the year that was

Year end na naman.  As the new year approaches, kanya-kanya na naman tayo ng new year’s resolution.  Ako hindi na muna gagawa nyan.  Never ko rin naman nasunod ang mga ginawa kong resolutions dati.  Guess i lack the firmness and just plain lazy to keep self-promises.  What i did instead is look back and ponder on the year that was and take note of the milestones that happened in my life in 2011.  At dahil ang blogger eh gumawa na ng timeslide na ginawa namang timeline ng facebook, i’ll just do the same. Makiuso lang. Hehehe...

January.   I’m still in KSA and since it’s the first year that i’m officially an ‘ulilang lubos’, all i did was to offer a prayer and remember my Tatay and Nanay who are now both in heaven. January epiphany: That i've no reason to be lonely just because i'm missing my parents on occasions like this. This is the circle of life taking it's full path.  Their story is up.  And it is my turn to write my own story. So with their guidance from above, i'd better make sure my epitaph won't be nasty at all. 

February.  Third week and i’m off to Pinas for vacation. At para na rin umuwi sa Mindoro para bisitahin si Nanay on her first year anniversary.  Bisita na rin kay Tatay dahil magkasama sila sa iisang munting palasyo guarded by the angels.  February epiphany: The love you feel for a father that's long gone and a mother who recently left can never ever dissipate from your heart.  It never will. Unless isa kang suwail.

March.  Start ng final phase ng aking project sa aking bahay. Never knew it would be so complicated. A few weeks more then i’m off to KSA again. Ayon, ganon na naman ang eksena ko sa airport.  Waiting for everyone to board the plane bago pa ako pumasok.  Masama na ang titig ng ground staff dahil hindi ako kumikilos eh puro boarding call na sila. Deym... how I wish I don’t have to go back again. March epiphany:  I should be thankful na sa dami na ng beses na paroo't parito ko sa Saudi, para na lang akong sumasakay ng jeep sa pagsakay ko ng eroplano.  While thousands of our kababayans line up on various recruitment agencies everyday, wala akong karapatang mag-inarte at all.  So move your ass and don't wait for the ground staff to drag you from your seat. 

April and May. Nothing special.  Just the usual work and bits of lakwatsa and stuff.  These are the days when i indulged myself, doing things that i enjoyed doing in preparation for a major decision i’ll soon have to make.  Naalala ko pa one time, we’re on our way to my favourite resto in khobar  for the nth time and the two friends with me asked why i’m blowing some serious cash (the resto was quite pricey).  My philosophical and highly intelligent (haha) reasoning was “gusto ko nang magsawa sa ganito para pag-uwi ko ng Pinas, ok na akong mang-gantsilyo lang sa balkonahe ng bahay ko”.  Ang lalim di ba. Hahaha... Epiphany for these months:  I'm one sucker for the finer things in life.  Had i been born rich, hindi lang siguro weekly trip to the steak house ang gagawin ko. 

June...  ahhh... these are the times na namroblema ako sa aking project.  But as the saying goes, all’s well that ends well. June epiphany:  I can put some checks on my ever fiery temper.  And I can be totally rational whenever the situation requires.  Buti na lang. 

July.  Finally!  After so many years of bombarding my friends with my complaining and whining and tales of being sick and tired, mga ka-dramahan na ayaw ko na, pagod na ako, sawa na ako and all the other theatrics that go with it, ginawa ko na.  I filed my notice of non-renewal of my contract which the company would rather call resignation. 8 years and finally i’m  off to Pinas for good on the last week of the month. As i stepped into the plane, i muttered a little prayer.  Thanking the good Lord of course for the 2 fruitful ventures in Jubail.  Kasama na ang wish na sana, there will be no more third time.  And i say wish coz who am i to close doors on what the future will bring. July epiphany:  Another major decision.  Despite the reactions i get from colleagues who think quitting on a well-paying job is a crime, i couldn't be happier with what i did.  Afterall, it's a decision borne out of careful planning, thorough analysis and several versions of my financial spreadsheet.  Ganon ako when it comes to major decisions in life.  That way, i've got no room for regrets no matter what happen.
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August.  The first and second week were spent on fine tuning my new crib.  Things that i did for the first time but enjoyed them thoroughly coz, oh well, it’s my very own.  Kabit ng ganito ganyang decors.  Bili ng kung ano-anong gamit.  At ang hirap palang magpalit ng buong set ng door lock.  Magdunong-dunungan ba naman! Haha...  finally... celebrated my birthday  on the third week with all things in place.  August epiphany: Kaya ko palang gumawa ng mga bagay na akala ko ay mahirap gawin.  It's quite fulfilling to know that I can be self-reliant whenever I choose to be. 

September and October.  Laaaazzzyyyy months.  Natupad na yong sinabi ko sa 2 kaibigan.  And although i’m not actually crocheting, i’m practically living a non-descript life.  Watching tv for hours on end.  Playing games on my pc.  Sleeping late and waking up in the middle of the day, just in time para mahabol ko yong Pinoy Henyo ng EB. Oh yeah... this is life! Haha... Just enjoying the solitude of my existence in my comfortable, wide space. Aside from my weekly trips to the grocery and going to the bank once in a while, i'm soooo tamad to leave the house. Ang pinakamalayo kong narating so far?  Malibay, Pasay to visit my relatives and Molino, Cavite to attend Mau’s housewarming.  That’s it. Epiphany for these months:  Talagang-talaga na.  I'm a 100% night person.  Going to bed just when the roosters are heralding the breaking of dawn?  Deym.  I should really consider working on a call center office.  O kaya mag-sekyu.

November.  I must admit na super excited na ako sa aking first Christmas in Pinas after many years.  Kaya  2^nd week pa lang, i already started decorating the house.  Put up my first-ever Christmas tree and bought quite a few colourful lights na inumpisahan kong pailawin on the 15^th.  I bet nobody within the neighbourhood can claim na nauna silang mag-welcome ng Christmas.  Ako lang at wala nang iba. Hahaha.. November epiphany:  Totoo palang ang mahal na ng pasko.  My pathetic tree and the  bunch of lights i bought already cost a few thousand pesos.  Tama si Pope Benedict.  We should really be celebrating Christmas with its true spirit.  Not the commercialism it has become. 

December.  Ok.  I was excited for my first Christmas but it just came and went like... uh... just another day.  Except for a few friends who dropped by, i felt like the excitement i felt before was so overrated.  I still have the whole house to myself and the only noise  i hear are the sintunadong pagkanta ng mga batang nangangaroling.  Or sa bigla-biglang tawanan ng mga nag-iinuman sa aking kapitbahay.  At sa mga malalakas na tawanan at sigawan ng isa ko pang kapitbahay na obviously ay may family reunion at nagpi-Pinoy Henyo.  Makisali kaya ako! Oh heck, mag-ingay din ako.  So i went upstairs, opened the stereo and let it play kahit hangin lang ang nakikinig. And i guess i’ll do the same on new year’s eve.  December epiphany: Red wine is good for people with ailments.  Alam mo na yon fwend! hehehe... 

