age of consequence

You know, when it's not better it's good. We don't want to think the worst though it is the worst this morning ever to hit the northern provinces of the Philippines. It's not over yet, Parma the typhoon that went away came back to stay for days...that's so weird for a typhoon to do but yes it did happen and it wanted to sweep off whatever is on its path very "thoroughly" leaving more than the damages Typhoon Ketsana caused. Yup, our miracle was short lived, but people are not losing hope. God is with us in this most difficult times, as people have not lost initiative in helping each other.

Manila and the nearby provinces are recovering good, it's the Northern Provinces this time that's been badly damaged and is submerged in deep, murky waters. WE ARE ONCE AGAIN APPEALING for your PRAYERS. That there'll be no more casualties adding up to statistics, we have accepted our fate that properties and land doesn't belong to us but borrowed from nature. Everyone is accountable for mother nature's wrath, small island countries like ours are the most vulnerable to Earth's abnormal rising of water levels brought about by too much heat in the atmosphere.

This isn't a WARNING...

"We are at the age of consequence"

===
Some beautiful photos of Philippines' Provinces of the North.

Ilocos Norte

Ilocos Norte

Laoag, Ilocos Norte

Baguio (Bag-yo)

Baguio
Pangasinan (Pan-ga-si-nan)
Pangasinan
Baguio
Vigan, Ilocos Norte
Banaue Rice Terraces (Ba-na-we)

We don't want all these to perish with bad, crazy weathers.

'Love each other, plant more trees!

xoxo,

Sassy.

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

and yet another one

Please continue to pray for the Philippines as SUPER typhoon Parma/"Pepeng" is on its course to make landfall by noon tomorrow, Oct. 3. As you know we have not fully recovered from Typhoon Ketsana/"Ondoy's" onslaught last Saturday where many towns and cities are still submerged in murky waters. Typhoon Parma is said to be stronger than Typhoon Ketsana and already, Ketsana had brought an amount of rainfall that doubled the amount that Hurricane Katrina brought to New Orleans.

It's a disturbing prediction that Parma will be stronger than the two, our land is already saturated in water, it wont be able to hold as much rainfall.

BUT, we are bracing ourselves for the worst, staying positive and holding on to prayers. People are evacuated to safer grounds while most are already staying at the evacuation centers citing that there's nothing "Typhoon Parma" could take anymore, since they've already lost their belongings to Ketsana. (and need I still say, they were chuckling while making that statement?) ^^ ahhh, the Filipino spirit,

"we always smile at things despite whatever things."


For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

bad yesterday.

We were struck by a typhoon yesterday here in Manila among nearby cities and provinces, the worst in 42 years! We all thought that it's going to be OK, at least as far as I know, we just let typhoons come and go without it affecting our "busy" work life in the BIG city. We never cancel a day on the job just because there's typhoon. Our buildings could withstand them besides the occasional flood that happens on expected below sea level areas, the city goes on with it's life.

We thought that the rain will eventually stop by the afternoon in time when everyone from work gets home, but it didn't, the rain came from dawn yesterday till the morning of today, worst is rising above 12-ft. in some locations. People got stucked in traffic in raging flood, some in their balconies waving curtains and bedsheets for the rescuers to spot them, some climbed up their rooftop drenched in cold rain with no food and without their belongings, some helplessly looking for their relatives, for kids especially whom they left when they'd gone to work.


-----------------
My husband and I are safe and dry. We got no work on Saturdays and our apartment building is located at one of the highest points in the City though our address brings a lot of panic to our families in the province since Pasig City is one of those cities that's been badly hit, the city is mostly submerged in water but our location is one of the few spared. We thank God a lot, almost in tears! We were supposed to transfer to a bigger place and looked in one of those homes that were unfortunately submerged up to the second floor! Our would've been neighbors perched onto their rooftops awaiting rescue.

