Usapang Lotto

Ewan ba at lahat na ata ng conversations lately ng mga tao eh tungkol sa P600M+ na lotto jackpot na hindi pa rin napapanalunan.

Kanina, ka-email ko yung mga kapatid ko. Sabi ng sister ko, taya daw kami. Share ko yung sagot ng brother ko kasi natawa ako :p

"600M n yung jackpot kaso lang 1 is to 29 million ang chances na tumama. Mas malaki pa yung chance na tamaan ka ng kidlat which is 1 in 600,000. Or, mas malaki pa ang chance na matapilok o madapa ka papunta sa lotto outlet kaysa sa tumama. hehehe"

Anuveh! Pero, in fairness, may point! :D

"Tutorial" Paano Sumakay ng Jeep

"There are also two seats in front, next to the driver. But this is usually reserved for female college students." :D

"The angle between your knees should not exceed 10 degrees."

Panalo talaga sina Moymoy Palaboy hahaha! Kaso, kahit English ang instructions, I doubt kung totally magi-gets ng foreigners ang message. Basta, nakakatawa lang talaga s'ya :p I'm sure yung mga Pinoy na nasa abroad matutuwa mapanood ito :)

Eraserheads Limited Edition CD Set from Greenwich!

Sigurado akong mae-excite yung mga kaibigan kong E-heads fans...

Just click the photo to enlarge and read the mechanics. Enjoy! :)

Unang Yakap Campaign

Sana meron na nito noong nagbubuntis pa lang ako sa mga anak ko. Siguro, nag-insist akong mahawakan ang baby (kahit gaano ako kabangag sa anesthesia) at mag-breastfeed right after ko manganak doon pa lang sa delivery room. Sa kanilang apat, yung pangalawang anak ko lang ang naipatong sa dibdib ko after ko s'ya nilabas. Ngayon, s'ya yung pinaka-active sa kanilang magkakapatid. Pinakamalakas ang resistensya at mahilig sa sports. Tingin ko, may bearing yun.

Sana din, nalaman ko noon na hindi naman pala dapat pinapainom ng tubig ang baby sa first six months kasi mas maganda kung purely breast milk lang. Sana may napakita akong proofs sa mga kamag-anak naming pakialamera nakakatanda at iba ang pilit ipinapagawa sa akin noon. 

Sana lahat ng mga young moms ngayon, mapanood ang video na ito. Maganda talaga na may mga ganitong information campaigns. Kudos DOH!

Ay, ang labo!

I am all for changes that would make people's lives better. Pero nung nakita ko ang picture na ito sa twitpic ni TJ Manotoc, hindi ko alam kung matatawa ako o maiinis. Pahirapan daw ba lalo ang mga tao!

'Ika nga nga nung isang nag-comment dun sa photo:
Pasahero: "Mama, paki-baba na lang ako sa Justice Lourdes Paredes San Diego ..."
Driver: Ay lagpas na tayo, dapat [mas] maaga mong sinabi!"

Kaloka!

Tama na kasi ang pang-aabuso!

Para sa mga sutil at pasaway na mga pulitiko: Sana naman po eh gamitin ninyo ang pera ng taumbayan sa tamang paraan. Hindi kami nagbabayad ng buwis para lang ibili nyo ng magagarang sasakyan na may wang-wang tapos ipagtatabuyan ninyo kami sa kalsada kapag kayo'y dumaraan.

Pare-pareho lang tayong nagmamadali at may pupuntahan. Sinong may sabing mas importante ang lakad ninyo kaysa sa amin?

Mensahe Para sa Susunod na Presidente

Kung may gusto kayong sabihin sa susunod na Presidente ng Pilipinas, mag-post kayo ng inyong mga suggestions sa Dear Noynoy page sa Facebook. Magandang idea ito dahil ico-collate daw ng grupo na nagpasimula nito yung mga suggestions sa isang book para i-present kay Noynoy Aquino sa kanyang inauguration sa June 30.

Paalala lang, maging maayos sana yung mga isusulat natin doon lalo na kung ibang kandidato ang sinuportahan ninyo noong eleksyon. Maging constructive tayo, kumbaga.

Ika nga ng admin ng page: "The project group that handles this page has started collating. We also count the number of rude posters and rate them by who they declare as "their president." The MOST NUMBER of rude messages are posted by Teodoro's supporters, followed by Gordon supporters & 3rd would be Villar supporters. The Noy supporters tie 3rd in the rudeness by replying to the rest. Stop shaming the candidates you supported."

Sang-ayon ako doon!

Wala Kayo sa mga Tricycle sa Amin! :p

The first time namin nabasa ang laman ng poster na ito sa loob ng isang tricycle sa village namin, tawa kami ng tawa ng asawa ko.

Nung nakasakay ulit ako ng isa pang tricycle na meron din nun, di ko na mapigilang hindi kuhanan ng picture.

In case hindi n'yo masyadong mabasa, eto ang nakasulat doon ...

Kung ang DRIVER ng tricycle ay may ganitong katangian:
A. Matulungin
B. Matapat
C. Magalang
D. Mabango

I-Text kay PRES!

Shempre dun kami natawa sa "mabango". Sus, may pasahero bang inaamoy ang driver? hahaha.

Kapag nagkataon ...

... ganito daw ang mga NoyBi posters na lalabas sa mga Philippine government offices :p

May isa ring tweet galing sa Twitter na nakapagpatawa sa akin ng malakas kahapon:

"Congratulations Philippines for electing your first black VP." - US Pres. Obama

Hehehe, ang humor nga naman ng Pinoy ... panalo!

Kudos to 7-Eleven!

Bilib naman ako sa informal na survey ng 7-Eleven. Great use of technology! Sa mga hindi nakakaalam, yung mga GULP cups na may mukha at kulay ng different presidentiables, may kanya-kanyang bar codes so nata-track nila kung alin ang pinakamaraming binibili ng mga customers.

