Torn

i'm excited...

then not...

mixed emotions



07 November 2009
Saturday
Gotham

Wrong

*6 word blog entry*

You're My Right Kind of Wrong


October 26
Monday
Cablelandia

Neruda

I'm back to my 6-word blog entries. My entry for today...

"If You Forget Me, by Neruda"



19 October 2009
Monday
Kiddie Toes Montessori School
Santiago City, Isabela

Teargas

I've always told my friends that i am apolitical. Even after studying at the University, or having worked with different civil society organizations since 1997, i still consider myself to be apolitical. (I refuse to be sucked in all these political ideological debates).

Having said that, i have very little experience in mobilization and street rallies. I've only attended 3 rallies my entire life. And that also means that i have not experienced how it is to be hosed down with water from firetrucks, or being beaten by policemen, or tear-gassed for that matter. And that's fine with me. These experiences are something which i do not really seek.

So it was a bit of an irony when i was able to experience how it is to be teargassed... in Istanbul!

I am now here attending a CSO Strategy Session at the World Bank Annual General Meeting. We were having a very peaceful strategic meeting in our hotel when we noticed a burning smell. Then it became stronger, and i noticed that it was very similar to the smell of my Chemistry 16 class way back in college. Then my throat started getting parched and itchy, and my eyes were irritated and became watery. That's when we realized that the police released tear gas targetted to the protesters, which were located outside of our hotel.

They had to shut close the hotel so no one can go out. You know how NGO people are, they will sacrifice their safety just to be in the thick of the action.

So there, i can proudly say that i've been teargassed. Does that mean that i am now less apolitical? *wink*


12:55 am
07 October 2009
Wednesday
Hotel Grand Star
Istanbul

ps.
remind me to tell you about the Filipino Mafia, Baklava, The Russian Guy and The Boots.

Distance

my 6-word blog for the day:

"I think I don't miss you."


i've been really lazy lately. i don't want to write, because i might write something i'd soon regret.

more aptly put in tagalog.... ayokong ibuhos... baka malunod ako.


4:20pm
27 September 2009
Sunday
Batu Ferringhi, Penang

Ilusyonada

6-word blog entry:

Hoping it's not just Fata Morgana.


9:30pm
20 September 2009
Sunday
My Shoebox (glad to be back)

6 Word Blog

.
new face... old feeling... scares me.


2:50pm
12 September 2009
Saturday
Santiago City

6 Word Memoir: on what i feel today

saw him again. he's happy... bummer!


10:10pm
Aug 22, 2009
Saturday
Cable-landia

Syana

Syana
- noun
- tagalog
- slang
- root word: Probinsiana (a woman from or living in the province)

I am a Syana.

Born and bred in Isabela.

But for the past 18 years, I've been away. Since I studied in the University, I've been spending most of my days in Manila, and just go home during the holidays.

But since 2 years ago, I've been spending more time in the province. The nature of my work permitted me to work almost anywhere I want to, as long as there's internet access.

As I am writing this, I've already spent my 30th day here in the province. I miss my small shoebox in manila. I miss eating out and going to the movies. I miss the regular gatherings with the Dyosas.

I must admit I miss the Gotham rhythm. But I am slowly getting the hang of the Syana pace -- slow, relaxed and stress-free. I guess, a Syana I will always be.


8:05 pm
07 August 2009
Friday
Santiago City, Isabela

Yellow

yellow... amidst the green


01 August 20009
Saturday

The Best of Both Worlds

I've said it time and again...

I am a foodie.

And I also love photography.

So given a chance to do practice shoot and eat at the same time, I would be a very happy pig.

Ms Dolly Babaran of Villa Diana Hotel and Resort, another photo enthusiast, invited me last week for a photo shoot. No models, no landscapes... because the subject is a favorite of mine... sumptuous and delicious food!

So off i went to Villa Diana and joined Dolly and another photo enthusiast, Daks. Click, click, click. We took photos of the food for an hour. And as a reward, we get to eat our subject! Who says that you can't have your cake and eat it too?

The food at Villa Diana is superb. Their menu is very diverse.

Food and photography! Photogprahy and food! A truly wonderful gastonomic and photographic experience. The best of both worlds, what more can you ask for?

For more photos, please visit my Multiply site.

10:25 pm
24 July 2009
Friday
Santiago City, Isabela

Send in the clown

I promised that i would not have any more political comments in my blog. But i just can't help it.

Our subdivision in Cablelandia (a land far far away) is in front of a big church of a certain religion. A few days ago, the nearby idle/empty lands near our subdivision entrance have been unusually busy. Working men have been busy pounding their hammers making makeshift billboard and streamer frames.

Initially, i thought the billboards and streamers were for our Patronal Town Fiesta. But no! Today, i saw the faces of our beloved LGU Officials giving their warmest greetings to this certain religion which is celebrating it's founding anniversary. One even went as far as putting her face and that of the church's leader in a HUMONGUOUS tarpaulin billboard. They looked like a newly wed couple. BWAHAHA! It looked sooo ridiculous. All these politicians kissing ass... tsk tsk... how low can they go?

Wala lang, it just made sad and amused at the same time. Sad that we are actually putting our future in the hands of these jesters. Amused that our politics is even more colorful and absurd than that of a circus.

Hay, how i wish i can put all these trapos inside a lion's cage. But since i love animals, i wouldn't want the lion to eat bad meat. Baka masira ang tyan.



08:00pm
18 July 2009
Saturday
Cablelandia

photo credits: Flickr

Alternate Universe

Only a few friends know that I previously took Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (MBB) in the University. Why on earth, you might ask. Well, I liked how it sounded. And during my elementary days, I liked science (particularly astronomy), and I wanted to be a scientist and an astronaut (hahaha! yes, i was a nerd).

