Geek Teacher Mabbayad

Belated Happy Birthday, Madam Cory!

2012-01-25T18:22:00.000-08:00

Since yesterday was the celebration of the late president's birthday, why not reminisce on all the achievements of the Cory Aquino Administration? Here's some of her outstanding achievements.

TYPE YOUR POST HERE

And not to mention the Luis Beltran Scandal where journalist Luis Beltran was sued for his daring comments on her actions taken during and after the 1989 coup attempt.

These and including the meddling of her relatives on the fate of the land reforms and other government policies.

Right. Happy birthday again.

2011-11-16T22:47:00.000-08:00

It has come to my understanding that for tomorrow, all of the third year students are to attend a kind of event. If that is to be so, then it means our class in Western Literature will be compromised.

For the record I must say this is a sad news for me since I can only meet my third year journalism students once a week.

However, despite this setback, I might as well have you, my dearest students, explore the following websites for you to enjoy and learn more about Dante Alighieri and his world in his "Divine Comedy."

Or you can simply explore this site for some visual arts and guide:

TYPE YOUR POST HERE

The Arroyo Posters

2011-11-16T19:01:00.000-08:00

Nothing to do, nowhere to go. Then Arroyo's face smacked up suddenly on the TV screen and I screamed.

At first I thought it was Jigsaw come to play a game with me. But then I thought, "But Jigsaw's dead, and so's his accomplices. Who'd dare?"

Then it hit me...

It's Iron Man!
Oh, it's just Arroyo, man.
TYPE YOUR POST HERE

Hello

2011-11-12T22:03:00.000-08:00

Hello there.

So you have finally come. Now, to be frank, a course outline is still being worked out for each of our subject - respectively LIT102 and LIT104. As of now, let's sit tight for a while until then.

Right.

Anyway, for LIT102, I will be showing you a copy on Tuesday if at all possible, plus I will be giving a hard copy for the class officers. Ask them about it once it's given.

For LIT104, wait until Friday and Saturday.

Up to now, I am still waiting for the Eleap registration to kick in.

Well, good luck to everyone.

TYPE YOUR POST HERE

Women and Self-worth: A question on body image

2011-06-28T20:40:00.000-07:00

Last June 28, we in our class had discussed about women and the question of self-worth. In our discussion of Gary Killworth's short story "Songbirds of Pain," my students have fully realized the experience of many young women who most often see their body as linked to the realization of their self-esteem.

The short story in fact reveals that the factors that affect self-esteem not only comes from negative comments or doubled standards but from a very pampered life as well, where the woman in the story has no control of her life as every decision is already done for her by her lover.

The short story also portrays how women can often end up inflict pain upon themselves one way or another as means of physically enduring their emotional problems.

The following are reactions made by my students concerning such phenomena, and it is addressed as a letter to those women who are suffering from this type of dilemma.

Danielle Ramos

Dear you,

You are beautiful as God made you. There is someone out there that thinks you are a masterpiece. You don't have to change a thing about yourself. You should look at yourself in the mirror and smile. Be proud of what you look like and don't even think about feeling ugly, because God made each one of us beautiful.

Jefferson Escala

To whoever you may be,

You know what you gotta be proud of who you are. You’re the only one who knows yourself. You’re the only one who gonna make yourself happy or not. Happiness is a CHOICE. You’re unique; everyone is unique. Don’t feel too inferior to others. Surely, there is a certain characteristic of yours that’s incomparable to others. Boost your morale, boost your esteem and there is no one that can do it rather than you. Be happy and be proud of yourself.

Unknown friend

divine lacuna

to Anita and all the women who are not confident about themselves,
wag kayong mag alala sa sarili ninyo. be confident about yourselves.what is important is being confident on what God gave you and what you have inside, personality and character. through this,it will lead you to true beauty inside and out. :)

-divine

Bhea Amboy

July 1, 2011

Dear Anita,

Did you go on your trip to Brazil as you had hoped? How was it? I hope you did enjoy staying there. ‘Cause I know you really need to take a break. I heard what just had happened between you and Philip. I’m sorry to hear that. But, I’m still hoping that both of you are doing well despite of all the problems you’re going through.
Well, I would just like to tell you that I’m a friend. If you’re having trouble or if you’re down, I’m always here to lean on. Yes, I’m really worried. You know, you should not have done that. For us, you are beautiful. God didn’t create ugly people; He did it fair and square. You are indeed beautiful, inside and out. Philip loves you and so do we. What else could you ask for? You know, it is better to be hated for what you are than loved for what you are not. People can say anything about you. But who you truly are, only you know it, and only you decide it. Just cling to your imperfections; they are what make you unique. You may not be the prettiest, skinniest, and most popular. But, why be, when you can just be yourself?
I know it’s hard to be only just a mistress. You may not be his first, his last, his only. He loved before and He may love again. But, if he loves you now, what else matters? You’re tough, Anita. You try to hide everything that bothers you. You’re difficult. But if Philip makes an effort, you’re worth it. The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart. It’s not really all about appearances; it’s about one’s character. But sometimes, it’s better for two people to break up so they can grow up and make things better.
You don’t have to change even a single part on your body. Why not just learn from your mistakes and amend them? Just try to be a nice and better person, Anita. You don’t have to be physically beautiful for people to like and believe you. You’re just telling us that you don’t have a trust in yourself. You don’t believe in your own beauty and talent. You know, the most important thing in life is that you learn from whatever you take on, and you end up being a better person.
I’m looking forward to seeing you soon. Take care of yourself, Anita.

Yours truly,
Bhea

daryl arceta
July 1, 2011

Dear Anita,
Did anybody tell you that you’re beautiful? If no one ever tells you that, I can. You’re beautiful so don’t be jealous of others even if they look more superior to you! Please be contented of who you are because I love you for how you look, how you smell, how you brush your hair and even how you laugh out loudly in public. Look at yourself. There are many things that you possess that others don’t have. You’re lovely, charming and angelic. Don’t put yourself down and lay down on bed all-day long. Go out, and show the world who you are because you are beautiful! If you are afraid to go out, why would you be? Is there something bothering you? C’mon tell me. Always remember that I’m here for you! And always remember that you are beautiful!

Sincerely yours,
Anonymous

I stumbled upon Darna!

2011-03-09T00:07:00.000-08:00

It's been a long time since I wrote here, have I? Well, now... I'd say, looking at my past entries, it's been more than what? Five months?

Maybe.

To tell the truth, I've been quite busy for nearly a year now and, thank goodness, everything I've been working hard on is paying off.

And guess what I JUST PASSED MY THESIS DEFENSE FOR MY MASTERS! Isn't that great?!

Okay, so it is for me...

Oh, and the topic I chose is nothing much except that it's about all the collected works of Arnold Arre.

Anyway, I just happen to stumble on this site while looking up on the history of komiks on the web.

Truth is, I am spreading the address in hopes that it will be seen and funded by the right people.

I honestly am not a big fan of Darna, but looking at these pages here, I'd say I am reconsidering my stand.

Here's a sneak peek on what you will see...

Now, I dare you to tell me this don't deserve a graphic novel.

Announcements Prior to Next Week's Exams

2011-01-11T13:15:00.000-08:00

Since UST ELeap is often unavailable outside, I might as well tell it here:
Perhaps many of you already know that since Monday, I've not been feeling well because of my incessant cough. The doctor told me yesterday that I should take a rest. Well, he's right. He's the one with an MD at the last name and I have none. When I'll be back, I have no exact idea. The medical statement says I must rest for four days but I might try it at three. Teaching in CTHM is so much fun I feel like a smoker experiencing regresssive symptoms right now. You simply can't stop.

Now, on to the announcements:

For my classes at HUMANITIES -

Lucky enough that the musical "LARAWAN: THE MUSICAL" is available on YOUTUBE. You can download it there using your own Youtube downloaders or a gresemonkey script for Firefox. Just remember that for some of you, the answsers to my questions are still to be answered. But I am extending it until a week after the prelims. At least you can get to watch the entire musical in the comforts of your own room.

For my classes in Philippine Literature -

Too bad we weren't able to watch anything before the prelims. But rest assured, we will afterwards, but not immediately. As you understand, we must stick to the reporting schedule, most especially to the fourth year sections. Well, you know what to study and so, good luck.

For my class in World Literature -

Now here's the bad part. Supposedly, we are to watch "Chocolat" in its entirely today up until Friday. And that it will be part of your prelim exams. However, I decided not to include them anymore in our prelims. Instead, it will be part of our activity during the second half of our term. Sorry guys.

----------------------

Anyway, that's it, then. Hope to see you soon. Good luck to everyone this coming week and rest assured your tests are easy enough. It's not like me not to see everyone. As you know I'm up to here with all the pressure my graduate studies are giving me, that and my preparation for my thesis defense.

And if you want to find out what exactly it is all about, look here...

As for now, I hope this message reaches the outside world as I am marooned here in one of the rooms in our house.

Bien Mabbayad out.

And to those who knows how to click the "Bye me" words below, here's a bonus feature...

World Literature Schedule

2010-11-18T15:56:00.000-08:00

Luck... real lucky...

That's what I believe you are right now. Now with all that sudden holidays and leaves...

Real lucky.

And unlucky, if you will.

I mean, what will we gain after all these.. vacations?

Now, for you to be prepared - and you know that being prepared makes one feel at least in control of things - I guess you need to plan ahead. And this little schedule I prepared will suffice for that.

Now, kindly take note of the Fridays. I love Fridays. Lots and lots of fun things to do on Fridays, don't you think?

But that's just my opinion, of course. Well, just take a look.

University of Santo Tomas
World Literatures
Course Outline

NOV 19 What is Literature

NOV 22 •“Literature of Knowledge and
Literature of Power”
– Thomas de Quincy

NOV 24 •“Educating the Literary Taste”
– Pas Latorena

NOV 26 •“Why Literature?”
– Mario Vargas Llosa

NOV 29 “Songbirds of Pain” – Garry Kilworth

DEC 1 “Sonnet 29” – William Shakespeare

DEC 3 QUIZ

DEC 6 "The Lawsuit"
Naguib Mahfouz

DEC 8 "Running Shoes"
Rick Barret

DEC 10 Quiz

DEC 13 "Chabela Wedding Cake"
from Like Water for Chocolate
Laura Esquivel

DEC 15 film viewing

"Like Water for Chocolate"
or"Chocolat" starring
Johnny Depp

DEC 17 Review [paskuhan]

CHRISTMAS VACATION (as if you don't know)

JAN 3 "After Great Pain A Formal
Feeling Comes"
Emily Dickinson

JAN 5 "Management of Grief"
Bharati Mukherjee

JAN 7 Quiz

JAN 10 "Mlissa"
Alice Walker

JAN 12 "The Blank Page"
Isak Dinesen

JAN 14 Quiz [review]

JAN 17-21 PRELIMS

JAN 24 "At The Portagee's"
Alex La Guma

JAN 26 "Nightsong City"
Dennis Brutus

JAN 28 Quiz

JAN 31 Reporting 1

FEB 2 Reporting 2

FEB 4 Lecture / Discussion
Light Quiz

FEB 7 Reporting 3

FEB 9 Reporting 4

FEB 11 Lecture / Discussion
Light Quiz

FEB 14 Reporting 5

FEB 16 Reporitng 6

FEB 18 Lecture / Discussion
Light Quiz

FEB 21 Reporting 7

FEB 23 Reporting 8

FEB 25 Lecture / Discussion
Light Quiz

FEB 28 Make Up Reports

MAR 2 Make Up Reports

MAR 4 Make Up Reports

MAR 7 Make Up Reports
MAR 9 Make Up Reports

MAR 11 Make Up Reports

MAR 14 Review

MAR 16 Review

MAR 17 Review

MAR 21 TO 25 FINAL EXAMS

Oohh... and did you see the dates of your major exams?
Tough one, eh?

What we need is a textbook!

2010-11-16T00:21:00.001-08:00

Okay so it's a bit late in the afternoon, but still I am a man of my word.

For our subject in World Literatures, here is what we are to use,

Views: Between Borders, Beyond Barriers
Understanding Peoples and Cultures Through World Literatures

This is by:
Ferdinand Lopez, Luciana Urquiola, and Remedios Biavati

It costs about P395 so you better save it instead of using it to watch the latest Harry Potter film.

Well... See you tomorrow, kids.

And just a fair warning... we only have a few meetings before Christmas break, can you believe that?

Just look at this

Anyway... here's my favorite Batman film, next to The Dark Knight.

Welcome!

2010-11-13T17:36:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the second semester.

I hope that anyone reading this is seated cozily, tucked and comfy.
And for your delectable entertainment, I shall brief you now that you are with me for the rest of the school year.

Now, for starters, please be reminded that for the MWF classes only 15 minutes is allowed for you to be late, those arriving after 15 minutes may still be admitted in class yet will already be considered absent.

For those in TTH classes, 30 minutes is the maximum grace period.

Also, since all of us use the same classroom with all other classes, we might as well be courteous and have a responsibility to at least keep the premises as clean as can be. We don't want to have... "new" classmates, do we now? You know what I mean.

With regards to the use of mobile phones, I am not too strict. Knowing that we cannot stop anyone from texting or calling us, be at lease courteous enough to ask permission and take the call outside.

Well, that's it for now...

Now remember, kids, it's good to be good because it isn't bad.

And here's a little reminder from our dearest friend, Bert the Turtle...
These are happy times!

TYPE YOUR POST HERE

2010-10-10T19:40:00.000-07:00

And so the first 100 days have passed.

Noting our *ehem* president's achievements, I would rather concur with Prof. Pablo Manalastas. You all know that everyone was thinking "anyone else but Arroyo" was the fave word of the day. But then again, who we ended up with this time?

One thing to use and still covered with a dirtty sheet full of cobwebs: Brains.

Something uplifting for a change

2010-09-17T22:58:00.000-07:00

after having been through one heck of a nightmare concerning my son's health, I guess it's okay to unwind now that the crisis is nearly over.

Here's a something to stare at...

nice, huh?

Just got back from the grave...

2010-09-04T03:12:00.000-07:00

And so after a long and grueling month, we are back... after a fashion. And look at what I dug up from the grave.

And just in time for Halloween, too...

Manila Police Training - Revealed!

2010-08-26T16:35:00.000-07:00

The media has recently revealed how the Manila Police has been training prior to the Quirino Incident.

No offense but I got this from one of my sources...

Nice.

And as for the media group themselves? You say YOU are all WILLING to agree to a NEWS BLACKOUT if in case the government imposes it?

DON'T YOU REMEMBER the LAST TIME then President Joseph Estrada imposed THAT on you during the war against the MILF and Abu Sayyaff? YOU VIOLENTLY REACTED! Saying there will be human rights violations!!

Come on! Accept it! You are ALSO TO BLAME FOR WHAT HAPPENED LAST MONDAY!!
TYPE YOUR POST HERE

Live Action version of Dora in "Inception"

2010-07-20T02:01:00.000-07:00

And I will NEVER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES CROSS DORA'S PATH!

But just to remind the kiddies, never believe what you see.
Not even that thing in the mirror.

Now to be honest, this really creeps me out. Though I wouldn't mind Nickelodeon making this a dream come true since the "Last Airbender" *snicker-giggle-laugh* got sucked up in the box office. Well good for you, my Asian hating friends!

Well, here's Dora, The Explorer...

TYPE YOUR POST HERE

CLASSES GOES ON TOMORROW

2010-07-19T01:53:00.000-07:00

This is a fair warning to those who will not come to class tomorrow.

Please be reminded that the first exams for Humanities shall commence without disturbance. Any 1H5 who attempts to... "vanish" will simply have their scores "vanish."

This may let be a warning to all...

I will be waiting.

TYPE YOUR POST HERE

The end is near, Potter.

2010-07-13T02:18:00.000-07:00

Forget the stupid Glampire Cullens! Dig this instead! Or die by my hand!

JUST A QUICK ANNOUNCEMENT

2010-07-11T18:54:00.000-07:00

For my classes starting at 3pm to 6pm, be advised that we will not be able to meet today as me being part of the new faculty will have an orientation at that time.
Rest assured that those concerned must prepare for their reports on Wednesday and on Friday as we move on to our present lessons.

Thank you and Mabuhay..

Tribute to Two

2010-06-30T18:04:00.000-07:00

I dedicate this blog to both our out going president and to our new one.

So as the turn over of events have transpired yesterday with the help of God's Grace, I believe it is only fitting therefore to give tribute to them all.

Anyway, it sucks I never had the chance to be there. Sucks more I never had a chance to even have watched "Eclipse."

But it's no big loss since all vampires suck anyway.

It's just that I wished to have given my wife a good day is all. oh well...

But here's a little thing to give you all what I feel are the two best theme songs...

The first one is for our dearly departed President, Gloria Arroyo (nightmare to congress)

And the second will be dearly dedicated to our now figurehead, PNoy.

Click "byte me" if you will...

Dedicated to Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Hope Noynoy understands what Freddie Aguilar is implying.

The 3d Week

2010-06-28T03:34:00.000-07:00

Ah, yes. Another day has ended, so to speak.

With me left here in the faculty room, relaxing before I leave. Now I do hope you have enjoyed a moment's lesson with me for, as I did warn you, I can get really boring.

So... What will happen now?

Well, a few things.

For those under LITERATURE 102, I must, and I'm afraid, to announce that the moment of reporting is very near, which is why I should tell you folks to be ready to be grouped. By Friday, I will be dealing out what we can do for the reporting. And the reporting will start a week after friday.

As with my Humanities class... I think we can come up with something to do as a group.

Now do remember that Friday is a quiz day. Please be advised... Very advised.

Now back to your regular inanities.

What men whish most this coming Christmas...

JUNE 30: FACE OFF

2010-06-25T21:34:00.000-07:00

June 30.

History is about to happen.

And quite a history, too. As the world holds its breath for the 30th of June, the yellow ribbon looms over Malacanang, waiting for the inauguration of the new president.

And all the people Filipino can ever say is....

"Sino ang mauunang manood ng Eclipse?"

And, oh boy, if what I think will happen does happen, this is one heck of a history all right!

Imagine the new president's inauguration flopped by a Hollywood Glam Vamp film!
What could be a better way to say:

"Crap to politics, I'll watch a foreign film instead!"

Besides, they will also say:

"Oh I can always watch that inauguration later on Youtube."

Nice.

Very patriotic of you, that remark.

So here you have it! The face off!

Benigno Aquino III

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Versus~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Edward Cullen

Who will win?

Well, it's up to the youth and all other girls and gays that go "ooh and ahh" over the latest trend.

But, mind you, kids. Remember your promise to that slogan one network keeps on blathering "Ako ang Simula"

But it's just a thought.

Here's some screens for those who can't wait.

So who will eclipse who?

Death Note, now in Hollywood?

2010-06-25T18:36:00.000-07:00

===
Way back in the early 21st Century, a young Japanese genious found a small notebook lying about on the street and made doodles. Little did he realize that whatever name he wrote, that person dies.

With it, a series of unexplained incidents of mass deaths rose, creating mass hysteria and unspeakable cults, worshiping someone who simply calls himself Kira on the internet.

Fanatics called it the day of rapture, a moment where all the evils in the world are thus cleansed away.

And then, after all the foray and manhunt, everything ended quite suddenly.

No one really knew the whole story. All they knew are two names: Kira, and L.

No one that is if you hadn't read "Death Note."

Or have at least watched the TV series or the two movies
(which to me are equally good)

So after the trend and a lot of *ahem* pirated merchandising, Death Note came to a close and was replaced by a bunch of colorful costumed kids who think of themselves as ninjas.

