Blog ni Rio

Kindle 3

2011-04-08T06:21:00.000-07:00

I am a proud owner of Kindle 3! bought it from an ebay seller, with free hundreds of books!

I am not sure if I can finish reading all these books before I die :)

2011 na wala pa rin ako entry!!!

2011-02-08T01:52:00.001-08:00

Thank you for rocking my world, NU 107

2010-11-07T08:19:00.001-08:00

On November 7, 2010, NU 107 formally signed off.

I've been an avid listener of NU 107 since high school. I can't believe there will be no more NU tomorrow. Listening to the countdown every new year's eve has been my tradition for several years. Anyway, thank you for rocking my world. the end is the beginning is the end...

NU 107's last hour on air:
Paglisan by Color it Red; Chris Cornell’s Sweet Sunshower; The Beatles’ Revolution; Wala na Tayong Masilunganby Sandwich; Don’t You Forget About Me by Simple Minds; Float On by Modest Mouse; Pearl Jam’s Spin the Black Circle; There is a Light that Never Goes Out by The Smiths and Eraserheads' Ang Huling El Bimbo

The 90s

2010-02-19T09:39:00.000-08:00

Last week, I got a text message from my friend. He said that our favorite music (grunge, alternative) are played in Channel V's Back Tracks. It hit us! 90s is now the new 80s!

omg!

I love my generation, i love my decade and so I create this list as my tribute to the 90s.

90 Things from the 90s

Films
1. Titanic
2. The Matrix
3. The Craft
4. Silence of the Lambs
5. Reality Bites
6. Clueless
7. Fight Club
8. Romeo + Juliet
9. Encino Man
10. Forrest Gump

TV
11. Beverly Hills 90210
12. Friends
13. Baywatch
14. Beavis and Butthead
15. The Simpsons
16. South Park
17. Dawsons Creek
18. Abangan ang Susunod na Kabanata
19. Ober da Bakod
20. Buddy en Sol

Music (Grunge, Boyband, Rave)
21. Smells Like Teen Spirit
22. Nirvana
23. Pearl Jam
24. Stone Temple Pilots
25. Smashing Pumpkins
26. Eraserheads
27. Parokya ni Edgar
28. Put3Ska
29. Yano
30. Rivermaya
31. Color it Red
32. Wolfgang
33. Oasis
34. Red Hot CHili Peppers
35. TLC
36. Britney Spears
37. Tupac Shakur, Notorious BIG, Puff Daddy
38. Spice Girls
39. Alanis Morissette
40. Back Street Boys

Fashion
41. The Rachel hairstyle
42. Baby tees
43. dark lipstick
44. plaid
45. skorts (skirt na short)
46. skirts and boots
47. goth fashion, body piercings (tongue and nose ring)
48. Jansport bags
49. torn jeans
50. Tretorns - dirty, rugged, with writings

Games
51. STreetfighter
52. Counterstrike
53. Tekken
54. Warcraft
55. Tamagotchi

Technology
56. WWW
57. mIRC
58. ICQ
59. Dolly the Cloned Sheep
60. Discman

People
61. Powerful Women (Benazir Bhutto, Thatcher, Clinton, Oprah, Aung San Suu Kyi, Madeleine Albright, Janet Reno)
62. Efren "Bata" Reyes
63.
64.
65.

Death of Princess Diana
Columbine High School Massacre

Blue Ice Beer

JUSTICE for Maguindanao Massacre Victims

2009-11-25T17:30:00.000-08:00

AP Photo/Aaron Favila
http://www.chippewa.com/articles/2009/11/25/ap/headlines/as_philippines_hostages_killed.txt

JUSTICE FOR

Mangudadatus
1 Genalyn Tiamson-Mangudadatu
2 Eden Mangudadatu
3 Rowena Mangudadatu
4 Manguba Mangudadatu
5 Faridah Sabdulah
6 Farida Mangudadatu
7 Farina Mangudadatu
8 Concepcion “Connie” Brizuela
9 Cynthia Oquendo
10 Catalino Oquendo
11 Rasul Daud

Journalists
12 Henry Araneta DZRH
13 Alejandro “Bong” Reblando - Manila Bulletin correspondent
14 Nap Salaysay DZRO manager
15 Bart Maravilla Bombo Radyo Koronadal City
16 Jhoy Dojay Goldstar Daily
17 Andy Teodoro Mindanao Examiner & Central Mindanao Inquirer
18 Ian Subang Mindanao Focus, a General Santos City-based weekly community newspaper
19 Leah Dalmacio Mindanao Focus
20 Gina Dela Cruz Mindanao Focus
21 Maritess Cablitas Mindanao Focus
22 Neneng Montano Saksi weekly newspaper
23 Victor Nuñez UNTV
24 Macario "Macmac" Arriola UNTV cameraman
25 Humberto Mumay Koronadal City-based journalist
26 Rey Merisco Koronadal City-based journalist
27 Ronnie Perante Koronadal City-based journalist
28 Jun Legarta Koronadal City-based journalist
29 Val Cachuela Koronadal City-based journalist
30 Joel Parcon freelance journalist
31 Noel Decena freelance journalist
32 John Caniba freelance journalist
33 Art Belia freelance journalist
34 Ranie Razon freelance journalist

Red Toyota Vios
35 Eduardo Lechonsito Tacurong City government employee
36 Cecille Lechonsito wife of Eduardo Lechonsito
37 Mercy Palabrica co-worker of Eduardo Lechonsito
38 Daryll delos Reyes co-worker of Eduardo Lechonsito
39 Wilhelm Palabrica driver

2009-10-24T18:57:00.001-07:00

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Mom's Vacation: Ilocos Trip (April 4 - 8, 2009)

2009-05-19T00:51:00.000-07:00

Day 2 & 3: San Fernando-Laoag-Vigan-San Juan, La Union

At around 10 am, we started our long drive to Laoag. We had brunch at San Fernando, banyo stopover at Candon City.

There were lots of road construction activities but we really enjoyed the road trip because of the beautiful scenery. I didn't sleep the whole time since I was on the driver's side. Haha kinulit ko si LeRoy para wag shang makatulog. Samantala, tulog naman lagi sila Vic, Abel at Rizza.

We had our merienda of special empanada at Vigan. Sarap talaga! Walked on the cobbled streets of Vigan and stretched our tired pwets and legs. Picture ng konti. We didn't stay long in Vigan since we will be back the next day for another stop over there on our way back home.

Ito ang magandang Ilocos countryside:

Ilocos Bridge

Welcome to Ilocos!

Churches

Candon Church

Sta. Maria Church

Magsingal Church

Magsingal Belfry

Vigan Cathedral

Vigan

Vigan, a UNESCO heritage site

Vic and Rio

Tito Frannie

Si Mommy at ang Ilokanong Machete

Mommy at Calle Crisologo

Mommy & Tita Rosanna at Leona Florentino Shrine

Si LeRoy

Si LeRoy at si Abel

sa CR

eating Vigan empanada

Leaving Vigan

Fort Ilocandia

kinulit ni mommy ung monkey sa mini zoo

mom and her happiness

Bilyar sa Jax's Bar

Mom's Vacation: Ilocos Trip (April 4 - 8, 2009)

2009-05-12T18:16:00.000-07:00

Went to Ilocos with Mom, Tito Frannie, Tita Rosanna & Basilio, Rizza, Isabel & LeRoy and Vic. Here are some of our pictures.

