End of the (Old) Road Routine

Until then, it's a new road to 2009

Obama's Empatsoated with PGMA

Finally, PGMA, after being snubbed by Obama after clinching the presidency, got invited to Malacanan for dinner. Funny commercial

Santa Baby and RIP Eartha Kitt

Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!! Go Tell it On the Mountain!!!!

"They are so enthusiastic, so effervescent, so lively, so full of life. Go! Tell it! On! The Mountain! Merry Christmas!!!!!!"
Parang mga classmates ni Etot mga ito ah

Wishing You Peace and Quietude this Christmas

Islet in the Sulu Archipelago , Philippines . More than 6,000 of the 7,100 Philippine Islands are uninhabited, like this islet in the Sulu Archipelago, a set of 500 islands that separate the Celebes and the Sulu seas

Pasko at Pandesal

From Robert Alejandro

Christmas in QC

Shopping Bag

from Condomi, a sex shop

The 12 Days of Scandals

Karaokeology: Korea

There are many of these videos featuring regular Koreans. This was filmed in a norebang or the Korean karaoke room. Unlike the Pinoy version, this is where you are filmed recording your favorite karaoke hits. Anyway, enjoy the song!

Dear Virginia, There is No Mayor of Paris

The letter to the editor of New York Times

Kennedy, Seen From Paris

As mayor of Paris, I find Caroline Kennedy’s bid for the seat of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton both surprising and not very democratic, to say the least. What title has Ms. Kennedy to pretend to Hillary Clinton’s seat? We French can only see a dynastic move of the vanishing Kennedy clan in the very country of the Bill of Rights. It is both surprising and appalling.

With all the respect and admiration I have for Ms. Kennedy’s late father, I find her bid in very poor taste, and, after reading “Kennedy, Touring Upstate, Gets Less and Less Low-Key” (news article, Dec. 18), in my opinion she has no qualification whatsoever to bid for Senator Clinton’s seat.

We French have been consistently admiring of the American Constitution, but it seems that recently both Republicans and Democrats are drifting away from a truly democratic model. The Kennedy era is long gone, and I guess that New York has plenty of more qualified candidates to fill the shoes of Hillary Clinton. Can we speak of American decline?

Bertrand Delanoë
Paris, Dec.

18, 2008

Hmm. The correction

Gusto Mong Maglaway?

I first saw this:

Sabi ko, Wow! Pero sa isip-isip ko, except for Renoir, I already got the rest in Po-quiaps. $99! Ako nga $1 each. Iyun nga lang may librong kasama. And then I realized that two years ago Criterion came out with this:

Huwaw talaga!

Hardcover, linen-bound box set with 240-page, full-color book and 50 DVDs
Dimensions: 12.5” x 12.75” x 3.5”
Weight: 14 lbs
The 39 Steps Alfred Hitchcock, 1935; The 400 Blows François Truffaut, 1959; Ballad of a Soldier Grigori Chukhrai, 1959; Beauty and the Beast Jean Cocteau, 1946; Black Orpheus Marcel Camus, 1959; Brief Encounter David Lean, 1945; The Fallen Idol Carol Reed, 1948; Fires on the Plain Kon Ichikawa, 1959; Fists in the Pocket Marco Bellocchio, 1965; Forbidden Games René Clément, 1952; Grand Illusion Jean Renoir, 1937; Häxan Benjamin Christensen, 1922; Ikiru Akira Kurosawa, 1952; Il Posto Ermanno Olmi, 1961; The Importance of Being Earnest Anthony Asquith, 1952; Le Jour se lève Marcel Carné, 1939; Jules and Jim François Truffaut, 1962; Kind Hearts and Coronets Robert Hamer, 1949; Knife in the Water Roman Polanski, 1962; The Lady Vanishes Alfred Hitchcock, 1938; The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, 1943; Loves of a Blonde Milos Forman, 1965; L’avventura Michelangelo Antonioni, 1960; M Fritz Lang, 1931; M. Hulot’s Holiday Jacques Tati, 1953; Miss Julie Alf Sjöberg, 1951; Pandora’s Box Georg Wilhelm Pabst, 1929; Pépé le Moko Julien Duvivier, 1937; Pygmalion Anthony Asquith and Leslie Howard, 1938; Rashomon Akira Kurosawa, 1950; Richard III Laurence Olivier, 1955; The Rules of the Game Jean Renoir, 1939; Seven Samurai Akira Kurosawa, 1954; The Seventh Seal Ingmar Bergman, 1957; The Spirit of the Beehive Víctor Erice, 1973; La Strada Federico Fellini, 1954; Summertime David Lean, 1955; The Third Man Carol Reed, 1949; Three Documentaries Saul J. Turell, 1962; Ugetsu Kenji Mizoguchi, 1953; Umberto D. Vittorio De Sica, 1952; The Virgin Spring Ingmar Bergman, 1960; Viridiana Luis Buñuel, 1961; The Wages of Fear Henri-Georges Clouzot, 1953; The White Sheik Federico Fellini, 1952; and Wild Strawberries Ingmar Bergman, 1957

Did We (Meaning Asians) Rescue The International Film Industry in 2008?

