CONFLICTED DILEMMA

Oh, well...

2009-11-29T18:33:00.000-08:00

Gee, those didn't came out as I wanted to [my two new postings below] . My bad. Guess I REALLY do need that cup of coffee. Anyway, just take it from the title of the posts and read it as you wish, the point is after all, getting you to watch the trailers...

DC and Marvel: Head-To-Head Slam 02/2010 part 2

2009-11-29T18:24:00.000-08:00

As follow-up to one of the best full-length movie from Marvel HULK VS. (Wolverine/Thor) coming up is the trailer for the story based on the Planet Hulk series [which I just recently finished reading] and considering how bad-ass the comics version is I do have very high expectations for the animated version. Looking at this trailer tells me I'd be very happy...

Click on the link and enjoy:

IGN Video: Planet Hulk Blu-ray Trailer - SDCC '09: Trailer

credits: IGN.com - keep on rockin'!

DC and Marvel: Head-To-Head Slam 02/2010 part 1

2009-11-29T17:56:00.000-08:00

I just love the smell of newly-made instant coffee [wish it were freshly-brewed but...] in the morning while browsing along and seeing the latest trailers for upcoming treats, it turns out I didn't need the coffee at all to rev me up today. Two trailers from comics behemoths DC and Marvel are now going their rounds online. Both are for their latest animated full-length features slated to be released straight-to-DVDs on February 2010.

The first trailer I saw was for my favorite super-team Justice League. Superman, Batman and the rrrravishing Wonder Woman and company battle their doppelgangers from an alternate universe and what made them different [or more exciting IMO] is they're [the counterparts] more like Jack Bauer! Click on the link below to see and enjoy:

IGN Video: Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths Blu-ray Trailer - Trailer

continued on DC and Marvel: Head-To-Head Slam 02/2010 part 2

NO SLEEP - NO RESERVATIONS

2009-11-29T12:18:00.000-08:00

It is 3:15 in the morning and instead of waking up the neighbors with my buzzing snores I am hammering on a computer keyboard. Insomnia struck again. I always have trouble sleeping at night (sleeping is not such a struggle during the day though) but once every two months I just can't sleep at all for 24 hours or more. Every time this happens, I follow the 20-minute rule courtesy of Reader's Digest: if after 20 minutes after getting into bed you're still awake get up and do something. Read a book, watch TV, knit a sweater, play solitaire... the idea is to tire your mind.

This time I decided to browse Fora.Tv. I recently discovered this site and to say it has brought an instant changed my daily activity is an understatement. Nothing gets a rise out of me like sitting and just listening to smart people talk. And Fora.Tv is ALL talk - great speakers and lecturers from every field of study or industry. So, I was just browsing along hoping to find a boring topic [which at that point I realized, if it is boring it isn't in this site] and a seemingly boring speaker. I clicked on food [I was hungry - of course - but I don't keep food in the house so why I picked this subject I can't explain]. And boom: a clip of Anthony Bourdain speaking for a bit more of an hour at the Commonwealth Club [which I gather is in the Bay Area, SF, Ca].

Before I go on, let me tell you about how much I admire this guy. Just after watching one episode of No Reservations on cable years ago I was hooked, line and sinker. Oh, the disappointment I felt after I found out he came here to the Philippine early last year and shot a segment of his show in Farmer's Market in Cubao and I didn't found out about it, still bothers me to this day. At that time of the shooting [based on my careful investigation after the fact] I was just, literally, a stone's throw away lazily wasting time just after finishing my shift at a call center. Okay, I understand they had to consider security that's why they didn't announce it. I mean, yeah, had I known he was nearby I'd run and try to meet the cool dude. I would've brought down whatever security guard the production has around that shoot with a martial art move I learned not at my Aikido classes I took years back but from Sean Connery in the movie Rising Sun. Nothing would've have prevented me from joining Tony and his guest as they eat their meal. Looking back, I guess it probably was best rabid fans like me were blissfully ignorant of his presence.

So going back to my struggle to sleep, I made a big mistake of choosing Tony's clip as it totally obliterated any iota of sleepiness still swirling around my fat noggin. Laughter is NOT the best medicine when it comes to insomnia. But how can anyone avoid mirth, when Tony talked about his travels, the foods ate along the way, what his opinion is of Rachel Ray, so on...

