A simple solution that works well for me.
Transport Strike in Davao
I honestly believe that the days of transport strikes that cripple the city are long past. Somehow our leftist groups still persist with this idea of mass action. And though there were noticeably fewer jeepneys plying their routes yesterday, and though classes were cancelled, life went pretty much the way it does.
The Keymaker
I know because I *must* know. It is my purpose. It is the reason I am here. The same reason we are *all* here.
The Text Generation
In all likelihood, my nephew will never have known a time without cellphones. Or computers. Or the Internet.
Not the Real Deal
Saved here for posterity: the Philippine Airlines notice of capitulation. Back story: last week, PAL advertised a promo for very cheap rates. Flights to the US were as low as $400, when the usual rates are $800 or more. The catch, of course, is that you have to book through their web site.
I tried to connect yesterday and early this morning but received long delays and persistent errors. Early this morning, too, I received a call from a friend of a friend, asking for help with some "Generic Error" the web site was throwing. Then on Facebook, another friend complained of wrestling with the web site for three hours, then having to wait for confirmation.
In other words: EPIC FAIL.
I would think that this is what they have web server stress testing tools for. Apparently, PAL's IT didn't make the most of this before they launched. Result: PR nightmare.
Somehow, I'm glad I didn't get a ticket. The first time I tried PAL's Internet booking service, I managed the reservations alright. Then they took my money. Then a couple of weeks before the flight, they told us that the flight was no longer available, and could we move to another flight. As we were hoping to connect to an outgoing international flight, we declined and asked for a refund. Which they gave to us six months later.
Winner, man.
Update: On Mother's insistence, I tried again. Surprisingly, I got through! And the response was much smoother. Except, I eventually hit another wall: the same error my friend had this morning.
Epic Fail.
Biking to Cabantian
It turns out that my sister's friend Hans has a biking group that meets regularly. I got an invite yesterday. Did I want to go biking with them? Absolutely!
Our route took us through Bajada and onwards to Cabantian. T'was a pleasant uphill climb through the highway with lots of greenery on both sides of the road. Eventually, we went offroad and took a scenic hillside trail before heading back.
Davao Writers Workshop Update
Some announcements about the Davao Writers Workshop:
First of all, we're moving the venue from La Storta in Shrine Hills to Ponce Suites in Bajada. This should be a welcome development as Ponce Suites is more accessible (Shrine Hills residents excepted).
Workshop will proceed as scheduled, from May 4 to May 8. We want to invite observers to expand the workshop experience to more people. Panelists may ask observers for comments after the fellows have had their turn, but otherwise, the status is just that. Regardless, workshop virgins will find even observer status helpful and can highlight this in their future workshop applications. If you are interested to become an observer, please reply to this blog post as slots are limited.
We have opening ceremonies on May 4, 8:30am at Ateneo de Davao University AVR. Our guest panelist, Marjorie Evasco, will be giving a craft lecture entitled "Obligations of a Writer." This event is open to the public.
Finally, we have a culminating Poetry Reading/Performance on May 8, 2009 at Kublai Bar in Ponce Suites, 8 pm.
Please remember the dates, and do attend if you can.
First of all, we're moving the venue from La Storta in Shrine Hills to Ponce Suites in Bajada. This should be a welcome development as Ponce Suites is more accessible (Shrine Hills residents excepted).
Workshop will proceed as scheduled, from May 4 to May 8. We want to invite observers to expand the workshop experience to more people. Panelists may ask observers for comments after the fellows have had their turn, but otherwise, the status is just that. Regardless, workshop virgins will find even observer status helpful and can highlight this in their future workshop applications. If you are interested to become an observer, please reply to this blog post as slots are limited.
We have opening ceremonies on May 4, 8:30am at Ateneo de Davao University AVR. Our guest panelist, Marjorie Evasco, will be giving a craft lecture entitled "Obligations of a Writer." This event is open to the public.
Finally, we have a culminating Poetry Reading/Performance on May 8, 2009 at Kublai Bar in Ponce Suites, 8 pm.
Please remember the dates, and do attend if you can.
