seven random things about me

I’ve been tagged by Rico (thanks!) and so now, I would share things that first came to mind (and that I would like to share) about me:

1. I am the only child of my parents (but FAR from being spoiled), and grew up as the only girl in the whole clan. I lived in a compound, so my cousins were like brothers to me.

2. My father and I have the same birthday. This may perhaps explain my super love for my dad (and the same behaviors)!

3. I like boys (oh no, not in that way!). I mean the ratio of my girl friends to my guy friends is 4 is to 10. I am more comfortable with males (see items 1 and 2). Relatively, I have deeper friendships with males (right, eks?). I have many inaanaks from them. haha. My ninongs and ninangs and relatives used to think I was a tomboy. I hated wearing dresses and enjoyed wearing shorts. I have a collection of toy guns and toy cars, and the Barbie dolls people gave me were never taken out of the box. haha. Now, I always get comments from family friends whom I saw again after a long time, “It’s a good thing you’re a girl now. I thought you’re a lesbian.” Still, at times, my guy cousins would always remark, “tomboy ka talaga!” Grrrrrr!

4. I was accelerated once in elementary, and almost kicked out in high school. I read Noli Me Tangere when I was in grade 3, and up to now, I haven’t finished all my school readings since high school. haha. I’m a good example of “tumatandang paurong.” [kg, we’ve talked about this.]

5. I like listening to and watching news. The first thing I do when I wake up is to open the radio and listen to DZMM (Tambalang Failon and Sanchez is my favorite) while preparing to go to work. Before I sleep, I watch local news on TV and set the off timer.

6. I had a car accident when I was in college. It was a head-on collision with a drunk driver who fell asleep while driving. My head smashed into the windshield, and so I had stitches in my forehead. It’s a good thing the Harry Potter book was a hit then, so people called me Harry Potter instead of who knows what name they may think of. Thanks to the cosmetic surgeon in the hospital where I was brought, he made my scar not so noticeable. Note: I never had trauma driving.

7. I like driving, and I like driving fast. Dad started teaching me how to drive when I was in grade 3 due to my persistence. By grade 4, I can already drive inside the subdivision and by grade 5, outside, despite of my mother’s vehement disapproval. My dad would put two pillows in the driver’s seat so I could see through the windshield. My kid neighbor, who was my classmate, thought our car was moving without a driver. He’s funny!

There you go–the things about me. I had fun doing this.

I’d like to know what you would say about yourselves, eks and ka!

my own home architect

Another holiday is coming up, and I’m again excited to come home to our province. Really, I would never tire of going back to my hometown. Aside from the usual “festive” mood on these days (yeah, even All Saints’ Day), I am excited about one particular reason—I get to design part of our house.

The living room and dining room area of our house in the province is undergoing total renovation. So when I get home, my parent and I would talk about ideas on how we would like it to look, and I would insist that EVERYTHING should be according to my design. It is just fair. I never had the chance to share my inputs with them when our house was being built (because I wasn’t born yet haha).

I thought of asking my architect friend to sketch something for me, and I would repay him with friendship haha. I decided that I can do this by myself (though I lack artistic skills). I’ve been thinking of what tile, or type of wood, would be better on the flooring, and what paint would be better on the wall. I was also thinking of putting in a sliding door divider between the living room and dining room, as well as sliding windows. My father told me that analoc materials are expensive, so I am now reconsidering haha. I have always admired houses with a minibar, they always get “wow” from me. So, I’d like to have something like that in the corner (in my dreams!), Wine Racks and all. The problem is, no one in the family drinks wine, even on occasions. As for me, I like beer.

I was also thinking of throwing away, giving away, or selling old stuff. My mom and dad were pack rats. It’s really hard to arrange things aesthetically when there are so many unneccessary or out-of-theme stuff. On this, there would be huge arguments. We’ll see who’s more stubborn.

i wanna be rich!

