take it, take it!

I am very, very flattered to receive an award from my dear friend, kg! I don’t care if there may be an itsy bitsy bias because of our friendship (is there, kg? haha!), still, the award is mine, and I am gonna take it!

The last award I received was from a swimming competition in YMCA when I was still a kiddo, and I don’t recall ever receiving an award after that. haha. The most I got was a verbal recognition of whatever talent or achievement I may have. Wait, I think I might have received a ribbon or two for being cheerful!

So, people, here’s my award [mordsith smiling widely]:

Premio Dardos means “prize darts” in Italian. This award is given to bloggers, in recognition of their cultural, ethical, literary, and personal values transmitted in the form of creative and original writings.

And now, I would like to pass on the award to the following people. Take it, take it! You guys deserve it.

for the interesting trivias, updates in politics, and creative writing (and for being my friend! hehe):

eks

for featuring healthy and delicious food, encouraging us to have a green earth, and for inspiring us to have a brighter tomorrow:

maidapaypay

 for capturing in creative form the day-to-day life of regular Filipinos (and because i like your name! hehe):

blogistang pinoy

Let us continue passing the torch in recognition of bloggers who have inspired and touched our lives in little and big ways!

Ang Bayan Ko… handa, awit

Bayang Magiliw, Perlas ng Silanganan…

Ito ang ating pambansang awit. Malimit na tawagin Bayang Magiliw ng ating mga kababayan, ngunit ito ay pinangalanan Lupang Hinirang.

Una ko itong nakabisado nung mag-aral ako ng elementarya. Kinakanta namin ito ng aking mga kakalase tuwing Lunes ng umaga. May kahigpitan ang aming paaralan, kaya kinakailangan tumayo ng tuwid at ilagay ng maayos ang kamay sa dibdib habang ito ay inaawit, gaya ng kinakailangan na itaas ng 90 degrees ang kanang kamay sa Panatang Makabayan (na mas mahirap kabisaduhin). Noon, feel na feel ko ang pag-awit nito.

Nung high school, napagsawaan ko ang pagkanta ng Lupang Hinirang. Akalain mo ba naman na ipakanta sa amin araw-araw. Ganoon ata talaga sa mga public high school. Kaya naman lahat ay gagawin ko ma-late lang sa paaralan at wag lang abutan ang napakahabang flag ceremony. Kahit pa pangaralan ako ng mahaba ng mga guro o patakbuhin sa quadrangle ng ilang ikot. Pakiramdam ko sayang lang ang oras ko sa flag ceremony, kaya itinutulog ko na lang ng mahaba.

Ito rin ang panahon na nakarinig na ako ng national anthem ng ibang bansa. Ang pinakatumatak sa akin ay ang Star-Spangled Banner ng Amerika. Hanep yung kanta na yun. Nakakapangilabot. Babae man o lalaki ang umawit, ang gandang pakinggan, at para bang kung taga doon ka, proud na proud ka sa pagiging Kano mo. Yung mga pelikula sa Hollywood na napanood ko na kinanta ito, maging yung mga laban sa boksing, grabe napapatahimik ako. Teka, teka. Di ko mahal ang Amerika. Ang ganda lang talaga ng kanta nila. Ang ganda ng rhythm at tono. Kuhang kuha ang pagmamahal sa bansa. Yung panghuling linya, pamatay: O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Kaya naman ilang beses na namin pinag-uusapan ng mga kaibigan ko na sana palitan ang pambansang awit ng Pilipinas. Yung huling pag-uusap namin ni pedro, eks, at ako sa Glorietta tungkol dito ay sobrang nakakaaliw. Ang dami namin napag-usapan tungkol dito. Kaya pala hindi masyadong kagandahan ang musika nito ay dahil ito ay isang march song (ayun, pang martsa pala). Nalaman ko rin na hindi naman sabay ginawa ang musika at ang mga salita nito (ahh, kaya pala). Higit sa lahat, nagkaisa kami sa kung ano ang nais namin na maging pambansang awit ng Pilipinas.

