random questions (walang answers)

salamat sa haba ng pila at dami ng tao sa mrt, meron akong blog entry.


random questions ko, you can answer, just leave a comment. thanks!



* MRT (Metro Rail Torture)


1. Ilang train ba ang nagpapaikot-ikot kapag rush hour? Given naman na nagmamadali ang mga tao sa pag-uwi (sino ba ang hindi?), walang improvement. Pumunta ka sa Ayala station ng 6-7 PM kung di mo gets. Kaya ang mga tao, roundtrip na lang, sakay ng train papuntang Taft tapos di na bababa dahil yun din ang babalik sa Ayala. (TIP: Umupo sa tamang side ng babaan mo, mahirap lumabas). Kaya nakakapeste talaga yung mga taong maraming escort na pulis at wawang kapag nasa daan, sila lang ba ang nagmamadali sa buhay? 


2. Bakit hinahayaan ng management ng MRT na lumabas ang animal instincts ng mga pasahero sa pagtutulukan? Meron kasing mga tao na sa kagustuhang umuwi agad, pinipilit isiksik ang sarili kahit wala ng space. Minsan, titingala ka na lang para makahinga. Kaya kung nung bata ako, delight ang pagsakay ng LRT, ngayon hindi na. 


3. Bakit laging sira ang mga escalators at elevators? Hindi ko kasi maisip kung bakit di yun napapagawa, eh kumikita naman siguro ang MRT sa dami ng pasahero at sa dami ng ads! 


* TAX


Bakit karamihan ng tao sa government offices at agencies, masusungit? Pag tumawag ka naman, pagpapasa-pasahan ka lang. At bakit kapag nangyayari sa akin yun, nawawala yung tapang ko at nagwawalk out ako, kung pwede ko naman sabihin, "Di ba, tax ko ang nagpapasweldo sayo?" Kung tutuusin, pwede natin yan sabihin sa mga leader di ba? No choice naman tayo, pagdating ng sweldo, nakaltas na yung tax. Lumang tugtugin na ang issue na to. Pero bakit kapag gusto natin makausap kahit sandali yung mayor, congressman, governor, etc., palagi silang walang time eh di ba, responsibilidad nila na pakinggan tayo? Dapat tayo ang boss, senyora, madam nila. Hindi yung parang tayo pa ang nagkakandarapang lumapit para makapicture, makakiss sa kanila.




* MAGNANAKAW (small, medium, large scales)


Wala daw pinagkaiba yung magnakaw ka ng isang pirasong candy sa isang paketeng candy, kaya siguro karamihan, go for the gold, LARGE SCALE na, now na. Nagnakaw ka pa din naman, pareho lang. Pero hanggang ngayon, paano napapakain ng mga snatcher, holdaper, kidnaper ang mga anak nila knowing na  may tinapakan sila. Dalawang beses ko na ipinaubaya sa mga magnanakaw ang celphone ko, kahit sweldo ko lahat pinambili ko sa mga yun kasi kahit pano, 'grateful' ako na hindi ko yun kelangang gawin para magkapera. Pero pano naman yung iba na walang-wala talaga? 


Siguro minsan, mali din na mabilis tayong magpatawad at makalimot. Kaya siguro carry lang ng mga 'trapo' na magnakaw dahil alam nila na makakalimutan din natin agad ang mga kasalanan nila, kaya nga karamihan, narere-elect pa! Wala silang pakialam kahit kakabit ng pangalan nila ang salitang 'sakim, abuso, ganid' at di nila naiisip na paglaki ng mga anak nila, habang nag-aaral sila ng history, sasabihin ng teacher na 'so and so, which happens to be your lolo or lola, is known to be the most corrupt leader of this nation' at ang mga pinoy, mahilig sa connection kaya pustahan, ang apo na yun, mag-iisip kung magiging proud dahil nasa history ang lahi nya, o magwiwish na sana matunaw na lang sya.


* REALITY SHOWS


Aliw manood ng reality shows, lalo na nung earlier days na alam mong REALITY at hindi scripted ang mga kwento. 


Nakakainis yung mga contestant na sasali tapos pag may inutos, magrereklamo. Unang-una, hindi naman sila pinilit na sumali dun, sa dami ng pumupunta sa audition, swerte mo nakasali ka di ba? Kung sa tingin mo macocompromise ang values mo, walk away but you can't complain kasi dapat alam mo na yun bago ka sumali.


Yung mga over sa pagkaOA ang pag-arte. Di ba ang reality, yung natural lang? O baka ang definition nila ng reality eh larger than life dapat ang acting?




* KEEP YOUR PRIVATE LIFE, PRIVATE (?)


Kung public figure ka, by choice o hindi, dapat alam mo kung kelan gagamitin ang sentence na, "I want to keep my private life, private'.