Michael Atkinson of IFC thinks so:

As usual these days (but not, notably, last year), 2008 was rescued by the Asians, even if they didn't remain in Asia proper. Otherwise, my list looks like a clear vote for the new wave-ist upsurge in minimalist realism/realist minimalism, Asian or American, which always seems all the more remarkable when compared in taste tests with Hollywood parade floats and middle-class-middle-age-courting Euro-dramas, which if anything often resemble the unbearable U.S. studio product of decades past. A cinema of idiosyncratic personal force overshadows the products of the machine, even as the "specialty" venues dwindle.

1. My Winnipeg
2. Ballast
3. Wendy and Lucy
4. Silent Light
5. Still Life
6. Waltz with Bashir
7. Flight of the Red Balloon
8. The Wrestler
9. Synecdoche, New York
10. My Blueberry Nights

Hmmm. Of these, I only know of Still Life, Flight of the Red Balloon and Wai Kar Wong's My Blueberry Nights (with Norah J) as the Chinese movies. Maybe Waltz with Bashir (if Israel is included in Asia Major). But this list is impressive and I bet you these won't be shown in your SM theaters so give this list and also these two others to your friendly Quiapo kiterunners:

Allison Wilmore:
1. A Christmas Tale
2. Wendy and Lucy
3. Paranoid Park
4. Happy-Go-Lucky
5. Silent Light
6. The Order of Myths
7. Frownland
8. Milk
9. Momma's Man
10. Reprise

Matt Singer
1. My Winnipeg
2. Rachel Getting Married
3. The Dark Knight
4. Wendy and Lucy
5. The Wrestler
6. Milk
7. Let the Right One In
8. Doubt
9. Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father
10. A Christmas Tale

While Surfing for the name of this Dutch Priest who Walks with a Bahag, I Found This

A short fiction from Grace Talusan:

The Angel Gabriel

Daughters are born to punish their fathers.
This is what Eduardo Romero, M.D. remembered just before he burst into the delivery room where his wife was giving birth to his fourth child. He could not recall from whom he first heard this saying: Perhaps from his mother, Eva, who clucked her tongue when Eduardo announced his daughters' births, or maybe from his father, Titong, who shook his head at the news, and said, "Another girl." Eduardo's friends, all physicians themselves, joked, "You only make X's, Compadre, no Y's." They suggested he eat yogurt or drink herbal remedies or visit a hilot healer. One friend said, "Don't keep so many girlfriends." Eduardo's maid, Cet, had said "God gives men daughters to teach them a lesson. Through their daughters' pain, men realize the pain they have sown on other women."

Grace Talusan earned an MFA in fiction at the University of California, Irvine, and a BA at Tufts University. Grace was awarded a Massachusetts Artist Grant and other grants to support research, travel, and writing. She has published fiction in various anthologies and nonfiction in Asiaweek, the Boston Globe, and the San Diego Reader. Currently, Grace is Scholar in Residence at Tufts University and serves on the board of directors of the Writers' Room.

Merry Christmas

In the Spirit of Xmas, We Turn the Shoe Into...

a snowball!

Pinikpikan's Carol

Our friend Carol Bello, the vocalist of Pinikpikan, is selling some of her art collection to defray the cost of her husband's hospitalization. These are some of the works being sold. Topmost is by Danny Dalena, middle by Julie Llucha and the bottom by their daughter Aba. There are more. If you have a Facebook account and you are Carol's friend, then you can view. They are very reasonable.

Young Population Equals Political Chaos

While helping a friend research on population, I came upon this quote from a study on Pakistan. Yes, it might as well be talking about your Philippines:
Research has found that countries with a very young and youthful age structure—those in which at least 60 percent of the population is younger than 30—are more likely to have autocratic governance and face outbreaks of civil conflict. Young people are not inherently problematic or dangerous, and many countries with very young age structures achieve higher levels of development without internal conflict. However, governments that are already weak, unstable or corrupt can see their political and economic resources further strained by demographic factors.

Shoe Warfare

This is The Farewell Kiss, You Dog

I googled the famous quote and this is what I got: a dog made up like Gene Simmons of Kiss

How to Hit Bush Correctly With Your Shoe

My facebook friend Anna sent this tutorial

The Christmas Shtter

“Caganer”
Literally translated from Catalan it means “The Shitting Man” or “The Fertilizer”. The Caganer was a obliged figure in the Christmas Cribs of the eighteenth century since at that time was believed that with his fertile depositions the soil of the crib will became rich and productive for the coming year! It was also believed that he would bring good health and calm to the body and the soul, which is necessary to do the crib with pride and happiness that Christmas brings at home. Putting this jolly little man in the crib used to bring luck and happiness. With the course of the time, the original personage of the shitting peasant has evolved and at present days he has been replaced with personalities increasingly famous and relevant in the Catalan, Spanish and world society!