Legacy
Keeping me busy in my spare time these days is the Davao Writers Workshop. Believe it or not, I am the Deputy Workshop Director, a position I achieved (or was volunteered for, depending on your perspective) on account of my technical expertise and willingness to sully my hands. Tiring? Yes. Madcap? Absolutely! But fun and fulfilling as well.
The Davao Writers Workshop doesn't quite have the same prestige as, oh, let's say the Dumaguete National Writers Workshop. It's a much smaller undertaking, only a week long, limited to Mindanao residents, and geared towards workshop virgins. Nevertheless, I was pretty happy with the turnout. All in all, we received 51 submissions. After that came the arduous deliberations that whittled it down to 15 fellows.
More fun ensues: budget allocations, printing the manuscripts, preparing the certificates...and to think that the workshop proper isn't actually until May 4.
If you had asked me some three years ago if I would ever get involved in an undertaking like this, I would have said no. That, for a variety of reasons: I didn't have the experience, I didn't know the people, I didn't move in the circles. Pray tell, just what do you do in a workshop again? And yet, here I am.
If I'm throwing myself into this project, I can trace my motivations to my own experience with the 45th Dumaguete National Writers Workshop way back in 2006. I didn't know it then, but it was a course-changing event. Sure, I was already writing for the Metro Post (another venue and opportunity I am very thankful for), but without the Workshop, life would have gone pretty much the way it did.
Attending the Workshop is probably a semester's worth of an MFA in Literature. Nowhere else in the country would you get three weeks' worth of intensive tutelage and criticism from some very fine writers. More than that, it's also an inside track into the society of local literature, a circle that feels aloof and exclusive from the outside. Probably because it is.
Now, I'd like to say that it's warm and friendly on the inside, but that wouldn't be entirely truthful. As I've come to learn, it can be petty and pedantic and catty and strange. At the same time, there's no denying that there are also brights spots of warmth and friendship.
Looking back, I'm very fortunate to have done the Workshop at the time that I did. It was the perhaps last time that Dr. Edith Tiempo would chair the panel for the entire three weeks of the Workshop's run. I sat in the workshop of the subsequent year and, without meaning to denigrate the dedication, skill, or caring of the panelists then, it just didn't feel the same.
When I first met Dr. Tiempo, I felt overawed. After all, I had never met a National Artist before. A few days into the Workshop, awe gave way first to admiration because her mind was keen and her explanations lucid, and then with affection because she always spoke with kindness and encouragement -- she could point out where your work was weak and still make you feel like you were the smartest person. Towards the end of the Workshop, well, I couldn't hold out any longer: she would be Mom Edith to me forever.
Which leads me back to where I am and what I'm doing now. In a way, I feel like I'm the son born out of time, as-yet-unaccomplished and just beginning to make his way. Despite my inexperience, I consider it an honor and a responsibility to be able to continue, in my own fashion, Mom Edith's legacy. Out there, there are young writers who are still struggling with acceptance and direction. As the Mom Edith gave me opportunities, I hope I can pass along those same opportunities to them. And I hope that, in time, I will also reflect Mom Edith's keenness, lucidity, kindness, and nurturing spirit.
Thanks, Mom Edith, and a very happy 90th birthday.
The Davao Writers Workshop doesn't quite have the same prestige as, oh, let's say the Dumaguete National Writers Workshop. It's a much smaller undertaking, only a week long, limited to Mindanao residents, and geared towards workshop virgins. Nevertheless, I was pretty happy with the turnout. All in all, we received 51 submissions. After that came the arduous deliberations that whittled it down to 15 fellows.
More fun ensues: budget allocations, printing the manuscripts, preparing the certificates...and to think that the workshop proper isn't actually until May 4.
If you had asked me some three years ago if I would ever get involved in an undertaking like this, I would have said no. That, for a variety of reasons: I didn't have the experience, I didn't know the people, I didn't move in the circles. Pray tell, just what do you do in a workshop again? And yet, here I am.
If I'm throwing myself into this project, I can trace my motivations to my own experience with the 45th Dumaguete National Writers Workshop way back in 2006. I didn't know it then, but it was a course-changing event. Sure, I was already writing for the Metro Post (another venue and opportunity I am very thankful for), but without the Workshop, life would have gone pretty much the way it did.
