errr

News about this latest "Ipit-taxi" gang totally freaks me out. A modus operandi where accomplices gets inside a cab and take valuable things from the passenger. As a cab frequenter, I'm doomed when i heard of it. For me, Cab is one of my most relied form of public transportation next to bus. It takes us comfortably to our destination. Without the hassle of crowd lurkers, terrible air and noise pollution and the trouble of making abot the sukli to the person away from the driver. And because of this, i am forced to take good ol jeepneys again. Sigh! I was also seriously considering of taking with me a toy gun..just for self defense?? I'm also practicing a mock in case it is needed.

Mock 1:
Holdupper: hold up to! bigay mo cell phone mo! lahat ng nasa bag mo!
Me: teka po...[while looking inside my bag, then i will stare as if someone is coming from behind]
Holdupper: anong tinitingnan..
Me: [ interrupting ] hala manong sino yun! [ then point at the window]
Holdupper will look at the window
Me: [opens the door, get my toy gun and point at them] akina yang mga armas nyo, pulis ako!!!
[they will be horrified and follow my instructions]
Me: dumapa kayo jan!! dapa! [convincingly shouts at them] then I will run as fast as i could.

I have another plan. I will bring a stick.

Mock 2
Holdupper: hold up to! bigay mo cell phone mo! lahat ng nasa bag mo!
Me: teka po...[while looking inside my bag ,then i will stare as if someone is coming from behind]
Holdupper: anong tinitingnan..
Me: [ interrupting ] hala manong sino yun! [ then point at the window]
Holdupper will look at the window
Me: [opens the door, get my stick and points at them] subukan nyo kong saktan at lahat ng lahi nyo ay isusumpa ko!
Me: [chanting weird invented words] wingardium alohamora
Me: [make tirik my mata] adava kedavra anapneo
Holduppers will run as fast as they could!!

Hmmm...I'll do the second mock, then i wouldn't have to run...and i will be so cool.

Prayer
Lord, please dont allow this to happen , protect me and the rest of the people i know who also takes cab..and give the holduppers a good job so they wont be doing this things, like make them CEO's and GM's of famous hotels and resorts in Mykonos so that they can reinvent their lives...yes Lord, so i wont need to run..and just be cool.

the helpful kitty ,the stupid pig and the ungrateful sister

My ever loyal chat mate kittycandee [danica] and i were in the mood for our favorite topic --- NONSENSE.
My sister was asking about the English translation for Banlag [an eye disorder]. I wasn't sure about the answer so i asked kittycandee.




Betty: Ano english sa banlag?
Kittycandee: ummm cross eye?? Labo hehe
Betty: duling yun eh
Kittycandee: search mo nalang

after few minutes of googling

betty: squint daw
kittycandee: ow
betty: eto nakakatuwa na english translation ng banlag
kittycandee: ano daw?
betty: a bit cross eyed = konting duling
kittycandee: hehe so pareho ang duling at banlag?
betty: oo para may masabi lang labo no?
kittycandee: oo
betty: blurred! labo!
kittycandee: lahat me relation sa mata haha!
betty: ahha
kittycandee: ano sa tingin mo?
betty: a bit cross eyed
kittycandee: so squint!
betty: i cannot focus because of myopia
kittycandee: yeah we dont have a vision
betty: tapos pag me cool pumorma
betty: wow! astigmatism!
kittycandee: ano be! pang eat bulaga!

I was very excited to tell my sister.

betty: jing alam ko na! squint!!
Jing: ok na
Betty: alam mo na? squint nga eh
Jing: di na kailangan eh

barff!

Betty's remedy

Someone was urgently in need of a blood transfusion and they were asking people for help. Gara was willing to donate and asked if i could join her in the hospital tomorrow. My dilemma was kinda funny because I'm conscious that people in the hospital might think I'll be donating blood because I'm fat.hehe! Seriously, i really cant because an organ transplant may not be good candidate as blood donors. Most likely because of unstable health reasons and atypical medical consumption. I learned from Maan that the patient, whom was her friend has Dengue. I responded immediately with my usual herbal remedies, so my text was like.. "Sabihin mo kumain sha ng talbos ng kamote at uminom ng pinagkuluan ng talbos. nakakatulong yun pampataas ng platelet count."
I recounted the days when i was sick. Aside from the usual Medical team in hospital. My parents would bring me to other Health alternatives. I had tons of experiences to share .

There was a time when a woman came inside my room and brought a live native chicken. She was uttering something..maybe a prayer. After a few minutes she was slitting a small knife into the chicken's body. She dissected and then arranged the organs of the chicken. Then finally pointed out the ailing organ. She said the problem was my liver--- engk wrong! -- poor chicken.

Another time was in a far place, i cant remember where it was. A thick crowd of people awaits outside a small house. When it was my turn. We were accompanied inside the room and there was a huge effigy of Mother Mary. The faith healer was talking to the structure. then asked me to blow in a small glass. He said all my ailments will go to that glass. How cool is that? right?

A scientist, charged us 1k per session for 2 months [that's about 60 plus thousand] for his scientific chair with electric currents traveling from the chair, entering into my veins and killing the bad cells. like Star Wars Attack of the clones. There were many rich people in that place and mostly with cancer.

