Jejemon: 30hw p03h! MhÜz+4 p03h kh4u?
Me: Huh? Sin-o ni palihug?
Jejemon: 4ñ0 kh4 bh4 khÜ¥4! C j3r3£¥ñ p03h !+0. D mh0w bh4 n4z4\/3 4Ñg ñÜ # kh0w?
Me: Ano man? Indi ko ka-gets sang ginapangtext mo. Kay-ada abi. Sin-o ka haw?
Jejemon: Nh4k0w! C khÜ¥4 +4£4g4. \/3r¥ fÜññ¥! j3j3j3...
Me: Ambot sa imo! This is my last reply. Kung indi mo pagkay-adon ang reply mo, indi ta na ka pag-entertenaron.
Jejemon: khÜ¥4 +4£4g4, dh4w £h40ñ!!!
And I didn't reply for several minutes. This is a prank, I said to myself. People with nothing to do. Huh!
Jejemon: khÜ¥4, z+!££ dh3r?
Still ignored.
Jejemon: Cge na lng oi. Kuya, dis is jerelyn ur couzin. jejeje...
Me: Damn! Ikaw ni gali?! Ano tong ginapang text mo man? Kailinit ah, di ko kaintindi.
Jejemon: khÜ¥4 +4£4g4! z00 0Ü+ 0ph z+¥£3!!! j3j3j3...
Me: Ok that's it! Don't text me again until you're free from the demon that possesed you. Bye.
Jejemon: khÜ¥444444444444444444444444!!!!! jhÜ jhÜ jhÜ.....
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
The Road Of Selfishness
The last time our small and simple town was featured in the national television as far as I can remember, it was 3 or 4 years ago in ABS-CBN TV Patrol World. The news program featured the bamboo festival of our town during that time, which is the Tultugan Festival. Again, the name of our municipality appeared on the television screen in the same news program but this time it is not to feature the beauty of our culture and tradition but because of the animosity and hostility displayed by some of the political candidates aspiring for positions in our town's local government.
The incident I am referring to was the blocking of the road leading to a certain barangay of our town in which it was known for its loyalty to the incumbent mayor, his family and party. The culprit for this move was the opponent candidate in which he is currently competing with the incumbent mayor's father for the mayoralty position of our town. The way was blocked days before the election with fences of cyclone wires surrounding a certain part of the road and to make it sure that it will not be passable, sharp debris of glasses and metals were planted on its surface. When the opponent candidate was interviewed by reporters why he did it, he answered Why not? The road according to him passes a certain portion of his land so he has therefore the right to do whatever he wants to do with it and that includes blocking it. The barangay, according to him, is the territory of his opponent so the people there doesn't deserve his generosity.
I am not a supporter of both candidates. So I will not be biased at least to say that what the other candidate had done, which was blocking the road, was totally an act of utter selfishness, desperation, and total disregard of the welfare of his fellowmen. It's a good thing that this candidate's true color flaunted just in time or else we will be having a chameleon for a mayor. A mayor whose main intention is not to serve his people but only to gratify his own self. I am disgusted with such an act and I am more ashamed that it was shown on national television.
The incident I am referring to was the blocking of the road leading to a certain barangay of our town in which it was known for its loyalty to the incumbent mayor, his family and party. The culprit for this move was the opponent candidate in which he is currently competing with the incumbent mayor's father for the mayoralty position of our town. The way was blocked days before the election with fences of cyclone wires surrounding a certain part of the road and to make it sure that it will not be passable, sharp debris of glasses and metals were planted on its surface. When the opponent candidate was interviewed by reporters why he did it, he answered Why not? The road according to him passes a certain portion of his land so he has therefore the right to do whatever he wants to do with it and that includes blocking it. The barangay, according to him, is the territory of his opponent so the people there doesn't deserve his generosity.
I am not a supporter of both candidates. So I will not be biased at least to say that what the other candidate had done, which was blocking the road, was totally an act of utter selfishness, desperation, and total disregard of the welfare of his fellowmen. It's a good thing that this candidate's true color flaunted just in time or else we will be having a chameleon for a mayor. A mayor whose main intention is not to serve his people but only to gratify his own self. I am disgusted with such an act and I am more ashamed that it was shown on national television.
Monday, May 10, 2010
The Election Souveiner
The moment I arrived at the voting precinct I was listed this morning, I was surprised of the long line of voters queuing for their turn to cast their ballots (or have it scanned). I thought automation was supposed to speed up the voting process but how come this scenario suddenly existed? The reason given by COMELEC was that they clustered several voting precincts into one because of the limited number of PCOS machines. No wonder, a lot of eager voters were crammed in a single precinct. But despite of that, I still joined the queue of excited and anxious voters and patiently waited for my turn.
After almost half an hour of waiting, one of the facilitators (or watchers I think) beckoned me to enter the voting booth. The BEI scanned for my name in her list of voters and when she found my name (together with the black and white picture of mine), she had me signed it, gave me the ballot together with the secrecy folder and the marker pen. I went to a corner, fished for the list of candidates that I'll be voting inside my jean's pocket, had a quick look at the ballot, and started to shade. When I'm excited, my hands get too sweaty that I can wet a paper I'm holding in a matter of few minutes. That's why I really tried to carefully not blot the ballot with my sweat. This is a national matter of utmost importance, I said to myself smiling.
While shading, the song by Sexbomb Dancers kept on playing inside my head. May bilog... May bilog... na hugis itlog... It took me I think 5 minutes or more shading the oblongs beside the names whom I think will help salvage what is left of this country. And then after that, the moment had finally come, the scanning of my ballot. I went straight to the PCOS machine and I inserted my ballot. While the machine was scanning it, my heart was pounding like wild horses running to and fro. Then suddenly the machine's screen flashed that my ballot was rejected. I think all the blood in my face during that time suddenly went down to my legs. I couldn't believe it. I wasted my precious vote. There must be something wrong with the way I shade, I thought.