Attending the Workshop is probably a semester's worth of an MFA in Literature. Nowhere else in the country would you get three weeks' worth of intensive tutelage and criticism from some very fine writers. More than that, it's also an inside track into the society of local literature, a circle that feels aloof and exclusive from the outside. Probably because it is.
Now, I'd like to say that it's warm and friendly on the inside, but that wouldn't be entirely truthful. As I've come to learn, it can be petty and pedantic and catty and strange. At the same time, there's no denying that there are also brights spots of warmth and friendship.
Looking back, I'm very fortunate to have done the Workshop at the time that I did. It was the perhaps last time that Dr. Edith Tiempo would chair the panel for the entire three weeks of the Workshop's run. I sat in the workshop of the subsequent year and, without meaning to denigrate the dedication, skill, or caring of the panelists then, it just didn't feel the same.
When I first met Dr. Tiempo, I felt overawed. After all, I had never met a National Artist before. A few days into the Workshop, awe gave way first to admiration because her mind was keen and her explanations lucid, and then with affection because she always spoke with kindness and encouragement -- she could point out where your work was weak and still make you feel like you were the smartest person. Towards the end of the Workshop, well, I couldn't hold out any longer: she would be Mom Edith to me forever.
Which leads me back to where I am and what I'm doing now. In a way, I feel like I'm the son born out of time, as-yet-unaccomplished and just beginning to make his way. Despite my inexperience, I consider it an honor and a responsibility to be able to continue, in my own fashion, Mom Edith's legacy. Out there, there are young writers who are still struggling with acceptance and direction. As the Mom Edith gave me opportunities, I hope I can pass along those same opportunities to them. And I hope that, in time, I will also reflect Mom Edith's keenness, lucidity, kindness, and nurturing spirit.
Thanks, Mom Edith, and a very happy 90th birthday.
Ubuntu 9.04, Jaunty Jackalope
Ubuntu 9.04, a.k.a., Jaunty Jackalope, has been released. Here's a screenshot of it running as a VirtualBox guest. As per my quick review, nothing earthshaking, but it's good to see the Ubuntu team stick to their schedule nonetheless.
Anyone want a CD, let me know. Will have Kubuntu available, too.
Bali-Bali, Samal
Ateneo de Davao's Computer Studies Division had an outing yesterday. As part-time faculty, I was invited to attend. I'm normally too shy for group activities, but since it was in Samal, I readily said yes.As I did last Black Saturday, I took the ferry to Babak and biked the rest of the way to Bali-Bali resort. It was a much shorter distance than last week's trip, though. And I actually beat the group to the resort by five minutes! I am so buff.
Since there was a lot of down time, I biked a bit further to Peñaplata, and was sorely tempted to proceed to the eastern coast of Samal. However, it was too late in the morning, and I didn't want to be missed, so I turned back.
Pretty pictures aside, we were not too happy with the treatment from Bali-Bali. When some in our group wanted to use their infinity pool, the staff told them off. I can understand that they didn't want us crowding the facilities, but perhaps they could have said it better.
Which leads us to
Question: "In Bali-Bali, what does infinity equal to?"
Answer: "Ten."
Clouds
I rarely notice clouds these days, what with the city horizon littered with so much junk. So wonderful to be able to see cloud formations in their unimpeded glory! I took these pics in yesterday's CS Division outing in Samal.
Robinson's Cybergate Davao
Only while biking back from the Samal outing yesterday did I notice that Robinson's Cybergate in Davao was ready for opening, The Robinson's facility itself won't inaugurate till this weekend, but Rai Rai Ken and Mang Inasal are already serving customers.
Workbooks for Davao Writers Workshop 2009
Product of my labors over the past week -- the workbooks for the Davao Writers Workshop 2009.
"GMA in Dubai job hunt"
Ano na ba naman ito? Hindi na ba sapat ang sahod (at kurakot, sabihin na lang natin) ng presidente at magbabagong bayani na rin si GMA sa Dubai? Nakapag-training na kaya siya bilang "supermaid"?
