this is the life…

When what you’re wishing for Christmas came knocking upon your door one fine September day, when you least expect it, you see life in a different, brighter light…

You seat in your comfortable inclining chair and dip your feet in warm water…

You turn on the massage and the bubbles…

And you pour in some of your favorite bubble bath fragrant soap…

You play with it, even trying it with your hands, never wanting for anything more (not even car insurance quotes for your old car), and you find yourself happy. =)

making it to the limelight

Of course, even in our office, the John Lloyd-Shaina scandal did not escape us. As we talked about it, there were some giggles, but since majority are doctors and/or from the medical field, they’ve talked about it in a rather medical manner.

Afterward, we talked about how these movie and tv stars really know how to make it to the limelight. Even Mahal, short as she is and would not have grown tall even if given hgh srpray and tons of growth pills, stood big in the limelight. We all know that she had a boyfriend, who turned out to be Madam Auring’s lover, who turned out to be gay. That’s a story isn’t it?

There’s the Hayden Kho-Katrina Halili scandal that made it even to the “curious” senate. There’s Rustom Padilla who admitted on national television that he is, well, gay. There was the death of Rustom and the birth of BB. Gandanghari, wherever he got that silly name.

The older, more conservative among us talked about how these actors and actresses have their own set of moral values. It is only in their world really where it is acceptable to be the girlfriend of your ex-boyfriend’s cousin or the wife of your ex’s brother. Of course, there are the numerous annulments which, although sometimes happening in our world, are commonplace in theirs. And the second or third “marriages”. The point is, even if these things also happen among regular persons, it seems normal among them, and the public accepts it when it happens to them stars, but not when it happens to neighbors.

She also wondered the physiological differences between the stars and us common folks. She said, when we break up with our partners, we get hurt and it takes time for us to recover from the emotional pain. Why, then, does these stars replace one boyfriend with another just like that? She’s talking about the Shaina-John Pratts breakup and the sudden Shaina-John Lloyd “locked” commitment.

And now the talk of the town: the Robin Padilla-Mariel Rodriguez wedding. It especially became louder because of the twists and turns of the story: they got married; no, it’s not marriage; it’s only a shooting; and yes, we are married. Well, this particular story, I like. Who wouldn’t fall in love with that head-over-heels whirlwind romance of theirs? Like that of Aga and Charlene, and Richard and Lucy. And again, it rarely happens in real life.

green, leafy vegetables

I remember “green, leafy vegetables” back in elementary. Unfortunately, I never took to heart the nutrients they bring, but I only tried to know which are vegetables, which are fruits, etc., for exam purposes. haha.

Since my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, all of a sudden we have to know all about these green leafy vegetables and some fruits. I’ve already talked about guyabano being a natural cancer cell killer. Some veggies are especially good in combatting cancer cells. My parents always tell people they meet about their new discoveries of how good a certain vegetable is. They sounded like a sales agent, really. haha. The line “don’t panic, it’s organic” comes to my mind, although it really is applicable to a different “context.” haha.

Our lesson for today: malunggay.

The malunggay tree (scientific name is Moringa Oleifera), once considered “the poor man’s veggie,” is also known as a “miracle tree” or “nature’s medicine cabinet” by scientists and health care workers from around the world.

Dr. Marcu, who has made some extensive research on the significant nutritional potency of malunggay, says that the “miracle vegetable” is an ideal energy food — the leaves can actually be eaten raw, but best added in meals as a special ingredient — or diet supplement that “can help offset a typically unhealthy Western diet” due to its high concentration of nutrients combined with low calories and low sodium content.

Findings of a study made in India, which were used as the basis of many news reports on malunggay as a wonder plant, states that malunggay contains anti-cancer compounds (phytochemicals) that help stop the growth of cancer cells. Malunggay is said to be effective in treating ovarian cancer, among a host of other diseases like arthritis, anemia, heart complications, kidney problems, scurvy, asthma, and digestive disorders (ulcer, gastritis, diarrhea, colitis, dysentery).