April 4: Manila to La Union.
Left Manila at around 6am. stopover at McDonalds tarlac for breakfast. Lunch sa house nila Niovic sa San Fernando, La Union. Sarap ng handa nila. Thank you very much to Niovic's Mom and dad (Antonio & Vicky), Tita Lugene, Mark, Leah and MJ. Maraming maraming salamat po!

After lunch, we went to our resort-hotel, Coconut Grove Resort. rest sandali. Didnt swim sa beach because it was high tide and I didn't like the water. medyo murky. Dinner time, Niovic's family joined us sa Coconut grove. After dinner, konting inuman and swimming.

La Union

Niovic & family

Coco Grove Beach Resort

Dinner at Coco Grove Restaurant

(friendly waitresses: Nora & Vilma)

Mom's Vacation: Family Dinner at Saisaki (March 27, 2009)

2009-05-12T17:48:00.001-07:00

We had a family dinner with relatives from my mother side last March 27 at Saisaki, West Avenue, QC. This was also the graduation celebration of our cousin Kiko! Congrats Kiko!

Kiko

Mom's Vacation: Family Dinner at LaMesa Grill, TriNoMa (March 25, 2009)

2009-05-11T21:32:00.000-07:00

We had a family dinner as a welcome to my mom last March 25 at LaMesa grill, Trinoma. Present were my relatives from my father's side. Here are our pictures!

bungisngis kids

Mom's Vacation: Bohol Trip 4 (April 17-20, 2009)

2009-05-11T20:27:00.000-07:00

Day 4: Last day in Bohol.
Byebye Panglao! Bye bye Tagbilaran! Byebye Bohol! Balang araw babalik din kami!

Thank you Daddy Bill and Lejani and staff of Billabong Hotel! You are all so nice! We will definitely come back!

with Billabong owner Lejani and her staff

Vic, yan ba service natin papuntang airport?

Tagbilaran airport band

Isabel

Toot-toot-toot-toot! Tayo po ay lilipad. Para sa mayaman, ang lifevest po ay nasa ilalim ng inyong upuan. Para sa mahihirap, P%^*@#! nio! hindi inuuwi yan!Toot-toot-toot-toot!

nakakalula!!!

landing na! Manila Manila!

Waiting for our baggages at NAIA 2

Park N Fly!

Mom's Vacation: Bohol Trip 3 (April 17-20, 2009)

2009-05-11T19:02:00.000-07:00

Bohol: Day 3
Today, we just relaxed at Alona Beach. We played on the sand, nagpamassage, nagpa-footspa kay Mrs. etienne (the boatman's wife. parang magandang title ng movie no?). Ganda ganda ng Bohol! for me, Bohol is more beautiful than Boracay. Paradise talaga.

service namin yan! Billabong shuttle service

Billabong chauffeur Dodong

Mga diyosa ng kagandahan!

Alona Beach (did u know that Alona Beach was named after the actress Alona Alegre? This is true!)

Lunch at one of the restaurants along Alona Beach; the white guy is Guy from UK. we tried to set him up with tita rosanna pero hindi type ni Tita!

Vic and Rio

mga chinelas namin (wala yung Shuta ni mommy! 3 pairs for php 100, 3 days lang upod na hehe)

Mommy with our boatman Etienne

Genesis Dive Resort and its neighbor Alona Palm Beach; A guard from Alona Palm killed Genesis's pet dog Teddy. Why? because Teddy took a nap inside Alona Palm property!

Teddy

This is the life!

Superduper model Rosalie Zamora! Ang saya-saya nia! tumatalon-talon pa!

Rizza and Isabel eating icecream

LeRoy and Isabel

Supermodel Rosanna Zamora

dinner at trudis restaurant

Mom's Vacation: Bohol Trip 2 (April 17-20. 2009)

2009-05-11T18:17:00.001-07:00

Day 2: Bohol Water adventure

Dolphin Watching
woke up early (5 am!) our boatman, Etienne (taray ng name no?) was already in our hotel at 5:30 am. We had to be early to see the dolphins. went to Pamilacan island and waited for dolphins. ang dami naming nakita! sobrang nakakatuwang experience. we were not able to get good pictures. we were more excited to look at them.

Snorkling at Balicasag Marine Sanctuary
The best snorkling experience ever! Thousands of fishes of different sizes, colors and shapes! Ang ganda ganda sobra! Sayang we didnt bring underwater camera. underwater case lang yung dala namin kaya blurred yung pictures :(

Pagdating nio sa Balicasag, there are small boats (2 to 3 pax only) that will bring you to the marine sanctuary. bring rice or bread para lapitan kayo ng fishes. sobrang ganda ng experience ko dito! will definitely come back sa balicasag!

after snorkling, gutom na naman shempre. etienne brought us to the other side of balicasag na may mga tables. This is the real seaside restaurant! we bought 1 big lapu lapu from Manang who also cooked the fish for us. sarap sarap! Manang cooked the tail part sweet and sour at yung head part naman sinigang sa miso. mejo pricey pero worth naman. we ate sa bamboo table under the shade of trees. ung nasa katabi naming table, sus ayaw pa magkamay.. spoon and fork pa kahit hipon at isda pa yung ulam (e baket ba nangingialam ako???).

after eating, swimming again sandali. white fine sand and crystal clear water. we saw some starfish and we played with them for a while (pinaglaruan? hindi naman. we just appreciated them!) we even saw a starfish with 6 tentacles. abnormal parang ikaw! hehe...

after swimming, balik na naman sa boat. Etienne took us to Virgin Island. very clear water, tapos white fine sand na parang polvoron. super ganda. Sayang talaga, we had no pictures of this paradise. naglowbatt na (naubos sa dolphins). ang dami daming starfish! upo ka lang sandali sa sand, makakadampot ka na ng sangkatutak na starfish. smaller and gray in color unlike the big, orange and blue ones from balicasag.

after naming nasunog sa Virgin Island, Etienne brought us back to Alona beach. Meryenda in one of the restaurants, then went back to Billabong. we just relaxed in the cool pool water.

waaahh! sunburn!!!

Mom's Vacation: Bohol Trip (April 17-20, 2009)

2009-05-10T21:46:00.000-07:00

Went to Bohol with Mommy, my brother LeRoy and his gf Isabel, my sister Rizza, Vic & my Tita Rosanna.

We stayed at Billabong Hotel, about a km away from Alona Beach. The place is small but nice. We loved its clean swimming pool! Owners are VERY friendly (husband and wife Bill & Lejani Coleman) and accommodating. Our room was spacious and clean. Lejani coordinated everything (transfers, boat, countryside and island hopping tours) and she gave me a very competitive package. For those who are interested in her cozy hotel, this is Lejani's number: 0908-4093465.

Day 1: April 17 - arrived in Bohol
Countryside tour. Went to Chocolate Hills, photo-ops at the Man-made forest, crossed the Hanging bridge, visited Baclayon Church and Prony the Mighty Python, posed with Sikatuna, etal, went to an underground cave at the Blood Compact Shrine and had lunch at the Loboc River Cruise. Here are some of our pictures.

sakay na!

breathtaking Chocolate Hills

sa man-made forest (serious ng mga faces!)

Baclayon Church

LeRoy, nampuchat, endangered na yan! Humanap ka ng ibang tanghalian!

salbaheng tarsier ito! bastos!

mommy, rizza and their pet

Rio Verde (berde talaga no! bagay na bagay!)