Well word has it that Death Note might make a comeback. This time on Hollywood and care of none other than Warner Brothers, the same producers of the Batman franchise and "Superman Returns".
Being a fan myself, I think it's a bad idea. Given with all the incessant, tired and old formulas Hollywood infest on many of their adaptations, like that stupid ending of "I am Legend," and that lousy adaptation of "Dragonball Z," I say this is one the fans, even the franchise, should watch carefully, less Ryuk brings in a new carrier and write all the names of these producers down.

But on the bright side, some names came up in the internet that might bring justice to the roles of Yagami Light and L.

So until Hollywood brings in the casting call, might as well look up some of the suggested names...

Byte me now...

Why not?

Yeah, can be a good excuse for Misa.

Oh, hell no!

And for Ryuk...
Whoops!

Umm... How did that picture get here?

Blog from the sickbed

2010-06-24T03:36:00.000-07:00

To be honest, I hate being sick. If I ever, I'd never have been absent yesterday.
But then again, things would have gotten worse.
Had the cold and a bit of flu and if I did go for it, I might be sharing what is the latest fad now that the rainy season is here.
Wouldn't want that, do we?
So I called in sick.

Now I do apologize for the inconvenience.

Well, here's the thing. For LIT 102 we will still go at it with your delayed short report/open-letter. After that we immediately be tackling "Mill of the Gods". But be sure to be ready for a short quiz on Monday. Don't worry. It's an objective type.

Now don't you worry too much about the way I grade you. I have a rubric for reporting. Keep smiling. There you go.

For Humanities, I'm still cooking something up from your reading of Philippine painting and society hand out. Next week, we will be discussing sculpture.
As with the course outline, I still have yet to transfer it on to the internet. Keep smiling too.

Being sick isn't what it it's all wished up to be. Like I said, I'd rather be with you, my fellow Thomasians.

Don't worry... I'm coming tomorrow.

Now... here's something to entertain the restless...

Just a small thank you...

2010-06-18T20:28:00.001-07:00

To my new classes I wish you a very happy welcome!

It's been long since I have enjoyed myself doing what I do best and I am telling you, I am truly grateful to have met you all.

It' like going back to my old university days, really. All that time cooped out without anything else to do can drive one nuts.

But with divine grace, a little prayer and making a lot of annoying, inquisitive phone calls had led me now to my fated place.

I'm glad I am back home.

But mind you, being a father of two angelic ruckus-makers makes life worthwhile, so this means being a teacher is my second best vocation.

Okay, so... enough with the chit-chat and let's get to what we love to do: WORK.

On the left side of this blog you will see some of the latest downloads you can have for our subjects. For those enrolled in Philippine Literatures, you can immediately find it under its namesake heading.

As for Art, Man and Society, you got two places to visit: your downloads and some virtual museums. I've been trying to find a virtual museum of the Philippine National Museum but it seems that the IT there is lacking some inspiration. Well, anyway, you can still visit their site. I will be giving you some research work using their website sometime soon, so please do visit them. They feel a bit lonely there.

Well, time's up for me and I'm off to prepare your powerpoints

(I still got to get used to using that since I know you love looking at funny pictures.)

Right. Be seeing you next week! Have fun.

"Sapagkat Lalake Ka" by Michael Coroza

2010-06-17T23:28:00.000-07:00

Welcome welcome welcome...

So here you are now, my new students, though I shouldn't call you that since the word "student" seems to be quite political. No, no, no... I'd rather call you ...

My young professionals.. Now that's better.

Right. As requested by many of you, I will be placing our very first lesson for this semester.

And oh, but how fun it is to tackle the subject of literature with such zest. Imagine having to argue about sex and gender, about economic politics, about race... quite a deep ocean, really.

Anyway... here, as promised, the Michael Coroza's poem "Pagkat Lalaki Ka."
(Just a warning: if you find any difficult words, just encircle them and look for their meaning in a dictionary, or look it up in the interenet. Trust me. You'll thank me for the advice.)

The poem is about Man and his image, wherein Coroza is giving him an advice on change. Well, enjoy...

I.
Pagkat lalaki ka, Anak,
Matuto kang umiyak.
Mapait langgasin ng luha ang gunita
O ang bagong sugat ng huling pagkadapa
Subalit malinis at subok ang bisa
Ng luha sa pagtanggal ng mga mikrobyo
Sa isip, puso at buong pagkatao.

Pagkat ikaw ay lalaki,
Matuto kang magsisi,
Dagok sa danal ang pag-amin sa kasalanan
Ngunit sadyang walang may monopolyo ng katwiran
Hayaan mo na ikaw ay usigin, husgahan,
Sa ganyan mo mahahanap ang angkop na sangkap
Upang ang iyong pagkatao’y maganap.
II.
Minana mo, Anak,
Ang laksang pribilehiyo
Na pinagpasasaan
Ng mga nagtindig ng torre ng Babel,
Piramide, Koliseo,
Ziggurat, Templo,
Ang mga imperyo.

Iyo rin ang luwalhating
Tinatamasa nila
Sa mga maskuladong
Pahina ng istorya.

Ngunit, Anak, dumadaloy rin
Sa iyong katauhan
Ang mapagmalupit
Nilang lohika’t pangalan
Na nandarahas, gumagahis,
Nagpipiit sa iyong ina’t
Sa lahat ng ina’t babae sa daigdig.

Iluha mo, Anak,
Ang kanilang nakaraan.
Pagsisihan mo, Anak,
Ang kanilang kamalian.

III
Ang babaeng kakambal
At altar ng lupang
Nagluwal, kumandili’t
Nagpalaki sa lahat
At siya ring hantungan,
Aangkin sa labi
Ng lahat sa wakas
Ay bina-bahagi,
Inari, inararo,
Ginawang pundasyon
Ng lahat ng edipisyo
Subalit nasadlak
Sa mantsa ng dugo
Sa kumot ng halaga,
Ang silbi sa kasaysaya’y
Winalang-saysay at binura.

Tayo ngayo’y nabubuhay
Na may huwad na malay
Na moral, lohikal, at legal
Na napapairal ng lisyang katarungan:
Sa pedestal ng ating
Mga pagpapahalaga,
Walang gantimpala
Sa sakit ng panganganak,
Wala ring pabuya
Sa pagod ng pagmumulat
Ang babaeng matapos
Magbigay ng sarili
Sa anak ay naiiwang
Basyong walang silbi.

IV
Pagkat ikaw ay lalaki,
Matutuo kang pumatay.
Kitlin mo sa iyong sugat
Ang huwad na malay.

Sa akademya mo na lang
Ipatistis ang laman
At dugo ng huwad
Na malay mong pinaslang.

Durugin mo’t ilibing
Ang mga kalansay
Pagkat lalaki kang
Magbabago ng kulay.

If you wish to find out what he looks like, here's a simple picture of the man.
click "byte me."

Today is the D-Day!

2010-06-14T16:41:00.001-07:00

Today is the day!
From now on, I will be known as a new faculty of CTHM. Quite a family, I can say. Lots of fun and vibrant people.

And for a guy like me who's a bit timid, it's kind of a new environment.
Of course, I regret nothing.

In fact I am looking forward to this sudden change.
Jumping into a deep pool seems exciting so I'm taking this chance.

Right now, we're waiting for the official mass to start the school year off and I get to borrow some time to write here.

Thanks for staying with me!
May you all be blessed like I am now...

TYPE YOUR POST HERE

Pasukan na naman (Enrollment Blues)

2010-06-04T19:14:00.000-07:00

So today's the day I go back to school. It's enrollment once again and I am up to my underarm of different scents. A blend of male and female perfumes reeking and swathing within an airconditioned room.

Good thing the computer hub is open so I can rant a little right now. But it is also a good thing that, unlike the previous years, the procedure is clearer and much orderly now.

God hopes that I can finish this thesis on time before the end of the year so wish me luck.

I intend to stay as a new faculty of the University of Santo Tomas and have no plans of transferring anywhere.

This is just a short blog so...

Anyway, wish me luck...

TYPE YOUR POST HERE

UP: Above and Beyond

2010-05-30T02:55:00.001-07:00

While continuously looking for new journals to read for my thesis, I came across this old student video that was, to many people's belief, the one ripped off my Pixar's "UP."

Well things like that usually happens, most especially here in our country. Trust me. I know a lot of... writers... who usually do this and half of them are from the film industry.

Anyway, since Pixar's "UP" is soon to show on cable in Disney Channel, might as well share this video. I'm telling you, there's nothing kiddie and funny about this one.

Above then beyond
Uploaded by ftroncal.

If you like this, check some other video here...

Oh, it's just some lame Spider-Man, Hulk and Iron Man team up...

Nothing to rave about.

The Last Airbender

2010-05-26T18:45:00.000-07:00

So the latest Shyamalan is coming. Bad news is, I just heard from Jerry Alanguilan the very sad and very offensive controversy surrounding its cast.

Well, read this comic if you will, made by from Gene Luen Yang, an American Chinese:

Okay... So it means that homogenically, Asians are not good actors. This of course reminds me of what happened to Bruce Lee when he was not given the title role in "Kung Fu" because the producers say he is "too Asian looking."

Here's Carradine...

And here's Brucie..

As for the Airbender/Racebender Cast... well, let's see...
Let's play spot the difference then!

Shall we?

Who among these are Asians?

Oh, here's one! But wait! This is just an extra... What the...?!

Tch... Hollywood...

My Nemesis

2010-05-17T19:49:00.000-07:00

Having a hard time today.
As of now, I still feel like a night owl, waking up in the wee hours of the morning just to finish writing my thesis.

Still, I haven't lost hope. Now, in case you are wondering just what the heck is so important about my thesis (that is besides IT being my ticket to a permanent faculty career) it's all about comics, really.

Specifically, about the collection of Arnold Arre.

Currently, my biggest hurdle is on my discussion about the political economics affecting komiks. Yes, it is spelled that way since I am talking about that Filipino version of a comic book magazine. That unlike its foreign counterpart, each komiks contain a collection of short stories coming from different authors, nearly similar to the now defunct "Tales from the Crypt" series of William Gaines. But our Filipino Komiks is much different.

Anyway, komiks has been dead for years. What I am more interested in is on how some of its elements are fused into our current Filipino artists, most especially on Arre's graphic novels.

So here is my nemesis, my long time opponent, my thesis.
Once I am able to finish this and finally graduate, I promise myself I'll collaborate with an artist and write my own graphic novels. I already have a lot of ideas in my head.

And maybe I might make one just for the Real Life Superhero Project, I am not sure. I feel I like those guys. Just makes me wish there are some like them here in our country, though. But that won't happen in a million years.

Well, just informing you about my status and all.

Now, back to research...

Here's Arre...

The Real Deal

2010-05-06T21:54:00.000-07:00

Superheroes are real. This is what I now believe. And no. They do not have superpowers or fancy gadgets. All they have are a heart that cares and a great amount of courage. The Real Superheroes Project is to me a sensation, a promise of hope.

Fancy a world filled with colorful costumed people doing whatever they can to help their communities.In our everyday humdrum life we spend most of our lives looking out for ourselves, feeling within us a desire to do good yet we all are unable to step beyond our workstations and desks. In today's materialistic and complicated world, we have become mere bystanders living only to survive but not to exist.

The Real Life Superhero Project is intended as a responce to Man's inner urge for civic duty, aware that relying on the efficiency of authorities is not enough. They are here to help anyone in need, from doing crime watch to giving out food.

They may be clad in costumes and be mistaken as other-minded cosplay fanatics, but they are not.

They are real.

According to their website, the costumes are entirely meant as a symbol of their undying dedication. And it is also one that attracts others to do good, if not to inspire.

And don't they look so cool in their outfits?

As for me, I am inspired, though I am not wearing any tights or anything. I leave that to these professionals.

Good work, guys, and may there be more like you around the globe.

Real Life Superheroes?

2010-05-03T20:15:00.000-07:00

As a follow up to my entry about the movie "Kick ASS" I never realized it to be THAT real.
Just a couple of weeks ago, I posted on one of my favorite message boards, Komikero.com a question on whether or not any real superhero exist.

I kept on thinking the real reason why superheroes do not exist is simply because of cultural and psychological norm. For one thing, any person knows that someone who wears leotards and runs around at night is a lunatic. Second, personally, many of us wish to run around in leotards simply because we feel we want to be lunatics for a change.

But boy... am I DEAD WRONG...

Here's but a few clips a friend of mine linked to me to find out just how wrong I was...Thanks to Plutoxbedan for the links...

Welcome to the REAL WORLD of Superheroes.

And here's the REAL KICK ASS caught on camera

Totoo si Kick-Ass. Ang tanong, nasaan si Bruce Wayne?

Click on "byte me" if you still don't get the format of this blog site.

And here's something closer to home...

If you want more... log on to youtube and type "real life superheroes."

I am now a believer.

Jejemon: Got to Catch Them All!

2010-04-28T22:17:00.000-07:00

Here's something I came accross with in Urban Dictionary...

I myself never knew how it evolved, or how it breeds throughout the social networking sites. Currently I am also quite surprised that it has infected most of my former students. And no, they're not those cuddly and cute little critters you love to place in your pockets.

Jejemons...Language destroyer, joy-seeker. Trying hard Emo's and hanged-up gangster copycats.

Why God is letting them exist I have no idea. But be very cautious, kids. One bite from these ravenous creatures can trigger that texting finger of yours to doing stuff your mommy won't want you to do.

But if you are infected, you need a good old book vaccine, readily available in your local libraries and schools.

Just don't let your teachers catch you, though. Or.... are YOUR TEACHERS INFECTED, TOO?!

And if I catch one, I'll prop it up in a bottle of full of alchohol and be exhibiting it in a soical laboratory or something.

Watch as it stares back at you with its ominous eyes....

George A. Romero's
"Dawn of the Jejemon"

Turning a New Leaf

2010-04-28T21:18:00.000-07:00

As I went to the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasig yesterday for one last time, I made my final farwells to my supportive colleagues, those who still continue to suffer under its oppressive beaurocracy. Despite my desire to be with them in this time of crisis I must decide in favor of my family priorities and find a new venture. Hopefully as I write this, things will get well in that school, or worse comes to worst (which is usually the case in this school as my co-teacher often say), there will be an exodus of bright minds, the University president among them. God forbid when that happens for it means the enemy has won.

So my dear comrades, fight on until the end for this old soldier must hang his uniform in place of a new one. For now, I must clear my mind, my pen, my rifle.

What you heard is true, I have for the past two months been telling the administration that I will no longer renewing my contract. Right now I have been accepted as incoming faculty of the College of Tourism and Hotel Management in the University of Santo Tomas, my Alma Mater.

Once I get my load, I can then say I am finally home.

Home. Such a nice and comforting word. There will also be some problems here of course. I am sure of it. No school is ever without one. But to be home is a different feeling.

Fare you well, PL Pasig, I'm turning on a new leaf.

Starting June, a new adventure begins.

Dingdong Dantes to Play "Andong Agimat?"

2010-04-23T01:23:00.000-07:00

Yes, you heard it, guys.
The movie adaptation of the action-fantasy graphic novel will be directed by Mark Reyes for Viva Films, Unitel Pictures and GMA Films.

Originally, the title role was supposed to be for Robin Padilla, but he already signed a contract with Star Cinema.

What's the world going to, these days I got no idea.

Personally, yes, he may have the semblance. Just look at the picture here on the left. The question is, can he REALLY HANDLE the rugged image of Fernando Asedillo (Andong Agimat), the terror of Manila?

God only knows, but I'm not counting on it.

Hope that the role of Hari ng Tondo will be played by Pepe Smith. Remember him?

According to some source, this will make or brake Dantes in his career. Dunno if he's edging for international stardom (which is a good talk these days since the movie's set to be released in the US, but good luck. I'm sure the hundreds of fans of the book will be glad to give you a good whack on the head with a short alloy baseball bat.

I just wish Robin did not decided to leave the project at all... sniff... here's a peak on what "Andong Agimat" is all about. It's part of my finishing thesis, by the way....

My suggestion... MAKE A WEBSITE SO THE COMIC FANS AND THE STAR FANS CAN BATTLE IT OUT TO VOTE WHO WILL PLAY THE FREAKING ROLES!!!

Ever heard of what happened during the production of Transformers the movie?

THINK about it.

Song for a Dry Land

2010-04-21T20:12:00.000-07:00

Here's a simple poem to pass you by.

Something I came up with while doing my thesis...

I call it: SONG FOR A DRY LAND

I sprang where flowers bloom only to sway in cool breeze
that lands where it please.
Across the seas.
Uncharted lands.
Where it labors to meet its demands.
... See More
I sprang where the bamboo readily bends
and breaks where it prays for amends
Under rule and under life
Here I stay until my fruit is ripe.

Peace.

Why are there no real super heroes in real life?

2010-04-19T22:44:00.001-07:00

The title says it all. Serious, funny, realistic, violent.

Extremely violent.

But if you like flashy GCs or over-hyped franchise, then go somewhere else.

Oh, don't look away now or you will miss the whole point.

"Kick Ass" is much better than any over-hyped franchise.

You won't be disappointed, I'm sure.

At first, the story is quite simple, a shy geek experiences a few hang ups and frequent mugging decides why not become a community super hero. So he buys a costume via the internet and runs around in his tights doing simple good deeds. But when he got involved in a street violence, defending a helpless man, he became an instant hit. His life became even more complicated as more costumed heroes sprung up, more aggressive, more violent, and much darker than him. He never realized he started a brand new trend in vigilante crime fighting.

Although much of the characters are an offshoot of current hero franchise such as Spider-man and Batman, its biggest seller is on how real these characters are, most especially Kick Ass who is just a wimpy kid who had no redeeming powers but his own will.

The movie in fact seriously deals with the issue of why people don colorful costumes and fight crime, something that Allan Moore have thought of when he created the Watchmen back in the eighties. And for those who have watched the movie version of the Watchmen, I am sure that we both agree that it never did justice to the graphic novel. All we got is a watered down, comicalized kiddie version of an over-hyped movie. Kick Ass is deadly serious in this matter, most especially in the story of Big Daddy. For those who want to find out what happened to Nicolas Cage, just watch the film and cringe. You'll find out why. Me, I nearly cried.

The movie isn't much as an underdog like some who hadn't watched the movie say. What for me is a superb storytelling is not on how great the effects are but more so on how they developed the character. So what if there will be some lame moments in the film, but trust me on this. Watch it and you will be hooked.

This is how "The Watchmen" Movie should have been handled.

Renovations

2010-04-14T19:30:00.000-07:00

Now that my term has ended (or was that reign of terror?) I believe it is time to erase some of the entries here, most especially some outdated announcements.

The thing is. I kind of feel sad right now. No, I am not kidding. I do feel kind of empty now that school's over and I'm off to find another school to torment.

And so, I am here, just waiting by the corner of my room, twiddling my thumbs, aching for a stab on a whiteboard with my sharp,little marker. Drooling and continuously whispering snippets of poems, dropping names, dates...

In one instance, I know I heard... sounds. Voices of many characters from many literature screaming in my ear. Pleading to be heard. Promising things I barely understand. Screaming. Screaming.

Uh... Okay, so... This means I ache to be that Geek Teacher again. As for now, I'm simply contented to be the houseband again. What's a "Houseband" you say?

Oh, just a father taking care of two kids in the house while the wife works as a full time English Area Chair in her exclusive school.

Things will change. I hear it in my pockets, heavy with coins.

Change will come.

That's All Folks (and thanks for the ride)

2010-04-12T04:54:00.001-07:00

Honestly I'm lousy at goodbye's. But just this once...

Godspeed to those I leave.
And many thanks for the unforgiving pranks
the guys in payroll did toll.

