engaged? so?

Habang nananalasa ang Swine Flu at hindi pa rin humuhupa ang global recession, parang wala akong naririnig na balitang socially relevant para masundot ng aking minsan ay matatalim na komentaryo. Kaya focus muna tayo sa mga celebrities. Pero hindi ang kasal ni Juday at Ryan ang gusto kong sundutin. Walang spark yon. Kakasawa na rin ang mga litanya ni Bisaya sa mga kasong pinangangalandakan pa nya. Nakakaumay na. Mas magandang subject itong si Mar at Koring.

Nabalitaan ko lang pero hindi ko napanood yong Tv guesting nila sa Wowowee. One, dahil wala akong TFC at wala akong balak magpa-kabit. Two, hindi ako nanonood ng mga programang hosted by someone as antipatiko as Willie. So hindi ko nakita yong eksenang maiyak-iyak pa raw si Mar Roxas when they announced their engagement.

But when I read Mar’s column yesterday sa Abante, nag-reak talaga ako. I sent it to my friends with my usual ascerbic comment. And it turned out na ganon din ang sentimyento ng mga kaibigan ko. At kung paniniwalaan natin ang mga tabloid, they seem to reflect the same reaction. Marami ang nagtaka, tumaas ang kilay, nag-maasim din tulad ko.

Nakakapagtaka naman kasi na kung bakit sa isang afternoon show pa kailangang i-announce yon. To think na Roxas ay mga legitimate ultra-rich. Dapat sa lifestyle/society pages ng mga broadsheet at glossy magazines in-announce yon. Or, sa part ni Korina, sa programa nya. But on a show like Wowowee? Hmmm….

Sino ba ang gusto nilang ma-reach when they did their announcement? Ang buong Pilipinas? (yon eh kung totoong mataas ang viewership ng programang pinili nila). Bakit, national issue ba yon? Eh ano kung ikakasal na sila, would that be a concern para sa mga magsasaka sa probinsya? O yong mga pedicab driver sa binondo, mga mason sa construction site sa pasig, mga tindera sa palengke ng Bulaong, teachers sa mga elementary school ng Kidapawan, taxi drivers, bus drivers, konduktor, doctor at kung ano-ano pa? Bakit? Friends ba nila ang mga taong ito? Iimbitahan man lang ba nila sa reception ng kasal nila?

At akong namamaluktot sa office para kumita ng kaunting kabuhayan, ano namang pakialam ko sa engagement nila? Tataas ba ang sweldo ko kung papakasal na sila? Bibigyan ba ako ng bonus ng amo ko? So what the...

Tamaan ng Swine Flu itong dalawang ito kung hindi aamin na may ulterior motive sa ginawa nila. Si lalake kung hindi aamin na dahil sa political plans nya. Si babae for being a willing accomplice.

So, kelan ang kasal? Before the election? Bakit, will that ensure his win kung ano man ang position na tatakbuhan nya? As if the fiancee will provide the much-needed ‘bakya’ or ‘masa’ vote dahil kilala sya sa broadcast industry?

Asus! Yan ang hirap sa mga politiko natin. Hindi mapang-hawakan ang sariling credibility and performance records para iboto ng tao. At kailangan pang kumuha ng partner na sikat. Bakit si Chiz, sya mismo ang humahatak sa tao, background lang ang misis nya kahit maganda at may talent din.

At susunod sila sa ginawa nina Recto/Vi at Pangilinan/Shawie? Ewan. Si Vilma at Shawie proven ang hatak sa masa. Pero si Koring? Mukhang malabo. Kahit anong gawin nyang magpaka-bakya, iba ang dating nya. Yong tipong intelihente at super self-confident na career woman. Something na hindi maabot at maka-relate ang karamihan ng ordinaryong maybahay, estudyante o factory workers. At least si Vi at Shawie na-deglamorize sa mga mahihirap roles nila kaya mabango sa masa.

Kung totoo mang heartfelt ang pag-iyak ni Mar, sana nga para mag-tagal ang marriage nila. Pero kung ang dalawang ito ay parehong may mga hidden agenda, then their partnership is already doomed sa umpisa pa lang. Sooner or later, they might pay the price for keeping appearances.