Binisita ko yung website ng 7-Elections. Mas lalo ako na-amaze kasi pwede rin pala makita ang statistics per city/municipality sa buong Luzon.

BTW, meron din silang contest to get free limited edition Gulp gift certificates! Contest page can be found here. They draw 500 winners per week until the May 10 elections. Shempre nag-sign up ako :p

Habang naghihintay pa ako ng results kung nanalo ako, next labas ko nga, bibili na ako ng GULP drink na nasa cup na kulay dilaw :)

Tinikling sa Saliw ng Kanta ni MJ!

Ang cool nito! Ika nga nung isang kaibigan ko, "Old meets New" and "East meets West"!

Isa sa mga bagay na masasabi talaga nating "Ang Galing-galing ng Pinoy!"

Isa Pang Kababawan

Enjoy ako kapag nakakabasa ng mga ganitong klaseng witticisms. Napaka-creative talaga ng mga Pinoy pagdating sa pagpapatawa!

In fairness, nakaka-relate ako sa message sa baba lalo na kapag full blast na naman ang pagvi-videoke ng kapitbahay namin :p

Bawal Kumanta ng "My Way!"

Kaloka! Nasa NY Times ang story ng "My Way Killings" sa Pilipinas :p

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/07/world/asia/07karaoke.html

Iboto natin si Efren Peñaflorida para maging CNN Hero!

Efren Peñaflorida gives Filipino youth an alternative to gang membership through education. His Dynamic Teen Company's 10,000 members have taught basic reading and writing to 1,500 kids living in the slums.

Read the full story here.

100 Best things that make us unmistakably FILIPINO!

Reposting from Facebook. Sorry, didn't know the author so I can't acknowledge him/her. Something nice to read. My comments in Italics

From the 1896 Revolution to the first Philippine Republic, the Commonwealth period, the EDSA Revolt, and the tiger cub economy, history marches on. Thankfully, however, some things never change. Like the classics, things irresistibly Pinoy mark us for life. They're the indelible stamp of our identity, the undeniable affinity that binds us like twins. They celebrate the good in us, the best of our culture and the infinite possibilities we are all capable of. Some are so self-explanatory you only need mention them for fellow Pinoys to swoon or drool. Here, from all over this Centennial-crazed country and in no particular order, are a hundred of the best things that make us unmistakably Pinoy.

1. Merienda. Where else is it normal to eat five times a day?

2. Sawsawan. Assorted sauces that guarantee freedom of choice, enough room for experimentation and maximum tolerance for diverse tastes. Favorites: toyo't calamansi, suka at sili, patis.

3. Kuwan, Ano. At a loss for words? Try these and marvel at how Pinoys understand exactly what you want. (Bigla ko tuloy lalo na-miss ang Tatay ko kasi mahilig yun magsabi ng "Kuwan" :p)

4. Pinoy humor and irreverence. If you're api and you know it, crack a joke. Nothing personal, really.

5. Tingi. Thank goodness for small entrepreneurs. Where else can we buy cigarettes, soap, condiments and life's essentials in small affordable amounts? (Onga, tayo ang nagpauso ng sachet!)

6. Spirituality. Even before the Spaniards came, ethnic tribes had their own anitos, bathalas and assorted deities, pointing to a strong relationship with the Creator, who or whatever it may be.

7. Po, Opo, Mano po. Speech suffixes that define courtesy, deference, filial respect--a balm to the spirit in these aggressive times.

8. Pasalubong. Our way of sharing the vicarious thrills and delights of a trip, and a wonderful excuse to shop without the customary guilt.

9. Beaches! With 7,000 plus islands, we have miles and miles of shoreline piled high with fine white sand, lapped by warm waters, and nibbled by exotic tropical fish. From the stormy seas of Batanes to the emerald isles of Palawan--over here, life is truly a beach. (I suddenly miss Puerto Galera :S)

10. Bagoong. Darkly mysterious, this smelly fish or shrimp paste typifies the underlying theme of most ethnic foods: disgustingly unhygienic, unbearably stinky and simply irresistible. (I agree! Now, I want some green mangoes...)

11. Bayanihan. Yes, the internationally-renowned dance company, but also this habit of pitching in still common in small communities. Just have that cold beer and some pulutan ready for the troops. (This is still very much alive in the small town where I grew up.)

12. The Balikbayan Box. Another way of sharing life's bounty, no matter if it seems like we're fleeing Pol Pot every time we head home from anywhere in the globe. The most wonderful part is that, more often than not, the contents are carted home to be distributed.

13. Pilipino Komiks. Not to mention "Hiwaga," "Aliwan," "Tagalog Classics," "Liwayway" and"Bulaklak" magazines. Pulpy publications that gave us Darna, Facifica Falayfay, Lagalag, Kulafu, Kenkoy, Dyesebel, characters of a time both innocent and worldly. (I remember reading Zuma and Teray Katuray when I was still in elementary :p)

14. Folk Songs. They come unbidden and spring, full blown, like a second language, at the slightest nudge from the too-loud stereo of a passing jeepney or tricycle. (Dapat OPM ang tawag, hindi na folk songs.)

15. Fiesta. Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow is just another day, shrugs the poor man who, once a year, honors a patron saint with this sumptuous, no-holds-barred spread. It's a Pinoy celebration at its pious and riotous best. (Ah, dito ako hindi agree. Yung ipangutang mo ang handa para di ka mahuli sa bonggahan ng kapitbahay. Tapos the rest of the year, halos walang makain ang pamilya mo? Tsk!)

16. Aswang, Manananggal, Kapre. The whole underworld of Filipino lower mythology recalls our uniquely bizarre childhood, that is, before political correctness kicked in. Still, their rich adventures pepper our storytelling. (Yeah, I grew up reading mga kwento ni Lola Basyang and listening to scary stories told by my lola.)