We had no electricity though, our cellphone batteries were running out, we were eating canned food, our small apartment is lit by just one candle ... and we find humor in that amidst the calamity, that our apartment is indeed tiny to realize that we could brighten the surroundings by just one candle. ^^ WE texted our friends and relatives, relayed numbers that could help people in need like the numbers for the RED CROSS and TV networks that went on patrol. My parents texted me that I have relatives in different location that were stranded in their homes and might need rescuing, of course I feel bad that I couldn't do anything but pray for their safety. Well, that's all what we are unless we're RED CROSS or the Marines, we cannot go out and save the day. Our mortality smacked us in the face.


-------------------
Everyone is equal.

No one is rich or poor, celebrity or ordinary ... a famous actress was being interviewed on top of her mansion, ridiculous! How could they? Why don't they just airlift her, she's lost plenty for sure. MY rich cousin, had all of her Ford SUVs underwater and god knows whatever things she had swimming away with the flood... doesn't matter anymore. This is the worst that has ever befallen them and their properties but, she didn't care. All of her family are safe and that's what matters.

I'd rather go live simple you know and be happy with life from now on. Although I never did live large, I think I'd better not wish for more than what I can carry up my roof! BE grateful that we survived... I know we did for a purpose.

Stay safe everyone.
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I never liked him anyway.

Jeez, he's such an A** that Kanye West.



============================================
oh well!!! Nevermind the video doesn't work anymore, it's gone on Youtube, I guess such rude attitude doesn't even deserve publicity for Kanye West.

a day in the life of me.

So there I was in my most unflattering look for the site...literally clothed not "dressed" like a guy...I cannot be in my posh-iest outfit as you know being in a construction site is not the most glamorous thing! BUT, after this "technical" stuff, we will all go back to this same site for viewing in business outfits as if this never happened!

a gloomy rainy day to make things become a bigger challenge...mud on my shoes, mud on my shirt...err, *hubby's* shirt, and mud on my pants...
my boss and I,discussing numbers and halves of numbers, the panels were perfectly aligned at this stage, bravo! ... I'm still wondering at that time how I was able to climb up the scaffolding when it's slippery and I'm too coward for heights!
with my team mate doing some affirmations...he's a good guy, easy to work with, never complains and talks in a low-soft voice, who wouldn't like that! He never argues with me!^^

view of the unfinished product! It's a mock-up of what the actual facade of the building will look like.
some notes from the big boss!

...AND wrap up! Bring on the next day! :)

new and improved

Had my hair done. Treatment, shine, trim ... more of a haircut actually! Ever wonder what you say first to your stylist before she chops a chunk of your hair??? I said make
it shorter, I did'nt say 2-3 inches fringed short! I like it, I hate it, I like it...it's a struggle within a day, when in the morning after shower and conditioning it looks fab, but right
after work and is ready to chill at home and get to bed, I look like I had a head transplant ... OK, a huge mound of follicle transplant from Steve Tyler! I had to put a clip over
my bangs so my husband wouldn't think he's beside a stranger incase he wakes up in the middle of the night, or even think he's with Steve Tyler ... or Tina Turner or the
likes of a person with wild fringed hair and wilder fringed bangs, it moves crazy with the wind too!

BUT in the morning while getting ready for work or when at work, it's so tamed... glorious soft locks of chestnut brown *breaks* ....chestnut brown??? *wink* I had some
color, but it's a natural dye, it wears off after many washings... I got quite bored of having jet black hair all my life! Born with it, almost everyone here is with it, so I want to
be chestnut brown for a while to stand out when the sun shines, giving luster and radiance *as promised* to my hair.

'Problem is: There hasn't been any SUNshine lately, the clouds are dark, drizzling cold rain, there's even a storm coming!!! ... I can't understand why it had to be so, I need
that SUNLIGHT!!! I need that moment of radiance!!! ... oh well, I have moved my chair in the office, closest to where the lighting hits ... it's the second best thing, awaiting for
someone to take notice...still waitiiiinnngggg...

