Surprise Visit

Sigurado ako naranasan niyo ng maligo sa ulan. E ang mag-swimming sa baha? Ako oo! Dalawang beses pa.

Una, noong nasa elementarya pa ako. Ang saya-saya naming mapi-pinsan habang feel na feel naming inaanod kami ng tubig baha. Walang pakialam kesyo may mga lumulutang na mga ipis o kung anu-ano pang mga bagay na produkto ng tiyan ng tao at hayop. Pangalawa, heto at sariwa pa sa alaala ko. At siguradong habang buhay nang tatatak sa aking gunita.

Araw ng Sabado, nagising ako sa tunog ng ulan na walang tigil sa pag-patak sa bubong namin. May bagyo nga pala, sabi ko sa sarili ko. Sumilip ako sa bintana. Lampas talampakan na ang baha! Napangiti ako. Sa buong Marikina kasi, isa ang lugar namin sa mga bihirang bahain.

Pagkatapos mag-ayos at dumiretso ako sa kusina at tinulungan sa pagluluto ang Mama ko. Habang nagpi-prito ng tosino ay aliw na aliw naman akong pinagma-masdan unti-unting pag-akyat ng tubig sa labas.

Mga nasa limang pulagada na siguro ang lalim. Ilang minuto ang lumipas. Nasa binti na ng Tito ko. Ilang minuto pa ang nagdaan. Halos maabot na ang tuhod niya. Ilang sandali lang ay papasok na ang tubig. Hindi rin nagtagal at nangyari na ang kinatatakutan mg Mama ko. Dali-dali naming inangat ang mga gamit sa baba ng bahay, kasama ang washing machine na nakaligtaan naming meron pala kami.

Pero walang mababakas na pag-aalala sa aking mukha. Totoo nyan, naka-ngiti pa ako. Sabi ko nga, bihira lang kasing mangyari ang ganito.

Walang tigil ang pag-ulan. Wala ring tigil ang pagtaas ng tubig. Mabilis. Ilang minuto uli ang lumipas. Hanggang tuhod na ang tubig sa loob ng bahay. Hindi na namin alam kung ano pang pag-angat ng gamit ang gagawin namin. Pinabayaan na lang naming lumutang ang sopa.

Dahil basa na rin, lumabas kami ng bahay. Hanggang hita na ang tubig. Sa galak ay nakuha ko pang kumuha ng mga litrato.

Umakyat na sa bewang ko ang tubig.

Nawalan na ng kuryente.

Nag-patuloy kami sa pag-salba ng mga gamit.

Hanggang tyan ko na ang baha.

Nawala na ang tuwa.

Nanginginig na ang buo kong katawan. Pakiramdam ko lulan ako ng barkong Titanic at pinagma-masdan ang unti-unting paglubog nito.

Nagpasya na akong umakyat. Wala na rin kaming magagawa nung mga panahong iyon. Nakuntento na lang ako sa pagma-masid ng mga kaganapan mula sa terrace. Naaawa kong pinag-masdan ang mga pusang nilalamig sa bubong nga mga kapit-bahay, ang mga batang inililikas ng mga magulang. Isang kapitbahay ang dumaan sa tapat at nag-dala ng masamang balita – meron na raw namatay. Nalunod.

Muli kong binaling ang atensyon sa ulan. Hihinto rin yan maya-maya, sabi ko.

Lumakas ang hangin. Tumaas pa ang baha.

Hanggang sa dumilim. Naalala ko, wala nga pala ang Papa ko. Nandun sa kaibigan niyang nag-iisa at may sakit. Sabi ng Tito ko, hanggang balikat na raw ang tubig sa labas. Wala namang second floor dun sa bahay ng kaibigan ng Papa ko, naisip ko bigla…

Lumalim ang gabi. Hindi ko na alam kung gaano na kalalim ang tubig sa labas. Pumikit ako at nag-dasal. Di nagtagal, naramdaman ko na lang na uminit ang hangin. Tumigil na rin ang ulan. Tahimik akong nag-pasalamat at nahimbing.

