Chilling Quake in Chile

Having spent most of my today in front of my PC playing online chess at Chess.Com and FICS , I was surprised and saddened to find out about the 8.8 magnitude earthquake that hit Chile. While I was fussing about my daily dose of fatherhood, halfway around the globe people are running to save their lives.




After Typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng late last year in our country, we were greeted by the Haiti Earthquake on January 12, 2010 which affected an estimated three million people. The numbers will scare and push you to say your prayers and vow to never commit any acts against the Laws of God: 

"As of Feb. 12, an estimated three million people were affected by the quake;[7] the Haitian Government reports that between 217,000 and 230,000 people had been identified as dead, an estimated 300,000 injured, and an estimated 1,000,000 homeless. The death toll is expected to rise.[8][9] They also estimated that 250,000 residences and 30,000 commercial buildings had collapsed or were severely damaged.[10]"

I don't know if America's Hollywood can make another We are the World Version 3, this time for Chile but I'm very sure people will find a way to help alleviate the suffering of our fellow residents of this planet. 

Going back to the recent earthquake in Chile, here is the link from Wikipedia's entry about the disaster: 2010 Chile Earthquake.

 Remember our posts here about earthquakes especially the one I called Earthquakes Worldwide? So far we have had 2 major earthquakes on  two different but very near continents. Here in the Philippines, we have had minor but cause of concern earthquakes. In fact there was a week some months ago when newsflashes would tell us about these.

North America and South American Continents got the jolts in less than two months. 

Wikipedia has the List of 21st century earthquakes dates include 2001 to 2010, a decade of worst natural disasters.         

No photos have been sent out due to the interruption of electricity and other major services. Seismologist says Tsunamis were produced as high as 3 feet and buildings were in flattened out.  Before we all go to sleep, let us all offer a simple prayer for the safety of the people of Chile.

Phil Jackson's The Last Season

One for the books: I finished reading Phil Jackson's The Last Season in less than a day.I took home the book and borrowed it from my colleague Friday evening. Started reading it around ten in the evening and Saturday night time I was done.

I digress. This is the 9th book I have read in a span of 4 weeks. Topics I have been reading lately includes World War II History, Economics, Art History, Chess Games and History. 
 
And yes, I went through my regular Saturday activities of basketball, chess and fatherhood stuffs which means I had limited time to read the book.

It is about Kobe Bryant, Shaquille Oneal and a coach called the Zen Master. The book is in the first person language and in a journal entry form. From the point of view one of the best ever in NBA history, here's what Wikipedia has to say about his work:

The controversy surrounding the book concerns Jackson's characterization of Bryant and treatment of the breakup. In The Last Season Jackson suggests Bryant's influence on the dissolution and labels him "uncoachable". According to Jackson, in Bryant's exit interview with him he stated that O'Neal's fate with the Lakers would affect his decision to return, saying "I'm tired of being a sidekick." Later in a phone call with Lakers owner Jerry Buss, Jackson recounts Buss's explanation of the team's preference for Bryant rather than O'Neal, of which Jackson disapproved: "It's not that I'm enamored with Kobe's character. But he is twenty-six in August. The seven years ahead are the prime years of his career....I have to serve the people who are loyal to me. My mail runs about 5-1 on Kobe to Shaq." Jackson makes his own departure sound like a mutual decision with Laker management, saying he was "at peace" with the outcome, but he recorded Buss's remark: "We're going in a different direction." But Jackson's thoughts on Bryant caused the most stir. While calling coaching O'Neal "an experience I will cherish forever," his inflammatory comment on Bryant continued to draw attention when Jackson returned for a second coaching stint with the Lakers on June 15, 2005.

It was a nice break for me to have the opportunity to read something so close to my heart which is basketball. Although for the past seven years I've been coaching chess, my first love has always been basketball. For the past few weeks I have been having an amazing reading marathon and this book made my run even more enjoyable.

Butch Dalisay's Top Ten

I am a Certified Wannabe Professional Writer!

Before the advent of Internet Version 2 and during my student days (but I never really stopped learning on my own) I have always thought that I have what it takes to become a good, published, professional writer.


Please ask me why, just once! I'm begging you, down on my knees! Please let me hear you ask me, why?

Back in grade 4, I wrote something on a piece of paper.  My teacher in English class brainwashed us with rhymes, stanzas, rhythm and sways. I was surprised to see the masterpiece (I call it as piece of &#*$&%^  nowadays) with a heartwarming title, Dear Teacher printed on our school newspaper which by the way was the first ever victim of La Nino.

High school era provoked me even more, made me believe that I am in fact a wannabe pro.

My teachers forced me. Actually they chose me from a gazzillion of underachieving groupies of Kurt Cobain and Eddie Vedder to join the essay writing contest. It was fun and at the same time horrifying because I was given the license to skip classes (teachers call this pull-outs) and join the Gang of Cerebral Elites. The organizers crammed us in ll a place with long tables, shelves with books and women from Elderly Heights to force us to write.

This activity was big time for the participants and I can see on their faces how honored they felt for being part of the Cerebral Elites. As for me, I felt humored and fortunate at the same time. Skipping classes to go through one of my favorite pass-times and rituals:

1. Imagine with words

2. Write it down

3. Read it aloud in your head

4. Erase the words that doesn't seem right

5. Read aloud in your head

6. Write it down

7. Imagine with words

All this time I would ask myself how my readers would react to what I'm saying. How I love to be lost with my imagination. Be enchanted with what my pen and my thoughts would tell me. What my heart yearns, my pen writes.Writing, writing, writing... 

The writing theme for the contest I have forgotten but God must have played with my fate. Because after a week, I have sensed that our would-be valedictorian and salutatorian, belonging to section one, were suddenly smiling at me as if we have known each other since preschool. I was a transferee the year before and in high school, you don't easily get the smile or the nod you imagined you deserved.

I won first place with the teachers giving me the grin and smirks only they could have given it best.

