Happy birthday to my one of my favorite former students who I don't know where he could be.
Obet, maligayang kaarawan!

The deadline for the surrender of the rebels was extended to 7PM. Since negotiations are going on with Cimatu, it has been extended definitely.

There has been a lot of pointing of fingers which I totally disagree with. It would not help the situation at all. And could actually makes matters worse. Not that I like Honasan or anything (I actually don't), but basing his accusations on an event 14 years past is not entirely conclusive. Even if he claims there are intelligence reports, those can be easily fabricated. What should be addressed are the grievances of the rebel soldiers.

Listening to them during their press conderence, they seem to be really holding on to their convictions. There is much anger that I would think could be very personal. I could imagine how angry you can get knowing that some of your battalion mates could have been could killed without sense because it could have been a government bullet that could have hit them.

These young soldiers have so much to lose with this move, but they must be really frustrated, desperate to be heard for them to do this.

I also have to agree that they have a moral victory. People have heard their message and I am sure they have gathered some sympathizers along the way. Including me. Though I think it is safe to say that a good number of people do not agree with their means.

But somehow I understand why they have to resort to this desperate measure. If they went up to the media, after their statement they would have been accused of libel or something like that. Government would do a haphazard, half-hearted investigation and would come up with something that would protect the people the soldiers are accusing.

Shucks. It is just so sad to see these promising people end up with nothing after this.

Today we are having a coup.

Right in the middle of Makati, in Oakwood to be precise, are 200 soldiers stationed. Young soldiers mostly from batch 94 and 95. They demand that GMA step down, together with the generals of the AFP. They are not willing to make any negotiations with anyone from the government. These soldiers are hell-bent with whatever convictions that they have.

Honestly, I sympathize with them. Though I entirely do not agree with their methods. Something must be really wrong with the government for these intellegent young men to turn against their own commander-in-chief. Their idealism must have been scarred badly for them to do this. I mean, we are a screwed-up country. There can be no denying that. But to have its own soldiers run amok... that is sad. Listening to Tri???las during his interview with Karen Davila, the desperation and disillusionment can be heard.

Malungkot. Malungkot marining na ang mga tagapagtanggol ng ating bayan ay nawawalan na rin ng pag-asa. Parang ako din, nawawalan na. Bagamat nananampalataya pa rin ako na babangon.

Now, there are also a lot of other conspiracy theories running around. Martial law. Destabilization plots by the opposition. Whatever. I would like to give these young soldiers some due credit that this is something that they decided on their own. But all those theories are quite possible. And the thought that they can be true makes it worse. That means that we can not trust our own government, that they are capable of doing such thing.

Sa kahuli-hulihan, si Juan de la Cruz pa rin ang magdudusa.

I thought with our situation, there is no way up but up. Frustating as it is, I was wrong.

Malungkot kung hindi sila titinag sa kanilang paninindigan dahil ang gobyerno ay hindi patatalo. Pagdating ng alas cinco, kapag hindi pa umalis... siguradong may masasaktan. Matapos man ito, walang nanalo sa laban. Talo lahat. Lalo na ang mga mamamayan. Walang nagawa ang pag-aalsa nila. Pero siguro may mga tao lang talagang handang mamatay para sa kanilang paninindigan.

Malungkot. Malungkot.

Kahit maraming ginagawa, bored out of my wits so here's today's Friday's Five

1. If your life were a movie, what would the title be?
It would be easier what genre it would be. I would like it to be an indie film, those kinds that you aren't sure when the movie really started or if it has really ended. Since I can't think of any title maybe I'll just stick to "A Valkyrie's Journey"

2. What songs would be on the soundtrack?
Definitely OPM. Joey Ayala (Walang Hanggang Paalam). Gary Granada (Saranggola sa Ulan). Noel Cabangon (Kanlungan would surely be there). Buklod (one of their songs... somewhere). Rivermaya (Ulan, Awit ng Kabataan). Eraserheads(With a Smile, Minsan). Parokya (Halaga. Sayang.). "This Guy's in Love with you, Pare" will definitely be there. I'm the one singing. Nyahaha!
Probably some foreign artists somewhere. Dance tunes, definitely. Maybe Fatboy Slim, Prodigy or Chemical Brothers. Bob Marley, too.