O, mga kababayan natin sa Middle East: mag-iingat kayo! Makakasama na ninyo si Madame President! Aagawan kayo ng trabaho!
Sunday Inquirer Feature: "A Time for Dragons"
Apparently a feature on "A Time for Dragons" came out in yesterday's Sunday Inquirer. I'm surprised why none of my usual sources has highlighted this yet (or I just missed reading it). So anyway, here it is:
In case you're wondering, I have some vested interest in the book: my story is in it.
Read the rest of the story at Inquirer.net. And check out Vin's blog, too.
Also, a feature on Elbert Or.
With their outstretched wings scarring the fictional sky and their scales mimicking shades of blood and ice among other elements, dragons are an integral part of western folklore. But what do dragons have to do with Filipinos, a people of the east and endless shores?
Plenty, according to Vincent Michael Simbulan. “We are exposed to the concept of dragons through almost all forms of media—from television and movies to books and video games,” he explains. “Even the Chinese zodiac, which is popular thanks to the local Chinese community, has the dragon as the only mythical creature in the roster of animals.”
That explains why the 37-year-old Simbulan is the editor of “A Time for Dragons: An Anthology of Philippine Draconic Fiction” from Anvil Publishing, a book that gathers stories about dragons from Filipino authors. “The anthology is Filipino because the stories are written exclusively by Filipinos. Many of the stories are filled with references that are Filipino and I would argue that the sensibilities of the authors inevitably mark their stories as Filipino.”
In case you're wondering, I have some vested interest in the book: my story is in it.
Read the rest of the story at Inquirer.net. And check out Vin's blog, too.
Also, a feature on Elbert Or.
Samal as seen from GPS
At various stops during my biking trip to Samal, I would take a GPS reading using my Nokia N79 to track my progress. Here's a short clip of my progress, animated using GIMP. Not to the proper timescale, of course.
Easter Mass
After all the activities during the Easter Triduum, my Easter Sunday felt quite anticlimactic. I didn't make it to the vigil mass because I arrived home late. For some reason, Sacred Heart Parish had their vigil mass at 5:30PM of Black Saturday. I didn't wake up early enough for the Pasugat, either. But for completeness' sake, here's a picture of my Easter Mass at Sta. Ana Parish.
Kaputian Ferry
This is the port for the ferry services between Kaputian and Sta. Ana Wharf. Took these pictures on the request of Jenny.
There are four ferries plying the route: the Palbros, the Palbros 2, the Grace, and the Shirley. (Don't look at me, I'm just reporting.) Passengers are holiday-makers enjoying the beaches of Kaputian, and Kaputian businessmen purchasing stocks in Davao City. Cargo consists of various foodstuffs and supplies sold at the local sari-sari stores.
The port is really very basic: just a cement dock jutting out over the beach, probably measured out to match the high-tide height. Facilities? Less than basic. It has the dirtiest non-functioning toilet I have seen anywhere. Such a shame!
The ferry trips are far between. There's a 7:00am trip to Sta. Ana, followed by another one at 8:00am. The next one isn't until 4:00pm. The trips can also be irregular. Yesterday, because we had filled the boat up early, we left at 3:00pm (not that I'm complaining.) I do believe they had another trip ready, though, to make up for the additional traffic.
All the lifting is done via stevedores. People take away the cargo on carts, motorcycles, tricycles, and trisikad.
I made the acquaintance of this family while waiting for the boat. They were waiting for their cargo from the ferry. I do believe they run a small sari-sari store inland.
Black Saturday Romp: Samal
After a long hiatus, I got back on the saddle today and biked Samal. My trip took me from Babak to Penaplata to Kaputian. It's a trip I've been wanting to do since my biking trip in Christmas 2007. All in all, it was a trip of over 30km, with a lot of uphill sections.
This is the best photo of the trip, taken at Penaplata.
To get to Samal, I had to take this rickety ferry from Sasa launch terminal. The terminal is in a public market found at Km. 11, locally called "onse." There were several other bikers on the trip, though I found out later they were travelling north.