Unholyhours Will Help You With Your Shopping

These would be very important if you lose your suitcase often (the St. Cristopher medal tag even if he was already taken out of the official Vatican roster) or your USB or your wine opener. Also if you want people to really cringe at your tattoo (thinking there were pins) or you want to tattoo your persona on the mirror.

Marky Cielo: Slave to the End

Had a long talk with friends Elmar, Martin, Mark and Andy at Rumours. Inevitably, the topic was on Marky Cielo. After a few "conspiracy theories," Martin finally said that the only real possible reason for Marky's death is that he was tired. Read the articles about Marky and you would see how hectic his life was. His mother admitted that he was practically sleeping for only two hours. Imagine that. If you had experienced bangungot, you need strength to fight it out. It is literally a battle to find the rhythm for your heart so you can wake yourself up. After a few months of relative ease, Marky got into a very heavy schedule. Because he signed that damn contract with GMA, he has to work, work, work. Marky was not one to complain, people will tell you that. Always thinking of others before himself. In the end, he died for all of us. How can still watch TV and not think?

Gabriel Garcia Marquez is Writing a Love Novel

Yes, his good friend Plinio Apuleyo Mendoza said so

Spiritual Ani

The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) announced today that 62 writers are included in the annual literary anthology Ani. Ani, which means harvest in the Filipino language, is a project of CCP’s Literary Arts Division. For its 34th issue, Ani focused on the theme “Spirituality and Healing”, the book launching will be held on December 17, 7:00 p.m. at the CCP ramp. The 62 writers who submitted prose and poetry featured in Ani 34 are Kris M. Alingod, Mark Angeles, Lilia F. Antonio, G. Mae B. Aquino, Carlos A. Arejola, Edgar Bacong, Isabela Banzon, Janet Tauro Batuigas, Gil S. Beltran, Herminio S. Beltran, Jr., Kristoffer Berse, Jaime Jesus Borlagdan, Nazzer C. Briguera, Catherine Candano, Desiree Caluza, Nonon Villaluz Carandang, Dexter B. Cayanes, Jose Jason L. Chancoco, Joey Stephanie Chua, Kristian Sendon Cordero, Genaro R. Gojo Cruz, Mario L. Cuezon, Maureen G. dela Cruz, Rodrigo V. Dela Peña, Jr., U Eliserio, Dennis

Espada, Filipino L. Estacio, Rogerick F. Fernandez, Raul Funilas, Nena Gajudo-Fernandez, Jeneen R. Garcia, Luis P. Gatmaitan, Fernando R. Gonzalez, Erwin C. Lareza, Jeffrey A. Lubang, Nestor C. Lucena, Melba Padilla Maggay, Perry C. Mangilaya, Noahlyn Maranan, Francisco A. Monteseña, Ursula B. Nelson, Wilhelmina S. Orozco, Chuckberry J. Pascual, Noel P. Pinggoy, Dinah Roma-Sianturi, Hope Sabanpan-Yu, Joseph T. Salazar, Romel G. Samson, Aida F. Santos, Rakki Sison-Buban, Beverly W. Siy, Jason Genio Tabinas, Reynaldo Tamayo, Jr., Vincent Lester G. Tan, Dolores R. Taylan, Enrico C. Torralba, Gerardo Z. Torres, Joel H. Vega, Gina Verdolaga, Santiago B. Villafania, Ana Maria Yugalca, and Manuel Zacarias. Herminio S. Beltran, Jr., CCP Literary Arts Division head and Ani 34 editor, wrote in the Introduction, “Reading the compilation of poems and prose in this year’s issue, there is indeed a close connection between creative or imaginative writing and spirituality, and with it, healing.” “It is as if the act of writing, and with it, reflection and meditation, is itself spirituality, which brings about healing, first in the writer, and consequently, the reader,” Beltran continued.

For inquiries on the next issue of Ani, which will delve on the experiences of the Filipinos in general and the Filipino writer in particular as members of the Asian community, please send an e-mail to aniyearbook@yahoo.com.

The Accidental Icon: Marky Cielo

Marky Cielo's mother said that her son became an accidental Igorot icon yet he played the role till his death.
"All he wanted he wanted was to join the audition," Mildred Cadaweg said at the service of the Church of the Resurrection Wednesday morning. "He said, I might be too old to audition again."
From 6,000 applicants in Dagupan, Cielo made it to the top and again among the 40 in the national finals.
"All he wanted was to be in the Top 20. He made it beyond his expectations," Mildred said in Ilocano.
His becoming the Igorot icon has become an accidental "mission."
"When the Internet began talking about him and his Igorot values, he asked me, Mom, what are the Igorot values. What is to be become an Igorot. In retrospect, he was very proud of his being Igorot. It has become his mission even it was a very heavy load."
She said that she was touched about the people who came and testified about his son's humility and caring for others.
"One night Robin Padilla came and he was wearing a T-shirt with the word "Igorotak," she said to the applause of the people inside the church.
"I can't feel grief right now I am a proud mother. He made me feel proud. I know that he made you feel proud, too ," she said.
Marky's relatives and friends gave presentation throughout the service.
His cousins sang "Tears in Heaven." Members of the Saint Louis University Dance Troupe danced an improvised ballet for him at the altar.