At ako? Well, ano bang paki ko sa kasal nila. Basta mawala na ang swine flu at matapos na ang global recession, kahit hindi na sila ikasal okey lang.

pleasure or pain

I was with a couple of friends (Jonas and James) last Friday. May daing fresh from Pinas kasi si James kaya ang sarap ng tanghalian namin. And since nabundat nga, naidlip ako after lunch pero ginising ako ng mga hysterics ni Lorna Tolentino sa Tv. Yon pala yong balik-acting nya sa MMK. Masyadong ma-drama yong mga iyakan nila kaya kahit nakatalikod ako, naririnig ko yong mga dialog thus figuring out the kwento.

Nothing new sa istorya, ewan ko lang sa acting ng mga lead kasi nga wala akong interes manood. Istorya ng isang mahirap na pamilya na ang tatay (played by Albert Martinez) eh inuna pa ang pagda-drugs kesa maghanap buhay. Hanggang maapektuhan ang pamilya and in the end, nasira pati ang pagmamahal at pang-unawa nong wife sa pasaway na husband.

And while LT is crying her guts out, naisip ko lang, ilang beses na kayang pinasadahan ng MMK ang ganitong plot. O ng ibang mga drama shows and soap series. Pati ng mga pelikula. Libong beses na siguro.

I have no idea kasi hindi ako masyadong mahilig sa mga soap and drama. But one thing I’m sure of, very common yong kwento. Tumingin ka lang sa paligid kahit nasaang sulok ka ng Metro Manila, you’ll see thousands of families suffering from this dilemma.

Kahit nga sa mga probinsya, talamak na rin ang problema ng droga. Marami nang buhay at pamilya ang sinira nito. Which makes you think... bakit nga ba nandyan pa rin ang droga kahit bawal at capital punishment pa ang parusa sa mga gumagawa at nagbebenta nito?

I know you’d say dahil isang malaking negosyo ito at kung idi-discuss natin ang buong scenario ng prohibited drugs eh pang-national tv na at hindi lang pang-Dantespeaks. But what we all know is the fact that it is one ugly truth in the current society na hindi na siguro mawawala pa. Unless by some stroke of miracle ay mangyari ang isang bagay.

And by miracle I didn’t mean better law enforcement. Malabong mangyari yon dahil malaking miracle ang kailangan natin para tumino ang kapulisan. We all know na kahit marami ang dedicated at marangal na policemen sa atin, marami rin ang involved sa mga illegal activities including drugs.

And by miracle hindi rin better legislation ang ibig kong sabihin. Dahil kung batas at batas rin lang ang pag-uusapan, siguro naman sobra na sa dami ng batas relating to dangerous drugs. Lalong hindi ko na sasabihing umaasa ako sa miracle for a better government. Wala na yatang matinong Presidenteng makikita ang Pilipinas. O kung meron man, madali ring kainin ng bulok na sistema at ng mga anay na nakapaligid.

And what’s the miracle na sinasabi ko? Yong isang araw ay ma-realize ng lahat ng mga drug users na isang malaking kalokohan ang ginagawa nila sa buhay nila. Yong magising sila isang araw, look at their reflections in the mirror at ma-realize nilang they could look better without drugs. That they can enjoy pure happiness sa buhay na hindi na kailangan ng pampa-high. That they can achieve better and more blissful existence na hindi fake. And with that, mare-realize nila that the superficial pleasure they are enjoying only leads to some painful ending.

Pag nangyari yon, they themselves would stop their drug abuse. Lahat sila titigil nang bumili ng kahit ano, ke shabu, coke, meth o kahit ecstasy. Pasok ngayon yong law of economics di ba. Walang demand, therefore walang supply. So tapos na ang negosyo ng mga ganid. And in the end, walang pamilyang masisira. Walang buhay na masasayang.

But wait, if I’d wish for that one thing, isasama ko na rin ang mga lasenggo. Dahil kung ang drugs ay masama ang epekto sa pamilyang pilipino, hindi rin nagpapahuli ang epekto ng alcohol abuse. The severity might be less but still, it’s another monster that threatens the stability of a family. Masama pa ang epekto sa katawan.

