Saturday, May 28, 2016
Don't Play With Knives?
Grade 4 si Kuch noong matigil sa pag-aaral. Kagaya ng marami pa nating mga kababayan sa kanayunan, lumuwas si Kuch ng Maynila para makipag-sapalaran bago pa man siya naging binata. Kuch ang code name ko sa kanya kasi mukhang may kakaiba siyang hilig sa kutsilyo. Sa unang birada pa lang ng kuwento ni Kuch, "mapapatay ko dapat yun kung hindi lang mapurol ang kutsilyong nadampot ko."
Kagaya rin ng marami pa nating kababayan, masipag at maabilidad sa Kuch. Natuto siyang mag-butingting at naging electrician. Salamat sa Recto University, nakapag-Saudi si Kuch. Nagkaroon siya ng instant diploma at natanggap sa isang mass hiring ng mga construction workers.
Sa trabaho sa Saudi, nakabukod ang mga trabahador ayon sa bayang pinagmulan. Bawal ang mangapitbahay kung hindi kayo pareho ng nationality. Ang kaso, sabi ni Kuch, ang mga kasamahan niyang Ilokano ay napakahilig mag-uwi ng mga Pakistani sa barracks nila. Galante raw kasi sa inuman ang lahing ito kaya masarap maging bisita. Sa isang inuman session e nag-pass si Kuch. Nag-straight daw kasi siya ng trabaho ng tatlong araw kaya patang pata ang buo niyang katawan.
Habang nagkakasiyahan ang lahat, mahimbing ang tulog ni Kuch. Kaya naman gulat na gulat siya nang magising na may malaking Pakistani na nakadagan sa kanya at pilit na nilililis ang suot niyang shorts. Alam niyo na ang ibig sabihin? Sige, kung hindi pa - gustong gahasain ng malaking lalakeng Pakistani si Kuch. Nanlaban siya nang nanlaban pero sadyang malakas ang Pakistani. Sa huli, nadampot niya ang nag-iisa niyang tinidor sa ilalim ng kama. Nasaksak ni Kuch ang Pakistani nang paulit-ulit. Hindi man natuluyan, nakulong pa rin si Kuch. Inabot ng tatlong taon bago siya nakalaya. Matagal raw kasing magpadala ng abugado ang gubyerno natin.
Habang nakakulong sa Saudi, ang mag-ina ni Kutch ay pinalayas ng nanay niya. Hindi na raw kasi siya nakakapagpadala ng pera kaya kahit may tatlo silang anak na maliliit pa, tapos na rin ang pakikipanirahan ng kanyang pamilya. Sa lugar kung saan pinulot ang mag-iina, uso ang droga. Nalulong sa droga si misis at nakasumpong ng forever sa isang batikang drug pusher at user.
Kamakailan lang ay kumalat sa Facebook ang video ng isang batang nakatali sa puno habang ginugulpi ng nanay at tatay-tatayan. Ang batang iyon ay ang sampung taon na panganay na anak ni Kuch. Nakabalik na siya sa Maynila noong mangyari ito. Humingi siya ng tulong kay Tulfo.
Lunes susugod ang kampo ni Tulfo sa Pangasinan kung saan naron ang mga anak ni Kuch na lahat pala ay minamaltrato ng durugistang power couple. Hindi na kinaya ng pusong ama ni Kuch. Sinugod na niya agad ang bahay para makuha ang mga bata. Parang eksena sa pelikula ni FPJ ang nangyari. May apat na drug addict na sumugod sa kanya, initak pa siya sa ulo ng isa. Buti na lang nga, mahusay siya sa kutsilyo. Napuruhan niya rin ang lahat ng nagtangkang sumugod. Ginigilitan niya raw ng leeg yung isa, kaso mapurol (na naman!) ang kutsilyo.
Dahil nasa lugar siya ng mga adik, nakulong si Kuch at hinayaan ng mga pulis na duguan sa loob ng kulungan. Buti dumating ang mga tao ni Tulfo at pinagalitan lahat ng salbaheng pulis. Kung di raw kay Tulfo, baka patay na siya.