3. Would it be a live-action film or animated? Why?
Probably live-action. The plot of my life is too boring to be animated. The medium and the story won't match.

4. Casting: who would play you, members of your family, friends, etc?
Hmmm... I'm not good at this.
Me: Since this is my fantasy, Angelina Jolie. Kahit hindi ko kamukha, merong nagsasabi na hawig ko siya. D-uh! Blind. Pero I am flattered nonetheless. Must be the lips
And the rest I would leave to the director. Hehehe! But my trench coat friend has to be played by Neil Gaiman. Nyahahah!

5. Describe the movie preview/trailer.
This needs a lot of thinking.
Maybe I will just use my future epitath as central theme: She danced and loved with a passion. The copy and the scenes will revolve around that.

My thoughts on the way to work (while on the Guadalupe MRT station)
If I could smell my lovelife for the year it would be like:
freshly-baked fresh bread except I'm on the other side of the window. I could imagine how great the smell is and how delicious the bread will be but I probably won't be going in to taste the bread and would probably buy a canister of Pringles from the convenience store across the street.

If I could smell what my career would be, it would be like:
A apple tree full of fruits. But I have to make sure I get to pick them soon or else it will be rotting soon enough.

Gusto kong i-detalye ang gabi ko kagabi kasi napakasaya. Para akong nasa langit. hahaha! kababawang fan lang naman. Pero mga tsong, antok pa kasi ako, eh.

Ang bottom line... super certified Parokya ni Edgar fan na ako. Noon pa naman, eh. Pero ngayon dahil may object of affection na ako sa kanila... posible akong maging groupie. Nyahaha! Okay lang. Sumasaya naman ako kahit sa iba mukhang ka-cheap-an. Di ko na lang sasabihin dito kung sino ang iniirog ko. You wouldn't expect it.

Nuong first time ko pa naman siya kinatutuwaan dahil tuwang-tuwa ako sa ski hat niya habang tumutugtog. Anyway dahil meron kaming speaking and look-in-the-eye encounter... at napaka-cute niyang ngumiti... "mahal" ko na siya. Hehehe! As in. Kadiri. Kinilig pa nga ako, eh. Nyahahah!

Anyway... anduon din si Gary. Pleasant surprise. Ang tagal na naming hindi nagkikita. Nagkukulitan lang kami buong gabi. Bagamat distracted ako dahil kay mahal kong nagtutugtog sa stage. Pero still, it was nice seeing Gary again and being introduced to his friends. They're a cool bunch. I particularly like Parish, Cooky's younger sister, who was pleasant enough to share her Weng-Weng with me. Pretty little lady (well not so little, since she was probably taller than 90% of the people in the room). Just needs to gain a little more weight though... but then... she is a model.

Anyway... I will have to write down my story. Siguro in my journal or something. Para lang pag lola na ako... maalala ko. mala-Jeffrey H. obsession of my high school days ang dating. Ibig sabihin matindi.

The weather today reminds me of one Winnie-the-Pooh episode where everything in Hundred Acres Woods got flooded.

Staring out the window of my office, you could see the winding wildly ravaging the trees. It's that kind of weather where your umbrella would turn inside-out. But this is also the kind of weather I would like to walk in, without any umbrella. Just walking and walking and walking... watching the trees and the wind dance furiously... watching the pavement glisten with its coating of water.

And wonder whether Piglet has already decided to live with Pooh. (or if they could actually stand living together after a few days. hehehe!)

=====

Happy birthday, Rosing!

Senti Trip

This is probably the fourth round I've been playing the CD my cousin gave me. Paolo Santos covers. Death by Senti. Promise. Not that it makes me want to weep and wail for a non-existent lovelife. But it does make me sit still and wonder, love can be so many things to different people. A source of joy. A source of hope. A cause of despair. A cause for pain. So many things.