There you go.  12 months of my life.  Can’t wait to see what milestones my life will have in 2012.  Baka next year wala akong maisulat kungdi puro katamaran pa rin at kawalan ng events sa aking buhay.  And based on what and where i am right now, that is more likely to happen.  Hahaha!

a priest and an ironman

i was poring through the news in gma site and came across this article which i read again kahit nakita ko yong actual interview sa televised radio program ni mike enriquez.  nakakairita kasi ang mga komento nitong father bernas na ito who's obviously pro gloria sa mga banat nya.  sabi ko nga bakit kasi pinapatulan ng gma news.  porke constitutional expert daw kuno.
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as a man of robe, i was baffled why he's meddling on political issues like this.  sabagay dami nang gumagawa non.  even cbcp laging nakikisawsaw sa mga isyung politikal.  naalala ko tuloy yong nabasa ko sa bible once (oo naman, i read the bible kahit minsan). dapat ang mga pari hands off sa mga ganitong kaso.  coz the bible said na ang simbahang nakikialam sa pulitika ay daig pa raw ang babaeng patotot (learn your tagalog dude!).
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pero ito palang si bernas, kaya pala ganyan maka-komento, may konek pala kay gloria. immediate relative pala (tiyo?) ng asawa ng isang anak ni gloria.  kaya hindi na ginalang ang abito nya at nakikisawsaw sa gloria isyu.

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pero hindi si father bernas ang subject ko dito.  i'll just pray that he sees the light in his next novena.
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what i'm blogging about is one comment i saw in that article, a comment made by ironman8888 enumerating the various scandals, scams and irregularities linked to the arroyo government.  talo pa nong listahan ni ironman8888 ang weekly grocery list ko.  ganon 'daw' kadami ang katiwalian ng arroyo government. 

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i went through the list and found most of them correct.  ito yong mga isyu na alam na natin dahil pinag-piyestahan na ng media dati pero wala namang nangyari. some points on the list however, hindi ko alam at hindi ko rin alam kung gaano katotoo.  in fact ngayon ko lang nakita at nalaman ang mga ito.  at kahit ganyan kahaba yan, may kulang pa rin dahil missing from the list is the 180 million peso loan given to Ongpin through DBP na ngayon ay iniimbistagahan pa rin ng senate.  something that smells like rotten fish na sa sobrang baho ay nag-suicide pa ang isang lawyer ng DBP.
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in the end, alam naman natin na maraming dapat sagutin si gloria.  at ke tama o hindi ang listahang ito, what's important is that gloria faces justice if she is indeed guilty in any of the counts in this 'charge sheet'.  at kung hindi naman at talagang wala syang kasalanan, she should clear her name.  otherwise she'll go down the philippine history not just as the second woman president of the philippines but also a disgraced one at that.  

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here's ironman8888 list:
:

Former Pres. Arroyo govt scandals, corruption and many more..

1. NBN ZTE Scandal

2. Millions of bribe money to Congressmen and Governors (October 2007)

3. Cheating in 2004 Elections (HELLO GARCI)

4. Joc Joc Bolante Case (Fertilizer Scam, P728 Million)

5. JOSE PIDAL Bank Account (Unexplained Wealth, P200 Million)

6. NANI PEREZ Power Plant Deal ($2 Million)

7. Use of Road User's Tax for Campaigning

8. Billion Peso Macapagal Boulevard (Overprice of P532 Million)

9. Juetengate? (Illegal Numbers game kickbacks)

10. Extra Judicial Killings

11. Arroyo Moneys in Germany (Exposed by Senator Cayetano)

12. General GARCIA and Other Military Men

13. Billion Peso Poll Automation contract to(Mega Pacific) (P1.3 Billion)

14. Northrail Project($503 Million)

15.  Maguindanao Results of 2007 Elections (ZUBIRI, BEDOL)

16.  NAIA-3

17.  Venable Contract (Norberto Gonzales)

18.  Swine Scam (Exposed by? Atty. Harry Roque

19. GLORIA Arroyo son hidden assets in united states

20. EURO GENERAL'S

21. CALAMITY FUND SCANDAL.

22.  C-5 road controversy — Senator Manuel Villar

23.P550-million worth of funds from the Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration (OWWA).

24. P780-million LWUA funds-PROSPERO PICHAY

25. BISHOPS's SUV-Gloria Birthday gift

26. Arroyo linked in P325M lotto intelligence fund

27. Arroyo got P200M in kickbacks from govt projects-Zaldy Ampatuan

28. P200.41 billion or $4.6 billion in Malampaya royalties from 2002 to May this year.

29.LACSON ACCUSED FG MIKE ARROYO OF SELLING 3  REFURBISHED HELICOPTERS TO PNP AT P105 MILLION EACH

30. 600,000 metric tons of Rotten rice imported from India.Kishore Hemlani, an Indian trader allegedly close to Arroyo, reportedly bagged the P9.5 billion contract for the rice importation.

31. DATO ARROYO wife bought the condo unit for $570,000, 70-square-meter one-bedroom, one-bathroom unit (Unit No. 533) at the luxury high-rise, full-service Gramercy Towers located at 1177 California St. in upscale downtown San
Francisco.

32.- P50-million bribe to FG for the president's veto of two franchise bills

33. The additional funding led to a 41-percent spike in  advertising expenses, from P76.129 million in 2008 to P107.420 million in 2009, which went mostly to ads for Arroyo's achievements.

34. The report said the PIA received from the Department of Budget and Management a notice of cash allocations amounting to P344.789 million, even though only P222.488
million was appropriated for it under the national budget.

35.- Denial of pork barrel funds to Malacanang's political  enemies

36.- Praises for Jovito Palparan, alleged mastermind of extra judicial killings of militants

37.- Removal of govt bodyguards for former pres and Arroyo  critic, Cory Aquino

38.- Appointment of manicurist as a member of the board of  Pag-Ibig

39. Appointment of gardener as deputy of the Luneta Park  Administration.

40. MIDNIGHT APPOINTMENT of an Arroyo,RENATO CORONA, as SC Chief Justice

      200+ other illegal midnight appointments

41.- MIKEY ARROYO's undeclared properties in California

42.- Pardon of controversial convicted criminals like Ninoy's murderers

43.- EO 464; requiring Cabinet members to seek presidential clearance before testifying in Congress hearings

44.- Promise (on Rizal Day) to not run for the presidency in 2004

45.- "Vote Buying" by giving away Philhealth cards

46.- Taxpayers' money for her giant billboards and and PCSO tv campaign ads[/b]

47- Appointment of Ben Abalos, a staunch GMA ally, as COMELEC chair

48.- Mikey Arroyo's importation of 32 thoroughbred horses from Australia worth P384 million.