After watching this clip I got back to my bed and all I can think of is what if - what IF Tony et al decides to come back to the PI and by chance, they pass along my dusty town and by infinitesimally small chance, I see him and even more improbable, convince him and his crew to stop by my house for a meal - WHAT in the name of the unknown shall I cook for them??? Of course I cannot think anything better than Nilagang Baka or beef stew. Which would present a problem of logistics considering beef is 1) very expensive - I can't afford to buy even a quarter of a kilo 2) the quality of what is available in nearby market is downright suspect and 3) I don't have a stove - I buy cooked food. So most likely, I'd drag the whole crew to my Tita Norma's house and do the cooking there. I'd just have to settle with the low-class beef we have here [I'd just tell Tony and crew it's carabao beef - very old, more-than-20-years-pulling-a-plow carabao beef].

That imaginary meal done, Tony and crew say their salamat po and happily move on. And 3 months later I'd watch myself be a total fucking fool on television. Which leaves me feeling even much worse, now absolutely devoid of any possibility of drowsiness up until after I eat my lunch later. What a fucking life.

SSHKRAK - BOOOM!

2009-07-05T00:59:00.000-07:00

I love lightning. Let me say that one more time, for I tend to repeat stuff I really like - I LOVE LIGHTNING! I remember growing up where I am currently staying, when there was just only a few houses located in the ricefields at the back of our home. I can look out my room's window and watch in awe, almost nightly at nature's light and fireworks show. None of man's creation can equal this spectacle. While most kids my age cower in fear of every flash followed by the boom of thunder, I can only bite my tongue to stop myself from jumping and shouting HOOYAH!

It seems that the very static in the air during a lightning storm is stoking my senses, building the excitement up until the sudden event when that gigantic spark from heaven crashes down on what or who I can only wonder. My earliest memory of using math in real life is to compute the distance where the lightning strike hit from where I was [...count each second from each thunder until the flash, then divided it by 3 to get the distance in kilometers]. My first attempt at writing a short story involved lightning-induced superpowers. The first comic book I asked my mom to buy for me was Thor. As a pre-pubescent boy I constantly practiced with our cats or my dad's fighting cocks to 'hone my lightning reflexes.'

Lately, it's been raining a lot where I am now located. My only frustration is that the panoramic view of rice fields where an occasional cow or carabao would lazily lounge around is now replaced by galvanized-steel roofs of new houses. But once in while, when that tingling feeling returns I would step out, look up and hope to see a lightning strike. Nature so far has not disappointed me.

If you'd like to know where the next lightning storms will be or what's the weather will be like wherever you are in the world, scroll down my blog and use the weather widget.

Photo: http://www.weatherpicturesweatherphotos.net

Will Be Available Just in Time for the 2010 Election Fever!

2009-07-04T23:51:00.000-07:00

Filipino's favorite sport is just around the corner folks. In less than a year's time, we will be choosing the next line of hoods and hoodlums that will live on the fruits of our hard-earned labor. In preparation for the campaign sorties, here is a suggested vehicle for aspiring politicos that they may purchase [the amount they could - and they would, believe me - easily reimburse from the government coffers once in public office] for worry-free travel through the territory of an opposing candidate.

Presenting the DILLON AERO'S TACTICAL VEHICLE. It has standard features like run-flat tires, level A-9 steel-plate armor, roll cage, iPod dock, cupholders and of course, M134D Gatling Gun for hosing down another candidate's supporters blocking your way.

Photo from SCIENCE OF ARMORED CARS (http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/inside/3968/Overview#tab-Photos/2)

The World At Your Fingertips

2009-07-04T23:31:00.001-07:00

When I was in college, my favorite pastime is to go looking for hole-in-the-wall shops lining the streets of Recto and Avenida in Manila. Entering one of these rarely visited shops [which I doubt are still open today] one gets transported back in time. What I usually was looking for were 2nd-hand copies of National Geographic magazines. They costs around 25 to 80 pesos each, depending on the condition or how old the issue is. I just can't get enough of the stunning photos featured by this wonderful mag. Today, their site is just a click away. And the photos featured still takes my breath away.