Example, pupunta ka sa isang bar, public place at may kasama o ka-date kang public figure din, tapos medyo ang public display of affection nyo ay beyond 'friends', masisisi mo ba kung mag-isip ang mga tao kung may relasyon kayo? Kasi kung gusto mong itago yun, hindi ka pupunta sa public place para iparada ang sarili mo. Tapos hihirit ka ng, 'amin na lang yon?'. Lalo na sa mga artista, gusto nyong tangkilikin kayo di ba? At pag tinangkilik na kayo, pakipot kayo sa pagshare ng mga nangyayari sa inyo, kawawang mga tagahanga.




itutuloy...

what to look forward in Grey's Anatomy's 6th Season

This is it! Grey's Anatomy Season 6 premiers on September 24th (25th if you're in Manila, Philippines) with back to back episodes aptly titled Good Mourning and Goodbye.


It is expected that Season 6 will begin where Season 5 ended, with Izzie (Katherine Heigl) flatlining and in a somewhat dream is an elevator scene where George (TR Knight) in military uniform awaits her. It was a sure sign of death, for both of them as I initially thought. Izzie was wearing the prom dress she wore when Denny (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) back in Season 2. But the trick is, that episode left us hanging, Izzie in doubt whether to go out of the elevator or stay behind in her earthly life.


Thanks to spoilers and pictures of the cast filming season 6, we all know that George eventually died and Izzie survived. 


I myself can't wait so in the spirit of listing stuff, I'll enumerate the stuff I'm looking forward to Season 6.



1.Because Izzie survives, what happens next to her? Is she and Alex (Justin Chambers) moving out of Meredith's (Ellen Pompeo) house? She obviously won't be able to practice medicine yet because of cancer and she was practically left behind by her peers. How will she take the news of George's death? The last scene they had together (other than the elevator scene) was in the second to the last episode, Izzie torned between potentially losing her memory and everything that makes her who she is or to let go and await for her death. It was a beautiful scene, when George told her she always knew what she'll do, "this back and forth is just fear."


2. Callie's (Sara Ramirez) reaction to George's death. She planned with Bailey (Chandra Wilson) an intervention to stop him from joining the army but it never happened and the next thing they knew was that their John Doe was George. It was nice of Callie to stand up for George, even after he cheated on her with Izzie, but I guess they were never meant to be together but that either doesnt stop them from being the best of friends. In the preview of season 6, Callie is seen choking.


3. MerDer married. In a blue post-it. (With Ellen's real life pregnancy, producers announced that they're kind of taking it slow on her, I personally find this a good opportunity to develop stories of other characters) How will this post-it marriage going to affect everyone? It also seemed, based on the previews that Derek (Patrick Dempsey) is being offered by the Chief (James Pickens Jr.) to take his job. Back in Season 3, the Chief chose Derek to be the next chief, but he refused and told the chief that he's the best man for the job.


4. Cristina and Owen. I am a fan of both Cristina and the actress Sandra Oh. I was shattered when Burke left. Cristina's line "He's gone, I'm free, damn it!" is an all time favorite scene of hers. It was nice to see her falling in love again. Cristina is tough as a rock but among all of them, I think she's the one who loves the most. She shaved her eyebrows for Burke (so unCristina), she met Owen (Kevin McKidd) halfway.


5. Alex Karev maturing into a responsible guy. Alex (Justin Chambers) is considered as Meredith's male version. We saw him transforming from an a** into a man declaring that his life began when he became a husband. 


6. Bailey. She's my mom's favorite. And she's about to raise her child alone and that scene of hers with the chief defines the actress that Chandra Wilson is, exceptionally talented. 


7. Mark and Lexie. Mark (Eric Dane) and Lexie (Chyler Leigh) sort of broke up but admit it, they look good together. With Mark's background as man-whore and Lexie's "Lexipedia" personality, their story sort of become the "lighter side" of the series.


So that's about it! Other stuff including Shonda Rhimes' symbolisms and one-liners are also something to watch out for. And the music! I know I will be moved by George's funeral.



I, for one, can't wait.

be your own hero

I remember a lot of things about my grade school years and one in particular are usual questions and assignments on who our favorite heroes are.

Growing up in Laguna, our usual answers, including me is Dr. Jose Rizal. Other than the fact that every town has a monument of him and he is our national hero, coming from the same province, I believe me and my classmates felt a special "connection" with him.

But not to brag or anything, I had the idea even as a child that our freedom is not all about Rizal, nor is he the only person responsible for it. When I was about 8 or 9, a family friend gave my mom three books about heroes for us to read maybe. And so I learned about other heroes of the time and their stories, Bonifacio, Mabini, the Silangs, del Pilars, Lunas and Aguinaldo (although I later doubted his heroism due to stories pointing that he actually ordered Bonifacio's execution). It is not all about Jose Rizal.

Years later, as our family moved to Manila for our studies, I learned about heroes based on streets. Trust me it is a good history practice. My first year at the University of Santo Tomas taught me that Arsenio Lacson is a former Manila mayor, and all the nearby streets in the Espana area have something to do with Rizal (Dapitan, Dimasalang, Laong Laan, etc.).

