·         Betty is in Cebu.  Yeah, we (grudgingly) admit we’d miss her at the casa.  Come to think about it, Mel’s medical boards is fast approaching already. This means, she’ll be off to Cali soon.  Gosh, I hate to imagine the casa without our resident Lizard.  I’ve gotten used with the housemates that I’m sure it’ll be lonely when they move (especially if Betty will pursue a stint in Davao).  Hehehe, how sappy of me (but then again, I can be senti here ‘coz the housemates don’t read my blogs anyway J).

·         It’s really bothering that the beggars along the street of our office are increasing.  I feel so bad ‘coz most of them are either old people or children towed along by their useless parents.  This week, I cleaned our snacks basket at home and handed out food stuffs that are still good yet neglected already to said beggars (adherence to self-imposed policy of not giving money to them).  Three reflections:

1. Doling out things to them is not a long-term solution.  Such act will not get them off the streets! We have to do something that will address the poverty driving them to the streets.

2. I wish they could have baths.  I am not complaining about their smell or looks.  I just believe that being and feeling clean will help them feel like the human beings that they are.  This may sound shallow to some, but a bath may restore some dignity in their lives.  I remember our readings about the Holocaust in Legal Philosophy (yeah, how nerdy, I read bits of them despite me not having the name “Abel” — hehehe, inside joke), the Jews said they did not feel like they are humans anymore as they wallowed in dirt, grime, and their own excretes.  The same may be applicable to most beggars in our country.  Thus, I wish for them to have baths.

3. However, being dirty may also be a ploy for some of them to look pitiful.  I’m wary and now actually entertain the idea that most of the beggars within our vicinity belongs in a syndicate.   I just noticed recently that they have their respective posts and sort of like ‘time slots.’  There are the lunch group (I see them when I sometimes buy lunch/meds at the nearby mall) and the late afternoon group (whom I pass on my way home).  Sigh.

·         Speaking of helping out, during the holidays, there were three instances I was asked by friends to organize a trip to our highschool outreach areas (Paco Settlement House, Missionaries of Charity).  Busy schedule and some personal contemplation prevented me to heed their suggestion.  Yes, I am all for doing outreach projects; however, I am not exactly keen in doing them at known institutions during the holidays.  One, I don’t like Christmas time to be overly commercialized with the kids in orphanages and/or destitute in homes for the aged. That is not normal — so much extravagance during Christmas season (these orphanages/homes have cramped schedules due to numerous xmas projects that they sometimes even ask you to defer your intended date of visit), then so little of even the basics during ordinary time. Two, I’d rather look for less known institutions because they surely receive less or even none compared with the popular areas.  In fact, I actually would rather donate to organized agencies to contribute to their long term projects for the needy; or to unorganized groups that care for the less fortunate (I’m still contemplating about giving to street children — doing so might further encourage them to be on the streets and consequently ‘reward’ their stupid & useless parents).  Don’t get me wrong. I am not telling off people doing xmas projects.  In fact, I applaud their generosity.  It’s just a personal thing and some opinions; each to his own.  Although, casting all these aside, I know most of us just have the good intention of sharing our blessings during the holidays. So to all generous souls last month: may you continue doing good deeds for others and for God’s greater glory! Cheers!

·         On the lighter side of things, American Idol 5 kicked off the past two days already.  Some people who auditioned were so hilarious.  Some were great.  But we still got no favorites yet. 

·         Gosh, there are some funny and ‘duh’ things at the office this week!  So itching to write about them, but I’m restraining myself due to my blog policy of not writing about work. Ngggggrks! J

·         Dang, I can’t believe that I have a sort-of-like-permanent sinus problem already.  Everyday, I sneeze every so often and suffer runny nose.  Sinutab helps decongest the clogged and heavy feeling near the bridge of my nose above my cheeks.  However, upon taking it, it just makes me wanna zonk out the rest of the day.  Ahuhuhuhu.  My dad complained of the same ailment later in his life.  Talaga naman! Bi-bingo na ako eh!  Mel suggested I should undergo a colonoscopy in a few years just to be sure of my health as I’ve got a lot of ‘complications’ and I’m just in my 20s.  Dang it, yeeeeuuck!

·         Speaking of medicals, I scheduled Nanang to undergo some laboratory testing tomorrow — thorough blood test, chest xray, and urine test.  Sana clean bill of health siya.  Project 2 folks are having their re-lab testing na rin to compare with their failing ‘marks’ three months ago.  Me, I’m due for my blood re-testing next month to see if my cholesterol level went down and if I maintained normal uric acid level (Those two are like contenders in a tug-of-war. Oatmeal is good to lower bad cholesterol, however, it is terrible for uric acid! And so, the past month, I’ve been eating oatmeal and popping anti-gout pill almost everyday).  So tedious, expensive, and stressful to be healthy! 