17. Jeepneys. Colorful, fast, reckless, a vehicle of postwar Pinoy ingenuity, this Everyman's communal cadillac makes for a cheap, interesting ride. If the driver's a daredevil (as they usually are), hang on to your seat.

18. Dinuguan. Blood stew, a bloodcurdling idea, until you try it with puto. Best when mined with jalapeno peppers. Messy but delicious (to some). (Goldilocks has the right timpla. Even their dinuguan in pouches taste good!)

19. Santacruzan. More than just a beauty contest, this one has religious overtones, a tableau of St. Helena's and Constantine's search for the Cross that seamlessly blends piety, pageantry and ritual. Plus, it's the perfect excuse to show off the prettiest ladies--and the most beautiful gowns. (We're not Catholic and I remember our mom refusing to let me or my sister be invited to be sagalas, ever.)

20. Balut. Unhatched duck's embryo, another unspeakable ethnic food to outsiders, but oh, to indulge in guilty pleasures! Sprinkle some salt and suck out that soup, with gusto. (Hindi kaya ng powers ko ang sisiw. Hanggang sabaw, pula at puti lang ako. Buti maraming taga-kain ng sisiw dito sa bahay. Nag-uunahan pa!)

21. Pakidala. A personalized door-to-door remittance and delivery system for overseas Filipino workers who don't trust the banking system, and who expect a family update from the courier, as well.

22. Choc-nut. Crumbly peanut chocolate bars that defined childhood ecstasy before M & M's and Hershey's. (Until now, uso pa rin sya!)

23. Kamayan Style. To eat with one's hand and eschew spoon, fork and table manners--ah, heaven. (Lalo na when the ulam is tuyo and suka with bawang. Yum!)

24. Chicharon. Pork, carabao, fish or chicken crackling. There is in the crunch a hint of the extravagant, the decadent and the pedestrian. Perfect with vinegar, sublime with beer. (Tama na ako sa iced tea. I don't like the taste of beer eh.)

25. Pinoy Hospitality. Just about everyone gets a hearty "Kain tayo!" invitation to break bread with whoever has food to share, no matter how skimpy or austere it is. (Lalo na sa province, people will feel hurt pa when you refuse to share their simple meals.)

26. Adobo, Kare-kare, Sinigang and other Lutong bahay stuff. Home-cooked meals that have the stamp of approval from several generations, who swear by closely-guarded cooking secrets and family recipes.

27. Lola Basyang. The voice one heard spinning tales over the radio, before movies and television curtailed imagination and defined grown-up tastes. (Hanapin ko nga yung libro ko sa bahay ng nanay ko. Para mabasa rin ng mga anak ko. Sana buhay pa!)

28. Pambahay. Home is where one can let it all hang out, where clothes do not make a man or woman but rather define their level of comfort. (Kurak! Daster or kamison, the best!)

29. Tricycle and Trisikad, The poor Pinoy's taxicab that delivers you at your doorstep for as little as P5.00, with a complimentary dusting of polluted air. (Nako, P7.00 na ang minimum sa trike ngayon! Sa Rockwell, ang mahal ng pedicab!)

30. Dirty Ice Cream o Sorbetes. Very Pinoy flavors that make up for the risk: munggo, langka, ube, mais, keso, macapuno. Plus there's the colorful cart that recalls jeepney art.

31. Yayas. The trusted Filipino nanny who, ironically, has become a major Philippine export as overseas contract workers. A good one is almost like a surrogate parent--if you don't mind the accent and the predilection for afternoon soap and movie stars. (Praning na ako sa mga yaya. Abusado na ang 95% ng breed nila ngayon. Nasa abroad na ata yung mga matitino. Ayoko na kuhanan ang kids ko, ever.)

32. Sarsi. Pinoy rootbeer, the enduring taste of childhood. Our grandfathers had them with an egg beaten in.

33. Pinoy fruits. Atis, guyabano, chesa, mabolo, lanzones, durian, langka, makopa, dalanghita, siniguelas, suha, chico, papaya, singkamas--the possibilities! (I love almost everything in this list except chico and papaya hehehe).

34. Filipino celebrities. Movie stars, broadcasters, beauty queens, public officials, all-around controversial figures: Aurora Pijuan, Cardinal Sin, Carlos P. Romulo, Charito Solis, Cory Aquino, Emilio Aguinaldo, the Eraserheads, Fidel V. Ramos, Francis Magalona, Gloria Diaz, Manuel L. Quezon, Margie Moran, Melanie Marquez, Ninoy and Cory Aquino, Nora Aunor, Pitoy Moreno, Ramon Magsysay, Richard Gomez, San Lorenzo Ruiz, Sharon Cuneta, Gemma Cruz, Erap, Tiya Dely, Mel and Joey, Gary V...

35. World Class Pinoys who put us on the global map: Lea Salonga, Paeng Nepomuceno, Eugene Torre, Luisito Espinosa, Lydia de Vega-Mercado, Jocelyn Enriquez, Elma Muros, Onyok Velasco, Efren "Bata" Reyes, Lilia Calderon-Clemente, Loida Nicolas-Lewis, Josie Natori, Arnel Pineda, and Manny Pacquiao. (Uy, isama natin si Charice Pempengco!)

36. Pinoy Tastes. A dietitian's nightmare: too sweet, too salty, too fatty, as in burong talangka, itlog na maalat, crab fat (aligue), bokayo, kutchinta, sapin-sapin, halo-halo, pastilyas, palitaw, pulburon, longganisa, tuyo, ensaymada, ube halaya, sweetened macapuno and garbanzos. Remember, we're the guys who put sugar in our spaghetti sauce. Yum! (Hay naku, nagutom ako bigla!)

