Gago pala si Ninoy?

That's one of the things I learned from Norman Wilwayco's Mondomanila (Kung Paano Ko Inayos ang Buhok Ko Matapos ang Mahaba-haba ring Paglalakbay) 2002 Palanca Grand Prize Awardee.

Critics have compared Wilwayco's novel to Maynila sa Kuko ng Liwanag and Trainspotting. Personally, the novel reads like Catcher in the Rye -- only with drugs, LOTS of sex, and starring a vengeful, sociopathic ECE graduate from UP. hahahaha

I spent the whole night reading through this sordid tale of lives being lived out in the squalor of Manila. Depressing, enlightening, shocking (as in garapalan walang preno) but oftentimes laugh-out-loud funny, it's a damn fine novel -- if you don't mind a generous helping of Filipino invectives and obcenities splattered around the pages. Para akong nagcrash-course...Pagmumura 101 hahahaha

I Just Can't Help Myself

Went to Trinoma to read Melinda Tria-Kerkvliet's Manila Workers' Union, 1900-1950

Halfway through the book, decided to take a break and demolish some zombies at Timezone

Wandered into Odyssey

Saw the "Best of" album of the band pictured above

I just couldn't resist....

hehehehehe

Now I am singing along to "Creep"

Rak-en-rol!

The Fast and the Furious...Reader

Been on the fast track since thursday. I have to prepare for a class report on Kas 205 and 226. Haven't heard from Dancing Prof about our research outline so I'm putting it at the back of my mind for now. What I am focusing on is my report on the Communist Party of the Philippines for Kas 205.

I've read Saulo. Kerkvliet I'm currently reading. I've read these guys before on Kas 112 so medyo na-memorize ko na ang ilang mga chapters nila hehe...

Next on the line is another Kerkvliet. that THICK thesis by a guy named Hoeksema (this one I'm dreading to read AGAIN). Simbulan (as per recommendation by a friend). Abaya (love this guy -- you can almost feel the anger rising from the pages). Then the biographies of the PKP and Huk personalities -- Crisanto Evangelista, the Lava brothers, Luis Taruc, Joma Sison (maybe,I'm thinking only Philippine Society and Revolution), I'm still trying to get a copy of Pedro Abad Santos' biography (nasa Pampanga raw?) and the PKP history written by one of the Lavas, Jesus I think...

It's a good thing I have sources here who can help me with tracking down elusive books on Philippine Communism (mga galamay, in short hehe). I don't expect to get (and read) them all. I'm giving myself this week for 205, then next week will be devoted to 226 -- this time the topic will be on preWW2 American policy in Asia.

Meron pang book review for my two MA courses...I haven't continued my initial readings for my Kas 205 term paper...wala pa akong maisip na topic for Kas 226...may research pa kay Dancing Prof...

At least I still have time to blog...hahahaha

Spot the Obvious

palpak po ang reader quiz ko last time. walang matapang na sumagot. Meaning, ang bobobo niyo! wahahahahahahaha

Eto isa pang try...madali lang po ito. Hapus-hapos...hehe just spot the thing that "connects" these three music videos. Spot the Similarities 'ika nga...or Spot the Obvious...

Item # 1: "Fake Plastic Trees" by Radiohead



Item # 2: "Push It" by Garbage



Item # 3: "1979" by The Smashing Pumpkins



Post your answers on the comments section. Go na!hahahahaha

Books to Buy, Borrow, and Read Before you Die

1984 by George Orwell. Enlightening yet depressing. The book is full of ironies and paradoxes that strangely make sense if you apply doublethink. hehe Here is a book where a person's declaration of love becomes a metaphor for the death of one's soul. A lot of the things described in the book rings true in real life, which is unfortunate. If you want to get a glimpse of a "Negative Utopia" or a "Dystopia", read this book. Oh, by the the way, I LOVE BIG BROTHER.

The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley. I think nagparamdam ang librong ito sakin. Last Wednesday when Eli and I were browsing around the book stalls at the AS Walk, I saw a copy of this VERY thick book (about 800 pages)and I remarked to Eli that I had read the book in high school. It took me three weeks to finish reading it. Yesterday, while I was strolling around SM North I happened to pass by the Booksale stall and I found the same book among their stacks selling for only P140. The rest is history, 'ika nga...The book is a feminist reimagination of the Arthurian Legends so any of you wants to hear the "other voice" in the Arthurian legends better read this book.

WTF? The Dancing Prof

Today's class was a bit out of this world. We were treated to the sight of our professor doing an impromptu interpretative dance routine showcasing the varied economic activities of our precolonial forefathers while a "sit-in" student was explaining her idea of "native technology."

Eleazar and I were both seated at the front row and we bore the brunt of the "dance routine" full force. I was clamping my hand on my mouth trying my best not to let out any hysterical laughter (good thing I didn't burst a vein or something). I was also avoiding Eli's incredulous stares which would've furthered my descent into hysterical laughter. I thought I'd seen everything in UP...hindi pa pala. I am still capable of being surprised -- and shocked.

I admit that oftentimes I tend to be animated when presenting historical facts to class. I often engage in monologues and mimicry just to breathe life into the dessicated "facts" of history but the Prof's performance was unparalleled. Pang-Oscar or pang-Tony ang performance! hahaha

But in fairness, Prof delivers his lectures without the aid of notes. With his trusty cellphone slung around his neck, he engaged us in discussion which is often punctuated by his teasing various members of the class. It was weird how he kept referring to Eli and I whenever he was talking about "datus". He also called out one of our classmates whom he noticed was making ligaw to his seatmate. I was trying my best to remain under the radar lest I fall victim to one of his non sequiturs. That would be my "mission impossible" this sem.

