer for the kids because the printer I have right now is being used for my desktop publishing business and I don’t want to have any problem with my printer when I share it with the kid’s school work.

I’m always glad there’s ShopWiki online, a reliable hodgepodge and directory of online shopping networks. Best of all their information is sufficient enough for you to decide how to make the best out of your limited budget.

The Globe Broadband Ordeal

2009-04-16T13:57:00.004+08:00

This is a copy of the letter I sent to the Globe Broadband Executive in hoping to resolve the worsening situation of my internet connection. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that my appeal will be heard.

This letter is in reference to my on-going complaint and request for your office to have a technical team to come to my house and install an external antenna to enhance my wireless broadband connection.

Last March 31, I approached the Globe Business Center office located at Calamba Laguna for the request to transfer my Broadband connection from my old rented house. The new location is less than a kilometer away from the previous one and I have already provided along with my application form a sketch how to locate my place. Also, I have given them (the business center) my Cell Phone number to contact me in case there is a problem.

The guy at the business center (I forgot his name) instructed me as he go on verifying my submitted application form that it will take at least 7 to 10 days before I will have an internet connection and for their technical team to come into my house and install the antenna. Ok so I waited.

The first Follow-up (April 6)

After 7 days, I called up the customer hotline (029198888) to follow up on the installation and the connection. I spoke to an operator, but to my surprise she had no record of my request of transfer of location, and immediately asked me all the details of it including the location of the business center did I happen to transact with, and so I obliged. The operator learned that the Calamba Globe Business Center did not do their job of dispatching my request for transfer as the 7 days had past prior to the follow up I made. It is only during that day that my request for transfer had its first movement after 7 days of being stagnant. The operator assured me that it will take 3 to 5 days to have my connection be active again.

The 2^nd follow up (April 7)

I followed up again the next day, knowing the previous experience with them that they sleep on my request. I have plenty of jobs that needs internet uploading and downloading. And having no internet connection for just a matter of days could do a surmountable harm in my economic situation, not to mention the reputation of meeting deadlines as a writer and artist. I spoke to a guy named Fernan. I can’t get a clear cut answer where is the exact date or time somebody will come to my house and install again or if not when will my connection be remotely connected? He just keeps on saying that all I have to do is wait. I have waited and wasted long enough time, and all I need is a clear answer when I will have a connection.

Since I can’t get a clear answer from Fernan (he keeps insisting that I should wait) I requested for somebody, a supervisor whom I can talk to. After a few minutes of waiting I got to talk to Gwen. She’s accommodating all right, and assured me that she will immediately look into my case and request a dispatch for the technical team. At around mid-noon she called back at my cell phone, informing me that they cannot access the ORDER NUMBER of my request for transfer at the Globe Calamba Business Center, there appears to be an error every time they attempted to generate an order number in my account. The order number is what they needed to give to the tech team in order for them to dispatch the working party to fix my connection. Nothing happens, she just promised me to call me again if there will be an order number generated and had sent to the tech team.

After the day ends Gwen called me up again to inform me that she had already passed on the order number to the Tech Team, but apparently there are no answers from the team.

The 3^rd Follow-up (April 9)

The next day, I followed it up again, I’m getting weary and tired of the roundabout of this matter, all I want is a decent internet connection and nothing else, but I have been subjected to this uncomfortable situation wherein I have to talk to different people who cannot answer just a simple question of WHEN WILL I HAVE AN INTERNET CONNECTION?

I spoke to a supervisor named Michelle Baguna. Gwen handed her my case in time she is out, in fairness to Michelle she did her duty of following up and calling me whenever there are updates—but still nothing happens. The technical team is nowhere to be found. I learned also that my connection should have been restored April 7, but nothing is ever done.