And if we talk about negative health effects, isama na rin natin ang yosi. Ay teka, sapol na pala ako don! Darn, itigil ko na nga ito at baka kung saan mapunta. Basta, masama ang droga so stop it. Yon lang and have a nice day!

tayo'y kumain sa jubail

I’ve been dining out a lot with a few friends or with a group (adiks) and I just remembered na meron nga pala akong nasulat years ago na review about the dining places both in Jubail and Khobar area. In-update ko lang to add a few new places na napuntahan ko. And because I have this natural gift of being highly opinionated (hahaha), i-share ko lang sa inyo yong ratings ko sa mga resto na ito. Who knows you might need something of a guide like this one. (ratings: 5 max, 1 min).

Sa Jubail area muna tayo.

Sizzler, Fanateer Mall. It was in my original list though Canton pa ito nong panahon na yon. But if Canton got a low rating from me dahil sa intrimitidong waiter, so-so food at mahal na presyo, Sizzler is now at the top of my list. Masarap ang food mostly the different steaks they offer plus meron din silang ilang oriental dishes. Love the grilled salmon! Generous ang servings plus the fact na very nice ang service ng mga kabayan natin. Libreng garlic fried rice and bottomless iced tea, aba hindi ka pa ba naman matutuwa noon! Though the place is a bit boring coz it lacks the cozy ambience of other restos. O baka naman nawala ang ambience kasi lagi kaming maiingay! Hahaha!
Food : 4
Place : 3
Price : 4
Service : 5
Total : 16

Silver Tower, Jubail. For the longest time, bago pa magsulputan ang ibang resto dito sa Jubail, eto ang favorite ko. The place offers a lot of elbow room, hindi tulad sa ibang lugar where tables were placed almost next to each other to maximize space. Gustong-gusto ko rin yong kanilang semi-spiral staircase leading to the cozy dining area. It is mainly a Korean restaurant but they also serve the usual chinese and japanese dishes. best of them (para sa akin ha) is the sizzling plate of Bulgogi. Yummm!. And, dahil nga regular na akong customer, I always get complementary appetizers and desserts. They definitely know how to value a good customer!
Food : 4
Place : 4
Price : 3.5
Service : 4
Total : 15.5

The Yacht Restaurant, Fanateer. If you want some really stunning view while dining in Jubail, this is THE place para sa akin. Mainly because ma-drama yong structure nong restaurant (shaped like a boat, obviously) which offers a scenic view of the sea if you happen to be there by day or, kung gabi na, the flickering lights of Fanateer mall and nearby commercial establishments. Maganda rin ang interiors – things that set you in a fine dining mood. Mainly oriental ang menu nila but the food is just as tasty as Silver Tower or Gulf Royal. Medyo mahal lang ang price nila pero okey naman ang service dahil may ilang pinoy na waiter who serves with much courtesy. It may be a bit far from Jubail town but hey, it’s worth the travel.
Food : 3.5
Place : 4.5
Price : 3
Service : 3.5
Total : 14.5

Applebees, Huwaylat Mall. Swerte lang ito dahil matagal bago namin na-discover (it was Raoul who found it) yong renovated resto in Fanateer (Sizzler nga). Otherwise we wouldn’t have gone back to them several times. The ambience is just as hip and yuppy as Chili’s pero may ilang observations akong medyo nagpabagsak ng rating nila. Like one time may nakita akong UFO (unidentified floating object) sa iced tea. And one or two waiters na medyo may pagka-fresh. Buti yong last punta ko don, the guy who waited on us was quite pleasant, medyo nakabawi. Food is good but a bit pricey at maliliit pa ang servings.
Food : 4
Place : 4
Price : 2.5
Service : 3
Total : 13.5

CookXoon, Jubail town. It’s the latest but not necessarily the best in Jubail. Maganda ang ambience kahit primarily Indian resto sya offering a few Chinese dishes on their menu. Gusto ko yong color and lighting scheme plus the contemporary and antiseptically clean restroom. Mura ang food pero hindi masarap. And the waiters need to learn a few more no-nos pagdating sa pagsi-serve. Ibigay ba naman agad sa akin ang bill eh hindi ko pa hinihingi! Parang pinapalayas na ako huh!
Food : 2.5
Place : 3.5
Price : 4
Service : 3
Total : 13