Try Saying This Three Times...with Feelings, ha?

In the whole time I spent searching for documents and books at the UP Main Library, this is the first time I've come across this book title that reads like a tongue twister. Try saying this three times in rapid succession -- with feelings...

The Civil Law in Spain and Spanish-America, including Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Philippine Islands, and the Spanish Civil Code in force, annotated and with references to the civil codes of Mexico, Central and South America, with a history of all the Spanish, Mexican, Cuban and Puerto Rican autonomical constitutions, and a history of the laws of the Indies -- Recopilacion de leyes de los reynos de las Indias.

*Ditch takes a deep breath*

Linte! Grabe nga title bah! Basahon ko pa ni? hahahaha Kakululba-an nga libro...

Siguradong nosebleed dito si Prof Llanes kasi ilalagay ko ito sa list of references ko sa ipapasang balangkas namin sa Miyerkules. At the moment I'm deep into composing this outline. I've heard rumors that no submitted research outline has ever passed Llanes' scrutiny at the first instance of passing. Well, there's always a first for everything...hehehe

Another One Bites the Dust

George Carlin: 1937 - 2008



I have seen some of the videos featuring his comedy routines and though I don't agree with some of his views, I admire him for standing up for what he believes in -- and entertaining us with his sharp, sardonic wit.

Rest in Peace, M*therf*cker.

A Word to the Wise...

Given the high incidence of teen pregnancy nowadays, I believe it is my duty to spread this vid across cyberspace...



English Translation (my personal attempt. warning! explicit lyrics!)

I can still remember when we were still together
A movie would be just fine for you
But since you've become a colegiala
You prefer drinking now
I wonder how you became friends
with such useless good-for-nothings?

You better listen to my advice
I know these people...

Don't you go with them
All they want to do is FUCK you
Don't you believe them
They only want to FUCK you

Don't think that they wouldn't notice
how skimpy that skirt you're wearing
You're SO cute but your face is full of make-up
A pack of cigarettes, a bottle of beer
are all it takes to make you tipsy

You better listen to my advice
I know these people...

Don't you go with them
All they want to do is FUCK you
Don't you believe them
They only want to FUCK you

And now you come calling
They have made you into a fool
Don't you worry
I'll kick their ass!

All they want to do is FUCK you

Don't you go with them
All they want to do is FUCK you
Don't you believe them
They only want to BONE you
Don't stay out 'til morning
They only want to FUCK you
Don't you let them
'coz they'll only FUCKING SCREW you

They'll just FUCK you...


Thanks to Pebi for alerting me to this vid...BTW Pebs, learn to love THE BITCH hehehe

Bagyo, Baha, Bankoff, and Bonnie Pink

The downpour was frightful during the early hours of the morning! May brownout pa! Pero kahit bumabagyo I braved the downpour later in the day (when it became a bit manageable) and snuck into McDonald's in Philcoa to continue reading Bankoff's Crime, Society and The State in the Nineteenth Century Philippines.

Then I went to Jollibee to finish the final chapter of part one of the book. Bukas naman ang Part Two. Phew! Eto ang ginagawa ng mga estudyante kapag walang magawa -- magbasa! hahaha

Pero maski umuulan I managed to attend mass. The old lady who read the First Reading and Responsorial Psalm was amazing! In Filipino pa 'yan ha...and as usual Father JB gives his weird sermons hehehe but in fairness, dito lang ako sa Holy Sacrifice talagang nakikinig sa homily ng mga cura...may sense...

All this rain makes me think of songs with "rain" in them. Check out my Friendster account's playlist. For the meantime...here's Bonnie Pink with "It's Gonna Rain," one of the best anime endthemes ever.

El Dia...Parte Dos

where was I? Oh, yes...

Having sated our artistic curiosity with the tour of the galleries, it was time to turn our attention to the symposium. Kaya nga pumunta kami dun eh. When the participants returned after the museum tour, the open forum was begun wherein the various assembled participants could ask questions to the panel of experts assembled.

Checking the contents of our handouts, I was able to review the topics discussed in the previous lectures. The first was given by a lady Spanish scholar who endeavors to reconcile the various foreign views regarding the Philippines during Spanish colonial times. This was, from what I could gather from the summary of her presentation, an attempt to reconcile both the Filipino and Spanish viewpoints with regard to our history -- to give an "internationalist" scope in presenting the history of colonial Philippines. There was some discussion regarding the impression of Spanish times as "bad" and "abusive" times but what was stressed is the cooperative effort in figuring out this important period in our history. How this can be done without eliciting an emotional reaction or response, especially from the Filipinos, I do not know...

Another lecture was about the works of a Spanish writer by the name of del Pan. The gentleman who gave the lecture on the topic was not pelted by too much questions. But looking at the bibliography of sources appended to the lecture summary I was impressed at the sheer number of works cited. So this is what it means to make a dissertation...hmmmmmm...

After having dispensed with the academic banter, it was now time for the book raffle. YAY! Earlier, when one of the panelists was engaged in a rambling lecture, Eli and I decided to loiter at the corridor and take a look at the books displayed at the entrance. They were book spublishde by the NHI and I saw some very interesting titles: a Frenchman's account of 19th century Philippines, a collection of works by Lopez-Jaena, and a Biography of Apolinario Mabini written by Prof. Cesar Majul.