I would like to share my passion for the world as seen in the pages of National Geographic with the widget located here. Enjoy.

verus amicitia

2009-07-03T08:10:00.000-07:00

Feeling unusually nostalgic, I decide to go see if I could watch clips from my favorite TV series. It turned out that YouTube have an extensive collection of two old friends [I consider favorite TV shows my friends. After all they were my only companions during the lowest point of my life] - The West Wing and Reasonable Doubts.

But this isn't a critique or a review of said shows. Its about an anecdote from the West Wing. This was what Leo, the Chief of Staff, told his deputy Josh [If you want to know more about this show, you may look it up, this piece isn't the show. Thanks]. It went like this, not exactly as Leo told it but, pretty close:

A man walking down the street fell down a hole. It was deep and the walls so steep he couldn't get out. A doctor went walking by and the man called out. "Please help me." The doctor wrote a prescription and threw it down the hole and moved on. A priest walked by and the man called out again. "Please help me out." The priest wrote down a prayer and walked on. Then the man's friend walked by. Again, the asked for help. The friend jumped down the hole. Surprised, the man said, "Are you stupid? Now we're both stuck down this hole." The friend replied, "Yeah, but I've been down this hole before and I know the way out."

These are just some lessons that I've noted from this anecdote:

Always look where you're stepping on when walking.
Doctors that walk can't be relied on during emergencies. Good doctors drive a car to an emergency.
A priest who writes down prayers instead of saying them isn't a real priest. He's just a kinky old man looking for great night out.
A friend who jumps down the hole with you instead of just giving you directions IS stupid.
And finally, to have a friend who'd stay by your side even at cost of his own life or limb is a great blessing one should always be thankful for.

...To Die For

2009-07-02T03:57:00.000-07:00

A couple of months ago I almost died. If I did, at least I was happy. That day I suddenly had a food allergy for the first time ever. That night I was eating vegetables stewed in fermented fish paste, a delicacy I've been relishing for the past three decades of my life.

I was never finicky with what I eat. I never had a reason to. If asked, there's just two things I won't eat: mayonnaise and dog meat. The former, because of it slimy texture. The latter, well, I love dogs. I've had my share of exotic foods in the past - frogs, snakes, wild boar, ant's eggs, insect larvae - never had a problem. I've had them stewed, roasted, fried or in the case of oysters and ant's eggs, raw.

Today, I am very careful at what I eat. Afraid that it may contain any seafood product. For a seafood lover like me, believe me its torture. Given a choice, I'd rather be born with a food allergy. At least I would never know what I'm missing.

Here a the top three foods I could give up my life for:

BAGOONG

Made by fermenting tiny shrimps or small fry fish. Obiquitous in Southeast Asian households. It could get one detained in any international airport for its noxious smell. But for any true blue Filipino, nothing can make us drool when we the odor of 'bagoong' wafting in the air during meal times reach our noses. Unripe mango will never taste the same.

'Chickens from the Sea'

Snapper. Tuna. Mackerel. Blue marlin. They will never swim in my palate again. I'd even miss sardines, even the canned variety. Oh, the spanish style sardines. Mama mia...

SHELLFISH

Have you ever tried grilled mussels? How about blanched oysters? If not, you'd be missing a lot. At least I have the stock memories of these delicacies juicily swirling in my mind.

SQUID

If I advance knowledge that I would only have just a few minutes to live and I can ask for any food I'd ask for squid. Gummy, chewy squid. I'd die with a inky-black smile on my face.

Photos:: Bagoong (www.carinderia.net); grilled seafoods (flickr.com); shellfish (food-info.net); squid (monster-legends.com)

"Who You Callin' Pigeon-Brained?"

2009-07-01T16:29:00.000-07:00

To be called a 'bird-brain' isn't so bad after all. At least you can say you're into art. How many people you know who'd rather go to an art gallery instead of the mall. Japanese researches now say that pigeons (Columba livia domestica) are quite discerning when it comes to art. [Please see full story on the Discovery news widget here in my blog]. Their art critique ability was found to be comparable to people. No wonder they have those massive flocks in Florence, Italy or in the Piazza inside the Vatican City. So those pigeon poop generously doled on priceless statues are just their way of expressing their admiration for the artists.