·         Dang, I already wrote quite a bit in this page, but when I clicked to ‘post/publish,’ nag-error in connection. Talaga naman.  And nabura na when I clicked ‘return’ and ‘refresh.’ 

·         Finally got to see Narnia.  It was good. Not as great as I expected;  but good nevertheless. Medyo tough on faint-hearted people like me ‘coz of the parts where the kids would anticipate someone/something to show up and the time they need to run from the Witch.  Hehehe, but then again, I’m just super jumpy and gugulatin with almost anything naman eh.

·         Wudju had its tune-up last Saturday.  I am satisfied with the services and customers’ lounge of Honda Makati (Magallanes).  Friendly, efficient and nice envi!  Aside from an additional service that was needed (underchasis rustproofing — which includes chasis and engine wash), I was happy that they proclaimed papa’s car is “in good running condition.”  Double happy that the whole car is sooooo gleamingly clean when I claimed it! I can actually see the parts under the hood like it was 5 years ago! The brakes were also good daw — so much different from the pronouncement of cRapide almost a  year ago: “ma’am malapit na po kailangang palitan ang break pads ng kotse.”  Hah! However, casa service has left me oh-so-broke!  Sigh!

·         Speaking of broke, I am totally one.  So many things due this January!  What a beginning of 2006! I wonder how to survive until the next paycheck? Heck, that too has already been allotted with bills, etc!  Huhuhu.  Ok, ok…I can actually hear my dad telling me to stop whining as GOD WILL PROVIDE.

·         This made me laugh ‘coz it IS quite true here in the Philippines.  Betty said, the fastfood industry has created a new gender.  Yes, we have female — generally addressed as, “Ma’am.” Yes, we have male — generally addressed as “Sir.” But what is that addressed as “Ma’am/Ser”?  Heck, even though I enter ALONE in, say a Jollibug store, I am automatically greeted by employees with: “Hello, Ma’am/Ser! Welcome to Jollibug!”

·         There is a new 7-11 na raw within Rockwell area. Petroleum products increased by 50 cents over the weekend (dang, I hadn’t fueled up prior and no warning!).  The MMDA painted the posts and railings along south super highway as well (who says the MMDA isn’t doing anything, huh?!). 

·         Hahaha, I’m forced-developing a ‘crush’ over this Sam Milby guy already —- everyday to work, I can’t wait to see his billboard along Roxas Boulevard (I ditched driving through DM Avenue ‘coz it’s hard to make a U-turn and traffic inside CCP is awful).  Seeing Mr. Milby indicates that I’m near my destination and I’m past the bottleneck area of my route.  But still, solid&forever Kris Banal (go figure) fan pa rin ako! J

·         The former secretary of dad in PJI called this morning. May Christmas gift daw for him dun sa office. Weird noh? I’ll claim it within the week to know exactly from whom then thank and inform the giver about papa. 

·         Wondering what’s new with Polo?  Nothing really.  Same-o, same-o; except he does not bark as much at the housemates anymore.  In fact, he doesn’t try to ‘kill’ them anymore when they enter the house while he is untied.  Weird  nga ‘coz if Betty enters the house, Polo goes to the opposite side of the garage as if to totally avoid her!  Still a mystery why. Hehehe. 

·         Friday the 13^th!  What more bad luck can come my life today? Bring it on!!! Hahaha.

·         Ok, since I was asking for it, na-late ako to work today.  I kinda felt bad, thus had a hard time getting up.  And then, on my way to work, it rained (only sa Parañaque and Pasay area ‘coz dry grounds when I got to Julia’s)! But these are nothing; typical, typical.  My jolly banner still flies high, after all, end of the week na…and my reward: saw a full and a half rainbows!  Super beautiful and soooo near (I wanted to see where the end is…baka may pot of gold J…but I had to make my turn na eh). 

·         Will watch Narnia Saturday night.  O ayan, balik mainstream na kami.  Done na ang streak of Filipino films. 

·         Then, early morn tom, off to casa to tune-up papa’s car (there goes my salary for this half month!).  Actually, I’m quite apprehensive ‘coz I’m gonna take the car in another branch of Honda (not the home casa).  I’ve got no complaints with Honda Manila.  In fact, I love the service and waiting area there (Siguro nga talaga, anywhere but Isuzu Manila would be heaven.  To think magkatabi lang ang Isuzu and Honda along UN Avenue).  However, Honda Manila is just too far and inconvenient to go to from our home now.  I hope Honda Magallanes-Makati would be just as great as WudJu’s home casa. 