I stood there transfixed and shocked in front of the machine for several seconds but it was almost like an eternity. Then the BEI, sensing my foolishness, went to my direction and asked me to insert my ballot again in the machine but this time bottom first. I did what she asked and after waiting again, this time with canyons exploding in my chest, the machine's screen finally congratulated me because my ballot was accepted. I wanted to shout out of sheer gladness but of course, I held back my emotion. I didn't want to create a scene. He he he...
While riding a tricycle going home, still thinking of the wonders of poll automation and pondering what will going to happen tonight when all the votes are in, my attention was suddenly drawn to the thing I kept on twirling between my fingers. And then I realized that I had brought with me the marker with prints on its side that says: SMARTMATIC Technology To Serve All.
After almost half an hour of waiting, one of the facilitators (or watchers I think) beckoned me to enter the voting booth. The BEI scanned for my name in her list of voters and when she found my name (together with the black and white picture of mine), she had me signed it, gave me the ballot together with the secrecy folder and the marker pen. I went to a corner, fished for the list of candidates that I'll be voting inside my jean's pocket, had a quick look at the ballot, and started to shade. When I'm excited, my hands get too sweaty that I can wet a paper I'm holding in a matter of few minutes. That's why I really tried to carefully not blot the ballot with my sweat. This is a national matter of utmost importance, I said to myself smiling.
While shading, the song by Sexbomb Dancers kept on playing inside my head. May bilog... May bilog... na hugis itlog... It took me I think 5 minutes or more shading the oblongs beside the names whom I think will help salvage what is left of this country. And then after that, the moment had finally come, the scanning of my ballot. I went straight to the PCOS machine and I inserted my ballot. While the machine was scanning it, my heart was pounding like wild horses running to and fro. Then suddenly the machine's screen flashed that my ballot was rejected. I think all the blood in my face during that time suddenly went down to my legs. I couldn't believe it. I wasted my precious vote. There must be something wrong with the way I shade, I thought.
I stood there transfixed and shocked in front of the machine for several seconds but it was almost like an eternity. Then the BEI, sensing my foolishness, went to my direction and asked me to insert my ballot again in the machine but this time bottom first. I did what she asked and after waiting again, this time with canyons exploding in my chest, the machine's screen finally congratulated me because my ballot was accepted. I wanted to shout out of sheer gladness but of course, I held back my emotion. I didn't want to create a scene. He he he...
While riding a tricycle going home, still thinking of the wonders of poll automation and pondering what will going to happen tonight when all the votes are in, my attention was suddenly drawn to the thing I kept on twirling between my fingers. And then I realized that I had brought with me the marker with prints on its side that says: SMARTMATIC Technology To Serve All.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Making A List..... And Checking It Twice
Tomorrow, the fate of this country will be decided by every Filipino eligible to vote. And tomorrow, history too will be made since it will be the nation's first automation poll. I can't deny the fact that I am excited since I will be a part of this great event and likewise a bit anxious since automation is a new thing for us. We certainly have no past experience about it and our authorities have no expertise to brag when it comes to this process. I know that as of this moment, a lot of Filipinos have questions too hovering in their heads like me. What if this election will be sabotaged by groups whose main agenda is to spread havoc and terror? Is it really possible for the system used in this automation to be hacked and thus cheating too? Are the people running the technical side of this forthcoming election, such as the PCOS technicians, members of the board of election, watchers and others, equipped enough with the knowledge on poll automation? Does the COMELEC has any back up or contingency plan when problems arise? Was the time spent to educate voters particularly those who are computer illiterate enough for them to understand the process of this brand new way of voting? So on and so forth. Here I am again, ranting like a paranoid. As I've said, poll automation is a new thing for us and fear is the dread for the unknown. We don't know what will be the outcome for tomorrow but then again, automation is the risk worth taking. A gamble we need to undertake if we wantto move forward to progress.
Poll automation, if become successful, can revolutionize the election process and create a drastic change in the way we elect our future leaders. First world countries such as the US are reaping the benefits of poll automation since it speeds up the election process and minimized or eradicate the possibility of cheating. Although I am praying that my chosen candidates will lead the race tomorrow, I am more fervent in praying that tomorrow's election will be a success. I am crossing my fingers to that but not after I make a list (and checking it twice) for the names I'll be shading the day after today.
Vote wisely!
Poll automation, if become successful, can revolutionize the election process and create a drastic change in the way we elect our future leaders. First world countries such as the US are reaping the benefits of poll automation since it speeds up the election process and minimized or eradicate the possibility of cheating. Although I am praying that my chosen candidates will lead the race tomorrow, I am more fervent in praying that tomorrow's election will be a success. I am crossing my fingers to that but not after I make a list (and checking it twice) for the names I'll be shading the day after today.
Vote wisely!
To Carmen
To the rose that blooms in the cold winter
To the wind that caresses my heart so tender
To the star whose light guides my way in the darkness
To the song that chases away my sadness
To the loving hand the touches my soul
To the woman who's been my all...
HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO YOU NANAY!
YOU'LL BE IN MY HEART FOR ALWAYS 'TIL THE DAY I DIE.
To the wind that caresses my heart so tender
To the star whose light guides my way in the darkness
To the song that chases away my sadness
To the loving hand the touches my soul
To the woman who's been my all...
HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO YOU NANAY!
YOU'LL BE IN MY HEART FOR ALWAYS 'TIL THE DAY I DIE.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Point And Click: Forseeing The Matrix Possibility
Kids now a days are way too far different from the kids of the past. And when I say "kids of the past" I am referring to my generation --- the punk kids of the 80s! The specie of unique children who's fond of pop, punk, disco and rock music is unquenchable and whose adoration of Madonna, Boy George and Michael Jackson is undying not to mention of course the insatiable craving for totsie rolls and bazooka bubble gums! Ha ha ha...