Oh well!     

The other day I bought Philippine Star's Issue where Butch essayed his Top Ten Tips for Wannabe Pro Writers. I have to say that his top ten is my top concern and yes, I have been wishing (with some working and a lot of dreaming!) on becoming a professional published writer.

What was included in his Top Ten for Wannabe Pro?

Please forgive me Butch for not sending you an email before I do what most of us amateur-wannabe-writer-hiding-in-the-guise-of-a-blogger-but-has-to-work-full-time-and-steal-some-precious-blogging-hours-when-opportunity-comes, copy and paste keyboard, one hit-motion, a lot of wonder (and wanders!):

1. For starters, master the language.

2. Be versatile.

3. Learn to write bilingually.

4. Leave the juvenile angst at the door.

5. Cultivate an interest and some expertise in fields beyond literature and art

6. Be a good listener, and learn how to ask the right questions.

7. Establish a network of contacts.

8. Think, look, and act like a professional.

9. Deliver quality work, on time.

10. Don’t forget what you’re doing all of this for. 

Mr. Butch' numero uno is in fact the bread and butter of any writer wannabe. I have worked on numerous blogs of my own and I get so embarrassed whenever I see my blogs littered with typos, grammatical errors and too much written-down thinking aloud thoughts (just like this one?). 

Versatility is something we Filipinos think we have but when it comes to my writing, I'm nowhere near it. When I started my pet project here, I interviewed Roberto "Bobby" Ang and had a very nice email exhanges and a chance encounter with Manny Benitez. These two men gave me their precious time and nuggets of wisdom about writing. We all know that Bobby Ang is a chess columnist at Business World while Tito Manny is a veteran journalist and has had a chess column too.

I remember very well when he told me in writing:

"Francis, you have a good writing style, witty, humorous. You just have to continue writing, reading and writing..."

I can say it's easier for me to write farther away from news reporting. I had a sports column in one of the weekly newspapers here in Cavite and the experience proved one thing for me: news reporting is uncreative.

Now that's inflexibility!

Writing bilingually is difficult. During my previous life in Morocco, I had the utmost desire to write in Filipino after my successful Philippine Chess Chronicles blog project but after some tries and fries I went into writing in English.

Oh yes Butch! I can tell you with all honesty that I have left my teenage angst way past behind me and I now go for live and let live and tomorrow gotta be the day mantra. I used to think that I need a trigger to inspire me to write but now it's just ,write, right and write.

Cultivate interests in various fields. That's very true! With my background in occupational therapy, special education and clinical educational testing, plus my experience in school set-up, I thought I have all the necessecities to write about anything and everything under the 3 stars and the sun and the whole wide universe.

Damn I was wrong!

Would you believe I have been reading Paulo Coelho books since I was in my mom's womb? (I'm lying about the womb part) and I blame his writings for my belief that life is all about his beliefs. No, no, no! Life in this world involves espionage, economics, humanities, violence, cultural activism, literary reviews, Ampatuans and Lacson hunting, Ondoy and Mayon Volcano, Obama ,Osama and Hossana's.

Kaleidoscope world it is!

Giving good questions and listening well. Here's a very common description I often get get "perceptive!" I know it's a tool any writer can make use of.

Establish a network of contacts. That I am very bad at because I should know which contact I should make. The contacts I should nurture and the contacts I should promote. The blogosphere has shown me the good and bad sides of networking.

Think, look and act professionally. Until I get to the point where I know I'm ready to rumble with the pros...

Deliver.

Never forget the reason.

Dear Butch,

In a nutshell I am a work in progress! Thank you for writing the Top Ten and I'm sure you have enlightened the darkness that shadows the writer's mind.

Sincerely yours,

The Brown Man.

P.S. Sorry if you had to go thru the most sickening article you have ever read in your entire life due to all the technicalities only masters like you will ever understand and appreciate. To air my side (again!), I started working on this at around 430 in the afternoon but had to buy IV fluids for my sick young son, wash the dishes, give bath to my two sons (one is sick, one is not) and have dinner with all of them. Of course I have not informed you that I am also a certified chess addict and had to spend 3 hours of lightning chess at FICS 
while figuring out on how write this aha-moment of mine:  Pro Writer!

Chess Videos For All (Part 2)

Here is our final salvo for our free chess videos courtesy of chess dot com.

1. GM Josh Friedel's The Giant 
2. GM Melikset Khachiyan' My Giuoco Piano, Into the Fire, Dynamic Theory,    
3. IM David Pruess' Through an IM's Eyes 
4. IM Sam Shankland's Ending a Tournament
5. FM Valeri Lilov's The Ideas Behind Planning, Positional Operations: Regrouping, PO: Releasing the Pieces

I hope you all have saved the videos in your hard drives and enjoy watching and learning from them!

Brave New World Connection

This will be short, sweet and newsy...

"I have my new internet connection here at home, finally!!!"

Visit Online Casino Spotlight

The # 1 online casino web source in the whole wide cyberspace for beginners, hustlers and pros.  From onlookers, bookers and rooters, Online Casino Spotlight is the right spot with the bright light! I know I have had posts about casinos and online gaming here in our blog and it won’t hurt you or me to post this one. As I have said a million times (exaggeration!), online games like chess and casinos mix perfectly when done correctly. With the right harmony and timing, one will be successful in both worlds.

So let us now begin to dissect what online casino spotlight can give you, me, John, Jane and all the Doe’s in between.

Starting with it’s home link: Online Casino Spotlight. Google searched for about a fraction of a second and there appeared on top the Online Casino Spotlight with a tag:

“Online casino gambling guide featuring the best online casino games, exclusive casino bonuses, casino games tips and and tricks.”   

So if you ask me, it is 100% searchable and its on top of Google search.  Just in case you have been living under a rock, Google holds the key to online search engines, no arguments about it. Care to move on?

We now go to the content element of the site.