·         We were affected with Maynilad’s interrupted services this week.  Thank goodness I haven’t terminated Basic’s services yet! Whew!

·         According to the news, C5-Katipunan Flyover is off limits for seven hours daily (10pm to 5am) for 30 days to protect if from further weakening.  The said  flyover has a weakened underbelly due to the extreme heat produced by the December 26 fire that gutted some 300 houses beneath it.  Kinda absurd way to have a damaged thoroughfare. Wow, 300 houses beneath it…delikado and mali yun ah.  WAITAMINUTE, WAITAMINUTE! C5-Katipunan Flyover…gosh, area ko yun sa ACIL in college ah.  We taught catechism sa kids dun. Oo nga, ang daming tao at bahay dun; and directly under the bridge nga.  Mixed emotions: kawawa naman yung kids ko dun (siguro adults na by now) and dapat kasi not for habitation yung area eh.

·         Israeli PM Ariel Sharon is still recovering.  He’d definitely not play an active role in the upcoming elections. Gosh, what a time to have a stroke.

·         The woes of MMDA and Bayani continues in Makati . According to Binay, MMDA traffic aides face arrest in Makati if they would apprehend and issue tickets to traffic violators. SC already clarified its recent decision regarding the MMDA; and what authority does Makati have to do the arrests?

·         Haynaku, ano nanaman pakana ni FVR?  Don’t like him and never did…I don’t like his track record and the thought na para siya laging mukhang hatching evil schemes!

·         Without a thought, I dunked all the pencils I got during Christmas (Bane, Vanny, and Mane — thanks, thanks!) in my collection container. Ngekers, now, I have to recount ‘coz hindi ko na alam ang final tally na uli!

·         Congrats, Julia, on your promotion!

·         Ang happy, no traffic along Roxas Boulevard this morning.  Happier still na I saw prior the front view of a landing big plane (imagine running parallel the runway with a plane approaching next to you) and a taxiing PAL plane preparing for take off.   Thrilling, super lapit talaga!

·         May 3 for P100 na shorts. May 3 for P100 na toys.  Ngayon, may 3 for P100 na double burgers na rin! Natawa kami ng housemates with Burger King’s new offering! In fairness, sabi ni Mel masarap din naman daw.

·         Was caught in traffic again today…this time sa may Baclaran area — Baclaran day daw kasi sabi ni Betty.  Actually, parang it’s not the day ang cause ng traffic eh.  It is more like busses swerving to load/unload passengers and taking around 3 lanes of Roxas Boulevard in the process.  Kakapikon talaga. 

·         One song in the CD Shey gave for Christmas has this stanza:

I was damaged by the fall/ Got the wind knocked out of me/ To be standing here at all/ I must be invincible. 

I thought that I would break/ But now I have come to see/ Something strong and beautiful inside of me/ I must be invincible…

Taking it out of the singer’s context (a broken relationship), I actually sorta relate to the quoted lines. Looking back at the years 2003-2005, yes, God has helped me to become “invincible.” 

·         Dang, a person died on Quiapo day (last Monday); some were injured; and there were people who were snatched off their valuables.  It is so sad that religious festivals/practices would yield these unfortunate circumstances.

·         Na-disappoint ako sa homily ng priest at yesterday’s mass (in a Makati village church).  Mostly recycled from Monday’s! Nyah!

·         I’m getting a bit confused scheduling errands.  I hate January/beginning of the year — so many matters due/need to be attended to!  Realty taxes, car matters (tune up, village stickerS), CTC, bank matters/updates, house matters (water tank cleaning, exterminator, bills, payment), shed off pounds gained in December, medicals for me and Nanang, and the usual monthly bill payments.  All these pa man din have corresponding monetary outlay!  Hay. Add pa the fact that the small roof at the back of the house needs major repairs and there are still some unattended major pending matters I still haven’t ticked off from my trusty Palm.  And of course, I gotta report to work to earn moolah for these things.  I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I hate being an adult already!!!

·         I think the housemates and I are better off called ‘tropang trumpo’! Almost every night kasi, we keep on walking around the room and opening/closing closets in daze to fix our stuff (used for the day and in preparation for the stuff we’d be needing the next day).   

·         Thanks, mane for the gifts!  I loooved the maroon5 Live: Friday the 13^th! Ang happy!

·         Thanks also, GP and Mel for the visor mirror! I todo appreciated it last Sunday when I sat at the passenger side of Honda (kris drove).  Ang happy!

dang, after a few days of not logging in the net, my email inbox gets soo clogged.  shucks, no internet at the library anymore to just even erase unwanted emails (some alerts and yeah, i confess, forwards).

i feel bad pa with something at work. hay. i hope this current assignment i have will turn out good.

thanks, jm, for the copy of the songs and oath.