With the global economic problems and a world full of poverty, who doesn’t want to be rich? Oh, alright! Everybody (or almost) wants to have the big bucks anytime. Every time I watch on TV the Top 20 supermodels, actors, comedians, etc. who made lots and lots of money, I always imagined myself becoming one of those Nouveau Riche guys. I am not a hotel heiress and I did not come from a landed family. But I’m dreaming of making it big time! Sure, I’m not from an old rich family, like the Ayalas and the Zobels of Manila, but I can be Nouveau Riche (French for new rich). I think it’s better. Acquiring wealth (massive wealth) on your own, that’s something to be really proud of (except, of course, when you get your money from the fertilizer scam!). Wouldn’t it feel great to have something you worked hard for?

I’ve been thinking of leaving my current work to explore better opportunities. I’m losing faith of where my career path is going. I gotta be somebody! Maybe I’m reading/watching too much about the Nouveau Riche, sometimes drooling over the luxuries that they can afford, but it is actually inspiring. If only I can have an innovative entrepreneurial idea, I can easily climb my way to the top. When I get really rich, I’ll buy myself an estate in Malibu, a condo in Manhattan, a vacation house in Europe, a Ferrari, houses for the old, and education for the young. So please, please, let my time come. I’ll be waiting… :)

The Beatles’ gift to… science?

I learned something new today, and one I did not expect to learn from a medical journal. Through the years, I’ve been editing STM (scientific, technical, and medical) articles, and rarely have I learned anything plainly because the topics are usually way beyond my understanding, and science is really not my forte.

Reading through the article about the Nobel Prize laureates in the field of physics and medicine, I was led to The Whittington Hospital NHS Trust Web site. Surprise, surprise. The title of my article’s reference is, The Beatles greatest gift… is to science!

Just the words The Beatles already caught my attention. I initially thought I clicked on the wrong site. What’s that phenomenal music group got to do with science? I’ve read a lot about their contributions to music, their huge influence on their society (both good and bad), and John Lennon’s controversies, including his statement, “We’re [the Beatles] more popular than Jesus.”

I like the Beatles. I wish there is a group such as that at this time—the Fab Four’s music transcended time and defied geographical and sociocultural boundaries. They touched the lives of not only those from Liverpool but also from across nations.

The article is discussing about the important invention of the CT scanner, believing it to be “one of the top five medical developments of the twentieth century.” Here are some of the excerpts:

As a direct result of The Beatles’ success, Dr Timmis claimed, the [CT] scanner’s inventor, Sir Godfrey Hounsfield, was able to devote about four years developing the scanner from its 1968 prototype, to something that could be used in a clinical setting. His work was done in the Central Research Laboratory, a facility near Heathrow airport that was part of the EMI Group. Having sold 200 million of the Fab Four’s singles, (at seven inches, almost enough vinyl to stretch the length of the equator) the Beatles’ record company, EMI, was able to fund Hounsfield to do his research and the scanner was ready be used in hospitals in the 1970’s.

Dr Timmis said that EMI’s research had initially estimated a worldwide need for only 25 of the machines, but thanks to their decision to invest in the pioneering technology, now there are thousands of the scanners worldwide being used in hospitals every day.

Although it was actually the EMI (the Beatle’s record company) who funded the research, I still think it’s nice that this very significant invention is a “direct result of the Beatles’ success.” I’m one with the many people who think that The Beatles is not just a rock-and-roll band!

one happy, magical day

I had a truly happy weekend.

I went home to my province, about 3 to 4 hours away from Metro Manila, last Saturday morning. I was feeling kind of depressed and lonely. Although I like the quietness of living alone here in Manila, I prefer to be in the province whenever I feel sad, in the comfort of my home and my family, although I am never outspoken with them. In a way, the air feels reassuring, even the heat of the day is not as annoying—a comfort zone, people say.