Baguio Oil

I am doing an essay on this. If you have something more to add, just comment

Marky Cielo Update

His body will be brought Wednesday to the Church of Resurrection at Magsaysay Ave. and then on Thursday, Marky will be brought to Bauko, his mom's hometown

World Premiere of the 4C (Candon City Children's Choir)

Baguio and Coke

Jack Carino shares us this Coke commercial shot in Baguio (and I made the effort to reconstruct the lyrics in the comment):

The Facebook Friends of Marky

Here are some of them:

Christeena Paulene Sumulong wrote at 5:59pm

Marky!
T_T
why so early?!
you seem so healthy,
and then this?!
hayy..
we love you!
we will miss you!
btw,
what did really happen nga po ba?!
condolence po..
rest in peace..
:(

Erica Ortiza wrote at 7:52pm

so saD! :((
rip marky~!:(

Beverly Castillo wrote at 8:24pm

Marky,where ever you are right now...you're always in our hearts...We loves you so much...

Maia Fajardo wrote at 10:26pm

from: ramona, vanessa, mai. . .

ang kulit mo! hope ur happy kung nasaan ka man ngayon.
marami ka iniwan, pero alam namin na may dahilan ang pagalis mo!
masakit ang nangyari. next time magpaalam ka ha!
magingat ka diyan ha! magkikita din tayo! mai

bok,....apay ngay im-bati nakun ngay lakay ko...nagsingpet ka pay ket apay ngay nga kasdjay...adda... Read More pay kuma ipakitak nga picture kinyam ngem hang nga imabot... nu ayan mo tatta bok ham mo liplipatan nga adda kami ditoy nga tapnu mangkita kini mamam ken ading mo......love you bok...:( ni baket mo vaness del moral...:(

i love you! ur the best sole survivor! -arci!

Mhae Cayasa wrote at 11:18pm

i'll miss u rubixmate.... huhuhuhu buknoy.... ='(

Ramil Ibarra wrote at 12:48am

I am deeply saddened to hear that that you passed aways. I have not seen you before but i am fortunate to be your facebook friend. When my mom told me about the story i was mumbed and started crying. I was a fan from the start because of your nice and friendly attitude but I know you are in the happiest place in the universe with God almightly. May your soul be blessed and may you rest in peace. I will surely missed your smile and kindness.

Julius Panayo wrote at 7:57am

BOK, matago tago ka!

Alvin Yari Paris wrote at 9:08am

oh my gosh. It seems like yesterday when marky was just active at facebook..........totally unbelievable.....

Rest in Peace Marky.

Marky Cielo and Bangungot

Here's Willi Pascual's Notes on Bangungot:

The Philippine folk term “bangungot” means to rise and moan during sleep. Munger RG and Booton EA of Utah State University conducted a study on bangungot in Manila or SUDS, the Sudden and Unexplained Death in Sleep among adult Filipinos. They reviewed 722 cases of bangungot in Manila from 1948 to 1982 and found similar characteristics: 96% were male, average 33 years old, usually dies at 3:00 am. The deaths were seasonal but peaks between December to January. Here's a folk belief on the cause of bangungot. I read that among the Ilocanos, an ethnolinguistic group from Northern Philippines, the most feared of spirits is known as the batibat. They are large, fat women that used to live in trees. When people cut down these trees, the batibat would follow the wood and haunt the remains of its former home. If it is used for a bedpost, the batibat will cause bangungot or nightmares. I am an Ilocano and here is my personal story about wrestling with the batibat -- http://personalwilli.blogspot.com/2006/03/wrestling-with-batibat.html

Pacquiao Era

Yahoo: Manny Pacquiao unequivocally established himself as the finest fighter in the world Saturday. But he accomplished an even more stunning feat when he not only defeated Oscar De La Hoya but battered him into retirement with a shockingly one-sided victory in their welterweight bout before 15,001 at the MGM Grand Garden. De La Hoya, the 1992 Olympic gold-medal winner and a professional world champion in six weight classes, was hammered as he never was in 44 previous bouts before trainer Nacho Beristain mercifully asked referee Tony Weeks to halt the carnage after eight one-sided rounds.

New York Times (alright, its AP): Manny Pacquiao fought a lot bigger than he looked. Oscar De La Hoya simply looked old. Pacquiao dominated his bigger and more famous opponent from the opening bell Saturday night, giving De La Hoya a beating before De La Hoya declined to come out of his corner after the eighth round.The fight was so lopsided that it could mean the end for De La Hoya, boxing’s richest and most marketable star. De La Hoya absorbed such a beating that he was taken to a hospital afterwards for what was described as a precautionary examination.