Eleazar, on the other hand, was busy pestering the attendant. Fortunately, the lady seated at the display table was a good-humored person and was game to our antics. Eleazar was quite the goofball and charmer haha matinik si Eli sa chicks...

After a few minutes of nonsensical banter at the book display, we seated ourselves at our tables since it was time for one of the most awaited events...

THE BOOK RAFFLE! I was quietly hoping to get the French account of 19th c. Philippines. Though the books were priced at a bargain, it wouldn't hurt to get a freebie...

Malas namin, walang nanalo sa amin hahahaha the numbers kept avoiding us. The emcee would call out various combinations of numbers but never our ticket numbers.

The brief interlude before the dinner marked an opportunity for the guests to make their way to the book display and make their purchase. When I made my way to where the crowd was, I discovered to my dismay that the French guy's account was already gone -- nawala ang lahat ng kopya na parang bula! Luckily, there was a lone copy of Mabini left and this I swiped off the table with greedy hands, together with Lopez-Jaena. Waldas Index strikes again hehe

DINNER TIME! the first time we lined up at the buffet table was a fluke...turned out the invited singers were given the time to have dinner prior to their performace. A night of Spanish songs was scheduled after dinner and surely the assembled chanteurs need their calories hehe After the singers have partaken of the food, it was a wild dash to the buffet table. The food was muy bueno y delicioso. My fave were the macaroons hahaha Nakadalawang balik ako ng dessert stand. Not surprisingly, Eli was chatting up the pretty caterers...para madagdagan ang servings niya, no doubt...

DINNER CONVERSATION CLASSIFIED -- basta it has something to do with verduras y montañas...and a telephone's dial tone. hehehe

I did not stick around for the singing, unfortunately. Another group of MA students invited me to join their group as they will be returning to UP after dinner. Since Eli has other plans (which will remain classified) I took my leave of the boys and escorted the ladies as we went outside in search of transportation. The original plan was for the four of us (me, Ate Lualhati, Ma'am Cecile, lady-with-no-name) to take a taxi. It was decided to take a jeep instead since there were few available taxis in the area.

THE TRIP BACK TO QUEZON CITY TOOK MORE THAN AN HOUR! SH*T! sumakit ang pwet ko sa tagal ng upo sa jeep. The traffic was a terrible way to end the day. But nevertheless, the events during Fil-Spanish friendship day were quite interesting and informative. Plus, I have two new books to add to my collection.

Now, to lobby Prof Llanes to give us participants incentives...por favor, Señor Llanes!

Spitfire by The Prodigy

magulo na maganda hahahaha

El Dia Filipino-Español con Compañeros en El Museo Nacional - Parte Uno

since today is Filipino-Spanish Friendship Day, I thought I'd put in the title in Spanish.

'langhiya nung Independence Day late yung Independence Day post...ni wala ngang post on Rizal Day hahaha the reason for this is that today was full of "happenings" na di pwedeng palampasin na hindi malagay sa blog...

I was at first ambivalent about attending the symposium at the National Museum since the location is soooooo muy lejos! But since we were invited by Prof Llanes at nagyaya na rin si Eleazar I guess I better take the opportunity since this would be the first time I'd step into the National Museum.

Turned out both Eli and I were like lost strangers sa kalakhang Maynila. It took us a few minutes to get our bearings and decide on the best route and jeepney to take us to the National Museum. The symposium was a whole day event but I had to wait for Eli since he had classes until 1 PM. Nagyosi na lang ang kawawang bata sa labas ng library para mawala ang gutom.

Back to our trip to the National Museum...it was a long jeepney ride and during the ride we fell into talking about the assigned research topics in our Kas 110 class. Eli was still undecided about which topic to write about -- he was thinking about doing a local history paper about Krus na Ligas. Our brainstorming turned to other matters and that was when I realized that long haired, hippie Eli was pretty much a bookworm like me. Turns out we both knew George Orwell -- I have read Animal Farm while Eli's read 1984. Thus we agreed on a book swapping of sorts -- I will lend him Animal Farm while he lends me 1984.

After about 40 minutes, we finally reached our destination. The Pambansang Museum used to be the old Legislative building--but that was not the place where the symposium will be held. Turns out it was the other National Museum building across the street. Thus Eli and I braved the treacherous avenue filled with cars, buses and ten-wheeler trucks to reach our destination. It was already 3 PM.

The first person that I met at the entrance to the conference hall where the symposium was held was none other than my profesora en español diez Maria Luna. So it was buenas tardes Maria, como estas?, estoy bien! por que estas aqui? para una clase del Profesor Llanes...it was a moment to exercise my insufficient Spanish pero since nagkaintindihan kami ni Ma'am medyo OK na rin hahaha. Our meeting was a bit ironic given today was a day for a meeting of Filipino-Spanish culture and history.

Since 3 PM na kami nakarating we were unable to hear the scheduled lectures. The conference hall was empty since the participants were on a tour of the museum premises. Hindi na kami humabol. What Eli and I did was we held our own tour of the nearby galleries featuring Filipino artists and Japanese photographers. We were joined by three other classmates in our Kas 110.

Viewing the various works of art displayed was a wonderful experience. To summarize: Pinoy artists -- supeeeeer talented! As in! my most favorite work was one entitled "Basta Driver, Sweet Lover" which is an artwork made using ballpen on cloth. the whole 3x6 canvas was covered with a complicated, intricate art design echoing Michaelangelo's Sistine Chapel works or the Grecian frieze artworks. Second fave was a picture of a full sized man lifting a canvas -- kung titingnan mo sa malayo akala mo may taong kumakabit ng painting sa sulok. Astig talaga ang mga Pinoy! Hanep!