Saturday, instead of my usual habit of staying at my room either sleeping or watching DVDs with my little cousins, I stayed in the terrace with my grandmother and my 15-year-old cousin, eating merienda there, listening to her updates about people and about her, and talking, not so seriously, about life and about my future. I jokingly told her that I would never marry and that I’ll die at 42 (don’t know why it sounded so funny then), Ian and I laughed at the idea, but my lola smilingly objected, telling me “Bago ako mamatay, ipapa-pangako ko sayo na kailangan kang mag-asawa, kung hindi wala kang mana” [Before I die, I would have you promise me that you’d marry because if not, you won’t get inheritance]. I wittily replied that it sounded like a soap opera, and we all laughed hard. I actually don’t know if she was serious, but maybe she was. Ever since, she was the only one supportive of my “love life.” One time, lola told my strict parents that I would accompany her to a senior citizen meeting, and I did. The thing is, she told me that the guy I like should come with us. It’s a secret between us, of course. Cool, ha? Amazingly, I never told her that I like that guy, not even implied. How come she knew? Since then, she’d tease me about him and defend the guy from my parents.

Even if I was so sleepy, having to wake up 5 am, I stayed there until 5 pm, not noticing the time passing by. Before I went to my room, I asked her if she’s going to mass the next day. She said that she would, and I told her that I would come with her.

A first for me, I woke up at 7 am to go to church. On Sundays, I normally wake up around 12 noon, and normally, I don’t go to church. But yesterday, I was prepared to go to church even before she was. I waited for her to dress up, then the two of us headed to the cathedral. During the collection, I was opening my wallet to get donations for the church, but she insisted that she would give the money for us. Nakakatawa. It was like I was only in elementary and that she was in charge of everything.

After the mass, we went to the city’s palengke. I felt nostalgic because I used to go with her to the market and carry the basket for her, up until grade 2. She’d buy food and tuba (not the wine) for me, then she’d tell the vendors and the people she knows there, “This is my granddaughter. She’s studying in Montessori. She’s an honor student.” I’d smile at them meekly (I was a very shy child, back then). At the market, I still carried all the things she purchased, the onions, the lumpia wrapper, the chicken, the niyog, etc. She’d insist that she carry some of the bags, but I liked carrying all of those for her. I guess it’s my way of compensating for all those times that I missed doing pamamalengke with her there. While we were there, it was as if I would stray if I lost sight of her. I almost held her hand like a little child afraid to get lost. Standing behind her, she’d introduce me to the people, “This is my granddaughter. She’s a UP graduate,” among other things, and there was an aura of pride coming from her. That’s one person proud of me! We went home around 11 am, I ate lunch at our house, and she at hers. And by 2 pm, Ian, I, and lola were already on our way to the newly opened Robinson’s mall. She promised me she’d treat me to an eat-all-you-can merienda, but my other cousin, Tootie, told her that he’d meet us at the mall to treat us (because he would be regularized by Smart soon). While waiting for Tootie’s break time (he’s working at the mall), I told her and Ian that I would go to the comfort room and that they should just stay at Tootie’s office to wait for him. Lola insisted that she’d go with me, accompanying me until the door of the comfort room. Was I a small child in her eyes? I think not, but perhaps she also just liked to spend as much time with me as possible. I guess she somehow sensed my loneliness, explaining why she wanted to eat out when she rarely wants to leave the house.

At the buffet, we ate a lot, and all the time, I’d ask her what she wants and bring her whatever that is from the buffet table—this is mordsith at her nicest! Haha!

From the time I stayed at the terrace until Sunday night, that I was lonely slipped my mind. There was an overwhelming feeling of happiness. I never had that bonding moment with lola and my cousins for a long time. It was like an answered prayed. I asked to not let me be sad, and it was magic, she was my magic!

[lola with cousins ian and billy (from left to right)]

I was so happy I felt like I don’t want to come back here in Manila. It almost pains me to sleep last night knowing I’d leave in the morning. It was just 4 hours away, but it seemed so far. I gotta have more moments such as these. Someday, all things will fall into place. Maybe someday, I’d be her magic.    