49.Former First Gentleman Mike Arroyo used 2 choppers 16 times, son Mikey 69

50.PNoy: PAGCOR spent P1 BILLION on coffee

51.Jose Miguel Arroyo owned helicopters’ all Robinson R44 Raven Is with Series Nos. 1370 to 1374
A total of $1,423,025 was paid to Lionair for the five helicopters.

52.Pagcor ‘pabaon’ to Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo: P345M

53.The godmother’s ties to the Pinedas(Jueteng lord)

54. Glorietta 2 and Batasan bombings  The Glorietta 2 bombing happened during the height of the bribery case which took place in Malacañang.

55. Misuse of Balikatan funds Navy Lt. Nancy Gadian revealed an alleged malversation of funds in 2007

56. Solon: Charge Gloria Arroyo for taking P98-M from PNoy's social fund

57. 50 MILLION PABAON GENERALS   Former Armed Forces chiefs of staff Narciso Abaya, Dionisio Santiago, Generoso Senga, Hermogenes Esperon, and Alexander Yano,chiefs of staff – Angelo Reyes, Diomedio  Villanueva, and Roy Cimatu and MANY MORE..

58.Colmenares: GMA had P488 billion in 'pork.

59. P1 BILLION down the drain in Arroyo-era jatropha project—DOST chief

60. President Arroyo and her group had an outlandish dinner in Le Cirque, a French restaurant in Manhattan, New York for the cost of $20,000 or P1,000,000 as reported in the New York Post.

61. GMA lying to SC saying we have extradiction treaty with Spain.

here's the link to the article where you'll find ironman8888's comment from the many posts at the bottom

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/240694/news/nation/bernas-likens-pnoy-to-fidel-castro-for-criticizing-corona

erratum

even back in ksa, i've always watched BBC's  Fast Track coz it shows places around the world that i, for financial reasons of course, can only dream of visiting.  yesterday, i chanced upon the latest episode while snacking on some tasty peanut and coke.  

the episode mentioned the new 7 wonders of the world but i heard something that made me go 'huh???'.  who wouldn't if you hear this line 'and indonesia's puerto princesa underground river'!

i immediately went online and searched their facebook page.  i was thinking of palawan's mr. hagedorn campaigning so hard for ppur to win and tagging it incorrectly is one great injustice to him,  our kababayans in palawan and the filipino as a whole (i ain't over reacting here, am i? hehe). 

seriously, i sent several text votes for ppur to win and i can't let one wrong report put that to waste.

BBC promised to issue an erratum. 

one patriotic duty accomplished!

ikaw, anong ipapaputol mo?

ayan na nag-umpisa na ang giyera.  with the arrest warrant served, ito na yong start ng labanan na matagal na nating inaantay.  and if the airport fiasco last tuesday is any indication, the filipino people is in for a ride more dizzying than the roller coaster in my neighboring enchanted kingdom. forget geneva's histrionics in survivor.  this is prime time drama at its best.

cool na cool daw at pa-smile-smile lang si GMA when she was served the warrant yesterday.  siguro talagang expected na nya.  or, sa kundisyon nga naman nya na bedridden, may contraption na nakakabit sa katawan and most of all, nanghihina from a health problem na hindi pwedeng remedyuhan itapal man ang milyones nya sa kanyang katawan, ano pa nga ba naman ang magagawa ni tita glo.  just smile and let her hordes of brilliant lawyers handle the situation.
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kaso hindi pwedeng si attorney topacio ang magpa-finger print.  hindi rin pwede si elena baustista-horn ang magpa-mug shot kahit angelic beauty pa si former ltfrb boss.  at lalong hindi pwedeng ilagay ang pangalan ni mr mike in place of her name sa docket ng pasay court. it really is her battle now.

and all the people around her can do is bark like hound dogs to protect their master.  and do some maneuvers na kung mahina-hina si sec de lima, tibag agad ang gobyerno ni PNoy sa pangako nitong panagutin si former president GMA sa mga 'atraso' nito kay juan dela cruz.  with 6 counts of plunder (na ewan naman at hanggang ngayon eh hindi pa rin maisampa sa korte) plus the monster of 'em all, electoral sabotage, talagang mababali ang gulugod ng kahit sinong haharap dito.

umpisa pa lang ng laban pero ang saya-saya na ng labo-labong nangyayari.  ang daming damay, nakikiramay at damay-damay sa gulong ito.  even the brightest script writers of tv networks will find it hard to concoct such a huge plot like this. look nyo na lang.

plot 1: itlog o hotdog?  sabi ni atty topacio nong hinarang sila sa airport, ipapaputol nya raw ang isang betlog nya pag hindi bumalik sa bansa ang former first family.  buti na lang hindi naka-alis si ate glo.  or else, mababawasan ang pagkalalki ni attorney.  ang tanong lang, may bading naman kayang mag-abang sa tapat ng hospital window where attorney will get castrated? hmmm...  eh papatalo ba naman ang administrasyon?  si majority floor leader neptali gonzales II, ipapaputol daw naman ang ulo nya pag na-impeach si PNoy.  walang masyadong nag-reak sa  statement nya.  pero kung naging mas naging specific sya kung anong ulo ang ipapaputol,  baka may pumatol pa sa sinabi nya.

plot 2: isumbong mo kay tulfo! nong nag-issue si sec de lima ng wlo against the arroyos, tumakbo sila sa supreme court.  porke uncostituional daw.  ang sc naman, without even asking doj why oh why delilah, este de lima pala, issued the tro.  oh di nakuha ng mga arroyo ang gusto nila.  sabay belat kay sec de lima.  sabi naman ni sec de lima, aba bakit, kayo lang ba ang marunong nyan?  ako naman ang magsusumbong kay judge jesus mupas. and presto, after just a few hours, hindi lang hdo ang in-issue ni judge.  arrest warrant pa!  mas malakas ang belat ni sec de lima! but wait! eto at susumbong daw ulit ang kampo ni gma sa supreme court.  at ipapa-bura ang kasong sinampa ng joint comelec-doj.  syet, kala ko di na uso ang rigodon!