Sa ngayon ay masaya na kahit paano si Kutch. Nasa kanya na ang mga anak niya. Binilhan nga raw niya ng laptop kasi napakahilig magsipaglaro sa PC-han at mag-Facebook. Pero inaalala niya pa rin kung paano malilimutan ng mga anak niya ang kahayupang inabot sa nanay nila at sa kanyang live in partner. Sana raw mapatay ni Duterte.
Kahit puyat at malamig ang taxi ni Kuch, di ako nakatulog sa sharing na ginawa niya. Sana lahat ng maisakay niya ay magtiyagang makinig. Kailangan niya 'yun para gumaling.
Ang kultura ng karahasan. Sino ba talaga ang may kasalanan?
Tuesday, May 10, 2016
On Plan B
Jollibee image is from here.
WANTED TEXTMATE 0975-843-7009
Dapat noon ko pa pinost ito e. Nakalimutan ko lang. Ilang beses ko natanggap ang text message na ito mula sa parehong mobile number. Marami sigurong desperado sa textmate na nag-akalang si Bongbong ang katext nila. Ayan tuloy.
====
Paano kaya nakuha nila Bongbong Marcos, Martin Romualdez, Greco Beljica at Valdepenas ang cellphone number ko? Hindi naman ako sikat. At paaano nila naisip na ikabit ang "Mamasapano" sa pangalan ng tao na parang "Eseng Ng Tondo" lang ang dating. Sana mas maging bobo pa ang mga botante para maisip nila na si General Valdepenas ang utak ng masakare sa Mamasapano.
Duterte It Is
We cannot fight the math. We have a new president.
I can see why the people chose Digong. He is seen as the radical change that has been missing in the Philippines' political landscape for a long time. I wanted him to be my president too, back when he was still not sure about pursuing the highest seat in the land.
A study of nations revealed that certain cultures (and historical profile) work best with certain leadership styles and forms of government. The perfect matches derived from this study explains why we are where we are and what we are as a people. It said that a country like the Philippines, with a rich experience in being a colony, will not flourish in democracy. We need a Lee Kuan Yew. And Duterte was the closest bet.
And you, Mr. President, you are accountable for numbers that only you and your cohorts can manage. GNP, GDP, Inflation Rate, CPP-NPA? Focus, Sir. Focus. Stop thinking about the jet ski ride. Stop thinking about who you want to cut ties with. Just get working. And don't give tax discounts to others if it means additional taxes for others. Not fair.
Saturday, November 21, 2015
What APEC 2015 Meant To Me
Hanggang sa susunod na legal holidays na sana ay long weekend. Mabuhay!
Thursday, August 06, 2015
Simmering... Windows 10
Off to bed now with high hopes about Windows 10.
Maybe when the upgrade is done, the dislodged keys (product of the sum total of our children's penchant for destruction ) will be fixed too. It will be the best upgrade ever.
Wishful thinking aside, you can get a Windows 10 upgrade for zero dollars/peso/gold bars. The Hubby who knows about these kewl things reserved a slot online several weeks ago. His excitement is contagious. Ampogi pa.
I asked one of our IT guys in the office if we're upgrading to Windows 10... no clear response. Blah. If my Hubby decides to shift careers and moves to IT, he is going to be the bestest in town. I just know.
Friday, July 24, 2015
Now Showing: Cain & Abel (Not An Indie Film by INC)
Big Daddy Eraño Manalo left the earth as a very rich and influential man in 2009. He left his widow and six children with plenty of things to fight over while a lengthy and complex chain of a deliriously faithful cult tags along. Angel and Eduardo decides to make a memorable prelude to the 101st anniversary of the church built by Grand Daddy Felix. I am watching this closely. I want to see how it ends.
Want to bet on any one of these possible endings?
1. A Mass Exodus.
Members lose faith and trust in their church and the intricate layers of their holy people. They become disoriented for maybe a decade or so then they start joining other religions. Not a likely ending because no business ever closes just like that. What happens to all the wealth amassed by INC all these years? Do they get dividends or interest at all? Not my problem really. But for me, this means my children will finally have two sets of grandparents.They only have one now as the other set are faithful members of the church and have refused to acknowledge their existence. Just saying.