I leave, for you know, it is hard to believe
that lies and deceit can make me leave.

But Godspeed to DSA, my friends
and that in the future we can make amends
the shortcomings we experienced.

So until then, with hope for the best
that we stay here in the East where the sun does shine,
and not to the West
Where everything is put to test.

"Like Sir Mark Timbal's Cooking..."

Goodbye, guys and hope to contact you every now and then...

Here's a little memento...

The End

2010-03-29T01:39:00.000-07:00

Well, time's up for me here. Now that another semester has come to an end, so is my service for The University of Pasig City.

I guess you may celebrate for my leave since I won't be coming back. Though I might, if God permits, pop my head once in a while in the DSA since I love being there so much.

Honestly, my days here have been memorable: conspiracies, piracies, rebellion, mutinies, hostile take overs. Oh you know, the usual boring stuff.

What I won't ever forget of course is being in the Department of Student Affairs. Now, I know I am not paid for helping, but I just can't stand aside watching a poor old lady be overwhelmed by herculean work. She's alone there for goodness' sake.

So for the students who happen to read this, please. Take care of Director Buni for me. She needs all the help she can get and more.

As to why I must leave, I think you already know. My family is my first priority and being an underpaid, late paid, abused, mocked, questioned, unrehired part-time teacher won't feed my family.

Happiest times. I'll miss you guys a lot. No. I do.

I know that once I am out, the vultures will start to hover on the ol' office.

But mark my words: Our director is a fighter. She WILL NEVER GIVE UP.

Besides, your regular rebellious teacher, Master Takeshi will still be here fighting along her side, all bloodied and rampaging.

As for me, well... God knows where the wind will take me next. At least I have hope that God will provide. He always does.

Been applying to other schools so I'm hoping for the best.

But worry about yourselves and worry more, you vultures. Timbal is gimbal and Director Buni's name is "Rejoice" for that is what will happen in the end.

By that time, I'll just sit on the belchers, eating popcorn, watching them win.

And they will..

THEY WILL.

Why not join Triond?

2010-03-16T22:01:00.000-07:00

Honestly, I may not have been regularly contributing to this site but I swear this is one of the best get-paid-to-write websites ever. So for those who are interested in sharing their thoughts while having a litter earning as incentive to their efforts,
I recommend Triond.

Just click on the highlighted words...

Now for another interlude...
A VERY DISTURBING SONG from the hit kid tv show on Nickelodeon "Yo Gabba Gabba"

(just click on byte me)

"Paranormal Acivity" Uncut?

2010-03-05T19:02:00.000-08:00

I got this creepy photo from a friend named Edison Billones.
It is the REAL ending of "Paranormal Activity" and I am telling you, it is not in the script.

Just pray before you see the picture or you will have nightmares for life.

I WARNED YOU!!

Pyrography: An old style in a new light

2010-03-01T01:36:00.000-08:00

Here's one of my former colleagues' latest work on pyrography.

And no, that's not pentelpen but burned wood.

Here's a thingy...

Philippine Literature Resources

2010-02-11T22:59:00.000-08:00

I just found a nutshell a few of you might find interesting related to our subject.
You can find the link here in these words.

And if you are not interested, byte me.

And some other resources here available.

The Next Darna?

2010-01-25T20:01:00.000-08:00

With all these talk in school about Manny Pacquiao's face plastered all over the net, I just got to try my hand at photoshop.

Here's one with a wacky photo from Anne Curtis.

Now, let's see how she becomes the next Darna...

Teacher's Hymn?

2010-01-18T22:45:00.000-08:00

I got this message yesterday from my wife. And she got this from a friend.

To tell the truth, it sounds weird but true.

And if you happen to know Manny Villar's jingle, sing this with glee to feel what WE feel.

But not all the time, of course. That will just contradict our honored vow.

"Teacher Hymn" (Sung in the tune of Manny Villar)

Nasubukan mo na bang magturo ng walang pisara?
Nag-classroom sa butas at sira-sirang silya?
Yan ang tanong namin.
Kaya mo ba itong sikmurain?

Naisip mo na ba ba't nagteacher ka pa?
Todo effort tayo ba't walang pagbabago?
Mas mabuti pa kung nag abroad na lang tayo.

CHORUS:

Teacher ang tunay na mahirap.
Teacher ang tunay na puro may pasakit!
Teacher lang ang may kakayahan na magtiis sa ganitong kalagayan.

Ang teacher lamang ang tunay na lugmok sa kahirapan!

"Love is a Fallacy" by Max Shulman

2010-01-17T04:12:00.000-08:00

Okay, finally..... Here's the copy of that long promised short story that's to be discussed in English tomorrow. I do apologize for the delay and all. No excuses. Just sorry.

I will understand if not many, if not any, of you happen to read this tonight or tomorrow early morning.

We can discuss the fallacies but with difficulty in appreciating it. One just cannot fathom the lesson and appreciate it without reading the short story. Trust me.

Oh well. It is my fault anyway.

Well, here it is...

Love is a Fallacy
Max Shulman

Cool was I and logical. Keen, calculating, perspicacious, acute and astute – I was all of these. My brain was as powerful as a dynamo, as precise as a chemist’s scales, as penetrating as a scalpel. And – think of it! – I was only eighteen.

It is not often that one so young has such giant intellect. Take, for example, Petey Bellows, my roommate at the university. Same age, same background, but dumb as an ox. A nice enough fellow, you understand, but nothing upstairs. Emotional type. Unstable. Impressionable. Worst of all, a faddist. Fads, I submit, are the very negation of reason. To be swept up in every new craze that comes along, to surrender yourself to idiocy just because everybody else is doing it – this, to me, is the acme of mindlessness. Not, however, to Petey.

“Raccoon,” he mumbled thickly.

“Raccoon?” I said, pausing my flight.

“I want a raccoon coat,” he wailed.

I perceived that his trouble was not physical, but mental. “Why do you want a raccoon coat?”

“I should have known it,” he cried, pounding his temples. “I should have known they’d come back when the Charleston came back. Like a fool I spent all my money for textbooks, and now I can’t get a raccoon coat.”

“Can you mean,” I said incredulously, “that people are actually wearing raccoon coats again?”

“All the Big Men on Campus are wearing them. Where’ve you been?”

“In the library,” I said, naming a place not frequented by Big Men on Campus.

He leaped from the bed and pace the room, “I’ve got to have a raccoon coat,” he said passionately. “I’ve got to!”

“Petey, why? Look at it rationally. Raccoon coats are unsanitary. They shed. They smell bad. They weigh too much. They’re unsightly. They –״

“You don’t understand,” he interrupted impatiently. “It’s the thing to do. Don’t you want to be in the swim?”

“No,” I said truthfully.

“Well, I do,” he declared. “I’d give anything for a raccoon coat. Anything!”

My brain, that precision instrument, slipped into high gear. “Anything?” I asked, looking at him narrowly.

“Anything,” lie affirmed in ringing tones.

I stroked my chin thoughtfully. It so happened that I knew where to get my hands on a raccoon coat. My father had had one in his undergraduate days; it lay now in a trunk in the attic back home. It also happened that Petey had something I wanted. He didn’t have it exactly, but at least he had first rights on it. I refer to his girl, Polly Epsy.

I had long coveted Polly Epsy. Let me emphasize that my desire for this young woman was not emotional in nature. She was, to be sure, a girl who excited the emotions, but I was not one to let my heart rule my head. I wanted Polly for a shrewdly calculated, entirely cerebral reason.

I was a freshman I law school. In a few years I would be out in practice. I was well aware of the importance of the right kind of wife in the furthering a lawyer’s career. The successful lawyers I had observed were, almost without exception, married to beautiful, gracious, intelligent women. With one omission, Polly fitted these specifications perfectly.

Beautiful she was. She was not yet of pin-up proportions, but I felt sure that time would supply the lack. She already had the makings.

Gracious she was. By gracious I mean full of graces. She had an erectness of carriage, an ease of bearing, a poise that clearly indicated the best of breeding. At table her manners were exquisite. I had seen her at the Kozy Kampus Korner eating the specialty of the house – a sandwich that contained scraps of pot roast, gravy, chopped nuts, and a dipper of sauerkraut – without even getting her fingers moist.

Intelligent she was not. In fact, she veered in the opposite direction. But I believed that under my guidance she would smarten up. At any rate, it was worth a try. It is, after all, easier to make a beautiful dumb girl smart than make an ugly smart girl beautiful.

“Petey,” I said, “are you in love with Polly Epsy?”

“I think she’s a keen kid,” he replied, “but I don’t know if you’d call it… love. Why?”

“Don’t you,” I asked, “have any kind of formal arrangement with her? I mean are you going steady or anything like that?”

“No. We see each other quite a bit, but we both have other dates. Why?”

“Is there,” I asked, “any other man for whom she has a particular fondness?”

“Not that I know of. Why?”

I nodded with satisfaction. “In other words, if you were out of the picture, the field would be open. Is that right?”

“I guess so. What are you getting at?”

“Nothing, nothing,” I said innocently, and took my suitcase out of the closet.

“Where are you going?” asked Petey.

“Home for the weekend.” I threw a few things into the bag.

“Listen,” he said, clutching my arm eagerly, “while you’re home, you couldn’t get some money from your old man, could you, and lend it to me so I can buy a raccoon coat?”

“I may do better than that,” I said with a mysterious wink and closed my bag and left.

“Look,” I said to Petey when I got back Monday morning. I threw open the suitcase and revealed the huge, garny object that my father had worn in his Stutz Bearcat in 1925.

“Holy Toledo!” said Petey reverently. He plunged his hands into the raccoon coat and then his face. “Holy Toledo!” he repeated fifteen or twenty times.

“Would you like it?” I asked.

“Oh, yes!” he cried, clutching the greasy pelt to him. Then a canny look came to his eyes. “What do you want for it?”

“Your girl,” I said, mincing no words.

“Polly?” he said in a horrified whisper. “You want Polly?”

“That’s right.”

He flung the coat from him. “Never,” he said stoutly.

I shrugged, “Okay. If you don’t want to be in the swim, I guess it’s your business.”

I sat down in a chair and pretended to read a book, but out of the corner of my eye I kept watching Petey. He was a torn man. First he looked at the coat with the expression of a waif at a bakery window. Then he turned away set his jaw resolutely. Then he looked back at the coat, with even more longing in his face.

Then he turned away, but with not so much resolution this time. Back and forth his head swiveled, desire waxing, resolution waning. Finally he didn’t turn away at all; he just stood and stared with mad lust at the coat.

“It isn’t as though I was in love with Polly,” he said thickly, “Or going steady or anything like that.”

“That’s right,” I murmured.

“What’s Polly to me, or me to Polly?”

“Not a thing,” said I.

“It’s just been a casual kick – just a few laughs, that’s all.”

“Try on the coat,” said I.

He complied. The coat bunched high over his ears and dropped all the way down to his shoe tops. He looked like a mound of dead raccoon. “Fits fine,” he said happily.

I rose from my chair, “Is it a deal?” I asked, extending my hand.

He swallowed. “It’s a deal,” he said and shook my hand.

I had my first date with Polly the following evening. This was in the nature of a survey; I waited to find out just how much work I had to do to get her mind up to the standard I required. I took her first to dinner. “Gee, that was a delish dinner,” she said as we left the restaurant. Then I took her to a movie. “Gee, that was a marvy movie,” she said as we left the theater. And then I took her home. “Gee, I had a sensaysh time,” she said as she bade me good night.

I went back to my room with a heavy heart. I had gravely underestimated the size of my task. This girl’s lack of information was terrifying. Nor would it be enough merely to supply her with information. First she had to be taught to think. This loomed as a project of no small dimensions, and at first I was tempted to give her back to Petey. But then I got to thinking about her abundant physical charms and about the way she entered a room and the way she handled a knife and fork, and I decided to make an effort.

I went about it, as in all things, systematically. I gave her a course in logic. It happened that I as a law student was taking a course in logic myself, so I had all the facts at my fingertips. “Polly,” I said to her when I picked her up on our next date, “tonight we are going over to the Knoll and talk.”

“Oh, tariff,” she replied. One thing I will say for this girl: you would go far to find another so agreeable.

We went to the Knoll, the campus trysting place, and we sat down under an old oak, and she looked at me expectantly. “What are we going to talk about?” she asked.

“Logic.”

She thought this over for a minute and decided she liked it, “Magnif,” she said.

“Logic,” I said, clearing my throat, “is the science of thinking. Before we can think correctly, we must first learn to recognize the common fallacies of logic. These we will take up tonight,”

“Wow-dow!” she cried, clapping her hands delightedly. I winced, but went bravly on. “First let us examine the fallacy called Dicto Simpliciter.”

“By all means,” she urged, batting her eyelashes eagerly.

“Dicto Simpliciter means an argument based on an unqualified generalization. For example: Exercise is good. Therefore everybody should exercise.”

“I agree,” said Polly earnestly. “I mean exercise is wonderful. I mean it builds the body and everything.”

“Polly,” I said gently, “the argument is a fallacy. Exercise is good is an unqualified generalization. For instance, if you have a heart disease, exercise is bad, not good. Many people are ordered by their doctors not to exercise. You must qualify the generalization. You must say exercise is usually good, or exercise is good for most people. Otherwise you have committed a Dicto Simpliciter. Do you see?”

“No,” she confessed. “But this is marvy. Do more! Do more!”

“It will be better if you stop tugging at my sleeve,” I told her, and when she desisted, I continued. “Next we take up a fallacy called Hasty Generalization. Listen carefully: You can’t speak French. I can’t speak French. Petey Bellows can’ speak French. I must therefore conclude that nobody at the University of Minnesota can speak French.”

“Really?” said Polly, amazed, “Nobody?”

I hid my exasperation. “Polly, it’s a fallacy. The generalization is reached too hastily. There are too few instances to support such a conclusion.”
“Kow any more fallacies?” she asked breathlessly. “This is more fun than dancing even.”

I fought off a wave of despair. I was getting nowhere with this girl, absolutely nowhere. Still, I am nothing if not persistent. I continued, “Next comes Post Hoc. Listen to this: Let’s not take Bill on our picnic. Everytime we take him out with us, it rains.”

“I know somebody just like that,” she exclaimed. “A girl back home – Eula Becker, her name is. It never fails. Every single time we take here on a picnic.”

“Polly,” I said sharply, “it’s a fallacy. Eula Becker doesn’t cause the rain. She has no connection with the rain. You are guilty of Post Hoc if you blame Eula Becker.”

“I’ll never do it again,” she promised contritely. “Are you mad at me?”

I sighed, “No, Polly. I am not mad.”

“Then tell me some more fallacies.”

“All right. Let’s try Contradictory Permises.”

“Yes, let’s,” she chirped, blinking her eyes happily.

I frowned, but plunged ahead. “Here’s an example of Contradictory Premises: If God can do anything, can He make a stone so heavy that He won’t be able to lift it?”

“Of course,” she replied promptly.

“But if He can do anything. He can lift the stone,” I pointed out.

“Yeah…” she said thoughtfully. “Well then I guess He can’t make the stone.”

“But He can do anything,” I reminded her.

She scratched her pretty, empty head, “I’m all confused,” she admitted.

“Of course you are. Because when the premises of an argument contradict each other, there can be no argument. If there is an irresistible force, there can be no immovable object. If there is an immovable object, there can be no irresistible force. Get it?”

“Tell me some more of this keen stuff,” she said eagerly.

I consulted my watch, “I think we better call it a night. I’ll take you home now, and you go over all the things you’ve learned. We’ll have another session tomorrow night.”
I deposited her at the girl dormitory, where she assured me that she had a perfectly terrif evening, and I went glumly to my room. Petey lay snoring in his bed, the raccoon coat huddled like a great hairy beast at his feet. For a moment I considered waking him and telling him that he could have his girl back. It seemed clear that my project was doomed to failure. The girl simply had a logic-proof head.

But then I reconsidered. I had wasted one evening. I might as well waste another. Who knows? Maybe somewhere in the extinct crater of her mind a few embers still smoldered. Maybe somehow I could fan them into flame. Admittedly it was not a prospect fraught with hope, but decided to give it one more try.

Seated under the oak the next evening I said, “Our first fallacy tonight is called Ad Misericordiam.”

She quivered with delight.

“Listen closely,” I said, “A man applies for a job. When the boss asks him what his qualification are, he replies that he has a wife and six children at home, the wife is a helpless cripple, the children have nothing to eat, no clothes to wear, no shoes on their feet, there are no bed in the house, no coal in the collar, and winter is coming.”

A tear rolled down each of Polly’s pink cheeks. “Oh, this is awful, awful,” she sobbed.

“Yes, it’s awful,” I agreed, “But it’s no argument. The man never answered the boss’s question about his qualifications. Instead he appealed to the boss’s sympathy. He committed the fallacy of Ad Misericordian. Do you understand?”

“Have you got a handkerchief?” she blubbered.

I handed her a handkerchief and tried to keep from screaming while she wiped her eyes. “Next,” I said in a carefully controlled tone, “we will discuss False Analogy. Here is an example: Students should be allowed to look at their textbooks during examination. After all, surgeons have X-rays to guide them during an operation, lawyers have briefs to guide them during a trial, carpenters have blueprints to guide them when they are building a house. Why, then, shouldn’t students be allowed to look at their textbooks during an examination?”

“There now,” she said enthusiastically, “is the most marvy idea I’ve heard in years.”

“Polly,” I said testily, “the argument is all wrong. Doctors, lawyers, and carpenters aren’t taking a test to see how much they have learned, but students are. The situations are altogether different, and you can’t make an analogy between them.”

“I still think it’s a good idea,” said Polly.
“Nuts,” I muttered. Doggedly I pressed on. “Next we’ll try Hypothesis Contrary to Fact.”
“Sounds yummy,” was Polly’s reaction.

“Listen: If Madame Curie had not happened to leave a photographic plate in a drawer with a chunk of pitchblende, the world today would not know about radium.”

“True, true,” said Polly, nodding her head. “Did you see the movie? Oh, it just knocked me out. That Walter Pidgeon is so dreamy. I mean he fractures me.”

“If you can forget Mr. Pidgeon for a moment,” I said coldly, “I would like to point out that the statement is a fallacy. Maybe Madame Curie would have discovered radium at some late date. Maybe somebody else would have discovered it. Maybe any number of things would have happened. You can’t start with hypothesis that is not true then draw any supportable conclusions from it.”

“They ought to put Walter Pidgeon in more pictures,” said Polly, “I hardly ever see him anymore.”

One more chance, I decided. But just one more. There is a limit to what flesh and blood can bear. “The next fallacy is called Poisoning the Well.”

“How cute!” she gurgled.

“Two men having a debate. The first one gets up and says, ‘My opponent is a notorious liar. You can’t believe a word that he is going to say.’ Now, Polly, think. Think hard. What’s wrong?”

I watched her closely as she knit her creamy brow in concentration. Suddenly a glimmer of intelligence – the first I hade seen – came into her eyes. “It’s not fair,” she said with indignation. “It’s not a bit fair. What chance has the second man got if the first man calls him a liar before he even begins talking?”

“Right!” I cried exultantly. “One hundred percent right. It’s not fair. The first man has poisoned the well before anybody could drink from it. He has hamstrung his opponent before he could even start… Polly, I’m proud of you.”

“Pshaw,” she murmured, blushing with pleasure.

“You see, my dear, these things aren’t so hard. All you have to do is concentrate. Think-examine-evaluate. Come now, let’s review everything we have learned.”

“Fire away,” she said with an airy wave of her hand.