I also attended Mass healing sessions, One of Father Corsie in Bulacan. There was really an unexplained feeling during divine healings. We also attended 2 foreign Divine healers. Benny Hinn and another i forgot the name, i came up the stage for him to lay hands on me. I don't have anything against this type of Faith healing because its actually Spiritual Uplifting. Sick people not only suffer physically, there's also a tendency for them to doubt and be depressed because of emotional pain.

I've also been to Chinese temples, offered incense to Chinese gods and treated with chinese herbs that made my room smelled like kinchay and the cluster of spices they put in pata tim.

Writing it down is like going through it all over again. Both incredibly funny because some are strange and exhaustively sad because of the desperate efforts we made. I feel blessed that God extended my life for 8 years now. He allowed me be with my family... Be able to function as a normal healthy person. Be able to work and improve my craft. Be able to learn new things, acquire new skills.. I was also able to meet different people and gain friends. Be able to care, love, get hurt, be angry, be sorry, be curious and many different emotions.,verbs and adverbs all together.

I learned that Life isn't always a bed of roses. Sometimes, all it gives you is crap but at the end of the day, I still believe that I am significant in God's eyes because he knows exactly who i really am and what i went through. Made me believe beyond what eyes could see and what ears could hear. He is the best remedy after all.

the phenomeNO

In connection to my All that jinx post, i came up with this idea --- When is it logically, and technically right to say NO? Which is something totally new to me. Saying NO is the last thing i learned at this point in my life. I'm usually caught up to so much complexities because its too hard for me to turn down a request, an offer or anything that is answerable by YES. I'd like to say that i mastered the art of being schmuck because of this weakness.

In my opinion, Saying No should not be an escape from risking one's sake. I still believe in the virtue of Heroism, Sacrifice and Compassion. These are my primal foundation. And No will always be my last option.

However there is one thing i consider before pressing on the Quit button.

Siguro Pag hindi ko na kaya -- in any form.
Hindi ko na kaya kasi busog nako, Hindi na kaya ng computer ko, Hindi ko na kaya kasi putol na ang kamay ko, Hindi ko na kaya kasi wala ng resourses, Hindi ko na kaya kasi ginawa ko na lahat pero hindi talaga nagwowork.

Personally, There is no absolute WRONG because each has a story to tell. There are things which we quickly judge based on clear evidence alone. And we are sometimes short in understanding one's flaw or others insufficiency. I believe that Everything is worth considering. But yes there is evil and goodness. And you will only find out what's good for you when you try it for yourself...so after risking all your cards or when you fought, sacrificed and battled all the odds....and still find yourself misplaced, Then its probably time to stop..and say NO even just to yourself.

[ Initially the concept was more on the logical side but turns out to be a little emotional on the latter part so i had to cut through and walk out on my own blog. hahar ]

And all that jinx!

Gara and i were booked unexpectedly for a music video project. It was for a new band (I'm not sure) and a neophyte director. The concept was sci fi kitsch,something experimental, pegged from vintage posters. Its kind of confusing cuz were not a big fan of these non commercialized and sentimental arts, ynkow' cinematiko and kamalayan flairs whaha! Or its just not us cuz we lurve Nina and Anne Curtis! But we had 1 day to study and consider the project. Why not give it a try for the love of Art.
To cut the long story short. It did not break through. We had to back out because we had enough jinx that day. First, its not what we heart. Definitely not our forte. Like dark chicken meat for me or an ulam that tastes like dessert. Second, I lost my pink vintage cellphone. haha. it was funny because i had to text this litany - "Kung sino man pong nakakuha ng cellphone na ito pwede nyo po bang ibalik sa akin kasi po pamana po sha ng aking lola na namatay..mahalaga po sha sakin kaya hindi ko po pinapalitan..alam ko po hindi nyo ito kinuha bka hindi nyo lang po napansin..." I was expecting that it will be returned coz it was still ringing late at night. I'm guessing that either the battery went down or its somewhere unoticed inside the cab. Third, Gara's machine was going through the beginner's glitch phase. Fourth, Ruben's hard drive got busted because of a faulty fire wire connection.
We thought, its time for us to tell them that the Universe doesn't join force with us in this endeavor.. So after a few text exchanges we clasp our hands and raise it high and knocked each others knuckles. We knew it was over.

I did not post this to brag about how we are able to diss out projects that we totally dislike. In fact, this was only one of our few attempts to back out. I just find it significant specially for freelancers since there are moments when you know its not going to work. And often find yourself stuck in that situation, dragging your feet on a given assignment for "Professionalism's sake". This incident is probably a rare case when you still have the chance to decline before it becomes worse.

so there.

Whats for dinner?

After almost 3 years ,we get to eat at our favorite American Country-style diner called Mom and Tina's. I raved about it many times in my previous blog . And I'm happy to announce that aside from its Julia Vargas branch, it also has one at Perea St. Makati. Yey! Danica was there to join us and obviously enjoyed the experience. It is after all the same rich and satisfying meal. Its what your Lola's would cook for you -- No pretensions, no diet frills. Next time ,i should try their steaks or roast turkey because we always order the same thing since 2006.