plot 3 : lucky me supreme.  this is more on the supreme court.  kahit naman sa mga beauty contest or amateur singing contest, pag kabig mo ang majority ng judges, aba syempre panalo ka. and we know for a fact that 8 out of 15 in that body ay appointees ni gma.  7 justices at pang-8 ang chief justice na inihabol ni gma in the nick of time bago umupo si PNoy.  kaya talagang mahihirapan silang ipaliwanag sa madlang pipol ang ginawa nilang pag-kampi kay gma (or would they even care? dont think so).  also, they cannot claim integrity and moral high ground.  lalo yong credibility.  dahil may ilang mga palpak na rin silang ginawa before.  mga bigay-bawing decision.  most recent of which is the palea case.  anyo yon, nag-decide sila last year with finality tapos biglang binawi at mali daw yong decision na ginawa last year?  so how can you expect juan dela cruz to give you the utmost trust and respect? ang masakit nito, despite everything i've said, they still have the supreme authority on anything.  kaya ayan at kahit anong kaso ang isampa kay gma, isang takbo lang nila sa supreme court, isang sigaw ng 'unconstitutional', wag na tayong magtaka kung ano man ang kanilang maging desisyon.  do i hear gma camp singing i've got the supreme court on my side... lukcy me!?

plot 4: the biggest bullhorn. i'm sure napansin nyo rin to.  kung si gma may elena bautista-horn na sweet na sweet magsalita pero sour na sour ang mga sinasabi, meron ding cool but biting edwin lacierda ang malacanang.  nandyan din si attorney topacio na very passionate sa mga sinasabi (thus the betlog putulan statement) pero mas passionate si sec de lima pag nagsalita with matching twang and diction minus the putulan betlog statement.  at akala nyo ba yang dalawang panig lang na yan ang palakasan ng microphone, pabonggahan ng press releases at paramihan ng press con?  na-ah! dont leave sc's atty midas marquez out of the picture.  i'm sure we'll see more of him in the future. it's a battle of the loudest speaker.  and biggest, most irritating bullhorn.

plot 5:  the left, the right and the middle.  ano pa nga ba eh di kampi-kampihan na.  mga pulitiko, experts, kongresista, mga senador, at kahit sinong mahagip ng tv camera, kanya-kanyang manok na.  kanya-kanyang statement.  kanya-kanyang expert opinion kuno.  dyan hindi nagkukulang ang pilipinas.  sa dami ng mga marurunong.  ng mga geniuses.  ng mga expert.  ng mga 'authorities'.  each one claiming to have the final say pagdating sa isang issue.  pero wag ka, halata namang puro biased ang mga pinagsasabi.  epal na epal sila compared sa mga hirit ni sen miriam.  hagalpak na naman ako ng tawa sa kanyang 'i wanna commit suicide'! bwahahaa...  pero yon nga, kampihan na sa kaliwa at kanan.  pero ang nasa gitna?  ang kawawang si juan dela cruz.  coz afterall the grandstanding, the chaos and when the dust had settled, naiwan si juan dela cruz na nakatanga sa langit, wondering what in the world had happened, at wala namang kinapuntahan ang pinag-awayan.  in short, talo pa rin si juan dela cruz.  at babalik na lang sya sa kanyang barong-barong, kakain ng kaning lamig na walang ulam.  at aasang bukas ay maging mas maganda ang takbo ng pilipinas.

lima pa lang yan pero ang dami-daming notable plots sa nangyayaring gulong ito.  pero sabi ko nga sa fb wall ko, whatever happens, kahit anong maniobra ang gawin ng magkabilang panig, ang importante at gusto kong makita after all is said and done, ay hustisya para kay juan dela cruz.  parusahan ang may kasalanan.  kung ninakawan tayo ng bilyon-bilyong piso, ibalik ang perang yan.  maawa naman kayo sa mga kababayan nating namamatay araw-araw ng dilat ang mata.  manood kayo ng mga documentaries ng gma-7 para makita nyo kung gaano kalunos-lunos ang hirap ng buhay ng karamihan ng ating mga kababayan.
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at tulad nga ng sinabi ni sec de lima, tama na ang mga compa-compassion.  this is the time that we have to bring the culprit to justice. sobrang kawawa na ang inaabot ng mga pilipino.  tama na ang pang-aabuso ng ilang mga ganid sa bayan.  if they really have done the country injustice, let them face the consequences. let them be reminded that usurpers of power can never scape the claws of justice.  at ang mga swapang at diktador na tulad ni ghadafi, their stories end in gruesome fashion.  hindi papayag ang mga pinoy na lagi na lang dinadaya at tinatapakan.  only marquez do that to pacman.

11.11.11

11th hour this 11th day of the 11th month of the 11th year of the second millenium... nothing extraordinary happening to my life so far and most likely it's gonna be this way the whole day coz i'm just holed up in my crib....

01.11.11

let this light be the love that breaks the darkness of  missing your presence in my life...

for Tatay and Nanay

 

 

for Jepoy

ds turns 4!!!

despite the many days of laziness and a few uninspired posts, DS is still much around and yes, we're on our 4th year!!!

let me grab this chance to say i wasn't too happy when i shifted to this new blogger format.  it may look hip and cool and very much updated but i lost quite a few features from the old theme like the site counter. blog links and most specially the followers widget. 

so to you my friends who are following this site, my apologies if i lost you on the sidebar.  blame it on the blogger team. and oh yeah, to me of course coz i didn't save my old theme before switching to this one. darn!

anyhooo... many thanks to those who still visit this page even just to snoop around.  or to those passers by who might be looking for something else but was drawn by something they saw and fancied.  huge thanks of course to the followers despite the posts that are sometimes as scarce as the rain in the mojave desert.

thanks guys.  hope you'll stick around as long as DS is around. 

si juan tanga... nganga

mike enriquez's imbestigador had a special episode last night in gma news channel (na ngayon para sa akin ay kaagaw na ng gma 7 pagdating sa aking viewing hours). ang nakakatawa at nakaka-intrigang title ng episode ni mike : juan tanga.  tinalakay kasi nya doon ang intellectual capacity ng mga pinoy. tayong mga magagaling mag-ingles at dati ay isang intellectual powerhouse within Asia pero ngayon ay nagiging mga juan tanga na raw according to mike's report.

paanong hindi ay bumababa na nga raw ang kalidad ng edukasyon sa atin.  in recent surveys ng mga colleges and universities sa buong mundo, not one single Philippine university made it to the top 100.  not even UP na dati ay isa sa mga pinaka-prestigious among the universities in Asia.

sa program ni mike, na-shock ako ng makita ang mga text book na tadtad ng mali at kung ano-anong ka-tangahan. ang mga libro na dapat ay accurate at mataas ang quality dahil daig pa nito ang bible kung paniwalaan at i-memorize ng mga mag-aaral.  pero wag ka, nakaka-ngiwi at nakaka-himagsik ang mga nakasulat.   sinong hudas ang nag-isip na gamiting example ang salitang 'bra' para turuang bumasa o bumaybay ang isang elementary student?  