Rats as chefs, pigeons as art critics, drop-dead [literally!] ugly dogs as fashion accessories... I wonder what's next? Frogs as fitness trainers? Now if I can only train these pesky mice to fix my CPUs once in a while...

Pigeon photo from www.soweirdproductions.com

Shows I'd Be Watching If Had CATV

2009-07-01T04:02:00.000-07:00

I few vices in life. Men's mags. Big movies. And cable TV. I am now living in a town that has no CATV. Satellite TV here is very expensive. But if I did have cable, this are the shows which I have never seen a single episode that I am just dying to watch:

DEXTER

The blurb said "A serial killer hunting other serial killers." If that doesn't catch anyone's curiosity I don't know what will. Michael C. Hall returns with another groundbreaking role since Six Feet Under as Dexter, crime scene specialist with unusual urges which unleashes on fellow predators. Not a friend you'd like to be around the house, I'm sure.

LIE TO ME

Reading mindsAt least accurately interpreting the micro gestures of a person's face and body language to ascertain their inner thoughts and intentions. Would politicians even attempt to run for office if a majority of people arounf the world have this ability?

This show also features Kelli Williams, whom I began to admire as a fan from her stint in The Practice. And then you have Tim Roth. Need I say more?

TRUE BLOOD

Vampire has now come out of hiding and is mingling with people. Predator and prey living side by side. Humans with extra sensory abilities. Inter-specie[?] relationships between a human and a bloodsucker. Vampires are so ubiquitous right now in TV and movies that one can't help but wonder - are we being psychologically prepared for something?

ALMOST EVERY SHOW ON THE SCI FI CHANNEL

I'd be wasting space by typing each one. Just take my word for it - I won't be leaving the couch if I had the Sci Fi channel on TV.

Photos: For Lie To Me and Dexter from images.fanpop.com / True Blood from flickr.com

2009-06-30T05:06:00.000-07:00

The Pale Blue Dot

This is a reading from the book of the same title by the late Carl Sagan. His impact in my life is no less than monumental. His passion for science in various fields was and still is so contagious. His legacy for this world will never diminish by his untimely 'journey.'

This video is a humbling reminder to us all of our place in the cosmos, to wit Dr. Sagan. Ask anyone, any person, if they are special. If they think that they are above all living beings. Without blinking they'd say yes. How wrong we all are.

Our world would be a much better place when all of us, if whenever we wake up, as we look at ourselves in the mirror, say to ourselves "I am NOTHING." A mote of truth that Zen buddhists have known for centuries.

The Gr8 Move...

2009-06-28T04:50:00.000-07:00

It has been almost 3 years since my last post. A lot has changed - about myself and my life. Actually I have made several moves since my last post. Here are some highlights:

Residence and Work::

Back in 2007 I was living and - happily and contented - in Sta. Cruz, Laguna. That town grew on me. I now consider it my adopted home. From there I relocated in Quezon City, a serial 'room and board-er' near were I worked. I joined two call centers located in Cubao, both of which made a lasting impact in my life. The training and work experience I got have vastly upgraded my communication skills and, ultimately, my self esteem. Now I can say 'th' properly. I can throw cuss words in three different accents - American, Aussie and Standard English [no accent].

I'd be writing 'bout my experience as a call center agent in next coming days. Forgive me, though as I skip the juicy details to protect the privacy of my former colleagues.

Today::

Since the beginning of this year I moved back to my old hometown where I grew up. To the house where I played as a child and unleashed my angst as a teen. I am taking care of our family's Internet shop. I'd also be writing about this as days go by. Stay tuned...

DUMBLEDORE, AN OLD DUDE WEARING A GOWN AND BRANDISHING A WAND, GAY? GET 'ATTA HERE...

2007-10-24T20:25:00.000-07:00

What really gets to me about this latest news we’ve got is how seriously people take all this stuff from pop culture. So what if Dumbledore’s gay? Or so what if he’s uncircumcised? Or if he got a witch pregnant and had that little imp aborted in New Jersey? It’s fiction people. It can’t be helped that I compare this to my experiences whenever I go on discussing the possibility of turning a car into a time machine. People I am speaking to looks at me like deer caught in a car’s headlight. It’s fiction Dave… fiction!