It says it’s a guide, a source of infos and probably a site to serve the needs of casino players. What will we see when we first visit the site? A real, in your face website that prefers to do what it preaches, to guide users about online casino. They’ve got Online Craps,  Slots Online, Blackjack, Roulette and Video Poker. They have worked and produced helpful articles that is meant to facilitate the learning of would-be player. I'm a self-confessed "noob" of online casino and I tried to learn as much as I can about it only to find out that everything is readily available there. Save for time and keystroke motions that's very important in this day and age of now, now and now. 


They also cared enough to put in an Online Casino Rating - Best 10 Online Casinos, the only site I have seen. The World of Online Casino Gaming gives us the right perspective, one that's informative, balanced and at the same "lucrative".  Grade: Perfect!


You ask me about the design, navigation and colors? Cool, basic colors of green, white, a little of black and yellow. Enough to get the Oscar's for Best Choice of Web Colors! Don't you just love to read websites with white background, a heading with a touch of elegance and attractiveness? It's all there plus the simple navigation that's made for the citizen of the cyber universe. With all the fundamental elements of a great website like working hyper links, tag clouds on the right side panel, recent online gambling news and gambling guide categories, I'd give them a Perfect score here.


I know, I know I'm getting quite technical but that's what we really need when we want to learn something new.We want to dig deeper and make sure we know what we're getting and using.


Before I get into more of this, why don't you visit and play game or two?


If you're not sure how to do it, everything is in there. Go pay a visit!

Chess Videos for All

Hey there!

I still have until tomorrow to enjoy my  Diamond Membership at Chess.com courtesy of who else but chess.com. So for now I'll try to compile as much videos as I can in this post.

IM Daniel Rensch' Videos:

1. Live Sessions 11: Pawn Structure. 
2. Live Sessions 10: Common Checkmating Pattern
3. Live Sessions 9:   Common Checkmating Pattern
4. Live Sessions 8:   Positional Evaluation/Positional Sacrifice
5. Live Sessions 7:   Opening Lines  
6. Live Sessions 4:   Basics of the Game
7. Live Sessions 2:   Color Complex
8. Live Sessions 1:   Converting Extra Material

Compile these teaching resources as much as you can then distribute them willfully. It's in the sharing that we receive much and in giving that we help promote any endeavor.

RP Chess News

I must admit I have been receiving emails about Philippine chess news but not everything is publish-worthy. Most of what I'm receiving are either self-promotion or paid promotion of the "newsed" players and personalities. So why would I bother posting them here?

But somehow I could not resist the fact that I'm also indebted to publish facts that should have a place in this blog that has gone on to hybernate and still maintain a ranking within 50-60. Either this blog has been around for five years is the reason or because it has for some time maintained a number one ranking is for google to say.

Anyways I feel like chess blogging again but not now!

The Great Train Robbery

I have finally finished reading Michael Crichton's bestseller The Great Train Robbery last night. Stuck in my mind: The novel is based on  the robbery that took place during a train and sea journey from London to Paris on May 15, 1855. The film adaptation is starred by no other than Sean Connery. There are lots of videos on YouTube that has the title The Great Train Robbery. Although the novel was based from real events, Crichton embellished it with his great narration with his cocktail of historical facts and creative creation of storytelling. 

Michael Crichton is famous for his literary works like Jurassic Park and Disclosure.

Going back to the novel, it is a richly flavored Victorian era with stuffed with essays and digresions on trains, slang, technology, burial customs, criminals and the Scotland Yard circa mid-19th century. Oh you'll love the slang Crichton used in the story and somehow you'll feel like you are reading the writings of Anthony Burgess in his banned novel Clockwork Orange and J.D. Salinger's Catcher in the Rye.

Here's one conversation between Edgar Pierce (our main man) and his accomplice  Agar who is a skilled screwsman :

"The day of what?" Agar persisted.  "The day of reckoning," Pierce said. "You're a tight one," Agar said. And then he added, "Wasn't that Teddy Burke trying a pull?" "Who's Teddy Burke?" Pierce said. "A swell, works the Strand?" "I wouldn't know," Pierce said, and the two men left the building rooftop. "Cor, you're a tight one,"  Agar said again. "That was Teddy Burke." Pierce just smiled.

. 

So what's the pull?, A tight one? Is there a dough for me here? Of course it intrigued me more when I got to the part where they were doing the minor pulls  just so the force won't detect what they're up to. You have to read the novel yourself to know exactly what I'm saying here. It's kind'a John Doe-ish and Jane Doe-ish if you won't.

Finally, let me show a video clip from the movie starring Sean Connery Donald Sutherland. Turner Classic Movies has a database of films from the time your mom and dad were still being conceived. Click here. 

ADHD and Me

The years 2000-2010 is my first decade as a Teacher. Got my diploma for my B.S. in Occupational Therapy then finished my academic requirements for my master's in special education major in early intervention with specialized research studies on Autism and Learning Disabilities, professional units in Teaching Children with Special Needs in a multi-cultural classroom and numerous seminars and workshops all around the Philippines regarding teaching and learning process.

All these add nothing to my personal contentment when compared to what I feel after processing (listening and talking to) parents in distress over the fact that their children have recently been diagnosed with a certain kind of condition. Tonight is one of those nights when I feel and agree with what others have said before, that teaching is a noble act, a vocation and not a profession.

Tonight I thank God for giving me the opportunity to provide insights to parents about ADHD. Tonight it is and will be one of those nights to look back to.

Well before I get so chessy here and you teary-eyed, let me share these YouTube videos regarding ADHD. I wish you will learn from these and be a beacon of hope and light to those who are going thru the darkness, not knowing what to do or not knowing where to start with their journey with ADHD.



Here is another one...



But of course I have to make sure you are well aware of the signs and symptoms of ADHD:



Living with ADHD can be very stressful but let's just say it's part of a wonderful package of living with amazing individuals:



This one is for all the parents around the world!