2. A Great Divide.
Just like this. INC lives on but as two warring teenagers. I wonder what permutations are bound to come out of this ending.
3. Joke's on us.
This is all a show. On the day of their anniversary, the factions join hands in prayer and speak of the glory of their God who did not let them down during the organization's most trying times (a few days, nobody died).
4. Revelation Day - Set A.
On their 101st anniversary, the second coming happens. The members of the church are saved and we, outsiders, are doomed foreverrrrr! Their temples' towers are spaceships after all and they merrily launch into outer space while we all drown in an ocean of magma while being raped by Satan.
5. Revelation Day - Set B.
Same with A but we are saved and they are not. Them and all religions who claim exclusive rights to salvation.
I can't wait. Do I get a prize for my fearless forecast?
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
Hate Crime In Makati (yes, in 2015)
Makati City. Three men attacked a friend at 2:45 AM today. They put a sack around his head and torso, tied his hands from behind his back, started punching, kicking, stepping on him and hitting him repeatedly with what seemed to be a metal pipe or plank of wood. While they were doing this, they were yelling at him to repent for being gay. They said that he will go to hell. My friend suffered from severe injuries and would have probably been killed if barangay tanods (local government unit patrol officers) did not chance upon the scene.
Hate crimes. You know they still happen but you can never be prepared when they come very close to home. I am still in shock.
Please forward to anyone you know and care about, especially if they work or simply pass by the streets of Makati. You and I know that the supposed authorities in this city are authoritative but cannot be counted on to serve and protect all the time.
P.S. I'm no longer in Facebook so I just got these screenshots from friends. I did not include the name of the person along with photos of his severely injured face. If you're from a news agency or an NGO and you'd like to write about this, please send me a message and I'll ask if he's willing to share his story with your organization. Thank you.
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Philippine Nationwide Holidays 2015

I love my job but I love holidays too. These are the magical weekdays of the year when my children can re-learn that I am their mommy.
- February 19, 2015, Thursday – Chinese New Year (Special non-working day)
- February 25, 2015, Wednesday – EDSA Revolution anniversary (Special holiday)
- April 2, 2015, Thursday – Maundy Thursday (Regular holiday)
- April 3, 2015, Friday – Good Friday (Regular holiday)
- April 4, 2015, Saturday – Black Saturday (Special non-working day)
- April 9, 2015, Thursday – Araw ng Kagitingan (Regular holiday)
- May 1, 2015, Friday – Labor Day (Regular holiday)
- June 12, 2015, Friday – Independence Day (Regular holiday)
- August 21, 2015, Friday – Ninoy Aquino Day (Special non-working day)
- August 31, 2015, last Monday of August – National Heroes Day (Regular holiday)
- November 1, 2015, Sunday – All Saints Day (Special non-working day)
- November 30, 2015, Monday – Bonifacio Day (Regular holiday)
- December 24, 2015, Thursday – Additional special non-working day (Special non-working day)
- December 25, 2015, Friday – Christmas Day (Regular holiday)
- December 30, 2015, Wednesday – Rizal Day (Regular holiday)
- December 31, 2015, Thursday – Last day of the year (Special non-working day)
Thursday, March 01, 2012
Finally...???...???
Don't judge me for these "ditz-y" thoughts but I'd like to be candid about my views on India and homosexuality. Look at all the colors, ornaments, bodies and hand movements of Vishnu and friends... The gods and goddesses are perpetually surrounded by flowers and seizure-inducing colors. Sex is an art form... How gay can a culture be? Just saying. Peace.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Speechless
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Good thing I'm no beauty queen.
Question: Would you change your religious beliefs to marry the person you love, why or why not?’
Answer: If I have to change my religious belief, I will not marry the person I love because the first person that I love is God and He created me. And I have my faith, my principles and it what makes me who I am. And if that person loves me, he should love my God.
Religious beliefs are not clothes nor hair color. You can't "change" them just like that... The question is semantically flawed, it does not deserve to be answered. But this is Ms. Universe. A dear fag friend perennially reminds us all: it's not a quiz bee.