37. The Sights. Banaue Rice Terraces, Boracay, Bohol's Chocolate Hills, Corregidor Island, Fort Santiago, the Hundred Islands, the Las Pinas Bamboo Organ, Rizal Park, Mt. Banahaw, Mayon Volcano, Taal Volcano. A land of contrasts and ever-changing landscapes. (Waah! Meron pa akong mga hindi napupuntahan sa listahang ito!)

38. Gayuma, Agimat and Anting-anting. Love potions and amulets. How the socially-disadvantaged Pinoy copes. (Ay, hindi uso sa amin yan.)

39. Barangay Ginebra, Jaworski, PBA, MBA, and PBL/PABL. How the verticaly-challenged Pinoy compensates, via a national sports obsession that reduces fans to tears and fistfights. (I remember being obsessed with a certain UAAP player from another school during my college days hahaha).

40. People Power at EDSA. When everyone became a hero and changed Philippine history overnight. (Sana magpatuloy ang diwa ng EDSA para di masayang ang sinumulan ni Pres. Cory and Sen. Ninoy)

41. San Miguel Beer and Pulutan. "Isa pa nga!" and the Philippines' most popular, world-renowned beer goes well with peanuts, corniks, tapa, chicharon, usa, barbecue, sisig, and all manner of spicy, crunchy and cholesterol-rich chasers. (Asawa ko ang makaka-identify dito)

42. Resiliency. We've survived 400 years of Spanish rule, the US bases, Marcos, the 1990 earthquake, lahar, lambada, Robin Padilla, and Tamagochi. We'll survive Gloria. (Hear, hear!)

43. Yoyo. Truly Filipino in origin, this hunting tool, weapon, toy and merchandising vehicle remains the best way to "walk the dog" and "rock the baby," using just a piece of string.

44. Pinoy Games: Pabitin, palosebo, basagan ng palayok, patintero. A few basic rules make individual cunning and persistence a premium, and guarantee a good time for all.

45. Ninoy Aquino. For saying that "the Filipino is worth dying for,'' and proving it. (Amen!)

46. Balagtasan. The verbal joust that brings out rhyme, reason and passion on a public stage, way before rap freestyle.

47. Tabo. All-powerful, ever-useful, hygienically-triumphant device to scoop water out of a bucket and help the true Pinoy answer nature's call. Helps maintain our famously stringent toilet habits.

48. Pandesal. Despite its shrinking size, still a good buy. Goes well with any filling, best when hot.

49. Jollibee. Truly Pinoy in taste and sensibility, and a corporate icon that we can be quite proud of. Do you know that it has invaded the Middle East and USA already?

50. The Butanding, the dolphins and other creatures in our blessed waters. They're Pinoys, too, and they're here to stay. Now if some folks would just stop turning them into daing. (Hehehe, ayos sa punchline!)

51. Pakikisama. It's what makes people stay longer at parties, have another drink, join pals in sickness and health. You can get dead drunk and still make it home. (But sometimes, this is not a good thing.)

52. Sing-a-long, Karaoke, Videoke. Filipinos love to sing, and thank God a lot of us do it well!

53. Kayumanggi. Neither pale nor dark, our skin tone is beautifully healthy, the color of a rich earth or a mahogany tree growing towards the sun.

54. Handwoven cloth and native weaves. Colorful, environment-friendly alternatives to polyester that feature skillful workmanship and a rich indigenous culture behind every thread. From the pinukpok of the north to the malong of the south, it's the fiber of who we are.

55. Movies. Still the cheapest form of entertainment, especially if you watch the same movie several times.

56. Bahala na. We cope with uncertainty by embracing it, and are thus enabled to play life by ear.

57. Papaitan. An offal stew flavored with bile, admittedly an acquired taste, but pointing to our national ability to acquire a taste for almost anything.

58. English. Whether carabao or Arr-neoww-accented, it doubles our chances in the global marketplace.

59. The Press. Irresponsible, sensational, often inaccurate, but still the liveliest in Asia. Otherwise, we'd all be glued to TV. (Teka, teka! Member of the press ako! Hindi ata applicable sa akin ang mga descriptions! :p)

60. Divisoria. Smelly, crowded, a pickpocket's paradise, but you can get anything here, often at rock-bottom prices. The sensory overload is a bonus.

61. Barong Tagalog. Enables men to look formal and dignified without having to strangle themselves with a necktie. Worn well, it makes any ordinary Juan look marvelously makisig.

62. Filipinas. They make the best friends, lovers, wives. Too bad they can't say the same for Filipinos. (Well, I can say that my husband is the exception :))

63. Filipinos. So maybe they're bolero and macho with an occasional streak of generic infidelity; they do know how to make a woman feel like one.

64. Catholicism. What fun would sin be without guilt? Jesus Christ is firmly planted on Philippine soil.

65. Dolphy. Our favorite, ultra-durable comedian gives the beleaguered Pinoy everyman an odd dignity, even in drag.

66. Style. Something we often prefer over substance. But every Filipino claims it as a birthright.

67. Bad Taste. Clear plastic covers on the vinyl-upholstered sofa, posters of poker-playing dogs masquerading as art, overaccessorized jeepneys and altars--the list is endless, and wealth only seems to magnify it. (Yep, marami akong kilalang mayayamang jologs.)

68. Mangoes. Crisp and tart, or lusciously ripe, they evoke memories of family outings and endless sunshine in a heart-shaped package.

69. Unbridled Optimism. Why we rank so low on the suicide scale. (We do? That's good to know!)

70. Street Foods: Barbecue, lugaw, banana-cue, fishballs, IUD (chicken entrails), adidas (chicken feet), warm taho. Forget hepatitis; here's cheap, tasty food with gritty ambience. (I like isaw!)

71. The Siesta. Snoozing in the middle of the day is smart, not lazy. (I agree! May sinulat si Leo Buscaglia about the sensibility of siestas. He got the principles right.)

