After that horrid time I had in the JLPT exams, I started listening to Christmas songs, just to de-stress myself. Actually, I couldn't feel the Christmas spirit yet, being away from my family and all... But just because I'm away doesn't mean I should just wallow in self pity. No no no no! Christmas 2005 is special pa rin. I'll connect pa rin with Yeyette, Nikki and Ethan. I'll be calling my parents and brothers too. Plus my friends, thru phone calls, skype and ym... This year is gonna be different for sure, but it will still be great!
So let's start off with my recent favorite Xmas song (thanks to K and N)
I really can't stay - Baby it's cold outside
I've got to go away - Baby it's cold outside
This evening has been - Been hoping that you'd drop in
So very nice - I'll hold your hands, they're just like ice
My mother will start to worry - Beautiful, what's your hurry
My father will be pacing the floor - Listen to the fireplace roar
So really I'd better scurry - Beautiful, please don't hurry
Well maybe just a half a drink more - Put some music on while I pour
The neighbors might think - Baby, it's bad out there
Say, what's in this drink - No cabs to be had out there
I wish I knew how - Your eyes are like starlight now
To break this spell - I'll take your hat, your hair looks swell
I ought to say no, no, no, sir - Mind if I move a little closer
At least I'm gonna say that I tried - What's the sense in hurting my pride
I really can't stay - Baby don't hold out
Ahh, but it's cold outside
C'mon baby
I simply must go - Baby, it's cold outside
The answer is no - Ooh baby, it's cold outside
This welcome has been - I'm lucky that you dropped in
So nice and warm -- Look out the window at that storm!
My sister will be suspicious - Man, your lips look so delicious
My brother will be there at the door - Waves upon a tropical shore
My maiden aunt's mind is vicious - Gosh your lips look delicious
Well maybe just a cigarette more - Never such a blizzard before
I've got to go home - Oh, baby, you'll freeze out there!
Say, lend me your comb - It's up to your knees out there
You've really been grand - Your eyes are like starlight now
But don't you see - How can you do this thing to me
There's bound to be talk tomorrow - Think of my life long sorrow
At least there will be plenty implied - If you caught pneumonia and died
I really can't stay - Get over that old out
Ahh, but it's cold outside
Baby it's cold outside
Brr its cold…. It's cold out there
Can't you stay a while longer baby
Well…..I really shouldn't...alright
Make it worth your while baby
Ahh, do that again….
Monday, December 05, 2005
W@l@nh1y@n6 JLPT yan!
WheWWww!
To all those who took the JLPT, o-tsukaresama deshita!!! I really hope we all pass!
I'm really hoping my guesses were right. The Level 2 exam was hard. After each part, I didn't feel any confidence at all!
The hardest part for me was the dokai/bunpou. I was still working on my paragraphs when I glanced at my watch and found out 30 mins na lang!!! I hurriedly turned my questionnaire to the grammar part and answered furiously. In my haste, I couldn't figure out which of the two answers left (I could usually eliminate 2 incorrect answers agad) was the right one. So hindi na ako sure sa bunpou, hindi pa ako sure sa dokai! wow!
But I promised myself that I'll upgrade my Nihongo skills starting this year, not just to pass some test, but to effectively communicate with my Japanese colleagues. The Nihongo no Benkyou does not stop here. Classmates, see you on Wednesday morning!
To all those who took the JLPT, o-tsukaresama deshita!!! I really hope we all pass!
I'm really hoping my guesses were right. The Level 2 exam was hard. After each part, I didn't feel any confidence at all!
The hardest part for me was the dokai/bunpou. I was still working on my paragraphs when I glanced at my watch and found out 30 mins na lang!!! I hurriedly turned my questionnaire to the grammar part and answered furiously. In my haste, I couldn't figure out which of the two answers left (I could usually eliminate 2 incorrect answers agad) was the right one. So hindi na ako sure sa bunpou, hindi pa ako sure sa dokai! wow!
But I promised myself that I'll upgrade my Nihongo skills starting this year, not just to pass some test, but to effectively communicate with my Japanese colleagues. The Nihongo no Benkyou does not stop here. Classmates, see you on Wednesday morning!
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Sunscreen
If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proven by scientists whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience... I will dispense this advice now.
Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth; oh nevermind; you will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they have faded. But trust me, in 20 years you'll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked... You are not as fat as you imagine.
Don't worry about the future; or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind; the kind that blindsides you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday.
Do one thing everyday that scares you.
Sing.
Don't be reckless with other people's hearts, don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.
Floss.
Don't waste your time on jealousy; sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind... the race is long, and in the end, it's only with yourself.
Remember the compliments you receive, forget the insults; if you succeed in doing this, tell me how.
Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements.
Stretch.
Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life... the most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives, some of the most interesting 40 year olds I know still don't.
Get plenty of calcium.
Be kind to your knees, you'll miss them when they're gone.
Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't, maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't, maybe you'll divorce at 40, maybe you'll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary... what ever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself either – your choices are half chance, so are everybody else's.
Enjoy your body, use it every way you can... don't be afraid of it, or what other people think of it, it's the greatest instrument you'll ever own...
Dance…even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room.
Read the directions, even if you don't follow them.
Do NOT read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly.
Get to know your parents, you never know when they'll be gone for good.
Be nice to your siblings; they are the best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.
Understand that friends come and go, but for the precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle because the older you get, the more you need the people you knew when you were young.
Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard; live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.
Travel.
Accept certain inalienable truths, prices will rise, politicians will philander, U2 will get old, and when you do, you'll fantasize that when you were young, prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders.
Respect your elders.
Don't expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund, maybe you have a wealthy spouse; but you never know when either one might run out.
Don't mess too much with your hair, or by the time you're 40, it will look 85.
Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it's worth.
But trust me on the sunscreen...
Baz Luhrmann Lyrics - Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)
Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth; oh nevermind; you will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they have faded. But trust me, in 20 years you'll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked... You are not as fat as you imagine.
Don't worry about the future; or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind; the kind that blindsides you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday.
Do one thing everyday that scares you.
Sing.
Don't be reckless with other people's hearts, don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.
Floss.
Don't waste your time on jealousy; sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind... the race is long, and in the end, it's only with yourself.
Remember the compliments you receive, forget the insults; if you succeed in doing this, tell me how.
Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements.
Stretch.
Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life... the most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives, some of the most interesting 40 year olds I know still don't.
Get plenty of calcium.
Be kind to your knees, you'll miss them when they're gone.
Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't, maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't, maybe you'll divorce at 40, maybe you'll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary... what ever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself either – your choices are half chance, so are everybody else's.
Enjoy your body, use it every way you can... don't be afraid of it, or what other people think of it, it's the greatest instrument you'll ever own...
Dance…even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room.
Read the directions, even if you don't follow them.
Do NOT read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly.
Get to know your parents, you never know when they'll be gone for good.
Be nice to your siblings; they are the best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.
Understand that friends come and go, but for the precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle because the older you get, the more you need the people you knew when you were young.
Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard; live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.
Travel.
Accept certain inalienable truths, prices will rise, politicians will philander, U2 will get old, and when you do, you'll fantasize that when you were young, prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders.
Respect your elders.
Don't expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund, maybe you have a wealthy spouse; but you never know when either one might run out.
Don't mess too much with your hair, or by the time you're 40, it will look 85.
Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it's worth.
But trust me on the sunscreen...
Baz Luhrmann Lyrics - Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Tagged by Nette
20 random facts about me
- i actually got my first name from Rustico & Teresita, the names of my parents, with an 'H' lang in the middle.
- haven't gone out with my high school friends since high school! although i communicate with them regularly thru our e-group, plus most of them are abroad anyways!
- my current job is my first - and i was the youngest from our batch! (just 20 y/o when i got accepted)
- took up chemical engineering in college coz i had great marks in high school chem. if not, i would have taken literature - but my writing sucks! plus i have an affinity with numbers so engineering pa rin...
- my favorite friend is chandler - although my friends tell me i'm a ross
- didn't like vegetables until i lived by myself
- would very much like to visit Italy, specifically Florence, Venice, Milan and Rome
- i'm a DVD collector - as of last count, i have over 800 discs (some more original than others, hehehe) and avid movie-goer (kelan ba magiging 100 yen na lang ang movie ticket sa Japan?!)
- i love wearing business suits - most especially with power ties
- was sad when lucas finished his last star wars movie
- i love reading trivia - books, articles, whatever
- avid beatles fan
- i like listening to the morning show with chico and delamar, esp the hilarious top10 entries
- i would love to be proficient in Nihongo, French and Spanish!
- my favorite food include but not limited to: country-style chicken (with gravy), beef tacos and nachos, pork barbecue, tonkotsu ramen, broasted chicken, pinoy beefsteak, milkfish cutlets in garlic and vinegar, garlic fried rice, sizzling sisig and green mango & bagoong.
- i'd like it very much to live in Tagaytay, overlooking the Taal volcano.
- i also collect Transformers Alternators (US)/Binaltech (JP) since I didn't have any while growing up
- i wish i could learn to play the drums and also the bass extensively
- for a middle-class salaryman like me, I would like to own a Mazda RX-8, preferably red or black...
- secretly playing the lotto in the event of hitting the big time!
Monday, October 31, 2005
dance!
Just got back from Roppongi. Me and the gang went there Sat night and danced til the wee hours of the morning of Sunday. It's been a long time since I went dancing. They say, it's the movement of the soul, and I wholeheartedly agree. I don't know why and even when I started dancing, but I could say it has always been part of my life. Just listening to dance music from my iPod on the train kinda makes me move... move like a freakin' smokin' dancer.
It's kinda odd rin for me to be like this. You see, I'm a rocker at heart too, and parang hindi bagay, at first. But music transcends all barriers, so I guess I'm proud to be rocker with moves.
I remember going to discos when I was younger. [Mind you, though they're called discos, the music wasn't from the disco era. They should have been called dance clubs or simply clubs, but that's neither here nor there na. Anyhoo, moving on...] Absorbing the beat, your body just moves. I never had formal training, but just copied what I saw from TV and I had my share of MTVs, the Jacksons, the different dance groups and whatever... At least hindi ako yung clapping while moving the feet lang... hehehe...
I also remember dancing with the ladies... It's nice to meet these girls at dance clubs, who can express themselves freely.... and sensually. They say if you get a girl who has great moves on the dance floor, chances are, she'll have greater moves somewhere else, hahaha!
Grabe, talung-talo ng pinoy DJs yung mga mixers na nasa club the other night. their transitions aren't well-timed, their playlist of dance tracks aren't that good and the mixing needs a lot of improvement. Not to mention that the dance floor was oh so hot!!! Hello, anybody heard of airconditioning?!!! But all in all, because of the mood that night, my friends who were with me and the hot young things writhing their bodies I'd say it was a GREAT night. Now, if I could just remember all the steps from Thriller, which was played around 4 times that night...