On the other hand, the Japanese photographers are weeeeeeeird! the most provocative work in my opinion was a set of pictures made by a photographer who shot exterior shots of buildings through the windows of a MENTAL INSTITUTION. It was, according to the photographer, an attempt to capture the perspective of the people locked in the mental institute. The pictures where then transferred on cloth/canvas and stretched over boxes which were then illuminated from the inside. Para siyang installation art and the effect of the images on cloth and with the lighting made it even more eerie. Kaya nga eh -- weird ang mga Japanese. Period.

Then we went into another gallery showcasing indigenous clothing. Some of which I believe are more than a hundred years old since the info on the display panels said that some of the articles of native clothing were displayed in the St. Louis Expedition held in 1904.

After a few moments of strolling around we finally made our way back to the conference hall. We were motivated to stay because of the free snacks, dinner and a book raffle. All of which I will blog about next time hehe

Sandali...Sandaleeee! Mahina Ang Kalaban!

Summary of required work for courses currently being taken crazy commentary included

Kas 205 - book review (Face of Empire by Frank Golay: makapal na libro pero sabi ni Prof Jose yung part lang relating to the Commonwealth), class report (PKP: Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas, may readings na ako nung 1st sem kay Prof Ambrosio, magbasa ulit!), term paper (eto yung medyo tricky --plano ko yung Libel Laws of 1936 and the reactions of media-- archival research na naman ito!)

Kas 110 - research paper - bigla lang naman kaming tinanong ni Prof Llanes kung anong gusto naming topic sa research...hello! kauna-unahang meeting, research topic agad? ni wala pa ngang syllabus eh...thus all the topics came off the top of my head...Prof Llanes went around and asked each of us what our prospective topics were. The first I gave about the Audiencia was not to his liking. The next one -- about crime and punishment during the Spanish colonial times -- was the topic Prof Llanes approved of. A few moments of reflection made me realize I picked a VERY difficult topic. To think that Spanish colonial period spanned 3 centuries...ubuson ko ang tatlo ka siglo? haha buti na lang may sources maski konti...

I'm planning to concentrate on the 19th century...tentative title: Law and Order: 19th Century Manila. Or pwede ring Crime and Punishment in 19th Century Philippines. The latter title inspired by a book by a Russian writer, the former inspired by a TV series) Kung crappy ang paper, bumawi sa title! hahahaha

Meron pang additional instructions si Sir sa paper:

should have at least 20 sources...(P*t**ng*n*! Tinalo pa ang Kas 199.2...kasali ba primary sources? No leo y intiendo mucho español! Mierda!will my sources even reach the prerequisite number? Grabe ka naman sir...talo pa namin ang gumagawa ng Master's thesis)

dapat isulat sa wikang Filipino (Tangina parang Kas 112!writing in Filipino has never been my forte daw kabalik-awot para sakon hehe) Prof Llanes! Magaling po akong mag-Ingliiiiiis! wahahahaha!

Pero in fairness...may fieldtrip raw ang class sabi ni Sir hehehe

Kas 226 - wala pa. bukas pa kami magkikita (ulit) ni Prof Jose

Wala na 'kong sex life nito! wahahahahahaha!

Why Pinoys should fight, by Sultan Kudarat

Consider this a belated Independence Day post. I am currently reading The Roots of the Filipino Nation (vol. 1) by Onofre D. Corpuz. One of the prominent features of this book is Corpuz' focus on the Muslim community during the Spanish colonial period.

Medyo nga dehado ang mga taga-Visayas and Luzon as our pre-Hispanic forefathers were unable to effectively counter the Spanish 'onslaught'. Corpuz credits the Muslim communities in Mindanao for having effectively resisted the Spaniards through the centuries -- even becoming a credible threat to the colony estabished in the archipelago.

In the chapter dealing with early revolts, Corpuz mentions at length the Muslim resistance. In his account of one of the dealings between the Spaniards and the datus of Maranao, Corpuz describes the intervention of Sultan Kudarat when it seemed that some of the datus were thinking of subjecting themselves to the Spanish crown.

Corpuz presents the so called "lecture" of Kudarat to the wavering datus. This is taken from a Jesuit account of Kudarat's meeting with the datus:

"What have you done? Do you know to what submission will reduce you? a toilsome slavery to the Spaniards! Turn your eyes to the nations that have submitted, look at the misery to which these once proud nations have been reduced...Do you not see how any Spaniard tramples them underfoot?...Will you suffer just anybody with some Spanish blood to thrash you, or that he seize the fruits of your sweat and labors?"

Then Sultan Kudarat cajoles the datus, asking them what have they got to lose in resisting. If they fight, they would risk a disruption of their livelihood. To this Sultan Kudarat commented:

"The loss of our harvests for one year is a small price to pay for liberty."

Reading Kudarat's words as recounted in the document, I felt that the words still ring true today. Even if we're already done fighting the Spaniards, we as a nation still have a lot of 'enemies' in our midst. Should we allow ourselves to acquiesce quietly, to still our voices at the injustice and inequalities around us? What are we willing to sacrifice in our fight for our freedom?

Sultan Kudarat's voice still echoes through the centuries...

Ed Norton and American History X

Been hearing a lot of positive to fair reviews about the new hulk movie. One of the reasons for this I believe is Edward Norton who, in my view, is one of the fairly consistently good actors in Hollywood.

Napahanga ako sa kanya in the movie American History X. I remember watching this when I was in college and there were only a few people in the cinema. This movie is good, thought-provoking, and oftentimes unrelenting in dishing out the violence, sex, and some disturbing scenes. This one in particular is my personal favorite...