Kinabukasan nagising ako sa sinag ng araw na direktang tumatama sa aking mukha. Tapos na. Sumilip ako sa bintana at nasambit ang, “PUTIK!”. Andyan na rin si Papa. Balik na uli ang lahat sa dati – o siya nga ba?

Buong araw kaming nag-ayos at nag-linis ng mga bakas na iniwan ni Ondoy, ang di inaasahang bisita. Bakas ang pagod sa mukha ng bawat isa. Bawat pag-buhos ng tubig at pag-kuskos ng namuong putik may kakambal na buntong-hininga.

Gabi na ng muling bumalik ang kuryente. Agad kong binuksan ang TV at naabutan ang mga balita tungkol sa nakalipas na bagyo. Libu-libo ang na-apektuhan. Hindi iilan ang nasawi. Marami pa ang kailangang tulungan. Muli akong napa-pikit. Sinabi ko sa sarili, maswerte ka pa talaga.

UPDATED: Four-Point Plan for a Successful Miss Universe Campaign

Ever wonder why Filipinos love beauty pageants? From the smallest barrio to the most prestigious competitions, from girls to guys to the in-betweens, from humans to animals and even lechon, believe me, walang pinalalampas ang Pinoy. However, recent years have shown that our dearest country isn’t having much luck on the most celebrated beauty contest in the world, the Miss Universe Beauty Pageant. So, trying to break the black drought, I propose four simple ways on how to have a successful Miss U campaign:

1. Naturalization of Venezuelans, Puerto Ricans, Brazilians, etc.

Admit it, but the competition has an obvious fetish for Latina beauties. Don't agree? Check Wikipedia. In our case, finding Latina-looking Filipinas could be a great option but when scarcity prevails, let the law take charge. We have a whole lot of Brazilians thriving in our country so make use of them!

2. Mandatory online voting for the Miss Photogenic Award.

One evident sign of the lack of unity in this lovely country is our failure to bag the highly coveted Miss Photogenic award for two consecutive years. That’s TWO CONSECUTIVE years of dearth preceded by a legendary THREE-PEAT. Common guys, make those fingers working! If we couldn’t make it in the top 15, then at least we are assured of a special award. Added exposure is very important.

3. Do it the Miriam way!

Now this goes to the delegate herself. Hold your head up high, toddle on the catwalk as if you’re a ghost floating on air and throw a banana peel you secretly hid behind your sash. Make sure to step on it. Then do the Miriam Quiambao move! See to it that you stand up as graceful as possible and at the end extend your arms to the crowd as if you’re saying “There you go, folks!” Two Miss USAs did it and it proved effective on them so why not give it a try? Audience impact din yon.

4. Use the ever reliable interpreter.

I know we Filipinos are very adept with using the international language, but just for this special event, let's pretend otherwise. For obvious reasons,it will benefit our representative big time. She will have ample time to think and give a very good answer as the question will be posed on her twice. Strategy!

Someday, the Philippines will conquer the universe.

Goodbye and Thank You

I woke up today with high hopes for this brand new day. It was a little bit gloomy, though, as it has been raining for hours now. I turned on the Internet to check for some updates when I found this very depressing news: Corazon Aquino, Philippines president, dead at 76 (AP).

I stared in front of the monitor in wide-eyed disbelief. Tita Cory, the good, passionate, demure and strong-willed woman who once governed this country has now surrendered to her true master. Then I instantly knew the reason behind the gloomy weather. The heavens must have been mourning for her too.

A lot of public figures have retreated to their final resting place already but none of them had blown such an impact on me than Tita Cory. How could someone be so lovely, so full of heart and so gracious like her be gone? Siguro totoo nga yung kasabihan na “Kapag masamang damo, matagal mamatay”. Tita Cory is far from being one.

I want to keep this post short. And as a final salvo, I want to say, thank you President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino. THANK YOU.

Face-Off: Promil Vs Nido

Have you ever wished you were gifted?