Heartened by the knowledge that Polly was not altogether a cretin, I began a long. Patient review of all I had told her. Over and over again I cited instances, pointed out flaws, kept hammering away without letup. It was like digging a tunnel. At first everything was work, sweat, and darkness. I had no idea when I would reach the light, or even if I would. But I persisted. I pounded and clawed and scraped, and finally I was rewarded, I saw a chink of light. And then the chink got bigger and the sun came pouring in and all was bright.

Five grueling nights this took, but it was worth it. I had made a logician out of Polly; I had taught her to think. My job was done. She was worthy of me at last. She was a fit wife for me, a proper hostess for my many mansions, a suitable mother for my well-heeled children.

It must not be thought that I was without love for this girl. Quite the contrary. Just as Pygmalion loved the perfect woman he had fashioned, so I loved mine. I decided to acquaint her with my feelings at our very next meetings. The time had come to change our relationship from academic to romantic.

“Polly,” I said when next we sad beneath our oak, “tonight we will not discuss the fallacies.”

“Aw, gee,” she said, disappointed.

“My dear,” I said, favoring her with a smile, “we have now spent five evenings together. We have gotten along splendidly. It is clear that we are well matched.”

“Hasty Generalization,” said Polly. “How can you say that we are well matched on the basis of only five dates?”

I chuckled with amusement. The dear child had learned her lessons well. “My dear,” I said, patting her hand with a tolerant manner, “five dates is plenty. After all, you don’t have to eat a whole cake to know that it’s good.”

“False Analogy,” said Polly promptly. “I’m not a cake. I’m a girl.”

I chuckled with somewhat less amusement. The dear child had learned her lessons perhaps too well. I decided to change tactics. Obviously the best approach was a simple, strong, direct, declaration of love. I paused for a moment while my massive brain chose the proper words. Then I began:

“Polly, I love you. You are the whole world to me, and the moon and the stars and the constellation of outer space. Please, my darling, say that you will go steady with me, for if you will not, life will be meaningless. I will anguish, I will refuse my meals. I will wander the face of the earth, a shambling, hollow-eyed hulk.” There, I thought, folding my arms, that ought to do it.

“Ad Misericordian,” said Polly.

I ground my teeth, I was not Pygmalion, I was Frankenstein, and my monster had me by the throat. Frantically, I fought back the tide of panic surging through me. At all costs I had to keep cool.

“Well, Polly,” I said, forcing a smile, “you certainly have learned your fallacies.”

“You’re darn right,” she said with a vigorous mood.

“And who taught them to you, Polly?”

“You did.”

“That’s right. So you do owe me something, don’t you, my dear? If I hadn’t come along you never would have learned about fallacies.”

“Hypothesis Contrary to Fact,” she said instantly.

I dashed perspiration from my brow, “Polly,” I croaked, “You mustn’t take all these things so literally. I mean, this is just classroom stuff. You know that the things you learn in school don’t have anything to do with life.”

“Dicto Simpliciter,” she said, wagging her finger at me playfully.

That did it. I leaped to my feet, bellowing like a bull. “Will you or will you not go steady with me?”

“I will not,” she replied.

“Why not?” I demanded.

“Because this afternoon I promised Petey Bellows that I would go steady with him.”

I reeled back, overcome with the infamy of it. After he promised, after he made the deal, after he shook my hand!

“The rat!” I shrieked, kicking up great chunks of turf, “You can’t go steady with him, Polly. He’s a liar. He’s a cheat. He’s a rat.”

“Poisoning the Well,” said Polly, “and stop shouting. I think shouting must be a fallacy too.”

With an immense effort of will, I modulated my voice, “All right,” I said. “You’re a logician. Let’s look at this thing logically. How could you choose Petey Bellows over me? Look at me –a brilliant student, a tremendous intellectual, a man with an assured future. Look at Petey – a knot-bead, a jitterbug, a guy who’ll never know where his next meal is coming from. Can you give me one logical reason why you should go steady with Petey Bellows?”

“I certainly can,” declared Polly. “He’s got a raccoon coat.”

End…

The Filipino Short Story

2010-01-06T07:10:00.001-08:00

Well, I did apologize for being late a while ago in class. But as you have learned I simply must be late. And I say again that I am currently nursing my kids back to full health due to a slight case of pneumonia. And as you are all aware, this is no ordinary cough.

Anyway they'll be fine. Kids these days are sort of mutants, with all that multivitamins and stuff scientists put in their food products. They're slowly becoming... better than us. That's what I am to believe.

Right, so about the last discussion... We... I mean... I (since it appears I am the only one enthusiastic about the subject) was just discussing about how the Americans have influenced our everyday life just by teaching us English. Well, for those who are curious, let me tell you all about it.

The thing is, learning a new language has an overall effect on people. For one thing, a teacher cannot teach a new language without including cultural expressions unique to the language. This is exactly what happened to the Filipino when the Americans came in 1898. Much of the English expressions we have today are actually foreign expressions entirely. They may say what we feel, but not exactly what we mean. It's the same with Filipino Literature in English. The very concepts the Filipinos try to express in their literature are still a bit foreign.

From what we can sumrise, there were three major phases that the Filipinos had gone through to attain the level of English literacy we have today. And they are as follows:

PERIOD OF RE-ORIENTATION
(1998-1910)
While the last remants of resistance were fanning down, most Filipinos were too eager to embrace their new colonizers. This accounts for two reasons. One, because the Spaniards have long oppressed the ordinary "Indio," even their so-called tradition are considered colonialist. The Americans, on the other hand, were not entirerly forceful of their rise to power. In fact, they envisioned themselves as our "Big Brother" who would guide the Filipinos until the latter can be able to govern themselves. Two, the Americans have given what most Filipinos crave for, education.

The second reason has beneficial and equally devastating effect on the present state of the Filipino.

Beneficial for it has given Filipinos the opportunity to expound in many careers such as engineers, architects, accountants, and even the ever-flourishing profession of journalism. Moreover, they became aware of the concepts of democracy and free-choice.

The devastating effect of education from the Americans is on cultural influence. Much so that Filipinos look at their culture as artifacts, spectacles for special ocassions, and not as truly a severe and reverent part of their life. The result is the dying of many Filipino traditions, supplanted by Western culture.

So, as the USS Thomas came to shore, bearing with her a number of volunteer soldiers as teachers for the first-ever public school system, they gave the Filipino more than just education. They gave him a new identity to choose from.

The main root of this can be traced back to the learning of the English
language. As I have said, whenever one learns a new language, learning its culture is not far behind.

And so, in the 1900's, as English became
the medium of intruction in public schools, many had tried to use the language in their everyday communication.

The late Tony Velazques, the creator of the now classic comic strip hero Kenkoy, had much to say on its effect. Throughout Kenkoy's existence, Velazques critiqued some Filipinos who acted like "Little Brown Americans," brandishing the latest fashion and trend the Americans brought with them, including the use of American expressions like "By golly, wow" and "Never worry." This they did while learning that "A is for Apple," that "the concept of Christmas must be about Christmas trees, Santa Claus and white snow," that the names of kids must be "Dick and Jane and their dog is Spot."

Of course, the more serious ones to use English are the writers who took turns in using it as part of their tongue. It is them, actually, who took most of the impact the Americans made upon the Filipino. The writers found it hard to adjust to a newfound freedom from oppression of thought and speech. To a few, the sensation came as a shock, to others, they became doubtful of how long it would last. And then to some, it is a sudden blessing.

These writers have also adjusted to the difference of English as a language from their own vernacular tongue, resulting to stilted writing, imperfect english, and awkward use of American expressions.

In this early stage, not much literature were in fact written, save for a few that resembled Western literary classics.

Then, in 1908, the University of the Philippines was founded.

PERIOD OF IMMITATION
(1910-1924)

The foundation of UP became the stepping stone for some writers to fully appreciate the new language.

In 1919, the first UP College Folio was published, containing the first Filipino writers in English. They can also be called the pioneers of the Filipino short story in English. The only criticism that can be said of these group is that they imitated American and British models, ranging from theme down to the very plot. Of course, one cannot blame this tendency since the adjustment to the new language means an adjustment to literary as well as cultural standards set up by the Western Classics.
Moreover, as reflected by the period of Re-orientation, the writings are still artificial (in our colloquial tongue "pilit"), bears an unnatural style (due to the patterned formula of the West), lacked vitality (because of its artificialness), and lacks spontaneity (since Filipinos are still much preoccupied in perfecting more their grammar than on the art itself).

This became different when Filipinos finally had a feel of the language in the later part of the American reformation.

PERIOD OF SELF-DISCOVERY AND GROWTH
(1925-1941)

By this time, Filipinos have by then acquired mastery over the English language. They can now freely express themselves as well as use them in intellectual debates.

But due to the heavy influence of the past colonizers, the short stories written still left traces of old Spanish style of writing, namely they are florid, exaggerated, bombastic, and quite often didactic.

The Implication of culture in English

So these are the three periods in the flourishing of the English language in the Philippines. Today, English has become the Filipino's second language, if not the suplement (or spice) to the Tagalog. And the introduction of English had also paved way for many Filipinos to read and discover for themselves what it is to be like Sherlock Holmes, Romeo and Juliet, Jean Valjean, Harry Potter, Edward Cullen, and all other Western icons. The understanding of English became the means for names like Elvis Presley to become household names. And the understanding of English had set a new standard on critiquing Tagalog literature as low brow and for the "pang-masa." Well, it's up to you now to react. But this is what is happening.

Now let's proceed to the discussion of the short story.

THE FILIPINO SHORT STORY

Quite arguably, fiction in itself is Western. The first ever fiction can be traced back in the 17th century and the art of writing short stories was perfected only during the 19th century through the efforts of the late Edgar Allan Poe, who can be said to be the father of the modern short story.Since then, the writing of short stories flourished throughout America with the help of a number of other writers such as Samuel Clemens (more famously known in his pen name Mark Twain), and H.P. Lovecraft (Who wrote in gothic horror and eventually influenced a lot of later generation of horror writers).

If the short story is a product of the West, how can one determine for sure if a short story is truly Filipino in nature?

This is a great theoretical challenge. One that is most often debated not exactly by scholars, but by ordinary folks. Both in character and tone, Filipino fiction is distinctive. As it is said, most Filipino writers are bombastic, or have used a forceful tone and voice in their writing. Another thing is that most Filipino short stories talk more about social status and social relationships. Whether it be about the rich or the poor, the mere thought of being poor, or just plainly about social isolation, Filipinos quite often trouble themselves with self-esteem. To fully appreciate any individual view of these short story writers, we must first understand the way we read stories.

Prose is very much different from poetry. While poetry has rhythm and rhyme, prose on the other hand is straighforward and bears no ryhthmic style whatsoever. What it follows, however are logical patterns in wriitng, in terms of argument, retelling of a narrative, or steps in a process.

In fiction, the logical pattern is called a plot structure. The plot structure goes like this:

A. Initial incident - a significant situation happens that opens up the story, usually a problem is about to be handed to a hero, or perhaps he is already faced with a problem.

B. Rising Action - so while the hero handles a problem, he encounters certain difficulties in solving it.

C. Climax - at the peak of action, the hero manages to find a solution to his problem.

D. Deneument - also known as the downlfall action, the story manages to unwind itself. Maybe there will be a reversal of fortune: the good is rewarded, the bad is punished.

E. Ending - eventually, everything falls down to a conclusion, leaving the reader a sensation of justice, if not a sensation of a revelation in life.

All novels have a series of climaxes. These are called an anticlimax. Since a novel is quite long, these anticlimax serve as a number of significant encounters the hero faces.

The short story only has one major climax: the point of illunmination. The point of illumination is very much important for it speaks about the major change in the fortune of the hero. Also, it speaks of a major revelation that will definitely change the hero's point of view.

Knowing the point of illumination in a story can help us determine what the whole story is really all about. Now, how do we interpret what we see?

Well, in literary criticism, we often use five approaches: moral, cultural, historical, archetypal, and psychological.

To fully utilize all these is to follow it by steps.

A. Moral - the first step is to make your own lesson about what you have read. Moral teaches us a kind of value, the lesson tells us of what to make of that value. So if the moral is "Don't do to others what you don't want others do to you," the lesson will be about "Because others will do exactly the same to you." To put it simply, lessons help explain the reason for the given value.

So how do you find the moral value? How do you explain it through the lesson? Look up on the other steps.

So once you already have the moral value, try to figure out what are the elements in the short story that contributes to it. You will need a piece of paper to list these down on each category.

B. Cultural - Every culture has its own set of values, depending on the country's social structure. So what you must do is to find out first where the short story came from. What culture does it try to portray? What brings this culture forth, in terms of actions, location, costumes, etc.?

C. Historical - Not only is culture important, you must also look at the short story's history. When was it written is important since each generation has its own set of values, too.

D. Archetypal - Symbols are a big part of literature. Look at the symbols that contribute to the story and find its representation and meaning. All symbols within a story contribute to the meaning of the moral set by the author. Say dove for peace, a heart for love.

E. Psychological - in the last phase, think of how the actions of each character are fuelled by their motivations. Why do you think they did what they did? Find this out, you find all the other literary approaches in play. Which of course brings us back to the first approach, moral.

Once everything is laid out on your paper. Make a connection as to how you can explain the moral value. Give the lesson, and then react to the entire story in relation to issues such as social, political, spiritual, sexual, or even your own personal issue.

I hope this brief discussion compensates for my lateness and, God hope not, absences. Well, I still have to attend to my kids.

Time for their medication.

Remember Ninoy, not Noynoy

2009-12-16T19:39:00.000-08:00

Ninoy Aquino's Arrival Speech
This is the speech that Benigno Aquino had prepared to give on his return to the Philippines from exile. He was assassinated at the airport that now bears his name.

Arrival Speech of Ninoy Aquino

I have returned on my free will to join the ranks of those struggling to restore our rights and freedoms through non-violence.

I seek no confrontation. I only pray and will strive for a genuine national reconciliation founded on justice.

I am prepared for the worst, and have decided against the advice of my mother, my spiritual adviser, many of my tested friends and a few of my most valued political mentors.

A death sentence awaits me. Two more subversion charges, both calling for death penalties, have been filed since I left three years ago and are now pending with the courts.

Three years ago when I left for an emergency heart bypass operation, I hoped and prayed that the rights and freedoms of our people would soon be restored, that living conditions would improve and that blood-letting would stop.

I could have opted to seek political asylum in America, but I feel it is my duty, as it is the duty of every Filipino, to suffer with his people especially in time of crisis. I never sought not have I been given any assurances, or promise of leniency by the regime. I return voluntarily armed only with a clear conscience and fortified in the faith that in the end, justice will emerge triumphant. According to Gandhi, the willing sacrifice of the innocent is the most powerful answer to insolent tyranny that has yet been conceived by God and man.

Rather than move forward we have moved backward. The killings have increased, the economy has taken a turn for the worse and the human rights situation has deteriorated.

During the martial law period, the Supreme Court heard petitions for habeas corpus. It is most ironic after martial law has allegedly been lifted, that the Supreme Court last April ruled it can longer entertain petitions for habeas corpus for person detained under the Presidential Commitment Order, which covers all so-called national security cases and which under present circumstances can cover almost anything.

The country is far advanced in her times of trouble. Economic, social and political problems bedevil the Filipino. These problems may be surmounted if we are united. But we can be united only if all the rights and freedoms enjoyed before September 21, 1972 are fully restored.

The Filipino asked for nothing more, but will surely accept nothing less, than all the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the 1935 constitution – the most sacred legacies from the founding fathers.

Yes, the Filipino is patient, but there is a limit to his patience. Must we wait until that patience snaps?

The nationwide rebellion is escalating and threatens to explode into a bloody revolution. There is a growing cadre of young Filipinos who have finally come to realize that freedom is never granted, it is taken. Must we relive the agonies and the blood-letting of the past that brought forth our republic or can we sit down as brothers and sisters and discuss our differences with reason and goodwill?

I have often wondered how many disputes could have been settled easily had the disputants only dared to define their terms.

So as to leave no room for misunderstanding, I shall define my terms:

Six years ago, I was sentenced to die before a firing squad by a military tribunal whose jurisdiction I steadfastly refused to recognize. It is now time for the regime to decide. Order my immediate execution or set me free.

I was sentenced to die for allegedly being the leading communist leader. I am not a communist, never was and never will be.

National reconciliation and unity can be achieved, but only with justice, including justice for our Muslim and Ifugao brothers. There can be no deal with a dictator. No compromise with dictatorship.

In a revolution there can really be no victors, only victims. We do not have to destroy in order to build.

Subversion stems from economic, social, and political causes and will not be solved by purely military solution: It can be curbed not with ever increasing repression but with a more equitable distribution of wealth, more democracy and more freedom.

For the economy to get going once again, the working man must be given his just and rightful share or his labor, and to the owners and managers must be restored the hope where there is so must uncertainty if not despair.

On one of the long corridors of Harvard University are carved in granite the words of Archibald Macleish: ‘How shall freedom be defended? By arms when it is attacked by arms; by truth when it is attacked by lies; by democratic faith when it is attacked by authoritarian dogma. Always and in the final act, by determination and faith.’

I return from exile and an uncertain future with only determination and faith to offer – faith in our people and faith in God.
(1983)

1. What was Benigno Aquino’s plan upon his return?
2. According to him, what is the current state of the country?
3. Explain his stand on the thought of revolution?
4. What do you think is going through his mind when he said, “It is now time for the regime to decide. Order my immediate execution or set me free.”?

Array ko Spits

2009-12-16T19:23:00.000-08:00

"Okay, class! Remember! When you graduate College, be sure to enroll next in elementary! Look at me, after my presidency, I will run for Congress. After that, Mayor. Next, Baranggay Tanod! So are you with me? Okay, let us review my very first speech!"

INAUGURATION SPEECH OF PRESIDENT GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
JANUARY 20, 2001

In all humility, I accept the Presidency of the Republic.

I do so with both trepidation and a sense of awe.

Trepidation, because it is now, as the Good Book says, a time to heal and a time to build. The task is formidable, so I pray that we will all be one -- one in our priorities, one in our values and commitments, and one because of Edsa 2001.

A sense of awe, because the Filipino has done it again on the hallowed ground of Edsa.

People Power and the oneness of will and vision have made a new beginning possible. I cannot but recall at this point, therefore, Ninoy Aquino's words:

"I have carefully weighed the virtues and the faults of the Filipino, and I have come to the conclusion that he is worth dying for."

As we break from the past in our quest for the new Philippines, the unity, the Filipino's sense of history, and his unshakeable faith in the Almighty that prevailed in Edsa '86 and Edsa 2001 will continue to guide and inspire us.

I am certain the Filipinos of unborn generations will look back with pride to Edsa 2001, just as we look back with pride to Mactan, the Katipunan and other revolts, Bataan and Corregidor , and Edsa '86.

I am certain that pride will reign supreme as they recall the heroism and sacrifices and prayers of Jaime Cardinal Sin, former Presidens Corazon Aquino and Fidel Ramos, the legislators who fought the good fight in Congress, the leaders whose principles were beyond negotiation, the witnesses in the impeachment trial who did not count the cost of testifying, the youth and students who walked out of their classes to be here at Edsa, the generals in the Armed Forces and the Philippine National Police, and the Filipino out there who stood up to be counted in these troubled times.

The Filipino, crises and all, is truly worth living and dying for.

Ngunit saan tayo tutungo mula rito?

Jose Rizal, the first to articulate self-determination in a free society, provides the answer.

Rizal counseled the Filipino to lead a life of commitment, "He must think national, go beyond self."

"A stone is worthless," Rizal wrote, "if it is not part of an edifice."

We are the stones, and the Philippines is our edifice.