Loboc River Cruise

Bihagin ang babaeng ito!

Mommy, anak mo ba yan sa labas?

Si Tita Rosanna with her new bf hehehe

Aeta Village band

kasama namin si Pareng Sikatuna

underground cave; bahay daw ni Dugong sa soap opera ni Claudine ung sirena sha

sa bahay pa rin ni Dugong

Vic at Billabong Hotel main entrance and restaurant/bar area

Billabong Room # 1; it had six comfortable beds; quite spacious di ba?

cute swimming pool

Mom's Vacation: Arrival at NAIA 1 (April 11, 2009)

2009-05-10T21:11:00.001-07:00

My mom left for the US last Saturday, May 9. Hinatid namin sha dun and as expected, bumaha sa NAIA! I didnt have the time to update my blog while she's here. I wanted to be with her as much as possible since this was her first time to come home after 7 years.

Mommy's Arrival: April 11, 2009 at NAIA Terminal 1

teary-eyed! mga iyakin kong kapatid!

BB Gandanghari Bloggers Meet and Greet

2009-03-15T18:08:00.000-07:00

I had a great event last Saturday, March 14 at Magnet Bonifacio High Street. Our newest website, POC (thepoc.net), hosted a bloggers meet and greet with BB Gandanghari. Yes, BB. The actor formerly known as Rustom Padilla.

I was very excited to meet her. Mixed emotions because I had a huge crush on Rustom during the Mistah days.

When I saw BB, I thought, wow.... she is beautiful. She was not wearing heavy makeup then unlike her previous TV guestings. She seemed nice in person. Ang nasabi ko lang "BB kamukha mo si Barbie!" except the boobs of course. She is very statuesque and definitely a head-turner. I think she is more beautiful than some showbiz personalities.

mom's flight status 2: Seoul to Manila

2009-03-11T05:16:00.000-07:00

i checked again my mom's flight status. She's onboard Korean Air Flight 623 from Seoul Korea to Manila on March 11, 8:00 pm. She is arriving at 11:05pm at the NAIA. We are very very very excited. After posting this blog entry, I will take a shower, arrange my things and we'll go to the airport. We can have coffee first at Diosdado Macapagal Avenue. Anyway, we need all the caffeine! for sure, no one will sleep tonight :)

mom's flight status

2009-03-11T02:15:00.000-07:00

ano ba ito nakakaloka!!! excited na ako! mom is in Seoul, Korea now. in a few hours, mayayakap na namin sha at babaha ng luha sa NAIA!

hahaha...

Welcome Home, Ma!

2009-03-10T23:15:00.000-07:00

Finally, after seven long years, my mom is coming home to the Philippines. As I write this post, she is on-board Korean Air Flight 18. She left LAX at Manila time 3AM, will arrive in Seoul at 4:30 pm, leave for Manila at 8:00pm and arrive at NAIA at 11:00PM.

I am so excited and I can't hide it!!! My brother (LeRoy)and sister (Rizza) had a hard time sleeping. I was fortunate to be with my mom for three weeks when I went to the US last year. but my siblings haven't seen my mom for 7 years.

My Uncle is preparing arrozcaldo and inihaw na bangus for her homecoming. My mom is so sabik of Filipino foods and fruits. I will buy later atis, siniguelas, kaimitos, sapin sapin and pitchy pitchy. (why are Filipinos so fond of repeating words? even in nicknames.. Cheche,Dondon, Bambam, Bongbong, Lenlen, etc.)

Anyway, we prepared a tarpaulin streamer for her. (Baduy? Pakialam nio!!!)

In Memory of Francis Magalona (1964-2009)

2009-03-08T06:34:00.000-07:00

FrancisM, thank you for the music. Paalam!

*photo taken from francismagalona.multiply.com

Saturday Work

2009-01-30T02:25:00.000-08:00

WTF???

The world is in crisis. Economies are melting down. Firms are closing. People are losing their jobs.

And guess what our company is planning to do in the midst of this crisis: imposing a Saturday work.

Funny, right?

Some government offices and schools are trying to shorten their working days from five to four. (UP has no work on Wednesdays). This is proven effective in cutting down expenses -- electricity, etc.

And why is it that my company is going against the flow?

Most employees (myslef included) are now contemplating of career/work change. I am planning to go abroad to be with my mom and work as a caregiver for the mean time. I love my job here but I love myself too. and Saturday is my time to do house chores and sometimes, unwind.

hayyyyy.....

Thirty-one

2009-01-27T20:57:00.001-08:00

I am turning 31 this year.

I am excited, yes. I am now in my 30s and what do 30s women do? They dominate!!! haha... this is the turning point in every woman's life.

I lived my life to the fullest (and foolest) when I was in my 20s, but starting today, I will be different.

i will save money.

i will start investing.

i will take care of my health.

i will appreciate more the people around me (family, fiance and friends)

i will be more serious and passionate with work.

i will strive to learn new things.

i will put on sunblock.

i will live more, laugh more and love more.

i will be a better Rio.

New York Day 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 & 10

2008-12-12T01:01:00.000-08:00

Haha better late than never. I can't remember anymore the details of my New York trip so I'll just post my photos here...

Broadway

We watched A Chorus Line; we were told that Mario Lopez would be in the play. unfortunately he wasn't. mom was so disappointed.

Rockefeller Plaza -- brrrr so cold! first time to wear a leather jacket ever!

Went to World Trade Center gallery... mom and I were in tears

New York City Day 4 (Thursday)

2008-05-17T05:29:00.000-07:00

Went to the UN to attend some sessions. I attended the session of the ministers. I observed the UN delegates from my seat at the gallery and well, nakakahilo. There were people walking, coming in and out, assistants distributing papers, etc. it was very hard ry to focus.

The security officer in charge of that room was a Filipino--Gerry. Gerry told me that there were many FIlipinos working in the UN. They always bond during breakfast. Gerry would take me to the UN Security Council GA but unfortunately they were having a closed door meeting.

After UN, I went to the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA). The entrance fee was USD 20 but it was worth it. My eyes watered when I saw my favorite painting -- Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh. I really liked that painting, and I stared at it for almost 20 minutes. It was very emotional for me because while looking at the painting, I was thinking of my mo and how excited I was that I would be with her after 5 years of separation.

I enjoyed MOMA a lot. I did not stay long because the museum closes at 5:30pm (it was almost 4pm when I got there) and I didn't see their film collection.

I also saw the works of Andy Warhol and it was very very ASTIG experience :)

I also had to go to the airport to fetch my mother. I took the subway (West 4th St) and got lost. hahahaha... I changed trains 3x (wrong train)... finally I was able to catch the A train and got off at Howard BEach where I transferred to AIR TRAIN. yup, train inside the aiport. so cool.

I got off at Terminal 8. I was really excited, nervous, super mixed emotions. I looked at the electronic signage announcing the arrival (waiting for American Airlines Flight No. 4 from LAX), went to the restroom twice, would sit down for a few seconds, then would stand up again to look at the signage..

Finally flight no. 4 just landed. I stood at the passenger's exit beside the limo drivers. When I saw my mother I ran to her and hugged her tight. I could not say anything. we were just stood there, hugging and crying, speechless.

We went to the apartment to drop her things then we had dinner at a nearby restaurant.

I lost my camera :( left it in the taxi.