For my peace of mind, here's a question worthy of a thought: Would you marry someone whose religious beliefs are different from yours?
And my answer, pretend you're interested, is YES. I actually did. In my book, religion should not define personality, aspirations, decisions and actions. Values take care of these things. Religion is nothing but a social construct and contract. If a social acceptance is too important to a person --- then the answer is NO. Uh-oh... wait... I did that.
Tough huh? Good thing I'm no beauty queen.
Sunday, September 04, 2011
"I am X weeks craving Y"
where X = birth monthwhere Y = birth "day"MonthJanuary: 1 weekFebruary: 2 weeksMarch: 3 weeksApril: 4 weeksMay: 6 weeksJune: 8 weeksJuly: 10 weeksAugust: 12 weeksSeptember: 13 weeksOctober: 14 weeksNovember: 16 weeksDecember: 18 weeksDate1: Skittles2: Starburst3: Kit-Kats4: M&M's5: Galaxy6: Crunchies7: Dairy Milk8: Lollipops9: Peanut Butter Cups10: Meat Balls11: Twizzlers12: Bubble Gum13: Hershey's Kisses14: Chocolate Mints15: Twix16: Resse's Fastbreak17: Fudge18: Cherry Jello19: Milky Way20: Pickles21: Creme Eggs22: Skittles23: Gummy Bears24: Gummy Worms25: Strawberry Pop Tarts26: Starburst27: Mini Eggs28: Kit-Kat Chunkies29: Double Chocolate Chip Crunchy Cookies30: Smarties31: Chocolate Cake
Thursday, August 25, 2011
"Life is short, eat pork" by Nina
Nina's a gigantic brilliant mind with a big heart (and a power J-Lo butt). At work, she makes things - miracles - happen. Over a few smoking breaks and a couple of encounters at Starbucks, I became a fan (SUPER LIKE!) because of her humility, sincerity, humor and wits. And she loves life. When we still worked in the same office, I'd imagine Julie Andrews singing "I simply remember my favorite things, and then I don't feel so baaddddd" whenever I'd see her.
Less than a couple of weeks after the accident, she posted this "note" FB. Even in tragedy, Nina continues to inspire everyone with lessons in healing, courage and hope.
The last day of my old life
by Nina Kristine Abad on Sunday, August 14, 2011 at 8:32pm
~Posted with writer's permission
It started out beautifully. I woke up at 7am, had a leisurely breakfast of (our favorite) stir-fried noodles with heavenly Cambodian coffee with a Pinay traveller, whom I met on my way to Siem Reap. She is on her way to Bangkok, which leaves me, for the first time. alone in my 5-day "solo" trip. I made plans with the hotel tuktuk driver, Vey, to take me back to the Angkor complex at 8:00am, with a rented bicycle in tow.
I don't remember feeling so calm in my entire life, the crisp wind on my face, both my feet up in the tuktuk, the promise of a whole day revisiting my favorite temples at my own pace left me feeling giddy. Ah, La Vie Boheme. My demanding yet so alluring mistress.
Vey dropped me off near the complex (cheater) so I can pedal my way to the Wat proper. I stopped for pictures, waved to foreigners and locals alike. When I arrived at Angkor Wat, I deposited my bike with Vey and braced myself for my first step towards my beloved Angkor.
I am not a spiritual person, still am not, but there's something about temples that moves me to tears. I decided to connect with the Wat not just emotionally but physically. I'm barefootin' my way today.
I picked up my trusted Havs and shoved it in my bag and took my first step on the bridge that spans the moat. I didn't care about the stares from some tourists. I'm not the one wearing a long-sleeved shirt over a Tshirt and a stupid hat. Or kitten heels for that matter.
It took me an hour and a half inside the Angkor Wat. The top part was closed since it was a Buddhist holiday, so less tourists today, yay! I tried to sit down and read a book or write somehting, until I realized my stupidity. Why bother, when you have the most beautiful thing around you. I had no concept of time, of space, of social conventions. I didn't care if people saw me cry nor did I care if they thought I was a lunatic everytime I touched the walls and sighed. I didn't take pictures either. Again,why bother? No camera or words are up to task.