L.A. Times analyzed how their native Angeleno lost to King Kong: "I have a new best friend," Oscar told me one month ago. "Ice."
They also imagined how it was in the Philippines: On a stunning Saturday night in Las Vegas, you could almost hear the 90 million people on those Pacific Islands thousands of miles to the West, screaming in delight. Their guy, Manny Pacquiao, the pride of the Philippines, had just beaten Oscar De La Hoya.
Then of course the headliner: The hype came to an end just after 8 p.m. Saturday when a smiling Manny Pacquiao, the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world, entered the ring at the MGM Grand Garden Arena to a thunderous ovation. Pacquiao, dressed in a robe in the red, white and blue of the Philippine flag, went directly to his corner, where he kneeled for several seconds in prayer. He was followed into the ring by Oscar De La Hoya, the only man to win world titles in six weight classes. Grim-faced and serious, wearing a red robe and trailing a banner that had the American flag on one side and the Mexican flag on the other, De La Hoya entered to an ovation of his own, skipping halfway around the ring before finding his corner.
My friend Percy Della was right. The LA Times finally noticed Pacquiao and they have to make three glances, nay, hard looks at the man.

Marky Cielo

Marky Cielo, the pride of the Cordillera, is dead. He died on his sleep even as the whole nation was preparing to watch Manny Pacquiao in his date with history. But Marky is also historic for us. He was the first Igorot to win a nationwide popularity contest based on his looks. The whole ukay-ukay indsutry and the BIBAK community around the world joined hands to make him win the contest over Iwa Moto. I remembered the night when it was announced that he won because I was the only one in town. Everybody was at home glued to the TV. We were so proud then of him. He even won a house and lot in Marikina. Sadly, that's where he died, too. Others Cordillerans were able to barge in the finals of other reality shows but no one was able to galvanize the whole region like Marky did. He was my Facebook friend and this is his profile picture. He does look like Rico Yan, another teenybopper who died young because of bangungot.

Really, One of the Names is Real. Cmon Mike.

O Christmas Tree Very Expensive

This is a golden Xmas tree. This year’s most expensive Christmas tree also went on display in Japan recently, in the Ginza Tanaka jewelry store in Shinsaibashi, Osaka. A 24 kt gold diamond-studded tree weighing over 46 pounds and strung with pearls. Price - $1.48 million.

Sarah Brightman, Mariah and Michael Bolton Included in Ten Worst Xmas Albums

10. Shane & Shane's "Glory in the Highest" (inpop) 9. "A Winter Symphony," Sarah Brightman (Manhattan). 8. "Natty and Nice: A Reggae Christmas," various artists (Rhino).

7. "Merry Christmas," Mariah Carey (Sony). 6. "A Twistmas Story With Twitty Bird and Their Little Friends," Conway Twitty (Tree Productions). 5. "This Is the Time: The Christmas Album," Michael Bolton (Sony). 4. "Christmas on Death Row," various artists (Death Row/Interscope). 3. "Christmas Song," Mannheim Steamroller (American Gramaphone). 2. "A Twisted Christmas," Twisted Sister (Razor & Tie) 1. "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer," Elmo & Patsy (Epic).

Sineng Pinoy

Sent to me
1. Sasayaw sa likod ng puno ng buko pag nasa beach yung scene. Alternate pa yung mga ulo nila.
2. Yung kontrabida yayakap sa bida, sabay taas ng kilay at ngingisi.

3. Ang pancit, nagdadala ng malas. Uuwi ang bida na may dalang pancit sa kanyang nanay na si Anita Linda. Tatawagin nito ang mga bata para kumain, at kakamustahin ng bida ang pag-aaral habang kumakain ng pancit. Biglang may titigil na sasakyan sa harap ng bahay at pauulanan ng baril ang pamilya! Mamamatay si Anita Linda, at sisigaw ang bida ng "Inaaay!" at mangangakong ipaghihiganti ito. Moral lesson: Ang pancit, nakakamatay.
4. Pag may magkaribal na babae, yung mabait diretcho ang buhok at may bangs. Yung salbahe, laging kulot.
5. Sa Pinoy action movies, ang bida hindi nauubusan ng bala.
6. Sa Pinoy action movies, kapag tumakbo ang bida, sa lupa lahat ang tama ng bala ng kalaban.
7. K

apag may angry mob na pupunta sa bahaykubo ng manananggal, si Vangie Labalan ang laging lider.