Sharq Restaurant, Jeddah St. Another resto with a view. This time, it’s a panoramic view of Jubail town dahil nasa 6th floor yong resto ng Sharq hotel. Reasonable ang presyo kaso medyo hindi rin tasty ang food nila. Although they have a very wide range of menu from Oriental to Indian, Continental and Arabic. Plus the medyo mabagal din na service ng mga waiter. Pag dito ka magdi-dinner, make sure you have no appointments later dahil baka ma-late ka lang.
Food : 3
Place : 4
Price : 3
Service : 3
Total : 13


Gulf Royal Chinese Restaurant, Jubail Town (Jeddah St. extension). This is one example of a cramped dining space na sinasabi ko, yong tipong dinig mo ang pag-nguya ng food ng nasa katabing table. That’s why it’s better to dine here on a regular day when you can have a quiet corner to yourself. Definitely not on weekends because somehow, napupuno rin ito ng customers who are predominantly Koreans. And, although the food is just as tasty as any other oriental restaurants, medyo mahal ang kanilang pricing. Plus the fact that I do not appreciate the chinese décor which is too contrived for my taste. At ang order, ang tagaaaallll bago i-serve!
Food : 3.5
Place : 2.5
Price : 2.5
Service : 3
Total : 11.5

These are just the better places in Jubail. Hindi ko na sinama yong iba coz I wanted to concentrate on fine dining.

Next posting sa Khobar area naman tayo pupunta.

more of susan boyle

apparently, the latest web sensation susan boyle has already waxed a recording back in 1999, a song called cry me a river. and it only proves that she is indeed an angel concealed in a 47-year old simple-looking lady.

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she still has to win britain's got talent. but hey, whatever happens from here on, she's already a winner. again, i ask: where the heck has she been hiding all along? (better yet, why?)

golden lessons of regina brett

a dear friend from jeddah forwarded this mail to me and i just can't help but share it with you. these one-liners are from regina brett, a columnist in the plain dealer, a newspaper in ohio. her lines are somehow bob ong-ish but i liked a lot of them.

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cesar, thanks a lot for sharing this nuggets of wisdom. we sure can use one or two of them in our own lives.

here are regina's 45 lessons in life:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone...

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone closes to you. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God sometimes. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others.You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34.God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come.

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

i dreamed of a mad world

i guess you know by now that i 'm a fan of singing competitions particularly american idol. so let me share a few recent acts that are now sending tongues a-wagging and youtube a-buzzing.

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adam lambert at ai8

the recent spate of bad weather took my mbc4 out and i wasn't able to watch the telecast last weekend. and darn, that's when this cover of my favorite tears for fears song was done by adam lambert! many predict that he's the one to beat in this season of ai. well if only for this glorious version of mad world, i'd definitely agree.

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susan boyle at britain's got talent

now look at that face and tell me - honestly - if you can see a singing star. if you said no, then you're just as prejudiced as the audience and the judges of britain's got talent. i was too. i was guilty as hell judging her solely for her looks. but boy, oh boy, when she sings, it's an entirely different story.

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this susan boyle was a complete surprise right from the first line of this beautiful song from les miserables. and from then on, it's wild admiration from the audience until the last bar of the song. the judges were completely surprised. the audience obviously delighted. heck, i was moved! what in the world was this lady doing for the last 47 years? she should've hit the spotlight a loooonggggg time ago!

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anyways, all i can come up with is the screenshot above and the link to her clip below. actually, i'm pissed coz all susan boyle's clips in youtube are embedding disabled! whoever posted them is soooo not cool. here's a link anyway... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow-1Xl5Ttu0

read em and cackle

Dahil nga nasa Saudi ako, hindi na ako nagugulat pag nakakakita ako ng karatulang Shopping Center kahit sa totoo lang ay maliit lang sya na grocery na tulad ng mga sari-sari store sa atin. This is just a reminder na karamihan sa kanila ay linguistically challenged, idagdag mo pa ang mga Pana, Itik, Bangla, Masri at kung ano-anong lahi na mga partner o katiwala ng mga tindahang ito.