We don't have photos but i could describe what we had for dinner.

Caesar salad - it taste like home made dressing and not the usual store-bought tangy Caesar dressings. More on the creamy creamy side, fresh iceberg lettuce and bacon bits with adequate parmesan to start up your appetite

Chicken Alexander- Mashed potato with corn kernels and chicken shreds. This dish is good for 1 person only but because of its creaminess, its good if you share it nalang.

Beef Stew - a small serving of good ol' tender chunks of beef with hints of old school seasoning.Simply wicked.

Paella Valenciana- not related to Gary [valenciano] but id like to describe this as gara's kriptonite. Sure it might cause her to sneeze for a life time (shes allergic to seafood). But always praised this dish to anyone from the top of her lungs down to the tip of her toes.

bread rolls- soft freshly baked breads that goes well with everything.

Fettuccine with sun dried tomatoes and pesto- not a fan but its not a tragedy either.

Lemonade- comes in different colors. I had green lemonades and Nica got a red drink. Its cool.

all these for 1,000 pesos only.

Choco drink

Sister and i were talking about her current milk brand. We usually get 2 kinds, Non fat and full cream for her because she considers herself malnourished.
(by the way she cant fix herself a glass of any beverage examples are. milk, juice, coffee) One morning she asked if i can whip up a nice Bear Brand choco drink.


Jing: Ate cathy gawa mo nga ako ng bear brand choco na masarap, kasi si mommy di masarap yung binigay skin kanina

Me: dagdagan mo lang pag matabang

Jing: dinagdagan ko na eh di pa din masarap

Me: haluin mo kasi, di mo ata hinahalo eh

Jing: di gawa mo nalng ako..please!!! (laging ganyan yan) Finally binigay ko na yung choco drink

Jing: Sarap mo talaga magtimapla!

Me: deadma

Jing: yung bearbrand choco parang hindi sha talaga chocolatey..mas milky sha.

Me: deadma

Jing: gatas ba to? o chocolate?

Me: gatas yan...gatas ng Bear!

Hits and misses

Pan de lurve--- HIT!
Have you tried Pan de Manila's pugon baked pan de sal? if yes then this post is done. if not..well you better check out their baked products. They have these soft pesto flavored cheese breads. Wheat pesto pan de sal's which compliments well with their herbed cream cheese and sardines in olive oil. Lurve it! Heated or just straight form the bag.

"One one only" or in tagalog..Iisa pa lamang--- MISS!
I've seen an episode of this much awaited (or so they say) teleserye. I cannot say anything spectacular about it except for the hyped come back of 80's hearthrob Gabby Conception...Im also just wondering why Diether always get good roles when all he can do is protrude his frontal denture,stress his jaw and act like he is acting. There is nothing natural in his actions. He is just a much favored "actor" i guess.
or maybe the problem is not him...its probably me. i really hope to learn to like him in the future.

You Compute me--- HIT!
At last my computer is back in its robust condition. I installed everything without the weird things i encountered prior when i purchase an anti spyware software from the internet (thanks to lara for her account). For some reason,I'm utterly happy, these days gadgets pala can also make us feel complete. Somehow, it gives me the security of having everything i need..atleast for now.

Balitang K-----C

Sa mga kababayan nating taga Pampanga, Maayap gakpanapun kekongan, sa mga chabakano Buenas tardes mi amigos. sa mga taga Mendiola, Makibaka wag matakot! Sa mga taga palengke Maki baboy! maki isda! maki gulay! (corny na!) Handa na ba kayo?

Long overdue na ang Celebrity sighting na ito, Nang minsang nasa Serendra ako with friends. At nagkataong isa sa kasama namen ang editor at graphics ng music video ni KC Concepcion...na nagkataon ulit na nag-shoot naman sa Serendra para sa movie nila ni Richard Poon...gutierez pala. Binigyan ng CD si Gara ng album ng anak ni mega pagkatpos ay Hinamon na ipa autograph daw nila nung oras na yun, Na pumayag naman agad (sa mga nakakakilala kay Gara, medyo malakas ang boses nya..at lihim na fan din sha ni kc,claudine baretto at sara geronimo) At namilit pang sumama na daw kame. So habang naglalakad kame sa gitna ng Italliani's at Claw daddy's...Hating gabi na yun..walang masyadong ingay. may mangilanan ngilang kumpol ng costumer sa alfresco ng itallianis...
Raks: O asan na si Kc?
Betty: (inaanbot ko ung mineral water nya) Gara un tubig mo baka mahawa ng sipon si Kc..
Gara: (habang sumisigaw) Oy pengeng ballpen,baka wlang ballpen si Kc (with matching senyas ng ballpen habang bumabahing ng paulit ulit )
Paglingon namen,ang kumpulang iyon pala ay grupo ni KC kasama ang direktor at ibang crew..
Beyond words ang aming pagkapahiya..Dinamdam iyon ni Gara ng ilang linggo.
Para sa hindi nakakalam ng kanta ni Kc,narito ang lyrics at sabaysabay nating kantahin.