Part 1:



Part 2:



Part 3: (medyo mahaba ito, just watch the first few minutes for the end of the dinner scene. Watch further at your own risk...hehe you have been warned kids...)



The scene was riveting and disturbing. A family dinner becomes the setting for the family's disintegration. Nakakapanindig-balahibo ang eksenang ito.

Found You!

There's this one anime that I had the chance to watch at AXN when the channel used to air an All-Day Anime Marathon. One of the Anime screened made an impression on me. But despite that impression, I absolutely forgot the title of said anime. All I remember about the anime was that it featured a spaceship able to project a hologram of an angelic figure that shoots arrows able to take out a whole planetary fleet of starships.

I have to give it to the Japanese, how in the world do they come up with these implausible yet visually stunning scenes?

Then the Fates were kind enough to lead me to the DVD store at UP Shopping Center and then I found a DVD that was vaguely familiar...then I remembered--

SOL BIANCA!

THAT WAS THE NAME OF THE ANIME that I watched a few years ago! hahahaha

Here's an AMV (Anime Music Video for you noobs hehe) that presents the series (about 12 episodes) in a nutshell. The series bear a striking resemblance to Vandread in terms of character design and storyline...



Ah...so many anime, so little time. Nakigulo na rin si Onofre Corpuz...

BTW, I also found a copy of Appleseed, another classic anime. If you like cyborg-human love, this anime's for you. Sa mga malisyoso, hindi po ito hentai.

Ang saya naman nito...hehehe

WTF? Galeeeeng....

I was listening to some Enya tracks to lull me to sleep when I thought why not feature an Enya vid on my blog? After all, it has been awhile since I featured the Goddess herself. But then I came across this vid...



I was going WTF? and then I was laughing, then I was trying my best to sing along (the lyrics are in Latin so it's a bit difficult) then I was quietly applauding this guys bravado...si Enya pa ang piniling gawan ng rendition, tapos ni-layer pa ang vocals na style din ni Enya hahahaha ambisyoso ka! Gregorian isdatyu? wahahahaha

I should be brimming with indignation at the seeming 'sacrilege' but having viewed the comments section I realized that this kid is a fan just like me. And this piece is an earnest tribute from him.

In fairness, he's got some talent. I remember I was second year high school when Corazon and I were tapping on the piano in the old, old auditorium playing "Lothlorien". I don't know how to play piano, pero kinarir kasi Enya hahahahaha

Heto yung original...




Afer Ventus

Mare nubium. Umbriel.
Mare imbrium. Ariel.
Et itur ad astra.
Et itur ad astra.
Mare undarum. Io. Vela.


Mirabile dictu. Mirabilia.
Mirabile visu. Mirabilia.
Et itur ad astra.
Et itur ad astra.
Sempervirent. Rosetum.


Afer Ventus. Zephyrus.
Volturnus. Africus.
Et itur ad astra.
Et itur ad astra.
Etesiarum. Eurus.


The song mentions the names of satellites more commonly known as 'Shepherd Moons'. These moons orbit the so-called 'ringed' planets: Jupiter (Io, Adrastea), and Neptune (Ariel, Umbriel--named after characters in Shakespeare plays). It is interesting to note that the moons of the most famous ringed planet --Saturn-- were not mentioned. Baka hindi nagra-rhyme? Hello...Titan, Thetys, Enceladus?...hahaha

Zephyrus and Eurus are ancient names for the winds -- the west and the east, respectively. Mare means sea. Interestingly, Afer Ventus means 'southwest wind' and it is also known by the name Africus.

That's about half of my Latin vocabulary. Haw-as man baul ta sang Latin ba...

The other names refer to ancient deities and constellations. I-Google or wikipedia niyo na lang para na kasing lecture and post na ito.

You should see some of the Enya discussion groups on the web that I often stray into--yung lyrics ina-analyze to death ng mga fans...some of the posts on these sites sound like theses or papers in linguistics or comparative literature. May mas obsessed pa pala kay Enya kesa sakin? hahahaha

"Visita Biblioteca"*

My Kas 110 class is an interesting mix of students. Many of my former classmates from my previous courses like Kas 10, Kas 199, Kas 112 and Kas 111 were also my classmates in Kas 110. This reunion of sorts is a bit fitting since Kas 110 will be the last undergraduate course I will be taking.

Kas 110 also marked my reunion with Eleazar, a former classmate from Kas 112. He had been gone for the past sem but now he's back and he's as rak-en-roll as ever hahaha If Kas 112 was any indication of things to come, I am looking forward to an interesting sem with him as my seatmate.

Our prof was unable to meet us but we were assigned to read O.D. Corpuz' 'The Roots of the Filipino Nation'. What was first a foray into the Main Library to look for said book became a pilgrimage of sorts, as Eleazar wanted to gain an advantage over our other classmates. (competition raw ito) Since magsisiksikan kaming lahat sa Main Lib, why not go to the other libraries where the book was available and borrow the book from there? Our search on the online catalog yielded several prospects. It was a race kuno...

And so we went off in search of our required reading material. Our first stop was the Asian Center where I happened to meet Regina who was coming out of her class at the Center. Our search for Corpuz at the AC was fruitless; but the next-door Islamic Studies Library yielded a copy of Corpuz. Unfortunately, only one copy of the book was available for borrowing so I graciously (naks) yielded to Eleazar.

