a spark

I’m getting tired of sitting in an office 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. I’ve been doing it for soooo long now. In fact, I’ve gone past being bored with it quite a long time ago. And now, I think I’m right on the verge of being tired watching that clock move so agonizingly slow on workdays. I think I need a change.

Since I love writing, I’m seriously thinking of shifting to the print media. Maybe I’ll write for a magazine or broadsheet. Some column about life, work, culture or anything. Maybe about OFW where I have the first-hand experience to lend credibility to whatever I’m writing. No boss, just an editor. No time in/time out, just deadlines to beat. I can sleep anytime I want and get up as late as I want. That would be glorious.

If not, I’ll probably write some stories. For movies or for television, doesn’t matter. I’ve got some crazy story ideas stored somewhere in the dark recesses of my sometimes twisted mind. I've got better plots than those stories being published in one tabloid that some of my addicque friends loves reading. I’m sure one or two of my plots will make a blockbuster film or a top-rating ‘tele-serye’. Maybe I can give the televiewers some option aside from watching rehash of Carlo Caparas novels.

Better yet, I’d love to try the broadcast media where I can do a talk show. Afterall, I’ve got a lot to say on anything - highly opinionated, in case you haven’t noticed. Might as well put it to work to my profit. But not on the molds of Boy Abunda. Entertainment talk shows are a bit trivial. I’d prefer social commentaries. Though I might easily get death threats with my sometimes uncensored tirades, specially when I’m pissed off with our politicians.

So maybe I’ll just do the news. I’ve always envied those news anchors who are always wearing nice suits, just do a 30-minute news program and earns an indecent amount of money. Plus, the image they build among the public. Heck, these people can win any public office whenever they decide to go for it. Noli de Castro, remember? People think someone who reads the news properly can also be a good public servant. Duh.

So I’ll seriously consider these choices. When? Maybe soon. I’m just waiting for the right moment. And that spark. The spark that will ignite the desire to do things instead of just dreaming about it. And oh yes, I dream a lot in case you haven’t noticed! Hahaha!

of faith and believing

My mom has been ill for a few days now. Konting lagnat, may sipon at konting ubo. At her age, madali nang manghina ang katawan nya kahit ganon ka-mild ang sakit nya. That’s why I was monitoring her condition everyday through phone calls.

On the third day that she’s bedridden, sabi ko sa Ate ko, dalhin na sya sa hospital. I believe in doctors kasi. Kaya gusto kong matingnan ng doctor yong sakit nya at mapa-lagyan ng dextrose para mawala ang panghihina ng katawan. Unfortunately, my mother doesn’t believe in them. Unless it’s something serious, she wouldn’t go anywhere near a doctor, much more a hospital.

Instead, she’s a firm believer of faith healing. Mas naniniwala sya sa albularyo, sa tawas, tapal-tapal at kung ano-ano pa. That is why her meaning of ‘manggagamot’ is not a doctor. But a faith healer instead.

Sad to say, hindi lang sya ang ganon sa pamilya namin. Most of my brothers and sisters cling to this belief. Not only believe in it, but practice it themselves.

My eldest sister Elvira was the first to dabble in faith healing. Hindi ko alam kung saan nagsimula but as far back as I can remember, nanggagamot na sya ng may sakit using the tawas system. She also has fortune telling on the side. She ‘reads’ people’s lives – past, present and future using a deck of poker cards.

Pati ako, ilang beses na niyang hinulaan. I must admit that some of the things she said are quite impressive. Nakaka-bull’s-eye minsan. But not all the time of course. At kahit hindi ako naniniwala sa hula, kapag sinabi nyang umupo ako at huhulaan nya ako, hindi ako makatanggi. It’s not that I believe the hula. But it’s more on avoiding the insult I might cause if I blatantly reject her ‘talent’ in which she (and the rest of the family) believe in. But that’s another story.