The bottom line, I like what I'm hearing because I can sing to it. Makes a bit more awake.

Jogging

Just a few more minutes then it's jogging time. Excited na ako. Last Tuesday pa ang huli kong banat. I want to sweat... oh excuse me... GLOW pala. Girls don't sweat nga pala.

By the way, those quizzes I was able to pick up through Ina's live journal.

You Are: Death of the Endless


You are Death, the second oldest of the Endless,
the seven great incarnations.
She is, in outward appearance, a goth with wild
unkempt hair and slightly punkish clothes. But
she is far beyond that mere description. Her
function is much like the "Reaper,"
to collect the souls of mortals as they die.

She is perky, optimistic, and bright, but she also
has a serious side, which shows when she is
angry or upset. She can become quite frustrated
with her brother, when he is being singularly
foolish.

People fear her because of what she is, and this
can get her down sometimes. But they also love
her, without ever truly knowing why.


What Sandman Character Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Death is one of my favorite Gaiman characters, for the reason that she loves life. But the great thing about the Endless, each of the character has depth. Each of them representing a different part of an ordinary person's psyche. Gaiman just really writes those mythologies well. He is so amazing! He is the Homer of our time.

Just finished reading "Brief Lives" two nights ago. Together with "Seasons of Mists," it is my favorite Sandman graphic novel. Especially since it was the first time they introduced Destruction. For someone who used to real chaos and disorder, he has so much heart and depth. And the story itself just explores the many feelings of losing people and letting go.

Ang galing. Grabe. As in. I think I'll get myself that graphic novel for my birthday.

Your past life diagnosis:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I don't know how you feel about it, but you were female in your last earthly incarnation.
You were born somewhere in the territory of modern Central England around the year 1150.
Your profession was that of a teacher, mathematician or geologist.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Your brief psychological profile in your past life:
Such people are always involved with all new. You have always loved changes, especially in art, music, cooking.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The lesson that your last past life brought to your present incarnation:
The world is full of ill and lonely people. You should help those, who are less fortunate than you are.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Do you remember now?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'm from Gryffindor!

Hogwart's Sorting Hat Quiz

made by The Genki Gang

During the first time I tried to get sorted, I was sent to Ravenclaw. Which I don't really mind since it has an eagle for its seal, which reminds me of Ateneo. Hehehe! But then after that, whether it be random sorting or those that asks questions, I end up in Gryffindor. I wouldn't mind dating one of the Weasley twins. Hmmm... dating both of them wouldn't hurt either. Hehehe!

From Friday Five

1. When was the last time you cheated?
on a person? hahaha! never.
hmm... must be with one of those online quizzes. so that would be recently.

2. When was the last time you stole?
somebody's heart? har. kanina. joke.
don't know. maybe last week, coins from my brother's desk.

3. When was the last time you lied?
must be last week, too. somebody asked me a question that i am not willing to answer yet.

4. When was the last time you broke or vandalized another's property?
Uh... don't remember but I remember a seam of a dress breaking after I tried it on. I forgot to unzip the zipper. Pero that was still in college. I'm sure there is something more recent.

5. When was the last time you hurt a loved one
Probably last April, when I was with my mom in Davao. Di naman sadya.

A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE MRT.

Since I was going out tonight, I decided not to bring an umbrella today. The sun seemed to be ready to shine anyway. While on my way to Guadalupe, it started to rain. Argh. Kainis!!! I was ready to bitch since I was wearing a good blouse and I didn't want it to get wet.

Nonetheless, the bitching didn't come.

So I walked under the drizzle, with my bag over my head. Muttering under my breath when people with umbrellas are walking ever so slowly. Grsh. Still, I kept my cool.

When I rode the MRT, I got my "Good Omens" book by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett and started reading. Suddenly this guy approaches me and asks: "Is that your book?"

Now, I'm not used to strangers being so forward but he did look interested in what I was reading. And finding people in the MRT interested in "Good Omens" is quite unusual. And he did look interesting with his plastic barbed-wire and dog-collar bracelets and he didn't look bad either.