Aside from these, malunggay helps lactating mothers produce more milk. So a breastfeeding mother, say, in poverty-stricken areas in Africa, where cases of malnourishment are quite rampant, can curb malnourishment in her family if she eats malunggay-filled soup or salad, or just about any meal with malunggay ingredients. (source)

I wish I grew up to be a vegetable eater. Up to now, I seldom eat these green, leafy vegetables. But knowing these things now, I wish I could still learn how to like veggies. They really are helpful in all sorts of our physiological need, from as simple as tea tree oil acne treatment to cancer prevention and care. They are not just textbook truth; they are real.

send-off

This year was the first I have participated in a send-off — the culture in law schools wherein the studentry would cheer and applause, with matching shouting and drumming, the barristers the day before the bar examination, just before they ride the bus going to their hotels! The students from different organizations, fraternities, and sorrorities would gather together in full support of their orgmates and brothers and sisters, oftentimes waving banners with the pictures of bar candidates, bidding them goodluck.

It was really a festive mood, especially with the dragon dance. Actually, some of the barristers were teary-eyed. When I shook my brod’s hand and wished him good luck, it seemed like his tears were welling up. haha. The barristers must have really been happy to reach that stage, especially when the school’s mortality rate from first year is, I guess, 80%. Those of us from lower years wonder if we would ever reach that point. It must have been real hard work, some people dropping weight without glucomannan supplements, and some girls, as the professors say, already looking like boys. haha.

On my part, I thought of how these barristers must be feeling with all the full support of their friends, their family, the studentry, and the school. I thought to myself that if ever I would become a barrister one day, I would like to exempt myself from that send-off, to minimize the pressure. It’s not that people are pressuring, it’s just they look so enthusiastic, it’s kinda difficult to not realize what they’re hoping for you  — to pass the bar. Well, I guess it’s a matter of preference.

This Sunday is the last Sunday of the bar this year. They must have been eager to finish it. Imagine a whole month of stress. I hope all barristers make it. I hope our ora et labora work.

only in the movies

Much more than the John Lloyd-Shaina (utterly) humiliating scandal or the wonders of ephedrine diet pills, I am much amazed and much much more surprised with the marriage between Robin Padilla and Mariel Rodriguez. According to a GMA News report:

Mariel Rodriguez and Robin Padilla married each other twice in Baguio City last Monday. The first ceremony was conducted by an Ibaloi native priest while the second one was officiated by a pastor.

According to a report of TV Patrol aired earlier Thrusday, September 16, a native priest named Jimmy Ong officiated the Ibaloi ceremony that lasted for one and a half hours. Also known as a mambunong, Ong said that the ceremony took place at around 3 p.m. at Camp 7 in Baguio City.

Mariel wore woven ethnic clothing while Robin wore a bahag during the native ceremony. Robin’s youngest son Ali was present to witness the event.

The TV host-action star opted to marry Mariel in an Ibaloi ceremony because his mother, Eva Cariño-Padilla, is an Igorot. As part of the ceremony, Robin and Mariel drank tapuy (rice wine) as a symbol of their love and performed the tayaw dance to show that they are bound to each other by marriage. A pig was butchered and the blood was smeared on the faces of the celebrity couple.

After the Ibaloi ceremony, Robin and Mariel were married again in a ceremony officiated by a pastor.

Well, well, what do you know, I thought these things happen only in the movies. Some say Mariel’s lucky, some say she’s dead. Generally, though, the opinions, good or bad, are rooted from Robin’s personality, a very strong one at that. Me? I still do not know what to make of it. I am quite surprised, but I sure see the twinkle in that lady’s eyes…

  
…and I hope it’s more like a fairy-tale story for them.

in its core

That day, buses coming from Ayala were, as always, jam-packed. People working in Makati know this, especially the time and place when the buses are sardines-full. After some time, you get used to it and no longer mind the discomfort as well as the behavior of all the commuters, the driver, and the conductor. It has its own little world.