Man, I miss the 80s, the decade where kids' recreational activities were simply playing with their Barbie dolls or GI Joes or soar their kites while basking in the hot afternoon sun. Of course tumbang preso, piko, patentero, rubber bands, marbles, and spider fights were also "in" during those days. Games in the 80s were not just physical but at the same time a mixture of wit and strategy. But those were the days. Now, children are playing in a playground build in an intangible world called the cyberspace. A world so interactive yet so unreal. A world where all you have to do is sit all day, focus your eyes on the screen until they hurt, and click click click the mechanical thing they called mouse. A routine of point and click!
My three preschooler cousins, all of them girls, are so addicted with online games in the internet that everyday it's their only form of exercise, that is, if you can call it one. Each girl has her own email and her own social site account on both Friendster and Facebook. With these social sites, they can access on games such as Farmville, Fishville, Mafia Wars, Pet Society, Social City, Tiki Island, Hospital Mayhem and many others. If internet connection is not available, they will resort to playing Zuma, Bookworm, or Plant Versus Zombies. Sometimes, they will access Youtube and watch whatever videos they find interesting (they love to watch and giggle on Justin Bieber's videos which makes me wonder how come these girls grow so fast!?). As I observed these kids facing the screen most of the day almost everyday, with the tendency to forget to blink while their hands maneuver the mouse as if hypnotized, I then concluded that marijuana is so outdated because this thing, the cyberspace, is very addicting to today's generation.
With the advent of the digital/cyber era, the lifestyle of most people around the globe has also changed dramatically. Information can now be easily accessed with just a snap of the fingers and of course communication is way too easy even when people are thousand miles apart. Entertainment, whether wholesome or age restricted, is now enjoyed by many at anytime and anywhere. The world has become small and connected in every way. But children, young as they maybe, are also greatly affected with the modern technology we have now. Instead of reading books or researching in the library, they'll just open Wikipedia on the internet, copy and then paste, and presto! Assignments are finished in just a few ticks of the clock. Instead of playing cats and dogs in the open space, chasing one another until they run out of breath, now they would rather sit in the front of the monitor, munch some chips, and play Counterstrike. Instead of planting flowers, now they opted more on playing Farmville. Digital trees, flowers, and vegetables seem more convenient to them and more fun since they grow fast without cultivating and watering. No sweat at all.
But what really is my point here? My point is, kids addiction with cyber technology particularly the internet has turned today's generation into a lazy, addicted, brand new version of couch potatoes. Getting their daily dose of radiation, slowly destroying their eyes, developing carpal tunnel syndrome, and turning themselves into an addle-brained creatures.
The internet actually is not a bad thing. Just like money it is neutral and it can be used for good or for bad purposes. It can either enslave you or you could be the master of it. I myself is very thankful for the internet. It makes my life easy and comfortable. It connects me with important people and those close to my heart without boundaries. Yet I make sure that it doesn't control me like a puppet. I make sure that the world depicted in The Matrix trilogy will not come into reality (but if it will do happen, can I play Neo's part? lol!). Lately, my Aunt is regulating the use of internet in the house with the kids and I am happy that my cousins are now occupied with other worthwhile things such as taking voice and piano lessons, likewise a crash course in swimming. For me, these are the things that children should spent their time and energy during summer and not on feeding virtual pets and watering digital plants that doesn't really exist in reality. Parents I guess should be responsible with their children's use of the internet. They must see to it that what their kids are browsing on the net doesn't turn them into cyber zombies. Parental guidance is the key.
While the punk kids of the 80s are still so preoccupied with what is happening in the real world, focusing their concerns on issues such as the recession of global economy, climate crisis, political events, and how to survive this cruel planet, the kids of Silicon Valley on the other hand are too busy wandering in the virtual world --- harvesting computer generated strawberries, fighting virtual dragons and zombies, poking other people's profiles, and watching endless videos and listening to endless sounds that could satisfy the senses. Addiction to cyber technology by today's generation must be controlled or else this world will end up one day where the color and the scent of a rose is just programmed to our brain by a super megacomputer for us to "sense" it. A future possible world where illusion is confused with reality. Sounds impossible but is there anything not possible nowadays? Tsk tsk tsk... I'm so into The Matrix. Ha ha ha...
Man, I miss the 80s, the decade where kids' recreational activities were simply playing with their Barbie dolls or GI Joes or soar their kites while basking in the hot afternoon sun. Of course tumbang preso, piko, patentero, rubber bands, marbles, and spider fights were also "in" during those days. Games in the 80s were not just physical but at the same time a mixture of wit and strategy. But those were the days. Now, children are playing in a playground build in an intangible world called the cyberspace. A world so interactive yet so unreal. A world where all you have to do is sit all day, focus your eyes on the screen until they hurt, and click click click the mechanical thing they called mouse. A routine of point and click!
My three preschooler cousins, all of them girls, are so addicted with online games in the internet that everyday it's their only form of exercise, that is, if you can call it one. Each girl has her own email and her own social site account on both Friendster and Facebook. With these social sites, they can access on games such as Farmville, Fishville, Mafia Wars, Pet Society, Social City, Tiki Island, Hospital Mayhem and many others. If internet connection is not available, they will resort to playing Zuma, Bookworm, or Plant Versus Zombies. Sometimes, they will access Youtube and watch whatever videos they find interesting (they love to watch and giggle on Justin Bieber's videos which makes me wonder how come these girls grow so fast!?). As I observed these kids facing the screen most of the day almost everyday, with the tendency to forget to blink while their hands maneuver the mouse as if hypnotized, I then concluded that marijuana is so outdated because this thing, the cyberspace, is very addicting to today's generation.
With the advent of the digital/cyber era, the lifestyle of most people around the globe has also changed dramatically. Information can now be easily accessed with just a snap of the fingers and of course communication is way too easy even when people are thousand miles apart. Entertainment, whether wholesome or age restricted, is now enjoyed by many at anytime and anywhere. The world has become small and connected in every way. But children, young as they maybe, are also greatly affected with the modern technology we have now. Instead of reading books or researching in the library, they'll just open Wikipedia on the internet, copy and then paste, and presto! Assignments are finished in just a few ticks of the clock. Instead of playing cats and dogs in the open space, chasing one another until they run out of breath, now they would rather sit in the front of the monitor, munch some chips, and play Counterstrike. Instead of planting flowers, now they opted more on playing Farmville. Digital trees, flowers, and vegetables seem more convenient to them and more fun since they grow fast without cultivating and watering. No sweat at all.