But still, there are some establishments whose signages made me smile. Yong iba medyo napapa-huh? pa ako. Here are a few of them. Kung taga-Jubail ka rin, I’m sure nakita mo na ang ilan dito.


FU Paints. Naku kung sino man ang nag-isip nito, siguradong hindi sya nagmumura!

Al-Fajr for Adjective Materials. Say what? Adjective materials daw. Naku nag-isip talaga ako. And the only thing I can gather is that base sa meaning ng word na adjective, baka naman ibig sabihin eh decorative materials. Hindi kaya?

Fahada Exhibition. Hmmm… tanong natin kay Chenelu at Chenelyn, siguradong matutuwa sila. Fahada! Hahahah! Ooopppsss… PG itong blog ko po!

Proud to Serve You Office For General Services. Well, your name is something you can not be proud of.

Al-Basri Grossary. Grossary. Grocery. Magkatunog naman eh, di pareho na rin yon! Hahahaha!!!

Sameer Electraniks. Eto ganon din. Seym-seym na rin kaya wag ka nang mag-apela.

East Pole Aircon. A touch of genius. Akalain mong maka-imbento ng ikatlong polar axis ng mundo. Aba, kahit sinong scientist at geographer, siguradong hindi alam na may East Pole pala huh.

Sleep High. Siguro durugista ang may-ari nito. Biro mo matutulog kang high!

Jubail Liquid Gas Marketing Head Center. Hindi pwedeng left, hindi pwedeng right. Basta center of the head daw. Saan ba yon? Ah, baka ilong… hahahhaaa!

Hay naku, nakaka-baliw. Kaya pag nandito ka, wag kang maniniwala sa mga nababasa mo. It’s like living in a la-la land tulad nong isang kakilala namin, di ba Miss Jones? Hehehehe.

what's good in it?

It’s Good Friday once again. That day every year that reminds us of the greatest story of sacrifice ever told. Jesus dying a ruthless, humiliating death up on the cross. All for the love of mankind.

But just one quick thought: why is it called Good Friday? It’s the death of Jesus and yet we call it good? Isn’t this one big misnomer?

What’s good about having Jesus being tortured, bearing a heavy cross on a long walk towards his death? What’s good about the Roman centurions piercing his flesh with their spears, breaking his bones and drawing that holy blood? What’s good in those nails that kept him dangling until he gasped his last breath?

So you'll say that it's good coz it redeemed our souls? That if Jesus didn't give up his life then we all are condemned to eternal hell? Is that what you mean by good? Well, isn't that the a bit insensitive and selfish?

Why can't we call it something more appropriate. Like Mournful or Black Friday. Anything that shows our appreciation of Jesus' sacrifice. Call it anything else but not good. Coz to me, we're no less barbaric than the centurions who nailed Jesus to the cross if we call this day good. He died because of our sins. So be more appropriate. And calling this day Good is so inappropriate.

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Ah well, it’s just a simple thought, a rather trivial question. But I think it only highlights the fact that we have swallowed all that’s been passed on to us as the truth. We believed everything our parents, grandparents, parish priests and catechism teachers taught us. We believed it because it’s what our tradition, religion and beliefs told us.
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Pardon me but I just can’t help but ponder deeply when it comes to faith. Coz I believe that blind faith is just as bad as having no faith at all.

la mome piaf

It’s past migdnight but I just can’t sleep with this piece of review running in my head. Katatapos ko lang kasing panoorin ang La Vie En Rose (thanks to Dubai One Tv) at kahit inaantok na ako, the urge to jump right into my pc and peck away my thoughts is just overwhelming.

Originally entitled La Mome (the kid), La Vie En Rose is the story of the legendary French chanteuse Edith Piaf. She was born Edith Gioavanni Gassion in the 1915 Paris, had a troubled childhood, nearly went blind if it wasn’t for prayers to St. Therese, grew up in poverty, brothel and circus but later became the ultimate diva of the 40’s and 50’s. As in walang sinabi ang mga Britney Spears at Madonna sa kanyang mga tantrums. They looked like kindergartens kung ikukumpara mo sa mga kagagahan ni Edith nong kasikatan nya.