On many occasions, I have given my views on what our program of government should be. This is not the time or place to repeat them all. However, I can tell you that they converge on four core beliefs.

1. We must be bold in our national ambitions, so that our challenge must be that within this decade, we will win the fight against poverty.

2. We must improve moral standards in government and society, in order to provide a strong foundation for good governance.

3. We must change the character of our politics, in order create fertile ground for true reforms. Our politics of personality and patronage must give way to a new politics of party programs and process of dialogue with the people.

4. Finally, I believe in leadership by example. We should promote solid traits such as work ethic and a dignified lifestyle, matching action to rhetoric, performing rather than grandstanding.

The first of my core beliefs pertains to the elimination of poverty. This is our unfinished business from the past. It dates back to the creation of our Republic, whose seeds were sown in the revolution launched in 1896 by the plebian Andres Bonifacio. It was an unfinished revolution, for to this day, poverty remains our national problem. We need to complete what Andres Bonifacio began. The ultimate solution to poverty has both a political and an economic aspect.

Let me first talk about the political aspect.

In doing so, I will refer to one of my core beliefs, that of the need for new politics. Politics and political power as traditionally practiced and used in the Philippines are among the roots of the social and economic inequities that characterize our national problems. Thus, to achieve true reforms, we need to outgrow our traditional brand of politics based on patronage and personality. Traditional politics is the politics of the status quo. It is a structural part of our problem.

We need to promote a new politics of true party programs and platforms, of an institutional process of dialogue with our citizenry. This new politics is the politics of genuine reform. It is a structural part of the solution.

We have long accepted the need to level the playing field in business and economics. Now, we must accept the need to level the playing field in politics as well. We have long aspired to be a world class economy. Now, we must also aspire to develop a world class political system, one in tune with the 21st Century.

The world of the 21st Century that our youth will inherit is truly a new economy, where relentless forces such as capital market flows and advances in information and communications technology create both peril and opportunity.

To tap the opportunities, we need an economic philosophy of transparency and private enterprise, for these are the catalysts that nurture the entrepreneurial spirit to be globally competitive.

To extend the opportunities to our rural countryside, we must create a modernized and socially equitable agricultural sector.

To address the perils, we must give a social bias to balance our economic development, and these are embodied in safety nets for sectors affected by globalization, and safeguards for our environment.

To ensure that our gains are not dissipated through corruption, we must improve moral standards. As we do so, we create fertile ground for good governance based on a sound moral foundation, a philosophy of transparency, and an ethic of effective implementation.

Considering the divisions of today, our commitment will entail a lot of sacrifices among us all, as we work to restore the dignity and pre-eminence of the Filipino.

Join me, therefore, as we begin to tear down the walls that divide. Let us build an edifice of peace, progress and economic stability.

People Power has dramatized the Filipino's capacity for greatness.

People of People Power, I ask for your support and prayers. Together, we will light the healing and cleansing flame.

This we owe to the Philippines. This we own to every Filipino.

Thank you and may the Good Lord bless us all.

1. What is Gloria Arroyo’s view about revolution?
2. What have you understood about her plans for the Philippines now that revolution had put her on power?
3. In terms of politics, in what way does she want it reformed?
4. In terms of economics, what does she want to have?
5. As an evaluation, explain your stand as to whether or not her visions for the future of the Philippines have been met.

Not for the faint of heart

2009-12-03T22:27:00.000-08:00

For many who are simply wondering why there are so many demonstrations and outright cries concerning the Ampatuan case and the Maguindanao Massacre, well... look at these photos.

But just a warning. Never, ever see this with a full stomach. Follow the link...

I Warned You.

My son now one

2009-12-02T20:58:00.000-08:00

Just so some people I know knows.

In my Absence

2009-11-26T22:42:00.000-08:00

I regret not having met my Thursday class. I've been feeling a bit ill and did not manage to get up.

Today, I still feel a bit under the weather.
I hope you understand.

Now, for those asking about any poems of Danton Remoto, try the following in this link.

Water, by Danton Remoto

Untitled

And look for his works on different filipino literature textbooks you find inside our library.

There's bound to be one.

As for the reporting of my monday and thursday class, it will be moved on thursday next week, since we got no class on monday.

Yes, you're welcome.

Written Report?! WTF?!

2009-11-22T22:33:00.000-08:00

Greetings, eager ones.
First off, let me again apologize for the long delay in my entry here. Computer terminals are hard to come by these days.
Well except if you’re willing to make a kindly donation to my favorite charity: me.

So it seems unavoidable that we must not only present in class as a group, but we must submit a written report as well. Oh, don’t get your pitchforks just yet. It’s just that you must have copies for me to base your grade with.

The point is, your presentation grade goes like this:

20% goes to the creativity of the presentation
20% goes to the organization and clearness of your presentation and
10% goes to the overall impact.

Now...

50% goes to the written report.

Why the 50%, you ask? If you must know, the biggest part of being a student is to learn how to do a term paper. It’s your preparation for making your thesis in your senior year. If you don’t do this, what’s the fun of learning?
The written report IS one half of your overall Class Standing, at it reflects your understanding of the subject.
If you are still unconvinced, then it’s up to you to risk it.
I know… life sucks.

Okay, so you are up to the challenge then? Well, if you really are, then look below for the details on how you are to write your written report. Remember that this is a group effort, which means EVERYONE MUST DO THEIR PART. If a group member lacks in his part, ditch him and tell it straight to me so I can give the young one a very special Christmas present. Believe me he will not like five golden rings on his card, would he?

So, read on to find out how to write the report.

=====================================================================================

POETRY
Poetry is rather easy to do… okay so it’s paradoxical. Still, it is easy.
Since there are at least five to six of you in a group, all you have to do is to pick three poems from a single author. Then, you share the three poems among yourselves. Two will get the first poem, the next two the other, and the last two the last one. Easy, right?

Two heads are better than one, unless both have none. Just do what we do in reading and analyzing a poem. It’s not that hard once you get the hang of correlating things. At most, use common sense.
Just don’t forget that you choose only one poem to present from the three poems you have.

Here’s an outline on what to put on your paper. Just convert the outlines into full paragraphs and there you go…

I. Background of the Author
• Scholastic Achievement
• Past and Current Affiliation
• Awards

Note: Actually, you already know these so all you have to do is write a brief biography of your author. Remember, brief, NOT a full and long biography.

II. The Poems
• Just type a copy of all three poems.
• One Poem per Page.

III. Analysis
A. General theme of all of the author’s poems
• General topics
• Usual images involved and why

1. Poem # 1
a. Poem’s general message
b. Any significant image/s found to support the message
c. Your own interpretation of the message
(analysis with supporting evidence)

2. Poem # 2
a. Poem’s general message
b. Any significant image/s found to support the message
c. Your own interpretation of the message
(analysis with supporting evidence)

3. Poem # 3
a. Poem’s general message
b. Any significant image/s found to support the message
c. Your own interpretation of the message
(analysis with supporting evidence)

B. Synthesis
• Your overall impression on the common message of all the poems.
• Lesson Learned.

=====================================================================================

Short Story
Writing reports on the short story is rather tricky. But on the lighter side, you only two.

As it is, you only choose one among the two and present it in class. The written report goes like this:

I. Background of the Author
• Scholastic Achievement
• Past and Current Affiliation
• Awards

II. Short Story Analysis
• (optional) Historical / cultural background
(of when and where the story was written)
• Setting
(When and where the story took place)
• Characters and characterization
(A brief list and description of each character, from main character to
the most mundane character)

III. The Short Story ( A Copy of the Original Short Story)

IV. Analysis
• Theme (what the story talks about)
• Value (what the lesson the story tries to impart)
• Its cultural significance then (during its time) and its significance today
• Group reaction / reflection

As for the essay and the speech, I’ll just bring you up to date next time. Perhaps within this week. As for now, let me remind those who are to present pretty soon to prepare.

And again… good luck to all of you.

Reading List

2009-11-16T01:00:00.000-08:00

The following is a reading list of most of our discussion. I hope that you will look for them either in our "mini" library, or here in the internet..

Also, I will be providing a link of some of the best writings in the Philippines, so do visit them if you have time from your "Facebook" farming and pet-caring.

PHILIPPINE LITERATURE
Reading List

MIDTERMS

I. Poems

“Poem 10” by Jose Garcia Villa
“Order for Masks” by Virgiña Moreno
“

II. Prose

“Dead Stars” by Pas Marquez Benitez
“The Day the Dancers Came” by Bienvenido Santos
“Konsensya” by Magno Garlitos

FINALS

I. Essays

“Four Values of Filipino
Drama and Film” by Nicanor Tiongson

“A Guide to Filipino Politics” by Carmen Guerrero Nakpil

II. Speeches

“Upon My Arrival” by Benigno Aquino
EDSA 2 Inaugural Speech by Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

References

“Philippine Literature Past and Present” ed. Silverio Baltasar
“Philippine Contemporary Literature” ed. Asuncion David Maramba
“Woman Enough and other Essays” by Carmen Guerrero Nakpil
“Relasyon” ed. Rolando Tolentino and Luna Sicat

geekteachermabbayad

Reporting the "fun" way

2009-11-16T00:47:00.001-08:00

Right. So I am... a geek.

As I have warned you before, some of our discussions will be quite, quite boring. And so far, I haven't found any easier way to discuss it than the way it is.

I do apologize for it, but as we move along, most likely we will hit the right tune and there we will all go.

Anyway, for those who are wondering what exactly I meant by "lively recitation" here's what to do below once your group starts to report.

Literature 101: Philippine Literature
Class Presentations Procedure

POEM (Class Presentation – select one poem to present coming from your three chosen poems)

I. Author Introduction
• Scholastic achievement
• Past and Current Affiliations (e.g. school, political, artistic, and social organizations)
• Awards

II. Presentation Proper (Kinds of Presentation)
• Interpretive reading with musical background
• Choral
• Interpretive pantomime / dancing with loud reading and music

Note: Reading may be done with or without props that represent each poetic symbolism one may find in the selected poem.
Music MUST suit the theme of the selected poem.
A copy of the poem should be posted on the board for everyone to be able to read.

III. Interpretation
• Describe the general common theme found on all of the author’s poems.
• Describe the particular topic of the selected poem.
• Message of the poem about the topic.
• Reporters’ own view about the message.
• Open discussion.

FICTION (Class Presentation – presenters may do own rendition of the short story)

I. Author Introduction
• Scholastic achievement
• Past and Current Affiliations (e.g. school, political, artistic, and social organizations)
• Awards

II. Presentation Proper (Kinds of Presentation)
• Skit /Play-acting
• Pantomime
• Puppetry
• Storyboard Illustration with group story-telling
• Radio Drama (requires necessary electronic equipment)

Note: At the beginning of the presentation proper, the presenters must give the setting of the story, a brief synopsis of the story, plus a small description of each character.

III. Interpretation
• Describe the theme of the story
• Discuss the Main Character
o What he/she experienced
o The character’s reaction to the experience
o Why the character reacted that way
• Relate the experience to real-life situations in present society.
• Relate the theme of the story in relation to what happened to the main character.
• Provide explanations on certain symbols found both within the title and within the story itself that help explain the theme and the moral of the story.
• Reveal the lesson the presenters learned from the story.
• Open discussion.

ESSAY (Class Presentation – the presenters may make their own innovation upon presenting.)

I. Author Introduction
• Scholastic achievement
• Past and Current Affiliations (e.g. school, political, artistic, and social organizations)
• Awards

II. Presentation Proper (Kinds of Presentation)
• Mock TV Debate (audience sympathy)
• Quiz Show
• Televangelism (audience sympathy)

Note: When it comes to making a Mock TV Debate, the presenters can already include their own views about the selection and may thus try to convince the audience into agreeing with them.

III. Interpretation
• State the main point of the argument.
o What is it all about?
o What is the author’s opinion on the issue?
• Division of the author’s argument.
o State the reasons for his view.
• State the author’s conclusion to his argument.
• Tell your own argument concerning the selected essay.

ORATION (Class Presentation–Presenters are encouraged to make own presentation style)

I. Author Introduction
• Scholastic achievement
• Past and Current Affiliations (e.g. school, political, artistic, and social organizations)
• Awards

II. Presentation Proper (Kinds of Presentation)
• Chorale in unison
• One by One
• Combination of Both

III.Interpretation
• State the main point of the argument.
o What is it all about?
o What is the author’s opinion on the issue?
• Division of the author’s argument.
o State the reasons for his view.
• State the author’s conclusion to his argument.
• Tell your own argument concerning the selected speech.

One final note: The next time I get a chance to write again on a computer, I shall tell you how you are all to submit the written version of your report.

YES there IS a WRITTEN VERSION to BE SUBMITTED.

The Last Dragon

2009-11-14T00:20:00.000-08:00

Here's something to waste your time with for a while.
It's a trailer of one of my old favorite martial art films. A real cult favorite.

The last but not the least...

2009-10-19T02:31:00.000-07:00

Ever wonder how good it is to be a professor? you can share not only what you know, but most of the time, you learn more from the people you teach. What I learned more is that good fun is never absent on every class.

Even after the final examinations...

Thank you so much, Section 30, for the wonderful memory. I'll miss you guys!

My most trusted felines. They put the whole class in check.

That's one of them. The ever-loving "Bona Kid"

Meet the "Fab 5" of this night class.

Aaaannnd of course, any class is never without "love teams..."

Here's the "LQ's" (Loud and Quiet)

And, the "Wish ko lang..." (here's one for you, neighbor L.

Section 30, you're one of the best!

So, keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars!

Wading through the Flood

2009-10-15T02:35:00.000-07:00

Sad things come in different images. But we are never bitter. We will move on and start anew no matter how long it takes. No matter how hard it is.

For those who have been wondering, or doubting my tale of woe and adventure, just look at what the flood did to our house...

For the curious student, what you are looking at is my devastated computer corner, where many of your submitted work was kept. My cousin says the hard drive can still be saved. But don't fear. Your grades are ok, somewhat... in my USB. (whew)

Here's a far look at the sala. My dad say the upholstery of our couches can still be mended. I doubt it.

My parents' bedroom. Batman there was from our room and it got drifted into here.

our bedroom.

As you can see most of our clothes were washed out with mud.

Our dining area is none the worse.

As you can see with the mess of things...

Though the mud's been washed from it, thick chunks still lie within. And up to now the car would not start.

Our once vibrant garden. Gone.

So is our outside kitchen

As you can see.

It is for them that I must rebuild. So help me God.
Please... donate to our fund

Learning Words And Creating Some

2009-09-24T18:14:00.001-07:00

There's a story once I wrote about a little girl who sold words she made up in a small town full of people who speak different languages. She sold so much that the people eventually came to an understanding and the girl got rich. Her name's Merriam by the way and she's got a secret to share...

So selling new words today is a dead business. But that doesn't mean the fun of it has also died.

Difficult words are always a nuisance, which is why little Merriam was incarcerated years later but was eventually venerated as a saint by a cult full of bibliophiles. Now, now... Bibliophiles? What's that? Oh, we'll come to that. Well, the thing is most words are made up of three to four basic languages namely Greek, Latin, German and French. But mostly, the basic words are from the prime languages which are Greek and Latin.

Well, as you see, Merriam's a bright, influential child, and she found that by mixing these basic words can create new words that everyone can use. Anyway, I need you to study the following to get my drift.

Take note that these are merely notes and not to be considered as a comprehensive resource. If you want, you can also look for other resources. We will be re-discussing them soon so read them and study them. thank you...

Prefix

A simple guide to prefixes -

Root Words

a simple guide to rood words -

Suffix

a simple guide to suffixes -

So there. I hope it's okay. You know I am no expert in web editing.

At least, I can proudly say that I am one of the early teachers to find ways using the internet as an offshoot to teaching directly in a classroom. As you noticed, our country often has typhoons and a lot of uncalled for celebrations that classes are most often suspended.

So if you are one of the few students who truly care for your... *ehem*... education, you'll be wise enough to come here. For what if I decided to include some parts here for the exams? God knows. And besides, I also care for a little appreciation for my efforts. Tch.

See you then.

Pinoy Heroes

2009-09-19T02:12:00.001-07:00

Many say that teachers are supposed to act like adults. But since I prefer not to be called a professor it gives me freedom to act whatever I like (that is within socially acceptable limits, of course...)

So, since for many years I am into appreciating toys, I might as well share some of the pics I got around the net.

Custom toys are usually made after Western figures, but these... well, it's got a Filipino flavor...

Try guessing who they are.

FOR ENGLISH 100: EDIT THIS!!!

2009-09-10T01:10:00.000-07:00

The following is a letter found at a certain bar in Manila and has been preserved in its original, unedited form. Enjoy reading and you may try direct translation in Tagalog. Please read with feelings if to be read aloud:

October 1996
To Marije,

I am not surprise or wonder why Dennis leave you why? What reason can you think about but you’re very fat body. I thought before that Dennis only use me to his toy but sooner and later I’m realize that he really can’t not beared or stomached to be with you anymore because at first, Dennis say he could not stand you’re habit of making pakialam all his walks (lakad) and always calling to their house what we go home or this or that.

And then he say he get ashame to me either in school or in his family and then asking you to exercise you’re very very, very fat body. But you hate it. Thought you’re the most preetiest girls’ he knows about. What do you think you are “BeautifulGirl” of Jose Marie Chan?

Even you are beautiful face (to your think) you do not have the right to called me whatsoever or else difference name one time or the other for the real purposed to insults my personality because I’m never call you names either in the front of Dennis or in the backs of Dennis, but if you start already calling me different name, I don’t have any other choice but to call you other different name to. Like you are a PIG, FAT, OBSESSED, OVERWEIGHT, AND UGLYSHAPE girl. Shame to you’re body that is to a BUDING.

You can’t not blame Dennis for exchanging you to me because I am the more sexier that you when you look to us in the mirror. I’m repeat again that you are like Ike Lozada when she is a girl.

Love,
The sexiest Girl of D.M.
P.S.

You say that I’m the bad breathe but who is Dennis want to kissed. Me or you? And the final is me. There you go.

A Project on Architecture

2009-09-03T23:33:00.000-07:00

Just as you wanted, we didn't hold any class. Now, for your group assignment as you promised me...

What you do with the spare magazines you got is to look for parts of a structure you want included in your dream building / house. (eg. doors, windows, arches, pillars, plants, etc)

What you do is to put them together in a collage to make up your ideal establishment. Now, you must remember that it must be aesthetically pleasing. It need not be too convincing but amiable enough to make a person believe it is one picture from afar. Take a look at this for instance...

Heh... Pardon the example. It's a little rough.

Now, for the criteria of your work, it goes like this:

Originality = 40%

Design = 50%

Cleanliness = 10%

For a total of 100%

So work on it and prepare your explanation on your proposed building. Remember to use the lesson on architecture in explaining your work!

Shabhu...

Introducing Architecture

2009-08-28T21:06:00.000-07:00

Now, I know you feel I'm not particularly the best teacher you got, but hey... I'm doing the best I can. Appreciation is hard to come by these days...

Anyway... Since I see that you are now... interested... in reading my blog (which I have for months been telling you to do but you don't) Here's a copy of the upcoming lesson (that I wish to avoid spoonfeeding you with)

Remember that I am no Caregiver to do these things for you. Pff... 4th years...