So that day, I was sitting comfortably in one of the seats. I always get to seat because I ride at the shed where the buses are just starting to pick up passengers. I closed my eyes and was half asleep until halfway to school. I was waken up by the crying of a young boy about 7 years old. He, his father, and his little brother were standing in the aisle of the bus. He was complaining that it was so hard to stand throughout the travel, especially when all the people were so compressed together. Kakaawa itsura nun bata. I talked to him and asked him if he wants to sit in my lap, but he just looked at me and continued crying. Because his father was desperately holding his two kids while trying to maintain balance, I again asked the boy if he could just hold on to my arm rest so that he wouldn’t be outbalanced. He just ignored me again. Probably, he just wanted to get out of that bus. His father kindly smiled and thanked me.

After alighting the bus, I realized that people have become so used to (read: immune) with the bus system and submitted to its rules. I realized that I rarely see people who would stand for an old lady. Even most of the men I know no longer do that. I wonder if this is just a side effect of the steps to liberalism, equality, and individuality—things people have been struggling for–or is just plain apathy or mefirst attitude. I wonder if we are on the right path, these things being trivial, or do we now need some kind of hardware restoration? Life and living are so complicated and ever-changing, but I guess there are just some core values worth maintaining.

one thing

Later, I will talk about my grandmother’s 80th birthday celebration. For now, I’d like to talk about a bit of frustration I felt that day, this last Sunday.

All living in a compound, she helped brought up all her grandkids. When our parents were in their respective workplace, they leave us under her able care. She has always been a significant part of our lives. We are all indebted so much to her, being a very giving, selfless grandmother. So when I started working, I would always buy her gifts on occasions and share in the expenses of her handaan. My other cousins weren’t as thoughtful as I was, maybe because we aren’t really a “gift-giving” family, or maybe because all of them are boys. So I was always the one (and mom in the cooking part) in charge of her birthdays and birthday gifts.

This last birthday of hers, my cousin, the one she really brought up since his mom died when he was in elementary, gave her a surprise birthday party. He even bought a lechon and a bunch of other meals. He rented a videoke machine  and invited all close relatives and friends. He gave her a sketch of a picture taken was Lola was 18 years old. The surprise birthday party was a success. I was really happy he was able to give her a birthday party she deserves.

On the other hand, I arrived at the party already 9 pm. I had a class in Manila which I could not afford to be absent to. On top of that, I really had no extra cash to buy even a decent cake from Red Ribbon. All I can bring there is myself and the gifts I bought for her, which weren’t really enough. Neither was it a life or motorhome insurance or a new appliance for the house. I got her her favorite chocolate and a set of pillow case. Although I knew she wasn’t really expecting, understanding the situation I am in right now, I just felt just a tiny bit of jealousy that I wasn’t able to contribute much to her celebration. A few years back, I was planning a big celebration on her 80th birthday. Now that it came, I had really nothing to give her. I wasn’t even included in the plan to surprise her.

Really, I am happy that she was really happy on her special day. The celebration was relatively big I could not give my gifts to her. I gave them the day after, when I was about to leave for Manila. I gave them, wishing I could have given her more. But when she received my gifts, she seemed about to cry. And I even felt more lacking.

let me count the ways

I’m happy with my new home I just had to share it.

It only takes about 3 minutes to walk to the LRT2 station, and about 7 minutes to reach school. Meanwhile, it only takes about 10 minutes from school to house. (before, it takes 20 minutes to go to the FX terminal, and another hour to go home)

There are abundant stores nearby, including bakeries, ihaw-ihaw, lomihan, and suking tindahan. (before, a few stores, all closing before I get home)

The streets are well-lighted, with tanods around, so it feels safe walking home at night. (before, also lighted, but the street is deserted at night)

There are many Internet shops around, complete with scanning software and printers. (before, a long walk before the nearest shop)

There are vendors who pass by our street selling vegetables, sapin-sapi, taho, and grapes at half the price! (before, none at all)

The community is generally happy, with very active barangay participation. (before, people are aloof, mostly because they’re strangers [mostly just tenants] to each other)

I got wifi for free! =)