Our continuing search for other copies of Corpuz took us to the Law Library. Unfortunately, like the AC, the book was nowhere to be found. Eleazar, on the other hand, was on a lucky streak as he found another book that caught his fancy -- '100 Events that Shaped Philippine History' and decided to borrow it. Mas maraming puntos si Eli kesa sakin ah...

Our strolling around became an opportunity for Eleazar and I to get into some discussions. Random topics evenetually gave way to Eli giving me a lecture on the sociology of punk rock and its influence on Philippine rock music. I found out that we shared a few things in common: The Sex Pistols and David Bowie...

Our final stop was back at the Main Library. Final proof that Friday the 13th isn't my lucky day -- all the on-shelf books were now borrowed. I'll just have to make do with the reserved books at the Social Sciences Section. But then, there's still the libraries of the College of Education, School of Economics, Third World Studies Center, Center of Public Administration...haha masayang paghahanap na naman ito...

My 'unlucky' day got better when Eleazar and I decided to have coffee at the food stalls outside the Main Lib. Technically, Eli had coffee. I had iced tea and hamburger. Snacks gave way to a chance meeting with Regina and Ate Lualhati, my fellow MA students. Kamustahan and kwentuhan among old acquaintances commenced. After a bit of chit-chat Eli and I went our separate ways and I strolled with Ate Lu and Regina toward Sanggumay Hall where Ate Lu was staying. Old acquaintances parted ways with plans of another stroll -- this time in UP Los Baños -- and promises to keep in touch during breaks in our MA classes.

*a variation of visita iglesia -- in this case, libraries ang tinungo namin

Karma Police*

Remember my post on the US Marines who threw a puppy off a cliff?

Well, it seems that karma is indeed a bitch. hehe

Marine expelled, another punished over puppy video article from Yahoo News and the Associated Press.

The marines at the center of this fiasco will be reincarnated as bedbugs in their next life, I think. Magiging surot kayo! SUROOOOOOOOOOOT!

BTW, hope you had a meaningful Independence Day...there should've been NO classes and work today para mas maramdaman natin ang freedom hehe.


*pasintabi sa bandang Radiohead

Life Lessons from Anime

here's some of the "life lessons" I have learned from watching Anime series...

1. Code Geass - never ask an egotistical, manipulative, self-absorbed and slighty sociopathic person for romantic advice. NEVER!

2. Full Metal Alchemist - love thy brother. and if thine brother has lost entire body due to an alchemical procedure gone awry, please have the consideration to bind his soul to a suit of armor...then devote the rest of your life to getting him his body back...he's your brother after all.

3. Death Note - according to L you'll never get fat even if you eat a ton of sweets if you keep using your brain. according naman kay Light: if he writes your name on this piece of paper, you're definitely dead hehehe

4. Naruto Shippuuden - never, ever call Chouji FAT! Also, revenge is never a good motivation to honing your jutsu -- unless you're Sasuke. In which case your desire for revenge will be the driving force behind the suffering of your friends and mentors. Bad karma yan...

5. Vandread - why can't we all just get along? Segregation has never resulted to anything good. It just results to awkward social situations and weird reproduction techniques

6. D Gray Man - believing in yourself is the key -- and if it so happens that you're a compatible wielder of Innocence, don't use a grandfather clock as a weapon to harness your power, for heaven's sake! Also, make sure you pay all your debts and not have someone pay them off for you, unless you're Cross Marian...

7. Neon Genesis Evangelion - find someone to explain the last episode of the series...find someone to explain the last episode of the series...find someone to explain the last episode of the series...

8. Full Metal Panic - what does it take for a person to say "I Love You"? Which of these life-or-death situations would finally force our protagonists to fess up and confess their feelings? A group of terrorists highjacking a plane? A terrorist taking hostage a state-of-the-art submarine and attempting to spark an international conflict with it? A deadly game of cat and mouse on the underground tunnels of Shanghai? A robot gone berserk in Hongkong? A haircut? Recess? The sexual tension is killing me!

9. Ghost in the Shell - Stand Alone Complex: Second Gig - always back up your files, who knows when you'll need the Tachikoma's AI...,maybe in the next season?

10: Akira - best friends have the exclusive -- i repeat -- exclusive privilege to kill each other.

11. Claymore - it's never too late to show your soft side to people. Sure, you may be a silver-eyed, half-demon, half-human, professional demon exterminator who wields a bad-ass sword but you still have feelings don't you?

12. Inuyasha - Obedience is a virtue. If she says "sit!" she means SIT...

13. Bleach - the only cool thing if you can see ghosts is if you can fight them with your very own Zanpaktou. And only make friends with people with high reiatsu like you hehe if worse come to worst isa lang ang isigaw -- Ban...kai!

14. Samurai X - Pink is so not a gay color.

15. Fate Stay/Night - don't treat people around you like slaves. Though technically you did summon them...and he/she is bound to that contract with you...the important thing is to treat the relationship as a partnership -- though some hanky-panky is also encouraged hehehe

Senti Senti...

some sad and somber tunes to drive the blues away...

1000 Oceans by Tori Amos. The lyrics may be gibberish, but Tori's evocative performance turns the song into a whole new experience. Kudos to the director who was able to capture the intense loneliness and yearning that this song evokes...



Love's Divine by Seal. The scene where the guy chases the taxi always gets me -- it's like a scene from a bad telenovela but it is still touching nevertheless. The point where he enters the taxi and he stares at her with eyes so helpless and contrite waaaaaaaah patawarin mo na yan!



Maryland by Vonda Shepard. The album version is much sadder. Talking about how one's destiny sometimes doesn't match the expectations of others. ooh-lah-lah-lah-lah-lah-lah-lah....