72. Honorifics and Courteous titles: Kuya, ate, diko, ditse, ineng, totoy, Ingkong, Aling, Mang, etc. No exact English translation, but these words connote respect, deference and the value placed on kinship.

73. Heroes and people who stood up for truth and freedom. Lapu-lapu started it all, and other heroes and revolutionaries followed: Diego Silang, Macario Sakay, Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Apolinario Mabini, Melchora Aquino, Gregorio del Pilar, Gabriela Silang, Miguel Malvar, Francisco Balagtas, Juan Luna, Marcelo H. del Pilar, Panday Pira, Emilio Jacinto, Raha Suliman, Antonio Luna, Gomburza, Emilio Aguinaldo, the heroes of Bataan and Corregidor, Pepe Diokno, Satur Ocampo, Dean Armando Malay, Evelio Javier, Ninoy Aquino, Lola Rosa and other comfort women who spoke up, honest cabbie Emilio Advincula, Rona Mahilum, the women lawyers who didn't let Jalosjos get away with rape.

74. Flora and Fauna. The sea cow (dugong), butanding, tarsier, calamian deer, bearcat, Philippine eagle, sampaguita, ilang-ilang, camia, pandan, the creatures that make our archipelago unique.

75. Pilipino Songs, OPM and Composers: "Ama Namin," "Lupang Hinirang," "Gaano Ko Ikaw Kamahal," "Ngayon at Kailanman," "Anak," "Handog,""Hindi Kita Malilimutan," "Ang Pasko ay Sumapit"; Ryan Cayabyab, George Canseco, Restie Umali, Levi Celerio, Manuel Francisco, Freddie Aguilar, and Florante--living examples of our musical gift.

76. Metro Aides. They started out as Imelda Marcos' groupies, but have gallantly proven their worth. Against all odds, they continuously prove that cleanliness is next to godliness--especially now that those darned candidates' posters have to be scraped off the face of Manila!

77. Sari-Sari Store. There's one in every corner, offering everything from bananas and floor wax to Band-Aid and bakya.

78. Philippine National Red Cross. PAWS. Caritas. Fund drives. They help us help each other. (Add to that my supported NGO -- World Vision Philippines!)

79. Favorite TV Shows through the years: "Tawag ng Tanghalan," "John and Marsha," "Champoy," "Ryan, Ryan Musikahan," "Kuwarta o Kahon," "Public Forum/Lives," "Student Canteen", "Eat Bulaga", and "Wowowee". In the age of inane variety shows, they have redeemed Philippine television. (I like the first few names on this list but I don't watch noontime shows because I don't like the culture of laziness, false hopes and dole-outs that they promote.)

80. Quirks of language that can drive crazy any tourist listening in: "Bababa ba?" "Bababa!"

81. "Sayang!" "Naman!" "Kadiri!" "Ano ba!?" "pala." Expressions that defy translation but wring out feelings genuinely Pinoy.

82. Cockfighting. Filipino men love it more than their wives (sometimes).

83. Dr. Jose Rizal. A category in himself. Hero, medicine man, genius, athlete, sculptor, fictionist, poet, essayist, husband, lover, samaritan, martyr. Truly someone to emulate and be proud of, anytime, anywhere.

84. Nora Aunor. Short, dark and homely-looking, she redefined our rigid concept of how leading ladies should look like.

85. Noranian or Vilmanian. Defines the friendly rivalry between Ate Guy Aunor and Ate Vi Santos and for many years, the only way to be for many Filipino fans.

86. Filipino Christmas. The world's longest holiday season. A perfect excuse to mix our love for feasting, gift-giving and music and wrap it up with a touch of religion.

87. Relatives and Kababayan abroad. The best refuge against loneliness, discrimination and confusion in a foreign place. Distant relatives and fellow Pinoys readily roll out the welcome mat even on the basis of a phone introduction or referral.

88. Festivals: Sinulog, Ati-atihan, Moriones. Sounds, colors, pagan frenzy and Christian overtones.

89. Folk dances. Tinikling, pandanggo sa ilaw, karinosa, kuratsa, itik-itik, alitaptap, rigodon. All the right moves and a distinct rhythm.

90. Native Wear and Costumes. Baro't saya, tapis, terno, saya, salakot, bakya. Lovely form and ingenious function in the way we dress.

91. Sunday Family Gatherings. Or, close family ties that never get severed. You don't have to win the lotto or be a president to have 10,000 relatives. Everyone's family tree extends all over the archipelago, and it's at its best in times of crisis; notice how food, hostesses, money, and moral support materialize during a wake?

92. Calesa and Karitela. The colorful and leisurely way to negotiate narrow streets when loaded down with a year's provisions.

93. Quality of Life. Where else can an ordinary employee afford a stay-in helper, a yaya, unlimited movies, eat-all-you-can buffets, the latest fashion (Baclaran nga lang), even Viagra in the black market?

94. All Saints' Day. In honoring our dead, we also prove that we know how to live.

95. Handicrafts. Shellcraft, rattancraft, abaca novelties, woodcarvings, banig placemats and bags, bamboo windchimes, etc. Portable memories of home. Hindi lang pang-turista, pang-balikbayan pa!

96. Pinoy greens. Sitaw. Okra. Ampalaya. Gabi. Munggo. Dahon ng Sili. Kangkong. Luya. Talong. Sigarillas. Bataw. Patani. Lutong bahay will never be the same without them. (Don't forget malunggay!)

97. OCWs. The lengths (and miles) we'd go for a better life for our family, as proven by these modern-day heroes of the economy.

98. The Filipino Artist. From Luna's magnificent "Spoliarium" and Amorsolo's sun-kissed ricefields, to Ang Kiukok's jarring abstractions and Borlongan's haunting ghosts, and everybody else in between. Hang a Filipino painting on your wall, and you're hanging one of Asia's best.