But what really is my point here? My point is, kids addiction with cyber technology particularly the internet has turned today's generation into a lazy, addicted, brand new version of couch potatoes. Getting their daily dose of radiation, slowly destroying their eyes, developing carpal tunnel syndrome, and turning themselves into an addle-brained creatures.
The internet actually is not a bad thing. Just like money it is neutral and it can be used for good or for bad purposes. It can either enslave you or you could be the master of it. I myself is very thankful for the internet. It makes my life easy and comfortable. It connects me with important people and those close to my heart without boundaries. Yet I make sure that it doesn't control me like a puppet. I make sure that the world depicted in The Matrix trilogy will not come into reality (but if it will do happen, can I play Neo's part? lol!). Lately, my Aunt is regulating the use of internet in the house with the kids and I am happy that my cousins are now occupied with other worthwhile things such as taking voice and piano lessons, likewise a crash course in swimming. For me, these are the things that children should spent their time and energy during summer and not on feeding virtual pets and watering digital plants that doesn't really exist in reality. Parents I guess should be responsible with their children's use of the internet. They must see to it that what their kids are browsing on the net doesn't turn them into cyber zombies. Parental guidance is the key.
While the punk kids of the 80s are still so preoccupied with what is happening in the real world, focusing their concerns on issues such as the recession of global economy, climate crisis, political events, and how to survive this cruel planet, the kids of Silicon Valley on the other hand are too busy wandering in the virtual world --- harvesting computer generated strawberries, fighting virtual dragons and zombies, poking other people's profiles, and watching endless videos and listening to endless sounds that could satisfy the senses. Addiction to cyber technology by today's generation must be controlled or else this world will end up one day where the color and the scent of a rose is just programmed to our brain by a super megacomputer for us to "sense" it. A future possible world where illusion is confused with reality. Sounds impossible but is there anything not possible nowadays? Tsk tsk tsk... I'm so into The Matrix. Ha ha ha...
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Un-belly-vable!
My waistline finally reaches its horrifying circumference and that is 33 centimeters. Who says 33 cms. is horrifying? Me! That's my limit when it comes to waistline circumference, beyond that is totally unhealthy and unsexy, and nobody should argue with me because I said so and this is my blog! So zipper your mouths dumb minions or off with your heads! (Insane laughter voiceover at this point.)
Before I decide what (desperate) measure I must do to stop this unacceptable future disfigurement, let me assess first the cause(s) of this condition, as any competent nurse will do, so that I will be able to formulate my nursing diagnosis and come up with the most effective interventions.
Assessment: Mind is always preoccupied with food and mouth is constantly, perpetually, and unstoppably munching anything that comes along its way. Carbohydrate-based foods are often consumed. The couch is always the place of comfort and exercise is definitely an alien concept in the vocabulary. Pants are starting to feel tight. Feeling of "unsexiness" often persists lately.
Diagnosis: Risk for possessing a bulging belly related to the deposition of adipose tissue in the strategic place of the abdominal cavity
Back to the main topic which is my starting-to-bulge belly, my problem is that I can no longer find my six-packed abs. As if they really exist. But anyway, even though those abs were just imaginary, I don't want flabs of adipose tissue (scientific term for fats, just to make this ranting of mine a bit technical, lol!) to occupy the space intended for my imaginary abs either. So this means that I have to act right now before it's too late. But that means that I have to undergo a strict diet program, right? And a tiring exercise everyday to burn carbs! That means less fun. Torture!
Then the hell with this bulging belly! If people will be disgusted looking at my protruding belly in the future, then don't look! I don't care. For me, there's nothing like a bar of chocolate melting in my mouth, nothing like the tingling sensation of sweet soda running in my esophagus, and nothing like a cinnamon roll filling my sense of smell while my mouth starts to water. From now on, I'll just embrace the adage that "beauty is skin deep" and just go on with the habit of MUNCHING! Ha ha ha... Adios!
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Just Enjoy The Show
May 2010 election is fast approaching and of course our running politicians for the different positions in the government are extremely busy that it made me wonder if they ever have time to blink. Election season in our country is, as ever before, like a fiesta. A raucous combination of colors, music, tag lines, promising speeches, and other gimmicks verging from seriousness to stupidity.
Lets start with colors. Using colors in campaign strategy is a good way of making an imprint to the minds of the people. It's all about association. Yellow, orange, green, blue, and all colors that Crayola could invent are now associated to a certain candidate or political party. Visual learning, such as the use of colors and shapes, are often used by kindergarten teachers in teaching kids effectively. It helps a lot in making a lesson retain in their mind. And this strategy is used by politicians in selling themselves to us since they know that we all act like kindergartens. Just kidding! (Naaah... not really.)
The music or better known as political jingles proliferating currently in the air are either exaggerated, absurd, funny, inspiring, or merely so so. One of these jingles that particularly caught my attention is the listeners if they have ever tried bathing in a sea of garbage? Or spending Christmas in the middle of the street? To answer the first one, I have never ever tried bathing in a sea of garbage and I have no plan to try it in the future either. Think of all the diseases you might get from those murky waters? About the second question, no I haven't tried spending Christmas in the street because you'll just end up with severed limbs (due to hit and run by reckless drivers) or with a hole in the belly (the favorite diversion of robbers, snatchers, addicts, etc.). Besides, with the current economic crisis, Christmas is treated like an ordinary day lately. Seriously, I know what the song is trying to convey. It is trying to ask us whether if we have ever experienced poverty in our existence in this cruel planet because the candidate who owns the jingle did (well, that's what he said). My God, do they still need to ask that? Here in the Philippines, we eat poverty for breakfast, problems for lunch, and misery for supper. And yeah, corrupt public leaders for dessert!