Have a good time!

Diamond Membership For Me

I have not blogged here since GM Wesley So's successful campaign in World Cup last year. I don't even care to remember the last post I did in this blog. I knew I have had enough of chess blogging a year ago and now it's a different blog project for me which I don't intend to share here. What brought me back here is the fact that I can share chess videos from Chess.com because I got a Diamond Membership from them for reasons I don't know. So here is one link for you to enjoy, while it lasts: Spanish Torture; Part I - Chess Videos - Chess.com.

Jason Aguilar Ivler

"Not guilty your honor!"

The plead everyone expected to hear from Jason Aguilar while his mom, Marlene Aguilar, compares the America's legal procedure with that of the Philippine's .

I saw Marlene in Boy Abunda's Bottomline Show and she was preaching about things I could not even see in her. Maybe I'm judgemental and I am basing this from what I've read and what Jason and Marlene has so far done or spoken about. But I know it's not just me who thinks she is delusional.  I was  in fact  astonished at how Marlene Aguilar answered questions  fired at her by  tito Boy. If you watch Boy's Bottomline, you will appreciate the post interview segment Boy Abunda have with his gang which I call Boy A's Gang.

Anyways, see it for yourself:

Aeroflot 2010 with Wesley So

Philippine's number chess player GM Wesley So is playing in the Aeroflot 2010 Tournament and as of this round, he is carrying a score of  4.5 out of 8 rounds. Also as of this writing, he is the winningest junior player in the A1 tournament.

Wesley's friend and compatriot GM Darwin Laylo is not performing well and in fact has produced zero's in seven games and a draw in the 4th round. At this level of competition, only the prepared warrior can really move up to the standings.

Let's hope and pray Wesley will at least be the top junior of the tournament like lat year and Darwin start to win  games.

Ash Wednesday 2010

Ash Wednesday this year falls on a Wednesday! Harharhar!

Seriously, here is what Wikipedia says:

"For the Western Christian calendar, Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent and occurs forty-six days (forty days not counting Sundays) beforeEaster. It is a moveable feast, falling on a different date each year because it is dependent on the date of Easter. It can occur as early as 4 February or as late as 10 March."



We Filipinos observe this Holy day and we do make sure we celebrate the Holy Eucharist on this day. Catholic Churches all over the Philippines will follow a Sunday schedule and will have an hourly Holy Eucharistic Celebration. It is a day of repentance and the beginning of our new lives. Starting over again and living life according to His Will and not our own. 


This will be the start of the 40-Day Lent (make it 46 including the Sundays) which means we Catholic Christians will offer daily sacrifices. Abstinence from sex (for married individuals only!), from activities we feel are diversions from our real purpose in life and some say we ought to avoid eating meat during this time.  


I know this post will surely fall under the Category Religion but I don't have the label to go with it so just check the Label Spirituality. 

Jewish Films

Films with a Jewish touch, feel and thoughts are films I need to see before I die. Thanks to the books I've read a couple of moons ago: The Odessa File, The Brutal Holocaust and The Diary of Anne Frank.

Now comes the blog I stumbled upon by Rabbi von Sydow and his post in September titled "100 Jewish Films to Watch Before" maybe dying?

Interesting. Now I have to blog about this so I can keep a permanent record of the Rabbi's link and list. Someday, somehow.

The Dream is Safe Home

Z Gorres "The Dream" is back in the country on a wheelchair but beeming with hopes and dreams of helping the young boxers of this generation. It was in 2005 that  first heard of his name and saw his boxing matches in a documentary on TV.

With his feisty footworks and dance-like motion on the floor, I knew he would be an exciting boxer to watch and a potential big name in the sports. Fast forward today, Z Gorres is fnally at home after a career-ending injury he suffered in November 13, 2009. After winning a 10 round bout against Luis Melendez, he collapsed in th ring and was later moved out of it by a stretcher.

Medical practitioners thought he wouldn't even come out of it alive but he lived to go home and even preach the boxing gospel, hopefully with lessons in safety and security.

Dreams of big money bouts and international fame no more, but 'The Dream" lives on.

Manila Jazz Scene

I spent my Sunday yesterday lunching out with my wife, children and parents in one of the Chinese Restos along Aguinaldo Highway near Macro-Park Place Village. When out of my dad's bag he brought out a double CD with a neat packaging entitled "4th Manila Jazz Festival, Pearl of the Orient" A Tribute To Philippine Jazz & ToThe 10th Commemorative Year Of The South Sea Pearl As The National Gem.

Just when did this happen? I don't really know and I don't have time to search on it. All I know is that am having a great time listening the double CD. Thanks to the performers like jewelmer jazz band, wahijuara, sound, salindiwa, dc aftershock, brass munkeys, b.a.t. project, jaime oehlers quartet, up jazz ensemble, lando bernal and the phil-hk jazz in the city and romy posadas and friends.

Produced by Jewelmer International Corporation and with a Philippine Copyright in 2007.

PhilMusic wrote about it here and Flickr has a collection of photos from the event.

Valentines 2010

Happy Valentines day to all of you in advance!

Today I have started reading on Michael Crichton's The Great Train Robbery which was published in the year 1975. I bought the book for PhP 35 at The Booksale, Robinson's Imus last night.

So far I have read till the fifth chapter of the book in-between my fathering chores, playing pick-up basketball worth five hundred a game against hecklers in our place and playing on-line chess.

I just finished my paid post in one of my blogs and I hope it will be approved so that my waiting time for receiving my $9 ends sooner.

Tonight I'll be going up to Tagaytay City to spend a cool, windy dinner with my wife and kids. I'm glad I live in a place where I only need an hour and Php 30 to reach one of the country's best city. If you have time, do visit Tagaytay City and find out for yourself.

Of course it helps that Mayor Bambol Tolentino supports Philippine Chess as much as I do.

See you soon!