ah, bago ko nga pala malimutan, may scam din nga pala ang text book dati noong panahon ni Gloria.  ito na siguro yon. nakakangitngit na dahil sa kasakiman at pagiging gahaman ng ilan, pati mga batang dapat matuto ng tama ay inagawan ng chance sa isang matino at disenteng edukasyon.  mabulok sana ang mga kaluluwa nyo kung meron man kayo non!

naku naha-high blood ako pero buti na lang pinatawa ako ng mga in-interview sa program ni manong mike. ang mga kabayan nating buong ningning na sumagot ng ganire.... 

tanong:  ano ang pambansang ibon?

sagot ni manong: tarat! (naka-smile pa yon huh!)

tanong: ano ang pambansang prutas?

sagot ni manang:  saging... lakatan... (oh di ba very specific pa!)

pati nga mga commercial signs, kung dati ay pinagtatawanan ko yong mga kumakalat sa internet na mga signages from india at ibang lugar na katawa-tawa ang mga spelling, dito pala sa atin marami na rin.  mga grammar na nagta-tumbling, spelling na nakaka-hilo at simpleng full the string na nakaka-windang.  

sa araw-araw na panonood ko ng tv, may napansin na rin akong mali sa mga commercials.  to think na ito ay gawa ng mga tapos sa college, supposedly mga intelihenteng nilalang.  pero hindi siguro nag-ingat kaya may sablay.

tvc#1:  knorr pang-gisa mix....  mahal na raw ang mga pang-sahog sabay pakita ng kamera sa mga  tinda sa isang palengke.  120/kl ang nakalagay na presyo ng manok.  napa-huh ako.  kelan pa naging KL ang abbreviation ng kilo?  di ba't ang kilo ay pina-ikling kilogram.  at ang abbreviation noon ay KG?  ewan ko sa inyo pero kung KL ang gamit ng mga magtitinda sa palengke na obviously ay mali, bakit hindi man lang ninyo tinama sa inyong tvc?  now that you've condoned it, eh di lalong iisipin ng marami na tama nga yon.  

eto pa...

tvc#2 : ang siksik-sulit nido commercial ni kris with her son bimby.  maganda at cute pero mali ang mga linya.  sulit, according to kris is getting more than what you paid for.  pero kung iisipin mo maige, sulit means getting your money's worth.  and getting more than what you paid for is a steal or a bargain.  that's whammy number 1.  and now whammy number 2: ang siksik ay hindi 'full of nutrients'.  kelan pa naging full ang siksik?  full is puno. ang siksik, packed. kaya dapat 'packed' with nutrients. kris should have talked it out with the production people, lalo na sa scriptwriter dahil nagmukhang nagtuturo sya ng mali-mali sa anak nya.

sige last na lang...

tvc#3:  ang pldt internet commercial where a guy proposed to the girl via webcam.  sabi ng guy 'can we go to the next level'...  ahahaha...  literal talaga ha.  you don't "go" with your girl to the next level.  you 'take' your relationship to the next level.  ay sus!

i linked these tvc's to mike's episode dahil ang punto ko, hindi lang ang masang pinoy ang lumalaylay ang kaalaman.  mukhang pati ang mga supposedly ay mga learned and educated, lumalaylay na rin at hindi nababantayan ang kanilang ginagawa.  to think na ang television, lalo ang mga tv commercial na ganito ay malaki ang impluwensya sa masang pinoy.  at kung dadami pa ang mga ganitong tvc na walang ingat at basta na lang makagawa ng kung ano, baka next year, ang imestigador ni mike, ang title na ay 'juan, mas lalo pang tumanga'.  

i really hope the government sees the need to prioritize education in it's agenda.  at huwag sanang tipirin ang budget nito.  nakita na natin dati ang galing ng pinoy.  hinangaan sa buong mundo.  kahit saang sulok, welcome ang pinoy workers dahil alam nilang magagaling tayo.  pero kung ganito ng ganito ang mangyayari sa ating edukasyon, siguradong darating ang panahon na mawawala ang pag-galang na yon.  at pati ang mga job opportunities na dati ay laging tayo ang priority, sabay mawawala na rin. 

at siguro hindi ko na kailangang i-elaborate kung ano ang magiging epekto noon sa isang ekonomiya tulad ng sa atin na lumulutang lang dahil sa dollar remittances ng overseas workers na tulad ko.  wag na nating antayin na ang magin ending natin, sabi nga ng paborito kong EB, pare-pareho tayong nganga!

saan ka - puti o itim?

Kakatapos ko lang panoorin ang Locked Up Abroad ng National Geographic Channel and this particular episode was entitled Saudi Whisky Run. Kwento ito ng isang British expat named Gordon Malloch who worked in a military hospital in Riyadh back in the late-90’s.  Dahil sa pera, sinuway nya ang isa sa mga pinaka-bawal sa Saudi – ang pagbebenta ng alak.  In the end, na napaka-obvious naman sa title nong program, nahuli at nakulong sya.

He started out small-time.  Tulad nong very common na naririnig ko sa Saudi na parang may homework lang sa high school chemistry.  Nagmi-mix ng juice, sugar and yeast na i-iimbak sa isang container for a few weeks tapos presto, may alak na. Ang masakit, hindi lang for personal consumption ang project nya.  Ginawa nya itong negosyo.  He sells as much as 50 liters of red or white wine sa isang delivery lang.  

Dahil may military pass sya dahil nga sa trabaho nya, hindi naging problema ang pagde-deliver kahit may mga check points. Though there were several instances na muntik-muntikan na syang masilat sa check point, basta nakita ang ID nya sa military hospital, nakakalusot sya. And these instances made him believe that he’s invincible.  And that he’s unstoppable.

Kaya hindi sya nakontento sa small time. Ilang panahon lang, he went big time.  In one of his weekend trips to Bahrain, may nakilala syang supplier na nakakapag-puslit ng whisky – the real thing – at sya ang ginawang distributor in and around Riyadh area.  Kwento nya, there was a time that he was keeping at least 200 bottles of Black Label in his backyard warehouse in his villa. 

His troubles started nong may nakilala syang isang prince na sya mismong um-order sa kanya ng 10 cases nong alak.  For the first time, kinabahan na sya.  But the greed for money at dahil nga akala nya his luck wouldn’t run out, tinuloy pa rin nya ang deal.  Immediately after that, ni-raid ang bahay nya.  Syempre nakuha ang kahon-kahong ebidensya.  

Mula sa pagbibilang ng limpak-limpak na riyales, biglang-biglang mga suntok na ng mga pulis ang binibilang nya.  He was thrown into Al-Malaz Prison, walang trial-trial at na-sentensyahang makulong  ng 3 taon, may bonus pang 800 lashes.