It's kinda odd rin for me to be like this. You see, I'm a rocker at heart too, and parang hindi bagay, at first. But music transcends all barriers, so I guess I'm proud to be rocker with moves.
I remember going to discos when I was younger. [Mind you, though they're called discos, the music wasn't from the disco era. They should have been called dance clubs or simply clubs, but that's neither here nor there na. Anyhoo, moving on...] Absorbing the beat, your body just moves. I never had formal training, but just copied what I saw from TV and I had my share of MTVs, the Jacksons, the different dance groups and whatever... At least hindi ako yung clapping while moving the feet lang... hehehe...
I also remember dancing with the ladies... It's nice to meet these girls at dance clubs, who can express themselves freely.... and sensually. They say if you get a girl who has great moves on the dance floor, chances are, she'll have greater moves somewhere else, hahaha!
Grabe, talung-talo ng pinoy DJs yung mga mixers na nasa club the other night. their transitions aren't well-timed, their playlist of dance tracks aren't that good and the mixing needs a lot of improvement. Not to mention that the dance floor was oh so hot!!! Hello, anybody heard of airconditioning?!!! But all in all, because of the mood that night, my friends who were with me and the hot young things writhing their bodies I'd say it was a GREAT night. Now, if I could just remember all the steps from Thriller, which was played around 4 times that night...
Friday, October 21, 2005
Controversy
Last week, the news that La Salle fielded an ineligible basketball player the last three years hit. It seems that this player either falsified his Department of Education PEPTCS certificate on purpose in order to enter the school or was a victim of this.
Due to this recent development, the UAAP board may forfeit all of the games that La Salle won the last three years where this player suited up. That means forfeiting last year's Championship and this year's Runner-up finish. This is not yet final, and the UAAP board may swing both sides of the strictness rule.
I am quite proud of my school. The whistle blower in this case was the school official himself, I think the one in charge of records. I just hope outsiders will realize that we do not tolerate any cheating or whatever just to win a championship, a basketball championship isn't just worth it.
If there were any other officials involved, it would really be a shame. Their action is despicable. If this player acted alone, he has just signed his career's death certificate.
However, don't be hasty in judging us. I offer this challenge to the other schools to check their records themselves. I wouldn't be surprised if there were other more vagrant instances of this. To the amateur sporting world, the recruitment of blue chip players is highly competitive. I will cite the case of Adamson University in 1994, when they kept Marlou Aquino in their roster even if he just took 18 units the whole of two years of his stint for the Falcons.
So to the hecklers out there, clean your own backyard first!
Peace!
Due to this recent development, the UAAP board may forfeit all of the games that La Salle won the last three years where this player suited up. That means forfeiting last year's Championship and this year's Runner-up finish. This is not yet final, and the UAAP board may swing both sides of the strictness rule.
I am quite proud of my school. The whistle blower in this case was the school official himself, I think the one in charge of records. I just hope outsiders will realize that we do not tolerate any cheating or whatever just to win a championship, a basketball championship isn't just worth it.
If there were any other officials involved, it would really be a shame. Their action is despicable. If this player acted alone, he has just signed his career's death certificate.
However, don't be hasty in judging us. I offer this challenge to the other schools to check their records themselves. I wouldn't be surprised if there were other more vagrant instances of this. To the amateur sporting world, the recruitment of blue chip players is highly competitive. I will cite the case of Adamson University in 1994, when they kept Marlou Aquino in their roster even if he just took 18 units the whole of two years of his stint for the Falcons.
So to the hecklers out there, clean your own backyard first!
Peace!
Welcome Party
I haven't been posting lately, tamad kasi ako e. Since I have the time now, I'll try to post some stuff I experienced lately.
Last night (Oct 20), was the retirement party for my teammate (Mr. M) and welcome party naman for me. I'm not gonna replace him entirely. All the tasks for my current team will be distributed naman accordingly sa amin. Anyway, that's beside the point.
I'm thankful for our department that they took the time off to welcome me, plus they had to spend pa for the event. It was a welcome dinner lang naman, no programs or anything, which is ok by me. I was seated beside Mr. M, celebrants daw kasi kami. Since he is the older type of guy, conversations were few and far in between. I was mostly chatting with my female teammates from my project last year, but medyo polite pa ang conversation. I had to get away to have some release, kaya I moved to my rowdy guy friends' seats. Siempre, boys being boys, kung anu-ano yung kwentuhan. Last night was 'nomihodai - drink all you can' kaya i had a few bottles of beer plus jap wine. You can't feel the effects of the rice wine agad, but gosh, ang lakas ng tama after. Then came the time for speeches. Although I knew what to say, the aftereffects of the rice wine started to act up. Buti na lang I was able to pull it off, and this is what I said:
今日のお招きいただきまして、ありがとうございました。
はじめにMさんの送別会で、お疲れ様です。
このチームはMさんがいなくなり、大変なことだと思います。大きな責任を持たなければならないのですが、一所懸命頑張りたいと思います。
Mさん、私に、「CompanyName」にいろいろお世話になりまして、まことにありがとうございました。
宜しくお願い致します。
O di ba? O don't let me translate it anymore, kasi I still have a hangover. Copy it na lang sa excite homepage, hehe.
Anyways, with a little preparation, bibilib talaga sila sa yo. With just that, they told me that I would surely pass the Nihongo Proficiency Exam Level 2! Oh no, I've just raised the level of trust nila. It would really be a shame if I don't pass it! Seems like there will be more studying and less dilly-dallying these coming weekends.
Pray for me (and my friends who'll be taking the test this Dec), ok?
Peace!
Last night (Oct 20), was the retirement party for my teammate (Mr. M) and welcome party naman for me. I'm not gonna replace him entirely. All the tasks for my current team will be distributed naman accordingly sa amin. Anyway, that's beside the point.
I'm thankful for our department that they took the time off to welcome me, plus they had to spend pa for the event. It was a welcome dinner lang naman, no programs or anything, which is ok by me. I was seated beside Mr. M, celebrants daw kasi kami. Since he is the older type of guy, conversations were few and far in between. I was mostly chatting with my female teammates from my project last year, but medyo polite pa ang conversation. I had to get away to have some release, kaya I moved to my rowdy guy friends' seats. Siempre, boys being boys, kung anu-ano yung kwentuhan. Last night was 'nomihodai - drink all you can' kaya i had a few bottles of beer plus jap wine. You can't feel the effects of the rice wine agad, but gosh, ang lakas ng tama after. Then came the time for speeches. Although I knew what to say, the aftereffects of the rice wine started to act up. Buti na lang I was able to pull it off, and this is what I said:
今日のお招きいただきまして、ありがとうございました。
はじめにMさんの送別会で、お疲れ様です。
このチームはMさんがいなくなり、大変なことだと思います。大きな責任を持たなければならないのですが、一所懸命頑張りたいと思います。
Mさん、私に、「CompanyName」にいろいろお世話になりまして、まことにありがとうございました。
宜しくお願い致します。
O di ba? O don't let me translate it anymore, kasi I still have a hangover. Copy it na lang sa excite homepage, hehe.
Anyways, with a little preparation, bibilib talaga sila sa yo. With just that, they told me that I would surely pass the Nihongo Proficiency Exam Level 2! Oh no, I've just raised the level of trust nila. It would really be a shame if I don't pass it! Seems like there will be more studying and less dilly-dallying these coming weekends.
Pray for me (and my friends who'll be taking the test this Dec), ok?
Peace!
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
hang on, my friend
============================
On open letter to my friend:
============================
My friend N just got her heart broken.
She was 24.
She thinks her life has ended, but i beg to disagree. I want her to know that life is just beginning, that her 'supposed' boyfriend could never be the center of her universe. How can I let her realize that she's too good for him? I have told her that a dozen times, but she just wouldn't listen! (stubbornness - one of her endearing qualities)
I want her to be happy. N, you don't need a guy to be content, let alone happy. Others find single blessedness wonderful. Still others would just pick any guy, any random guy from the streets, and assume they're happy. Please don't be the latter.
Take this time to sort out your priorities. Smell the roses on the other side of the riverbanks. Learn a new sport. Meet new people.
Life doesn't have to end now for you. Think of it as a commercial after a long first act, or the halftime show of an Ateneo-LaSalle game. Sure, you're just raring to go to the next level, but imagine if there were no pitstops. You'll run out of gas, out of steam. Your efficiency rate will go down. Your supply of metaphors will run out (hehe). You won't be ready for the next step.
What should you prepare for? Well, think about the plans we talked about that you wanted done by 2006. Roll up your sleeves and get at it, then. I'm with you a hundred percent. And cheer up, ok?
On open letter to my friend:
============================
My friend N just got her heart broken.
She was 24.
She thinks her life has ended, but i beg to disagree. I want her to know that life is just beginning, that her 'supposed' boyfriend could never be the center of her universe. How can I let her realize that she's too good for him? I have told her that a dozen times, but she just wouldn't listen! (stubbornness - one of her endearing qualities)
I want her to be happy. N, you don't need a guy to be content, let alone happy. Others find single blessedness wonderful. Still others would just pick any guy, any random guy from the streets, and assume they're happy. Please don't be the latter.
Take this time to sort out your priorities. Smell the roses on the other side of the riverbanks. Learn a new sport. Meet new people.
Life doesn't have to end now for you. Think of it as a commercial after a long first act, or the halftime show of an Ateneo-LaSalle game. Sure, you're just raring to go to the next level, but imagine if there were no pitstops. You'll run out of gas, out of steam. Your efficiency rate will go down. Your supply of metaphors will run out (hehe). You won't be ready for the next step.
What should you prepare for? Well, think about the plans we talked about that you wanted done by 2006. Roll up your sleeves and get at it, then. I'm with you a hundred percent. And cheer up, ok?
Monday, September 19, 2005
La Salle is Number Two!
From 4th place, La Salle jumped the gun on two hapless and clueless teams to secure the other coveted twice-to-beat advantage in the UAAP Final Four. La Salle blasted Ateneo 72-55 last Thursday, Sep 15 and then beat UE yesterday in their replay match 79-67.
The game, which should not have taken place at all, was a very important game not just to UE and DLSU, but also with Ateneo. Ateneo can be relegated to fourth with a La Salle win, and 3rd if UE triumphs. With it's loss last Thursday however, ADMU's hold on the other twice-to-beat slot has already slipped from their grasp.
The controversial game, with the UAAP board overturning the Technical Committee's decision in handing the 2nd round win to DLSU last Sep 1, seemed to have "conspiracy" written all over it. La Salle has never gained the board's favor since forever. For those who were not aware on what happened, here it is in a nutshell:
After Arellano’s basket (giving the UE Red Warriors a 2 point lead with 1.8 seconds left in regulation), the UE gallery goes wild and celebrates prematurely. JV Casio, La Salle’s marvelous shooter, quickly inbounds the ball and rifles a pass to Joseph Yeo, whose desperation shot is off. By this time the UE crowd is in near-rabid mode, and debris rains on the court. Everyone thinks the game is over.