Yabang Pinoy Discovered

Yabang Pinoy was featured last night on TV but the hell I can't even remember which news program it was on. Definitely I got the message and now I'm sharing the video of their promotional video here.



I was trying to patch on Yabang Pinoy's badge on our blog template but somehow I couldn't figure out yet. I like the first badge among the choices. I also plan to buy the Yabang Pinoy's Bigkas Pilipinas.

Anyways, for now Ipagyabang Mo, Lahing Pilipino!

Mind At War

I have digested as much as I can about World War II atrocities indirectly in the past three weeks. Remember The Brutal Holocaust post I made last month? So far I browsed-read-skipped the book according to what my catches my 20/20 visual apparatus. I have read the chapters about Forced Labour, Rape of Manila and Comfort Women. If Armando Ang's numbers are right, then we can say that Manila was Warsaw of Asia. No thanks to the Allied Forces and to the Japs.

Amidst my searching and seeking for knowledge of history, my friend lend me a book by Frederick Forsyth called The Odessa File and was hooked to it instantly. The story had someth to do with World War II Atrocities by the German Nazi's, SS Men hunted by Jewish Militia and a reporter's quest for justice for his father's murder. I needed only a week to read the book then came another help, another friend gave me a film copy of The Odessa File which he downloaded at Torrentz. 

In the film adaptation of the novel, Jon Voight played the main character in Frank Miller. I was so interested to know who played the role of Sigi, the fiance' of Miller and I found out it was Mary Tamm. Of course I watched the film expecting to see the bed scenes Frederick Forsyth masterfully told us in the novel but damn it wasn't there.

Interestingly, these two artistic outputs made me learn so much about World War II which I think I can never learn in the four corners of a classroom. Occuring on the oposite hemispheres of the globe, the people depicted in the film and the victims stories in the book told me one thing: World Wars don't solve anything.

And last night I saw Lourd de Vera's segment in The Evening News of TV 5 which included World War II tidbits and trivias. This propelled me to vheck out the YouTube videos about The Battle of Manila:



I guess my World War II research will continue until the end of March this year and hopefully I'll have a better vision and understanding of what life was like then.

P.S.

I hope the next President of the Philippines will have the most respect of Philippine History.

Circus and Carnivals a.k.a Election Campaign

Remember our post Circus 2010?

Well our presidentiables waited until  yesterday, that is Tuesday, to make their perceived Grand Opening Day sort of election campaign. Let's do a run down of what our future president and losers did yesterday to cause road traffics everywhere they went.

The Transformers Team  led by the tandem of Richard Gordon and Bayani Fernando started their campaign  in Imus, Cavite. It doesn't take a genius to know that the main road in Cavite going to Manila and vice versa is the one and only Aguinaldo high-way.

Simple Math: five hundred jeepneys bearing Marikina-Cogeo signages full of people with you + ten or more trucks colored pink that bears their names + one Optimus Prime Truck + Rush Hour along Aguinaldo high-way = TRAFFIC JAM.

I saw the two on national TV singing John Lennon's Imagine with groupies doing back up vocals. For looking stupid on TV and doing their jobs well, I don't know if I'll vote for them.

The tandem of Noynoy Aquino and Mar Roxas began their national campaign in Tarlac. From what I saw in late last night's news, Noynoy Aquino did a rap song and threw dirtful of issues against his closest rival candidate Manny Villar while Mar Roxas looked on.

Simple Math: Kris Aquino + Korina Sanchez + = ABS-CBN Team in yellow.

Joseph "Erap" Estrada and Jojo Binay tandem began their campaign on the grounds of Plaza Miranda, Quiapo. Again, from what I saw on the tube, there's not much showbiz personalities except for Eddi Guttierez and Eddie Garcia. Aiko Melendez was there too who is running for a seat in Quezon City. I swear I must have heard the song One More Chance.

Simple Math: Few Showbiz + Few Masa = Any chance?

Eddie Villanueva and Perfecto Yasay Jr. did it in Luneta with  the unfurling of what appeared to be the biggest Philippine Flag ever. If they win, there's a big chance of spiritual change our country needs but I doubt that they will win.

Simple Math: Eighty Percent Catholic votes + Twenty Percent others =  Impossible.

Manny Villar and Loren Legarda went to Laguna with showbiz personalities. Wowowee's Willie Revillame did a song and dance backed up by almost nude female dancers. Just can't tell you  if the song was Nobody  or  Somebody.  Both Manny  and Loren made sure they would throw muds and dirts against their perceived closest rivals Noynoy and Mar. My question: has Villar put up a housing program that was for free? Pro-Mahirap would either be free or free of charge. But from what I've gathered, all the housing projects that made him the richest public servant in the country were commercialized.

Simple Math: Villar + PGMA on the background + C5 Controversy + Legarda's Un-Masa Image = Lot's of Explanation.

Gilbert Teodoro and  Edu Manzano did it in Antipolo. The Official PGMA candidate is lagging behind in surveys and I dont think they can ever catch up. From what I've seen and heard, Gibo seems an intelligent man and I've heard him talk about his rivals with respect. But this dignified and schooled image of his will be so hard to swallow for the voting masa. Add to the fact that I've never heard about him until late last year.

Simple Math:  Official  PGMA Candidate +  Perceived Lack of Support from PGMA +  "Too Clean" Image = Not a chance.

Independent  presidential bet Jamby Madrigal started her campaign in Quiapo with her seldom seen in public husband and some sortie.When I saw her and her sortie on TV, Ijust had to ask myself why, why If I were Jamby, as rich as Jamby is, why would I go to  hell and race back to earth  to run for presidency.

Simple Math: No Juday = No chance at all.

So far, these are the known presidentiables. But I do hope you all have read my 2010 Philippine Election post a month ago. In there I linked our readers to the Official Website of COMELEC and I myself was surprised to have seen names I never even heard of.