Humanities 101
An Introduction to a Basic Understanding of Architecture
Architecture, in its purest sense, is always meant for making shelters against nature’s elements. But the architecture itself must also be able to balance the diversity of natural surroundings and of those living within a man-made structure, less both sides may perish if one overcomes the other.
Environmental Issue
Before any architecture is raised, concerns about the environment are usually put in mind. All of us are always involved with environmental issues. And each one of us may respond in one of the following ways:
a. Individual or Family Economizing
- This uses immediate, small-scale solutions.
o Water thriftiness
o Less electricity consumption
o House-cleaning
o Basic waste segregation management

b. Abandonment, Denial, and Escalation
- All three is a cause of a person’s belief that everything will work itself out and nothing can ever go wrong. This eventually leads to increased pollution.
o Excessive consumption of water and electricity
o Leaving litter to be cleaned by “neighbor”
o Community service dependency

c. Social and Professional Role
- Our own professional and social rank can actually help in preserving ecology, no matter what line of work or status you are in.
o Cooks = biodegradable waste segregation management
o Tourist Guides = Ecology information drive or eco-tourism
o Doctors = Health and environmental issues
o Janitors = Waste management and recycling

The Four Basic Areas of Concern
These are the four things one must also put into mind in doing architecture. Balancing all four requires a certain skill, but the rewards are astounding.
A. Information
- Availability of environmental, commercial information must be first given a priority. This is to ensure the success of an establishment. If the desired architecture doesn’t meet the criteria needed in a particular location, no structure must be erected.

B. Economics
- The danger of not being able to balance the other areas may lead to economical danger. Economics pertains to the affordability of materials needed for construction and energy consumption.

C. Materials
- Simply put, all materials must always suit the environment.

D. Energy
- It can be of two types, natural and artificial. Natural like water and solar energy, or artificial as that of electricity coming from either a power plant or a nuclear source. If either natural or artificial is too much, ecological and economical imbalance occurs.
Architecture in Humanities
Since all we are after are the aesthetic and environmental appeal, we veer away from too much technicality that makes up the whole study of architectural design. Instead, what is left for us is the exploration of the output of all efforts done in creating an artistic structure. It is therefore necessary that architecture must be experienced by all the senses and not just something to be viewed.
Environment and architecture is also often designed specifically for a given site and a local context. It should be closely and contextually related to terrain, local materials, landscape, and the microclimate.
Two Kinds of Sensitivity
A. Kinesthetic Sensitivity
- It concerns the awareness towards the body position and movement in relation to a given space.

B. Intuitive Sensibility
- It is of how we response “psychologically” towards a space in architecture.
The following talk in particular of the different sense attributes one experiences in an architecture.
1. Light – A correct manipulation can emit a desired mood. These can also be done by way of the direction of the light source. Light can either be produced by the following.

o Time – bound
 Affected by weather and time
 Natural light such as sunlight, fire, and moon light can have levels of warmth and coldness.
o Simulated
 Fixtures and other types may or may not give exact desired effect as that of natural light.

2. Tactile Sense – Buildings and their materials evoke different feelings when touched. Certain materials, however, may also be affected by changing climate.

3. Quality of Taste and Smell – There is a strong physiological and psychological connection between taste and smell and so locations inside the architecture can affect both. Of all our senses, smell gives us a direct link with the environment of the architecture.

4. Response to Space – Our bodies react to changes of space whether small or big. Our sense of hearing also helps us to understand spaces and the environment.

Follow up for the previous post

2009-08-13T22:12:00.000-07:00

just a reminder...

If you need some downloadable copies, see me at the DSA for some. Bring your flash disks.

Libeninth

2009-08-13T10:55:00.001-07:00

What is the story behind a painting that had become an admirer's obsession? Read on...

There was sadness in his heart when he looked at her; a certain kind of sadness he couldn’t quite explain. Perhaps it was from the way she smiles? That smile, yes, and the way she looked amid the maddening crowd. All of them were lost in a frenzy of photographers and artisans. Each was addressing every portrait and landscape in that gallery, marveling their voices. None of them speak any truth at all, really. Only conjectures and second guesses. Many have also gawked at her beauty, stripping her naked with their theories in apathy. They are wrong about her, he knew that. They are all wrong; heartless intellects, all of them. But have they seen? Have they also felt that same sadness, that melancholic empathy?

Libeninth. He shall nurture that name for the rest of his life. If only he could touch her, caress her and tell her he is there with her, always ready to protect her from harm; always. And yet she remained behind velvet ropes; silent, trapped in near immortality, un-aging, lost, and alone. Then, there’s that comforting smile that embraced him, assuring him all is well. But behind her merciful eyes, he knew, was sadness. That sadness, yes… That sadness he was now feeling in his heart. All he could ever do at last was to look at her, and admire her courage.

“Isn’t she a wonder?” the old man beside him said.

“Yes. She is very beautiful.”

“Beautiful? No. She is magnificent! You always have a way with words, don’t you, Ferdinand?”

Ferdinand couldn’t help but remain silent. It was a long time since he’d known Alejandro. Ten years ago, he vanished, leaving his agent and the limelight. His friend must have taken great pains in summoning all the collectors for the Gabriel Lorca gallery. With it came The Libeninth, the painter’s last and finest work. All those lost years for this final masterpiece.

“She is magnificent. Each stroke is affection and every color bringing life. Like I always say, no one can give life on a canvass like Lorca,” he sighed.

Looking at him staring at Libeninth like that bewildered Ferdinand. Alejandro seemed to have changed since the last ten years. All he knew was of his long search for this last piece of Lorca. This, he thought, must have changed him somehow.

Alejandro faced him, eyes now drunk with passion, “Did I not tell you in your class with me many years ago how Lorca started? Ah, everyone knew, of course. That’s why we are all gathered here; just for her.”

Just for her, this deity captured on canvass. Ferdinand still clearly remembered how the mystery was told to him by Alejandro, his teacher and friend. He was only a student then when Ferdinand learned about the lady who walked through portraits. Gabriel Lorca, he remembered him say, was merely a child when he painted his first canvass.

A child, lost in a mansion of petrified animals. He was just five when he found himself in his grandfather’s studio, late one night, cold and frightened. The white canvasses stacked up against the walls overwhelmed him; great obelisks of wood and cloth, gathering dust and the sands of time. Each unfinished painting of his grandfather loomed immensely, and he thought of them as doorways to other worlds; doorways he never knew would open on that same night.

She walked, ethereally; her feet not quite touching the wooden floor. Gabriel hid behind the enormous canvasses as she went through the oldest of paintings; whispering sweet melodies, as if looking, searching.

“Where is he?” she whispered.

And her face was angelic, her movement like a dove’s.

“Where is he?”

And for the first time the young boy’s heart leaped, learning about love.

“Are you… Are you here for Grandfather?” he asked.

“Where is he?”

“He’s… He’s gone, Ma’m. He passed away a month ago,” and he wept, suddenly missing his grandfather.

“Come here, child.”

Gabriel would never forget her warm embrace, her breath on his face, her scent a dozen tulips.

“Nobody believes it, of course; a pity. So, after that, miracles started to happen. Miracles he did on canvass, that is. I mean, who could have ever known that the grandchild of a pathetic artist become famous at such a young age?” Yes, Alejandro is somewhat mad to believe such a story. Ferdinand mused how his friend can be so entertaining. The way he talked animatedly of his most venerated artist stirs his blood in stupor was invigorating.

“Alejandro, when you went to Europe, people… Your friends here missed you. We never knew you’ll come back. Not until last week. You were gone a long time. Now this…”
“Oh, so you miss me to, eh, my boy? That’s good!”

Suddenly the old man was silent. “That’s good,” he whispered. Yes, something did change. Both of them had studied the Lorca collection with immense interest. None, of course, is more attended to than The Libeninth.

“Nobody would ever believe of a muse that walks through paintings.”

And paintings Gabriel Lorca did, unlike Ferdinand’s teacher. Despite his uncanny talent and near similarity to Lorca, he seemed to have lost interest in art. Then, one day, he just went off without a word. All he now cared about was this gallery dedicated to his icon.

His icon, Gabriel Lorca, created numerous masterpieces whilst a young man; each bearing a soul of its own. He’d wake each day in his grandfather’s studio at the edge of dreams where only fragments of its landscape remain.

“I… I had a dream again. A vision,” he’d say. Then she would whisper behind him sweet melodies, “Yes, my beloved. They are places behind frames,”

Upon each stroke he could feel her touch, the softness of her skin, the wonders she brings; no longer ethereal. Through the years he came to learn more about her, little by precious little. She is his lover, his life… his muse.

“Open windows. You’ve always told me that what we seek are beyond the open windows, not the windows themselves.”

“Yes, I did say such a thing, didn’t I, Ferdinand? You’re a good student, a good friend. At least there’s one who truly understands an old fart like me around here. Why, everyone’s a critic today. But I got them, didn’t I? I got them gathering here, carrying their treasures with them. Convincing each Lorca collector for this exhibition is one of my greatest achievements, I tell you.”

“Alejandro, you are still not telling me why you suddenly left. Why all this?”
“Why all this?” Alejandro seemed to ask himself somberly, “It’s… only when we learn of our aches do we find our cures,” and both men fell silent. A crowd had formed behind them, guided by a critic.

“Okay, can everyone see? Excuse me, Sir Valdemar.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. Here, here,” and both Alejandro Valdemar and Ferdinand stepped aside.

“Okay,” said the critic in a loud voice, “So, ladies and gentlemen. This is the very famous portrait of Libeninth. Word has it that she was the European lover of Lorca.
The only lover at that; unless you also believe in the rumors of his sexuality… Ahem… Anyway, I’ll tell you all about it on cocktail. Come along.”

As fast as they have come, they left. For Ferdinand, it wasn’t that a bit amusing.
Rumors. “Why in Heaven’s name did I invite him?” Alejandro finally said.

“You know, you’re the one who’s supposed to be doing the hosting.”

“I know, I know. I just… He didn’t have to talk about those rumors, right?“

“Come on, don’t take it personal. But I guess you’re right. If I do recall, that’s the same reason Lorca vanished from the limelight all of a sudden. About a boy, they say. That’s why he never married.”

“Oh, really? Have you already forgotten what I’ve told you? Painting is like silent poetry. An artist can leave traces of himself on canvass. Sometimes when we see it, we tend to believe certain things. Tell me, despite Libeninth smiling here, why do you feel sad whenever you see her?”

Why indeed? Ferdinand never bothered to ask until now. Already he’s thinking perhaps it wasn’t the eyes at all that made him experience this melancholy. Something more, far deeper than the texture of oil and cloth.

“I’ll tell you. Libeninth does exist. I know it. She’s not some… bimbo like others say. Maybe she is a muse or something else, who knows. But I tell you she does exist. Do you recall that incident back in the fifties? With Lorca and Isidro?”

“That surrealist from La Union? Who wouldn’t? He accused Lorca of stealing his ideas.”

“No, not ideas. What are we, plagiarists? No. It is nearly impossible unless you’re committed to doing forgery. No, not ideas but dreams. Now don’t laugh. It’s true!”

True enough, Isidro did accuse Lorca of stealing his dreams. Him and some other painters, he claimed. Ferdinand remembers how, in one featured gallery somewhere in Manila, Isidro attacked Gabriel with a brush. Ferdinand could only guess that Isidro went mad after months of not being able to paint.

“Perhaps it is true. Gabriel did encounter Isidro at one time. The penniless artist suffered a nervous breakdown after that. He never was able to paint again.”

“And as for Gabriel?”

“Neither did he.”

What could have happened? Ferdinand thought about it. Perhaps the dreams Libeninth was offering to Gabriel were really dreams from another’s? Had Gabriel found out, Ferdinand knew, he’d regret meeting this muse. In his mind, he played that scene, of Gabriel confronting Libeninth. He knew it would be in Gabriel’s old mansion, in his grandfather’s studio. They would be there, alone as always.

“For all those years I’ve trusted you,” Gabriel would say, “Is it true then? Your power?”

“If it is done for love, would it matter less?” And how can he, a lover of beauty, hate his own muse?

“If it is love you seek then trust me in my skill! I have… lost confidence. All my paintings... My passion…”

“I love you, beloved. All I did is give you gifts.”

“Please take them back. Everything.”

“But do you love me?”

“Just leave…” with those words, Ferdinand was thinking, Libeninth would have vanished. Through another portrait she would walk, and close the windows behind her forever.

Yes… Maybe that’s what happened.

“Yes, and Gabriel Lorca was seen no more,” Alejandro continued his train of thought,
“On occasion, he’d appear in seminars but those are rare times. His only links to the world were his cousins. He never did go out of the old mansion. Every time I remember his last days, I feel sorry for him, dying alone in that mansion.”

“You know, I was thinking. If Gabriel and Libeninth parted on bad terms, when did Gabriel painted this portrait?”

“Did I say this one? Oh, but he did paint her. He did paint her. One last time.”

There’s that tone in his voice again, a quiver. What was with Alejandro all these time? Why this obsession with this one painting? The one that was hardest to locate?
Yes, maybe Gabriel had seen Libeninth again in his twilight. Perphaps on that moment she came back, or he called her back. They’d make love and cry in passion; their last engagement, screaming, then a whimper. And in that moment, Gabriel must have told her at last that he loved her all his life, the reason he never married. With it, she’d let her paint her, to remember her… always.

“By morning, he died right after painting The Libeninth. And that was it,”

“Alejandro? Are you…”

“No, I’m not… I… Have I ever told you before how I started to love art, yes?”

“I don’t recall you did.”

“Nobody knew where The Libeninth actually had gone to after he died. But many say that those who have seen it can’t help but feel sorrowful and eventually cry. You just can’t imagine the experience of witnessing it. The Libeninth was Gabriel’s greatest achievement. He had captured their love on canvass. In it, it emanates their emotion.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

“I was only in my twenties when I saw it again somewhere in one of the sidewalk shops in Ermita. Think of me crazy but it was there. It was there! It’s funny, but no one could understand why they feel like crying whenever they see it on display. The owner decided it was bad for business so he kept it under cover. He never even realized how priceless The Libeninth is… Priceless… All my life, I wanted to see her again. Just one more time. Memories fade, but her face. You never forget such a muse. She is the most beautiful thing in life. That’s why I continued being an artist. Just to see here again. This cheap reproduction of mine cannot compare to the grandeur of the original. Ten years of hard work and all I can offer her is this. A shadow, a reminiscence.”

The gallery felt colder now that most of the crowd’s gone. Each one, carrying a portion of Lorca’s dream. Ferdinand can only but warm himself and his friend with his hands.

“All these time I yearned for her, to recollect and capture her. I cannot forget that day in the studio. Now, perhaps she is somewhere in the darkness of some collector’s vault. Lost and forgotten.”

The lights have now turned low. It was already late.

“Please. Leave me with her. Leave me with Lorca.”

And Ferdinand left him still worshiping her image from memory. He stepped out into the night and walked through the echoes of twilight.
THE END

How to study

2009-08-07T09:42:00.000-07:00

This is for those geeks who loves to take down notes.

Just go to this website and find out more about it...

http://www.usu.edu/arc/idea_sheets/

enjoy.

English Tagalog = Solemn

2009-08-05T04:43:00.000-07:00

Solemn

adj.
1. Deeply earnest, serious, and sober.
2. Somberly or gravely impressive. See Synonyms at serious.
3. Performed with full ceremony: a solemn High Mass.
4. Invoking the force of religion; sacred: a solemn vow.
5. Gloomy; somber.

Tagalog = Solemno

Solemno

"Ang kalagayan dito sa Manila Memorial ay napakatahimik at solemno."
(Cez Drilon - TV Patrol World, ABS-CBN)

1. Isang pandikit na nakaka-adik amuyin.
2. Gamot sa ubo

NOTE: Wala nang gumagamit ng salitang matahimik.

Cory Aquino: Eulogy for a Fly

2009-08-04T11:59:00.000-07:00

Today is a sad day for many as the former president, Cory Aquino, is finally laid to rest. Though serious in its occasion, I can't help but wonder at the overrated reaction of my fellow Filipinos.

Anwyay, why so serious? God knows it just might be an eulogy for a fly.

And what do I mean about this? Let's look back to history, shall we?

Vergil's Housefly

"Publius Vergilius Maro or Vergil, the Roman poet known for The Aeneid, one of the great epic poems in history, sponsored a lavish funeral for a fly, a common housefly he claimed was a favorite pet. The funeral ceremony was held in Vergil's splendid mansion on Esquiline Hill in Rome. An orchestra was on hand to soothe the paid mourners. Many celebrities attended, among them Vergil's patron, Maecenas, who gave a long and moving eulogy to the fly. To cap it off, Vergil himself wrote several poems for the occasion and read them. The fly was buried in a special mausoleum. The entire extravaganza cost Vergil 800,000 sesterces - about $100,000.

"What motivated this funeral to a fly? Vergil may have known in advance that the government - the second triumvirate of Octavius, Lepidus and Mark Antony - planned to confiscate the property of the rich and parcel it out to war veterans. One exception was that no grounds containing burial plots were to be touched. When this law came to pass, Vergil sought exemption because there was a mausoleum on his land. Exemption was granted, and Vergil's housefly had saved his master's property."

Vergil [or Virgil], [born Publius Vergilius Maro] (70-19 BC) Roman poet [noted for his epic poem Aeneid, which tells of the wanderings of Aeneas after the sack of Troy]

[Sources: Book of Lists, p. 466]

Now, given this anecdote, a lot of ideas may spring to mind.

Cory Aquino, is she truly a hero of the people? In some ways, we can say yes. But to say she is the one who established Democracy is being a bit exaggerated. It wasn't her alone who fought the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos. It wasn't her alone who faced the Herculean challenge of revamping the constitution. Heck, I am not even entirely sure where she was during the first two days of EDSA ONE. Did anyone see her walk the street?

Tch..

Poor Enrile and Ramos. Their efforts not noted.

I do believe that Mrs. Aquino has been an inspiration to us all for she has endured such pain of raising her family while her husband has suffered and died for his belief. To call her a hero of the nation is also not so bad. However, to over emphasize her contribution to the cause is, to me, an eulogy for a fly.

For one, a lot of doubts may rise in the mind of a social critic. Is this national mourning really what it must be, or is it just a way for people -politicians, prominent people, candidates, and all - to use her funeral as means of having the people to sympathize with them? That to sympathize for what Mrs. Aquino had believed in equals the favor of the masses?

Second. What does Mrs. Aquino care now for such extravagant funeral? She's dead, and dead people won't care for the living. Goes to show that sometimes it can be the other way around.

Her time as president has passed. Her heroism, to me, is no longer valid. For the democracy that we assume she has brought us only brought equal misery. How I wonder what the farmers that direly needed a portion of her estate think of her now? How I wonder, too, of the victims of the Mendiola Bridge massacre must be thinking?

And, to think of it... What democracy?

The children of her enemies now congressmen and senators.

Those who vied to overthrow her by use of Coup De Etat are now famed politicians.

And because of Mrs. Cory Aquino, we got Gloria Arroyo.

What Democracy?

But to give the dead her due, I salute her for her conviction.
Humans may make mistakes.

But sadly, we don't need dead heroes in times like these. The examples she has done was for that part of history alone. I hope another Aquino comes very soon.

And hopefully real soon.

English Tagalog = Exaggerate

2009-08-02T11:45:00.000-07:00

Exaggerate
v. ex·ag·ger·at·ed, ex·ag·ger·at·ing, ex·ag·ger·ates

v.tr.
1. To represent as greater than is actually the case; overstate: exaggerate the size of the enemy force; exaggerated his own role in the episode.
2. To enlarge or increase to an abnormal degree: thick lenses that exaggerated the size of her eyes.

v.intr.
To make overstatements.

Tagalog = Exaherado

Eksaherado
(from: TV PATROL WORLD)

1. Dating superhero pero ngayon ay laos na.
2. Noon sarado, ngayon bukas.
3. Retired judge.

NOTE: Wala nang gumagamit ng salitang "pinalalaki lang ang balita"

Out of the Frying Pan, Into The Fire

2009-07-26T10:53:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder for those who are infuriated with the Arroyo Administration. Aren't you guys the one who put her to power in the first place?