But DLSU coach Franz Pumaren insists he called a timeout. Commissioner Joe Lipa confers with the table officials and decides that a timeout had in fact been called, and that there were still 1.8 seconds left in the game.
This was enough time for DLSU to set up a play and Cholo Villanueva's jumper all but did that, sending the game into overtime. We all know what happened in overtime.
There are certain points that irritate me in this situation. 1. The Technical Committee already decided in La Salle's favor. What is the use of the TC if it will always be overturned by the UAAP board. 2. The TC are composed of individuals who have knowledge in basketball, the board are not. 3. La Salle is always the target in board decisions, with 5 schools voting for a replay (Ateneo, NU, UST, FEU, UP).
Ok, the win vindicated whatever conspiracy was set up. But triumphs are attained in the hardcourt, not in their airconditioned boardrooms. Why must La Salle always go thru the eye of a needle to just prove their excellence? Sure beats me?
The game, which should not have taken place at all, was a very important game not just to UE and DLSU, but also with Ateneo. Ateneo can be relegated to fourth with a La Salle win, and 3rd if UE triumphs. With it's loss last Thursday however, ADMU's hold on the other twice-to-beat slot has already slipped from their grasp.
The controversial game, with the UAAP board overturning the Technical Committee's decision in handing the 2nd round win to DLSU last Sep 1, seemed to have "conspiracy" written all over it. La Salle has never gained the board's favor since forever. For those who were not aware on what happened, here it is in a nutshell:
After Arellano’s basket (giving the UE Red Warriors a 2 point lead with 1.8 seconds left in regulation), the UE gallery goes wild and celebrates prematurely. JV Casio, La Salle’s marvelous shooter, quickly inbounds the ball and rifles a pass to Joseph Yeo, whose desperation shot is off. By this time the UE crowd is in near-rabid mode, and debris rains on the court. Everyone thinks the game is over.
But DLSU coach Franz Pumaren insists he called a timeout. Commissioner Joe Lipa confers with the table officials and decides that a timeout had in fact been called, and that there were still 1.8 seconds left in the game.
This was enough time for DLSU to set up a play and Cholo Villanueva's jumper all but did that, sending the game into overtime. We all know what happened in overtime.
There are certain points that irritate me in this situation. 1. The Technical Committee already decided in La Salle's favor. What is the use of the TC if it will always be overturned by the UAAP board. 2. The TC are composed of individuals who have knowledge in basketball, the board are not. 3. La Salle is always the target in board decisions, with 5 schools voting for a replay (Ateneo, NU, UST, FEU, UP).
Ok, the win vindicated whatever conspiracy was set up. But triumphs are attained in the hardcourt, not in their airconditioned boardrooms. Why must La Salle always go thru the eye of a needle to just prove their excellence? Sure beats me?
Archers Continue Mastery Over Eagles
The Blue Eagles team that clawed the Tams on Sunday clearly didn’t show up. Instead, what arrived was the old Ateneo quintet that lost to the defending champions by 18 points way back in the season opener.
De La Salle continued to hold its fort and let the guards do the punishing assault from start to finish as the Green Archers repeated over their archrivals 72-55, to maintain pace for a twice-to-beat incentive in the 68th UAAP men’s basketball tournament at the packed Araneta Coliseum last night.
The Archers called on their platoon of small men to do the damage inside and outside, from shooting threes and pull-up jumpers to making plays underneath the basket. Ty Tang and Ryan Araña led all scorers with 18 points apiece and JV Casio added 13 to preside over the Archers’ searing attack in the pivotal third period.
The backcourt did their work from compiling steals to forcing turnovers but the entire Green Archers took turns hauling in points after every Ateneo turnover. The Blue Eagles turned it over 23 times, which the Archers translated into 30 points.
“We came out really aggressive from the start,” said Coach Franz Pumaren. “We really came prepared for this game and siguro, with the advantage of having worked with (Ateneo) Coach Norman (Black) in the past, we already knew what’s in store for us coming into the game.”
The Archers, who also blasted the Eagles 78-60 in the first round, indeed got off to an aggressive start, racing to an auspicious 11-2 tear but the Eagles caught up immediately to keep within striking distance—distance that few knew would last only till the first half.
If Tang’s jumper that made it 2-0 and Japeth Aguilar’s two missed freethrows were a sign of things to come in the first quarter, similar omens were also in handy when both teams took the floor in the second half. LA Tenorio, who tore apart the Tams’ defense with 25 points in Ateneo’s 66-63 win, made a bad pass off the inbound play before Junjun Cabatu buried a side jumper, one of the many turnover points that the Archers used in breaking the game wide open.
The game slowly—and more painfully for Ateneo’s legions of fans—turned into that first-round rout in similar fashion with the Eagles unable to find their rhythm, find the open shots and find the right person. Macky Escalona and Aguilar had five errors each and the entire Ateneo offense managed only three triples, half of what the Archers buried from rainbow territory. The Eagles also missed 16 of 26 freethrows.
While the defending champions connected from beyond the arc, not a few were surprised with the Archers’ exposing of Ateneo’s interior defense. La Salle was outrebounded only by five but the crucial portions of the first half would all point to Araña’s numerous penetrations underneath, outmaneuvering Doug Kramer, JC Intal, Martin Quimson and the 6-foot-7 Aguilar every time for an easy twinner.
The win moved the Archers to 9-4 with one game left, that much-maligned replay game against UE this Sunday serving as the final piece of the puzzle that would complete the Final 4 pairings.
Ateneo finished the elimination round at 10-4 and another win by the Archers would create a three-way tie for second place but the Taft crew, by virtue of its superior quotient, would automatically take the no. 2 slot and the twice-to-beat advantage that goes with it. Ateneo and UE then battle it out to determine who gets the no. 3 and no. 4 positions.
A loss by the Archers however, would drop them to the fourth slot and earn them a Final 4 matchup with no. 1 FEU, which closed out the eliminations with a 12-2 record. UE then takes the no. 2 seed and would face no. 3 Ateneo, with the Red Warriors needing only to win once to advance to the finals.
The game was only deadlocked twice and for the last time was knotted at 27-all on Barracoso’s side-stepping layup early in the second period. The Eagles kept it close until the end of the quarter on Intal’s three-pointer, 23 seconds left before half-time.
Then, the Archers continued what they did in that 11-2 binge in the first period.
Casio and Tang accounted for 15 of La Salle’s 19 points in the third quarter, shooting triples and draining wide-open jumpers. By the end of the period, the Archers were comfortably up 60-46.
The Eagles never threatened and could only close to within 10 points, on Intal’s back-to-back drives to the basket. Escalona’s split at the stripe again pushed the Eagles to within 11, 62-51 but Rico Maierhoffer made a slam dunk, Araña completed a fastbreak layup and Tang buried another jumper that made it 68-51, 4:54 to play.
Intal led the Eagles with 15 points and Tenorio added 10.
NOTES: La Salle now owns a 25-11 win-loss record against Ateneo in head-to-head meetings in the elimination round. With a sweep of the Blue Eagles in this year’s eliminations, the Archers now have eight elimination-round sweep of their archrivals (’90, ’91, ’92, ’95, ’97, ’98, ’01 and ’05). The Eagles have swept the Archers only once (’03)….Last night’s 16 missed freethrows were the Eagles’ most since missing 14 against FEU in the second round….Ateneo was only whistled for 11 fouls, their fewest for the season….The Eagles only had five assists, also their fewest this season….Tenorio finished with only one assist (his season-low) and was 0-for-6 in three-point territory….La Salle turned the ball over just 12 times, a season-low….Joseph Yeo finished with four points on 1-for-12 FGs. He also had six rebounds and four assists. One of his missed field goals was a botched layup attempt in the first quarter, when he was fouled by Intal while running on a fastbreak. He missed the layup, raised his arms over the fallen Intal, then signaled to the crowd that he was fouled….Araña, who also had 17 pts in that 30-point rout over Adamson, was whistled for a technical foul, 21 seconds left in the game, for dancing while holding the ball in front of the La Salle bench. His act, which fell into the category of taunting, drew mixed reactions from both camps….In an interesting sequence in the second quarter, Araña made three consecutive layups underneath the basket….The jumpball was timed exactly at 4pm with thousands of supporters, alumni and fans already in their seats despite a heavy downpour before the game. The crowd also didn’t mind that the match was played on a Thursday, the first occasion in recent years that an elimination game between the two archrivals was played on a weekday.
http://www.ubelt.com/ub/uaap/mbb/story.aspx?id=987
De La Salle continued to hold its fort and let the guards do the punishing assault from start to finish as the Green Archers repeated over their archrivals 72-55, to maintain pace for a twice-to-beat incentive in the 68th UAAP men’s basketball tournament at the packed Araneta Coliseum last night.
The Archers called on their platoon of small men to do the damage inside and outside, from shooting threes and pull-up jumpers to making plays underneath the basket. Ty Tang and Ryan Araña led all scorers with 18 points apiece and JV Casio added 13 to preside over the Archers’ searing attack in the pivotal third period.
The backcourt did their work from compiling steals to forcing turnovers but the entire Green Archers took turns hauling in points after every Ateneo turnover. The Blue Eagles turned it over 23 times, which the Archers translated into 30 points.
“We came out really aggressive from the start,” said Coach Franz Pumaren. “We really came prepared for this game and siguro, with the advantage of having worked with (Ateneo) Coach Norman (Black) in the past, we already knew what’s in store for us coming into the game.”
The Archers, who also blasted the Eagles 78-60 in the first round, indeed got off to an aggressive start, racing to an auspicious 11-2 tear but the Eagles caught up immediately to keep within striking distance—distance that few knew would last only till the first half.
If Tang’s jumper that made it 2-0 and Japeth Aguilar’s two missed freethrows were a sign of things to come in the first quarter, similar omens were also in handy when both teams took the floor in the second half. LA Tenorio, who tore apart the Tams’ defense with 25 points in Ateneo’s 66-63 win, made a bad pass off the inbound play before Junjun Cabatu buried a side jumper, one of the many turnover points that the Archers used in breaking the game wide open.
The game slowly—and more painfully for Ateneo’s legions of fans—turned into that first-round rout in similar fashion with the Eagles unable to find their rhythm, find the open shots and find the right person. Macky Escalona and Aguilar had five errors each and the entire Ateneo offense managed only three triples, half of what the Archers buried from rainbow territory. The Eagles also missed 16 of 26 freethrows.
While the defending champions connected from beyond the arc, not a few were surprised with the Archers’ exposing of Ateneo’s interior defense. La Salle was outrebounded only by five but the crucial portions of the first half would all point to Araña’s numerous penetrations underneath, outmaneuvering Doug Kramer, JC Intal, Martin Quimson and the 6-foot-7 Aguilar every time for an easy twinner.