But behind the eccentric, hard-headed and sometimes bitchy lady was an extremely talented singer. And seeing what she’s gone through in her early years, you’ll forgive her sa mga kalokahan nya. And you’ll feel for her when she lost a couple of important men in her life. First, her ‘Daddy Leplee’ (played by Gerard Depardieu) who picked her up from the streets, gave her a place to sing, and named her La Mome Piaf (the whaif sparrow). Then she also lost Marcel, a boxing champ who, despite being happily married to somebody else, was Edith’s greatest love.

It was when she lost Marcel that she became dependent with morphine. Having as much as 10 shots a day, an addiction which cost her health, and, eventually her life. She was only 48 years old when she died.

Sure it’s one extraordinary story of an artist told via one beautiful film.

Olivier Dahan (the Director) did a wonderful job of telling the story in an unconventional manner. The editing swings back and forth from several time frames of the story. Which makes the film so engaging. Ang daming flashback. At kahit nong bandang ending na, may flashback pa rin which reveals one very important part of the story – na nagkaron pala ng anak si Edith. There never was a mention of the child for the most part of the film. It was only revealed doon sa scene na malapit na syang mamatay and hallucinating. She was calling the name of the child. Saka lang pinakitang nagkaanak pala sya dati na namatay sa meningitis at a very early age. Yon yong eksenang napa-AHHH ako even if I was alone watching it!

It’s one film na pag nagmulti-tasking ka while watching it, you’ll get lost. Kaya hindi ako umangat sa tv. I only rushed to get some coke and chips nong commercial gap. Nagmamadali din ako sa cr coz I don’t want to miss one single scene of the film. And when I do that, well, it only means the film is really effective. Nahawakan yong interest ko all the way.

And the interest was largely because of Marion Cotillard who played Edith. She won Oscar Best Actress in 2008 for this role. And now that I’ve seen the film, I’d say she deserved it, hands down. In fact, if I look back at the nominees during that year, si Cate Blanchett lang ang matinding kalaban nya noon. Cate was very good as Elizabeth (na napanood ko lang ulit the other night), but Marion as Edith was awesome.

She breathed life and brought back Edith Piaf on screen. From a street-wise teenager in Paris to a touring diva in the US. From the boozing and partying star to the crooked old lady who barely can walk but sang her heart out as the last curtain drew on her. I didn’t see the tiniest part of Marion on screen. It was Edith all the way.

Galing din ng make-up team nong film (they won the Oscars also). Coz they gave Marion all the looks she needed to play the part well – from a coquettish 18-year old to a sickly and dying 48-year old lady. And all the years in between.

And the musical score? Well, that’s one integral part of the film that didn’t fail. Now I’d go to sleep with La Vie En Rose playing in my head. And oh yes, puyat na ako kakasulat nito. But it’s definitely worth it. Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien.

hotnothot 7

Hotnot: Another recognition (sic) for the Philippines: we’re one of the four countries branded as ‘uncooperative tax havens’ by the G20. Along with Uruguay, Costa Rica and Labuan (Malaysian territory), the Philippines is said to be refusing to adopt new rules to encourage financial openness. Ibig sabihin, madaling magtago ang mga money launderers at embezzlers sa atin because of the laws. Eh di nga ba kaya maraming kurakot sa atin because hindi mo pwedeng bulatlatin ang mga accounts nila. Although as a Pinoy, magpo-protesta ako dito. Does it mean we’re worse than Switzerland, Lichstenstein and other European countries who are known for their eternally stringent bank secrecy rules?. Anyways, totoo man o hindi, it’s bad news for the Philippines which may be blacklisted by IMF and World Bank because of that branding. Naku, kalian na ba matatapos itong notoriety ng Pinas sa international stage? Una, naka-dalawang pwesto tayo sa top ten most corrupt countries in the world. Then, the World Bank declaring a government project to be heavily padded. Tapos ito. Aba, hindi na talaga maganda ang nangyayari ah.

Hothot : Judy Lardizabal topping the 2009 Bar Exams. What’s hot about Judy? She’s the latest example of great success from very humble beginnings. Sabi sa report, tindera ‘lang’ daw sa palengke ang nanay niya and her father is a tricycle driver. Although medyo OA yong kwento dahil may kapatid naman palang nagta-trabaho sa Germany si Judy which means, hindi lang sa pagtitinda sa palengke at pamamasada ng tricycle nakuha ni Judy yong suporta sa pag-aaral nya like what the story was supposed to dramatize. Nevertheless, hanga pa rin ako kay Judy who graduated on some social courses in UP then finished law at the San Sebastian College. She got 85.70% and topped the other 1,310 bar passers.