8. Alam mong moment of truth na ng bida kapag sinabi na niya yung title ng pelikula.
9. Ang tawag ng kontrabida sa mga goons niya, "Mga bata."
10. Yung nakababatang kapatid ng bida habang naglalaro ng bola, mabibitawan at mapupunta sa gitna ng kalsada. Tapos may darating na sasakyan, tapos itutulak siya ng bida. Yung bida naman ang nasa gita ng kalsada. Biglang may sasakyang darating. Ang bida, ico-cross lang niya arms niya covering his face tapos sisigaw yung kapatd ng 'kuyaaa!'. Next scene nasa ospital na sila. Simula na ng drama.
11. Kapag bakbakan, hindi nasasaktan ang bida, pero umaaray siya pag ginagamot na siya ng leading lady, at kasunod na ang love scene.
12. Kapag may sinabi ng kontrabida ang masama niyang plano sa bida, ang sasabihin ng bida: "hayop ka!"
13. Ang bidang babae, pag katulong ang role, siguradong magiging anak ng amo niya sa ending.
14. Ang nanay ng mayaman laging may pamaypay na pangmayaman, at ang nanay ng mahirap laging naka duster.
15. Ang hideout ng kontrabida, parating mansion na may chicks sa pool.
16. Ang mga bida sa drama, pag nakatanggap ng masamang balita, laging may pinto sa likod nila para puwede silang sumandal habang nagsa-slide dahan-dahan pababa, tapos todo iyak with matching uhog.
17. Pag di nahuli ng mga goons ang bida, sasabihin ng boss sa kanila, "Mga inutil!"
18. Laging nakakapulot ng baril na may bala ang bida kapag kinakailangan niya.
19. Laging mas maganda ang yayang bida kesa sa kontrabidang anak ng amo niya.
20. Pag ang ending ng movie ay song and dance number sa beach o resort, ang huling frame, tatalon ang buong cast...sabay freeze.

Deputy Speaker Eric Singson Sings ala Andrea Bocelli

Arlene

Early this morning, I received this text from Jawo:
Vehicular Accident, 8:30 pm DEC 2 at brgy lucanin mariveles. victim LTSG ARLENE DELA CRUZ PN, Asgnd at MAAP, clas topnotcher of PMA '99(2nd of d only 2 summa cum laude of pma) Driving TYTA COROLA wid PLT NO. TJF505. DOA at Arsenal Hosp. Veh 2- trailer w/plate no. CEc 630. owned by NICOLAS RUSTIA, driven by FERNANDO BALMOCENA hu fled after d incdnt. Manhunt going on.

I remembered writing about Arlene dela Cruz in 1999 when she was announced as the valedictorian of Class 1999. I remembered being called home by Chari Lucero at home after filing the story hours before. It was a nice thing Andy Zapata had a photo of her during their exercises months before the announcement so we had a scoop there. I saw her a couple of times later and she was so shy. She was teaching at the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific in Mariveles and was probably on her way home.

Beer

An infinite number of mathematicians walk into a bar. The first one orders a beer. The second orders half a beer. The third, a quarter of a beer. The bartender says “You’re all idiots”, and pours two beers.

Pen, Pen de Seriph Pen

PHILIPPINE PEN ANNUAL CONFERENCE

December 6, 2008 Bulwagang Pambansang Alagad ng Sining 4^th floor, Cultural Center of the Philippines

CCP Complex, Roxas Blvd., Manila

"LITERATURE FROM THE MARGINS:

Changes in the Literary Canon"

December 6 (Saturday) 8:00-9:00 am Registration 9:00 am Opening Ceremonies
Reading of the PEN Charter: Susie Tan
Welcome Remarks: Nestor Jardin, President, CCP
Opening Remarks: Lito Zulueta

Introduction of Keynote Speaker: Erma Cuizon
Keynote Address: Dr. Resil B. Mojares

Launching of PEN books

(Stage Presence: Philippine PEN Anthology of Drama edited by Jose Victor Z. Torres, Past and Present: Philippine PEN Anthology, Volume I, Edited by Elmer A. Ordoñez, Marjorie Evasco, Susie Tan and Lilia Ramos de Leon and House of Jacob by Ester V. Daroy)

10:30 am First Literary Session: "Struggle/People's Literature

Chair: Rolando Tolentino

Panelists: Lualhati Abreu, Mila Aguilar, Gelacio Guillermo, Domingo Landicho, Jose Rey Munsayac, Axel Pinpin, Alexander Martin Remollino, Norman Wilwayco

12:00 noon The Jose Rizal Lecture (CCP, Silangan Hall)

Introduction of Lecturer: Jose Victor Torres

Lecturer: Fr. Rolando de la Rosa,O.P., Rector, UST

1:30-3:00 Second Literary Session:

"Gender Issues in Literature"

Chair: Shirley Lua

Panelists: Ronald Baytan, Karina Bolasco, Neil Garcia, Thelma B. Kintanar, Jessica Zafra

3:30-5:00 Third Literary Session:

"Critical Issues/Special Topics"

Chair: Elmer A. Ordoñez

Panelists: Susan Lara, Malou Jacob, Rosario Cruz Lucero, Bienvenido Lumbera, Charlson Ong, Ma. Luna Sicat Cleto, Jun Cruz Reyes

5:15-6:00 Plenary Session

Resolution

Election of Board of Directors/Officers

Presiding: F. Sionil Jose, Philippine PEN Chair

Convenors:

Lito Zulueta, Chair

Marjorie Evasco, Shirley Lua, Elmer A. Ordonez

(This serves as an invitation)

Time to Say Goodnight

Cong. Eric Singson sang "Con Te Partiro" during his mother's musical concert tribute. Con Te Partiro is more popularly known as "Time to Say Goodbye." So while waiting for the video, here's Andrea Bocelli singing this on Sesame Street for the restless Elmo. Cute.