The win moved the Archers to 9-4 with one game left, that much-maligned replay game against UE this Sunday serving as the final piece of the puzzle that would complete the Final 4 pairings.
Ateneo finished the elimination round at 10-4 and another win by the Archers would create a three-way tie for second place but the Taft crew, by virtue of its superior quotient, would automatically take the no. 2 slot and the twice-to-beat advantage that goes with it. Ateneo and UE then battle it out to determine who gets the no. 3 and no. 4 positions.
A loss by the Archers however, would drop them to the fourth slot and earn them a Final 4 matchup with no. 1 FEU, which closed out the eliminations with a 12-2 record. UE then takes the no. 2 seed and would face no. 3 Ateneo, with the Red Warriors needing only to win once to advance to the finals.
The game was only deadlocked twice and for the last time was knotted at 27-all on Barracoso’s side-stepping layup early in the second period. The Eagles kept it close until the end of the quarter on Intal’s three-pointer, 23 seconds left before half-time.
Then, the Archers continued what they did in that 11-2 binge in the first period.
Casio and Tang accounted for 15 of La Salle’s 19 points in the third quarter, shooting triples and draining wide-open jumpers. By the end of the period, the Archers were comfortably up 60-46.
The Eagles never threatened and could only close to within 10 points, on Intal’s back-to-back drives to the basket. Escalona’s split at the stripe again pushed the Eagles to within 11, 62-51 but Rico Maierhoffer made a slam dunk, Araña completed a fastbreak layup and Tang buried another jumper that made it 68-51, 4:54 to play.
Intal led the Eagles with 15 points and Tenorio added 10.
NOTES: La Salle now owns a 25-11 win-loss record against Ateneo in head-to-head meetings in the elimination round. With a sweep of the Blue Eagles in this year’s eliminations, the Archers now have eight elimination-round sweep of their archrivals (’90, ’91, ’92, ’95, ’97, ’98, ’01 and ’05). The Eagles have swept the Archers only once (’03)….Last night’s 16 missed freethrows were the Eagles’ most since missing 14 against FEU in the second round….Ateneo was only whistled for 11 fouls, their fewest for the season….The Eagles only had five assists, also their fewest this season….Tenorio finished with only one assist (his season-low) and was 0-for-6 in three-point territory….La Salle turned the ball over just 12 times, a season-low….Joseph Yeo finished with four points on 1-for-12 FGs. He also had six rebounds and four assists. One of his missed field goals was a botched layup attempt in the first quarter, when he was fouled by Intal while running on a fastbreak. He missed the layup, raised his arms over the fallen Intal, then signaled to the crowd that he was fouled….Araña, who also had 17 pts in that 30-point rout over Adamson, was whistled for a technical foul, 21 seconds left in the game, for dancing while holding the ball in front of the La Salle bench. His act, which fell into the category of taunting, drew mixed reactions from both camps….In an interesting sequence in the second quarter, Araña made three consecutive layups underneath the basket….The jumpball was timed exactly at 4pm with thousands of supporters, alumni and fans already in their seats despite a heavy downpour before the game. The crowd also didn’t mind that the match was played on a Thursday, the first occasion in recent years that an elimination game between the two archrivals was played on a weekday.
http://www.ubelt.com/ub/uaap/mbb/story.aspx?id=987
Am back in Japan
My 'vacation' lasted almost eleven months. As of Sept 5, 2005, I'm back, once again, in the land of the rising sun.
I'm leaving my wife and 2 kids now... I don't know when exactly we'll see each other again. Maybe Oct next year? I'm planning on bringing them hear to have a taste of what I usually experience. Tokyo Disneyland/DisneySea, Yokohama Sea Paradise, ramen, chahan, 100-yen shops, toys r us, amazon.co.jp, uniqlo, kannai... ano pa ba meron dito?
I'm leaving my wife and 2 kids now... I don't know when exactly we'll see each other again. Maybe Oct next year? I'm planning on bringing them hear to have a taste of what I usually experience. Tokyo Disneyland/DisneySea, Yokohama Sea Paradise, ramen, chahan, 100-yen shops, toys r us, amazon.co.jp, uniqlo, kannai... ano pa ba meron dito?
Thursday, August 04, 2005
DVD Collection
It's been a while since I last posted. Naging 3-3 na ang La Salle, isa na lang game for the first round, vs. NU pa. Unless NU churns out a miracle of a win, it's a safe bet na 4-3 ang La Salle sa first round, the same situation from last year. But enough of DLSU basketball muna (although I did buy another jersey, green number 8, here to the left)
While waiting for that win streak to arrive, I have been buying DVDs like crazy since end of June. Mind you, these are not your ordinary Quiapo pDVDs ha, orig ang mga to! There have been so many sales lately, and kahit masakit sa bulsa, I sure would like to improve my collection. I have also started buying sealed and unsealed items from other collectors who have extra sealed copies or those unfortunate ones who had to part (painfully) from theirs. Here's my bag of goodies:
Incredible 2-disc collections:
Awesome animation:
Some wacky movies:
Marami pa but puro 1-disc na lang like Jaws, Tomb Raider, Ready to Rumble, Down with Love, Superman II, 50 First Dates, Risky Business, Rebel Without a Cause.
Siempre, di mawawala sa aking Wish List ito. I'll get this by Nov 1 by hook or by crook.
Peace out!
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
BLACK and BLUE
July 10, 2005
LA SALLE 78, ATENEO 60
Quezon City – It was worth all the drama and hype leading up to game day as the De La Salle University Green Archers began defense of its UAAP Men’s Basketball crown Sunday (July 10) on a high note by plastering bitter archrival Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles, 78-60, before another SRO crowd at the Araneta Coliseum.
The game caught many observers by surprise as Ateneo was installed as the pre-game favorite due to their height and experience advantage plus they had a new multi-titled veteran coach at the helm. To complete their preparations, the Eagles went to the United States to attend basketball camps. The vertically challenged Archers showed that height is not always might in basketball and turned to its patented pesky defense, smooth running game and sizzling outside shooting to pull off the trick. With an estimated 7,000 green shirt-wearing fans shouting their lungs out and the La Salle Pep Squad in a concerted effort to outdo the other 7,000 members of the audience, the Archers made sure that their fanatics’ efforts would be handsomely rewarded.
Archers coach Franz Pumaren achieved milestone by notching his 100th win as a UAAP coach and he did it against no less than the man known in local basketball circles as “Mr. 100 Percent”, Norman Black, who was making his debut as a collegiate coach after nearly two decades in the professional league. “I feel like it was only yesterday that I started to coach the Archers,” said Coach Pumaren in describing how the win compared to his 99 others achieved since 1998, making him the longest tenured among the eight current coaches. “It’s a big difference coaching in college and in the pros,” added Coach Pumaren, “we were just lucky that we caught them flatfooted and continued to play aggressive.”
Joseph Casio came off the bench and sank a triple that shattered a 9-9 deadlock and the Archers never looked back. The only other time the scored was tied was at 2-2 and the Blue Eagles never tasted the lead throughout the whole contest. Drawing more punch from the reserves, Ryan Arana and Pocholo Villanueva hit two more field goals to give the Archers the first period, 20-11. But as both sides headed to their benches, the referees awarded two free due to a phantom Archer foul at the buzzer that were converted by Macky Escalona, 13-20.
Continuing from where they left off, Casio and Arana bombarded the Eagles with four triples as part of a 16-0 blast to begin the second period, 36-13. A field goal by LA Tenorio at the five-minute mark broke the run but the Archers were merciless with Tyrone Tang and Jun Cabatu keying a 14-5 windup as the Archers’ advantage ballooned to 30 markers at the half, 50-20.
Joseph Yeo scored a basket to open second half hostilities and establish the Archers’ biggest lead of the game, 52-30. Tenorio and JC Intal tried their best to enliven their teammates and the pro-Eagles fans with good plays but Cabatu managed to convert timely hits to prevent the Eagles from inching any closer. Still, the Eagles trimmed the deficit thanks to a slew of fouls assessed to the Archers towards the end of the third period resulting in free throws with the Eagles converting eight out of 11. Ironically, the Eagles managed to escape with no fouls during that key stretch.
Yeo and Villanueva then combined for the Archers first nine points to begin the final period to push the Archers on top by 26 with three minutes to play, 76-48. Entering the final two minutes and the outcome long decided, Coach Pumaren decided to give rookies Lionel Rivera and Kish Co some playing time. “You will see more of the rookies as the season goes by,” explained Coach Pumaren. “It’s part of the breaking-in process.” Rookies James Mangahas and PJ Barua were the only Archers that failed to get playing time.
Cabatu paced the Archers with 15 points and seven rebounds in 34 minutes of action followed by Casio with 14. Yeo chipped in 10. Tenorio led the Eagles with 14 points while Magnum Membrere added 10 as only two Eagles submitted twin digits.
So effective was the Archers’ pressure defense that it resulted in 26 Eagle turnovers that were promptly converted into 35 easy Archer points. The Archers also put up more shots (75 versus 58) with a better shooting percentage (0.440 versus 0.362) to neutralize the taller Eagles domination of the rebounds (38 to 47). Finally, the Archers played more as a team as shown by their edge in the assists department, 18-8. One area that the Archers have to work on is free throw shooting, making only four out of 12 attempts.
Meanwhile, the De La Salle-Zobel Junior Archers set the tone for the day by waylaying the Ateneo High School Blue Eaglets in Juniors Division action, 75-71. Miguel de Asis and David Urra led Zobel with 16 markers each while David Webb followed with 15. Simon Atkins barely missed a triple-double with nine points, 10 rebounds and seven assists. Dan Salvador also had a great game with eight points and 11 rebounds.
Up next for the Archers will be the unpredictable University of the Philippines Maroons on Thursday (July 14) at the Blue Eagle Gym along Katipunan Avenue starting at 4:00PM. Zobel faces UP Integrated School ea rlier that day at 12:00PM. The Maroons are coming off a 69-66 squeaker of a win over Santo Tomas on opening day and will parade three former Archers in Mika Vainio, Michael Gavino and Team B member Michael Padolina in a most intriguing match-up. - Anthony Servinio
LA SALLE 78, ATENEO 60
Quezon City – It was worth all the drama and hype leading up to game day as the De La Salle University Green Archers began defense of its UAAP Men’s Basketball crown Sunday (July 10) on a high note by plastering bitter archrival Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles, 78-60, before another SRO crowd at the Araneta Coliseum.
The game caught many observers by surprise as Ateneo was installed as the pre-game favorite due to their height and experience advantage plus they had a new multi-titled veteran coach at the helm. To complete their preparations, the Eagles went to the United States to attend basketball camps. The vertically challenged Archers showed that height is not always might in basketball and turned to its patented pesky defense, smooth running game and sizzling outside shooting to pull off the trick. With an estimated 7,000 green shirt-wearing fans shouting their lungs out and the La Salle Pep Squad in a concerted effort to outdo the other 7,000 members of the audience, the Archers made sure that their fanatics’ efforts would be handsomely rewarded.