The 4^th follow up (April10)

Michelle Baguna called me on this day; she told me that the Tech Team told her that I can now bring the Modem from my old house to the new house and have it installed myself. I had already brought the modem since the day one to my new apartment, since I feared that it will be lost if I left it in the old house—as a new tenant will occupy it. Also, I already brought the external antenna and the cables ready to be installed if only the technical team would come and fix it.

Okay, so I followed her instruction, I installed the modem and check the internet connection. Good! I have a connection—in a snail’s pace. I can’t even open an email, the attachments (if I ever got to open an email) is as slow as a snail, and the connection drops every 5 minutes or so. I tried to live with that until now (April 16) pending the arrival of the technical team who should install my external antenna. But not until this morning where I found out that the Globe Broadband had a system restoration and there is no internet connection.

The recent follow-up (April 16)

I decided to follow-up again and call the customer hotline (029198888) again. I spoke to Noah and ask what is the status of the tech team dispatch to my house? To my anger and surprise he told me that I should install the antenna myself. Where in the hell did these people being trained? I didn’t know that when the Globe Broadband handed me the modem the first time I had connection it comes with DO-IT-YOURSELF kit, or they come up with broadband installation for dummies. Where in the hell did the operator come up with the idea that the subscriber should be the one to climb the roof and install the external antenna? Did I pay for P1, 200 at the Calamba Business center for the transfer of connection for that? Whose job is it anyway? Is it the subscriber’s discretion to install their own antenna?

What if the subscriber is an old woman? or a just a woman for that matter? Do you expect your entire subscriber possess a long ladder and capable to climb and install an antenna to the roof? Are we covered with Globe Broadband life insurance if anything happens to us in the course of installing the antenna to the roof?

My new apartment is a two storey 20 to 30 feet from the ground and these modern houses are made of concrete and steel and a simple climbing and utilization of household utensils such as pliers and blade to cut the cord is not sufficient and not safe—the climbing alone is not safe for the inexperienced! That’s why I always insist for the tech team to come to my house and fix the antenna, how hard is that to understand?

After a debate with the operator named Noah, he turned me over to his supervisor named JV. Here it goes again, JV said to me that they have an ongoing system restoration repair that is why they cannot dispatch a technical team as I requested. I asked him when did the system restoration repair started? He replied that it’s just barely a day. My god! I’ve waited for 16 days for the technical team to arrive to my house and have my antenna installed and all he could do for an alibi is that? I have been asking for the team for 16 days and he will reason out that they cannot be dispatched because there is a system restoration happening for just barely a day? What happened to the rest of 15 days I’m waiting? This is so goddamn preposterous. He even insisted that I should install the antenna for myself, knowing that the antenna need not to be faced anywhere, and further instructing me to just install it somewhere above the roof.

This is insane! I will not be surprised if I call again the customer hotline and some imbecile on the other line will instruct me to go get an internet signal for myself.

My role as a subscriber is to PAY whatever it is due to me, pay the amount that I agreed to pay in monthly basis. The role of the Internet Service provider is to PROVIDE me a decent connection, along with that is the support for me to properly enjoy my money’s worth of internet services. I have done my job, I already paid and paying faithfully ever since, the question is, did the Globe Broadband doing their job?

If in any case the subscriber failed to settle his/her obligation of paying the amount due, the Globe Broadband immediately act a corresponding exploit of cutting off the services and to the extent filing necessary charges, not to mention a letter from the law firm. But what if the Globe Broadband in itself failed to perform its duties to the consumer? Is it the same as we can terminate their services? Or filed charges? I think this is just a one way situation knowing the fact that the Globe have locked in the consumers in their “lock-in-period program” on which I think is unfair and unjust.

All I want is an external antenna installation so that I can even open an email, no I’m not even dreaming of watching videos in YouTube or downloading movies for my pleasure. If the location of my new apartment is not good enough for a decent connection, the business center should have informed me 16 days ago and have finally decided to terminate my Globe Broadband account and transfer to a much wider coverage of the other network.

I am still hoping that things will be settled for good, but keeps an open option of terminating my account and find another one who can assist me and provide me a decent connection.