Hey, here's the lyrics that I transcribed:

Elmo isnt sleepy
Elmo wants some water
And another story
Elmo's eyes are open wide awake
and Elmo doesn't feel so snoooory

Time to say goodnight
Lie down here is your bear
You have had such a wonderful day
Playing and counting to twenty
Singing songs and going to the park with your friends
so now why don't you give me a hug
Its time to say goodnight

Elmo doesn't wanna
Elmo isn't tired
Elmo wants to stay up,
You don't have to worry
Elmos makes a promise
Elmo be OK up

Time to say goodnight
Relaaaaax
And close your eyes
You need to get plenty of rest
You got a full day tomorrow
Playing games
Dancing and saying the alphabet
So now why don't to give me a kiss

(Elmo begins moaning like Linda Blair in Exorcist)

So goodniiiiiiiiight

Mr. Bocelli please
Elmos trying to sleep

Irony is Dead in New York City

and "went" is going nowhere

Zizecked

Zizek is now the most dangerous thinker of the world!!!
and Malcolm Gladwell, your guru, is just dumb or maybe writes about the dumb

Golf and ADHD

I know I suck at golf but you don't know the reason. My tee off at Camp John Hay shocked me because it was straight, far and in the fairway. My flightmates used the widest driver ever allowed and they had a 30-minute practice before hand. I just arrived and with just a swing, swing was on. My second shot also went nicely. a few meters from the green in the Par 5 hole. Then I lost my ball and then my marbles. It was also pickup at the Par 4 hole. I was still enjoying himself, and no longer as tense as I was in Baguio Country Club. My problem was, I was hot and then cold. My cold means I "looked up" and topped the ball. On Hole 5, I had to tell my caddy to remind me
1) not to look up. On the 6th hole, he also has to remind me 2) not to make kabig. smoothen your follow through. When I started reaching the greens consistently, he also has to remind me 3) to be patient on my putting. My flightmates must have been amused with me and my caddy but then I was the only one giving my caddy food and water, otherwise off limits to them. And we had the best fun after the 18th hole which I picked up because the flight still starting mistakenly hit our ball and we were playing with a no ball. So I hit a pine cone on my second shot and it hit the green, a few feet from the hole.

Chinese are the First Potheads

Oh Yeah, they invented gunpowder and paper (maybe rolling paper) so it's no surprise that the Chinese also smoked the first joint. Yeah. The Shaolin monks probably because after smoking the first joint, they invented Kung Fu.

Will The Inquirer Write About This?

Bet their sanctimonious ass, they won't.

Religious belief can cause damage to a society, contributing towards high murder rates, abortion, sexual promiscuity and suicide, according to research published today.

According to the study, belief in and worship of God are not only unnecessary for a healthy society but may actually contribute to social problems.

The study counters the view of believers that religion is necessary to provide the moral and ethical foundations of a healthy society.

It compares the social peformance of relatively secular countries, such as Britain, with the US, where the majority believes in a creator rather than the theory of evolution. Many conservative evangelicals in the US consider Darwinism to be a social evil, believing that it inspires atheism and amorality.

The Return of Calvin and Hobbes and daughter

God on Facebook

College Humor came out with this hilarious take on facebook and the Bible

Can't Write? You have the Block. Then Watch

these five movies on writer's block

Bob Dylan Cashes In

Here's your guide to the Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan sessions

Bruce Lee Plays Ping Pong

Why You are in The Rut

Literary NBA

The winners of the National Book Awards:

Poetry

Nonfiction

Fiction

Christmas Songs

77 Santas. 77 Christmas songs downloaded.
Times Online has the 20 biggest CDs for the rest of the year:

18. The Police: Certifiable

They briefly reunited for a world tour and proved that while 20 years may have passed since their heyday, they could still rock. Now the band, headed by Sting, release a DVD and CD combo (two CDs and two DVDs) of the tour. Certifiable contains a recording of the group’s Buenos Aires concert (yes, Message In A Bottle and Every Breath You Take are in there) and footage of the tour. It is released on November 24.

14. Neil Young: Sugar Mountain

In 1968, the immeasurably influential Canadian had just left the band Buffalo Springfield and was on the brink of joining Crosby, Stills and Nash. With his first solo album in the pipeline, Young decided to see how he’d manage in front of an audience on his own. Choosing Canterbury House in Michigan for the experiment, Young quickly proved to an impressed crowd that he could fly solo. Now, 40 years later fans can buy a recording of the concert. Sugar Mountain is released on December 8.

Twin Peaks

No Laura Dern or David Lynch here. Just the gateway to good old Kennon Road

American Idol and Canadian Girls

I was reading Chuck Syjuco's writeup in National Post when I clicked on this video of young Canadian girls totally devastated by the loss of David Archuleta in the American Idol finals. How funny. How sad.

National Book Awards

National Book Awards winners

ANTHOLOGY: Cordillera in June: Essays Celebrating June Prill-Brett, Anthropologist, edited by B. P. Tapang (UP Press); Mga Piling Dulang Mindanao, Unang Aklat, edited by Arthur P. Casanova (UST Publishing House).