Then another sister of mine, Emmie, got into faith healing as well. Kinarir din ang pang-gagamot. And she had a more stellar career than Ate Elvira. Sabi nila, mas may ‘third eye’ si Ate Emmie that’s why she seem to have a stronger healing power. If I’m not mistaken, the power daw comes from the Sto Nino. Sikat sya sa bayan nila sa Angat (Bulacan). May mga dumadayo pa sa kanya from far away places. Meron pa raw isang artista from Manila na pinupuntahan sya para magpa-hilot at magpa-hula din. But her most important client is my mother. Sya ang laging tinatawag ng Nanay ko whenever she’s sick.

Last November, Ate Emmie had to leave her ‘career’ dahil kinuha sya ng anak nya sa Japan. But before leaving her ‘practice’, she saw to it that her clientele will never be lost without her. Tinuruan nya ang isang Kuya ko. At ngayon, si Kuya na ang ‘doktor’ ng gamutan sa Angat.

Yesterday, pinuntahan ni Kuya si mother dear. And presto, after the three days na masakit ang ganito at ganyan, nanghihina at hindi makakain, nang matawas ni Kuya, magaling na si Madir. At 4pm today, nag-text ang Ate Vangie ko (kasama ni mother sa bahay) telling me that Nanay is already up and about. Magaling na, nag-bingo na at marami nang nakakain.

Of course I’m happy to hear that. But there’s this feeling of disappointment na nadagdagan na naman ang pogi-points ng tawas while bawas-ganda points na naman ang doctor sa nangyari. Everytime she feels she was cured by that piece of tawas, she’s veering farther away from a doctor’s office. And that’s what worries me.

But how can I argue with her faith, with what she believes and what she feels. Ano mang sabihin ko, however I explain science and medicine to her, how would I change that fact that she feels well without having to face a doctor and swallowing a pill embossed with the name Pfizer?

Faith healing daw is the poor man’s only cure. Pag mahirap ka nga naman, wala kang perang pang-bayad sa doctor. But in my mother’s case it’s not the money anymore. It’s her faith. It’s what she believes in. And darn, that’s one thing hard to argue with.

hotnothot 2

Second edition…

Hothot : The Obama Inauguration. So what if Barack faltered a bit on his oath taking. I bet his charms never got flawed one tiny bit. Afterall, imperfections like this make him more endearing to his frenzied fans who braved the -6°C temperature in DC. At the moment, he is not just a President. He’s one hot President with one hot First Lady in Michelle. This couple is just a whiff of fresh air to the already gloomy, stale and boring American Presidency, thanks to his predecessor. I just hope he doesn’t shrink to the gigantic challenges that await him in his office. Good luck Mr. President!

Hotnot : So Ploning didn’t make it to the Oscars. That’s sad. Although we all know that it’s gonna be a tough fight and yet, Judy Ann was courageous enough to take on the challenge. Kudos to this lovely girl for trying. She might have lost the battle but hey, I still salute her. Better luck next time, Juday.

Hotnot : The World Bank putting down it’s foot against the rampant corruption behind the anomalous government projects. Ayan na naman! Ano ba? Nakakahiya na talaga kayo mga hindurupot! And the nerve, ang mga magagaling na pulitiko pa natin ang nagagalit sa World Bank. Hallllerrrr! Kung hindi ba naman kayo mga ewan, nakuuuuu!

Hothot : My favorite Brian Joubert blazing hot on ice at the ISU European Championships in Helsinki. He wowed the crowd with his spins and fancy footwork which earned him a new personal best scrore (86.90) putting him in the lead after 39 skaters are through with the short program. I hope he gets his third European crown this year.

Hothot : Another favorite sporting event of mine is currently on-going in Melbourne. Yup, it’s the 2009 Australian Open. It’s still a treat to see Federer and Nadal on the court. Reminds me of Sampras and Agassi when the Americans were lording over the tennis circuits. But of course the Williams sisters are still very much the force to reckon with in the ladies singles. I won’t be surprised if it’s gonna be a Williams finals again.

Hotnot : Pinoy reporters, legit or otherwise, who are irresponsible enough to write that Charice Pempengco performed for Obama’s inauguration. Pwede, check your facts muna please before you mislead your readers. Hindi, hindi at hindi sya kumanta sa inauguration ni President Obama. She sang One Moment In Time (again) in a smaller party not even attended by the new President. And that was from reliable, responsible reporters. Hmnmpptt.