Lets start with colors. Using colors in campaign strategy is a good way of making an imprint to the minds of the people. It's all about association. Yellow, orange, green, blue, and all colors that Crayola could invent are now associated to a certain candidate or political party. Visual learning, such as the use of colors and shapes, are often used by kindergarten teachers in teaching kids effectively. It helps a lot in making a lesson retain in their mind. And this strategy is used by politicians in selling themselves to us since they know that we all act like kindergartens. Just kidding! (Naaah... not really.)
The music or better known as political jingles proliferating currently in the air are either exaggerated, absurd, funny, inspiring, or merely so so. One of these jingles that particularly caught my attention is the listeners if they have ever tried bathing in a sea of garbage? Or spending Christmas in the middle of the street? To answer the first one, I have never ever tried bathing in a sea of garbage and I have no plan to try it in the future either. Think of all the diseases you might get from those murky waters? About the second question, no I haven't tried spending Christmas in the street because you'll just end up with severed limbs (due to hit and run by reckless drivers) or with a hole in the belly (the favorite diversion of robbers, snatchers, addicts, etc.). Besides, with the current economic crisis, Christmas is treated like an ordinary day lately. Seriously, I know what the song is trying to convey. It is trying to ask us whether if we have ever experienced poverty in our existence in this cruel planet because the candidate who owns the jingle did (well, that's what he said). My God, do they still need to ask that? Here in the Philippines, we eat poverty for breakfast, problems for lunch, and misery for supper. And yeah, corrupt public leaders for dessert!
And then here comes the never ending barrage of promises. Promises so sweet to the ears like honey that it's nice to be drowned by them and get intoxicated.... until you developed political diabetes and die with bitterness that you were deceived by their treacherous tongues. Yeah, I may sound cynical but can you blame me for being so?
The forthcoming May 2010 election is very promising and historical. Promising in the sense that a lot of Filipinos, particularly the youth, are involving themselves in the campaign for an honest, peaceful, and conscience-driven election. Historical too because this election will the first time that COMELEC will be using automation for the counting of ballots. I just hope that there will be minimum technical problems with regards to the automation. Whatever will be the result of this election, lets just pray for the success of it. And with regards to the circus our politicians are putting up right now, throwing issues to one another and creating gimmicks here and there, all I could say is that just enjoy the show guys!
Friday, January 22, 2010
Concepcion and Delivery
I went to Concepcion, Iloilo for 4 days just this week for my delivery room assignment in their rural health unit's birthing center and the experience was great. From Iloilo City, I think it took me and my 5 classmates 2 or 3 hours travelling on a bus towards our destination. I love travelling to the northern part of Iloilo province since you would be able to see the coastal area on the right side and the plains and mountains on the left. It felt so liberating just looking outside the bus' window.
The municipality of Concepcion was a rural type of town. Farming and fishing were the main industries of the locals there. What I liked about the place was that the folks were warm and congenial. We were heading to our quarters after our arrival at their bus terminal when two natives I met along the way flashed me with a friendly smile. I think I'll enjoy my stay here, I said to myself.
When we reported to the town's rural health unit, we were introduced to the RHU staff by our clinical instructor, Sir Andrew, and they welcomed us with sincere smiles. Dr. Minguez was the rural health physician and she was a simple yet graceful woman in her early forties if I'm not mistaken. We then took a tour around the RHU building including its birthing facility which was just a small structure constructed at the right side of the main RHU building. There, we stationed the first three of us until evening.
Despite its reputation as a "living university of family planning" in the country because of its successful programs in reproductive health and population control, we still got nine cases of successful deliveries all in all in our 4 days of stay there. Maybe we were just lucky or maybe we just prayed too much because we badly needed the cases in order for us to complete our number of scrubs required for us to be able to graduate and take the board exam. Although giving birth is a messy and painful process, we really enjoyed our duty there. Giving life is a great miracle and assisting a mother in labor and in giving birth is a wonderful experience. My clinical exposure in Concepcion made me feel that I was a part of those miracles. It overshadowed my need to complete my scrubs because of the sense of fulfillment. The fulfillment of being a part of this great circle called LIFE.
The municipality of Concepcion was a rural type of town. Farming and fishing were the main industries of the locals there. What I liked about the place was that the folks were warm and congenial. We were heading to our quarters after our arrival at their bus terminal when two natives I met along the way flashed me with a friendly smile. I think I'll enjoy my stay here, I said to myself.
When we reported to the town's rural health unit, we were introduced to the RHU staff by our clinical instructor, Sir Andrew, and they welcomed us with sincere smiles. Dr. Minguez was the rural health physician and she was a simple yet graceful woman in her early forties if I'm not mistaken. We then took a tour around the RHU building including its birthing facility which was just a small structure constructed at the right side of the main RHU building. There, we stationed the first three of us until evening.
Despite its reputation as a "living university of family planning" in the country because of its successful programs in reproductive health and population control, we still got nine cases of successful deliveries all in all in our 4 days of stay there. Maybe we were just lucky or maybe we just prayed too much because we badly needed the cases in order for us to complete our number of scrubs required for us to be able to graduate and take the board exam. Although giving birth is a messy and painful process, we really enjoyed our duty there. Giving life is a great miracle and assisting a mother in labor and in giving birth is a wonderful experience. My clinical exposure in Concepcion made me feel that I was a part of those miracles. It overshadowed my need to complete my scrubs because of the sense of fulfillment. The fulfillment of being a part of this great circle called LIFE.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
E.R.