The moral right would definitely reason out that having a key character of a book so widely-read by kids be described as gay would corrupt young minds, but so could news of clerics forcing ‘sacristans’ to lick their lollies. It’s not that JK Rowling explicitly wrote in her novels Dumbledore’s gay sexcapades, if there are any at all. Much Ado ‘Bout Nothing – as the famous bard once said. Hey, wasn’t he gay too? Ban those ‘tainted’ works of Shakespeare! Lewis Caroll is a pedophile! Burn Alice in Wonderland books!

What’s next huh, perfect people of the world…

Dumbledore photo from crazy-wizards.com

Software and poverty?

2007-09-28T18:01:00.000-07:00

Just this morning [Sept29'07] I got an invite in my yahoo email account to visit another blogger's site. The banner article is a reaction to remark to the author that "for every software you develop, thousands of people go hungry" or something like that. Obviously, the comment refers to how latest developments in the fast-changing [lightspeed] world of technology it displaces a lot working men & women around the world. Why need an army of accountants when for a single doleout of a few thousands bucks can buy you a multi-tasking accounting software? Or when a frigginly smart software designer comes up with a program that modifies industrial robots' capabilities from simple pick-up-press-weld into doing complicated tasks like fly stitching a flower pattern on tinee-tiny satin blouse, suddenly seamstresses, tailors, sewers and their lot would find themselves jobless. Honestly, if I were an owner of manufacturing company I'd prefer automation to people, no more benefits, no more complaints, no more coffee breaks, no more lightning rallies.

Scary, yes. Inevitable, absolutely. Should we be concerned, of course but it is much better to be prepared instead. Not able to adapt to the changes that progress brings is a death sentence to any industry, whether in manufacturing or service industry. That is a fundamental truth. Whatever consequences latest software or hardware brings is no different to what mechanical innovations did during the Industrial Revolution - manual, backbreaking work will go the way of the dinosaurs. Today, in business, the name of the game is adapt or die.

Joliber, the dude who wrote that piece, defended software from that observation that innovations inevitably brings unemployment, being a software designer [I gather, maybe I was mistaken] himself. I dunno, but if I was a computer engineer and somebody walks up to me and said that my success in my work would lead to a lot of people lossing their jobs, I'd say 'thank you for being frank and please do not ever talk to me again.' And turn my back, walk away with a smile. I ROCK!

P.S. To Joliber, thanks for the invite. I'll take a peek once in while...

Divided By 5

2007-09-02T20:59:00.000-07:00

Growing up in our family we were impliedly taught to avoid getting stuck in unnecessary arguments and debates, that we must never talk about religion and politics. Nowadays, race is another topic that raises people's hackles. Not that these subject can't be discussed in an academic or clinical manner, of course. The line that should not be crossed is so subjective that any writer or public speaker should at all times tread on eggshells and that just with a tiny mistake will invite a lynch mob.

The recent Malou Fernandez and US (Idaho) Senator Craig fiascoes have demonstrated the fickleness of today's society when issues of race and sexual preference are raised and brought out in the open for the world to see. As writer, I am constantly aware of this, careful not to cross that 'line.' Other writers would definitiely not agree with me. They would insist that the Net provides a forum for free thinking unecumbered by generally accepted social conventions with little or no regard for the consequences. Yes, truly I am one in the crusade for freedom from censure and I will the first to stand against those so-called moral crusaders.

But in order to live in a society such as ours we must accept the limitations of our words in action in consideration with the sensibilities of others not

FHM vs. MAXIM / Susy & Geno

2007-08-31T19:37:00.000-07:00

FHM VS MAXIM

Here we go… an impending ‘war’ is brewing between two men’s magazines FHM of Summit Publishing and Maxim of ABS-CBN Publishing on who can suck in to their bosoms boys and men with a ‘pressing’ need to satiate their appetite for God’s greatest creation – a naked chick’s body. Not just any naked woman will suffice; of course she has to have the ‘proper’ body measurements (use Pamela Anderson as reference) and a face that we guys like to described ‘angelic’ or ‘virginal’ or ‘innocent.’