Hotnot: A 15-year old girl allegedly raped overnight by an Arab man. According to the report, the girl met the guy in a disco house in Malate. The guy then invited the girl to his room kung saan nag-inuman sila. Then the rape took place. Yan ang problema. In the first place, ano’ng ginagawa ng isang 15-year sa isang disco house sa Malate? Hindi ba’t dapat nasa bahay sya, gumagawa ng homework or tumutulong sa nanay nya na maglaba o mag-linis ng bahay? Tapos ngayon sisigaw ng rape? Sa iyong bata ka, halika rito at ibibitin kita ng patiwarik. At yong may-ari ng bar, ipabisita yan kay Mayor Lim. Bakit kayo nagpapa-pasok ng menor de edad? At ang mga magulang ng batang ito, ipadala kay Dr. Phil para mapangaralan sa tamang parenting.

Hothot: My man Obama shining brightly in London and Strassbourg. He got positive reviews in his first international stint since his election. Not only charming his way but also showing everybody that he really knows his business during the G20 meeting. Then he continued the same stellar performance at the Nato meeting in Germany. Malaking tulong din ang classy and brainy wife nya na si Michelle who charmed even the rigid English Queen. Isa lang ang napansin ko kay Barack: in his interviews both in London and Strassbourg, masyado siyang maingat sa kanyang mga sinasabi. He delivers his sentences in a laborious pace. In fact, I’m getting the impression that while he is saying the first part of his sentence, his brain is scrambling to formulate the middle and last part of what he wants to say. Hindi tuloy masyadong impressive ang dating. Hindi candid. But maybe because first outing nga nya sa international scene kaya masyadong maingat lang sya lalo sa choice of words. Coz he knows he’s under the world’s scrutiny. Still, good job, Sir.

the curious case of the shrinking riyal

I was just telling my friends the story nong nagbayad ako ng rent sa bahay last week. Tinaas na kasi ng realtor yong rent ko from 14k to 20k. To think na nag-start ako dito noong Dec 2003 na 10k lang ang rent.

For more than four years, ganon ang rent ko. Then March last year, tinaasan kami to 14k na. Sumabay ang may-ari at naki-uso sa mga realtor all over Jubail (I don’t know if it’s the same case sa ibang part ng KSA). Tingin ko lang, nakigaya sila sa Dubai where house rent is one, if not the highest, in the gulf region.

At nong February nga, sinabihan na ako ng realtor na magtataas na naman ulit. Yon nga, 20k na for this rat hole na may two-bedroom, 1 bath and a kitchen at wala namang living room.

Dahil ayaw kong dumanas ng hirap ng paglilipat (I have a few big pieces of furnitures/appliances), kinagat ko pa rin yong presyo. Besides, mahirap na ring maghanap ng flat. Mahal na rin kahit sa outlying areas ng Jubail town. Pero sabi ko nga sa ka-share ko, pag tinaasan pa kami ulit next payment, talagang lalayasan ko na ito. Better yet, lumayas na lang kaya ako ng Saudi.

Tumaas na kasi lahat ng bilihin dito. It all started nong may rice crisis. Nag-umpisa sa bigas where a 5kg-bag previously sold at SR 15 eh biglang naging 18, 22 at ngayon ay nasa 25 to 27 SR na. Ang 1 liter na cooking oil na dating SR 8 or 9 ay naging SR 13 na. Ang 2.5kg detergent soap (Tide) na dati’y SR 13 lang ngayon ay SR 18 na, at 1.75kg na lang.

With these increase in basic commodities, nobody else loses kungdi kaming mga dayuhang manggagawa. Hindi naman sumabay ang pag-taas ng sweldo namin. We were given some adjustments pero hindi commensurate don sa naging pag-taas ng cost of living.