Paalala sa mga nagbabasa: Hindi kami mga subersibo o walang pagmamahal sa bayan. Bagkus ito ay kabaligtaran. Mahal namin ang Pilipinas. Kaya nga gusto namin ng awit na mas kuha ang pagmamahal namin sa bayan. Kung alam niyo lang, ang dami na namin diskusyon kung ano ang magandang gawin sa ating bayan makaahon lang sa hirap. Ang pinakamalupit na plano namin, at ito ay biro lamang, ay ang paggawa ng katulad ng Aryan race ni Hitler. Sana maliwanag, hindi kami mga taksil sa bayan. :-)

At ang kanta na amin napagkaisahan ipalit sa Lupang Hinirang ay Bayan Ko. Ang bayan kong Pilipinas, lupain ng ginto’t bulaklak… Ayan, napapakanta na ko. Mas madamdamin ang kanta na ito, at sa totoo lang, mas maganda ang mga letra. Nag-imagine kami ng mga okasyon na pwedeng kantahin ito, at ang naisip ko ay ang pag-awit nito kapag may nanalong atletang Pinoy sa Olympics (sana ginto na). At siyempre, ang gusto kong kumanta nito ay walang iba kundi si Lea Salonga. Grabe. Ang sarap sigurong pakinggan nun. Makuwento ko lang sa inyo, Bayan Ko ang unang kantang natutunan kong kantahin noon ako ay 2 taong gulang. Sinorpresa nga ako ng mga magulang ko nung debut ko ng isang cassette tape recording na kinakanta ko ito ng pabulol bulol. Cute pa siguro ko noon. haha. At ang linyang kinakanta ko dun, hanggang ngayon paborito ko pa rin, Ibon mang may layang lumipad, kulungin mo ay umiiyak…. Noon 18 ako tsaka ko lang nalaman na alam ko na pala ito noon bata ako. Tingnan mo nga naman, consistent ako sa gusto ko. haha.

Oo na, may history ang Lupang Hinirang kaya hindi pwedeng palitan. Suhestiyon lang naman, demokrasya pa rin naman tayo, di ba? (isang gasgas na linya). Pinakanta nga sa amin ito sa espanol sa Span 20 na klase ko. Okey naman siya, parang mas maganda nga kaysa sa Filipino version. Ito naman kasi ang orihinal. Pero sa amin ng mga kaibigan ko, walang tatalo sa ang Bayan Ko. Napag-aalab nito ang amin mga damdamin Pilipino. Maganda ang huling parte ng Lupang Hinirang, gusto ko. Pwedeng tatak ng mga T-shirt sa harapan. Pero hindi naman nagpapahuli ang kantang napili namin. Parang naririnig ko na si Lea Salonga na inaawit ang huling linya; mataas na ang kanyang tono, mabagal at malinaw ang pagbigkas ng mga salita, at mahaba ang huling salita.

Aking adhika…

Tahimik ang paligid. Ni munting galaw ay hindi mahagilap. Sa pagkakataon ito, mayroon ng pangingilabot ng mga balahibo. Ang katahimikan sa labas ay kabaligtaran ng ingay ng kalooban.

…makita kang sakdal

Nagpupumiglas na ilabas ang damdamin. Ngunit hindi pa, hindi pa. Bibigyan pa ni Lea ng hustiya ang kanta. At sa kanyang makapangyarihan boses, buong pusong sasambitin…

LAYA!

Naiiyak na yata ako ng konti. Sa totoo lang, gustong gusto ko ng makaahon sa hirap ang ating bayan. Ilan beses na siyang pinahirapan ng mga dayuhan, pati Pinoy mismo, ilang beses na rin siyang napabayaan. Buwiset naman kasi ang mga tao sa gobyerno, hindi ata alam ang konsepto ng nasyonalismo. Siguro dapat pakantahahin ko sila ng

Bayan Ko. Baka sakaling tumino-tino. haha.