Next stop, Angkor Thom to see my beloved elephants. Vey dropped me off at the entrance (majestic) so I can pedal my way inside. It was too late to ride an elephant as they already made their way up to the hill. To my surprise and utter delight, I caught glimpse of a couple of late-riser pachyderms on their way to the entrance. Kandarapa ako sa pagbaba to get a clear shot. I was in heaven. Elephants charging their way towards me, in their full glory, no ugly tourists on board. I admired their grace, their majesty, their utter indifference to those who are disgusted by their bulk or smell. Until I felt a hand grab me out of the way. A couple of Cambodian policemen looked at me sternly, mad that they have to rescue a stupid girl from being trampled to death by elephants (how will they file the paperwork). I smiled guilelessly and pretended to be an airhead idiot (it totally pays!)
Next stop, Bayon, with the numerous faces of Buddha. Lord, ang dame. I lost count when a cute-ish Amboy asked if I want my picture taken, probably noticing my one-armed shots. I obliged, then felt the crushing disappointment when people fail to guess that I don't want my distended stomach in my shots. Cute ka pa naman, nagtiwala ako dahil may SLR ka. He asked why I'm barefoot, I replied I don't need shoes. He just said "cool" then walked away. Cool mo mukha mo :-)
All kinds of things went through my mind as I explored Bayon - kailangan masama ko si Bebe dito, I wonder if they allow overnight camping here, if I got lost here, will people think my bones are part of the display, if the Decepticons came back to destroy this place, I'm gonna go postal on their junk ass. But as I've said in a previous status, there are things so majestic, so overwhelming that it only demands utter silence. You just have to take it in, with an open heart, and just be thankful you are there, alive, to see it.
A lot more things happened for the rest of the day. I found the stall of the Cambodian girl I met on the bus in the old market and got schooled on real silk vs polyester blend. She got mad at the wackjobs who ripped me off by selling me polyester blends, I said it's okay, my friends won't know the difference too.
Another highlight, I tired to walk my way back from Pub street as the map looks pretty simple. Just my luck, as I was about to turn on my last street, it poured hard. My handy-dandy HC red umbrella crumpled after a few minutes. I decided to wait inside a mobile shop for a few minutes but since the rain shows no signs of stopping, I thought screw it. I secured my phone and my camera (may they rest in peace) inside a plastic bag, and walked in the rain. It felt good, a fitting counterpoint to a perfect day. I had an "aw" moment when I reached the guesthouse and found out that my tuktuk driver,Vey, tried to look for me in the Pub street vicinity when it started to rain.
While waiting for my pickup for the night bus (cue music of doom), I had the privilege of having dinner with a new arrival, Wesley from New Yahk. He is a veteran of the banana pancake trail but was retracing his steps as an adult and a student chef. He talked to me about going to market in Pnom Penh for a cooking class and finding himself the only white boy in the whole market, people sizing him up if he has a camera crew in hand or he is just what he actually is, a lunatic with balls. He said he was deeply enraged why, when he is in the greatest city in the world, with the highest per capita income, and they have the worst food in the world. I shared my sentiment that the poorest places has the best food because they have no choice. They have to extract flavors from the meager resources they have.
Well, it must have been love but Wesley doesn't believe in facebook. We'll have always have Siem Reap, char.
To those who may ask, I didn't feel any foreboding before I left. I just felt peace, joy and was incredibly grateful that I experienced everything I set out to do that day. And no, I didn't have any regrets either. As my new motto, life is short, eat pork. And chocolates, and amok, and chicharon bulaklak and broccoli and yes, even hair if that's what floats your boat.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
11.11.11 Who wants to get married in NY?
Our story kicks ass (I think, feel, believe) but I can't see myself getting married thousands of miles away from friends and family. So, that's ok. But maybe I can write about why we have an "intriguing love story" soon... Or maybe the Hubby can?
For more details about 11.11.11, access these links:
Friday, August 12, 2011
What the hell ???!!!???
- The guy who did it? Sick. Wrong.
- Seeing it in the news? ---
- The word "ejaculating" in the headline? ---
- Writing about it? ---