ART & BEST DESIGNED BOOK: Salvador F. Bernal: Designing the Stage, by Nicanor G. Tiongson, designed by Brian Tenorio (NCCA).

BIOGRAPHY / AUTOBIOGRAPHY: From Barrio to Senado: An Autobiography, by Juan M. Flavier; Legends & Adventures, by Carmen Guerrero Nakpil (Circe Communications) ; Maria Kalaw Katigbak: A Charmed Life, by Monina Allarey Mercado (Anvil).

CHILDREN'S LITERATURE: The Boy Who Touched Heaven / Ang Batang Humipo sa Langit, by Iris Gem Li, translated by Roberto Añonuevo (CANVAS and Adarna House).

DRAMA: Tatlong Paglalakbay: Isang Trilohiya ng Mahahabang Dula, by Tony Perez (UST Publishing House).

ESSAY / CREATIVE NONFICTION: Pagmumuni-muni at Pagtatalak ng Sirenang Nagpapanggap na Prinsesa: Mga Piling Maikling Sanaysay, by J. I. E. Teodoro (Imprenta Igbaong); Tongues on Fire, by Conrado de Quiros (Anvil).

FICTION: Mga Gerilya sa Powell Street, by Benjamin Pimentel (ADMU Press).

HISTORY: Kolonyal na Patakaran at Nagbabagong Kamalayang Filipino: Musika sa Publikong Paaralan sa Pilipinas, 1898-1935, by Raul C. Navarro (ADMU Press); The Saga of La Naval: Triumph of a People's Faith, edited by Lito B. Zulueta (Dominican Province of the Philippines) .

JOURNALISM: The Rulemakers: How the Wealthy and Well-Born Dominate Congress, by Sheila S. Coronel, Yvonne T. Chua, Luz Rimban, and Booma B. Cruz (Anvil).

LAW: A Living Constitution: The Troubled Arroyo Presidency, by Joaquin G. Bernas SJ (ADMU Press).

LITERARY CRITICISM: Sipat Kultura: Tungo sa Mapagpalayang Pagbabasa, Pag-aaral at Pagtuturo ng Panitikan, by Rolando B. Tolentino (ADMU Press).

MEDICINE: Bone Tumors in Filipinos: A Collection of 876 Cases from the University of the Philippines Philippine General Hospital, by Edward H. M. Wang and Ariel Vergel de Dios (Bookmark).

POETRY: Antisi*Pasyon asin iba pang Rawitdawit sa Bikol asin Ingles / Anticipation and Other Poems in Bikol and English, by Victor Dennis T. Nierva, translated by Marne L. Kilates and H. Francisco V. Peñones Jr. (Goldprint); Mostly in Monsoon Weather: Poems New & Revisited, by Marne L. Kilates (UP Press); Passage: Poems, 1983-2006, by Edgar B. Maranan (Bookmark).

SCIENCES: Living with Nature in Our Times, by Abercio V. Rotor (UST).

SOCIAL SCIENCES: Colonial Pathologies: American Tropical Medicine, Race, and Hygiene in the Philippines, by Warwick Anderson (ADMU Press); The Dynamics of Regional Development: The Philippines in East Asia, edited by Arsenio M. Balisacan and Hal Hill (ADMU Press).

THEOLOGY & RELIGION: Investing in Miracles: El Shaddai and the Transformation of Popular Catholicism in the Philippines, by Katharine L. Wiegele (ADMU Press).

TRANSLATION: Lagalag sa Nanyang, translated by Joaquin Sy from Nanyang Piaoliuji, by Bai Ren (UP Press).

TRAVEL: Baler, Aurora, by Edgardo J. Angara, Jesus T. Peralta, Domingo Madulid, Jose Maria A. Cariño, Xavier Brisset, Enrique Quezon Avanceña, Manuel L. Quezon III, Ricardo T. Jose, and Juan Edgardo M. Angara (Rural Empowerment Assistance and Development Foundation).

PUBLISHER OF THE YEAR: Ateneo de Manila University Press

A citation was given to Vocabulary of the Kapampangan Language in Spanish and Dictionary of the Spanish Language in Kapampangan, translated by Venancio Q. Samson from Vocabulario de Pampango en Romance, y Diccionario de Romance en Pampango (1732), by Diego Bergaño (Holy Angel University Press).

The Japanese Have a Term for Most Pinoy Starlets and Hunks

Dumb characters (obaka-kyara - おバカキャラ): “Dumb characters,” a.k.a. “dumb idols” (obaka-aidoru - おバカアイドル). This is one of the new Japanese words and phrases for 2008, brought to you by Pink Tentacle

While Searching for the Ghosts of Pines Hotel, I stumbled upon the Old Photos of the Baguio Market

A friend saw an old woman while in a rest room at SM. She was looking at the Internet for the dead in the July 1990 earthquake. I told her that Pines Hotel was destroyed by a fire much earlier. So we Googled at the old Pines Hotel and found it. We also found these wonderful photos of the Baguio City Market in the mid-1950s.

pine for pine

Wednesday, December 31, 2008