Cheap Flat TV at home

2009-04-23T16:01:00.000+08:00

Few people know this, but recently i was quite astounded to the fact that you can have a flat TV (22 inches) in half the price of the real top of the line electronic brand in the market today.

If you are familiar with CD-R-King, dubbed as the cheapest shop for all your computer needs (well, not really all) they have those stand alone router look-a-like they called TV box. Cheaply-priced at around 2,000 plus pesos.

The TV box has many features in it. A Taiwan manufactured tuner that has an outlet for your TV antenna or cable connection, plug-in for stereo, PS2 connector, VGA outlet to connect to a monitor and a remote control.

All you have to do is to connect it to your computer monitor, if you have a flat LCD monitor, the better, however if you don’t want to use your computer monitor—you can buy one for 4,000 pesos to 10,000 depending on your budget.

The installation and set-up is easy, and you can save as much as half the price of those expensive flat TVs with the same dimension as your LCD monitor, and same resolution too.

Plugging in a sub-woofer speaker is optional especially if you have those monitors with invisible speakers or built-in speaker on it, but the heck it is enjoyable to watch in a dome sounding speaker!

This is not a paid adverts of any electronic brand, i thought i might share a thing or two about some cheap innovations in electronic fad nowadays especially when the economic downturn had it to most of us. Well, it’s not going to fill in an empty stomach, however the savings incurred is worth mentioning.

Technorati Tags: TV box,technology,LCD monitor,cheap flat TV,buy cheap TV,CDR king,taiwan TV

One Night of Poetry Reading and Spoken Words for the Benefit of the Typhoon Victims

2009-10-12T13:01:00.002+08:00

What is happening today in the Philippines is indescribable and beyond words. Two strong typhoons ravaged and wreck havoc among the people and killed hundreds of Manila residents and its nearby area. By this time you all probably seen on videos and news footages the destruction that Mother Nature brought to hapless victims by way of flood due to continuous rainfall that should have been for a month’s pour comes in merely a day.

Filipinos with the help of fellow Filipinos and the citizens of the world are scampering for ways to help and abate the destruction if not lessen the wound inflicted in the otherwise drowning situation. These trying times once again serves as a litmus paper to test the ability of fellow human being regardless of citizenship to extend help whatever assistance they can give.

In our own little way, as writers, musicians and artists gathered up our voices in a night of solidarity and sympathy and aired our emotions through poetry reading. There is not enough words to contain the anguish and torment the victims had felt during the drowning moment of the typhoon, however, still there remains voice of solidarity and conscience to let the world know that people still cares.

Audiences of the poetry night held last October 6, 2009 at Conspiracy Garden Bar were asked to bring relief goods and other donations for the affected residents of the typhoon Ondoy.

In a melancholic air of spoken words and poetry all huddle up trying to keep the cold chilling breeze left by the killer typhoon. The night was a night of stone-cold eerie evening like no other night washed away by fiery words of smoke-filled darkness. Keeping in mind that anything might happen sooner or later within the gusting wind where no place is a safe place.

This might serves as a painful reminder of the destruction of environment. No one thinks and no one utters a direct blame yet all are guilty of the degradation of the environment. If a small act of selfishness had snow-balled into a humungous destruction, maybe, just maybe a small act such as this unselfish poetry night for the victims of the typhoon Ondoy can morph into enormous salvation of what was left there to save.

Our act as writer, musicians and artists might not fathom the intensity of the situation and might not actually contribute to the healing of the wound inflicted but being artists we cannot just shut out eyes and muffle our voice nor cover our ears in the middle of the woes and cries of the victims.

This is something beyond our emotion can handle and helping out in any which way we can could makes us feel human again. Thanks to the people of Km64 and the fellow writers at www.filipinowriter.com as well as the owners of Conspiracy Garden Bar who makes this night possible.

Watch the video footage of the poetry night, here and here.