Kahit dramatization lang yong mga eksena buhat sa pagka-aresto nya hanggang sa buhay nya sa loob ng kulungan, sobrang realistic pa rin ang dating.  It made me cringe. (Though let me point out na ang mga ginamit na muttawa, to me, looks like ordinary Saudis at hindi yong talagang heavily bearded white-clad religious police na itsura pa lang ay nakakatakot na).

Medyo maswerte pa rin sya dahil hindi pa nya naranasan yong lashes at kalahati lang nong 3 year sentence ang na-serve nya pero nabigyan sya ng pardon.  He didn’t mention anything about his embassy working on his case but I suppose his government has had something to do with the unexpected amnesty.  And now he can tell his story, teary-eyed at some point, from the comforts of his home in Scotland. 

Halos dalawang dekada din akong nabuhay at nagtrabaho sa Saudi.  At dahil alam ko ang kalakaran ng buhay doon, naintindihan ko ang istorya ni Gordon.  Though I wouldn’t justify his greed at talaga namang mali yong paraan ng pagkita na ginawa nya, nauunawaan ko yong punto nya na kumita ng mas malaki kesa sa sweldo nya.  Afterall, he’s there for the money (aren’t we all?).  

At dahil nga matagal akong nagtrabaho sa bansang yon (and heaven knows kung madadagdagan pa yong 18 years – i’m in a lull but not putting a full stop to my ofw career as of yet), I can say with conviction na sa mga expat workers, mas malaki ang porsyento ng mga pasaway kesa mga sumusunod sa mga batas ng bansang yon.  To state it a little bolder, madalang – kung meron man – na makakapagsabing wala silang nilabag na kahit anong batas ng bansang yon (sige kayo, ang kidlat baka hindi mag-agree!).  

Hindi lang dahil sa simpleng pasaway.  Pero ang pinaka-ugat kasi non, ang katotohanang napakraming bawal . Kaya kung ikaw ay galing sa isang malayang bansa tulad ng UK at syempre Pinas, mahirap talagang sundin ang batas nila at iwasan lahat yong mga sinasabi nilang bawal. 

Alisin na natin yong addiction sa mga bawal na bisyo.  Like alak, sabong at ibang form of gambling.  Wag na nating ibilang  yong mga taong talagang may addiction sa mga ganyang bagay.  Lalo yong mga adik sa recreational drugs. Kasi in the first place, hindi na lang sana Saudi ang pinuntahan nila kung ganon.  

Ang focus na lang natin, yong karamihan ng mga kababayan nating manggagawa na walang ibang nasa utak nong mag-abrod kungdi ang kumita ng mas malaki para sa ikagaganda ng buhay ng kanilang pamilya.  Yong mga medyo mabait, medyo matino at medyo takot na taong tulad ko (and that’s not open for argument! Hahaha).  

Gusto kong isipin na naging isang matino at maayos akong  Pinoy OFW sa bansang yon.  Pero kung hahatiin sa dalawang grupo ang mga expats doon – itim para sa mga may ginawang paglabag at puti para sa mga mababait at malilinis na walang kahit anong bahid, sumunod 100% sa batas, siguradong hindi sa puti ako mapupunta. 

Hindi dahil sa pasaway ako.  Hindi dahil sa may bisyo ako. Pero mahirap lang talagang gawin na huwag lumagpas sa guhit kung napakaliit ng demarcation line na pinapayagan kang galawan mo. Isang simpleng pagkikilala ng isang babae at lalaki - something na normal at non-issue sa Pinas - ay isang paglabag sa batas kung nasa Saudi ka. 

Sa akin, dalawang halimbawa na lang ang gagamitin ko para hindi ito masyadong humaba (as in maraming justification? hahaha).

Hindi ako manginginom pero may ilang beses din akong napaharap sa inuman.  Just for the company of friends na mas masarap kasama lalo kung nagkakantahan pa sa videoke. Pampalipas oras.  Pang-alis homesick. Pero di ba, it’s one big irony kung nagkataon dahil kahit hindi ako umiinom (or in rare occasions na napipilit ako ng sinasabi nilang social drinking), nandon pa rin ako at sabit pa rin ako sa hulihan kung minalas-malas.

During my early years, nag-attend na rin ako ng bible study sa imbitasyon ng isang kaibigan.  Ito hindi na bisyo.  Bible na ang usapan dito.  Religious.  With higher purpose.  Pero bawal pa rin.  At paglabag pa rin yon sa isa sa pinag-babawal ng bansang yon.

Counting the many same people like me na takot sa pulis at siguro’y mamamatay sa takot kung maisasakay sa police car kaya hindi intentionally gumagawa ng pag-labag sa batas.  And yet lumalabag pa rin sa batas in one way or another, sa maliit at kahit walang kakwenta-kwentang paraan.  Yon yong sinasabi kong malaking percentage na may violation pa rin ng law.  Kaya sa itim pa rin ang bagsak kahit relatively ay mababait na expat sa bansang yon.

Ang kagandahan nito, madalang sa mga taong ito ang napapahamak dahil marunong silang gumamit ng katakot-takot na pag-iingat.  Dahil sa totoo lang, may kaunting tolerance din naman ang mga tao doon.  Oo at gumagawa ka ng paglabag.  Pero gawin mo na lang sa loob ng kwarto o bahay mo.  Kung hindi nila nakikita, walang issue.  Kung hindi nila alam, wala silang pakialam.

Pero kung talagang pasaway ka, lumalabag dahil akala mo ay hindi ka tatamaan ng malas, sa mga tulad ni Gordon na pasaway na ay matigas pa ang kukote, ang problema ay nandyan lang sa tabi-tabi.  And the reality of getting caught is almost as sure as the sandstorm that brings the change of seasons. And needless to say, this is the last place on earth you’d want to have a run-in with the law.   It is the place you wouldn't want to be locked up. 

a gloomy afternoon

its just another lazy, gloomy friday afternoon.  i was slouched on the couch ready to doze off when this song came up on tv.  it's been ages since the last time i've heard it.  and with the rain threatening to pour and further dampen my already bored spirit, i immediately drowned with a warm feeling of nostalgia. 

then sleep abandoned me altogether.

one plus one can never be one

I still have to watch In A Better World from Denmark to find out why it beat Incendies in the Oscars for Best Foreign Language Film this year.  But until then, I’d give Incendies the golden statuette coz it gave me 2 hours of captivating story, terrific acting, vivid cinematography, haunting music, and as a whole, a wonderful piece of work. Even the notoriously merciless Rotten Tomatoes site gives it a 92% fresh rating.

Adapted from a play called Scorched, Incendies is a story of a family borne out of war.  The film starts in Canada when twins Jeanne and Simon were being read their mother’s will.  The mother, Nawal, asks Jeanne to find their father and Simon their long-lost brother.  Only after delivering the letter they can bury her and put a tombstone on her grave.  Jeanne readily accepted the will but Simon, on the contrary felt strongly against the whole idea.    