Landslide by The Smashing Pumpkins. Maraming version ang kantang ito from Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Nicks, Sheryl Crow, The Dixie Chicks atbp...but IMHO SP's version is da best haha pasensya na sa video there's no official music video so I had to make do with this photo slideshow...believe me, this is the best among the vids I have seen



I Grieve by Peter Gabriel. 'langhiya ang HABA ng kantang ito haha the weirdness of Peter Gabriel... But this song essentially captures the grieving process through the song's somber tones, smart instrumentation and changes in tempo, the sad, sad lyrics and Peter's voice which alternates from melancholy to indignation to anger to just pain...this song is worth listening to...



This is A Rebel Song by Sinead O'Connor. I thought of featuring "Nothing Compares 2 U" but I already had in a previous post na marami akong pinagalitang tao hehe. This song is ironic and historical haha listen to the lyrics and you'll find out why...



Ordinary World by Duran Duran. Something from the 80s (or is it 90s?) hehe both the full band and acoustic version are great. here's the full band version. Download the acoustic version...hehe

Goodluck and God Bless, Roslyn...

Oftentimes you come across a story that is both inspirational and uplifting. The story of a BEED graduate from UNO-R who was able to beat the odds and earn her degree despite her disability is one such story...

Visually impaired Education student graduates from UNO-Recoletos. From the UNO-R website.

The visually-impaired indeed are a somewhat marginalized sector in the educational system. In my opinion, a blind or visually-impaired person has to overcome the greatest challenge in their studies compared to the other physically disabled peers as majority of the information in the classroom is imparted visually.

This sad fact was impressed upon me when I had the chance to proctor the NCAE in 2006 at a public high school in Bacolod. There were two groups of disabled students who were required to take the exam despite their disability: the visually-impaired students and the hearing-impaired. I was assigned to handle a visually-impaired group of students. Another teacher handled the hearing-impaired group.

While my colleague only had one teacher who assisted her in relaying the instructions in sign language, I on the other hand had about 6 teacher-assistants who had to personally assist the visually-impaired kids. Imagine reading all the exam questions aloud to the kid -- the task seemed to be insurmountable considering the various areas concerned: English, Math, Science...and when we arrived at the inductive reasoning and spatial manipulation area, verbally describing the shapes and figures became an exercise in futility. There were often times when I had to take over when a teacher gets exhausted. While the other teachers and students were done by 3 PM, we managed to finish at 5:30 in the afternoon. The school principal had to personally wait for me and oversee the turn-over of the materials since all the other teachers were already gone.

I was saddened at how, in this particular case, the system failed the visually-impaired because not enough is being done to accomodate their needs...why not transcribe the exam in braille? why not revise some of the items? why not exempt the students from the visual aspect of the inductive reasoning test and adapt it so that it could be more tactile/manipulative? why let them take the fucking test in the first place when it is not suited for the visually-impaired?

Though I imagine that our education sector is doing its best to provide the best possible education to physically disabled students, in the case of the visually-impaired, much still needs to be done.

I could just imagine the challenges Roslyn faced throughout her elementary, high school and college days. I also think that Roslyn had experienced moments of frustration, doubt and helplessness along the way. For her to strive on, face the challenges that came her way and ultimately succeed, is a testament to her unbeatable spirit.

I applaud Roslyn's triumph. I also express my deepest admiration for Roslyn's mother who was Roslyn's tireless companion in the four years of her education. For me, nothing could better illustrate the value of commitment and a mother's love for her daughter than these two individuals.

Mabuhay ka Roslyn! You are an inspiration for all your fellow visually-impaired individuals. The best of luck in your teaching vocation!

An Onion A Day...

...keeps the boredom away. Another fake news update from the most trusted fake news source...



the Congressman's last words reminded me of this commercial...



pwede niyang gawing theme song hehehe

JPL

No, it's not Jet Propulsion Lab...

It's Jon Peter Lewis.

When I was still watching American Idol he was one of the contestants that I found a bit annoying...well his version of "A Little Less Conversation" was really annoying...

then a few years later I stumbled across this vid in youtube...



I was going whaaaaaaat? he's pretty good...nothing ground breaking but still.. a vast improvement in vocals...the song is something I'd play during a rainy day...

My Enrolment as A Descent into Hell...Dante Alighieri Style (The Expanded Edition)

First Circle: Office of the Graduate Program, mahaba man ang prusisyon...

I didn't realize that there are a LOT of graduate students in CSSP. The long line snaking its way from PH 111 and almost reaching the other end of the lobby proved na marami pala ang mga dakilang mag-aaral ng programang gradwado. A few undergraduates unwittingly strayed into our queue, mistaking our line for the validation of their Form 5's. A nervous-looking Geog major who was standing in front of me was such lost soul, meekly exiting our line then coming back insisting that our line was for student validation. I patiently explained to her that she should be lining up on the other door farther down the corridor. I was eyeing her as she was making her way to the direction I pointed out and I was thinking, "kung lalampas ka ng Female CR, patay kang bata ka..." Luckily for her, the validation area had an imposing placard spelling out V-A-L-I-D-A-T-I-O-N.

Second Circle: FC Second Floor, The Hall of 'Lost' Souls

We were the 'lost' souls awaiting the arrival of our dear History Department chairperson. Undergrads and grad students were lounging about the hallway, some standing, while the others assumed positions reminiscent of a sit-down strike. I found out that the undergrads and I shared a common problem: difficulty gaining access to the oh-so-exclusive Spanish language courses. Unlike the undergrads, however, I gave up on my Span plans for this semester. The wait was so long that I took the opportunity to text several acquaintances -- resulting to a deluge of text messages that kept me busy during the wait.