Hothot : Manny Pacquiao showing Hatton and everybody else – including Arum – who’s the boss. Naiinsulto siguro si Manny na sya ngayon ang tinatawag na best pound-for-pound boxer and yet ang gusto ni Hatton eh 52% of the earnings eh sa kanya mapunta, 48 lang kay Manny. Kaya ayun, dinedma sila ni Manny. Way to go Pacman! Hindi mo kailangang bumaba sa lebel ng Bitoy na yan. He’s not as hot as you are.

Hotnot: Intel closing three facilities including the one in Cavite. Sad news for a few thousand employees in that plant. Surely the economic crisis is no creeping into the shores of PI. Worrying times ahead.

sinibak at scud

Recently may nakausap akong kabayan na isang contractor sa kumpanya namin. That was the first time I met him kaya nag-start ako ng mga usual questions like ‘saan ka sa atin’, ‘ilang taon ka na dito sa saudi’ and ‘ano’ng kumpanya mo’. Never did I expect na yong simpleng tanong kong pambasag lang ng silence will unleash some boiling lava from the depths of his bitter soul.

In our very short conversation na kasing haba lang ng isang marlboro stick, ang dami agad nyang nasabi, mostly pagmama-asim (read: bitching, moaning and whining) tungkol sa trabaho, sa kumpanya nya, sa mess hall ng kampo nila and in general, sa buhay Saudi. Naisip ko tuloy na sana, hindi ko na kinausap si kabayan. Malay ko bang buryong sya sa pagiging contractor nya.

Dito kasi sa Saudi, pag contractor ka, medyo ‘kawawa’ ang kalagayan mo. It comes from the fact na karamihan ng mga contracting companies na ito ay maliit magpa-sweldo, hindi maganda ang benefits at hindi rin maganda ang living conditions. Every two years pa ang uwi kasi 2-year contract.

Medyo masakit tanggapin pag sa ganong kumpanya ka napunta. At mas lalong masakit when you start comparing yourself with direct employees na mas kilala sa tawag na mga ‘direct hire’. Sa mga hindi kasi nakaka-alam, direct employees are those directly hired by large companies like Aramco and SABIC, isama na natin ang kumpanya namin which is neither of the two pero kasing-standard din nila when it comes to salary and benefits not to mention the very generous year-end bonus.

Ang mga direct hire kasi, malalaki ang sweldo like my friend JunC na times ten ng isang contractor ang basic salary. Maganda ang benefits, malalaki ang allowance kaya nakakatira sa maayos na apartments like my friend Ega. Nakakabakasyon twice or thrice a year like my friends Irwin and Vayren, at business class pa ang plane ticket like my friend Raoul.

They can also enjoy the benefit of bringing over their families like my friend Ricky. Something na hindi pinapayagan (at ginagastusan) ng karamihan ng mga contracting companies. At ke may family ka o wala, pwede kang makabili ng magarang car like my friend Matt.

Kaya sa isang lugar na masyadong talamak ang discrimination na akala ninyo sa Pinas or sa States lang nangyayari, direct employees here are ‘gods’ at ang mga kawawang contractors are mere mortals. Pag puti ang ID mo, bida ka. Pag dilaw, you’re so kawawa.

Kaya nagmama-asim si kabayan. Pero ang hindi ko lang kinaya, masakit ang dating ng mga linya nya sa tenga. Masyadong bitter. And because of that bitterness, ako na noon lang nya nakita at nakausap, was given a bad impression of his personality. Masyadong nega ang dating. Sya yong tipo ng taong wag mo na lang kausapin kasi sasabugan ka lang ng kaasiman. Baka mahawa ka pa.

Dati rin akong contractor. Naranasan ko rin ang mga kinukwento ni kabayan. Naranasan ko rin ang ma-angasan ng mga direct hire. Yon yong first time kong mag-Saudi. Palibhasa walang alam sa takbuhan ng buhay dito, walang nag-advise at walang napagtanungan, basta na lang sumugod. Besides, ang lakad ko noon, mag-Saudi at kumita lang ng malaki compared sa swelduhan sa Pinas. Wala akong paki sa mga contra-contractor na yan at dire-direct hire.