·        Mel and I went walking around the village yesterday morning.  We saw my doggie ‘victim’ (nicknamed, “pudgy dog”) — the one I ‘ran over’ last Christmas! He is soooo alive, and still being true to his askal form.  Ayan ha, hindi ako murderer.

·        Kris, Nanang, XXX, XX, and I watch the sole Filipino movie being shown in Powerplant yesterday.  The movie lobby was quite packed with people — excited to see Narnia…but amazingly, the theater of the film we watched was also full (medyo puro lola nga lang ang mga katabi namin)!  The movie was okay — not fantabulous, but not bad either.  The screenplay was good; the location shots were great (baguio, sagada); the ilocano dialogues were realistic (now, that’s authentic ilocano and not those spoken in BlueMoon!); the acting wasn’t corny, and the lines were upbeat/contemporary/realistic.   However, as we’ve noticed from their other films, the ‘love scenes’ of the main tandem aren’t good — the scenes are long, yet the two do not kiss properly naman (ay basta you gotta watch to get what I’m saying).  Moreover, we don’t see the point why the leading man has to entirely sing the songs he was made to sing; nor the fact that he’s gotta fully/half expose his upper torso all the time!  We understand that formulaic feel good love stories are quite hard to end; thus we forgive how they concluded this film…we are content that at least some of the conflict resolutions aren’t that morally/philosophically questionable.  Hmm…3.5 stars!

·        After the movie, Kris and I caught the last few innings of Ateneo vs. NU Baseball game.  When we arrived, Ateneo was leading 5-1.  Unfortunately, biglang humabol and lumamang by 1 ang NU.  Kris’ former team mates who were also watching even joked that we jinxed the team.  Thank goodness, sa last inning (with 2 outs and 2 strikes), naka-score ng dalawa.  Whew!  What a play; what a game!  Super happy to shout victory cheers and proudly sing the Song for Mary. Go, Blue Eagles!

·        Grrr, I was super late this morning to work.  Sobrang traffic sa service road.  The kids are back!!! Tapos, after parking kina julia and a few minutes aboard a jeep towards our building, napilitan na rin akong bumaba at maglakad na lang.  Traffic din at hindi na gaanong gumagalaw yung jeep.  Quiapo day daw kasi? Whatever.  That’s 45 minutes tardy.  Grrrr.

·        Some questions:

a.    Ang gamu-gamu raw nagiging anay when they lose their wings?  Mel and I do not believe this, but two people said so na!

b.    Saan galing ang mga moths? Ang dami nila sa labas and pumapasok sa house!

c.     Kung dapat uminom ng average of 8 glasses of water a day, can I do so in bulks?  Like 4 glasses na agad in the morning and 4 glasses by the afternoon?  Ang hassle kasi to have toilet breaks every so often after drinking a glass of water throughout the day eh.

·        We finally figured out why linalanggam yung bed nina Bets and Mel! The damned new bolster of bets ang salarin!  Prior, we changed the bedsheet and pillow cases kasi baka may natapon dun na sweet substance na hindi namin napansin; nagka-langgam pa rin.  Then, pinalaba namin lahat ng pillows except the new bolster (kasi nga bago naman eh); pero may ants pa rin. And then, we vacuumed the whole bed; pero may langgam pa rin.  Tapos, we sprayed lysol all over and wiped bed posts, may langgam pa rin. We thought baka the new bolster na nga ang may dala ng ants! Finally, we had the new bolster laundered then set it on the floor overnight to test if it is ant-free and deserves to be back on the bad.  Whew, thank goodness ala na ants!

• naks, tita madre was issued her driver’s license na in Botswana!  to think she is already 60 years of age, and had to endure three legs of exams — theory test, yard parking test 2x, and road test! congrats!
• had a great lunch date with bane and mildz last thursday.  "love you" two! hahaha.
• had dinner with some relatives last night.  i was telling apple nga, atleast we meet in events besides funerals/wake na!  kakatawa kasi, i met my cousin in a wake of one of our relatives and found out we were in the same university pala, me being just one batch higher (we never knew we were cousins so we prolly saw each other na before but didn’t know of our connection).  heck, we discovered we even have common close friends!
• kakaasar ang hotmail.  nag-se-send ng ante-dated emails.  my inbox says i have new mail, pero hde naman sa most recent received.  i have to scan the rest of the contents of my inbox to see what the "new" email is.  eh usually, parang dubious pa at parang carrier of virus lang.  find and erase! kaasar pa lalo na ang daming junk mail!
• we’re gonna watch a tagalog movie at powerplant today!  hahahaha

join na!