Third Circle: Inside Dr. Llanes' office, a weird staring contest

Dr. Llanes finally arrived, looking a bit harried as this was a busy day for him. He immediately dispensed with the 'lost' souls -- telling the undergrads to submit a letter regarding their troubles while the grad students he faced one-on-one. When he got to me, he glanced at my Form 5 then gave me a stare that seemed a cross between an art critic viewing an abstract painting and an amateur astronomer trying to spot Jupiter in the night sky using only his naked eye. I, on the other hand, tried to give him my best Close Up smile hahahaha I must've looked halfway decent to him since he let me go with no hassles

Fourth Circle: Palma Hall Lobby, the Amazing Student Planner

We have to pay the Student Fund. In return for our kind contribution, the CSSP Student Council gave us THE AMAZING STUDENT PLANNER. It was quite a good decision of the Council to provide their constituents with a planner that had the necessary info regarding the Academic Calendar for the whole school year. Having said that, there are just some things about THE AMAZING STUDENT PLANNER that concerned me. On the left-hand corner of the pages of the Calendar were typed the words: "ONLYN NA TAU" with the council webpage address indicated below the words. It took me a second to realize that the letters meant "ONLINE NA TAYO" just spelled in text-English. Goodness gracious, there was so much space on that part of the layout, why can't they put the phrase in its proper spelling? Then there was the misspelling of EXCERCISE as in Commencement Excercise. Hello...But despite those gaffes, I still appreciate the gesture of the Council giving us THE AMAZING STUDENT PLANNER. Thanx --este -- Thanks.

Fifth Circle: Palma Hall Lobby, Close Encounters of a Familiar Kind

Nagkita ulit ang mga bloggers. Met Pebi while she was lining up to pay for the Student Council Fee (or was it for the Library Clearance?). Pebi was evidence of the stifling heat that day as she was literally covered in a layer of sweat...parang libre sauna bath ang look ni Pebi hehe

Sixth Circle: PH 117, PH 111 -- which comes first?

PH 111 should've come first, but in our excitement me Ate Angie and I went straight to the Validation. The kind staff-in-charge informed us that we jumped the gun and we should've gone first to PH111 (Office of the Grad Program) for the checking of our Form 5. No matter, as we just did the process in reverse. We had our subjects checked after they were already validated.

Seventh Circle: Palma Hall Lobby, I have to pay WHAT?! How much? ...sonofa*itch!

The tuition fee for undergrad subjects had increased to P1000/unit. And since I am taking 3 units of undergrad, there was an unexpected increase in the payments. Luckily I had withdrawn an additional amount prior to the enrolment. But still, the extra P1500 took its toll on my fiscal planning for the week. Damn the tuition fee increase!

Eighth Circle: OUR Third Floor, all my fiscal planning for this week goes down the sh*thole huhuhu

The LONG walk from Palma Hall to the Office of the University Registrar(OUR) was something I wasn't looking forward to. The climb to the Third Floor wasn' fun either. The prospect of losing a substantial amount of money plus the unceremonious tuition fee increase made this last leg the literal eight circle of hell moment for me. Plus, the room where the cashiers were was airconditioned so I really felt like I was in Dante's frozen pit of hell. What got me through the ordeal was imagining a flock of tibaks descending on the OUR with their banners, placards and screaming their lungs out in angry indignation over the commercialization of state education. If only I could turn my thoughts into reality at that time...

This Ain't Your Granddaddy's Congress Anymore...

Inquirer.net editorial on members of congress and their product endorsements.

What got me laughing was this statement:

The Senate began to lose its gravitas when it was “invaded” by actors, comedians, basketball players and some nonperforming assets whose voices are seldom heard in sessions or committee hearings. Now, the chamber is further losing its gravitas, with several senators becoming glamorized hucksters for certain products. In the past, one would never see, or even imagine, a Sen. Claro M. Recto, a Lorenzo M. Tañada, a Jose W. Diokno or a Jovito R. Salonga endorsing a soap, a detergent, a health product or a facial care center....

I sincerely believe that the Senate lost much more than its gravitas hehe. Frankly speaking, the collective wit, candor, eloquence and intellectual brilliance of the past five Congresses cannot even reach half of Claro M. Recto's or even that
of Lorenzo Tañada's.

Gone are the statesmen of yesteryears from the hallowed halls of Congress. What replaced them as legislators are misfits, miscreants, pampered dilletantes, shady powerbrokers, criminal kingpins, bloodthirsty warlords, ass-kissing sycophants, diminished scions of political families whose only sole claim to fame is THAT appellido, retired actors and athletes with nary an idea of the legislative process, neurotic babblemouths given to paranoid delusions, the list of 'unmentionables' goes on...

It's a bit ironic to note that the word democracy in its original Greek meant 'rule of the common people.'However, for the Greeks, the term 'common people' was not meant as a compliment...

Palibhasa Babae...

www.foreignpolicy.com lists the worst places in the world if you're a woman.

read about it HERE

Glad that the Philippines isn't on the list. Though there are still some chinks in the system here, las mujeres Filipinas are among the most liberated (and let's not forget, LOVED) women in the world. In fairness naman to Nepal, they are in the midst of revising their political system. Effectively dissolving a centuries-old monarchy is just the first step toward realizing their goal of true democracy. Good luck sa mga Maoist...please don't make a mess of things, OK? hehe