New York City Day - May 14 Wednesday

2008-05-14T19:15:00.000-07:00

New York City pictures

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New York City - Day 3 (Tuesday)

2008-05-14T06:37:00.000-07:00

Day 3 - Tuesday

Lovely weather; not so chilly. Ms. Daphne and I went to the Philippine Consulate at the 5th ave. to meet with the other delegates and with the PR (Permanent Representative to the UN Hilario Davide). Appointment with the PR is at 9:00am and we arrived a little early so we went to Starbucks (inside Barnes and Nobles bookstore) across the street.

The Philippine Consulate along 5th Ave

Barnes and Nobles; Starbucks at the 2nd floor. This is the view from the Philippine Consulate

I ordered my favorite Starbucks bagel and cream cheese + Cafe Americano tall. AT 9am we went to the consulate and met with Davide, and his Deputy PR Ambassador Leslie Gatan. The delegates introduced themselves one by one to the Philippine ambassadors.

Ambassador Davide and the Philippine Delegation

The Philippine LGU-NGO delegation: 1) Hon. Edgardo Quisimbing, Board Member, San Carlos City, Negros occidental; 2) Ms. Caridad Sison, Chief Finance and Management Division, NIA Region XI Davao City; 3) Hon. Rodolfo Martinez, Board Member, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental; 4) Hon. Ernesto Tojing, Board Member, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental; 5) Ms. Judith Navarra, Population Program Officer II, Kidapawan City, Cotabato; 6) Engr. Melinda Baure, Provincial Coordinator, Tandang City, Surigao del Sur; 7) Teresita Francisco, Budget Officer, Valenzuela City; 8) Sharon Quezon, Secretary to the Mayor, Siquijor, Siquijor; 9) Eleanor Sardual, SB Member, Ipil, Zamboanga, Sibugay; 10) Elvira Nedia Mauban, Coordinator, LGU MAuban, Quezon; 11) Maria Estela Felipa Aceron, Vice Governor, Calapan, Oriental Mindoro; 12) Ms. Shirley Belen Aala, former Congresswoman, Tagum, Davao City; 13) Ma. Cecilia Mayo, Valenzuela Councilor and President of Women in NAtion-Building (WIN); 14) Rio Brigino, External Relations Officer of Vibal FOundation and the official documentation officer of the delegation.

The Road to Open Knowledge flyer at the Consulate General of the Philippines in New York

The delegation went to the UN to attend the conferences. We bumped into Ambassador Davide again and asked him for another photo op.

with His Honor Davide (RIO and hilaRIO)

While waiting for the other delegates who were registering, I took pictures of the United Nations. I was so delighted of the sights! People of different race, nation and culture all interacting with each other; people in their native costumes; and so many Filipinos working in the UN! Security personnel, staff, and clerks. I didn't feel I was thousands of miles away from the Philippines.

Disarmament!

We attended the Local Authorities Major groups meeting where we had a chance to introduce ourselves to the the major group coordinator.

We also attended the plenary on Decisions on Water and Sanitation.

Ms. Daphne and I arranged the venue for the side event on Friday. We paid the fees at the UN cashier and I wasn't surprised this time-- the cashier is a Filipino. (The registration officer is also Filipino).

After this, we went home since Ms. Daphne is having a slight fever. I, on the other hand, explored! I walked from our place to the Apple Store at 59th and 5th. I almost bought an Ipod nano. WIll buy it when my mom arrives on Friday. She will buy a notebook too.

I bought an all american hotdog and ate it while seating on a bench at the south central park. I watched other tourists, birds, the carriages (the Sex and the City romantic scene of Carrie and her european artist boyfriend was filmed here), The Plaza (the world's best hotel!), etc...

I walked home again. Didn't feel tired. I love New York!

New York - Day 1 & 2

2008-05-13T17:23:00.000-07:00

Day 1 - May 11

I get to have my own Manhattan pad while in NY, thanks to my boss. The staff of apartment building were all very friendly and helpful. They gave me a copy of the NY City Guide.

2nd Ave

I made some calls to my mom and friends who are in the States. Phone calls within US and Canada are free. My roommate, Daphne Roxas, spent the night with her friend. I stayed at the apartment, surfed the web and chatted with my sister.

Day 2 - May 12

We went to the UN and registered. We were given our own IDs (personalized UN souvenir). We distributed flyers of our side event among attendees. I met Martha Benavidez, an active women's activist representing El Salvador and had lunch with her at the UN cafeteria. She is a very good friend of Ms. Daphne.

Daphne (left) and MArtha

Ms. Martha is so involved with the community in her hometown. Right now, she has this project called Old for the Young where old people discuss with young people culture, livelihood, community, etc. The young once (esp Martha and Daphne) have so much faith in the younger people. They believe that these young ones are brighter, smarter, and stronger.

After lunch, we went to the Philippine Consulate office at 5th avenue and we are very fortunate to have met the Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador (Your Honor) Hilario Davide. He was very warm, nice and friendly. We finalized the ambassador's schedule with the Philippine LGU-NGO delegation. His honor will meet the group on May 13 and will have lunch together with the government delegation on May 16 before the side event.

with the Honorable Hilario Davide and Ms. Daphne Roxas

After the photo op with the former Supreme Court Justice, we left the consulate. We took the subway (my first time! bought an unlimited (7 days) ride ticket. Ms. Daphne took me to 5th avenue, Rockefeller Center (there was an NBS event but I didn't recognize the celebrities), Macy's (Guess and Nine West bags 40% off!), KMart (Yes GAV there's a KMart in Manhattan. 34th St.).

Rockefeller center

After a little shopping, we went home already since Ms. Daphne still has her jet lag. I worked on this blog and checked the emails and made some phone calls.

I haven't eaten rice since leaving Manila. My very own chef (Morton Williams) prepares food for me. Tonight I had steak with spinach and potato, tomorrow Eggplant rollatini and caesar's salad.

Coming to America

2008-05-12T21:12:00.000-07:00

May 11 at 6:30 am, Northwest Airline Flight No. 72 took off for Detroit, Michigan. I was seated at no. 62K. The flight had a stop over at Nagoya, Japan. I checked out the Duty Free store in NAgoya and there was a corner there with all SanRio products. I was almost tempted to buy but I was saving all my money for NY shopping.

Flight from Manila to Nagoya was almost four hours, waiting time at Nagoya was 2 hours, Nagoya to Detroit was more than 11 hours. After so many hours of sitting there and alternately reading a book (The Untold Story of Imelda Marcos) and watching the in-flight movie and sleeping, we finally landed at McNamara Airport, Detroit City.

One last stage before entering the US: the port of entry immigration interview. The officer who interviewed me was suplado but he allowed me to stay in the States for 1 month so i give him +pogi points.

Ms. Daphne Roxas, the secretariat/coordinator of the Helena Benitez Global Forum, and a trustee of Vibal Foundation, Inc., fetched me at the baggage claiming area. With her was Ms. Caridad Sison of Department of Agriculture Davao.

We went out and I breathed my first US air :)

We enjoyed very much our taxi ride from the airport to Sterling Plaza, our temporary home in Manhattan. The driver, Anatole, is a Russian. He was so nice and funny and he even lent me his mobile phone which I used in calling my mother.

(to be continued... jetlag :) )

Start spreading the news...

2008-05-08T18:16:00.000-07:00

I am so excited! For the next three weeks, I will experience many firsts in my life.