FHM being the pioneer in the soft core men’s mags in our country have already cornered the market and a loyal following – of very, very rabid fans. Between to two, obviously FHM has more leeway to push to push the envelope, make more risqué pictures and articles. It’s highly doubtful that ABS-CBN’s publishing arm will be allowed by their top brass to release pics of fully naked chicks in Maxim’s pages like what FHM occasionally do.

Arguments by fans of Maxim likes to say that their mag have better [substantial] articles than FHM. I’m sorry to say but any dude who buys men’s mags for good reading is – in my personal opinion – a sicko! If I wanted to read a good article, I’d pay P60-P80 for an old copy of Esquire or Vanity Fair. Let us be honest bros, the REAL reason why we buy local editions of FHM and Maxim is we can’t afford Playboy or Penthouse. And besides they are very hard to find nowadays. Me, I buy FHM regularly and based on the cover, sometimes Maxim too.

Setting aside the fact that I am a certified FHM fan, it is not a big stretch of imagination that FHM will continue to hold their lead. Whatever maybe the result of their competition it us, lusty fuckers that us guys truly are [at least those of us who are honest enough to admit this] – who ultimately benefit in the end. That is, if those moral crusaders can keep themselves from rearing their ugly, repressed heads inside our raunchy melee.

SUSY & GENO

In the September issue of Maxim Francine Prieto is on the cover. ‘Twas the first thing I bought with my meager wage yesterday (8-31-07). In it, O’Goddess Francine mentioned that she named her ample boobs Susy & Geno. She remarked that it is quite awkward to refer to her boobs if and when it is mentioned in a conversation [clearly this kind of talk is reserved to her close confidantes] as, well, ‘boobs.’

Now, this is my problem with, er, Susy and Geno. I mean if – a very, very big – IF I am Francine’s boyfriend and in our midst of passionate lovemaking as I would, no doubt, spend a lot of time fondling or sucking her breast it will definitely kill the mood if she tells me to kiss ‘Geno.’ Why for the love of… name a breast a dude, worse a boy’s, name? Why not Jenna? Or Gina? Or Jenny?

Okay. So they’re famous and all with their Sustagen commercial. But… I hope, somehow, someone would suggest to Ms. Prieto to change her boobs’ names. For the benefit of our fantasies, please I beg you…

Journeys Of The Fourth Kind

2007-08-31T03:09:00.000-07:00

For seasoned travelers, the journey is just as exciting and memorable as the destination itself. And for those who have visited the municipality of Majayjay, situated 1,000 feet above sea level right at the base of Mt. Banahaw, the scenic sights and the friendly smiles of the people they’ve met along the way is reason enough to make them come back again and again.

To escape the stifling heat and choking smog, all restless residents of Metro Manila need to do is board their car or troop to the nearest bus station to reach Majayjay, its cool climate comparable to Baguio without the hassle of 9 hours or more of travel time. Majayjay can be reached in just 3 hours or less, either via South Luzon Tollway or through the ‘backdoor’ route in the province of Rizal. For those who wish to see more of the lush green countryside, going by the ‘backdoor’ is recommended.

Here in Majayjay, your visit isn’t complete without seeing any of the three falls, which except for one, is yet to be discovered by tourist thus still possessing unsurpassed beauty. Taytay falls is the most accessible, 8 kilometers or so from the town proper. The other two, can be found in Barangays Bucal and Malinao. Taking a dip at the pools of these falls, with its ice-cold, crystal-clear water streaming down from atop Mt. Banahaw, is sure to wipe away all the aches, bumps and bruises that resulted from the hike through unpaved paths. One can say the lack of tourist facilities commonly found in the more famous Pagsanjan falls will discourage ‘turistas’ but for true lovers of nature the three falls of Majayjay are treasures worth the sweat and leg spasms.

Long before Americans have discovered Baguio, the Spaniards have been enduring back-breaking rides on horses and hammocks. And at the end of the long climb, loud “haay-haay” or sighs of the indios carrying the hammocks echoes in the forest. Thus, the monicker Majayjay - “Mapapa-hayhay ka sa hirap ng paglalakad”. As early as 1578, the Spanish colonial government have declared Malay Barangay – the old name of Majayjay – as a town and was even considered as a possible capital of the province of Laguna. Spain’s legacy can still be experienced with a visit to its church, completed in 1730 as an offering to San Gregorio Papa Magno, the town’s patron saint.