On buses and beggars

Recently, I went to Makati by commuting. After a long, long time, I again experienced the rush-hour travel by bus. I waited for a bus in Baclaran and felt relieved that a bus came in no time. So I went in, and the bus was already full. I wasn’t expecting that as the bus conductor kept shouting, “maluwag pa, maluwag pa, diretso lang po sa loob” [lots of space, lots of space, straight inside]. I couldn’t get out to find myself another bus because it already started moving, plus I was already pushed near the back of the bus. It’s a good thing though that a guy, I’d say a maritime student by the look of his uniform, gave me his seat. I’d like to think he was being a gentleman, then again, he got out of the bus as long as I sat down (hmmm…). After a few minutes, the bus was full, I mean FULL, of people. But I found myself smiling when the conductor again said, “maluwag pa, maluwag pa, diretso lang po sa loob.” What does he mean? haha.

When I reached Makati, I found an open area outside a relatively cheaper food complex, bought siomai, and sat down to kill time. A girl (X1) who might be a 12-year-old approached me and asked for alms. I don’t normally give money to young beggars (I believe most of the time they are exploited by some gang or own family), but I was in such a good disposition. Even the squiggling and pushing inside the bus did not change my mood (I woke up on the right side!). I gave her coins and she went away without thanking. I saw her walking to and fro along Buendia, but never going too far away from the food complex. Then, a woman approached who, I swear, really looked like X1. I said, “nabigyan ko na po pera anak niyo” [I already gave your child money]. “Wala akong anak” [I don’t have a child], I said ok and told her I don’t have anything to give her anymore; she looks healthy enough to work! She and B1 wore the same type of clothes, had a bandana in their heads, and really, really resemble each other. Then, I went about watching the passersby and the buses and jeepneys and eating the siomai. X1 again approached me, asking for my siomai. It seemed to me that she forgot approaching me earlier. I told her, “no, I am eating it,” and she left. After a while, another young beggar (X2) approached me, maybe a little younger than X1. But, no, I did not give her anything. Do you know why? Because when she spoke, I saw her retainers! haha. Are you kiddin’ me? A beggar with retainers?! Sosyal. haha.

The beggars and the buses surely made me smile. On normal days, it would have entirely ruined my mood. But I guess you just have to look for something funny in annoying situations, and you’ll be fine.

what ever happened to customer service?

Note: ranting post

I always pay my bills on time, albeit not always in full. I hate late charges; they are so disproportionately high even when you miss just a day! Imagine my frustration when someone from collections (in a very informal tone) informed me that I missed a due date. Don’t you just hate it when you have to pay an unnecessary fee?

I enrolled my two cards from CTB (the card company) to an e-billing statement (as part of my effort not to contribute to the degradation of the forest). Besides, Internet is faster and more convenient (checking reward points, changing cash advance pins, paying bills). Since September, I haven’t been receiving bills in my mail. With this card, I tried checking it on the quick balance inquiry on CTB’s site, but it kept telling me that I was entering the wrong info until it was totally blocked. Apparently, CTB increased my credit limit! How would I know that? Again, I wasn’t informed. Yeah, I could have called CTB’s hotline, but sometimes, you’re just too busy to wait in the queue.

So, I told this guy of what happened and that I won’t be able to pay it that day (he called after banking hours). He told me the late charge would be waived if I pay tomorrow. That calmed me. I called the hotline to make sure that it would be waived, and wow, they have different opinions. I kept on explaining to the CSR that I never missed a date, that I did not receive the bill, and that I would pay tomorrow. As if dismissing the chance of waiving that fee, she told me that even if I do pay, it would still be charged. Whattt?!? What about what the guy said? I was trying to clarify it when she raised her voice and repeated her sentences. I told her, also in a raised tone, and this time, in English, “that’s what I’m gonna say, but YOU CUT ME SHORT!” She said sorry, now in a softer voice, and told me that she would just monitor my account and waive the fee. Finally. Still not wanting to completely surrender to our word-war battle, she interjected, “I’d do that so that you won’t have to call again and again.” I won’t back down, “I wouldn’t have called if you and your company were doing things right.” Then, I requested tons of things for her to do with my two cards, asked her name, and hung up. That’s what she gets.