JC De Los Reyes, the nephew of Dick Gordon. He started his campaign in his hometown Angeles City. If i asked the question why to jamby's ambition to seat inside the country's Malacanang Palace as the head, imagine what I would've asked when I saw his name. I didn't have the grasp of logic to even utter a word.

See, the man is definitely  perceived to be sane. I saw him on TV with his blue vest giving out leaflets and shaking hands with drivers who happened to be standing nearby. Hands in the air I give to him.As for the reason for running, I don't know and I can't really know.

If God wants him to run, I cannot argue because I believe in God too and that with God, nothing is impossible.

No Math here.

Next is Nicanor Perlas.

Why? Answer me please.

Here's what I know: I saw him on TV and he attended the event organized by Ateneo for candidates and he was the only one there. Must be a lonely thing to do but again, I cannot question his desire to serve the country just like his rivals. And to me, he looked decent and schooled and that made it  much harder to understand.

No Math here too.

I might have missed other candidates so here is the link again for the Official List of Candidates.



 




 

Investigating Investigative Journalism

 I have had more than ten blogs since 2004 and I can say I have experienced glory and sorrows from all of it. I have earned almost a thousand dollars (no exaggeration!) and continue to earn from this passion of mine called writing. I have met people and became friends with them and I have made enemies too because of my writing. I have maintained my 8 to 5 job or should I say my  730-330 teaching job in one of the international schools here in Metro Manila since 2005.

I can include more in my truthful I have's list regarding my life without end but that is not my point or the message I want to convey. The message is this:

"I have loved writing since I was eight years old but never seriously considered becoming a professional writer (a great one I hope!) because I was discouraged by the people who should've done the opposite." 

I was in grade four when I first wrote the piece that landed on the my mother's wall of fame (if there ever was), thanks to her motherly prodding called stage mothering! You see, my mom do not have the "math brain" we people in the academe lovingly call but rather, she has the "communicator's brain". She got her College Diploma AB English after giving birth to her eldest child and only daughter. Then after some "wild years" with my father (who wouldn't have if both of them agreed to join the bandwagon called "eloping" during their time), she got  into College of Law and finished only two years of the course and never continued. Of course my mom and dad's family was growing so she had to help out dad in providing food on the table, of course on a plate.

After the peaceful and quiet rest, my mom again went back to school and entered into graduate school and majored in English for Specific Purposes. 

What am I trying to say here is this: my mom passed on to me her communicator's brain and that includes her passion for writing.

Here I am.

Blogging. Living my young married life with children. Yes I have four children and don't you dare ask me why I call my married life young. My mom would tell me I should be in the history books but I want to correct her. I should be in the Guinness Book of World Records. But no, I won't tell you why.

So again the point?

I love to write and I found  three articles  about  Investigative Journalism, surprisingly from a famous ShowBiz personality: Butch Francisco.   Don't get me wrong here, I do not in anyway look down on him or his work as a ShowBiz Talk Show host. I know he schooled himself on his craft and he knows what he is doing. I  am surprised at the choice of topic he had worked on.

He wrote the following articles: Investigative Journalism, Investigative Journalism: Tips on how to get the story and Investigative Journalism: Tips on how to get a scoop.      

I thought this topic is only for the perceived scholar of  letters but my  "simpletonic" brain  just  gave me the wrong impression of  the art of writing.

Going back, I got myself into writing blogs because I needed to unleash (wow unleash!) the crazy ideas and attention seeking needs because I thought nobody cares and that only thru cyberspace I have the chance  to publish them.

But somewhere, sometime in the year 2007 I scored a gig in one of the weekly newspapers in my ( kind'a) town and I wrote about chess, Philippine Chess specifically. You see my blog which earned me more than eight hundred dollars but less than a thousand told me that I can write something about chess. And these so-called geeks of the board have visited, read and clicked on my blog and the last time I checked, I have had more than 10,000 visitors for the past five years. Good enough for someone who never went to a writing school or for someone whose main source of writing pride is the 1st Place award he got in an essay writing contest he was forced to joining high school.

Anyways, what is Investigtive Journalism? What is Journalism?

For someone like me who married a Communication Arts major,  I think I have a fraction of the correct answer: it is just one of the many branches of communication which I believe is true and correct.

Maybe the Official Website of PCIJ, Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism will tell us what investigative journalism really is and add to what Butch have written about. And yes, PICJ's by line in their website tells us much about what they really are standing for. 

"we tell it like what it is. no matter who. no matter what." 

Then blog it is.
 

        

Juan Tamad Resurrected

Juan Tamad is alive again and we have to thank Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) for this. Si Juan Tamad, Ang Diyablo at ang Limang Milyong Boto will be staged every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., until March 14 at the PETA Theater Center, 5 Eymard Drive, New Manila, Quezon City.

Si Juan Tamad, Ang Diyablo at ang Limang Milyong Boto is directed by Phil M. Noble.

For inquiries and reservations, call the PETA Marketing & Public Relations Office at 725-6244, 410-0822, SMS 0917-8044428 or e-mail petampro@yahoo.com.

Interesting enough, I found this Project Gutenberg entry for Juan Tamad: Buhay na Pinagdaanan ni Juan Tamad na anac ni Fabio at ni Sofia. Take note of the use of c instead of k for the word anak. I could still remember when I first encountered the Spanish spelling when I was in grade 1. My aunt showed my mom a Will from her departed father. And in it calligraphy was used ala-speed ball text. Old English calligraphy at it's best.

Juan Tamad may not be a very good addition to Filipino Icons List but then again, we cannot erase his name and character in the books printed as the years passed by. Remember, the works of our forefathers will always have lasting effects on the succeeding generations, good and bad.

iPhone 3G For Sale

Selling an Original Black iPhone 3G with 16 GB for 25K. Box open but UNIT NEVER USED. Complete set with manual and stickers. Text 0917-8123215.    