Emergency Room. My new area of assignment in my nursing clinical exposure for this year. I was supposed to be assigned in the female infectious ward but the assignment was dissolved for the reason that the risks are too high (as the name of the ward suggests). Our college is very concerned with the safety of its students. Ows? How touching! Anyway, I like the E.R. You'll never know what action and drama you'll gonna get. The adrenaline is most often high in the place but there are also times when it is like a silent room in which boredom suddenly lands on the E.R. people's shoulder. One time, during my previous assignments in the said area, I was pretending that I am George Clooney. All cameras were focused on me and I made up that I was in a medical drama series. A top-rating one. But when a bloody patient suddenly greeted us at the entrance and I suddenly froze to where I stood upon seeing it, the George Clooney persona in me instantly evaporated.
This is reality, I said to myself.
This is reality, I said to myself.
Friday, January 1, 2010
2010
Happy New Year!
It's a brand new year. I have no resolutions only realizations. Realizations of how blessed I was last year. I thank God for all the courage and strength he gave last year to face and overcome all of life's trials and tests. I thank him too for the great things I have and that includes my family, friends, my studies, and the new avenues of life I am starting to travel.
2010 is the year of the metallic tiger according to the Chinese calendar. That means I have to be tough this year like a metal in facing life's everyday struggles and brave, fearless and graceful like a tiger in everything I do.
Once again, a prosperous new year and be careful from all those firecrackers! God bless us all.
It's a brand new year. I have no resolutions only realizations. Realizations of how blessed I was last year. I thank God for all the courage and strength he gave last year to face and overcome all of life's trials and tests. I thank him too for the great things I have and that includes my family, friends, my studies, and the new avenues of life I am starting to travel.
2010 is the year of the metallic tiger according to the Chinese calendar. That means I have to be tough this year like a metal in facing life's everyday struggles and brave, fearless and graceful like a tiger in everything I do.
Once again, a prosperous new year and be careful from all those firecrackers! God bless us all.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Happy Fiesta
Happy annual fiesta to all my fellow Maasinanons! Happy Jose Rizal day too! I hope you guys grooved with the beat of the bamboos yesterday 'cause Tultugan was fun. Ciao!
Friday, December 25, 2009
Christmas Thoughts
It's Christmas. I am happy and I don't know why. Maybe because of the festive air, the sight of the left-over foods prepared last night still plenty and looking inviting at the table, the beautiful Christmas decorations surrounding the house and the neighborhood, the cold breeze blowing on my face, or simply because of the thought that people right now are in the mood for generosity. Whatever the reason might be, what matters is I'm happy. At least for now.
I miss my mother and my brothers but I know that they miss me too most especially in this yuletide season. My mom called me last night and greeted me Merry Christmas and somehow I found it enough. They couldn't come to where I am now since they are missionary workers assigned to different places for the Lord, who's birthday we are celebrating today, and it's ok. What is important is that they are happy with what they are doing and that they are blessed everyday by the Creator.
Today is the supposed birthday of Jesus Christ although we know that Bible scholars and historians really don't have the authentic account of the exact date of his birth. Christmas was actually a pagan celebration in origin turned into a Christian event after the sprout of Catholicism in Rome to honor Christ. That was, until now. Because in this digital age, Santa Claus is the new star of Christmas, replacing Jesus Christ. You'll see the big bellied man with immaculate beard and red suit perpetually everywhere during Christmas. From decorations to greeting cards, from shirts to apparels, and from movies and to commercial ads. He is even drinking a bottle of Coke in one advertisement! What is saddening is that little kids are more familiar with Santa rather than Jesus, in fact, they associate Christmas with the former and with the gifts he bring. The icon of everlasting life was replaced by the icon of commercialization in this modern world. A very terrible deception.
I got to go. The foods on the table are beckoning me to come. Ha ha ha...
Happy nativity day Yeshua!
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Poetry In Action
I had my completion duty this morning in the delivery room. It is called completion duty because it is a special scheduled duty, that means that it is not included in the regular rotation schedule our clinical coordinator gives us student nurses. Since I don't have any assignment in the delivery room this semester and graduation is fast approaching (and my delivery scrubs, 15 cases are needed, are not yet complete), I have no choice but to have my completion duty. Of course, to have a special schedule in the delivery room, we student nurses must pay. Two thousand pesos per day and we usually divide it into three since three students are needed per delivery cases for the assist, handle, and baby or cord care. Quite expensive but we have no choice because we really want to graduate this March 2010.
Having my duty in the delivery room is always been an adrenaline rush to me and likewise a wonder. Adrenaline rush because from the start of full crowning, that means that the baby's head is already bulging in the cervix, up to the complete expulsion of the baby, every tick of the clock is always an action, from monitoring to assiting the mother, just to ensure the safety of both mother and child. Birthing is also a wonder to me because it makes me ponder how life is created, the process of it is truly a miracle. It makes me appreciate the pain (the episiotomy and sometimes the laceration... ouch!) and sacrifices of mothers, especially of my mom.
One thing I like about the institution where I had my delivery scrubs is the policy of having the baby contact with the mother's skin for at least one hour. The rationale according to my clinical instructor is to establish a loving maternal-child rapport and for the baby to adapt faster to its new environment. Oh the smile of the mothers upon holding their babies close to their bossom. Truly a beautiful sight.
Well we had two delivery cases this morning and I'm happy because at least we went home not being zero. I thank God for giving me the opportunity to witness and participate in birthing cases. For me, birthing is like a poetry that is unique because it combines the beauty of agony, happiness, and ordinary miracle of life. From the wail of a sweating suffering delivering woman to the graceful movement of the baby during the mechanisms of labor up to its very first cry, everything in birthing is indeed a poetry in action.
Labor is not easy, it's painful, messy, and sometimes embarassing knowing that you are exposing your genitalia to the world. That's why I salute all the mothers out there. Hats off.
Monday, December 21, 2009
The Diary Of The Half-Deaf Man
Dear Diary,
2 weeks ago, I was infected with the notorious Staphylococcus pneumoniae which resulted to upper respiratory problems such as sore itchy throat and runny nose. The culprit, not contented with its colonization of my upper respiratory tract, descended further down to my lungs causing havoc to the said organs and produce flu like symptoms such as fever and generalized body malaise and eventually resulted to pneumonia.