Just recently, news spread about this boy who already managed to graduate college at the tender age of 11. Amazing kid, but then I started wondering how his college life went. At 11, I was still playing patintero on the streets and anticipating every Batibot episode on TV, but this kid was already studying about astrophysics and others that I might not even know how to pronounce. Surely his college mates wouldn’t want to play hide-and-seek with him? I just felt that his childhood was taken away by his intelligence.

In addition, we are all aware how these so-called ‘gifted children’ can be exposed to a lot of stress and pressure. They are like magnets that attract the public eye. They are expected to perform well in everything that they do, for their intellect is deemed as ‘faultless’; trivial blunders are enough reasons for derision. Just the mere fact that you are ‘smart’ seems to separate you already from the rest, so what more for them? Ang hirap maging matalino.

Remember the times when there was so much hype on the emergence of these gifted children in the Philippines? Back then I also wanted to be a gifted child myself (at some point I felt that I am, he-he). Modesty aside, I know I am blessed with a good brain and a couple of talents to go with it (simpleng yabang), but I wanted it at a higher level. Yung pang-Promil commercial! But seeing this kid just made me think otherwise.

I remember my 5-year-old self asking my Mom what brand of milk was used to feed me. Without dithering, she replied, “Sorry anak, Nido lang kasi pinainom namin sa’yo.” When she saw the disappointment on my then-innocent face, she quickly retracted and admitted that I was breastfed all the way. But either way, it doesn’t really matter to me now. I am unique and gifted in my own way. Mas maganda yata yung napupuri ka dahil sa natural na talento mo at hindi dahil sa epekto ng gatas na pinainom sa’yo.

Besides, does Promil really work?

Face-Off ver. 2 -- Bong VS Hayden

[Note: Nerdy portions ahead.]

Time for another head-to-head match-up! This time, between the honorable Bong Revilla Jr. and the 'perverted' Dr. Hayden Kho.

This is so ridiculous, seeing Revilla almost red-faced with anger, complaining about Kho's alleged disrespect for women. Bong Revilla -- the sublime womanizer. Funny. Allow me to use psychology on this one but I think Bong's in a compromise situation called 'reaction formation' -- disguising one's motivation and conflict by believing that the motive is exactly the opposite of his real motive (Gaerlan). In this case, it's Bong battling with Hayden's misconduct towards women because he, himself is trying to battle his own unconscious desires. Forgive me for the geeky-ness.

Here's my point, if Bong wants to cancel Haydens' license, then why is he not pleading for the lifetime banning of Ethel Booba. Criselda Volks, Mahal and all them others who have been in this sticky situation before? Why, because he's a doctor and he's supposed to be an educated and respected person? Ang mga artista ba hindi?

I also heard that Katrina Halili's got the support of the activist group Gabriella. OK, I get the point. Katrina is the wretched one. But isn't what she did morally unacceptable? She (flirted) with the doctor while he's still in a relationship, for crying out loud. And she must not dare say, "Tao lang po ako." She had her --here foes the nerdy part again-- superego at the back of her mind but she let her id impulses overwhelm her. Hope you got that.

Say hello Absurdity.

Ako Mismo

“Ayoko ko nang mag-reklamo.”

Yan ang mga linyang tumatak sa akin sa ad ng AkoMismo.Org . Sa maraming dahilan, perpekto ang linyang ‘to para sa’kin.

Hindi sapat na umpo lamang sa iasang tabi at hintayin ang pagbabago. Hindi rin sapat na lumabas lamang sa ga lansangan at sumigaw. walang magagawa ang pag-re-reklamo. Hindi hinihingi ang pagbabago, ginagawa. At hindi dapat gawin ng iilan lang, pero ng lahat.

Nasa sa’tin na mismo ang pagbabago. Nasa kamay mo. Nasa kamay ko. Ako mismo ang gagawa ng pagbabago.



If you want to be informed just visit AkoMismo.Org .

Bawal Ang Pork!