Circus 2010: Campaign Begins

While most of us have been carried away by the manhunt for Senator Panfilo Lacson for a murder case against Dacer-Orbito Case and the Gam Walkout of Smart Talk and Text team in the Philippine Basketbal playoffs,  the election campaign  for Presidency and other national position begins today.

Billboards, jingles and flyers bearing the names of the candidates will definitely fill our senses until May 10, 2010. Already, I was surprised to hear a ripped-off version of Manny Villar's campaign jingle from an 11 year old boy last Sunday. If I were Villar, I'd sink to where I'm standing if I hear it played or sang because it really is a nasty one.

I found the video:



Scroll down the video link and you will find the Manny Villar Ripped-Off Jingle:

"nakaligo ka na ba sa dagat ng kubeta

nakapag tsongke ka na ba sa gitna ng kalsada

yan ang tanong namin tunay ka bang isa sa amin

nalaman mo na bang mapapag rugby ka niya

tutulungan tayo para mag sindikato

at ang kanyang planoy magnakaw tayo

si villar ang tunay na pahirap

si villar ang tunay na puro gilagid

si villar ang may kakayahan at gumawa ng sariling sugalan

si manny villar ang maghahakot ng ating kayamanan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!"

Interestingly,  text brigade is up again telling us about President Glorai Macapagal Arroyo's hidden candidate and it's Manny Villar. I think it's helping Villar more than runining him. Remember, it's popularity  that will bring you  to presidency here in the Philippines but maybe not, if you have a "Hello Garci" MO, presidency is a sure thing for you.

The hell with Philippine TRAPOS!

Unrecognized Faith Healing

Western thinking produced Western Medicine. Oriental thinking believes in Oriental Medicine. Sadly, Western ideology has, since the time of Marco Polo and Christopher Columbus to Ferdinand Magellan, imposed itself on the way Asians think.

Forward to today: Faith healing is unstandardized, unaccepted and actually rejected by the so-called medical professionals. We all know how rigid these thinkers can be when it comes to their faith in western medicine. Right?

But they are so quick to reject and are cynical when people claim they've been healed by the methods only Oriental Medicine can give. Well, it only shows that the two hemispheres are really in contrasting styles and traditions.

Can they explain the phenomenons articled on this site called Psychic-Faith Healing Articles?

Maguindanao Massacre: Perspectives

We now have the third and final part of Miriam Coronel Ferrer's The Maguindanao Massacre, Perspective from Political Science.  The three-part series lecture is based on the presentation made by her at the public forum "The Maguindanao MAssacre, Perspectives from the Social Sciences" held on January 19, 2010, Bulwagang Claro M. Recto, University of thePhilippine, Diliman.

For the complete video of the forum, visit their blog at Thiird World Studies Center.

RP Short Stories

I found a site maintained, monitored and moderated by a Filipino which features short stories considered to be the best and it is aptly called The Best Philippine Short Stories.  The site is maintained by a group who calls themselves as RP Literature Group and the editor is Hector O. Santos.

In my previous life, este blogs, I met a man named Hector Santos Jr who maintains a forum called Pinoy Chess Informe. I wonder if the Jr is the son.

Check it out and enjoy reading, proudly Filipino!

HIV/AIDS in RP

HIV/AIDS information campaign in the Philippines is slowly gaining momentum with the help of the people affected by it. Do you remember our post about HIV/AIDS here last week? I checked a major news website now and was surprised they are running an article about the disease today.

In HIV patient warns vs internet sex sites, Wanggo Gallaga , the son of award winner film director Peque Gallaga, warns the public of casual sex:

"I hope that people learn from my story. If you cannot abstain, then you should protect yourself. Use condoms. You also have to choose who you have sex with. Having casual sex is really a risky business,"

I agree with one call center agent that it is the lifestyle and not the job that raises the chance of infection of HIV/AIDS and that the belief and moral standard should be upheld in one's life. Check out the video:

Because of these, the Philippine Government looks into the growing problem among yuppies and hopefully will plan out and implement a real, helpful Nationwide Health Safety System for all.

Check these videos to give you a better idea on the current status of HIV/AIDS in the country: HIV/AIDS Hotbeds and  Philippines lacks medics for HIV/AIDS Campaign.

Read more here.

World Music Pinoy Style

Our cultural activism continues...

I'd like to share some YouTube videos of Makiling Ensemble, Pinikpikan and Grace Nono.

Makiling Ensemble is now called simply as Makiling. A Pinoy World Music Band who are graduates of Philippine High School for the Arts.



Also from PHSA is Grace Nono. Some say she is Enya of the Philippines but for me, she is Grace Nono. She has produced studio albums which has received awards and praises from the schooled and the street schooled.



Pinikpikan is my favorite among the three. Also a Filipino World Music Band, their line-up is an all-star cast of veteran and musically gifted individuals.



Not much write up for Pinikpikan band though.

P108 Million Lotto Jackpot

The PCSO has a pot of P101,987,481.60. For the first time this year the jackpot has breached the P100-million mark.

Will we see a winner or PCSO will continue to earn more?

The wiser man strives harder to have a better future but the ambitious one bets on the lottery.  Both wants to have a secured and worry-free financial power for tomorrow.

Giant Squids

Giant squids are invading the California waters and this one's helluva' scary. Something is pushing them towards that part of the world and away from we-dont-know-what. Usually, it's these non-human creatures that are able to detect if there is an upcoming natural disaster.

Remember in 2006 when elephants in Thailand were observed to walk towards higher places like mountains and hills weeks or days before the Tsunami that raged across the Island of Sumatra and raged much of the South East Asian Nations?

Most likely, these gargantuan creatures are disturbed by an unidentified stimuli and they're naturally moving away from such endangering whatever stimuli.

Let's all be cautious!

Yari Si Pokwang

Yari si Pokwang sa sinasabi nyang trabaho lang:

101 Filipino Icons

Yesterday I went home early from work around 5.15 in the afternoon. I got home and was greeted by my two sons with my father-in-law watching TV 5's Spongebob. Since we are literally a stone throw away from Robinson's Imus, I asked them if they wanted to have merienda then visit The Children's Library of the Gokongwei Brother's Foundation.