Maybe many of you have forgotten, or perhaps have been denying it. But really, staging another EDSA Revolt? Aren't you tired yet of being used?

Maybe this will refresh your minds...

Now. Today is the president's (supposedly last) State of the Nation Address. The streets are swept clean, no people loitering, the fresh scent of boot polish and gun grease in the air. Ah, yes. Expecting some chaos, I presume.

No matter. They might not be disappointed.

Okay, so for the young, just a reminder. Because your big brothers and sisters believed that by disavowing the law and taking to the streets will topple ERAP from power (and it did), they also blindly believed that they are bringing up another political figure who they thought is a... LESSER EVIL... (which is exactly what my ex-girlfriend once said many years ago).

And... just an aside... when I was asked by some of my co-teachers in another school years ago after EDSA 2 who I would choose, I told them this...

"Since I am to choose, I'd rather choose a gambling lord than a horder. At least gambling lords get their money from gamblers and not from tax payers."

Get the drift?

And So here it is... your "Lesser Evil."

And PLEASE.. those who helped Arroyo to be in power should have NO RIGHT to complain. They were given a chance for ERAP's trial. They befouled it, it's their cake. Eat it.

So, for the kids... If I were you, I'd rather stay home and watch the fun with some popcorn and drink.

Group Four: Surrealism

2009-07-23T20:57:00.000-07:00

The weirdest thing about the human mind is on how it creates familiar objects into something that becomes quite unfamiliar. Similar to that guy next to you who's acting a bit... "queer."

First off, I deeply regret to inform group number four that one of their powerpoints entitled "Origin of Surrealism" is not working. However, the rest of their power points seem to be in working order.

Showing here...

Introduction to Surrealism -

Disturbia -

Dream of a Man in Dreams: Salvador Dali -

Door-to-door Campaign: Why it works

2009-07-20T22:22:00.000-07:00

I like elections. It's so... violent and healthy.

So election time is here again, and our esteemed candidates are at it once more in giving their best speeches yet. But God hopes they don't turn up an Obama or hell will break loose in PLP.

So what do we got? College level candidates and University level candidates.

So far, the college level candidates have made their appearance in my class just this morning, and most of them are... now how would I say this without insult... funny. In the BS Math, they got two parties: Vote Straight and Vote Curly.

Yeah... Like I said.

And even their promises sound a bit off, like when they promise to give out t-shirts, jackets, and bags with the BS Math logo. But somehow I get their drift... (which I will tell why in the near future)

Oh, yes... door-to-door campaign. I does work, you know? You get to see up close all the candidates and corner them with your questions. It's an inescapable method, really.

The problem is, if either the classroom audience or the candidates find themselves not ready, then, the whole exercise is a big failure.

For the candidate, it's a big loss, since for each classroom, there will definitely be a cluster that will either follow him or ridicule him. When the candidate is not quick, he might end up stumped on a question and be booed out of existence.

And it's worse for the classroom audience because it is an opportunity to test the candidate if he is worthy or not. So,if they remain lethargic and the candidate is enthusiastic, it's still a loss.

So, guys, be aware of what's happening. It's your only chance.

Group Three: Dadaism Movement Report

2009-07-20T21:47:00.000-07:00

This is perhaps one of the most complex yet entertaining form of art ever to come in the 20th Century. For those interested to learn more about it, read the following powerpoint presentations.

Dadaism: Definition and History -

Highlights of Dadaist Art -

Artists of Dadaism -

Other Artists of Dadaism -

More other Artists of Dadaism -

Art Techniques in Dada Art -

Super Gail Year One

2009-07-20T18:30:00.000-07:00

Here is the untold story of the secret origin of Super Gail

Adventures of Super Gail

2009-07-16T18:48:00.000-07:00

Here's something to read while online...

Is Freddie Aguilar Challenging our Identity?

2009-07-16T10:12:00.000-07:00

As I have told you before, we are a very sensitive group. We get one –a rather insulting but “true” – criticism, we strike back like a murder of crows. Now, just to be clear, I am taking the side of Ol’ Freddie here, even if his comments are, should we say, extreme.

Just humor me for a second and read on.

Firstly, I wish to make clear that we are not monkeys. We are ape-like descendants called homo-sapiens and nothing else.

Okay, beside the point.

The thing is what Freddie opened up here is a very old scab we tend not to notice under our heels. It kind of makes us… walk a bit “different.”

Identity Crisis: A Look at History

Remember that even before that fateful day on 1521, we’re already greatly influenced by Malays and the Chinese, so there’s no telling what we truly are.

This is so that by the time the Spaniards arrived, many of our ancestors are already either Buddhists or Muslims. To assume only a few artifacts might have remained dealing with Bathala when Magellan and the rest came flashing their swords and chalices.

What I mean to say is that, in short, we have already lost much of our identity even before colonization. So what else is there to lose, they say?

Now, along with their conquest and colonization came that lifetime stigma between the Spanish lords and the common Indio. You know, they took our natural riches, enslaved us, and gave only little power to those half-breeds they call mestizos. And, oh yeah, Rizal is one of them.

It’s no wonder then that we hate them so much.

Well, the Americanized generation is no better. Even though the Spaniards did leave, they left their legacy among these mestizos.

Oh, I know you know the lot of them. Landlords, hacienderos, those rich folks in Alabang.

Old families.

Okay, so, because our grannies hated this rigid Spanish tradition, they’d rather embrace the so-called freedom offered by the American Culture. It’s like, which would you prefer: the Spanish tradition that makes you wear Barong Tagalog while reminding you of past oppressions, or bling-blings that promises you a wealth of opportunities?

I guess you know the answer.

It’s a Fact, Really

The thing is, because we cannot identify ourselves, we cling to these cultures as relief. And we, as much as we want, try to make it our own.

This is who we are today, a halo-halo, a mixture, a smorgasbord of cultures.

So who can say they are truly Filipinos?

As I said, no one’s “pure” these days. Not even me.

In basketball, we got other half-breeds playing in the field. In the entertainment industry, God knows how many are Americanized Citizens hiding behind Filipino screen names, or half-breeds working as entertainers.

That’s fact.

But this does not mean it’s good or bad.

You decide on that. Not me.

I’m just an observer.

Hollywood, Pinoy Style

Speaking of entertainment, in movies, I’ve noticed that there are a number of scenes and action sequences directly hacked from other famous and not-so-famous Hollywood films. Plots are no different, like now with Ogie Alcasid’s new film. Try catching “Mrs. Doubtfire” on Star Movies just this once and see what I mean. Or maybe that very old film “Tootsie” starring Dustin Hoffman.

And it’s no better on our soaps as well, now that we are used to hacking from very good shows only cable TV can offer and make it our own. As of now, I assume that “Ghost Whisperer” of Jennifer Love Hewitt is on its second or third season, while “Nasaan ka Maruha” is just starting out.

Now don’t get me wrong. As I have said in the previous entry, we still got some originality left, even if some of these ideas sprouted from copying a germ of an idea.

One of my favorites is the old “Okay Ka, Fairy Ko” that is minutely copied from those old 60’s serials “Bewitched” and “I Dream of Genie.” But it turned out to offer more than just magic, but also a lot of family-valued entertainment not much TV shows can speak of today.

Even game shows are franchised from foreign branches.

Sadly, the trend of copying a TV show has gone to the extreme. Korean telenovelas and Mexican soaps are now being made as remakes having Filipino actors.

Honestly, I just hope they’d be doing “Great Teacher Onizuka” with Robin Padilla… or “Death Note.” Wouldn’t that be entertaining?

Everyone is into R&B

To be honest, Freddie, I say you nearly struck gold. But it’s still way off the mark.

Singers today can not be blamed for singing foreign songs. They will stay and they will stay.

I think what’s to be blamed is style. They all sound the same with their exasperating rhythm and blues antics.

They revive old songs like it was their own, rhythm and blues style.

They sing their own old Filipino ballads, rhythm and blues style.

Now they’re brave (or brazen?) enough to give out a rendition of our national anthem, Lupang Hinirang… still.. rhythm and blues style.

And for crying out loud, they’d even sung a John Lennon, rhythm and blues style. John Lennon?! Blasphemy.

At least get the notes in the right direction?

Singers like Gary V, Zsazsa Padilla, and those that came from the eighties and nineties, whatever happened to their originality in singing? Every one of them now sings the same, rhythm and blues.

Right, some might Blame Whitney Houston for promoting these and blame Mariah Carrey for making our singers mimic and scream.

Still, we cannot put the blame on them.

Put the blame on all of us, on our disambiguated Filipino heritage, our constant search for this… Filipino Identity.

Besides that are issues on the political economy of entertainment. But that’s for another discussion.

Plight of the Modern Filipino

Get this, when I read how that article on Showbiz Central retaliated on the way Freddie dresses, I laughed out loud. Come on, can one really be a Filipino by just wearing Barong Tagalog and sporting a Rizal dew? I don’t think so.

As for Freddie, he’s got one lonely battle ahead of him. First he got to get his fame back to get noticed. And he’s got to write again. Second, he’s got to read the following before going on his battle…

In this day and age, where our culture is disengaged from it natural state and skewers along between economic culture and popular culture, the word “patriotism” seems no longer valid.

Whatever ideal our national heroes have is no longer valid because our life today is far too different, far too mixed up with commerce and international relations.

Even today, no one can truly tell who the Filipino is since our role models are actors brandishing western culture, signers singing western style (don’t blame the chosen songs), and sport stars advertised as so-called national heroes that get good deals with their contracts and buy houses in America.

If there be politicians as heroes, then that’d be the day.

Dreaming of Pinoywood

Perhaps what Freddie here dreams of is similar to what German Moreno wanted for the industry, a Pinoywood.

It’s quite funny, really, how Indian Films suddenly got the better of us, despite that we make dance numbers in films like they do. How did they do it, then? How did they manage to hold audience the entire British populace and became Bollywood? Now they are being recognized for having produced “Slum Dog Millionaire.”

What is their secret?

One word: Style.

They may have copied these glam films from watching too many musicals but they made it their own style. Copied, sure, but not entirely.

If we can make our copied elements into our own style, maybe we can make a Pinoywood.

Our style in making films and TV shows.

Our style in singing, and not just merely doing that R&B stuff.

Right now, I’ve noticed how Rock and Rap are gaining their own Filipino style. Why not Pop?

Think about these.

And, umm… that long hair is not hippie. It’s American Indian. Try watching “Twilight” for a change and look at Jacob’s kins.

Anyway…

Like my idol would say…

Why so serious?

Ka Freddie opened a Pandora's Box

2009-07-15T10:37:00.000-07:00

Freddie Aguilar's comments on Charice Pempengo, Arnel Pineda, and Gary V have struck a chord in the music scene, but it may as well include the whole entertainment industry.

Honestly, I guess I am not the only one who's been noticing this pathetic trend; shows copied from shows, movies copied from movies, and washed-up celebrities trying to make a niche by "reviving" songs (and not crediting the original composer).

Now I'm not saying we're not creative. I've seen a lot of promising stories - most of them from TV 5 - but the real deal is that there are more mimicked entertainments out there than the number of hair you got on your noggin'.

Okay, so there are a lot of reactions on what Ka Freddie had lamented about Filipino Singers, like the negative reaction here in Showbiz Central.

Honestly, do we really have to take it against him for his little speech?

Well, if you like, you can read this piece from PEP.

So? How come a lot of people from the industry (and some from ordinary life) make such "monkey face growl" against him?

Stupid, really, if we do. Really.

Next time, I'll be giving the details of my opinion.

For the meantime, chill.

Next stop: Sculpture

2009-07-14T01:00:00.000-07:00

This is our lesson in the near future, once all reports have been presented.
And please try to prepare beforehand?

What is Sculpture? -

Group Two: Graffiti Art Report

2009-07-14T00:47:00.001-07:00

One of the most intriguing and yet controversial art form is this one from group two. I hope you won't be using spray paints soon.

Definition of Graffiti Art -

The Origin of Graffiti Art -

Theory of Graffiti Art -

The Facets of Graffiti Art -

If you find these confusing, go ask the reporters first...

I still have to upload some notes on the topic.

A Report on the Optical Illusion Art

2009-07-14T00:28:00.000-07:00

If you want to find out about Group One's Report

History of Optical Illusions -

Examples and kinds of Optical Illusions -

Optical Art: Cognitive Illusion -

Explaining Cognitive Illusions -

Explaining Cognitive Illusions -

Famous Optical Artists -

The Parlor is Now Open

2009-07-07T11:39:00.000-07:00

geekteachermabbayad.lefora.com

The parlor is now open.

You know what to do.

But if not...

Tough.

Something to read

2008-08-26T04:21:00.000-07:00

Hello.

This is my first blog in months. Since I got nothing to write about right now, and that I am editing the site, i figured maybe I'll just leave you something to read. Hope you like this one, it's my latest work. But you need to translate this if you're a foreigner.

Here's a story...

MAKINIG KA

Bien S. Mabbayad

“Miss, magkano uli sa MP3?!”

“Trihandred!”

“Ha?!”

“Trihandred!”

“Ba’t ang mura?! Ano ba iyan, Taiwan?!”

“Second hand na kasi ‘to! May bumili nung isang araw pero isinoli uli!”

“Ha?!Aba, e baka may diperensya iyan, ha?!”

“Wala!”

“Ha?!”

“Wala sabi!”

“Sigurado ka?!”

“WALA NGA!!”

“O, sya! Sige na! Huwag ka nang sumigaw!”

Tama ka.

Ganito talaga kaingay sa Quiapo. Puro busina mula sa trapik, sigawan ng sigawan ang mga tao; dahil nga sa napakalakas na tugtog nung mga loudspeakers sa daan, lalo na diyan sa Raon. Maingay. Magulo. Nakakainis. Kaya huwag ka nang magtaka kung bakit ako bumili ng MP3 Player. At least may napaglilibangan ako.

Pero kung alam ko lang sana ang mangyayari, baka nagdalawang isip pa ako. E, di nakabili na lang ng I-pod, maski mahal.

Ganito kasi iyon.

Kakaiba kasi itong nabili kong player. Nung una, okay na lang, e. May mga nakapasok nang mga files dito kaya kinutingting ko muna. May mga luma tulad ng White Lion, Toto, at Air Supply. Stupid, corny, sentimental. May bago rin gaya ni Sarah at Linkin’ Park na puro tili at sigawan. Tsaka may nasingit ding isang makapag-bagbag-damdaming Yeng.

Well, nobody’s perfect.

Pero nung makababa na ako sa Cubao galing MRT, iba na ang napindot ko.

“What the…?” lang ang nasabi ko. What the… at konting siyet na malagkit kasama ang damn. Maski na suot ko ang earphones, rinig ko pa rin ang paligid. Rinig ko pa rin ang daloy ng mga sasakyan, iyung mga tunog sa kalye. Pero ang naiba ay ang mga naririnig kong salita ng mga tao. Para bang kakaiba na ang salita nila. Para bang, ano? Galing sa ibang bansa? Pransya kaya? Inglatera?

“Aputako, egudule budulbudul!” Ewan. Hindi ko na naintindihan iyung kumausap sa akin.

“Kawga! Bukaka um ahihi!” Kung ano man ang sinabi nung matandang lalaki, sa hitsura niya parang mahalaga. Nakasimangot at parang naiinis.

Tinanggal ko ang earphones, “Ho?”

“Iho, ang sabi ko anong oras na?!”

“Alas kuwatro pasado, po.”

“Hus! Mga batang ito! Kung anu-ano kasi ang isinasalaksak sa mga tenga ninyo kaya kayo nabibingi! Matuto naman kayong makinig! Hoy! Nakikinig ka ba?! Aba, alam mo ba nung kabataan ko, wa----“

Isinuot ko uli ang earphones.

Nakapagtataka.

Hindi ko nga siya naintindihan. Nung una akala ko baka napatay ko lang ang player, o kaya sira. O baka mahina ang baterya. Pero hindi pa rin sapat na dahilan iyon para mag-iba ang salita ng mga tao sa paligid.

Habang naglalakad na ako pauwi sa amin, may napindot na naman ako. Iba naman ngayon. Tumilaok bigla ang celfone ko. Ah. Ringtone. Ang kaso bukod sa tilaok, may isa pa. Ibang celfone?

Sa kalangitan ko narinig ang mala-dambuhalang tunog ng kung anong ibon. Nang mapatingin ako, sa eroplano pala iyon nanggagaling. Sa may kanto, humiyaw na parang kabayo ang motor ng kapitbahay, at biglang dumaan sa may bandang Aurora ang bus na parang balyenang lumalangoy. At nang basahin ko kung ano ang pangalan ng file, Nature Sounds.mp3

May sa engkanto kaya itong nabili kong player? Ito ba ang dahilan kung bakit isinoli ito nung unang bumili? Pero sino kaya iyon? Ano ba ang ulam sa bahay?

Maraming tanong.

Sadyang napakarami.

So, lumipas din ang isang gabi at nalaman ko rin ang iba pang laman ng player. Ang paborito ko pa nga ay iyung nature sounds kung saan mala-huni ng ibon ang tunog ng utot ko. Ang kaso, sa kabila ng mga pagkukutingting ko, e may mga hindi pa ako nadiskubreng mga sikreto.

GLORIA ang pangalan niya. Gloria S. Diaz daw, kapangalan ng isang artista. Mukhang artista, kutis artista. Duon ko siya nakilala ng mapasakay uli ako sa MRT papuntang Recto. Kaunti lang ang tao roon at gaya ng nakaugalian ko, suot ko uli ang earphones. Nang magkabangaan kami sa may pintuan ay nagkatinginan kami. Hinding-hindi ko malilimutan ang mga pangyayaring iyon.

“Hi, handsome,” ang sabi niya sa akin. Boses anghel siya, iyon ang alam ko. Boses anghel na mahalimuyak ang hininga.

“Ah, hi,” sabi ko. Nung una, hindi ko inalintana ang kunot ng noo niya. At ang hindi ko rin inalintana ay ang pagkakatitig sa amin ng ibang mga pasahero. Dalawang senyales na dapat sana ay nakutuban ko. Pero hindi. Tanga ako, e.

“Ano’ng pangalan mo?”

“Kwan, Juan,”

“Juan? Juan, you are so cute!”

“Ahahaha… h-hindi naman. Ba’t mo ba ako kinakausap, matanong lang? Hehe… Sori,”

“You want to make love with me?”

“Make… make love? Let’s make love to m… Este gusto mo ba talagang mag, make-love tayo?”

At bakit nga ba siya mukhang galit? Simple lang.

Sa isang silip sa player, nabasa ko ang file, Most Favorite.mp3

“Oh, Juan! This is for you!”

“Patay…”

Sampal.

Suntok.

Tadyak.

At pinulot ko ang sarili ko mula sa sahig. Tinanggal ko ang earphones.

“Bastos!” sabi niya at lumipat ng ibang lugar.

Ewan ko kung bakit nagkaganoon. Pinilit ko na ngang kabisaduhin ang controls pero heto. Bastos daw ako, sabi nung aleng nakaupo sa gilid. Manyak, gago, at iba pa na galing sa ibang mga naroon. At aabangan daw ako sa labas nung isang malaking lalaki sa tapat, sabay kindat sa akin.