I really wasn't up to the uphill climb. It's been a while since I've been on a bike. And talking about uphill, there were plenty of long uphill sections. I had to take plenty of breaks in between.
I enjoy meeting barrio folk on these biking trips. This roadside barber was right beside a sari-sari store where I stopped for drinks.
This old fellow sells gasoline in softdrink bottles to passing motorcycles. Roadside gasoline stalls are quite common in rural areas.
Kaputian! It was a long trip getting here, but the roadside scenery was quite monotonous. Hence, the fast-forward.
At the beach.
And finally, my souvenir from this trip. I took a hard tumble on a steep rocky road from Anonang to Kaputian. Thankfully, no broken bones, just scratches on my knee and my hands.
This is the best photo of the trip, taken at Penaplata.
To get to Samal, I had to take this rickety ferry from Sasa launch terminal. The terminal is in a public market found at Km. 11, locally called "onse." There were several other bikers on the trip, though I found out later they were travelling north.
I really wasn't up to the uphill climb. It's been a while since I've been on a bike. And talking about uphill, there were plenty of long uphill sections. I had to take plenty of breaks in between.
I enjoy meeting barrio folk on these biking trips. This roadside barber was right beside a sari-sari store where I stopped for drinks.
This old fellow sells gasoline in softdrink bottles to passing motorcycles. Roadside gasoline stalls are quite common in rural areas.
Kaputian! It was a long trip getting here, but the roadside scenery was quite monotonous. Hence, the fast-forward.
At the beach.
And finally, my souvenir from this trip. I took a hard tumble on a steep rocky road from Anonang to Kaputian. Thankfully, no broken bones, just scratches on my knee and my hands.
Good Friday Procession
Our parish's Santo Entierro isn't as big or as splashy as Dumaguete's, but it was fun to do, nonetheless. It was a good way to round out the Holy Week activities.
Good Friday Services
I missed the Siete Palabras, but I managed to catch the Veneration of the Cross.
Way of the Cross 2009
Something new for this year's community Way of the Cross: a living tableau composed of young parishioners. We still went around Bo. Obrero, like we do every year; but now we had a flatbed cargo truck with us to ferry the troupe and their props. The tableau is a welcome addition, though next year, they should get someone who's less of a ham to play Jesus Christ.
We started at 4:00AM, and that's why this picture is still dark. This is the seventh station already.
As always, the Via Crucis is attended by young and old alike.
The main cross was still carried the traditional way.
Crucifixion scene -- sans the nails -- sometime around 5:30AM.
The Vigil
Matthew 26:38 "Then he said to them, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me."
Taken at Sacred Heart Parish, Bo. Obrero, Davao City.
Fellows for Davao Writers Workshop 2009
With 51 entries to consider, paring it down to the final 15 was not an easy task. Some hard choices had to be made, and after long deliberation, we now have the following fellows for the Davao Writers Workshop 2009.
Fellows for Fiction
Alpha Fortun (UP Mindanao)
Aaron Jalalon (UP Mindanao)
Edmund Julian de la Cerna (San Pedro College)
Eric John Villena (Xavier University)
Jeffrey Javier (UP Mindanao)
Fellows for Creative Nonfiction
Mary Ann Tarusan (Ateneo de Davao)
Jamie Villarosa (Ateneo de Davao)
Karen Quinones (University of Southeastern Philippines)
Rowena Rose Lee (UP Mindanao)
Fellows for Poetry
Allen Samsuya (UP Mindanao)
Jobelle Obguia (Ateneo de Davao)
Hannah Enanoria (Ateneo de Davao)
Henrietta Diana de Guzman (UP Mindanao)
Paul Randy Palua-Gumanao (Ateneo de Davao)
Vanessa Almeria (UP Mindanao)
A brief word: the selection process was not so much about finding the best pieces as it was finding the right pieces for lively and instructive workshop discussions. As such, we have had to pass on some truly excellent works. We do hope you all continue to hone your craft and submit to Dagmay and other publications.
To benefit more young Davao writers, we will also opening the workshop proceedings to a limited number of observers. Details to follow later.
The workshop takes place at La Storta Retreat House, Shrine Hills, Matina, from May 4 to May 8. Panelists are Marjorie Evasco, Tim Montes, Macario Tiu, and Don Pagusara.