99. Tagalog Soap Operas. From "Gulong ng Palad" and "Flor de Luna" to today's incarnations like "Mula sa Puso"--they're the story of our lives, and we feel strongly for them, MariMar notwithstanding. (Hahaha, I remember watching Gulong ng Palad and Flor de Luna with my lola.)

100. Midnight Madness, Weekends Sales, Bangketas and Baratillos/Tiange. It's retail therapy at its best, with Filipinos braving traffic, crowds, and human deluge to find a bargain.

Love Your Own

Iboto natin ang isa sa mga pinagmamalaking tourist spot ng Pilipinas. Please read more below:

"This is an appeal to vote for our Palawan Underwater River to become one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Before, we are first in the Group E category but now we are only second to the Amazon River. The Amazon River is being supported by 9 countries. Let's show our unity and vote for one of our national treasures. An appeal is being sent out to all Filipinos and friends to vote. Log on to www.New7Wonders.com and vote for Puerto Princesa Subterranean National Park under Group E. That is the Philippines' official name entry for our underwater river. If you haven't voted yet, vote now. We still have 5 days to do this as July 7 is the deadline. Thanks and please pass to everybody."

Ever since my college days, I have been familiar with Kuya Gary's songs because he's a familiar face in IVCF gatherings in Los Baños. I haven't had a chance yet to get to know him better but he and my husband often meet with fellow musicians. Last week, hubby brought home two CDs given by Kuya Gary himself after their get-together at Conspiracy.



Kuya Gary's musical genius and versatility became once more evident. As always, I was amazed at the lyrics and melodies of the songs. Some are very inspiring, some made me contemplate about our country's current circumstances and then there are the songs that made me laugh out loud.


Here are some examples:

"In All Things" (lovely melody, great words) from the album God of Jubilee, Lord of the Nations

Even though the little sparrows
Neither sow nor reap
Never do they beg or borrow
They must know something deep

In all things I can rejoice
In the name of Jesus
Unto Him I lift my voice
God's grace will suffice

In all things I can be glad
For I'm clad with the blood
And the love of Christ

"Mga Kanta ni Goryo" (sung in the tune of Itik-itik -- you really have to hear it to appreciate how funny it is) from the album Saranggola sa Ulan

Itext-itext mo na lang ako
Kung may credit pa ang celfon mo
Ngunit baka magbigla kayo
Ang balance nyo ay biglang zero

Uto-uto din naman tayo
Nagpapaloko pag may promo
Smart o Globe, kung Sun mo gusto
Nakasampung lipat na ako

Kahit ang text mo’y di dumating
Bawat pindot mo sisingilin
Tuloy-tuloy na kakaltasin
Kahit na nga di mo pindutin

Ipindut mo, ipindut mo, ipindut mo, ipindut mo
Ipindut mo, ipindut mo, ipindut mo, ipindut mo-

From his old albums, my favorites are:

The romantic "Dagat" (very apt for OFW families -- with a haunting melody and is quite a tear-jerker) which we have on cassette tape pa!

Namamaybay
Ang tubig sa paypay ng hanging habagat
Dumadampi
Sa umaasang pisngi ng tabindagat

Dagat na pagitan ng ating pag-ibig
Singlawak, singlayo, singlalim
Ngunit sa isang panig, dagat ang nagsasanib
Ng dalampasigan mo sa akin

Namamangka
Ang aking diwa sa nakalipas
Tumatawid
Sa ibayong daigdig ng ating bukas

Sa dagat ng pangako, sa laot ng pangarap
Sa alon ng iyong mga halik
Dagat din ng luha ng pusong naghihirap
Naghihintay sa iyong pagbabalik

"Pagkatapos" (Ladies, you'll have fun singing this to your hubbies too! hehehe)

Alam mo bang magliliwanag na
Ang bait mo’t umuwi ka pa
Pagkatapos kitang ipagsaing
Pagkatapos kitang ipaghain
Sasabihin mong ika’y kumain na

Para bang isang instant replay
Ng nangyari nung isang gabi
Pagkatapos mo akong pangakuan
Pagkatapos ng ating kasunduan
Hihiritan mo akong muli

Sana man lamang ay paminsan-minsan
Mauunawaan ko pa
Napakapalad mo lang aking hirang
Mahal na mahal kita

Isang araw ang langit kukulog
Mahal, alam mo na ang kasunod
Mauubos ang aking pasensya
Igagapos kita sa isang bomba
Giliw, sana ay maawa ka

Huwag hayaang ako’y maging kontrabida
Huwag bayaang ako’y maging byuda
Pagkatapos ay, pagkatapos ay
Pagkatapos ay tapos ka na

Curious to hear these songs? The good news is, they're all downloadable at www.garygranada.com! :) Go check them out now. You'll find complete lyrics at the website as well. I'm sure you'll have fun discovering the other songs there. Happy listening!

Malaking Abala Lang

Huwebes ng umaga, nagbalak akong kumulekta ng mga cheke ko sa mga publishing houses na pinagsusulatan ko. Nag-text at nag-confirm pa ako dun sa contact person ko sa Makati na pupunta ako sa office nila ng hapon.

Pero bago pa ako makapag-prepare lumarga, biglang nagkaron ng flash reports sa TV tungkol sa kaguluhan sa Makati at nadismaya ako sa mga balita. Habang naglilitanya ng kung anu-ano si Gen. Lim, hindi ko mapigilang mainis at mapasabi ng "Sows! Wag na kayong magsimula na naman ng ganyan!" At dahil madadaanan ng jeep na sasakyan ko ang Manila Pen, nagdalawang-isip akong tumuloy.

Pero since kailangan ko ng datung (magpa-Pasko na daw ba!) at dahil holiday kinabukasan, inisip kong lalong tatagal ang clearing ng checks kung Monday ko pa kukunin. So tumuloy ako.