Archers coach Franz Pumaren achieved milestone by notching his 100th win as a UAAP coach and he did it against no less than the man known in local basketball circles as “Mr. 100 Percent”, Norman Black, who was making his debut as a collegiate coach after nearly two decades in the professional league. “I feel like it was only yesterday that I started to coach the Archers,” said Coach Pumaren in describing how the win compared to his 99 others achieved since 1998, making him the longest tenured among the eight current coaches. “It’s a big difference coaching in college and in the pros,” added Coach Pumaren, “we were just lucky that we caught them flatfooted and continued to play aggressive.”
Joseph Casio came off the bench and sank a triple that shattered a 9-9 deadlock and the Archers never looked back. The only other time the scored was tied was at 2-2 and the Blue Eagles never tasted the lead throughout the whole contest. Drawing more punch from the reserves, Ryan Arana and Pocholo Villanueva hit two more field goals to give the Archers the first period, 20-11. But as both sides headed to their benches, the referees awarded two free due to a phantom Archer foul at the buzzer that were converted by Macky Escalona, 13-20.
Continuing from where they left off, Casio and Arana bombarded the Eagles with four triples as part of a 16-0 blast to begin the second period, 36-13. A field goal by LA Tenorio at the five-minute mark broke the run but the Archers were merciless with Tyrone Tang and Jun Cabatu keying a 14-5 windup as the Archers’ advantage ballooned to 30 markers at the half, 50-20.
Joseph Yeo scored a basket to open second half hostilities and establish the Archers’ biggest lead of the game, 52-30. Tenorio and JC Intal tried their best to enliven their teammates and the pro-Eagles fans with good plays but Cabatu managed to convert timely hits to prevent the Eagles from inching any closer. Still, the Eagles trimmed the deficit thanks to a slew of fouls assessed to the Archers towards the end of the third period resulting in free throws with the Eagles converting eight out of 11. Ironically, the Eagles managed to escape with no fouls during that key stretch.
Yeo and Villanueva then combined for the Archers first nine points to begin the final period to push the Archers on top by 26 with three minutes to play, 76-48. Entering the final two minutes and the outcome long decided, Coach Pumaren decided to give rookies Lionel Rivera and Kish Co some playing time. “You will see more of the rookies as the season goes by,” explained Coach Pumaren. “It’s part of the breaking-in process.” Rookies James Mangahas and PJ Barua were the only Archers that failed to get playing time.
Cabatu paced the Archers with 15 points and seven rebounds in 34 minutes of action followed by Casio with 14. Yeo chipped in 10. Tenorio led the Eagles with 14 points while Magnum Membrere added 10 as only two Eagles submitted twin digits.
So effective was the Archers’ pressure defense that it resulted in 26 Eagle turnovers that were promptly converted into 35 easy Archer points. The Archers also put up more shots (75 versus 58) with a better shooting percentage (0.440 versus 0.362) to neutralize the taller Eagles domination of the rebounds (38 to 47). Finally, the Archers played more as a team as shown by their edge in the assists department, 18-8. One area that the Archers have to work on is free throw shooting, making only four out of 12 attempts.
Meanwhile, the De La Salle-Zobel Junior Archers set the tone for the day by waylaying the Ateneo High School Blue Eaglets in Juniors Division action, 75-71. Miguel de Asis and David Urra led Zobel with 16 markers each while David Webb followed with 15. Simon Atkins barely missed a triple-double with nine points, 10 rebounds and seven assists. Dan Salvador also had a great game with eight points and 11 rebounds.
Up next for the Archers will be the unpredictable University of the Philippines Maroons on Thursday (July 14) at the Blue Eagle Gym along Katipunan Avenue starting at 4:00PM. Zobel faces UP Integrated School ea rlier that day at 12:00PM. The Maroons are coming off a 69-66 squeaker of a win over Santo Tomas on opening day and will parade three former Archers in Mika Vainio, Michael Gavino and Team B member Michael Padolina in a most intriguing match-up. - Anthony Servinio
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
La Salle teams overpower Ateneo 'Greats'
Last Saturday, I went to Araneta Coliseum to watch 2 ballgames. It has been 3 years since my last visit there. You see, I have always been in Japan during the UAAP season since then. I miss watching the games live, and inhaling all the energy. It wouldn't be right if I don't write about it in MY blog. After all, it's the green and white story of things.
We were there before 1pm, 5 of us. As soon as we got in, we went off and found good seats. We were at Upper A, not too near the court yet not too far. The drums were rumbling then. "It's good to be back," I told Y.
That day was a reunion of sorts. La Salle and Ateneo basketball greats fight each other for old times' sake. The first game were members of teams from the '60s to the late '80s. Some notable La Sallians in the Legends game include the deadly shooter Lim Eng Beng, Franz Pumaren who led us to 5 titles in 7 years, Jong and Joel Uichico, Tonichi Yturri, Boy Manguerra, and others to be coached Virgil Villavicencio (of Triple V fame). I never saw them play as La Sallians before, as I only entered the hallowed halls in 1991. But boy were they something! Sure they were slower, the bellies a little bigger, but they never showed signs of bowing to the blue side. Even if bragging rights were the only trophy, these team didn't show any signs of letting up. After the first period, it was 17-10 La Salle. Ateneo tried to fight hard, with the likes of Jojo Lastimosa, Nonoy Chuatico and Steve Watson combining to give them a 54-52 lead at the start of the 4th. But that's the best they could muster. La Salle dropped a 9-0 bomb to take the lead for good, never looking back. The game ended at 79-70 for La Salle, everything settled at the last-2-minute mark 'cept for the final score. Even with the blue babble battalion shouting at full blast, the green gallery were undaunted. I think we even outshouted them, if that's even a word.
Sidebar: I especially liked the cheers done by both pep squads during timeouts. It had a certain thing about them that I find missing when we're facing a different squad. As much as Ateneo and La Salle are rivals, we are one in traditions. When other schools are fielding cheerdancers who don't even shout cheers to begin with, we both bring out something that both students and alumni know - that spirit of support - that somehow, your strength is transferred to the team. Like the crowd is the 6th player on the court. That's why all Ateneo-La Salle games are sold-out, everybody just wants to participate. It's a bore just to watch a game, di ba? You'd rather PLAY the game! With all the Rektikanos and Blue Eagle spellings for that game, it's ok if I don't get to watch the game live this July 10. Malabo na, coz tickets were already sold out since this morning!
Anyhoo, going back... I was able to relate more to the All-Stars game. It featured players I knew, kasi kapanahunan ko na, hehe. From Dindo Pumaren, Raffy Dinglasan, Dicky Bachmann, Dwight Lago, to Dino Aldeguer, Mon Jose, Alvin Magpantay - gumawa lahat to defeat Ateneo again, 83-72. I knew the game was ours after the first quarter, with the score at 25-8. Yup, that's only 8 for the team from Katipunan.
But we were given the shock of a lifetime when the blue squad scattered points behind the almost buwakaw plays of Vince Hizon, once a good player from Ginebra, to come within 4, 56-52 at the start of the fourth. But like in the first game, that was all they could muster. Pumaren, Lago and Tyrone Bautista combined 14 unanswered points to break away. Hizon and Epok Quimpo (he's an All-Star?!) tried to keep the heads of the blue boys above water, but it was all for naught. The Green Archers triumphed again, this time at 83-72. My voice was pretty much raspy at this point as I couldn't stop cheering for the life of me. I had so much fun! I will definitely, definitely do this again!
(Marj and Regie might watch with us during the La Salle-UST game. I bet that will be even more fun, with all the asarans pa!)
Postscript: As expected from true-blue sore losers, I couldn't find any topic from Atenean.net about the Ultimate Showdown. Are they just braggarts when they're winning? If it were the other way around, the blue win would be all over the Pinoy exchange forums, plus invasions in peyups.com and greenarcher.net. Why are they all mum now?
We were there before 1pm, 5 of us. As soon as we got in, we went off and found good seats. We were at Upper A, not too near the court yet not too far. The drums were rumbling then. "It's good to be back," I told Y.
That day was a reunion of sorts. La Salle and Ateneo basketball greats fight each other for old times' sake. The first game were members of teams from the '60s to the late '80s. Some notable La Sallians in the Legends game include the deadly shooter Lim Eng Beng, Franz Pumaren who led us to 5 titles in 7 years, Jong and Joel Uichico, Tonichi Yturri, Boy Manguerra, and others to be coached Virgil Villavicencio (of Triple V fame). I never saw them play as La Sallians before, as I only entered the hallowed halls in 1991. But boy were they something! Sure they were slower, the bellies a little bigger, but they never showed signs of bowing to the blue side. Even if bragging rights were the only trophy, these team didn't show any signs of letting up. After the first period, it was 17-10 La Salle. Ateneo tried to fight hard, with the likes of Jojo Lastimosa, Nonoy Chuatico and Steve Watson combining to give them a 54-52 lead at the start of the 4th. But that's the best they could muster. La Salle dropped a 9-0 bomb to take the lead for good, never looking back. The game ended at 79-70 for La Salle, everything settled at the last-2-minute mark 'cept for the final score. Even with the blue babble battalion shouting at full blast, the green gallery were undaunted. I think we even outshouted them, if that's even a word.
Sidebar: I especially liked the cheers done by both pep squads during timeouts. It had a certain thing about them that I find missing when we're facing a different squad. As much as Ateneo and La Salle are rivals, we are one in traditions. When other schools are fielding cheerdancers who don't even shout cheers to begin with, we both bring out something that both students and alumni know - that spirit of support - that somehow, your strength is transferred to the team. Like the crowd is the 6th player on the court. That's why all Ateneo-La Salle games are sold-out, everybody just wants to participate. It's a bore just to watch a game, di ba? You'd rather PLAY the game! With all the Rektikanos and Blue Eagle spellings for that game, it's ok if I don't get to watch the game live this July 10. Malabo na, coz tickets were already sold out since this morning!
Anyhoo, going back... I was able to relate more to the All-Stars game. It featured players I knew, kasi kapanahunan ko na, hehe. From Dindo Pumaren, Raffy Dinglasan, Dicky Bachmann, Dwight Lago, to Dino Aldeguer, Mon Jose, Alvin Magpantay - gumawa lahat to defeat Ateneo again, 83-72. I knew the game was ours after the first quarter, with the score at 25-8. Yup, that's only 8 for the team from Katipunan.