Eager for December

Just a few days, and December is coming up, and it’s really a merry time for my family. There’s Christmas, of course, and the New Year’s Eve. Decorations, foods, gifts within the family, gifts for godsons and goddaughters, gifts for children in the neighborhood, Christmas parties—it really is the season of giving (and much spending). Those two dates alone would cause me months of salary. haha. Besides those, my mom, dad, and I would be celebrating our birthdays (*ahem*). Why are these occasions occur just in a month? Hayy…

Since October I’ve been trying to save up for this month, I even applied for one of those payday loans so that it wouldn’t be that hard on the pocket. I would have started to save earlier if the dollar rate wasn’t so low, but I’m hoping I would be ready for December. As for us Filipinos, never mind the expenses, we really have to celebrate (should be in moderation, though). I hope December’s gonna be great!

My name is Bond. James Bond.

 I like the newest James Bond movie (Quantum of Solace). The kind of movie where my mind didn’t wander to the last TV show I watched or to the latest happening in my life. Nor did I spontaneously criticize the lack of logic of the plot.

I like the movie. Period. Disclaimer: this is not a review, even if I try, so go find some other blogs to read. haha. Just kiddin’. Please stay.

Here are the things that caught my attention and that I, the self-proclaimed critique, appreciated:

• The beginning was a blast. It was a high-speed car chase on a two-way mountain road, with many big trucks, fast enemy cars, and few space. I had problem keeping up who’s been chasing and who’s been chased, but it definetely nailed my eyes on the screen. Of course, James Bond showed off his driving prowess and made me wish I had pursued my interest in slalom back in high school. Civilians got hurt (maybe killed) too. So real. James Bond is James Bond, not Superman.

• The settings were great. From an underground, hardly fabulous place in a less popular town in Italy (James Bond must have wished they were in the more stylish Rome apartments), to the old docks in Haiti, to an elegant opera house in Austria, to the middle of the desert in Bolivia. Minimal scenes in command centers, and heart-pounding actions outside. Besides, I like learning things in movies, ie, what the countries were like.

• I like the actions. And I like how James Bond did his action scenes. In the boat chase in Haiti, Bond used an old, rusty boat he saw parked on the dock. In the air battle, Bond was again in an old, less sophisticated plane. But guess who won? Bond, of course, with his expert manuevering and quick thinking. It made me think: It’s not the machine, it’s the man.

• I like James Bond. People say Daniel Craig is THE James Bond. I don’t know. I did not watch all of it, and the others that I did already slipped out of my memory (except Casino Royale), so if I may comment, I think he fits the character. He (meaning James Bond) is the epitome of what most girls want. Strong, brave, intelligent, and dashing. A sure thing though, Daniel Craig is dashing!

• I like the ending. There was a conclusion, yet you wished there was something more. It made you want that James Bond movies last forever. :)

Told you, I like the movie. I’ll watch it again when the pirated DVD copies come. haha. ;)

A Note to Ms W

Wishing I was in a different place than I am now, in my earlier entries, I expressed my wish to be one of the Nouveau Riche people. Ms W read that entry and told me that it was coincidental that she was also ranting about money problems at about the same time. Being shy to speak about it, I didn’t know if I was able to explain to her when she asked me what Nouveau Riche means (or was it about the pronunication). So here it is, Ms W: it is a French term for “new rich,” but I’m afraid I’m not quite sure as to the pronunciation. haha. But it’s a concept that appealed to me, and I’m guessing to you, because we weren’t exactly at the best times of our lives, financially I mean.

You ranted about working hard but not enjoying your earnings, as well as your time, enough. I completely understand you. But here’s what I’m gonna say to you: I think, out of all the copy editors in the office, you are one of the few who spent her money wisely. You spent on your family. You spent on your education. Your spending on your dreams. Just a little more than a year, and all your dreams will materialize. You would feel grateful that you had sacrificed many years for your dream. Who knows? Maybe you’ll be a Nouveau Riche someday.