The whole world is set on alert mode once again as the recent swine flu virus scare is slowly crawling across different parts of the globe. Schools had closed. Hospitals were jam-packed. Facemasks are in again. And other countries miles away from the virus’ epicenter are freakin’ out. All because of Porky Pig and his cohorts.

Now back to serious business. The Philippine government asserts that there is no cause for alarm yet. And I strongly believe that. And hopefully, there won’t be any. However, it would still be best if we set our defense mode before it could happen, if it will happen.

For the hog raisers, get your porkies vaccinated. If ever they’ll get the friggin’ virus, the most probable first victim will be you.

For the government, just continue what you’re dong right now. And always keep the public informed.

And for the people, be informed. Know everything about the sickness; it’s causes, symptoms, and most importantly the prevention. And do not compromise.

One last note: The last thing we should do is worry. We can still eat pork. But if you don’t want to, don’t fret! Just think of it as an extended Holy Week.

Four Studes Busted for Blogging

One benefit of blogging is that it serves as an avenue for the author's random rants, raves, thoughts and frustrations. Thru it, we can freely express almost everything that we want to say. Sadly, some poeple may have seemed to enjoy this freedom beyond their limits.

Lats night's late news said that four students from Quezon City Science High School got a 10-day suspension after criticizing their school's administration, especially thier principal. Taking the asssault too seriously, the mocked head mistress gave the students what she thinks they deserve.

Just a thought: I just noticed that, ironically, science high school students are in fact the ones who get involved in those explosive 'crimes'. Remember the mercurious nitrate poisoning in Philippine Science High School? Also, in my case, 6 of my batchmates from Marikina Science High School almost got expelled in our SENIOR YEAR after breaking certain laws. Interesting.

Going back, I completely understand the side of the offenders. I mean, we live in a society where freedom of expression is highly valued. Especially if you have the gift if the pen, you feel like you could easily express whatever's on your mind. And with the students' age where angst is overwhelming, doing somehting like what they did is not uncommon.

In fact, I also made an entry here expressing my rage and disappointment towards one of my professors. However, I did it with extreme cautiousness, refusing to name-drop at all. It's not that I'm scared that she'd read it ( I doubt that she reads blogs), but it's more of still respecting her as a person. It's enough for me to release the demon inside me without hurting anyone.

Still, it's a different story. But then again, we must remember: Indeed, writing is a freedom. But freedom IS responsibility.

Grave Talk

I was a bit preoccupied doing other pointless stuff these past few days so it was gravely shameful to admit that I have little idea of what’s going on this country for quite a while now. Finally last night, I decided to watch the entirety of 24 Oras to refresh my awareness. I was expecting to hear usual stuff like rice shortages or another MMDA demolition job but I was thinking frivolously. It was far worse than I expected. The following are of grave impact to me:

· Oil price hikes (Again?). This topic was actually brought up by one of my Korean students yesterday and I almost cursed him for doing so. Of all the news have I been hearing everyday, this is one of those that have less importance to me. I don’t have a speck of an idea on oil trading or this controversial Oil Deregulation Law. What the hell do I care about oil prices? Why should I give a damn when I don’t even have my own car yet? It was just then that it finally sank into me why it is one of the root causes of the corrosion of this economy. And that I am gravely embarrassed of.
· Inflation rate had shot up to 8.3% this month. Talk about economics here. I actually have veeery minimal knowledge of this subject (that I am not embarrassed to admit) -- thanks to my carcinogenic professor—but as far as I know, inflation is the general large increase in the prices of goods and services. And 8.3% as compared to last month's 6.4%? That only means the prices are enjoying their stay there on top of the bar graph with our mothers’ purses suffering.
· MERALCO’s Systems Loss Charges. Now what the funk is this? I’m sorry but as what my simple mind comprehended it, this über egoistical electric company will now start putting up charges on the ‘lost’ money we, people are not even accountable for. I don’t give a damn whether it is acceptable by the law or not for in the end it will remain UNFAIR. Not to mention the plethora of taxes imposed on electricity alone. PoTAXteng buhay to…

Unfortunately I can do nothing right now save to throw rants and get peeved by our condition. I cannot totally blame the malfunctioning government for everything. Whose fault is it anyway but us? Who put that wicked liliputian in the high seat in the first place? WE did! For the reason that we though of her as the ‘lesser evil’ back then. What we forgot to consider is no matter how ‘less’ of an evil she is, she will always remain EVIL. It is our impatience that caused us our misery and now we have to bear the grave consequences.