"Huh?... Uhm... It's my brother's."
"Where did you get it?"
"Bibliarch."
"san yun?"
"Tower Records. Sa Glorietta. Across that."
"Is that new?"
"About a month."
"Oh."
"You've been looking for this book?"
"Matagal ko na siyang hinahanap pero hindi ako makakita."
"Have you tried National?"
"Nakita ko siya dati pero wala akong pera. When I went back, wala na."
"Kung wala sa Bibliarch, try mo Goodwill. Pero 600 dun. Ito 400 lang."
"Bakit mas mahal?"
"Kasi iba iyong publisher."
"Oh, okay. Sige, thanks. I like your ankh."
I touched my ankh, not comprehending that I was actually being complemented. When it finally dawned on me, I mumbled my thanks but I doubt he heard me because he was already taking his leave.

That was a nice weird happening in the morning. :)

You are Storm!

You are very strong and very protective of those
you love. You are in tune with nature and are
very concerned with justice and humanity.
Unfortunately, certain apprehensions and fears
are very hard for you to overcome, and can
often inhibit you when most need to be strong.


Which X-Men character are you most like?
brought to you by Quizilla

strawberry ice cream duon sa fruits for ice cream (?) sa second floor caf. winner. yum. as in. yum.

grabe. what an unproductive day. well, meron naman akong nagawa pero parang wala kasi wala akong gana.

masyado yata akong napagod sa noel kagabi. 3am na ako nakauwi. hindi na sanay ang katawan ko sa umagahang gimik or dahil lagi na akong inuumaga ng tulog kaya pagod na pagod ako. hay. as in...

malapit na ang deadline ko! syet. wala pa ring nangyayari. well... meron naman. hay. syet.

a
y
o
k
o,

p
r
o
m
i
s
e
!

Syet. Puso ko. Di puwede ito. As in, hindi. Syet.

Because of the Blue and White concert last Friday, I have become more interested in Rivermaya. I never realized until now that Rico Blanco writes such profound lyrics. Bow ako sa kanya. I'm back to my reverence of OPM. Not that I stopped. I am once more more passionate about it now, that's all. :)

Okay... it has almost been two hours since I ate durian. I have brushed my teeth and I know I do not reek of it but whenever I burp, I can still taste the thing. Hehehe! Isn't that disgusting. :)

Just ate durian. Yummy. Wanted to eat the whole fruit except I'd die of a heart attack right after. Nobody else wanted to touch the thing. If the durian were in the house, it would be decimated in minutes. Yum. Durian. Yum.

It can get amusing watching married officemates talk about their kids. You can see how proud they are of their little children. I guess, everybody thinks they have the best brood in the world. But I like listening to their stories and watching them more. The twinkle in their eyes, the smirk on their faces. Amusing.

And then there is the topic of sex. Because I have always been mistaken for being a fresh graduate, they have a tendency to mellow things down when I am around. Maybe there is really something different how married people and single people talk about it. I mean, single people talk about it in theory (my circle anyway) while married people talk about it in practice. Hehehe!

Just an observation after having a 21 peso lunch... free viand, six peso rice and 15 peso coke in can (tsk!!).

We are back in business in this blog, which I really favor than the other one. But since I have no idea whatsoever how to put comments or change templates I had to make do with the last one.

Anyway... what do I say? Nothing much. Just too lazy to start work today especially since most of the people will be late. They had a board meeting last night. After this, I'll be calling people again... which I actually am not in the mood to do.

This out of sorts thing must be due to the fact that I slept late trying to call this lawyer for my brother. While waiting, I was playing spider solitaire which can be very addicting once you get started. I was actually looking forward to early sleep last night because I was sooooo tired from jogging.

No jogging today since I have to go with Tatit to the cheer rally. At least, I get to see Rico Blanco again. hehehe! And maybe catch Chito and the gang when Parokya plays... I'm not sure if I could catch much though because I have to leave work by 6:15 pa.

Okay... this is weird. This thing finally publishes all the post that refused to publish for the past months. Agh. Kainis. But I like this blog better than the other one anyway.

Hmm... will this post, finally?