Lately, husband and wife tandem Ninoy and Cory Aquino are our modern day heroes.

If you asked me today who my favorite hero is, I have none.

This nation cannot be changed by one person alone. We all have to do our parts, because at the end of it all, we are our own "heroes". And so having a favorite hero, to me, is disrespect to others who in their own little ways help defend our country. Bonifacio never went to battle by himself (as far as my history knowledge is concerned), he has Katipuneros. And we ourselves had declared that Ninoy wasn't alone when he said "Hindi Ka Nag-iisa".

Today, one of the most obvious ways to be our own heroes is to register and vote for the 2010 Elections and stand by it. The responsibility doesn't end when you cast your vote on election day but continues even after it, when new leaders take their posts and ask for the people's support and cooperation.

I encourage others to talk to our leaders (with the new technology, how hard can it be) and let them know what we think. Amidst the corruption and scandals and immorality in the government, there are those who are there because they simply want to serve the people.

I am deeply honored whenever I am in the presence of a descendant of a national hero, and I can never imagine how proud they are of their ancestors. I believe that much as they can, live not to tarnish their honorable name that will go down in history as a heroic family.

What happens then to corrupt leaders?

I pity their poor children and children of their grandchildrens, for their name shall always be synonymous to tyranny and corruption.

So change and be your own hero, while you can. :-)

cory stories. elections. writing. changes.

It has been forever since i wrote an actual blog entry and because i've been recently writing some stuff for INQUIRER.net, i decided it is about time to post something in this blog other than my videos.

Cory Aquino coverage

On August 1, 2009 at about 3:30 AM, i got a text message from colleague and friend Marjorie Gorospe that yes, our dear President Cory Aquino has joined our beloved Creator and that tv networks are preparing to go live and air the news.

I refused to believe at first as rumors like that are but, normal. The Aquino family advised that the official announcement will come from any of them and not until I hear Senator Noynoy's official announcement did I take the sad truth of President Cory's death to heart.

At about 6:00 AM, i got a call from our editor to take the briefing of Senator Noynoy regarding details of the wake and funeral at the Cojuangco Building, a few blocks away from my office which according to some was where Cory held office after her presidency.

I was there at around 9:00 AM but if i remember it correctly the senator arrived shortly before lunch. After the briefing I went to the office to process that first video. And after that briefing, my life is all about covering Cory.

I rode at the back of a pick up when Cory's remains moved from LSGH to Manila Cathedral. It was a moving moment. That was a moment I thought I'd never see with my own eyes, it was that people power spirit that i thought i can only see in movies or documentaries. It was no longer a story, it is a now a feeling.

The Filipinos proved that we are a nation of loving men and women, a country mourning for a leader. And if i haven't been working at the time, i know i would have cried.

The cortege stopped at Ninoy's statue along Ayala Avenue where people sang Bayan Ko. As a child and even growing up, i sometimes feel ashamed singing Bayan Ko. I vividly remember, when i was in gradeschool, some of my classmates would curse the idea of singing Bayan Ko after the Lupang Hinirang and recititation of the Panatang Makabayan.

The next day was spent at the Manila Cathedral to cover the necrological services. I was seated near the media area when after Mayor Lim said his piece, he went to one corner, gave Rapa Lopa a tight hug and cried. Boys do cry.

Wednesday, August 5. I was at Manila Memorial at around 11:00 AM, full with lunch. We were expecting the cortege to arrive at around 6:00 PM but it did not. But it was ok. It was worth the wait.

I got sick the next day. But it didn't matter. President Cory's death was more meaningful to me than any other coverage, and I could name a thousand reasons why but the one thing that stands the most, is the fact that i realized that i need not be ashamed of being a Filipino.

2010 Elections

It will be my first time to vote for the Presidential post and having had the privilege to listen to some presidentiables like Roxas, Villar and Escudero, I really haven't chosen my bet. Although still early and some haven't even declared their candidacies yet, I believe they have to declare soon so that people will have a lot of time to truly think about their decisions.

We need to make the right decision this time. I do believe in people power but I do not advocate for another revolution in EDSA. Let us topple corruption with our votes.

Casting your one and only vote is not a privilege but a responsibility not to yourself but your motherland and to your children and theirs.

How will I choose a candidate?

Simple.

Genuine Sincerity and Capable Mind.

Writing

Yes, I am writing some news stories lately.

I felt different doing it again, coming from editing videos everyday. It was nice though to let words and ideas just flow. Although they are technically not my own as they are stories I just write.

I will be writing more. Soon :-)

Changes

I am more hopeful and faithful lately and credit goes to sincere prayers at night. I do pray everyday but I must admit some of those aren't coming for my heart.

Lesson? Faith works. We don't get what we want all the time because God always, ALWAYS has better plans for all of us.

A lot of new things are happening soon. Wish me luck.