But we were given the shock of a lifetime when the blue squad scattered points behind the almost buwakaw plays of Vince Hizon, once a good player from Ginebra, to come within 4, 56-52 at the start of the fourth. But like in the first game, that was all they could muster. Pumaren, Lago and Tyrone Bautista combined 14 unanswered points to break away. Hizon and Epok Quimpo (he's an All-Star?!) tried to keep the heads of the blue boys above water, but it was all for naught. The Green Archers triumphed again, this time at 83-72. My voice was pretty much raspy at this point as I couldn't stop cheering for the life of me. I had so much fun! I will definitely, definitely do this again!
(Marj and Regie might watch with us during the La Salle-UST game. I bet that will be even more fun, with all the asarans pa!)
Postscript: As expected from true-blue sore losers, I couldn't find any topic from Atenean.net about the Ultimate Showdown. Are they just braggarts when they're winning? If it were the other way around, the blue win would be all over the Pinoy exchange forums, plus invasions in peyups.com and greenarcher.net. Why are they all mum now?
Monday, June 20, 2005
Monday Blues!
I feel like Garfield today. I really hate Mondays!!! I only like Mondays when they're holidays. I dread getting up and getting ready. How I wish it would always be weekends. Siguro ganon if you don't like your work that much no? I mean, what if I had na my own business? Would I still feel like this?
Before the piracy overkill, I have always wanted to put up my own video and record store. Like Tower Records, but with knowledgeable employees. Not like the ones they have in Odyssey or Radio City or Video City or Astrovision. Yung you'll ask lang for a CD na hindi Britney Spears or Sexbomb Dancers and they'll look at you with a deer-caught-in-the-headlights kind of stare.
******************************************
I love movies (more so than music), and I wanted to cater to all those collectors and movie-lovers alike, preferably in the more presentable media, the DVD. Kaso now, I feel na the video-watching public are just totally dependent on the movies that the local distributors put out in the market. Usually the sobrang commercialized movies that you can find everywhere. The ones that are critically-acclaimed or the ones they think na konti lang ang bibili, you have to get pa outside of the country. I can never find 'The Groundhog Day' DVD dito. This, I believe, is Bill Murray's funniest movie. Wala raw kasi tayong winter kaya we won't get the premise of the Groundhog day.
Sometimes naman, wrong timing ang local distributors. It took me forever to find the Godfather Trilogy DVD, kasi when I bought the Region 1 (US), nilabas naman nila yung mas murang Region 3!!! Grrrrr!!!
Sometimes, pang-inis lang ang ginagawa ng local distributors. Like yung sa case ng Friends DVDs, they get the Region 1 cover (where you can see lots of Special Features) and then you plug in the DVD and lo and behold, wala yung ibang Special Features!!! Kulang na lang, i-xerox na lang yung box nung Region 1 and ibigay yung inferior Region 3 discs!!! I really had the first 3 seasons changed kahit walang physical defect yung discs. I just told the lady at Astrovision that the discs did not contain all the special features indicated at the back and I was not at all satisfied with their product. Buti na lang tinanggap nila ulit. The bad news was, sa Amazon.com pa ako bumili ng Region 1 Friends, and you could guess how much it cost me to buy the 8 Seasons.
If ever I'll put up my video store, it would more likely be Region 1 releases. I don't want to sell low-quality stuff kasi... Kaso, it would defeat naman my purpose of raising the bar for Filipino products. Siguro dapat sa Warner or Magnavision ako magtrabaho... Hmmmm...
******************************************
Thanks to D and N for always giving me comments about my blog.
Before the piracy overkill, I have always wanted to put up my own video and record store. Like Tower Records, but with knowledgeable employees. Not like the ones they have in Odyssey or Radio City or Video City or Astrovision. Yung you'll ask lang for a CD na hindi Britney Spears or Sexbomb Dancers and they'll look at you with a deer-caught-in-the-headlights kind of stare.
******************************************
I love movies (more so than music), and I wanted to cater to all those collectors and movie-lovers alike, preferably in the more presentable media, the DVD. Kaso now, I feel na the video-watching public are just totally dependent on the movies that the local distributors put out in the market. Usually the sobrang commercialized movies that you can find everywhere. The ones that are critically-acclaimed or the ones they think na konti lang ang bibili, you have to get pa outside of the country. I can never find 'The Groundhog Day' DVD dito. This, I believe, is Bill Murray's funniest movie. Wala raw kasi tayong winter kaya we won't get the premise of the Groundhog day.
Sometimes naman, wrong timing ang local distributors. It took me forever to find the Godfather Trilogy DVD, kasi when I bought the Region 1 (US), nilabas naman nila yung mas murang Region 3!!! Grrrrr!!!
Sometimes, pang-inis lang ang ginagawa ng local distributors. Like yung sa case ng Friends DVDs, they get the Region 1 cover (where you can see lots of Special Features) and then you plug in the DVD and lo and behold, wala yung ibang Special Features!!! Kulang na lang, i-xerox na lang yung box nung Region 1 and ibigay yung inferior Region 3 discs!!! I really had the first 3 seasons changed kahit walang physical defect yung discs. I just told the lady at Astrovision that the discs did not contain all the special features indicated at the back and I was not at all satisfied with their product. Buti na lang tinanggap nila ulit. The bad news was, sa Amazon.com pa ako bumili ng Region 1 Friends, and you could guess how much it cost me to buy the 8 Seasons.
If ever I'll put up my video store, it would more likely be Region 1 releases. I don't want to sell low-quality stuff kasi... Kaso, it would defeat naman my purpose of raising the bar for Filipino products. Siguro dapat sa Warner or Magnavision ako magtrabaho... Hmmmm...
******************************************
Thanks to D and N for always giving me comments about my blog.
Friday, June 17, 2005
Should I take it?
I was offered a project in J for 20 months. Should I take it?
I would want to return there but not that long. 20 months is a long time. I would have wanted to bring my family there, but I don't think that's possible.
With nobody else to assign there, I feel that the decision may not be up to me, at all.
I'm in a quandary.
I would want to return there but not that long. 20 months is a long time. I would have wanted to bring my family there, but I don't think that's possible.
With nobody else to assign there, I feel that the decision may not be up to me, at all.
I'm in a quandary.
Thursday, June 16, 2005
My Morning Rush addiction
I can't get enough of the morning rush. Although I'm such a sleeper, I try to wake up early just to catch the Morning Rush on RX93.1 (webcast also at www.rx931.com 6-9am Phil time). I used to dread going off to (school before and now) work, but somehow, over the years, that feeling vanished coz I was drawn to their show during, of course, the morning rush.
That was the time when Campus Radio was losing its touch. Triggerman was getting really annoying, and nothing seemed to be doing it for me from all the other stations. My mom used to comment that Chico and Delamar were always talking, but for goodness' sake, it was a radio TALK show, after all.
I used to smile kahit corny sometimes ang topics nila. But they were never really as corny as their next door (can i say door?) neighbor, the old WKC. I liked the He Said, She Said portion - which was their dibs on caller's problems/concerns, their News at 17 (every 17th minute of the hour), the opening and closing songs (sung a little too cheesily for my taste), even the audacity to release their own record! Yup, it was really them singing, believe you me.
Even when they changed stations and carried their morning show with them, I still followed. Boom, Franchesca and Trish, who were assigned their old timeslot in RX, were fun, but not as fun as Chico and Delamar. It was my guilty pleasure to listen to the Morning Rush, with the Top 10 usually leaving a smile plastered to my face. It was my time to be a little corny. Chico would tease the hell out of Delamar, and we were there to help him!
When they returned to RX in 2002, back with them I followed. Brad Turvy was added shortly after, but no offense to Brad, I couldn't care less if he were there or not. The 2 still carried the show. The Top 10, complete with Survivor cue in and out music, would still make me laugh, albeit a little harder. I remember the time I laughed really hard was when they discussed the Top 10 Beauty Pageant Boo boos. Old jokes during the 96 Miss Universe came back, bringing a lot of memories. Here's a sample:
Good thing they launched the website then. Even when I was in Japan, I would still listen to their show before I went to work. They even tried TV a few years back. There's even a yahoogroup, rushonline. Join, ika nga, ip pans ka nila!
Cat of RX recently started posting wma soundbytes mostly of the Morning Rush Top 10, details of which can be found on The Rush Online.
At least I don't need to get up at 6 am now.
rx931.com & 93.1MHz in Mega Manila, Mondays to Saturdays, 6-9am
He says, She says - Youth and Campus Section of the Manila Bulletin, Wednesdays
Top 10 soundbytes c/o The Rush Online
That was the time when Campus Radio was losing its touch. Triggerman was getting really annoying, and nothing seemed to be doing it for me from all the other stations. My mom used to comment that Chico and Delamar were always talking, but for goodness' sake, it was a radio TALK show, after all.
I used to smile kahit corny sometimes ang topics nila. But they were never really as corny as their next door (can i say door?) neighbor, the old WKC. I liked the He Said, She Said portion - which was their dibs on caller's problems/concerns, their News at 17 (every 17th minute of the hour), the opening and closing songs (sung a little too cheesily for my taste), even the audacity to release their own record! Yup, it was really them singing, believe you me.
Even when they changed stations and carried their morning show with them, I still followed. Boom, Franchesca and Trish, who were assigned their old timeslot in RX, were fun, but not as fun as Chico and Delamar. It was my guilty pleasure to listen to the Morning Rush, with the Top 10 usually leaving a smile plastered to my face. It was my time to be a little corny. Chico would tease the hell out of Delamar, and we were there to help him!
When they returned to RX in 2002, back with them I followed. Brad Turvy was added shortly after, but no offense to Brad, I couldn't care less if he were there or not. The 2 still carried the show. The Top 10, complete with Survivor cue in and out music, would still make me laugh, albeit a little harder. I remember the time I laughed really hard was when they discussed the Top 10 Beauty Pageant Boo boos. Old jokes during the 96 Miss Universe came back, bringing a lot of memories. Here's a sample:
Q:"Why did you join this contest?"
A:"Me? join this contest? why did I? Thank you."
Q:"How would you describe the color blue to a blind person?
A:"That's a very good question, keep it up!"
Q:"I heard you almost didn't make it, how did you get here, did you ride or
did you walk?
A:"Of course, did you ride, what do you think of me? did you
walk?"
Q:"Besides the Philippines, where else do you want to live?
A:"States"
Q:"Where in the States?"
A:"Canada"
Good thing they launched the website then. Even when I was in Japan, I would still listen to their show before I went to work. They even tried TV a few years back. There's even a yahoogroup, rushonline. Join, ika nga, ip pans ka nila!
Cat of RX recently started posting wma soundbytes mostly of the Morning Rush Top 10, details of which can be found on The Rush Online.
At least I don't need to get up at 6 am now.
rx931.com & 93.1MHz in Mega Manila, Mondays to Saturdays, 6-9am
He says, She says - Youth and Campus Section of the Manila Bulletin, Wednesdays
Top 10 soundbytes c/o The Rush Online
Who da pirate?