Will It Be David Cook's Time to Leave?

I’m a bit worried ‘bout David Cook for next week’s episode of American Idol. As what Seacrest mentioned, next week’s theme would be Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame. At first anyone would think that DC will have a big edge above everyone else ‘coz it definitely is his niche. However, there’s this BIG possibility that it would turn out to be otherwise. Chances are his performance would be too overrated. C’mon, it’s rock ‘n roll, no wonder all eyes and all ears will be tuned in to DC, wondering if he would be able to pull away from the stalwart marks that rock legends left before us. How will he be able to do something different to something that he makes to be different? I don't know. Only he knows It is now his duty to create the most unexpected of all the unexpected. Talk about pressure!

Well, all I can say is good luck DC! People of America: vote WISELY!

Ironic -- Moronic

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is now implementing stricter measures regarding the distribution of the so-called ‘access cards’ that is supposed to be used in order to purchase the apparently cheaper NFA rice. This is to avoid all the long lines and unfair mass purchasing of NFA rice that leaves the ‘poorest of the poor’ empty-handed at the end of the day. On the other hand, if you can remember, this brilliant government had once claimed that there must be no need for worrying since there is no rice shortage here in the Philippines.

Ah. Now that makes sense to me.

Earth Day

It’s Earth Day today!
Be aware. Be active. Be potent.

Change the world. Make it a better place.

World Voice Day

Today is World Voice Day (yep,I mentioned it in the title, obviously), the day where all the people in the world should celebrate and take care of the so-called spoken voice. Ideally, I should be conserving my precious voice right now. But here I am talking to Koreans, teaching them the enigmas of the international language, which only a few of them seem to absorb.

Hey, I’m not trying to imply a discriminatory remark here. I’m simply stressed out lately.

Right now I just want to go out in an open field and jump as high as I can and then let out a big SCREAM! But then I thought it would do no good to my delicate voice box either *sigh*.

Hmmm…guess I’ll just show off my vocal prowess by belting out MCR’s I’m Not Okay then. That would be a better stress-reliever. I think.

Have a happy World Voice Day to all!

Record Breaking

During the fifth elimination night of the reality show American Idol, Ryan Seacrest surprised the episode’s special guest, Jordin Sparks, with three special awards: a platinum record for her hit Chris Brown duet “No Air” for reaching more than 1M downloads, a gold award for her self-titled album, and another platinum record for her debut single “Tattoo” which also exceeded 1M downloads. Seacrest then made this remark: “It means Idol works.”

It means very few actually buy records these days. Blame it on the Internet.

Education is a Privilege..What the..?!

Kumento lang tungkol sa episode kagabi ng PinoyBig Brother Teen Edition Plus kung saan sinabi sa talumpati ng housemate na si Robi ang mga katagang ipinantig talaga ng mga tenga ko. Ayon sa kanya,

“Ang edukasyon ay isang pribilehiyo. Hindi lahat ng tao nakakapagaral…”

Tama ba naman yun? Kung taga-PUP kang tulad ko ay malamang nag-pantig din ang tenga mo gaya ko.

ANG EDUKASYON AY HINDI ISANG PRIBILEHIYO. ISA ITONG KARAPATAN NA DAPAT TINTAMASA NG BAWAT PILIPINO.

Sabagay, hindi ko rin namn siya masisisi. Taga-Ateneo siya. Ano ba naman ang alam niya sa kahirapan? Isa pa, sa panahon ngayon, hindi nga ba’t pwede na ngang tawaging pribillehiyo ang edukasyon? Sino ngayon ang dapat sisihin?