First time to visit the United States.
Will leave on May 11 for New York City. I will attend the United Nation's 16th Conference on Sustainable Development (CSD-16) at the UN Headquarters. Vibal Foundation, Inc. co-sponsors the UN CSD 16 side event, the 3rd Helena Z Benitez Global Forum on Gender, Power and Sustainable Development. I am in charge of the documentation and of course, promotion of the foundation and its projects.

First time to attend a very prestigious conference (This is the UN, baby!)

First time to meet my mother after five years (can't wait to hug her)

First time to tour around New York City.
Statue of Liberty, Empire State building, broadway shows, times st., shopping, etc...

First time to be enclosed in an airplane for more than four hours...

etc, etc...

Thank you EAV GAV NVM and Ms Daphne!

Balik ELBI

2008-05-08T17:39:00.000-07:00

Went to my alma mater, the University of the Philippines at Los Banos, last week (May 2) with my sorority sisters Auie, Nikki, Jane, Ingrid, Isay, Dai and her American hubby Kevin.

Jane, Ingrid and I took the bus. Haha what an experience! All seats were taken so the three of us were standing from Buendia to Los Banos. Good thing traffic was fast moving. Amazed at the new ticketing system. no more ticket punchers. bus conductor has this PDA-like device which prints out ticket/receipts. high tech!

Went straight to LB square. (lungkot lang wala ng IC's). Dinner then drinks. Auie turned the usapang reminiscing to usapang For Adults Only. 40 Forbidden Questions. Can't blog about the details shempre.

Around midnight, we walked around the campus at shempre pa, KODAKAN galore. Posed under oblation, sa tambayan in front of Biosci. we walked from the main gate up to Baker Hall. Ayaw na magpunta ng fertility tree kasi si Isay daming ghost stories! nagkatakutan na!

Went to Hostel around 2am. Then Auie and I went back to Manila. slept at auie's place in pasig. To post pictures later pag nakahingi na ako kay Dai :)

Grabbed these pics from Daileen's friendster:

Taga-UPLB Ka Kung (repost)

2008-03-14T01:19:00.000-07:00

Taga-UPLB ka kung...1. Kilala mo si Mang Pogs.
2. Nalilito ka kung saan nakalagay ang banga ni Mariang Banga.
3. Tubig na lang ang tingin mo sa gin.
4. Ginamit mong reviewer ang mga old exams para sa mga midterms, prefi at finals sa math, stat, chem, physics, eco etc.
5. Hindi ka sumasagot ng UP (yupeee) kapag tinanong ka kung saan ka graduate.hahaha! sagot mo elbi.
6. Taga-elbi ka kapag kilala mo yung professor na nagbi-bike ng naka-barong na kupas. (Si climax! kalahating albert einstein, kalhating mang pandoy)
7. Ok lang pumasok sa mga klase kahit naka pambahay/ pantulog attire ka.
8. Pag nagtanong si manong driver ng "may animal ba dyan?", at may sumagot ng "meron po" ay di ka natawa.
9. Pag nagtanong uli si manong driver ng "may mens ba dyan?", at may sumagot uli ng "meron po" ay di ka natawa.
10. Di ka nahihiyang magbitbit ng malaking payong.
11. Taga-elbi ka kung pagkatapos mong magbakasakali kay Mang Pogs, diretso ka na kay Mr. Midnight .
12. Bumibili ka ng blue book sa Coop.
13. Alam mong hindi pwedeng ibato ang Batong Malaki.
14. Nung pinanood mo ang movie ni aga at regine na shot at elbi (sa may gaygay gowns) at nagtawag ng taxi si regine e nagtawanan kayo ng mga taga-LB at clueless ang iba.
15. Alam mo kung nasaan ang White House.
16. May tanline ka ng tsinelas.
17. Alam mong mas masarap ang pancit canton na niluto sa 'heater cup'
18. Sanay ka maglakad.
19. Thursday night ang gimik night mo.
20. Alam mo na ang pinakamalaking banyo ay ang Ellen's Fried Chicken, at Sizzler's ang tinitingalang kainan.
21. Kilala mo sina Saniano Boy at Girl.
22. Alam mo kung nasaan ang "Johnson".
23. Alam mo ang kaibahan ng dalawang Flatrocks.
24. Kaya mong pumasok ng hindi naliligo.
25. Alam mong si Carasus at Pegabao ay iisa.
26. Alam mong ok lang na pumunta sa Maahas.
27. Tumatambay ka sa APEC para mag inom.
28. Alam mo kung nasaan ang Fertility Tree, Kwek Kwek Tower , at ang Templo ni Bruce Lee.
29. Tuloy ang klase kahit signal number 3 na.
30. Alam mo kung saan ang pilahan ng jeep papuntang IRRI, Forestry, o kaya ay Jamboree...
31. Hindi ka kumakain ng buko pie.
32. Alam mo na bago pa man nauso ang unli rice sa Tokyo Tokyo, marketing strategy na ito ng Salad Country.
33. Hinahanap-hanap mo ang chocolate cake sa Mer-Nel's.
34. Alam mong bawal tumawid sa UPLB Gate(main), muLa Guard House papuntang harap ng Carabao Park ...
35. Alam mong may oras lang na pwede kumain sa IRRI pag di ka IRRI employee.
36. Sanay ka maglagay ng Knorr Seasoning sa kanin.
37. Alam mong ang hanging bridge ay di talaga naka hang..
38. Alam mong hindi lang dalawang pulgada ang layo ng Bayog sa Anos.
39. Kapag nate-take mo na di magpalit ng pants hanggang ilang araw.. hehe..
40. Alam mo kung nasaan ang tatlong Ellen's fried chicken sa LB.
41. Apektado ka sa pagsasara ng ic's
42. Pag may sakit ka, hindi ka pupunta "infirmary" except lang pag kukuha ka ng excuse slip.
43. Marami kang alam na ghost stories, sa ilag's, sa men's dorm, sa faculty village, sa may social garden etc...
44. Pag umihi ka na sa gilid ng SU (tuwing feb fair).
45. Alam mo na ang tunog ng pillbox. (rambol!)
46. Taga lb ka kapag kilala mo si "manang slow"..
47. Hindi mo na naabutan ang Vega mall at Robinson's.
48. Taga elbi ka kapag mas gusto mong tumambay pag feb fair kesa manood ng kung anuman sa stage.
49. Kaya mong i-identify ang specie at subspecie ng bawat punong nadadaanan mo.
50. Alam mo na ang shortest way sa papuntang st. therese from Hum ay ang dirt road...
51. Taga-elbi ka kapag alam mo kumbaket maraming natatalisod sa raymundo gate.
52. Hindi mo kailangan ng rason para uminom ... hindi mo na rin keilangan ng mesa pag iinom (... hindi mo na rin minsan kailangan ng baso ).
53. Alam mo kung nasaan ang Soils.
54. Mas trip mo mag-redhorse kesa mag San Mig Light.
55. Kung di man natuloy ay binalak mong umakyat ng peak two.
56. Taga elbi ka pag nakakita ka ng snow pag summer (yun yung bulak na nagkalat sa campus... kapok).
57. Taga-elbi ka rin pag handa mong gawin ang lahat pag nag-peprerog ka makakuha ka lng ng slot sa subject na yon (lalo na pag GE).
58. Alam mo kung saan makakabili ng masarap na proven at chicken skin--> dun malapit sa white house.
59. Alam mong ang devcom ay dating under ng ca.
60. Mas enjoy mo ang gimik sa apartment compared to bars and restos.
61. Alam mong ang "audi" at DL Umali Hall ay iisa.
62. Alam mong may gasolinahan sa loob ng campus (sa likod ng CEAT).63. Sineryoso mo na kailangan may kasama kang date pag drill night.
63. Alam mo kung nasaan ang Ilag's, Raymundo's at Catalan.
64. Dismissed ka na pero sa elbi ka pa rin nakatira.
65. Alam mo kung nasaan ang Batcave.
66. Gusto mong pasabugin ang PhySci building.
67.Alam mong ang LB Square ay dating vacant lot na puro talahib.
68. Nakapanood ka na ng sine sa Agrix.