I'm posting this article coz it really really translates my thoughts into words. Mr. Diokno did me a favor! I just want to put the link up, but with inquirer, this will be gone after a week. Mr. Diokno, with your kind permission, I request permission to show your article to my friends. Thanks!
Who da pirate?
First posted 02:23am (Mla time) June 11, 2005
By Pepe Diokno Inquirer News Service
RIGHT before Star Trek Enterprise on HBO, I saw this ad that said, "If you think it's wrong to steal cars, and bags, and money, it's just as wrong to buy pirated. Piracy is theft" or something like that. The ad is part of the HIP (Honor Intellectual Property) campaign of the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore.
And cool, piracy is theft. And it's deteriorating society! (Echo, echo) The ad places a lack of respect for an artist's intellectual property at the center of the piracy problem. And I agree. But the problem is, who has the right to talk about honoring intellectual property in the first place?
Buzz! What are record companies and movie studios? Wrong. Companies who make money off other people's creations and put profit as their top priority do not honor intellectual property. Record companies aren't on this earth for the music-they're here for money. Same goes with movie studios. When these corporations ask you to stop buying pirated, they're really just asking you to give them more money. Don't mind them.
Buzz! What is the government? Wrong again. We pay 1/3 of our annual income to our government - and they tax us for everything we buy- and at least more than half of the revenue they get goes into the pockets of Secretaries blahblah and blahblah (and the people who make up their Edsa motorcade).
The government is full of people with individual interests. These people make their money off of your work and my work. They feed off us.They have no right to lecture us about honoring intellectual property.If they did, they'd respect us enough to show us where 1/3 of our income goes. When the government asks you to stop buying pirated, they're really just asking you to fund their next scandal.
We're all pirates!
So it turns out that the main proponents of anti-piracy campaigns aren't in the position to talk to us about intellectual property rights in the first place. They're pirates themselves. The real message of the "No to Piracy" mumbo jumbo is, "Give this fat businessman money" and, "Give this fat politician some dough." It's kinda like the US Government saying they want to kill terrorism when they themselves strike terror in the hearts of little Arab children, among others.
Moolah is behind all this anti-piracy crap. If there wasn't any money in music and movies, we wouldn't have an Optical Media Board and Intellectual Property Office.
Look - in the end, when piracy is, um, eradicated, the ones who will benefit are, first the record companies and movie studios, then the government. The artists get the crumbs. (Like, remember when TLC said they were bankrupt? Anyway...)
Victims!
The victims of piracy are the artists themselves. They're victims of you and me buying CDs worth P50 each and downloading stuff off the net, yes. But they're also victims of executives and politicos leeching on their talent. Everyone's trying to get a piece of these artists, but they're the poorest ones around. People don't realize that the artist is the basic form of life. (Like plants!)
It's typical of Filipino society to look down on the building blocks of society. The labor sector, for example, is regarded with as much respect in this country as, say, rags. They get paid the lowest, but work the hardest-they work their asses off for rice and salt. And then we laugh at the thought that if all of them died of starvation, none of us will survive (it's possible.).
This system of society is a sickness-and it's one of the reasons why our country will never improve. The day we start giving truck drivers and janitors their due is the day we will develop (Any sign of that happening, mister? Uh, sorry.) This is a sickness and a problem.
Piracy on the other hand is a sickness but it isn't the problem. It's (drum roll...) the way we think. A lack of respect for (or knowledge on) intellectual property is a major part of the piracy issue. A lack of regard for the people who actually do the work is another problem. Our national leaders' being out of touch with the way 90 percent of our country lives is another major problem. Unless we change the way we think, the Philippines-and all Filipinos, for that matter-is destined to utter ruin.
The way we Filipinos think contributes to the one big word we pray to God (or Allah, or the kami, or Buddha-it doesn't matter) to get rid of-poverty.
Poverty
Piracy will never be expelled from this region unless something is done about poverty. And to try to solve piracy and pay attention to IP rights are futile when most Filipinos can't eat.
Picture this: OMB chairman Edu Manzano arrives in an expensive car at a slum area in Caloocan or some other place. He makes his way to a flimsy stage and delivers a speech. "I know you people only make P50 a day,which isn't even enough to feed yourself let alone your family, but please, if you want to enjoy the music of Sarah Geronimo, do not eat for just five days, and buy a P250 original CD!"
Now they won't be able to enjoy Sarah Geronimo. (Aww...) So the argument is that if you can't buy something, you can probably live without it. If you can't buy CDs, too bad. But any musician will say that music is life. And any filmmaker will tell you that film is the foremost medium of expression that everybody needs.The people who make the products that are pirated most often will say that their creations are essential to life. It is the soulless politico who doesn't get that, and will say that music is an unnecessary expense.The point is you cannot tell people who are underpaid (hey, even minimum wage is below what is needed to keep a family alive) to spend a whole week's salary on music. But at the same time, you cannot deprive a person of music.
Demand, supply, solutionBut you're right. There's no concrete, clear-cut course of action against piracy. But the least we can do is know what we're attacking. It's not the supply of pirated products, but the demand of them that we should eradicate. See, if people want something, they're going to find ways to get it. These raids our officials do are like games of whack-a-mole. (If you see something come up, whack it! Oops, there's another one! Whack it!)
The solution is to address the demand for pirated products. Record companies and movie studios have to show us that they put music and movies before profit. (Now that is ideal, but telling people to respect artists' rights while being after the money themselves is hypocritical.) And the government should put more effort into realizing long-term goals like speeding up the justice system, fixing the LaborCode, and decentralizing powers, and become less involved in short-term problems like the operation at the back of Metrowalk.
And third, the artists have to be aware of blood-sucking from all directions. Though it is hard to survive without canoodling with and giving into the companies that distribute your work, people must realize that these corporations need you. The people who create must band together and stand up for (cliche coming:) their rights. (Just like People Power... or something.)
These "Say No To Piracy" drives are nothing but crap-they're there but no one minds them. They're there but they don't solve the main issues that cause piracy. The money used for a 30-second spot about intellectual property can be used to put people to school and educate them even better about rights, and proper consumerism. (Hey, an -ism!)
Piracy is theft. And all of us are guilty of it-we're all guilty of living off somebody else's work. But then, piracy isn't the problem. The problem is that our society is sick, and that our country is poor.Raid that, freaks.
Comments at pepediokno@gmail.com
Things I Miss in Japan
I can't believe how time flew! As of today, I have already stayed 8 straight months in Manila. Ganoong katagal na akong idle! Ha ha! But I kinda miss Japan pa rin. Why? Let me count the ways...
It's so ef-in' hot here in Manila! Our airconditioner would have conked out if I didn't have it cleaned. Nikki learned how to turn on the aircon so I guess that explains why our bill is P10, 400+. Yup, that's right, P10,400. Last year at this time, it was only P4,000+. What did we get recently that contributed to the difference? Nothing!!! We already had the motor for our water tank last year, so I guess it's just the aircon use. But should the difference be P6,000?!!! Hell no! That's why I miss Japan. With their cool climate 9 months of the year, I just have to settle for that awful summer. Honestly, I prefer their cool, crisp winters than their sticky summers anytime!
Going home from the office takes almost an hour! And I live in Las Pinas for cripes sake! I miss the regular train schedules, though I'd rather have the other train lines compared to JR Yokohama. The others are usually less packed, with lesser intervals between trains. And when I'm late it's usually because of my own fault! I just want to get to my destination with so much less hassle! Even if I take my car, with these skyrocketing gasoline prices, LUGI rin! Plus the aggravation of dealing with uneducated drivers on the road, I could literally feel my wrinkles forming on my forehead. No exag!
I miss the food! I'm sawa na of the daing na bangus, sisig, pork barbecue, chickenjoy, yang chow, tapsi, longsi, tosi, pakaplog and what have you! I want my chashumen, my chahan and yakiniku tampin!
I miss the convenience and ease of shopping. I was a regular of amazon.co.jp. I ordered books, DVDs, toys, etc. The prices may not be different from those available here, but I could readily spend 2,000 yen there than P1,000 here. That's the difference. And the gadget! Oh my god! Give me an ipod that has its own satellite, with built-in Gprs, that could heat my dinner with a side of fries and McShake, puri-su! Yodobashi and Bic, two places I miss visiting.
I don't know why, and most of the time I feel ashamed to admit it, but I like living alone for a time. I mean, I like being married pa rin plus I so love my kids, but they can be quite a handful rin. Days literally go by so quickly with them. I just want that time when I can be alone, drink a hot cup of Caramel Macchiatto and read a book. Ideal overseas assignments for me would be three months a year. But that rarely happens. Not to us, not to ITPST.
So adopt me again, Japan. Love me ulit.
But for 3 months lang ha? [asa ka pa.]
It's so ef-in' hot here in Manila! Our airconditioner would have conked out if I didn't have it cleaned. Nikki learned how to turn on the aircon so I guess that explains why our bill is P10, 400+. Yup, that's right, P10,400. Last year at this time, it was only P4,000+. What did we get recently that contributed to the difference? Nothing!!! We already had the motor for our water tank last year, so I guess it's just the aircon use. But should the difference be P6,000?!!! Hell no! That's why I miss Japan. With their cool climate 9 months of the year, I just have to settle for that awful summer. Honestly, I prefer their cool, crisp winters than their sticky summers anytime!
Going home from the office takes almost an hour! And I live in Las Pinas for cripes sake! I miss the regular train schedules, though I'd rather have the other train lines compared to JR Yokohama. The others are usually less packed, with lesser intervals between trains. And when I'm late it's usually because of my own fault! I just want to get to my destination with so much less hassle! Even if I take my car, with these skyrocketing gasoline prices, LUGI rin! Plus the aggravation of dealing with uneducated drivers on the road, I could literally feel my wrinkles forming on my forehead. No exag!
I miss the food! I'm sawa na of the daing na bangus, sisig, pork barbecue, chickenjoy, yang chow, tapsi, longsi, tosi, pakaplog and what have you! I want my chashumen, my chahan and yakiniku tampin!
I miss the convenience and ease of shopping. I was a regular of amazon.co.jp. I ordered books, DVDs, toys, etc. The prices may not be different from those available here, but I could readily spend 2,000 yen there than P1,000 here. That's the difference. And the gadget! Oh my god! Give me an ipod that has its own satellite, with built-in Gprs, that could heat my dinner with a side of fries and McShake, puri-su! Yodobashi and Bic, two places I miss visiting.
I don't know why, and most of the time I feel ashamed to admit it, but I like living alone for a time. I mean, I like being married pa rin plus I so love my kids, but they can be quite a handful rin. Days literally go by so quickly with them. I just want that time when I can be alone, drink a hot cup of Caramel Macchiatto and read a book. Ideal overseas assignments for me would be three months a year. But that rarely happens. Not to us, not to ITPST.
So adopt me again, Japan. Love me ulit.
But for 3 months lang ha? [asa ka pa.]
Thursday, June 09, 2005
Voltes V toy coming out soon!