Hindi naman katulad ito ng Pinas na pwede kang mag-organize ng union at mag-picket para humingi ng wage increase. Kontrata ang pinag-uusapan dito. Maswerte na nga kami at nag-bigay ng increase kahit papano ang kumpanya namin.

At kung tutuusin, double jeopardy ang nangyayari sa amin ngayon. Coz hindi lang dito kami binubugbog ng gastos. Of course sa Pinas din.

Nong nasa bakasyon ako, minsan tinanong ko ang ate kong namamalengke. Magkano kako yong dalawang piraso ng patatas. 18 pesos daw. Haaa??? Since then hindi na ako nakialam sa pamamalengke. At sa grocery, kuha na lang ng kuha at bayad ng bayad. Ang control na lang, yong mga importante na lang ang dinadampot. Hindi tulad ng dati na kung ano-ano ang nasa grocery cart.

Kaya ngayon, dagdag din ng budget sa Pinas plus the budget dito. Kaya in the end, lumiit na ang natitira sa amin. Lumiit na ang naiipon. Maaring malaki pa rin kung iku-compare sa sitwasyon sa Pinas. But still, hindi na ganon kalaki ang nagiging savings ko buwan-buwan.

And that only means na kung may target savings ka over a period of 2 years, ngayon hindi mo na yon maa-achieve at the same period. Maaring maging 3 or 4 years na yon. Meaning, tumatagal at humahaba ang sentensya mo sa Saudi. Idagdag mo pa yang global economic crisis na yan. Naku, parang nasentensyahan na yata tayo ng reclusion perpetua!!!

a bad chip off the block

As far as Filipinos are concerned, Chip Tsao is the villain of the day. His article enraged a lot of Filipinos from the domestics that he berated to the mediamen and politicians alike. And I wouldn’t be far behind. Of course I’ve got some patriotic spells too just like this stupid writer so it’s my duty to defend my country which he unceremoniously disrespected.

So he has no problem if Russians or Japanese will kill them Chinese and invade their land?. Boy that was an outright admission of cowardice, low self-steem and un-patriotism. Contrary to what he claims to be.

But if it’s the Philippines who will lord it over, he’s fighting back. Why? Because he sees Filipinos as a mere ‘nation of servants’! And he can only fight back if it’s ‘small fry’ he’s up against? Whatta prick!

But before I jack up my blood pressure unnecessarily, let me step back and say one thing: this Chip Tsao is obviously a nut case. He’s either psychologically incapacitated, mentally ill, or just plain and simple whacko.

For him to lecture his housemaid about politics and geography is pathetic. To think that Louisa has a degree on international politics. I could only assume it’s Louisa who should do the lecturing.

And for him to think of ‘hostaging’ these domestics should the Philippines pursue it’s claim on the Spratlys? That’s what I meant when I say mentally deranged.

So as I took a step back and regained my composure (together with some objectivity), let me send out some messages here:

To the UNCHR: Please look into the plight of Louisa and other domestic helpers here who, according to this Chip Tsao, are being indoctrinated and made to shout “China” whenever they hear Spratlys. This is obviously a violation of human rights and should be investigated. Punish the violators specially this bad Chip.

To the publishers and editor of HK Magazine: Wake up you guys. For an article this toxic to be published in your magazine, you must be sleeping.

To the Philippine Government: Pull out Louisa and save her from this obviously dangerous monster. She must have been suffering a lot by now. Give her back the dignity so ruthlessly taken away from her by this abusive employer. On a grander scheme of things, improve the Philippine economy so that Pinoys would no longer have to go to HK and other countries. You can start by stopping graft and corruption and serving the Filipino people in it’s truest, selfless sense. Not just your own pockets.

To my fellow Pinoys in general: Sure we all have to be angry whenever things like this pop up. But we should aso think instead of just reacting. Think about things that we can do to wipe out the contempt and disrespect in the hearts of Teri Hatchers, Jimmy Kimmels and Chip Tsaos and the likes. With our talents, skills and innate warmth, we sure can win over these devils.

And to Chip Tsao: If you really are patriotic, then don’t take foreigners into your domestic staff. Take someone from your own country. Afterall, there are many jobless men and women in the obscure provinces of China whom you should be taking into your employ. With that, you can truly be a patriotic ass.

Oh boy, whatta way to start April huh!