Ano bang malay ko na ang magiging tirahan ko ay isang kampo na parang resettlement area. Na ang mga ‘bahay’ eh mga porta cabin at apat kami sa isang kwarto where the only thing that offers you privacy eh kurtina na ikakabit mo sa tapat ng kama mo. Buti na lang hindi ako dumanas ng bunker bed.

At hindi ko rin alam na at the freezing cold of winter morning, tatakbo ako from my room papunta sa shower. Pwede na nga akong sumali sa 100-meter dash noon sa bilis kong tumakbo. Coz if i don’t, maninigas ang panga ko sa lamig. What’s worse, open ang shower area, walang cubicles kaya may kasamang hanging habagat habang nagkukuskos ka ng singit mo. Masarap kung summer. Eh kung 5°C at minsan wala pang hot water, uurong pati buhok mo sa ilong!

Nagtiis ako sa pagkaiing mess hall noon like sinibak (beef cubes) at scud (breaded fried fish na pagbuklat mo nong breading eh maitim na ang laman dahil sobrang frozen). Dinanas ko rin na ang nasa clinic na akala ko’y doktor eh sabi sa chismis eh pest control daw ang trabaho!

Dinanas ko rin ang 2-year straight na walang uwian kaya pag-uwi ko ng Pinas eh para akong alien. Dinanas ko rin ang maliit na sweldo na lumalaki lang ng konti pag namaga na ang mata ko kaka-overtime. At dumanas din ako ng na-delay na sweldo pero ilang araw lang naman, fortunately hindi umabot ng months tulad ng iba.

But I took it all in stride. Took it as a learning experience. Tinanggap ko yong sitwasyon without turning myself into a sulking, bitching, moaning and whining fool. Pero, gumawa ako ng paraan to improve the situation.

Ngayon, naiisip ko na mabuti rin nga pala at na-experience ko yon. Kasi kung hindi, hindi ako makaka-relate kay kabayan. At hindi ko maa-appreciate ang mga bagay na meron ako that can easily be taken for granted ng mga taong hindi nakaranas ng ganoong experiences.

And most importantly, hindi ako napabilang sa mga may matinding discrimination sa utak, nagbabandera ng kanilang ID at buong ningning na nag-a-announce na ‘hoy, direct hire ako!’! Ayokong maging maasim in this way. At ayaw kong minumura ako pagtalikod ko dahil lang sa puti ang ID ko.

ai8

Finally hindi na ako mapapag-iwanan when it comes to American Idol. Not like before na ang posting ko eh tungkol pa sa grand finals between the two Davids of season 7 samantalang pukpukan na sa audition ang mga contestants sa season 8.

This time, medyo updated na ako (and all of us in the middle east na AI fans), thanks to MBC who got the rights to show AI8 almost real-time. Late pa rin by almost a week but hey, that’s a whole lot better than a full season behind di ba.

I saw the pilot telecast last night and I was ecstatic that they (MBC4) even showed the full 2-hour episode. Not like before na luma na nga kinakatay-katay pa ng Dubai One to one-hour episodes lang per week.

Before it started, may mga nababasa na akong press release na porke marami raw changes sa program. One is the addition of another female judge, Kara DioGuardi. Unfortunately, tingin ko sa first episode, she didn’t bring anything new to the program except for that lovely face.

Sa akin lang, she’s just a younger Paula Abdul. Walang pinag-iba ang mga assessment at comments nya from Paula and most of the times even Randy. All three of them are so lame. Nako-kornihan ako sa mga comments nila, trying to be so polite kahit pa ang kaharap nilang contestant eh kasipa-sipa right on their hinnys.

Kaya gusto ko si Simon who, for me, is the only one who brings sanity to this sometimes crazy show. Lalo na pag umpisa pa lang ng audition at dumadagsa ang mga kulang sa talent pero sobra sa kapal ang mukha, mga KSP at naghahanap lang ng 1-minute-fame on worldwide tv. It was only Simon who kicks their butts and wake them up from their delusion of stardom. Sabihin nang ascerbic, contemptuous at masyadong in-your-face ang mga comments nya but at least he’s keeping it real.