Opening ceremonies for the workshop will be on May 4, 9:00 am, at Ateneo de Davao University. We hope to see you there.
Fellows for Fiction
Alpha Fortun (UP Mindanao)
Aaron Jalalon (UP Mindanao)
Edmund Julian de la Cerna (San Pedro College)
Eric John Villena (Xavier University)
Jeffrey Javier (UP Mindanao)
Fellows for Creative Nonfiction
Mary Ann Tarusan (Ateneo de Davao)
Jamie Villarosa (Ateneo de Davao)
Karen Quinones (University of Southeastern Philippines)
Rowena Rose Lee (UP Mindanao)
Fellows for Poetry
Allen Samsuya (UP Mindanao)
Jobelle Obguia (Ateneo de Davao)
Hannah Enanoria (Ateneo de Davao)
Henrietta Diana de Guzman (UP Mindanao)
Paul Randy Palua-Gumanao (Ateneo de Davao)
Vanessa Almeria (UP Mindanao)
A brief word: the selection process was not so much about finding the best pieces as it was finding the right pieces for lively and instructive workshop discussions. As such, we have had to pass on some truly excellent works. We do hope you all continue to hone your craft and submit to Dagmay and other publications.
To benefit more young Davao writers, we will also opening the workshop proceedings to a limited number of observers. Details to follow later.
The workshop takes place at La Storta Retreat House, Shrine Hills, Matina, from May 4 to May 8. Panelists are Marjorie Evasco, Tim Montes, Macario Tiu, and Don Pagusara.
Opening ceremonies for the workshop will be on May 4, 9:00 am, at Ateneo de Davao University. We hope to see you there.
Published in Philippine Graphic
Philippine Graphic issue, March 30, 2009, where my short story "Turnabout" came out. The story was actually written back in 2005 and got me into the Dumaguete Workshop. My co-fellows all hated it, but I think it was really because they all hated me. (Pffffbbbbbbttttt!) Found it in my old files and decided to send it in anyway. Voila!
Heh, sure, it ain't high literature but I had fun writing it. And Nikka's mom was amused, too. So there.
Parusahan si Chip Tsao!
Wow, pare, hanep! Ang galing talaga nating mga Pinoy, ano? Tingnan mo, napayuko natin ang mayabang na si Chip Tsao na iyan. Hmph! Tingnan niya ang napala niya. Buti nga sa kanya! Ngayon alam na niya: you don't mess around with Filipino pride!
Pero...parang kulang pa yata, ano?
Ano ba naman yung pinagsasabi niya, na tayo raw ay bayan ng mga tsimoy at tsimay? Aba! Ang kapal niya! May karapatan kaya siyang i-small-in ang ating mga kababayang nagtatrabaho bilang alalay sa ibang bansa? Hindi ba niya alam na halos $13-billion taon-taon ang pinapadala ng ating mga bagong bayani? Na ito ang nagpapalutang sa ekonomiya ng Pilipinas? Na kapalit nito ang pawis at luha ng mga kapatid nating kinukulong at ginagahasa at kung ano-ano pang hirap ang pinagdadanas sa Hong Kong, sa Singapore, sa Saudi, at sa Kuwait, na kapiranggot na tulong lamang na dulot ng ating pamahalaan?
Aba! Huwag na huwag niyang ipaalaala sa atin ang ating mga dalamhati! Wala siyang K!
Hindi yata alam ni Chip Tsao na mas matalino pa sa kanilang mga amo ang mga nagsisilbi bilang katulong nila. Hindi kaya niya nabasa ang labis na nakakatawang Blog ni Inday? Kadalasan, maraming nagtatrabaho bilang yaya sa Hong Kong mismo ay mga guro at mga principal dito sa atin. Marami pa nga raw ang merong Master's Degree! Akalain mo iyan? Saan pa sila kukuha ng kasingtalinong maglilinis ng kanilang silid? Sa Bangladesh? Sa Indonesia? Asa pa siya!