Female Marker in UP

2008-03-14T00:25:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I attended a meeting in UP with my boss, Esther A. Vibal. UP Regent Nelia Gonzales called for that meeting which was attended by fiery women from the academe, business and government.

The meeting was about the plan to install a female marker/statue (finally!) in UP Diliman. This initiative came from the UP Center for Women's Studies. The main agenda was about how to raise funds for this project. Fortunately, this won't be a huge problem since many have expressed their desire to help.

The attendees to this meeting were DSWD Secretary Esperanza Cabral, Dean Candida Adalla (first female dean of the College of Agriculture in UPLB), UP Professors Emeritus Thelma Kintanar and Ofelia Regala-Angangco, and PCSO General Manager Rosario Uriarte.

I was surprised to know that there were no female markers in UP Diliman. UPLB has two: Mariang Makiling near the UPLB Library and the Mariang Banga near Palma Bridge.

Mariang Banga: Ang banga ba ay nakataas o nakababa?

The statue/marker will represent the modern Filipina. I will not state here the commissioned artist, nor describe the proposed design. Let us just wait and be surprised!

Women Contesting Fundamentalisms and Other Forms of Intolerance

2008-03-11T22:07:00.000-07:00

On March 11, I attended (with Team Wikipilipinas and Filipiniana.net) the UP Centennial Lecture in time for women's month. The topic was A Centennial Conversation: "Women Contesting Fundamentalisms and other Forms of Intolerance. The event is part of the UP Centennial Lecture Series which is a vital component of the celebration of UP's 100 years. WikiPilipinas and Filipiniana.net showcased the Encyclopedia of Philippine Women and Philippine Women's Studies Microsite.

The resource speakers were Prof. Carolyn I. Sobritchea, Ph.D (topic: Fundamental Ideologies and Practices: Threats on Women?), Sylvia Estrada-Claudio, Ph.D. (topic: Counter-acting Religious Fundamentalisms: An International Perspective) and long-term feminist activist for women's rights Ms. Reihana Mohideen (topic: Women and Political-Religious Fundamentalism: An International Perspective). The reactors were Ambassador Rosario Gonzalez-Manalo and Rina Jimenez-David.

Fundamentalism, as I understood it, is a defined set of beliefs. For example, the strict obedience to the "fundamentals" of a religion, culture, ethnicity. The movement of women and how they live their life are being limited by these fundamental beliefs.

Below are some quotes taken from the Lecture's Companion Information Material entitled Intersections created by Ms. Odine de Guzman of UP Center for Women's Studies:

1. "The control of women is crucial to fundamentalist politics that are informed by ideas of identity, and cultural and religious values. Fundamentalist groups go great lengths to keep women within the patriarchal home because women, as bearers of children, are believed to be repositories and transmitters of culture and purity of blood."

2. "While women hold this important reproductive role, they are not highly valued; in fact, they are jealously guarded just to secure the purity of the male line. This is seen in some communities in the veiling of women, the practice of clitoridectomy, the practice of widow burning, and the control of women's reproductive capacity by prescribing the ways to plan their reproductive health."

3. "The control of women's bodies can be overt or covert. One example of a covert form is the indistinguishable relationship between the Philippine government and the Philippine Catholic Church in which public policy on women's reproductive health is influenced by the beliefs of the Church, although the two are constitutionally separate."

4. Another example is Executive Order 003 of the City of Manila issued in 2000 by then Mayor Jose Atienza. the EO declares "the City promotes responsible parenthood not just as a method but as a way of self-awareness in promoting the culture of life while discouraging the use of artificial methods of contraception like condoms, pills, intrauterine devices, etc... denying the City's poor women and their families access to these supplies that are normally affordable to them through the public health centers"

5. "A woman is usually reduced to her body; her worth depends on her bodily functions. Jose Atienza, revealed a rather unsettling idea in his account of his own family planning practice. Accordingly, he and his wife have six children: "five came in quick succession:, while the sixth came years later. he says that was because his wife took the pill without my knowledge and I tell you, she became a devil, a demon, blaming what he thinks was hormonal imbalance brought on by the pill. Whether or not this was said in jest, language constructs reality."

Masig Brods and the FQS

2008-03-10T17:50:00.000-07:00

Masig (Alpha Sigmans) student activists from the 70s are some of the contributors to the book Militant But Groovy: Stories of Samahang Demokratiko ng Kabataan. The book is a collection of personal memoirs from former First Quarter Storm student activists.

Masig members Butch Dalisay, Ome Candazo and Solomon Santos are some of the contributors.
Posted here is the March 10, 2008 article of Butch Dalisay in his Philippine Star "Penman column"

-----

"Red Flag, Yellow Star"

("Penman" column piece of Butch Dalisay for Philippine Star, March 10, 2008, p. H-1)

THIS THURSDAY, March 13, from 3 to 5 pm at the Main Lobby of Palma
Hall, the University of the Philippines in Diliman, a new book is
going to be launched by Anvil Publishing with the somewhat
improbable title of Militant But Groovy: Stories of Samahang
Demokratiko ng Kabataan. I wondered where the editors—chiefly human
rights lawyer Soliman Santos—had gotten that title until I re-read
my brief contribution that volume, which I'd submitted more than two
years ago, and I realized, much mortified, that it came from me.

The book is a collection of personal memoirs from veterans of what's
come to be known as the First Quarter Storm—that long period of
intense, rousing, and sometimes frightening political protest that
presaged (and, some say, provoked) martial law in the early 1970s
and set the stage for EDSA. For those of us born in the late 1940s
and early `50s, it coincided with our physical, emotional, and
intellectual coming of age; and those of us who managed to survive
the FQS and stagger on to midlife will always look back on it as our
defining moment; indeed, it defined us as much as we defined it.

The Samahang Demokratiko ng Kabataan, or SDK, was one of
several "mass organizations" that brought young activists together
under the banner of what we proudly avowed to be the "national
democratic revolution." I was 16 when I joined it and embraced its
yellow-starred red flag; barely two years later I would land in
martial-law prison. I've always considered myself lucky to have come
out of martial law alive, because many of our comrades didn't. When
I wrote my first novel, Killing Time in a Warm Place (Anvil, 1992),
it was a form of thanksgiving, of memorializing the dead, and also,
I should admit, of apologizing to them for straying from the path
that led them to their graves.

It's easy to see the events of 35 to 40 years ago with a moist,
romantic eye and to cast ourselves as noble heroes; the definitive,
scholarly history of the martial law years has yet to be written,
and when it is, I'm sure that all our petty foibles—the bare
humanity of those whom we swore could walk on water—will come
through. That will not tarnish nor diminish the very real
contributions of those young Filipinos to the causes and crosses
that we sadly continue to bear today: the struggle against tyranny,
injustice, exploitation, and corruption.