I'm gonna get me a Voltes V toy come Christmas! Yay!!!
Excuse my giddiness. I just can't get over the fact that every Pinoy 80s boy's dream toy, Voltes V, will be released by Bandai either end of this year or early next year. Oops, that statement should have been followed by lots and lots of exclamation points! as in !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
However silly or nearly impossible the Voltes series were, it captivated all our imaginations. I mean, really, everyone I knew back then were watching the series. From the original airing in the late '70s (which led to a mini revolt among kids when Marcos decided to ban it citing violence daw as the reason), to the never-ending replays in the '80s (which didn't actually reach the end of the series), and finally the revival in the '90s. It was even released as a VCD here in the Philippines, together with my other favorite, Daimos.
So what is it about Voltes V that hooked us to our television screens? Well it maybe the temporary escape from our dreary lives. Imagine the excitement of handling your own ship which combines to 4 others to become a Super Robot! I mean, I was Little John's age, and I believed I could be one of them. It didn't matter that they didn't have military-type flying lessons. It didn't matter that the youngest could only have been in 1st year high school, tops. It made us want to be them, not just admire them.
It could be the cool vehicles/robot. It was Earth's last stand against an Alien invasion, for cripes' sakes. Even with that, you just can't help your ooohs and aaahs looking at each ship, and then having the power to "volt in!" and become the greatest machine to defend Earth. And with that feeling of having their backs against the wall and winning each and every single time, talk about never-say-die!
It could be the translation of the said ships to a toy line. I have this friend, Voltaire, who had the toy and I would bike to their place so that we can play during weekends. If it weren't for this, I don't think we would have been friends, coz we belong to different crowds in school. But we got past the toy phase eventually, and became good friends. I would re-enact the whole volting in (with matching singing pa ng theme song!).
Now, with the release of this toy, my childhood dream will finally come true! I know this guy (his mom and my mom are great friends) in the States. When his mom came over for a visit, his only "bilin" was a Voltes V toy. He didn't care how much it costs. He just told her na now that he's earning, he'd like that 1 toy he didn't have growing up. Alas, the mom could not locate one. So Kuya A, very soon you could own one!
So all you kids of the '80s, Let's Volt In! (sabay pindot nung red button, para ma-play yung theme song!)
N, pabili naman dyan!
Excuse my giddiness. I just can't get over the fact that every Pinoy 80s boy's dream toy, Voltes V, will be released by Bandai either end of this year or early next year. Oops, that statement should have been followed by lots and lots of exclamation points! as in !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
However silly or nearly impossible the Voltes series were, it captivated all our imaginations. I mean, really, everyone I knew back then were watching the series. From the original airing in the late '70s (which led to a mini revolt among kids when Marcos decided to ban it citing violence daw as the reason), to the never-ending replays in the '80s (which didn't actually reach the end of the series), and finally the revival in the '90s. It was even released as a VCD here in the Philippines, together with my other favorite, Daimos.
So what is it about Voltes V that hooked us to our television screens? Well it maybe the temporary escape from our dreary lives. Imagine the excitement of handling your own ship which combines to 4 others to become a Super Robot! I mean, I was Little John's age, and I believed I could be one of them. It didn't matter that they didn't have military-type flying lessons. It didn't matter that the youngest could only have been in 1st year high school, tops. It made us want to be them, not just admire them.
It could be the cool vehicles/robot. It was Earth's last stand against an Alien invasion, for cripes' sakes. Even with that, you just can't help your ooohs and aaahs looking at each ship, and then having the power to "volt in!" and become the greatest machine to defend Earth. And with that feeling of having their backs against the wall and winning each and every single time, talk about never-say-die!
It could be the translation of the said ships to a toy line. I have this friend, Voltaire, who had the toy and I would bike to their place so that we can play during weekends. If it weren't for this, I don't think we would have been friends, coz we belong to different crowds in school. But we got past the toy phase eventually, and became good friends. I would re-enact the whole volting in (with matching singing pa ng theme song!).
Now, with the release of this toy, my childhood dream will finally come true! I know this guy (his mom and my mom are great friends) in the States. When his mom came over for a visit, his only "bilin" was a Voltes V toy. He didn't care how much it costs. He just told her na now that he's earning, he'd like that 1 toy he didn't have growing up. Alas, the mom could not locate one. So Kuya A, very soon you could own one!
So all you kids of the '80s, Let's Volt In! (sabay pindot nung red button, para ma-play yung theme song!)
N, pabili naman dyan!
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
Wala na kaming coffee!
We just ran out of Maxwell House this morning. Our previous supply of Maxim from Japan has long expired. We were counting on the "pasalubong" of Noel but alas, they were given way unsuspectingly by Malou to their relatives.
To all those in Japan, kindly send us our Maxim Coffee!!!
or
To all those in Japan, kindly send us our Maxim Coffee!!!
or
Happy Birthday, Ethan!
I can't believe my 2nd son, Ethan, will be two this weekend. He's developed so well and I'm so proud of him and his kuya. He can carry a tune already (while watching Blue's Clues or their favorite nursery rhymes CD) and he's so cute while he tried to dance while singing. He can really bring a smile to my face even if I'm down.
I'm really feel like I'm getting old. It's not just the getting old part, rather, the feeling of not being able to accomplish things I should already have at 30. Yup, I'm already 30. Can't believe that the lifting of Martial Law, the first (and dapat last) People Power revolution, College Life have already passed me by. It's been 10 years since I graduated! Can't believe I've been stuck here in J*P*I for that long.
It's not that I haven't tried looking for other jobs. It's just, comparing the amount of work, time I have to spend commuting, versus the current kinda still swings JPI's way. The most I could do is break even, but alas, I feel I will earn the same but work soooo much harder.
I really have to start that Canada thing. Sad to say, I could never fulfill all my dreams here in the Philippines. So that I could give Ethan and Nikki the best birthday gifts ever. Security with Love.
I'm really feel like I'm getting old. It's not just the getting old part, rather, the feeling of not being able to accomplish things I should already have at 30. Yup, I'm already 30. Can't believe that the lifting of Martial Law, the first (and dapat last) People Power revolution, College Life have already passed me by. It's been 10 years since I graduated! Can't believe I've been stuck here in J*P*I for that long.
It's not that I haven't tried looking for other jobs. It's just, comparing the amount of work, time I have to spend commuting, versus the current kinda still swings JPI's way. The most I could do is break even, but alas, I feel I will earn the same but work soooo much harder.
I really have to start that Canada thing. Sad to say, I could never fulfill all my dreams here in the Philippines. So that I could give Ethan and Nikki the best birthday gifts ever. Security with Love.
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
Starbucks
Whew!
I've been addicted to Starbucks' Tall Hot Caramel Macchiato lately. Even though it's the freakin' summer, I still order my cup of hot and tall java whenever we're at ATC or Metrobank. I mean, what's wrong with the usual Maxim, Maxwell House brew? Or the good ol' Nescafe?
Am I really contributing to Starbucks' rise in the business? And pa-sosyal proud of it pa?
Hmm.
I hope not. Let's toast to that.
=)
I've been addicted to Starbucks' Tall Hot Caramel Macchiato lately. Even though it's the freakin' summer, I still order my cup of hot and tall java whenever we're at ATC or Metrobank. I mean, what's wrong with the usual Maxim, Maxwell House brew? Or the good ol' Nescafe?
Am I really contributing to Starbucks' rise in the business? And pa-sosyal proud of it pa?
Hmm.
I hope not. Let's toast to that.
=)
Thursday, January 13, 2005
You Call This An Increase?!
Today I signed my salary increase letter given by our higher-ups. My basic salary really increased, but there was a catch. The reason for such was all my other allowances were bundled into it, and then calling that new sum, "the increased salary".
I know life's hard and the economy is down, but after serving almost 10 years in this company, I should have gotten this amount 4 years ago! I sometimes think of the investment my parents put in me, sending me to school, making sure I have the best education possible.
Should I have ventured on endeavors related to my course instead? I knew computers were in, and I could say I had the interest graduating lankly albeit excitedly 9 summers ago. Would I have found myself in the same financial situation if I were able to find a job in Shell or San Miguel or some other instutition I have submitted applications in?
To finally move into our own house, I would need to tighten my belt a little bit more, put off enrolling Nikki to a playschool and just homeschool him till he qualifies for preschool, say goodbye to my planned DVD purchases, and maybe stay abroad for a few more assignments... What do you say?
I know life's hard and the economy is down, but after serving almost 10 years in this company, I should have gotten this amount 4 years ago! I sometimes think of the investment my parents put in me, sending me to school, making sure I have the best education possible.
Should I have ventured on endeavors related to my course instead? I knew computers were in, and I could say I had the interest graduating lankly albeit excitedly 9 summers ago. Would I have found myself in the same financial situation if I were able to find a job in Shell or San Miguel or some other instutition I have submitted applications in?
To finally move into our own house, I would need to tighten my belt a little bit more, put off enrolling Nikki to a playschool and just homeschool him till he qualifies for preschool, say goodbye to my planned DVD purchases, and maybe stay abroad for a few more assignments... What do you say?
Torrents - another choice
Just recently, I have concluded watching Transformers Energon, a show run by USA's Cartoon Network. I did not watch this on TV though, because I am in Las Pinas, Metro Manila. We don't have Satellite TV (not yet anyway). Our cable has not caught up with these nice channels, but I can't think for the life of me why we have those Indian channels were even their dramas have dance steps.
I am quite thankful for the peer-to-peer applications and more recently to bittorrent coz after all these years, I am not anymore confined on what's available on TV, cable or video. I can now watch my favorite shows a few hours after the North Americans. I am now updated in Smallville, That '70s Show, Alias, 24, CSI, Survivor, The Amazing Race, Monk, Lost, etc. Not just being able to keep abreast of these shows, but actually start these shows or download the episodes I have missed.
They say this is piracy or at least in violation of the "all rights reserved" written in their credits. But damn! What can beat having these shows for free?!! (or at least paying for a relatively-faster Internet subscription fee). It's too much a burden to have to wait for a season to finish and be available on DVD.
That's why, even if this is the bad side of piracy, I'm all for it.
I am quite thankful for the peer-to-peer applications and more recently to bittorrent coz after all these years, I am not anymore confined on what's available on TV, cable or video. I can now watch my favorite shows a few hours after the North Americans. I am now updated in Smallville, That '70s Show, Alias, 24, CSI, Survivor, The Amazing Race, Monk, Lost, etc. Not just being able to keep abreast of these shows, but actually start these shows or download the episodes I have missed.
They say this is piracy or at least in violation of the "all rights reserved" written in their credits. But damn! What can beat having these shows for free?!! (or at least paying for a relatively-faster Internet subscription fee). It's too much a burden to have to wait for a season to finish and be available on DVD.
That's why, even if this is the bad side of piracy, I'm all for it.
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