Ang kaso, napansin ko sa first episode nila, mukhang lumambot na rin syang parang mamon! What happened? Parang nawala ang asim nya sa pagko-comment, he was even smiling most of the time and said yes to some singers who, if it were the first seven season auditions, eh siguradong nilait na nya. But now, yes na lang sya ng yes. Nawala na ang angas, parang bumaba pa ang taste. Agree lang ng agree sa dalawang babae. Is this one of those changes na sinasabi? Maybe.

Or maybe Paula Godspeed has got something to do with it. Paula who? She’s one of the hopefuls in the 2005 auditions who got rejected and later on committed suicide (reportedly) in November 2008 sa harap mismo ng bahay ni Paula Abdul. Talk about desperation huh. Some say na nakatikim daw ng panglalait during the audition kaya nagpakamatay. So she was in pain for 3 years? Saka lang nya dinamdam ng husto yong comments? What lengths people would go just to get famous.

Kaya ba nag-tone down si Simon? Because of some guilty conscience. Well, nakakapanibago. Sana wag ganito all throughout this season. Otherwise walang anghang, walang sipa at walang sundot kung puro nicey-nicey comments lang nina Paula, Kara at Randy lang maririnig ko. Boring.

hotnothot 1

In previous postings, I usually dip my fingers on current events, giving my two-cents worth on the issues and call it ‘sawsaw’. Well, since it’s new year, let me change my ways. Or at least, let me change my vocab and make it more chic hehehe…

Without being so paris hiltony, let me call these commentaries hothot and hotnot. Here’s what I mean:

Hothot : My favorite Leah Salonga using the ‘F’ word in her multiply account! It was soooo cool! Leah, the ever-prim and proper, ultra-classy queen of theater/stage apparently lost her cool on the golf course mauling issue between a father and son politician versus a team of elderly father and teen-age son. She was obviously infuriated by the event and, much to her chagrin, exploded into a barrage of statements that could have shocked even her colorful PETA mentor Zenaida Amador. I almost fell off my chair when I read her comments. Unfortunately when i revisited her site to get the link, it's gone! Apparently she realized she should have not posted it. Darn. It was such a treat for me. (here's her link anyways... http://bigsis222.multiply.com/journal)

Hotnot : Some political pundits are talking of bringing back the death penalty because of the Alabang Boys issue. Ow com’n people! How many more times would this issue be discussed as if there is no other solution left to explore? I thought you have far more creative and inventive minds to counter the drug issue. Besides, we all know that it’s not the penalty they are worried about. They are untouchables so they don’t even bother worrying on being caught! As for the Alabang Boys, well I wouldn’t be surprised if after the grandstanding of most people involved in this issue has waned, the three will prowl the streets of Ayala Alabang again, freely. Hmmpp.

Hotnot : The siege of Gaza. No matter what your political color is, no matter what your religious belief is, I still don’t believe it’s reason enough to kill innocent children, women and the elderly. And it goes the same to all the merciless and senseless killings around the world. It always breaks my heart to see a life being snapped out by violence. It is not right. It never will be no matter what the reason.

Hothot : Manny slugging out his next opponent either in Wembley Arena or Madison Square Garden. That would be hot. Reportedly, these two venues are being considered to stage the next Pacquiao fight. They probably realized they’re missing out on some serious cash by letting all the fights stay in Vegas. And by serious cash I mean some 70 to 80 million green bucks in profit for a one-night, 2 to 3 hour fight at the most!

Hotnot : Technocrats and know-it-all pretenders again predicting the increase in price of that ever-precious rice. I don’t know what these people want the poor Filipino masses want to do – just die in misery? If you can’t say anything nice, then just shut the hell up. Look at the panic you created when you said that there will be massive rice shortage a few months back! Which turned out to be just another ploy to throw the poor Pinoys to the murky depths of despair. And here you go again. Cruel, heartless SOBs!