Pagbaba ko ng bus sa Ayala cor Edsa, nakaka-alarma yung paligid kasi ang daming sirens tapos may helicopter pa na umiikot sa taas. Yung jeep papuntang Washington, ang layo ng inikutan sa may Pasay Road kasi iniwasan ang Makati Ave. Bago lumiko yung jeep papuntang Glorietta area, nakita ko pa yung mga trak na puno ng armadong sundalo. Tsk, sana pala ni-picture-an ko sa celphone para may souvenir! :p

Thank goodness nakarating naman ako dun sa pupuntahan ko at nakuha ko yung cheke ko doon. Tapos tumuloy na ako pa-Ortigas via Buendia kasi for sure traffic ever ang Ayala.

Nasa bus na ako ulit nung tumawag ako sa asawa ko. Hehehe, panic ang mama, uwi na daw ako at nagpuputukan na sa Makati. Nahimasmasan lang sya nung sinabi kong lampas na ako ng Boni. Still, yung travel ko pabalik ng Alabang, inabot ng 2 hours sa sobrang traffic.

Now, ang masasabi ko lang dyan kina Trillanes eh, nakakaasar sila kasi mali ang diskarte nila! Hindi man lang yata pinag-isipan mabuti yung gagawin nila from beginning to end. Sure, marami tayong grievances sa gobyerno natin, sino bang wala??? Pero yung iparating mo yung protesta mo na mangdadamay ka pa ng ibang tao, foul yun! Kawawa naman yung mga may ari ng Manila Pen, sira ang business nila. Kawawa ang mga taong na-late sa mga appointments (buti umabot pa ako sa check releasing!) at yung mga na-trauma sa pangyayari (unfair yung ginawa sa media people at kahiya sa mga foreigners na guests nung hotel!).

Most of all, nagmukha na namang eng-eng ang Pilipinas sa mata ng buong mundo kasi lahat na lang ng naging leaders ng bansang ito, gustong patalsikin via "people power". Ano ba?! Hindi na ba tayo mahe-headline man lang sa world news na maganda ang image? Para kasing laging negative ang mga balita kapag galing dito sa atin :(

Taxes sa Air Parcels na Kinukuha sa Post Office

About two weeks ago, nakatanggap ako ng registered mail notice galing sa Alabang Post Office. Sumubok akong tumawag para itanong kung saan galing kasi wala naman akong ini-expect na importanteng sulat. It turned out na may air parcel daw ako galing sa US na padala ng American friend kong may mga anak ding naka-tube feeding.

Akala ko kasi ipapadala niya sa hipag ko sa California yung mga ibibigay nyang gamit para kay James, para sister-in-law ko na lang ang magpapadala dito. It turned out na diniretso na lang i-mail papuntang Pilipinas ng friend ko yung mga feeding tubes, syringes and special gauzes. According to her email a day later, para daw magamit agad ni James.

Nung kinuha ko yung box, hiningan ako ng P35 as Custom Fee daw. Since maliit naman yung amount, binayaran ko and nagbigay naman sila ng official receipt.

Tapos two days ago, naka-receive na naman ako ng notice. This time, alam ko ng may paparating, kasi binanggit na sa akin ni Diane na may susunod na package na may lamang tubefeeding pump, feeding bags, formulas, etc. Pagtawag ko sa Alabang office, sabi nila wala sa kanila yung package at mag-inquire ako sa Las Pinas Post Office kasi daw mukhang subject to custom inspection yung contents kaya dun bumagsak.

So tumawag ako ng LP post office to ask kung gaano ba kalaki yung box kasi baka mahirapan ako ulit i-commute pauwi like last time. Wow, ang sagot ba naman, "Ay naku, basta malaki yun kung air parcel. Pumarito ka na lang at kunin mo!" Ang taray!

So hinintay ko muna kung kailan libre ang asawa ko para masamahan ako ng naka-van. Ang layo kaya ng Las Pinas! Saka ilang sakay sa jeep at tricycles ako pag nagkataon. Eh pano kung malaki at mabigat yung box?!

Kahapon, natuloy kaming pumunta. Habang tulog pa si James, ibinilin muna namin sya kay bunso na bantayan hanggang dumating si Kuya Jo nya from school na mas marunong mag-alaga kay James. Pagdating doon, medyo natagalan pa bago kami na-entertain kasi di masyadong namamansin yung mga tao sa parcel receiving area. After ma-verify yung ID ko, pinagbayad ako ng P35 dun sa isang window. Again, may official receipt.

Pagbalik ko dun sa packages counter, ilang minutes ulit bago nila inilabas yung box. Tapos sinabihan kaming kelangan nilang buksan yun to check the contents. Naghintay ulit kami ng medyo matagal before dumating yung magi-inspect. Tapos isa-isang nilabas yung mga nasa loob ng box.

After another long wait, may binigay sa aking papel. Na-confuse ako kasi may mga computations. Nakalagay dun:

Customs Duty – P178

Evat – P799

Import Processing Fee – P250

Customs Docu Stamp - P250

BIR tax - P15

Amount Payable - P1492

"Mam, ano ho ito?" tanong ko. "Yan ang babayaran nyo pa," sagot nung ale. Huwaaaat???! Nung tinanong ko ulit bakit ganun kalaki, may binigay sa aking four or five pages ata yun na Xerox copied documents. "Ayan, basahin mo para maintindihan nyo bakit kayo kailangang magbayad. Based yung computation sa assessed value ng contents nung box nyo." Kung paano inassess at paano nila nalaman magkano ba yung mga laman (ako nga wala akong idea eh!) bukod dun sa paano sila nakarating sa P1492, hindi ko na alam.

contents ng kahon

So binasa ko. Pero confused pa rin ako kasi sabi dun, (ang intindi ko ha) yung nagpadala galing sa ibang bansa, hindi nagbayad ng tax sa Pinas kaya yung recipient ng parcel, sila ang dapat mag-shoulder. Eh di lalo akong nalito kasi yung postage na lang dun sa box, $76.70 na!