A few weeks ago, on the 22nd anniversary of EDSA 1—I was interviewed
on TV as an FQS activist and as a writer for my impressions of the
current political scene. As often happens with these things, I
forgot what I really wanted to say until I was driving out of the
studio. And it was this: that when we look at or look for the
champions and the heroes who will lead us out of the darkness, we
shouldn't expect to find a perfect man or woman of entirely
unblemished character.

I can't prove it with statistics, but I have a dramatist's suspicion
that every great hero is, in one way or another, deeply flawed—by
hubris, ambition, venery, naivete, or some wayward passion—but they
became and they remain heroes because, at the tipping point, they
rose above their flaws and did something for the greater good that
may have surprised even themselves. When I see all the muck that's
dredged up and thrown at anyone who dares to blow the whistle on
bigtime corruption and oppression in our society, I can't help
thinking what a demolition job they could've done on the likes of
Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, and Ninoy Aquino—and if we had
believed them, or let ourselves be distracted by Bonifacio's pride,
Rizal's romances, and Ninoy's ambition, then we would have gained
nothing in the end, perpetually hostage to our mistrust and fear.

An interviewer asked me: how should young people—your students—look
at a character like Jun Lozada? I gave a rather broad answer, but I
should've just said, "He's no Rizal and no Ninoy, certainly not, but
if you're a teenager, just think of him as your father, warts and
all. Now what would you do and how would you think if your Dad were
caught in that situation—if armed men took your Dad away to keep him
from telling the truth?" (And for that matter, what can you say to a
child who demands the truth from his teacher, only to be told, "I
can't tell you—it's executive privilege"?)

But to get back to the book: these are the stories of a generation
of street-marchers, and how ironic and yet how apt it is that it's
being launched not in the soft and cozy lap of safe nostalgia, but
in the grip of another crisis, whose noises—whispers, alarms,
clamors, slogans, and soundbites—seem all too familiar.

Here's what I sent in for that book, and for many more of these
reminiscences from such names as Butch Hilario, Gani Serrano, Rol
Peña, Jeepy Perez, Jorge Sibal, Lynn Castilla, Ome Candazo, Jonat
dela Cruz, Efren Abueg, Ven Jose, Jerry Araos, and the late Alex
Ontong and Popoy Valencia, join us this Thursday afternoon for the
launch. I don't know how militant or how groovy we remain, nearly
four decades after the facts being recollected here, so we'll just
have to go there and see.

I JOINED the SDK almost as soon as I entered UP in 1970, through
what I later realized was the normal recruitment route—first,
membership in the more innocuous Nationalist Corps, then integration
into SDK itself. Rightly or wrongly (wrongly, as it turned out), SDK
appealed to me as being somehow just as militant but groovier, to
use a word from that time, than the fire-breathing, roughshod
Kabataang Makabayan (KM).

A lot of the people I knew and idolized were with SDK—Gary Olivar,
Tony Tagamolila, Mario Taguiwalo, Rey Vea—writers and editors all of
whom I, a couple of years their junior, wanted to follow. Some
members were also fraternity brothers in Alpha Sigma—Benny Tiamzon
and Joey Calderon, most notably. I felt I was in the best company;
these guys (and some very nice gals) couldn't possible go wrong. I
was small fry then (and remained small fry), too young to be in on
the big discussions, but it impressed me to overhear people like Vic
David and Titus de Borja chat about the "18th Brumaire of Napoleon
Bonaparte." I was good only for Mao and the Five Golden Rays.

I remember a blur of HQs—Scout Castor, Arayat, an apartment near
Sulo Hotel—but our favorite hangout was the "Trialogue," a small
room at the far left end of Vinzons Hall. At this time my family
lived very close by—we were squatters on Old Balara—but I liked
spending time at the Trialogue, watching Willie Tañedo draw figures
for flyers and streamers (I recall being entranced—with horror and
fascination—by Willie's depiction of Francis Sontillano's splattered
brain).

I fancied myself a propagandist and had had some training in theater
with PETA, so I signed up for what was then Dulaang Sadeka as soon
as it was formed, and even joined a chorus that performed a piece
from Brecht—can't remember now which one it was, exactly—in
whiteface at the ALEC. This was even before Gintong Silahis emerged
as SDK's cultural arm, and even before Brecht had be set aside for
being too bourgeois in favor of more overt Peking-Opera- style
tableaus.

It was exhilarating to be in as many rallies and demos as possible,
to be right there in the thick of the Diliman Commune, to march with
a thousand others from Los Baños to Manila, to actually carry a
small Beretta in a hollowed-out Bible, Godfather-style, for Tony
Tagamolila at the CEGP conference (not that I would have known what
to do with it; I'd never fired a shot in my life, and still never
have).

There were, of course, deaths and betrayals to contend with,
especially as martial law approached and took over the landscape.
The bloated face and mutilated body of my tocayo Butch Landrito has
stayed with me all these years, and the last time I counted all the
people I personally knew who died in the FQS, I came up with 21, and
certainly there were more, too many more. There was this one time,
early during martial law, when I found myself in a UG house with
people who've all passed on—Tony Hilario (with his trademark way of
holding a cigarette between the tips of his circled fingers),
journalist Henry Romero (technically still a desaparecido) , and Jack
Peña (ever the Ilonggo, railing against imperiali-sum and the o-well
price hike). Ironically, I may have been saved by being arrested in
January 1973 and spending the next seven months in Fort Bonifacio.

And so I live on, we live on, as the articulate survivors, a little
yellow star imprinted in some imperishable corner of our graying minds.

Brandon Boyd

2008-03-09T23:37:00.000-07:00

Incubus

2008-03-09T21:41:00.000-07:00

A M A Z I N G

2008 Women's Day

2008-03-08T22:19:00.000-08:00

In time with 2008 Women's Day, we launched yesterday two portals for women: Wikipilipinas.org's Encyclopedia of Philippine Women and Filipiniana.net's Philippine Women Studies Microsite.

The launching was held during the 2008 National Women's Day Celebration spearheaded by the NCRFW at the PUP Gymnasium.

I gave a presentation to an audience of about a thousand students, NGOs and government agency representatives.

I talked about the Filipina, HER image in the internet, and how the women portals can contribute to HER upliftment and empowerment.

I also appealed to all to visit the sites and READ, WRITE and SHARE to these revolutionary projects. I invited everybody to Celebrate the Power of the Filipina--online by writing the story of their mothers, sisters, daughters, or any Filipina who made a mark in their lives.

I was also moved by the presentations of Ms. Noemi Lardizabal-Dado and Ms. Dine Racoma (the great ladies behind the Filipinaimages.com) and their advocacy of reshaping the image of the Filipina online.

Modess also presented their Aim High Pinay campaign -- inspiring stories of women.

I really salute them, and the other Filipinas who are actually doing something for the empowerment of the Filipina!

Mabuhay po ang mga Kababaihan!

Incubus Live in Manila! Light Grenades Pacific Rim Tour

2008-03-08T21:58:00.000-08:00

I am so excited. In a few hours, I will be at the Incubus concert in Araneta Coliseum. I really want to see Brandon Boyd in person. This man is sooo sexy, talented, charismatic. He is really a great performer.

I am going with Niovic and a friend who claims that she is Brandon's wife.

I'm sure we would have a great time tonight!