Okay, I’m turning hotnot here so I’ll just leave it at that. But believe me, I’ll be back for more. As the title says, this is just the first.

the good samaritan

just this week an e-mail circulated among pinoys telling the story of a pinoy salesclerk in one of the bigger home furnishing stores in riyadh. sabi sa kwento, may isang babaeng arabyana raw na nahulog ang bag and the pinoy clerk helped the lady to gather her things. ang masama, the arabyana claimed daw na nawawalan sya ng 3,500 riyals. and it appread na tinuturo si kabayang pinoy na kumuha dahil sya lang naman ang tumulong sa pag-pulot ng mga gamit ng babae.

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to scape embarassment daw at nang hindi na lumaki ang gulo, nanghingi na lang daw ng tulong si kabayan sa mga kapwa-pinoy (siguro mga kasama sa trabaho) at binayaran na lang daw yong 3,500 riyals na hinahanap noong babae. but the story didn't end there. what's worse, he got sacked by his employer. ang reason daw nong kumpanya, if he wasn't guilty, paano nya mababayaran yong amount na sinabi nong babae.

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eto yong kaso ng tumulong ka na, ikaw pa ang napa-sama. obviously, may modus operandi yong babae. and the poor pinoy fell victim. ang masakit lang, mali ang naging diskarte ni kabayan in handling the situation. he could have stood by his innocence, kahit hubaran pa sya at silipin ang kasingit-singitan nya kung may makikita ngang 3,500 riyals sa kanya. kaya sa ginawa nya, i can't blame the company for casting doubt on his integrity. though i find terminating him is way, way overboard.

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a couple of weeks ago, may nabasa naman ako sa online news that a person (can't remember kung babae o lalake yong nasa balita) got sued by his/her own bestfriend for pulling him/her out of a car crash. ang initial reaction ko - what the hell?...

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as i read through the article, may law pala sa states (dunno if it applies to the entire us territory or just a local ruling) na hindi mo pwedeng galawin ang isang victim ng car crash. the law is based on medical fact that any person who had broken limbs from a fall or a car crash can possibly sustain worse or even life-threatening injuries if moved by an inexperienced medical personnel. that is why, instead na nakatulong ka, naging cause ka pa ng mas grabeng pinsala sa tinulungan mo.

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valid as it may be, i still find the ruling a bit bothering. paano kung isang taong mahal mo ang naipit sa isang kotse? would you try to pull him/her out of the wreckage or would you just ignore the outstretched hand begging for help dahil takot kang makasuhan later on? and what if the car explodes into a huge ball of fire? hindi ba't mas malaking dagok ng konsensya if you didn't pull him/her out of that car? isn't it better to have him/her still around, even on a wheelchair rather than him/her ending as a charred body?

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in both cases, isa lang ang kinakalungkot ko. that the basic goodness of human nature - the instinct to extend a helping hand, is being defeated by some evil forces na tao rin ang gumawa. that law sucks. and that scheming lady sucks. ngayon, magse-second thought na ako whenever i'm confronted with a situation where i have to bring out the good samaritan in me. masakit nito, baka hindi na good samaritan ang lumabas. coz simply by having second thought, the help could be a bit late.

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the art of commercialism

it's the 5th day of the new year and i still haven't got anything serious to post to welcome 2009 in a more fitting manner. so i thought, ah, what the heck. kung walang seryosong pumasok sa utak ko, then i'll go trivial.

and what better way to go but to show you three commercial spots that i 've been seeing over and over dahil sa kapapanood ko ng mga european channels sa tv. three very different advertisements pero halata kung alin ang pinag-isipan at basta na lang ginastusan.

no. 1 - nespresso by george clooney
eto yong gumastos na rin lang ng milyones sa talent fee ni george, hindi man lang pinag-isipan ang story board. the idea is soooooo ancient. talo pa ng mga taga-saatchi sa pinas!

no. 2 - j'adore by charlize theron
they might have paid millions for charlize's services but the creative department didn't leave it all to the charm (and sexiness) of the endorser. listen to what she says and see what i mean.

no. 3 - carte bleu visa
this is the best example of a well-thought campaign. no need for a celebrity endorser. as long as may magaling kang creative team. this will surely hit the consumers better than the george clooney ad.