---------

PS. Matthew of the Resurrected Ramblings and

Luke of Bath Artist's Blog, click here! :)

politics 2010

Election fever for 2010 is revving up! How odd are these scenarios, it seem to have happened before ... in history, NOT! the election itself as it happens every 6 years since 1986. I'm referring to Manuel "Mar" Roxas II , a senator who opted to decline from the Presidential race to give way to his fellow party aspirant Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III , also a senator adhering to the "call of the masses". I know, Noynoy is still in some sort of a religious retreat, asking for guidance and confidence through fervent prayer as being the strongest, possible standard bearer for the Liberal Party and if he wins, Presidency is a much daunting task.

He needs that discernment to decide whether to run or not, as this opportunity is being brought to him through people's initiative. Signature campaigns are being held in support of him, he is the "people's" choice for a candidate. If he lack funds, he need not worry ... a large blue bin is brought in front of his home where people drop their "love" letters, some with small bag of coins. Whatever amount is donated, it is a "GIFT" for his campaign to push through whenever he's decided to run.

Campaign all over the Philippines is estimated to reach 1 Billion pesos, people are willing to help if Noynoy doesn't have enough ... who has 1 Billion pesos anyway?!!! Oh I know one ... ^^ another Presidentiable, who has invested loads of cash for infomercials which air on TV for months now, he is the self-made man/senator Manuel "Manny" Villar Jr. who wont stop at nothing, he has an outstanding background in business and is a viable candidate too. However, having spent Millions of pesos for his media promotions, somehow intimidates the viewers *slash* the voting public rather than impressing them. It is quite "scary" to realize that he has spent Millions already when the campaign period hasn't started yet! It might be sending the wrong message that he "desperately" wants the POWER rather than being a true public SERVANT.

Anyway, no one knows what drives someone to RUN for the Presidency, it's the WEIGHT of the whole nation on your shoulders!!! From the Country's loan to the World Bank down to the earnings of the common Filipino is YOUR problem. I don't need to become a President or a Politician to help my country, but yes! we do need a leader. A good one. One that will LEAD the country with a clean conscience. I do believe that those whom the people entrusted their votes to are really the good and deserving ones, but we JUST don't know what goes on while being seated at the Congress or the Senate or at the Palace that eventually, you'll notice that some will purely enjoy basking into POWER's will. POWER, it deceives without control.

Now, where is the odd part between Mar Roxas and Noynoy Aquino?

Aaahh...Mar Roxas is the son of a former senator who also poised for the Presidency in the 70's but gave way to the more popular and highly publicized Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. for his attacks on the tyrannies of the government then, he is the father of Noynoy.

So you see? How history repeated itself not only in Political moves but also for the people involved. They were the sons of the men who's done this decision before. But hopefully now, this decision will succeed, as the election of the 70's that supposedly put Noynoy's father into Presidency did not happen. He was assassinated before he could see Democracy again.

On a "light" note, these two men (the sons) have one common denominator... TV news anchor/broadcast journalist, Korina Sanchez. She is now the fiance of Mar Roxas but was a girlfriend of Noynoy Aquino in early 2000. ^^

Well, it's all in the twist of fate. Who knew that these guys would one day be up against each other for the Presidency, Noynoy was never in the surveys, he was never planning to become a Presidential candidate in 2010, he rose into fame when his mother, the Democracy icon Cory Aquino passed away that people has "zoomed" in, into the role of the Aquino family over the years in Philippine History. It's not hard to believe that he could be the next President or that we could rely on him, as his records in public service is straight and speaks for itself, but he must find the VOICE... he must be willing to accept the challenge as "fate" has already intervened in the whole process. Anyway, there's no rush... he has 8 mos. to decide! ^^

haha. 8 mos.

stand alone together.

We are but the same in many ways, except for our personal beliefs and how we practice that belief...oh no, not again...not another rant about religion, faith and how it divides us. Well I'm not talking about the world! As it already involve too many issues that you can't even root for the real cause anymore, it has blown out of proportion resulting to VIOLENCE which isn't found among the teachings of any major religion, odd isn't it??? They all teach peace, love and harmony and yet, look where we are now with these beliefs. tsk.tsk.