At hindi rin yata alam ni Chip Tsao ang nagdadamihang tanyag na Pinoy na kinahahangaan sa buong mundo. Kilala ba niya si Charice Pempengco, na naki-birit kasama si Celine Dion? Kilala ba niya si Nicole Scherzinger ng Pussycat Dolls? O si Batista, na star wrestler ng WWE? O di kaya ang sikat na fashion designer na si Boyet Fajardo? O ang financial genius na si Celso de los Angeles?
Walang-alam talaga itong walanghiya na si Chip Tsao!
Pero kahit na bobo itong si Chip Tsao, paano ba niya hindi makikilala ang banyag na People's Champ na si Manny Pacquiao! Naku! Mag-iingat ang Chip Tsao na iyan! Matapos matumba ni Manny si Ricky Hatton, si Chip Tsao ang dapat kasunod! At hindi lang iyan, pag naging senador si Manny sa 2010 (teka, meron naman sigurong halalan sa 2010, ano?). Pagtutulungan talaga si Chip Tsao nina Manny at Bong Revilla at Lito Lapid at Willy Revillame! Naku! mag-iingat talaga siya...you know? You know! Right, Chip Tsao?
Hay, nako, Chip Tsao. Ano nga ba ang nararapat sa iyo?
Kailangan lumuhod ka, Chip Tsao! Luhod! Luhod! Hindi mo ba kami kilala? Kung hindi ka luluhod, ipapakidnap ka namin sa Abu Sayyaff! Tingnan natin kung hindi ba hanggang langit ang pagsisi mo pag nakatatlong buwan ka su gubat ng Sulu, na pinagbabantaang pupugutin ang iyong ulo habang binobomba ng AFP.
Hay, nako, Chip Tsao, kung nandito ka lang sa Pilipinas, matagal ka nang tinodas ng DDS! O kung hindi man lang ay masasampahan ng libel case sa bayan ng Masiu! Huwag na huwag kang mag-akalang pumunta dito!
At hindi lang kay Chip Tsao. Oras na na ipahiwatig natin sa buong mundo na hindi tayo papayag na pintasan o pagtawanan ng sinumang banyaga! Wala silang karapatang batikusin ang ating kultura! Hindi maari! Hinding hindi! Taas-noo, taas-kilay, Pilipino!
Sa mga sino mang magkakamali... wala man tayong mga bapor na pwedeng gamiting panlusob sa kanila, hindi natin sila titigilang uusigin sa pamamaraan ng ating mga blog at mga forum at mga mailing list at mga kolumnista! At lalo pa sa Facebook! Ang ating mga senador ay maghahain ng diplomatic protest! Tayo ay hindi titigil sa rally sa kanilang embassy! Titigil sa trabaho ang ating mga OFW, at tingnan natin kung sinong mga mababaho ang makukuha nilang pampalit!
Mag-iingat sila! Otherwise, we will unleash the full force of our creative outburst!
Pero...parang kulang pa yata, ano?
Ano ba naman yung pinagsasabi niya, na tayo raw ay bayan ng mga tsimoy at tsimay? Aba! Ang kapal niya! May karapatan kaya siyang i-small-in ang ating mga kababayang nagtatrabaho bilang alalay sa ibang bansa? Hindi ba niya alam na halos $13-billion taon-taon ang pinapadala ng ating mga bagong bayani? Na ito ang nagpapalutang sa ekonomiya ng Pilipinas? Na kapalit nito ang pawis at luha ng mga kapatid nating kinukulong at ginagahasa at kung ano-ano pang hirap ang pinagdadanas sa Hong Kong, sa Singapore, sa Saudi, at sa Kuwait, na kapiranggot na tulong lamang na dulot ng ating pamahalaan?
Aba! Huwag na huwag niyang ipaalaala sa atin ang ating mga dalamhati! Wala siyang K!
Hindi yata alam ni Chip Tsao na mas matalino pa sa kanilang mga amo ang mga nagsisilbi bilang katulong nila. Hindi kaya niya nabasa ang labis na nakakatawang Blog ni Inday? Kadalasan, maraming nagtatrabaho bilang yaya sa Hong Kong mismo ay mga guro at mga principal dito sa atin. Marami pa nga raw ang merong Master's Degree! Akalain mo iyan? Saan pa sila kukuha ng kasingtalinong maglilinis ng kanilang silid? Sa Bangladesh? Sa Indonesia? Asa pa siya!