Pagtingin ko sa wallet ko, P500 lang cash ko. Si hubby, P700 lang. Kako, hanap na lang sya ng ATM muna para mag-withdraw. Ako, nagpa-iwan na lang dun sa post office. Sa layo ng pinakamalapit na BPI bank, natagalan bago nakarating pabalik asawa ko.

Tapos chinika ako nung ale sa counter. Ano daw ba yung mga laman nung box namin? So inexplain ko na feeding equipment para sa anak kong sa tube lang na nakakabit sa tiyan niya nakakakain. Kako bigay nung kaibigan ko kasi sa US naman, maraming surplus ang mga Kano kasi insurance ang nagbabayad ng lahat ng needs ng mga anak nilang may special needs. Yung sobra, ni-share sa anak ko.

Pagdating ni hubby, tinanong ako kung binasa ko na daw ba yung documents at ano nga daw bang dahilan bakit kelangan naming magbayad pa. Nanghihinayang din kami kasi yung ibabayad namin, pambili na sana ng Pediasure ni James.

Nung sinabi kong hindi ko pa rin magets yung logic ng customs, umandar na ang pagka-PR ni mister. "Mam, ba’t naman ho ganito kalaki yung babayaran namin? Eh kung tutuusin, yang mga gamit na yan, donation sa anak naming may cerebral palsy kasi di namin kayang bumili ng mga ganyan." Basta explain, explain sya dun sa mga ale.

Binanggit pa namin na two weeks ago nga, sa Alabang PO nag-claim din ako ng package from the same sender, P35 lang pinabayad sa akin. Ang sabi ba naman, "Ay naku, smuggled yun! Lahat ng package dito sa amin dapat dumadaan." Ngek! Pano kaya nangyari yun? Eh marami din naman akong nakitang boxes dun sa Alabang na naka-stack. Ay basta, ini-insist nilang smuggled daw yung unang package na nakuha ko. Kahit pa ini-insist kong may official receipt na binigay, ayaw nilang maniwala. (Pagdating sa bahay, pinag-compare ko yung receipts from Alabang at Las Pinas, pramis, OR # lang ang pinagkaiba!)

Maya-maya, sabi nung parang head nila. "Sige, tingnan natin kung pwede itong ma-under sa exemption. Itatawag namin." Ayun, after several minutes, biglang ok na daw, pumayag daw yung boss nila (hu dat?) at pwede na daw hindi kami magbayad. Hay, ang laking buntong-hininga ko kasi kung ako lang pala ang nag-claim, malamang nagbayad ako without arguing. Mahina talaga ko sa negotiations.

Yung katabi kong babae na nagki-claim din, bumulong sa akin, "Sobra naman, pwede naman palang hindi bayaran, sisingilin pa kayo ng P1000+! Kawawa na nga anak nyo!" Hay, buti na lang talaga at hindi na kami nakapaglabas ng P1k+. Isang malaking can na yun ng gatas at diapers ni James.

Ngayon ang medyo nagwo-worry ako, may paparating pa daw na pinaglakihang wheelchair nung anak ng kaibigan ko na ipapadala nya ulit para kay James. Sana naman kung sakaling sa LP na naman bumagsak, wag na nila kami hingan ng extra fees. Buti sana kung mayaman kami :(

Eleksyon

Kamusta? Bumoto ba kayo? Dapat lang ha! Kami ng asawa ko, umuwi pa kami ng Laguna (kung saan kami naka-register) noong Monday just to vote. Isinama namin sa school yung dalawa naming anak na nakakaintindi na kahit papaano ng politics para maging example sa kanila yung ginagawa namin -- na pagdating ng araw na pwede na silang bumoto, dapat boboto sila. Our 13 year-old panganay is already excited taking part in voting for future elections.

We take our responsibility as Filipino citizens seriously at naniniwala kaming magkakaroon din balang araw ng magagandang pagbabago ang bansa natin kung lahat tayo, ang magiging mentality ay "may magagawa tayo kahit sa maliit na paraan."

Share ko lang itong press release ni Senator Kiko Pangilinan na natanggap ko via email kanina lang. Nakakalungkot talaga ang situation natin dito. Sana naman in the future maraming mabago at para sa kabutihan ng mas nakararami.

Office of Majority Leader Kiko Pangilinan

SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES

Rm. 693 GSIS Financial Center, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City

Tel. 5526748 Email: kiko.pangilinan@gmail.com website: www.kiko.ph

PRESS STATEMENT

May 16, 2007

ON THE PNP STATEMENT REGARDING ELECTIONS GENERALLY PEACEFUL…

"This statement is self-serving and is nothing but a means for the PNP to escape responsibility for its failure to keep the peace and maintain law and order.

In the US Virginia Tech shooting incident, 33 were killed and it was called a massacre. Here in the Philippines, 150 were killed and it's called generally peaceful. The PNP should be made to account for its failure to prevent this massacre. The PNP should be made to explain why 150 lives were lost and what did they do or fail to do to prevent this senseless loss of lives.

Kahit sa anumang parte ng mundo, walang maniniwala na mapayapa ang halalan kapag 150 ang patay. Kalokohan ang tawaging generally peaceful ang election kung saan 150 ang patay. Dapat magpakatotoo ang PNP at kilalanin nito na nagkulang sila at huwag dapat takpan ang pagkukulang na ito sa pamamagitan ng mga statement na 'di angkop sa realidad at katotohanan. Nagkaroon ng election bloodbath at 150 ang patay dahil dito. Ito ang dapat naging statement ng PNP kung interesado ito sa katotohanan.