At first, I didn't mind these for the reason that I was so busy with so many activities and I thought my immune defense is strong enough to do its job. But that was my fall because the infection ascended to my left ear causing otitis media or inflammation of the middle ear, giving me a feeling of fullness on the left side of my head and the inability to hear fully. Before things get worst, I consulted a physician and I was prescribed with Co-Amoxiclav (a combination of amoxicillin and clavunate acid), a mucolytic, and a decongestant.
Up to now, I still cannot hear fully or clearly and it irritates me. Why?
Because my friends tease me as "Romerei The Deaf".
Because I can't hear what people are whispering behind my back.
Because I can't enjoy listening to new music such as Alicia Key's The Element of Freedom album.
Because when an acquaintance of mine greeted me this morning in the mall with "Advance Merry Christmas Rom", all I could hear was a mumbling sound. I had to let him say it again before I understood what he was trying to say. It was very embarassing.
Because every time I lay at night in bed, I feel like I am swimming sidelying (in my left side of course), because of the pressure ringing in my left ear.
Because its the Yuletide season and I want to hear the carols, the fireworks, and the Christmas noise.
Because I just can't picture myself wearing a hearing aid. That is too "geriatric-ish"!
With this, my only wish this Christmas is for me to be cured and bring my hearing back to its normal level of functioning. And Santa, no hearing aid please.
Sincerely yours,
ROMEREI
2 weeks ago, I was infected with the notorious Staphylococcus pneumoniae which resulted to upper respiratory problems such as sore itchy throat and runny nose. The culprit, not contented with its colonization of my upper respiratory tract, descended further down to my lungs causing havoc to the said organs and produce flu like symptoms such as fever and generalized body malaise and eventually resulted to pneumonia.
At first, I didn't mind these for the reason that I was so busy with so many activities and I thought my immune defense is strong enough to do its job. But that was my fall because the infection ascended to my left ear causing otitis media or inflammation of the middle ear, giving me a feeling of fullness on the left side of my head and the inability to hear fully. Before things get worst, I consulted a physician and I was prescribed with Co-Amoxiclav (a combination of amoxicillin and clavunate acid), a mucolytic, and a decongestant.
Up to now, I still cannot hear fully or clearly and it irritates me. Why?
Because my friends tease me as "Romerei The Deaf".
Because I can't hear what people are whispering behind my back.
Because I can't enjoy listening to new music such as Alicia Key's The Element of Freedom album.
Because when an acquaintance of mine greeted me this morning in the mall with "Advance Merry Christmas Rom", all I could hear was a mumbling sound. I had to let him say it again before I understood what he was trying to say. It was very embarassing.
Because every time I lay at night in bed, I feel like I am swimming sidelying (in my left side of course), because of the pressure ringing in my left ear.
Because its the Yuletide season and I want to hear the carols, the fireworks, and the Christmas noise.
Because I just can't picture myself wearing a hearing aid. That is too "geriatric-ish"!
With this, my only wish this Christmas is for me to be cured and bring my hearing back to its normal level of functioning. And Santa, no hearing aid please.
Sincerely yours,
ROMEREI
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Kapres vs Shrek, Bampiras vs Edward, Taong Lobos vs Jacob
The world is indeed changing in every tick of the clock. Change is the only thing constant in this world, they say. With this inevitable fact, it is saddening to realize that while the rest of the world, particularly the well-developed nations, are moving forward toward progress, we on the other hand are left behind with our obsolete technolgies and way of life.
Even in the paranormal world, change is also becoming more evident. And what is depressing is that only the mystic creatures, most of them are the antagonistic ones, of the first world countries are having the change of heart (and image too!). Let me enumerate them one by one and compare them with our own local paranormal creatures who are until now still haven't updated themselves with the latest trends:
1. While our kapres here are still smoking dried banana leaves (sometimes dried marijuana too but the number of plantations in our country just wont suffice their demands), still sport that long unshampooed hair and mustache and beard filled with lice, wear that caveman-cut piece of cloth (that is, if you can call it a cloth because it looks like a quilt of old rugs), and eat small children who happened to wander in their balete abode, the ogres of Europe on the other hand are becoming more refined and more hygienic in their ways. This started with the revolution led by the chivalric Shrek. Now European ogres are not only pleasant-looking but are also music lovers as they love to groove with Bahamen's Who Let The Dogs Out, Madonna's Like A Virgin, and emote to Stevie Wonder and the rest of the gang's That's What Friends Are For.
2. Blood sucking is no longer the sole business of the vampires of the Old and New World. They have recently diverted their attentions to literature by writing books, such as in the case of Lestat and Louise, fashion by wearing expensive designer's clothes, such as in the case of Daniel and Armand, and slaying other vampire menace (a noble humanitarian act) such as in the case of Blade. Aside from that, they have also mellowed, became more romantic, and invested much for their looks like what the metrosexual vampire Edward Cullen did. Now, most male vampires are like candies to the eyes of teenage girls who have no idea that their menstruation could be the fall of these handsome and irresistible creatures of the night. Meanwhile, our very own bampiras are still sleeping on old, rusty and mold-smelling coffins. They have no idea that they could live on classy and hi-tech condo units and act like members of the elite society. They're still confined in their dilapidated mansions which are now subject to demolition by the government. Their cousins, the mananaggals, still suffer the shame of flying with severed torsos and hanging insides. They still haven't find out how to fly "wholly" and therefore, save their dignity. Poor them.
3. Our taong lobos are currently suffering from rabies and scabbies outbreak. They were indignant upon hearing the masa saying that they now look like the common askals in the street which are known to eat shit (ews!). But jealousy sparked within the pack lately upon the release of the new Twilight Saga movie titled New Moon. The taong lobos, after watching the said blockbuster movie, were so envious upon seeing the well-sculpted body of the werewolf Jacob! They never knew that lycantrophy could be so sexy. The good thing is, most of the taong lobos are now in the gym doing crunches, cardio, and other forms of exercises that will help develop their biceps, triceps, chest, and of course, the six-packed abs! Thanks to Jacob!