Anyway, I cannot talk about "peace", "RESPECT" and "harmony" if I'm not in the situation where I can practice what I preach! Preach, that's a BIG word. I don't preach. I just belong to this group of friends that I love with all my heart but happens to be born or baptized to different religions and denominations but WE get along fine and we do things together all the time without worry, without letting our differences get in the way, or without even noticing we had that factor among us! ^^ Isn't that nice? How wonderful the meaning of "respect" is? How it brings harmony and fun?!

Can't we just do the same? Like worldwide-scale same?!

the movie that's UP.

UP is awesome. One of the best movies this year. If it made me dredge up all emotions I could possibly invoke, it must be good. Really good. You have to watch it and you wont regret! The trailer says nothing about these "unexpected" twists, that made me silently cry in the dark ... its message comes across within layers and layers of metaphors. This isn't just a kid movie, this is quality movie.

Now I wont tell you why or you'll not want to watch this film anymore...but PIXAR did it again, surprised me with a very good plot, if you're a writer you know that this has nailed it.

click here for the movie trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USpI6Jzl3No
---
Public Reviews:

wownatalia:
"This is one of my favorite movies. It really shows how far someone would go in life for someone they love/loved. It made me cry so much. And it made me laugh so much. When I need to escape from the world, I'm going to snuggle up with a blanket and watch this movie on dvd again when it comes out. Can't wait! "

iLime14:
"I thought this would just be a happy/kiddy movie that would make me chuckle a few times. Knew it would be good because it was from Pixar...but no....this movie was so much more. =] "

esjhay19:
"i just loved this movie!...i loved the part..where russel introduces himself to carl! ..it really made me laugh...:)"

Danny2813:
"i really did love this movie "

chill

Another long weekend!!! yeepee! Super happy that I could have relaxation time for 3 straight days! ... I just hope I wont start rationalizing again about how I use it for surfing the internet and "hobbying" that I'm left insomiac and exhausted by choice.

^^ I will ask the hubby to date me in one of those days to finally watch UP, the Pixar movie. We're both into 3D, kids stuff movies such as Nemo and those kind of films you let your kids watch even without supervision. In a way, it helps us detox from all the anxieties that the REAL world is already creating for us in everyday that our idea of a movie is bound to be for pure entertainment, without the "super", "hyper" climax of violence and mind boggling THE END. With the works of Pixar and Dreamworks in soft pastel colors, it is a breather.

Anyway, 'you all have a good weekend!

"here they come the beautiful ones!"

We were all cheers and smiles, showing support and waving our flag ... but nah! we are not the MOST beautiful people in the entire UNIVERSE! If we are to base that on the recently ended MISS UNIVERSE 2009 pageant, we are NOT! We lost again to Venezuela, I'm not surprised ... they always win! Well, we should start breeding our own league of potential beauty queens because that's what they do, BREED them. It's like the Olympics, they train beauty queens with rigorous routine in lipstick and heels! BUT the rest of it actually lies on the GENES, how can you grow a neck like that?! A gorgeous long neck ... that even SCIENCE cannot meddle with ... (in photos, TOP: Ms. Philippines 2009, Bianca Manalo, BELOW: Ms. Universe 2009, Ms. Venezuela)

ME: oh you don't say! get outta here! really?!!!!

MY SMARTER BRAIN: I read that somewhere you could wear a steel neck brace that will eventually elongate your neck ... a tribe in Thailand does that (to the extremes!) That if they remove the coil on their necks they could die because it's already far stretched! yikes!

The price of beauty as long necks are deemed elegant and graceful...I don't know when will mine grow! ... but I'm waitiiiing. ^^

...And what about that RIB reduction, where they take out 2 of your lower ribs so your body shape will always be smaller on the waist ... (excuse me, but I'm gonna pass out for a while ... haaaayy...) I heard Thalia, the famous Mexican actress, who's now married to Mariah Carey's Ex- have had that surgery... (I'm passing out again ... haaaayy...) if that's true.