Of course my sons were "mabilis pa sa alas kwatro" when they learned they would visit the library again. The Children's Library is very close to my heart since I used to be their in house storyteller. During my time there, I maximized my existence there by joining puppet shows and other fun stuffs which made me realize how wonderful life really is.

While my sons were enjoying their computer sessions, I chanced upon a book called 101 Filipino Icons, published by Adarna House. I have seen this book before but never had the time and chance to read or scan for as long as two hours until last night.

In the book you will find the names of Dolphy Quizon Jr, Fernando Po Jr., Gabriel "Flash" Elorde and Robert "Sonny" Jaworksi. The Manugol Jar is a national treasure and the Sarimanok is a creation only in the Philippines. And a lot more...

With globalization truly set in within the borders of the Philippines, I wonder if the younger Filipinos are even aware of such cultural pride. If they are aware of this, are they willing to wear these badges on the world stage?

Video Fishing

I was surfing YouTube and was able to fish out one video made by a Pinoy and I loved the soundtrack:



Enya's Anywhere Is never fails to inspire me to live life adventurously!

I walk the maze of moments

But everywhere I turn to

Begins a new beginning

But never finds a finish

I walk to the horizon

And there I find another

It all seems so surprising

And then I find that I know

Chorus:

You go there you're gone forever

I go there I'll lose my way

If we stay here we're not together

Anywhere is

The moon upon the ocean

Is swept around in motion

But without ever knowing

The reason for it's flowing

In motion on the ocean

The moon still keeps on moving

The waves still keep on waving

And I still keep on going

Chorus

I wonder if the stars sign

The life that is to be mine

And would they let their light shine

Enough for me to follow

I look up to the heavens

But night has clouded over

No spark of constellation

No Vela no Orion

The shells upon the warm sands

Have taken from their own lands

The echo of their story

But all I hear are low sounds

As pillow words are weaving

And willow waves are leaving

But should I be believing

That I am only dreaming

Chorus

To leave the thread of all time

And let it make a dark line

In hopes that I can still find

The way back to the moment

I took the turn and turned to

Begin a new beginning

Still looking for the answer

I cannot find the finish

It's either this or that way

It's one way or the other

It should be one direction

It could be on reflection

The turn I have just taken

The turn that I was making

I might be just beginning

I might be near the end.

TV Musings

Ang weekend na lumipas ay ang ika-lima para sa taong 2010 at ito ay payday weekend kung saan makikita natin na ang Pilipino ay natural na gastador. Alam na alam mo na sa tuwing magtatagpo ang payday at weekend, ito ay nagbibigay ng traffic at walang katapusang traffic.

Ngunit ang weekend na lumipas ay nakapagbigay din ng magandang dalawang araw na pahinga para sa The Brown Man. Dalawang sunod na umaga (sabado't linggo) ako'y nakapag basketball at nakaptulog din ako ng mahaba-mahaba sa dalawang hapon na iyon.

Nakapanood din ako ng basketabll games sa television mula sa playoffs ng Philippine Basketball Association at sa ASEAN Basketball League. Kitang-kita ang pagkaka-iba ng laro sa pagitan ng dalawang liga. alam na alam mo na ang PBA ay lubhang mas pulido ang kanilang mga manlalaro kumpara sa mga manlalaro ng ABL. Syempre naman sapagkat ang PBA ay halos apat na dekada nang nabubuhay samantalang nag ABL ay nasa unang taon pa lamang nito.

Syanga pala, ang Baranggay Ginebra Kings ay tinalo ng Tropang Texters ng isang punto. Salamat sa alley-hoop play ni Jared Dillinger. Two seconds to go, in bound ng Tropang Texters, habang ang buong Baranggay Ginebra ay nag-aabang at nakabantay sa FilAm ace guard na si Jimmy Alapag, binigyan ng bola ang isa pa ding FilAm na si Jared Dillinger sa ere na malapit sa ring at very cool nya itong ibibuslo upang nakawin ang ikalawang panalo sa best of five series.

Kina lingguhan naman ng gabi, nakapanood ako pati na din ang buong pamilya ko ng MEl and Joey at ako'y namangha sa dalawang segments nila na pinamagatang "Earthquake 101" at "HanepBahay". Sa Earthquake 101, ipinakita at ipinaalam ng mga writers at hosts ng show ang mga tamang gawin kung may nangyayaring earthquake. Ipinakita din ang mga video clippings na kung saan ang mga Pinoy Psychics ay gumawa ng mga prophecies some months or years ago about natural calamities such as earthquakes. Isang psychic din ang nagsabi na may padating na lindol sa Pilipinas na kung saan ang fault line na maaapektuhan ay ang fault line din na nagalaw noong nagiba ang Baguio sometime in the 1990's.

Ipinaalam din sa mga manood na ang Marikina Fault Line ay may bago nang pangalan at ito'y Valley Fault Line. Ang malupit pa doon, ang Valley Fault Line daw ay kinatatayuan ng mga istruktura gaya ng mga ospital na ayaw namang pangalanan ngunit sinabi naman kung saan. Ito daw ay nasa ortigas at nasa Fort Bonifacio. Magisip na isp na lang kayo at alamin ninyo ang address ng mga ospital at ioy's inyong malalaman.

Ang Quezon City pala ay safe sa earthquake dahil ang ilalim daw nito ay adobe. Big time ang QC kung ganun kumpara mo naman sa Makati at iba pang lalawigan sa kalakhang Maynila.

Yung HanepBahay segment naman nila, ang ganda ng bahay! Halos lumalabas na eight floors ang bahay at animo'y may kagubatan sa loobng bahay. Alam nyo bang ito'y located sa Tondo?

Sana makapasok ako sa bahay na yon!