I deserve to have fun after a good job yesterday at the Women's Day (another post) So tonight, I will shout, jump, dance, and sing along with Brandon and the rest of the band.

"Pardon me while I burst...."

WikiPilipinas and Filipiniana.net

2007-12-18T05:41:00.000-08:00

For the past three months, I have been very busy with a new task. I have been assigned to work on Vibal's online endeavors-- the wikipilipinas.org and filipiniana.net.

WikiPilipinas is an editable encyclopedia/almanac about anything and everything about the Philippines. Filipiniana.net, on the other hand, is a digital library. My job is to handle marketing of these two great sites. I am also contributing regularly to Wikipilipinas on topics I like such as women's movement, rock music, my college organizations and my hometown. It supports the Web2.0 movement, meaning, free knowledge. I am glad to be a part of this revolutionary project. My wish is for everybody to use this site and contribute articles, not because I am in charge of the marketing, but because I really believe in the project. It is a storage of information about our country and about who we are as Filipinos. These sites show that we Filipinos are knowledgeable people.

My complaint against Globe Handyphone

2007-10-16T00:21:00.000-07:00

I have been using Globe Handyphone for five years now since 2002. I have been paying Globe my due regularly and on time. In fact, I have been given a Loyalty Reward which entitled me to a rebate of Php 833.00 per month.

My average monthly consumption amounts to Php 1,300. On May 2007, I was surprised to receive a text message from Globe stating that my consumption has already reached Php 3,000. I immediately called up Globe Handyphone Hotline to inquire about this matter. I was told that it was because of WAP usage. I said that it is impossible for my WAP usage to reach Php3000 because I seldom use it. The Globe agent told me to wait for my billing statement for the month because that was the proper time to file a complaint. I have been regularly checking the balance and it was continuously going up (from 3,000 to 4,000 until it reached 6000). Every time I check the balance, I would call up the hotline to complain and to report again and again this matter. I was told again and again that my complaint has been reported and for me to wait for the feedback from the investigation team.

On July 11, 2007, I went to Globe Trinoma Branch and brought with me the billing statement. I went there to report again this matter. The agent from Globe Trinoma told me that they would forward my complaint to their investigation team and to wait for a feedback within the week. On that, and the following weeks, I received no feedback.

Globe would cut my line and I would call them to complain. They told me to pay the amount due (Php 6,000). I just paid them the amount I consumed and not the contested amount. Globe reinstalled again my line. After a month, this routine happened again. I kept on calling their hotline for a feedback and they just told me to wait while the investigation was going on. One agent told me to pay everything first and they would just adjust the billing after the investigation, but I refused. This went on for three months.

On October 2007, I went back to Globe Trinoma again to report the problem with my Globe handyphone. I paid the due amount (not the contested). After a week, the investigation team called me up. They said that my unit/line used that WAP and no “cloning/hacking” incident happened and they said that I should pay the whole amount. I said that I am willing to pay only if they would show me a detailed report of the said WAP usage: what websites I allegedly visited, the date and time, and how many kilobytes I have consumed. They said that they could not produce the said report because the month has already lapsed. And I think that this is not a valid excuse because I repeatedly called their hotline since July.

I believe that it is my right to ask for the details of the WAP activities which Globe said I used and consumed. I use the WAP features from time to time but I am sure that that wouldn’t reach Php 6000.

I refuse to pay the amount they are billing me.

Help! What do I do?

Praning nung Saturday!

2007-09-10T09:10:00.000-07:00

In my previous entry, I talked about my stressful day. After writing that article, I tried to relax by watching "Lolita", a movie about Humbert Humbert's lovelife with a nymphet. After watching the movie, I still couldn't sleep so I watched another - "Dangerous Liaisons" a movie based on the French novel in which "Cruel Intentions" (Sarah Michelle Gellar, Reese Witherspoon, Ryan Philippe) was based. I liked the movie though I hated the role of Michelle Pfeiffer coz she was so iyakin. Anyway, the movie ended and I still couldn't sleep, so I watched "Scorpio Nights" - that erotica movie of Peque Gallaga. Haha remember the 80s scene -- men wearing nothing but very tight, very short denim shorts, sweaty bodies, playing basketball. With bulging crotches. Wala lang I find it funny lang. Anyway, I got these vcds from an officemate. Three movies in a row and still I couldn't sleep. I was not taking drugs but I was really paranoid. I was imagining tragedy, accidents, people lurking in the dark... I called my bf at 3:00am, even my mom who's in the states. Na napraning din.

I realized, Starbucks did this.

I drank one Tall cup of house blend brewed coffee and the effect lasted for 8 hours. (had my coffee at 9:00pm, slept at around 5 am).

Coffee and a stressful day is powerful than drugs.

Cheaper pa...

Reminiscing Elbi Days

2007-09-08T08:38:00.000-07:00

I miss elbi.
I miss elbi.
I miss elbi.

Whenever I feel stressed out, I always think of my Elbi (UP Los Banos) days. Thinking of it somehow relaxes my mind. I really miss my Elbi days. Someday, I will retire and live there.

Since I can't afford yet to buy a piece of LB land, I will just list down here the things I miss most:

1. my sorority sisses
2. tambayan in front of biosci
3. my funny brods
4. intellectual-drunk (daw) discussion
5. clean air
6. star gazing
7. campus
8. elbi people
9. rock concerts
10. auie nikki rem bing jehan jenny jane dai ingrid myles che ryan kris karlo
11. soro house sa elon-elon
12. gimmick sa pannickles, bridge, helipad
13. ghost stories
14. evening strolls
15. watching frat rumbles
16. hearing slogans (UPLB Tunay Palaban makabayan)

ano pa ba?

My First Entry

2007-09-08T08:04:00.000-07:00

Finally, my first blog entry. I have been wanting to have my own blog for years but whenever I think of a blog name or what to write, my mind goes blank. But this time, I have something interesting to write because Today, September 8, 2007, is a very STRESSFUL day in my working life...

Next week is CEAP convention week. It is my biggest event since it signals the start of promotion season. We usually launch new campaign, new products and new services during this week. I am in charge of Events and Promotion and as my company is expanding (really expanding with the launching of two giant portals and multi-line products) the number of events I have been organizing have tripled compared to last year's activities. Imagine, in just three weeks, we had 1 press launch, 2 book launches, a major bookfair, a photoshoot, videoshoot, storytelling, etc. etc. On top of that, I was tasked to coordinate and process the souvenir program ( o di ba, hectic).

Sobra.....

With all these activities that I had to coordinate simultaneously, I knew that something will go wrong. And it happened to the souvenir program.

Buti na lang, my officemates were very helpful. They helped me solve my problem. Then I was able to breathe na, until I discovered another mistake. Hayy sobra talaga. Stressful. I hope that I would be able to find a "lusot" to this mess. If not, bahala na si Batman! (Paul, pahiram ng iyong famous line).

Anyway, it was a long day and i decided to go home and rest na lang muna. I need to have a clear mind before I attend to this problem. Buti na lang, I have a bf who is so understanding and supportive. He waited on me patiently, took me out to dinner, then coffee, then took me home.

Pagdating ko ng house, I took a shower, then I started blogging.

What I learned from this experience:
1. Need to be more assertive. Can't say YES to the boss all the time.
2. Sleep more. Mahirap mag-isip pag laging puyat.
3. I realized that I am overworked and underpaid.
4. I realized that this job is killing me.