The Moment of Truth

          It was my first time last week to watch the show The Moment of Truth. It was a Fox game show, which from the name itself, brings out the truth from the contestant—painful or not. The questions get harder as the show goes on and becomes very, very personal. From watching just one episode, I can say that this show can ruin oh so many lives. The show uses a lie detector, which I think cannot be disputed. The willing “victim” sits in the stage where the host asks him or her a series of questions. I think you can win as much as $500,000 by answering all the questions without lying. The episode I watched reached the $200,000 level (at this point, his husband already looked angry and betrayed), but after revealing hard truth in front of her family (ie, parents, sister, husband), she was deemed by the all-knowing lie detector as lying when asked, “Do you think you’re a good person?” She said “yes,” and from what I gathered from the previous questions, she hardly is. Hey, I am allowed to be judgmental! Heck, she joined that show! She confessed in public, in front of her husband (emphasis here), that she thought that she should have been married to somebody else on her wedding day, that she sometimes remove her wedding ring to appear single, and that she had sexual relations other that with her husband, among other things. Well?

          Apparently, this is not the first show which had the “truth” mechanics. A Colombian game show started it all, and some 20 countries adapted it. It was earning big bucks but had to be cancelled when a contestant admitted negotiating with a gun-for-hire to kill, guess who, her husband. Fortunately of unfortunately for her, the husband was able to run away.

          I find it amazing how much the entertainment industry and the people have evolved. We are now at the masochistic/sadistic level!

          It gets me to thinking: If there was a show such as that here in the Philippines, who would you want to be its contestant? Hmmm… I know!

the tale of the Filipino bookstores

Last week, I went to a place which claimed to be the largest mall in Asia, yes, the Mall of Asia (MOA). I was on a hunting for a gift to an old woman who would be celebrating her 80th birthday. Where else could you have the highest probability of finding a gift than the biggest mall in the country—it’s all rolled into one, isn’t it?

I did find a gift, but after long walks and strenuous searching. My companion and I first went to the department store to get ourselves an idea of what I could possibly get to entice (too strong a word) the birthday celebrant. After searching from one floor to another, I decided that I would get her a spiritual/religious book, and as suggested by my companion, it should be in Filipino. Imagine my relief when I finally had an idea of what I would buy. Immediately, we proceeded outside the department store.

Fortunately, my companion knows his way through MOA (after a hundred times of being there, I still take the longest route from one place to another). I thought to myself that in a few minutes, we would already be heading home. First stop: Books for Less. The books here were cheaper, relative to the price of the bigger bookstores in the country. Before searching for the gift, I delighted myself first with the books in front of me, browsing through the columns of book and looking for something to buy for myself. Then, I decided that I could do that some other day. I looked for a Christian book in Filipino, and voila, there was none. Miss, do you have a Christian book here in Filipino? No, ma’am. All we have are in English. I did not expect that.

Off to National Bookstore, I was pretty sure that I could find something here. After all, it was the most popular bookstore in the country, with hundreds of branches nationwide. And in MOA, National Book Store was an actual bookstore—with books. In most malls, National Book Store is a department store concealing itself as a bookstore. And so I began my search for the book. After several aisles of books, the only Filipino read that I can find is the bible in Filipino. What? It’s not possible. The customer service personnel said that they do not have any religious book in Filipino. Then it is possible! Bummer.

I think we only stopped by Fully Booked for a few minutes then left to go to Power Books (which was owned by National Book Store, am I right?). At this point, I was already losing hope of finding a gift. I was already thinking of getting the celebrant a cake. I no longer have the energy nor the enthusiasm. This would be another futile search. At the religious book section, I only found the same books that I found in National Book Store. I was tired and frustrated (mostly because I was already hungry). But to my surprise (yes, I was already surprised), there were Filipino religious books placed at a table near the back! Although the books were written by a single author, I was still glad that I found these books. Of course, I was happy that my tired feet and my hungry stomach can already go home. But more importantly, I found a Filipino book published in Filipino and sold at a Philippine bookstore.

It was only then that I realized the scarcity of books in Filipino sold in these big bookstores. But can I blame the commercial bookstore industry? I think not. If there were more demands from consumers of readings in Filipino, perhaps there would be more of those in the bookshops. Do we also lack writers of books in our native language? I don’t know. It just saddened me that this is the current state of Filipino literature (and nationality?) in the country, perhaps stemming from the overwhelming effort to be fluent in English. Where did this get us?

And look at this entry.