The mission takes Jeanne back to post-war mid-east country (one site said it was Lebanon) where their mother’s name evokes disdain from people who knew her.  It was a long and arduous process for Jeanne to find the roots of her mother.  This is where flashes of Nawal’s story takes us to a war-torn country, a beautiful place turned to ruins because of the conflict between faiths and religion.  In the end of Jeanne’s search, she was made to believe that their father, Wahab, is already dead.  Or so she thought.

Then came Simon who had no choice but to fulfill his mother’s last wish. Simon’s search for the long-lost brother led him to more complex revelations providing the surprising, disconcerting and controversial ending.

First of the many credits of the films is the acting.  Lubna Azabal, born in Brussels to a Moroccan father and Spanish mother, gave a compelling portrayal of Nawal.  Her struggles, her ideology and her story is the one that kept my eyes firmly planted on the screen.  

Plus the breathtaking cinematography.  The barren yet beautiful countryside, the dark corners of a city ravaged by war, the birthing scenes, even the picture of a woman beside a burning bus, the pictures painted on the screen are postcard-worthy.   

The music, although definitely contemporary, provided a heartfelt background to many critical scenes.  It was surprising to learn that many of the songs were actually performed by a rock band (Radiohead).  

Making the story telling more interesting is the editing.  Telling the story of Jeanne and Simon in parallel with the story of Nawal requires editing to shuttle in and out of several time frames.  It’s tricky but the editing team rendered clean and precise work.  

Of course it’s all because of the masterful direction by Dennis Villenueve.  He was able to tell a rather dark story but gave it heart and soul for us to be able to go ohh and ahh until the last frame of the film. In the end, it is one film that I will never forget so soon.

Interesting.  Captivating.  Superb.  Incendies once again reiterate what I’ve always been saying here in DS:  Holywood does not have the monopoly to excellent films.   

And oh by the way, where did the title of this post come from?  You’ll find out towards the end of the film. And with that I'm saying go watch it.  It's worth your time.

hot soup + gata = cr

Watched Josh Hartnett’s I Come With The Rain and after almost two hours of trying to figure out the whole sense of the film, I finally understood why it went straight to DVD after being shown in one or two countries (Japan lang yata).  Super flop pala ito.  According to one film site, its budget was US$ 18 million pero wala pa yatang 4 million ang kinita.  Kasi nga, wala palang kwenta yong pelikula.  

It’s like you were having some hot Chinese soup dahil sa violent and gory scenes na kung mahina ang sikmura mo, you’d throw up whatever you’ve had for dinner.  Then biglang-bigla, susubuan ka ng ginataang kuhol dahil sa faith healing angle doon sa bida.  Na di bale sana kung mala-Himala ni Ishmael Bernal ang tinakbo ng istorya.  But it was placed in the whole film in a bad juxtaposition of the unbelievable against raw realism of violence, tons and tons of blood, ruthless killing and so on. So imagine the hot soup and the gata mixed with bad acting, editing and directing, siguradong tatakbo ka sa CR to throw up.

Nakaka-irita ang editing dahil ang daming scenes na pinuputol tapos ibabalik din wala namang sense yong cutting through na ginagawa.  For me it was a dire effort on the part of the director to make the film interesting pero sa totoo lang it was one heck of a boring stuff.

Josh played Kline, a cop who left the force, became a private investigator hired by a billionaire to trace his missing son.  The son, Shitao, went to Mindanao (Philippines, of course) and after a while disappeared.  Nagkaron ng ilang eksena sa Mindanao dahil pumunta doon si Kline para hanapin (na ang dali namang nakita) ang isa pang PI na nauna na sa kanyang naghanap sa missing son.  Pumasok pa si Kline sa isang cheapy-cheapy bar na naka-all the way ang mga babaeng sumasayaw (Gintong Araw pa ang sinasayaw ng mga hubad na buvae? Anong panahon pa ito?).  Walang kwenta, walang dating at walang sense ang pagpasok nya sa bar.  Basta lang maisingit ng director para may nudity sa film.  At buti na lang hindi ito naipalabas sa mga sinehan sa Pinas dahil siguradong sisigaw ng protesta ang Gabriela, ang mga moralista at lalo ang simbahan.

Wala na si Shitao sa Mindanao, nasa HongKong daw.  Takbo si Kline sa HK.  At doon na tumakbo ang halos kabuuan ng istorya.  Si Shitao pala ay naging isang faith healer living in squalor just outside the skirts of HK’s urban jungle.  May kapatid sya, si Lili na hawak ng isang local gangster na si Su Dongpo.  Pinagselosan si Shitao ni Su Dongpo, binaril, sapol ng ilang bala sa dibdib, pinako pa sa isang plank (in the position of a cross) pero sa ending buhay pa rin (faith healer nga eh ano ba!).  Si Lili naman, instead na ipaliwanag na kapatid nya si Shitao, nag-emote lang ng nag-emote instead of screaming on top of her lungs that ‘he’s my brother, he’s not a pig!’ ayyy Ate Guy pala yon.  Kaya ako’y iritang-irita sa eksenang yon.  

Pinakita din don sa part na yon kung anong nangyari kay Shitao sa Mindanao.  Binaril din sya ng henchmen ng isang mayamang tao sa Mindanao.  Sapol din ng apat na bala sa dibdib.  Inuod na pero nabuhay. Himalaaaa!  Hindi pinaliwanag kung paano sya napunta sa HK. Basta naging faith healer na sya after that.  May eksena pang he’s mobbed by the poor and sickly na natawa ako sa inis dahil parang Thriller ni MJ ang dating! Aaarrgghh!

In some parts, nagpaka-Jonathan Demme (i-research nyo kung di nyo kilala hahaha) ang director na si Tran Anh Hung dahil may istorya si Kline that happened 2 years before.  He followed Hasford, a serial killer who mutilates the bodies of his victims at ginagawang sculptures.  Hasford’s psyche was so powerful at na-contaminate si Kline.  After Kline killed Hasford, he practiced the ‘contamination’ dahil pinugutan nya rin ng ulo si Hasford. And so his mental anguish started to haunt him.  Kaya lagi syang may nightmares kahit nasa Mindanao sya or nasa HK.  Itong plot na ito ay parang kinuha sa mental and psychological warfare na ginawa ni agent Starling (Jodie Foster) with Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins).  I think Josh accepted the role thinking that it was an acting vehicle that could make Oscars finally notice him. 

Kaso nga it was a bad story line with amateurish directing. Para ka lang nanonood ng stylized action film tungkol sa triad.  Neo-noir daw yong genre nong film but it was mostly sleek and crisp.  What's bad is that masyadong staged ang mga eksena. Acting na acting ang mga gumanap from Josh to the Asian actors.  Nakaka-distract pa ang mga corny na wardrobe ni Su Dongpo at ng kanyang cohorts.  Kaya ayon, mega-flop sa takilya.