Kaya duon pa lang gusto ko na talagang itapon itong player. Kung may espiritu man ito, tiyak pinagtatawanan na ako ng putragis. Desidido na sana akong itapon ang player nang mapulot ko ang wallet ni Gloria mula sa may paanan ko. Buti’t walang nakakita sa akin nang gawin ko iyon habang papatayo ako. Isinuksok ko ito sa loob ng polo ko, isinuot uli ang earphones at ako’y pinalakpakan ng mga tao habang pababa ng MRT, maski na masakit pa iyon sa batok.

Doon ko na sa V. Mapa terminal hinabol si Gloria, bitbit ang kanyang wallet, susunud-sunod at tawag ng tawag sa kanya. Alam kong naririnig niya ako pero hindi niya ako pinansin. Pakiramdam ko tuloy para akong tutang naligaw at hinahabol ang nakikilalang amo. At kung hindi lang sana maraming tao sa daan ay naabutan ko pa siya bago siya sumakay ng FX.

Tinignan ko ang relo ko. Late na ako. Ayos. Panibagong sabunan na naman.

MASKI na matapos akong sabunin ng manager namin at mabanlawan ng aking mga katrabaho, wala parin akong tigil sa kakaisip kay Gloria. Ang sabi ruon sa kanyang ID, e isa siyang nurse sa Lourdes Hospital, malapit sa Kalentong. Medyo may kalayuan sa akin. At lalo tuloy ako nakonsensya ng mapansin ko ang nakaipit na prayer book niya. No matter what, kelangang maisoli ko ang mga ito.

Kaya pagdating ng lunchbreak ay agad din akong umalis. Hindi ko na inalintana kung ano ang sasabihin ni boss kapag nalaman niyang nag-undertime ako. Ayos lang iyon. Bahala na. Sa susunod na lang ako babawi.

Nang makarating ako sa ospital ay may nakausap akong matabang babae sa may reception desk.

“Excuse me, miss? Saan ko po ba mahahanap si Miss Gloria Diaz?”

“Sa tibi.” Banggit niya ng walang lingon.

“Ay, hindi po, si Nurse Diaz po.”

“Sa TB nga. Tuberculosis lab, room thirty one! O, ayan na pala siya, e! Sige, boy, ha?”

Si Gloria nga ang papalapit. GloriaDiaz. Isang anghel na gumagamot ng tao. Parang ang sarap magkasakit tuloy doon mismo sa pagkakataong iyon.

Isang earphone sa isang tenga, set player to file: Easy Listening.mp3

Mahirap na.

Sa tingin ko pa lang sa mga mata niya ay alam ko na ang kanyang iniisip.

Aba at ang kapal ng mukha nito’t sinundan ako dito?! Rinig ko sa aking player.

“Jane, paki file ito for Dr. Nonato. Ako na ang bahala rito,”

“Yes, mam.”

Sa pag-alis nung matabang babae ay tumitig uli si Gloria sa akin.

Sinusundan kaya ako nito?

“Ang kapal din ng mukha mo, ano? Ba’t ka nandito?”

Stalker? Rapist? Oh, God… ano itong dinudukot niya sa bulsa?

“Nahulog mo ito sa MRT kanina. Ibibigay ko lang.”

Wallet ko?

“Umm… Thank you, Mr….”

“Ako si Juan.”

Sinilip niya ang laman ng wallet.

…Twenty… Forty… may nawala ba?

“Naku salamat uli, ha? Nag-abala ka pa.”

Ang address ko kaya, kinuha ng mokong na ito?

“Actually, hihingi rin sana ako ng tawad dahil sa kanina,” sinabi ko iyon na may nagmamaka-awang tingin. Walang ngiti at malungkot ang aking mukha.

“Pasensya na rin, sir, ha?”

“Hindi. Kasalanan ko’ng lahat. May pinoprobl…. May iniisip lang kasi ako noon,” sabay buntung-hininga.

Ba’t madrama ito?

“I really am so… sorry.” Sulyap, yuko, at alis; kaladkad ang mga paa papalabas.

Di kaya seryoso siya?

“Sir, okay lang kayo?”

Lumingon ako sa kanya, at ibinigay ang pinaka-sweetest smile ko at makapigil-luhang sinabing,

“Okay lang ako, miss.”

“Gloria. Gloria na lang. Look…”

Hay, mukhang okay naman siya, e. Cute sana, pero ‘di na bale.

“Look, may break ako ng mga after ten minutes. Kung gusto mo talagang bumawi sa akin, ilibre mo ako sa canteen. Deal?”

Ano ba itong ginagawa ko? Pero… Fine. Sympathy, girl. A little sympathy.

At ako naman, “A… Baka abala lang ako, pero sige. Ba’t hindi,” sambit ko. Kaya, ayan. Tulad ng matagal ko nang sinasabi sa sarili ko, diskarte lang.

“Okay. May dadalhin lang ako sa lab. Babalik ako.”

Hindi ko malilimutan ang mga mala-anghel niyang ngiti nang umalis siya. Pakiramdam ko para na akong nasa langit, kung langit nga ang tawag mo sa lugar na amoy formalyn at gamot, alcohol at kung ano man ang masasabi sa amoy na galing roon sa nakatalukbong kumot sa higaan na tinutulak ng isang lalaki paparaan sa akin. Ang langit ay amoy ospital.

Hindi ko na malaman kung ilang minuto na ang lumipas. Pinaglalaruan ko ang player at madalas kong i-set sa Easy Listening.mp3

Mula sa earphones ko ay narinig ko ang mga trabahador na nag-iisip kung magkano na ang susuwelduhin, mga pasyente na kinakabahan kung ano na naman ang ihahain sa kanila ng ward.

Di kalaunan, may narinig akong kakaiba. Mahina ang mga tinig sa una. Para bang may mga humihingi ng saklolo. Umiiyak. Lumakas ito ng mapatayo ako. At paglakad ko papaloob ng ospital ay lalo itong luminaw.

Tulungan nyo po ako! Ayoko na dito! Ayaw na!

Mga bata! Pero kung saan nanggagaling ay hindi ko malaman. Sumakay ako ng elevator. Bahagyang humina ang narinig ko. At sa second floor, lumakas uli ang mga tinig.

Hindi ko alam kung ano ang naisip ko’t hanapin sila. Ang alam ko lang ay kailangan nila ng tulong. Pero bakit ako? Malamang ito ang dahilan kung bakit sa dami ng mga dumaraan sa Quiapo, ako lang ang nakapansin sa tindahan sa tabi ng Simbahan.

Pediatrics. Sa banding dulo na ward. Doon ko sila narinig. Halos walang katao-tao sa lugar na iyon at kalahati lang ng mga ilaw ang bukas. Malay ko kung bakit walang nakapansin sa aking pagpunta roon. At kung bakit nga ba ako naroon, ay ewan ko na rin.

Sa gitna ng hallway ko narinig ang isang tinig. Umiiyak. Para bang natatakot.

“Hello?” sabi ko. Pero walang sumagot. Maliban sa isa.

Help! I’m here! It’s so dark! I’m here!

Sumilip ako sa loob ng isa sa mga kuwarto doon, at tumambad sa akin ang napakaraming mga bata na nasa kani-kanilang mga kama. Tahimik na nakahiga’t nakapikit, hindi gumagalaw.

Who’s there? Anybody there?

Isang batang lalaki ang nakatawag pansin sa akin.

Is someone there?

Puro pasa ang katawan niya. May benda sa ulo. May cast sa kaliwang braso. Maski ano ang gawin ko ay hindi ko siya magising. Ano nga ba uli ang tawag sa ganoon, comatose?

“Boy?” bulong ko sa kanya.

May nabasa ako sa isang magazine dati na ang sabi ang mga na-comatose daw ay may kakayahang makarinig. Naiintindihan daw nila ang bawat sabihin mo, maski na ba mistulang gulay sila. Hindi ko alam kung bakit wala silang bisita rito. At lalong huwag na huwag mo akong tatanungin kung paano ko sila nakausap sa tulong ng mp3 player ko. Ang mahalaga para sa akin ay ang nakausap ko ang batang iyon.

“Boy? What is your name?”

Ron-ron. I… Ikaw ba si Lord?

“A… hindi, Ron-ron. A…”

At ano nga ba ang sasabihin mo sa katulad niya? Na bisita lang ako at naroon siya sa ospital ngayon? Comatose, bugbog ang buong katawan? Ni hindi ko nga alam kung bakit siya nagkaganoon. Sa kaloob-loban ko lang, e… ano na ba itong napasukan ko?

“Isa akong kaibigan. Ako si Juan.”

Juan? As in John? I’m so scared na po. Everything here is so dark. You know where Dad is?

“Sorry. Sorry, hindi ko alam.” Nakakaawa siyang tignan. Nag-iisa sa dilim, gaya ng ibang mga bata rito. Naririnig ko rin sila pero ang pinaka nakakaawa ay itong isang ito.

“Ron-ron? Ano ang full name mo?”

Reginald… Tolentino po. I’m scared po.

“How… A… Paano kita matutulungan?”

Hindi siya sumagot.

“Ano ang gusto mo, Ron-ron? Kokonin ko para sa iyo.”

Sometimes, when I get scared, I hug Curious George.

“Curious George?”

Doll ko po, bigay ni Daddy.

“Sir, ano po’ng ginagawa ninyo diyan?! Bawal po kayo diyan!”

Isang nurse ang gumulat sa akin. Tinitigan niya ako ng masama at ako man ay napahiya sa kanya.

“Ano, bumibisita lang ako.”

“Sir, no visitors allowed po sa wing na ito. Authorized Personnel only.”

Hinarap ko uli ang bata, “Ron… Reginald, kanino ko mahahanap ang toy mo?”

“Sir? Tatawag na ako ng guard.”

“Reginald?”

“Sir! Bawal po dito.”

From my daddy.

“Sir, ano ba?! Bawal po sabi kayo dito!”

His name is… Benedict. Benedict Tolentino. Juan, please help me. Tell Daddy, please? Tell Daddy.

Hinaplos ko ang kamay niya. Siguro hindi lang ako talaga nag-iisip kaya tuloy hinampas ng nurse ang kamay ko.

“Aba—Hoy!”

Mariin akong pinigilan ng nurse na hawakan uli ang bata, halatang naiinis at kinakabahan siya sa akin. Sino ba ang hindi sa hitsura ko? Ngumiti na lang ako sa kanya at sumakay na sa elevator sa hallway.

Ewan ko ba kung ano iyang napasukan ko. Hindi na naalis sa isip ko tuloy ang bata habang pababa na ang elevator. At sa pagbukas pa lang ng mga pintuan ay agad din akong dinampot ng dalawang guard, na kulang na lang ay kaladkarin pa ako sa labas. Pero sa totoo lang gusto ko na ring lumabas talaga at hindi ko malaman ang nararamdaman ko nang araw ring iyon. At lumala pa lalo ang eksena nang madatnan kami ni Gloria.

“Hoy, teka, ano’ng nangyayari diyan?!” mariing sigaw niya sa mga guard habang binibilisan ang paglakad papalapit sa amin. Walang tigil ang mga guard sa pagdala sa akin papalabas ng ospital. Sa bandang likuran ay humahabol si Gloria. Akala mo talaga kung ano na ang nangyari sa dami ng mga taong nanonood sa amin. Nakakahiya na rin tuloy kay Gloria. Score na sana, naging bato pa dahil sa pagiging pasaway ko. Bakit pa kasi ako umalis sa inuupan ko.

Walang lingon na sinabi ng guard na trespassing daw ako. Tinangka ko pa raw na may gawin sa isang bata. Hindi makapaniwala tuloy si Gloria, “Ano?”

Dahil sa wala rin naman akong magagawa, sinabi ko ang lahat,”Gloria, sa pediatrics recovery room. Iyung mga batang comatose. Naririnig ko sila.”

At kung suot ko lang uli ang earphones, narinig ko sana ang iniisip ni Gloria tungkol sa akin. Sa mukha pa lang niya, halatang masama na.

“Sige na, Gloria, paniwalaan mo naman ako, o… Hindi ako nagsisinungaling. Narinig ko sila!”

“O, sya, tigil na iyan. Labas na,” mahigpit na hawak sa akin ng guard.

“Praning na yata ito, pre,” sambit pa ng kasama niya.

Muli nila akong binit-bit, pero mas mariin, mas puwersahan.

“Hindi, Gloria! Hindi ako nagbibiro, maniwala ka! Si Ron-ron! Ron… Reginald! Si Reginald Tolentino, hanapin mo siya roon sa pedia! Naroon siya! Nakausap ko! Kailangan niya ang tatay niya tsaka si Curious George!”

“Alis na sabi!” sigaw ng guard nang halos sipain ako palabas. Nagdatingan na rin ang iba pang guard mula sa labas. Hindi na rin ako nanlaban. Tumayo lang ako roon at sumigaw, “Gloria, hanapin mo ang tatay niyang si Benedict! Alam niya kung nasan si Curious George!”

“Aba’t lintik na---“ mga pambambo na ang sumalubong sa akin kaya agad na rin akong umalis.

“Curious George!”

Ang tanong, narinig nga kaya ako? Kung narinig ako, nakinig naman ba? Ewan. Sa palagay ko, e hindi ko na siya makikita pa. Malamang ipapulis pa ako kung magkita man kami. Diyahe… Bakit ba palagi na lang sa akin nangyayari ito?

Ang mahiwagang MP3 Player, ang iba’t-ibang mga naririnig ko roon, si Ron-ron, si Gloria. Mabuti pa sana kung kalimutan ko’ng lahat. Pero hindi. Tiyak kung ikaw ang nandito ganoon din ang iisipin mo. Pakiramdam ko na ako ang napiling tumulong sa batang iyon. Pero paano?

SINADYA ko uli ang ospital kinabukasan. Pero hindi na ako nagtangkang pumasok. Ano pa nga ba ang ipamumukha ko ngayong bad shot uli ako kay Gloria? Sa totoo lang, e hindi ko malaman ang gagawin ko. Paano ko nga ba naman kasi matutulungan iyung mga bata sa pedia, e wala talaga akong kaalam-alam kung paano? Pero… ano’ng klaseng tao naman ako kung tatalikuran ko sila? Peste rin pala itong player na ito at nasangkot pa ako sa ganoong gulo.

Maya-maya ay may kung anong kumakain sa kaloob-looban ko habang nakatanaw ako sa ospital. Para bang may nag-uudyok sa akin na umalis na lang. Tiyan ko. Kumakalam. Tanghalian na. At eksaktong sa paalis na ako ay nasalubong ko si Gloria. Pareho kaming natulala at hindi makapagsalita. Ako napatungo, siya, hindi makatingin ng diretso sa akin. Nang magsimula uli akong maglakad ay hinabol niya ako,”Teka, sandal! May… May itatanong lang ako.”

Napatigil ako.

“Paano mo nalamang Reginald ang pangalan ng pasyente namin sa pedia?”

Sa katotohanan, ayoko talagang sabihin at baka lalo niyang isiping sira-ulo ako.

“A… nabasa ko sa, ano ba iyon? Cardboard?”

“Clipboard?”

“Ayun! Nakasabit kasi sa may higaan niya. Sinilip ko kaya nabasa ko.”

“Walang clipboard doon.”

“Wala? E iyung nakasulat duon sa strap niya kasi ‘Reginald’ ang nakasulat.”

“Juan, hindi namin ginagawa roon iyon. Lahat sila ay may numero lang sa higaan at ang mga impormasyon nila ay naroon sa ward kaya please lang, paano mo nalaman?”

Wala, e. Ipit na. Kaya ayun, tulad nga ng pangako ko, inilibre ko siya sa canteen di kalayuan doon. At habang kumakain ay ipinarinig ko sa kanya ang player. Lahat na siguro ng klaseng expression sa mukha nagawa na niya habang nakikinig. Mula sa gulat, takot at hanggang sa pagtawa. Hanggang sa natahimik uli kami, umiinom ng sago. Tumingin siya sa di kalayuan, minamasdan ang mga tao sa kabilang kalsada, doon mula sa loob ng canteenang kinakainan namin.

“Ano’ng gagawin mo ngayon?” tanong niya.

“Ewan.” Ewan talaga. Gusto kong tumulong pero hindi ko alam kung saan magsisimula.

“Reginald Tolentino… Ang pagkakaalam ko madalas bumisita ang tatay niya every Friday.”

“Sa tingin mo kaya paniwalaan tayo?”

“Bakit? Ano ba’ng plano mo, kausapin siya?”

“Ba’t hindi? Wala na akong maisip na ibang paraan kasi.”

“Sira ka pala, e matapos nung ginawa mo kahapon? Sa tingin mo kaya papapasukin ka pa ng mga guard?”

“Hindi ba tutulungan mo ako?”

Hindi agad nakasagot si Gloria.

“O, ano? Narinig mo naman ang player ko, hindi ba? Hindi ba?”

“Fine, sige na nga. Sige, ako na ang kakausap kay Mr. Tolentino. At ikaw naman ipahihiram mo sa akin ang player.”

“Naman…”

“O, sige, kung iyan ang gusto mo, ilalakad kita sa loob. Pero may utang ka sa akin, ha?”

“Ayos. Ambait mo talaga.”

GAYA nga ng ipinangako ni Gloria, naipuslit niya ako sa loob at nakausap si Benedict Tolentino. Tahimik pa rin sa loob ng pediatrics at halos walang ibang bisita roon kundi kami ni Gloria, ni Mr. Tolentino, at nung nurse na nagpalayas sa akin.

“Pag ako natanggal dahil sa inyo, ha?” banggit pa nga niya.

Magdadalawang linggo na palang ganoon si Reginald simula ng mabundol ito. Ang sabi daw ng mga doktor ay baka matagalan bago raw ito magising.

Sa totoo lang ay kung ano lang ang maisip ko ang ginagawa ko sa mga sandaling iyon. Kinausap ko uli si Reginald, gamit ang player ko. Sinabi kong naroon ang kanyang tatay. At saka ko ipinahiram sa kanya ang player. Hindi ko masabi kung ano ang naramdaman namin nung panahon na iyon sa loob ng pediatrics ward habang kausap ni Ron-ron ang tatay niya.

Nang matapos iabot ni Mr. Tolentino ang manika ay hinawakan niya ang bata sa kamay. Binulungan niya. Nang araw ring iyon ay naniwala ako sa himala. Unti-unting gumalaw si Ron-ron. Nung una, ang mga daliri, gayon din ang mga braso niya at binti. Hanggang sa tuluyan na itong magising.

“You’re here.” Mahinang sabi ng bata sa ama.

“We all are.” Laking tuwang sabi ni Mr. Tolentino.

Lumingon si Mr. Tolentino sa akin at iniabot uli ang player, “Thank you.”

“Uhh… Juan? Is that you?” sabi ni Ron-ron.

Kung hindi ako kinabig ni Gloria ay hindi agad ako makakasagot. Palibhasa lahat kami ay hindi makapaniwala.

“Ako nga ito, Ron-ron. Si Juan.”

“Thank you for saving me.”

Sa sobrang tuwa ni Gloria ay nahalikan niya ako sa pisngi. Iyon pa lang ay pabuya na para sa akin. Lahat kami ay natuwa ng araw na iyon. Ang araw na nagbago sa buhay ko. Kung dati rati, ingay lang sa akin ang paligid. Pero ngayon, iba na. Salamat na rin sa nabili ko. At least may libangan na ako.

So, ito ang kuwento ko. Pasensya na kung medyo mahaba, kaibigan. Sa ngayon ay lumalabas na kami ni Gloria, at sinubukan na rin naming gisingin ang iba pang mga bata gamit ang Mp3 Player na iyon. Gaya ng aking nasabi, baka nga nagdalawang isip pa akong bilhin iyon. Pero sa totoo lang, hindi rin ako nagsisi.

At least ngayon ay natuto na akong makinig.

BsM