4. The Philippine Association of Mangkukulams and Mangbabarangs (PAMM) are currently holding a convention at Mt. Pinatubo with the theme: Time For A Cool Change. The theme was inspired from the song Cool Change by the Little River Band which is a way for the said organization to address the challenge of recreating their image into something stylish, slick, and more wholesome to the masa. According to them, while they are living their hermitical life in ramshackle bahay kubo in remote areas, concocting horrible-smelling herbs and roots, using goo goo dolls made of rugs and rusty needles, and wearing tattered cheap clothes and sporting unwashed, fly away, and split-end filled hair, their counterparts in the US and most countries in Europe are enjoying the fame and popularity of being pretty college girls, fashionistas, and sex objects to bachelors. Examples are Prue, Piper, Phoebe, and Paige or the Charmed Ones, Willow of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and of course Sabrina the teenage witch. PAMM's current convention have Heidi Klum, Tyra Banks, and Vera Wang as one of the speakers in their line up. More power to the bruhas!
Despite of our local supernatural creatures' being jologs and outdated, some of them are trying their best to keep with the pace. Thanks to Imang, the kampanerang kuba, she made our supernatural kababayans proud. It's not only that Igor had changed his image, sounded like John Cusack, and released an animated film, Imang also took the challenge by starring on a telenovela in a primetime slot and transforming to Anne Curtis-like visage and body. Whew! Pinoys never really know the word "surrender" because we always strive to reach for our goals and be recognized. Now that Charice Pempengco and Arnel Pineda are making noise in the international scene, the kapres, bampiras, manananggals, taong lobos, and mangkukulams are aiming to make it global. Good luck guys!
Even in the paranormal world, change is also becoming more evident. And what is depressing is that only the mystic creatures, most of them are the antagonistic ones, of the first world countries are having the change of heart (and image too!). Let me enumerate them one by one and compare them with our own local paranormal creatures who are until now still haven't updated themselves with the latest trends:
1. While our kapres here are still smoking dried banana leaves (sometimes dried marijuana too but the number of plantations in our country just wont suffice their demands), still sport that long unshampooed hair and mustache and beard filled with lice, wear that caveman-cut piece of cloth (that is, if you can call it a cloth because it looks like a quilt of old rugs), and eat small children who happened to wander in their balete abode, the ogres of Europe on the other hand are becoming more refined and more hygienic in their ways. This started with the revolution led by the chivalric Shrek. Now European ogres are not only pleasant-looking but are also music lovers as they love to groove with Bahamen's Who Let The Dogs Out, Madonna's Like A Virgin, and emote to Stevie Wonder and the rest of the gang's That's What Friends Are For.
2. Blood sucking is no longer the sole business of the vampires of the Old and New World. They have recently diverted their attentions to literature by writing books, such as in the case of Lestat and Louise, fashion by wearing expensive designer's clothes, such as in the case of Daniel and Armand, and slaying other vampire menace (a noble humanitarian act) such as in the case of Blade. Aside from that, they have also mellowed, became more romantic, and invested much for their looks like what the metrosexual vampire Edward Cullen did. Now, most male vampires are like candies to the eyes of teenage girls who have no idea that their menstruation could be the fall of these handsome and irresistible creatures of the night. Meanwhile, our very own bampiras are still sleeping on old, rusty and mold-smelling coffins. They have no idea that they could live on classy and hi-tech condo units and act like members of the elite society. They're still confined in their dilapidated mansions which are now subject to demolition by the government. Their cousins, the mananaggals, still suffer the shame of flying with severed torsos and hanging insides. They still haven't find out how to fly "wholly" and therefore, save their dignity. Poor them.
3. Our taong lobos are currently suffering from rabies and scabbies outbreak. They were indignant upon hearing the masa saying that they now look like the common askals in the street which are known to eat shit (ews!). But jealousy sparked within the pack lately upon the release of the new Twilight Saga movie titled New Moon. The taong lobos, after watching the said blockbuster movie, were so envious upon seeing the well-sculpted body of the werewolf Jacob! They never knew that lycantrophy could be so sexy. The good thing is, most of the taong lobos are now in the gym doing crunches, cardio, and other forms of exercises that will help develop their biceps, triceps, chest, and of course, the six-packed abs! Thanks to Jacob!
4. The Philippine Association of Mangkukulams and Mangbabarangs (PAMM) are currently holding a convention at Mt. Pinatubo with the theme: Time For A Cool Change. The theme was inspired from the song Cool Change by the Little River Band which is a way for the said organization to address the challenge of recreating their image into something stylish, slick, and more wholesome to the masa. According to them, while they are living their hermitical life in ramshackle bahay kubo in remote areas, concocting horrible-smelling herbs and roots, using goo goo dolls made of rugs and rusty needles, and wearing tattered cheap clothes and sporting unwashed, fly away, and split-end filled hair, their counterparts in the US and most countries in Europe are enjoying the fame and popularity of being pretty college girls, fashionistas, and sex objects to bachelors. Examples are Prue, Piper, Phoebe, and Paige or the Charmed Ones, Willow of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and of course Sabrina the teenage witch. PAMM's current convention have Heidi Klum, Tyra Banks, and Vera Wang as one of the speakers in their line up. More power to the bruhas!
Despite of our local supernatural creatures' being jologs and outdated, some of them are trying their best to keep with the pace. Thanks to Imang, the kampanerang kuba, she made our supernatural kababayans proud. It's not only that Igor had changed his image, sounded like John Cusack, and released an animated film, Imang also took the challenge by starring on a telenovela in a primetime slot and transforming to Anne Curtis-like visage and body. Whew! Pinoys never really know the word "surrender" because we always strive to reach for our goals and be recognized. Now that Charice Pempengco and Arnel Pineda are making noise in the international scene, the kapres, bampiras, manananggals, taong lobos, and mangkukulams are aiming to make it global. Good luck guys!
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