At hindi rin yata alam ni Chip Tsao ang nagdadamihang tanyag na Pinoy na kinahahangaan sa buong mundo. Kilala ba niya si Charice Pempengco, na naki-birit kasama si Celine Dion? Kilala ba niya si Nicole Scherzinger ng Pussycat Dolls? O si Batista, na star wrestler ng WWE? O di kaya ang sikat na fashion designer na si Boyet Fajardo? O ang financial genius na si Celso de los Angeles?
Walang-alam talaga itong walanghiya na si Chip Tsao!
Pero kahit na bobo itong si Chip Tsao, paano ba niya hindi makikilala ang banyag na People's Champ na si Manny Pacquiao! Naku! Mag-iingat ang Chip Tsao na iyan! Matapos matumba ni Manny si Ricky Hatton, si Chip Tsao ang dapat kasunod! At hindi lang iyan, pag naging senador si Manny sa 2010 (teka, meron naman sigurong halalan sa 2010, ano?). Pagtutulungan talaga si Chip Tsao nina Manny at Bong Revilla at Lito Lapid at Willy Revillame! Naku! mag-iingat talaga siya...you know? You know! Right, Chip Tsao?
Hay, nako, Chip Tsao. Ano nga ba ang nararapat sa iyo?
Kailangan lumuhod ka, Chip Tsao! Luhod! Luhod! Hindi mo ba kami kilala? Kung hindi ka luluhod, ipapakidnap ka namin sa Abu Sayyaff! Tingnan natin kung hindi ba hanggang langit ang pagsisi mo pag nakatatlong buwan ka su gubat ng Sulu, na pinagbabantaang pupugutin ang iyong ulo habang binobomba ng AFP.
Hay, nako, Chip Tsao, kung nandito ka lang sa Pilipinas, matagal ka nang tinodas ng DDS! O kung hindi man lang ay masasampahan ng libel case sa bayan ng Masiu! Huwag na huwag kang mag-akalang pumunta dito!
At hindi lang kay Chip Tsao. Oras na na ipahiwatig natin sa buong mundo na hindi tayo papayag na pintasan o pagtawanan ng sinumang banyaga! Wala silang karapatang batikusin ang ating kultura! Hindi maari! Hinding hindi! Taas-noo, taas-kilay, Pilipino!
Sa mga sino mang magkakamali... wala man tayong mga bapor na pwedeng gamiting panlusob sa kanila, hindi natin sila titigilang uusigin sa pamamaraan ng ating mga blog at mga forum at mga mailing list at mga kolumnista! At lalo pa sa Facebook! Ang ating mga senador ay maghahain ng diplomatic protest! Tayo ay hindi titigil sa rally sa kanilang embassy! Titigil sa trabaho ang ating mga OFW, at tingnan natin kung sinong mga mababaho ang makukuha nilang pampalit!
Mag-iingat sila! Otherwise, we will unleash the full force of our creative outburst!
Bleg: Novels About Books?
We're compiling a required summer reading list for Ateneo de Davao. I want to focus on novels because they're a more intensive and cohesive reading experience. In particular, I want to recommend books about books (and reading) -- and I hope the titles mentioned therein will encourage the readers to follow them later on.
So far only three books come to mind (being the ones I've read):
A few other titles did pop up during a quick search (thanks to this post about novels about books) but I have not come across them yet:
So far only three books come to mind (being the ones I've read):
- Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
- Mockingbird by Walter Tevis
- Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie
A few other titles did pop up during a quick search (thanks to this post about novels about books) but I have not come across them yet:
- The Tuesday Next novels by Jasper Fforde (will be, er, next on my reading list as soon as the NBS sale happens)
- Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
- Salamander by Thomas Wharton
- Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons
G20 Boy Band
Realizing that there's more money to be made in music, Barry, Silvio, Misha, and Jin decide to form a boy band.
Thanks to Saree for the pic!
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