What’s interesting about the film? Hmmm… at least may ilang songs akong narinig na maganda.  Hanapin ko na lang yong OST. Yong film? Diretso sa trash bin!

itanong kay malabanan

Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank, one of the major winners in the recently concluded Cinemalaya film festival in CCP is currently having its commercial run. (Thanks to Cinemalaya for deciding to show it in regular theaters)  Isa ako sa mga nanood nong Saturday (SM Sta Rosa) and I was pleased to see na marami ding Pinoy ang nagka-interes panoorin ang ganoong klase ng pelikula. Kaso lang, hindi lahat ng nanood, na-appreciate yong film.  I heard a few people on our way out saying ‘ang pangit naman’ or ‘ano ba yon ganon lang’.

Obviously they didn’t like the film. Or should I say hindi nila nasakyan. Siguro hindi pa masyadong sanay sa mga indie. Or, porke nasa SM cinemas, they were expecting to see the usual mainstream movies na napapanood nila na may iyakan, sampalan, suntukan or anything that follows a formulaic pattern of commercial film making.

Pero sa totoo lang, kumpletos rekados yong pelikula.  Sabi nga sa mga nabasa ko, it’s a 5-in-one film.  Kaya nandon lahat yong element ng isang commercial film.  Iba nga lang ang treatment kasi nga indie.

The main story is about a trio of young film makers who wants to make a film called Walang Wala (natawa ako dito) na ang nasa isip agad ay international film festivals.  F**k Cannes, Oscars daw ang gusto nila.  Rainier (Kean Cipriano) the director, Bingbong (JM De Guzman) the producer and Jocelyn (Cacai Cortez) prod-asst are so passionate with their film na ang istorya ay tumatalakay sa buhay ni Mila, isang nanay na may pitong anak.  Sobrang hirap ni Mila kaya she had to sell one of her kids sa isang pedo para magkapera.

While debating on how to execute the film, lumabas yong apat na iba-ibang versions nong pelikula.  There was this reality-show attack na kahit artista ang gaganap na Mila (to be played by Eugene Domingo), gagawin nilang makatotohanan which is mostly the approach ng mga indie film.  They also thought of making it a musical where Mila will sing and emote at the same time.  Meron ding docu-drama na gritty nga at malakas ang impact pero mahirap gawin.  And the melo-dramatic version na gusto namang atake ni Eugene being the ‘collaborative’ lead actress of the film.

For the most part, tumakbo yong istorya sa one day of brainstorming ni Rainier at Bingbong.  Among the three, silang dalawa lang talaga ang nagdi-discuss.  And for a while I thought Jocelyn was deaf and mute pero importante pala ang role nya dahil sya ang nagpapatakbo nong apat na vesions ng film na gagawin nila.  Pag nagdi-discuss si Rainier at Bingbong, pagpikit ng mata ni Jocelyn (na antukin) doon na lalabas yong version na pinag-uusapan nong dalawa.

Bilib ako sa pelikula dahil sa simpleng istorya ng brainstorming, very interesting ang mga ideas na binabato nila sa isa’t isa.  It doesn’t only concern their film but the ideas thrown were social comments in itself.  Bakit hindi si Cherry Pie ang gawing Mila, bakit si Eugene.  Eh kasi si Cherry Pie maputi, si Eugene dugyutin (hagalpakan ang mga tao dito).  Eh bakit, may maputi din namang mahirap ah.  Or yong pedophile, bakit kailangan laging puti, bakit hindi intsik, pakistani, arabo o pinoy.   All of which points to the fact that we are already stuck so deep in our stereotypical way of thinking. 

And this one (na alam kong maraming makaka-relate)…  napamura si Bingbong dahil may nakalimutan.  Akala mo super importante.  Yon pala, charger lang ng i-pad nya.  O di ba, ang karamihan ngayon parang namatayan na pag na-lo bat ang kanilang mga gadget! Hahaha!

As a whole, I find the film quite interesting.  Simpleng istorya pero nagawang interesante.  Malaking factor yong script (Chris Martinez who also did Here Comes the Bride and Temptation Island, sabi sa isang nabasa ko) dahil yon ang naging glue para maging coherent at interesting yong buong pelikula.   Precise din at walang sabit sa editing. Dahil isipin mo, 5 pelikula yon in one and yet malinaw na malinaw ang mga eksena at walang naligaw na unwanted sequence.   The musical score (don sa musical version) was both entertaining and dramatic.  Kaya as a director, saludo ako kay Marlon Rivera who delivered a product that is so fresh, unique and highly entertaining.

But in any film alam naman nating ang mga actor ang critical.  Kung palpak ang acting, sira ang film.  In this case, magaling ang buong cast nong pelikula kahit yong mga extra.  Lalo naman ang mga lead.  Kean Cipriano, for a neophyte in acting, was spot-on. Given more exposure and roles as important as this one, he can beat the crap out of the many ham actors na kilala natin.  JM de Guzman was also credible as a yong rich kid who possesses the combination of a vision in film making as well as the commercial eye na kailangan ng isang producer.  Even Cacai was convincing she should be doing her daddy Rez so proud.  At syempre si Eugene. Well, she deserved her Cinemalaya Best Actress award.  Baka nga humakot pa sya ng awards later on dahil talagang ibang level ang performance nya dito. Kaya yong ibang mga actress kuno dapat mag-isip-isip na coz Eugene is really setting the bar so high most of them will soon find it hard to hopscotch their way to awards.

Isa lang ang major concern ko.  Ano ang relevance nong eksena sa septic tank?  Kahit i-rewind ko sa utak ko yong film, walang nabanggit na linya that would establish the need to shoot in a septic tank.  Bakit, maglilinis ba si Mila ng poso negro just to earn a few pesos?  At saka kahit ultra-realistic ang treatment ni direk don sa film, pagdating sa septic tank, hindi lumabas na credible.  It was made to look filthy with floating garbage and greasy water.  Pero alam ko hindi ganon ang septic tank.  It should be murky and foul-smelling na kahit sa screen masusuka kang tingnan. Ewan lang kung nagkakamali ako. Itanong natin kay Malabanan.

Yon lang naman.  One point but I think it does a lot to the whole film.  Afterall yon ang ginawa nilang title.  So dapat may relevance.  But other than that, bow ako sa director, scriptwriter, production people, technical staff and everyone involved in ABSST.  Bravo guys.  I hope to see more of your works in the future. Meantime, gusto kong magkape… I need an expresso! Bwahahaaa! (you’ll laugh with me kung napanood nyo yong film! Hihihi)