Alas, I soon realized that my love for science and math was a one-way thing. It didn't love me back. I loved astronomy, but chemistry what was I needed to pass. I loved algebra, but I needed to take 3 courses of calculus.

So I decided to change my course. But that's another story.

This entry will attempt to give you a glimpse of the Alternate Me -- what I would have been if I finished my MBB course.

1. Doctor - I would have finished MBB as a pre-med course (but I really don't understand why people would allow themselves to slave their way through MBB, when they could take a much easier course.

2. Geneticist - Splicing and re-engineering molecules and DNAs would have been my daily routine

3. Technical Researcher - Books, journals, reading, writing, and more books, journals, reading, writing.

4. Professor - Not really my cup of tea

5. Can't think of anymore options. Maybe my ex-classmates would care to add to this list.


08:20pm
12 July 2009
Sunday
Santiago City, Isabela

photo credits: Flickr

bite

A lot of friends have been prodding me to buy a Macbook, instead of a PC. I would have wanted to buy the red Toshiba laptop, but all the stores that I've called have run out of stock.

So... i'm seriously contemplating on switching... on biting the apple... of buying the macbook aluminum unibody.

Will let you know if I gave in to the temptation.


10:20pm
05 July 2009
Sunday
Fairview

Gotham vs Cablelandia

This afternoon, I was again reminded why I hate Manila roads during rush hour. And while I was stuck in the middle of Commonwealth Avenue, my foot perpetually pressed on the brakes and clutch (yes, I am a clutch driver, and I blame A1 Driving School for that), I started making a mental list of the things I love and hate about Gotham (Manila) and Cablelandia (the province).

I love Cablelandia because...
1. There is cable tv connection (thus the term)
2. There is a wifi router at my sister's workplace (where I get to tambay), and 2 (not 1) internet connections at home.
3. Free food! (need I say more?)
4. No worries about doing my laundry, washing the dishes or cleaning the house.
5. Less gas expense (I don't go out much)
6. 2 little brats I call pamangkins I see everyday.
7. No worried about always using the aircon

Now why can't i stand Cablendandia...
1. Too hot!!!
2. No moviehouse
3.I have to drive to the next town to get really good brewed coffee.

Gotham, on the other hand is unbearable because...
1. Traffic! Traffic! Traffic!
2. Pollution! Garbage! Pollution
3. Expenses! Expenses! Expenses!

But I keep coming back because...
1. I love UP Campus and Teacher's Village
2. I love the solitude of my small shoebox
3. I miss Tippy!
4. Food trip! Food trip! Food trip!
5. I miss attending the gathering of the Dyosas.

So there, Cablelandia....I will never let you go, pero kahit anong mangyari... Gotham... I will keep coming back to you.

*singing... hinahanap hanap kita Manila, ang ingay mong kay sarap sa tenga... mga jeepney mong naglliliparan...*


10:20 pm
29 June 2009
Monday
Fairview

photo credits: Flickr

Jungle

After almost 2 months of hiding in Cable-landia (sorry folks, I can't divulge where that is), I am back in the urban jungle my dyosa friends call Gotham.

Did I miss being in gotham? I've been asking that question since this morning. And until now, I still have no answer.

I guess I am glad... because now i can again...

... drive like crazy in Commonwealth and Quezon Circle
... problematize about my daily meals
... complain about the rising prices of food and gasoline
... inhale the over populated air of the metro
... smell the garbage lying everwhere.

But I am happier that I can finally have food trip sessions with the bestest dyosas you can find.

I'm glad I'm back in gotham.

Now, I just need to look for Batman to fight the swine flu virus.


11:55 pm
23 June 2009
Tuesday
Quezon City

photo credits: Flickr

Radical Sabbatical

Ever wondered what job or activity would make you really happy? Not taking into consideration money, family, expectations and norms... what would you like to do?

I made a list (a very short one) of the things I would do on my radical sabbatical:

1. Photographer - I've been really interested in photography for the past few years. And it would not hurt to do it fulltime.

2. Travel and Leisure Critique - It would be heaven to go to different places and try out the services and amenities... for free! That way, I can still continue to write feature stories and articles, and take some snapshots.

3. Food Critique - Do I really need to explain?

4. Pre-school Teacher - Lately, I've been having so much interest in developing a relevant (emotionally, academically, and socially) curriculum for children.

5. Lounge Singer - I love music (although I'm not sure if the feeling is mutual).

Ikaw?


10:28 pm
14 June 2009
Sunday
Santiago City

Rainy days

It's been raining since a few days ago. And though i love the sound and feel of rain, i feel a certain sadness. I don't know why, but I feel a melancholic every time i hear the rain. But i love this kind of melancholy. It's not the kind where you would cry your eyes out or wail in frustration.

It's a pleasant kind of melancholy.

Sometimes, i smile when it rains... when i smell the rain. I close my eyes and i am transported to another place -- somewhere cold and misty, raindrops gently tapping on the roof, wood crackling in the fireplace, guitar playing in the background, cool and fluffy pillows. That is heaven for me.

Incidentally, the place described above is real. It happened a few years back. When life was as sweet as rain.


09:50pm
05 June 2009, Friday
Santiago City

photocredits:
flickr.com

Wish

this was forwarded by a friend. salamat.


My wish for you is that you succeed beyond your wildest imagination. That you find love in places that astound you. And that you have friends who call you "just because." I dream that you go barefoot more than you wear shoes. That you play as hard as you work. And that you laugh more than you cry. I want you to set the bar high, but not too high. To reach for the stars, but with your toes on the ground. And to never, ever stop dreaming. But most of all I wish for your happiness.

And these dreams of mine are what started it all.

Besos,
The Universe

Sleep

i want to sleep the whole day...

wala lang...