This coming October 2 the residents will celebrate Majayjay Day. For three days and nights, local residents and tourists will join the fun starting with a beer-drinking festival and bingo bonanza in the first night. A Ms. Majayjay beauty pageant will also be held that will feature the talents of local lasses. Guests and tourists will be subjected to a gastronomic treat of local ‘kakanin’ like ube halaya, sapin-sapin and many others. And don’t forget to buy a bottle or two of their mouth-watering achara as ‘pasalubong.’ The festivities will culminate in a “Best Booth” contest, where each booths are constructed using various vegetables, one of Majayjay’s main agricultural produce.

Nature-lovers from the nearby municipalities and especially from Metro Manila need not go far to get a respite from the daily workplace grind, to go look for less-trodden paths away from more known but very crowded tourist spots of Southern Luzon. Truly, a day-trip to Majayjay is perfect prescription to rejuvenate a weary, urban soul.

***********

For those who, like the author, have a deep appreciation for old Filipino-Spanish style architecture, the municipality of Pila is a must-visit. With its picturesque houses lining the main streets, it brings passing travelers back into time. A couple of hours by bus or car and guests can enjoy the pollution-free air while daydreaming of what is life like when it is much slower and simpler.

Pila is known to history buffs as site of the country’s second printing press run by Tomas Pinpin and Domingo Loag where Padre Pedro San Buenaventura compiled and published the first Tagalog dictionary in 1613.

But few did not know that the municipality of Pila used to be situated in another location. In fact, what used to be a village known as Pagalangan, moved three time before the Spanish authorities and local residents settled at its current location. The first time was in 1375, then again in the 17th and lastly, in late 18th century. Stone by stone, villagers brought down and rebuild the San Antonio de Padua Church within the spacious hacienda of Don Felizardo de Rivera in Barrio Bulilan and Santa Clara.

Author's Note: The article above will be featured in the soon to be published Tanglaw, a free newsletter for residents of Sta. Cruz, Laguna and nearby towns.

TINA FEY - Queen of Geekdom

2007-08-31T00:18:00.000-07:00

It is almost a Law of Nature - a not-so-bad-looking-but-not-handsome smart guy most likely have hot, sexy arm candy for a girlfriend. The Big Guy Upstairs must've been irked by the usual arrogant attitude of geeks and nerds that He made so few intelligent women with Victoria Secrets credentials.

Okay, maybe Tina Fey cannot pass as a lingerie model (this is this still debateable) but no one will dispute me when I say she's friggin' hot. In her early years in SNL she was a wee bit on the heavy side. But now - whoa! I was so darn surprised how svelte she looked in 30 Rock. And my, my, my... the constant showing of d'cleavage. Big Bad Baldwin must've been constantly drenched in sweat under his jacket. "Look at her eyes... look at her eyes when talkin' to her..."

A fan of sci-fi movies, The Simpsons, all the usual fare of geekflicks one can see when riffling thru a nerdy dude's dung pile he call his room - Tina Fey is a one in a million. Wonder who her beau is. What? Look it up in the net you say? Snort! Me no gossip-loving freak...[denials, denials...]

Of course in my life I have met one or two ladies gifted with high IQs. Yup, I did try to win their hearts with no success. Nope, they 'aint into dudes of the same feather. Another one of the Almighty's cosmic jokes, smart and pretty women only dig guys with bulging biceps with Brad-like looks. The cruelest vice versa of life.

Lamentations aside, I do got a hot devoted lady I can go home to every night and of course, she's damn smart too. I will not accept anything less.

Tina Fey photos from celebwelove.com

The Opening Of A window Into A Beffudled Mind

2007-08-08T00:24:00.000-07:00

This is my initial fray into a wide weird world of cyberspace. This blog will serve as a virtual storage of my inner musings - things I never would have a chance to speak about to people who wishes to get to know me better.

What I would write here would inform, titillate, shock and may even disgust those brave enough to take peek inside my mind.

I would like to dedicate my first [upcoming] article to my co-worker April, who is our official graphic artist and photographer, for assisting this techno-ignoramus with designing my template...