STOP ... it's not to say that in order to be beautiful you must go under these "extremes" ... as I believe that "no woman is ever ugly, but there are just the "lazy" ones"! ^^ ...yeah... true. Forget those "effortlessly" beautiful women with good genes, they are NOT human!!! ^^

It's just a beauty contest. Anyway we've had our share of glory in the Miss Universe pageant having 2 winners in the past (in black and white photos!!!) and the first ever Miss Universe from Finland married a Filipino guy, that should count!!! ... I don't even know why I watch pageants, somehow - maybe, my mom wished one of her daughters could be among those "flawlessly" looking girls in the pageant... until I discovered the JOY of tree climbing and bikes that squashed her secret dream of a beauty queen/daughter!!! haha... and that I refused to join a pageant once in College, *wink*wink* because I'm a "rocker" chick, not actually the kind who's gonna strut in a bikini and showcase her talent just to show she's got talent, how'd you showcase a talent in GARDENING in 15 mins.??? So I gave way to the "girl" who'll do anything just to get in, bleach herself and all! ... It's NOT my thing... people have their own THING, that's not mine. I still like watching pageants though, nevermind why ... it's just so. (in photos, TOP: Gloria Diaz, Miss Universe 1969, BOTTOM: Margie Moran, Miss Universe, 1973)

Anyway, Melody Gersbach will represent us in the Miss International ... I have high hopes on her, she's pretty, smart and elegant. She comes from the same city I came from (I'm biased!) Was a graduate of a private Catholic School in highschool where my sister is teaching and she owns a popular restaurant in the City, she is a young business woman, I like her. (I'm biased!) ... Reminds me of what I read "again" ... That before, pageant candidates are chosen ONLY among the richest and born to prominent families, you must belong to the "high" class society to be Miss Universe Philippines ... aawww... I wouldn't be Miss Philippines now or even before!!! (but I don't want it, really I dont!)



Sooo, yeah...we lost. No big deal, we can try again next year and the coming years! ... Pageants are very different in each coutnry, we just consider ours as the most dramatic and the "serious" kind, that we love to see beautiful women to be "perfect" ... to be super smart and successful, to the point of having ridiculous expectations! To answer in perfect english, must have a flawless body but without having a surgery! To be super smart like Summa Cum Laude smart!!! Our 2007 Miss Philippines is a Summa Cum Laude from one of the top Universities in the country, ridiculous! i hate her! ^^

well... spread the love, goodwill and beauty. There's no harm in being beautiful inside and out! Remember, there are no ugly women there are just lazy ones!

Sunday with an El Salvadoran Film

Sunday. The long weekend is almost over, it's afternoon. Thanks for that, I'm now happy and well rested! I don't feel as grumpy and as tired anymore. YAY! The old me is FOUND!

-making desserts. check.
-smiling at the sunshine. check.
-hating the neighbor's singing karaoke. check.
-learning crochet.check.

yup! that is me, found intact and doing good. I wont stress that much anymore, I know I shouldn't, Life's been good to me. I'm blessed.

We've watched an El Salvadoran film this morning, dubbed in Filipino and with English subtitle, very moving. Some say that the film's one sided as it made the guerrilla soldiers heroes and the nation's army evil but the film to me, more than anything says about the suffering of innocent people caught in the line of fire without clear understanding of what the war is all about... WAR is STUPID. I wish that there's just one BIG arena for all the Generals and Leaders of the world to settle their conflicts on to a BOXING match to avoid the loss of many other lives.

Anyway here's the trailer of the film, INNOCENT VOICES:



"you CAN'T talk PEACE and have a GUN."
-Francis M.

all day Ninoy!

I'm dedicating this post to a great man, a leader. Who has served his country well and good. He never failed to believe in his country even when his country has failed to believe in itself. This video is very inspirational, an awesome speech, you'll never get bored ^^ An invitation to get a glimpse of what makes a man, a hero.



Some parts are in Filipino, not to worry the essence of the speech is not lost, "Palakpakan" means clapping/ applause, if you came to that part... This speech was made while the Philippines was still under the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos and his wife Imelda Marcos, the first lady (most famous for her collection of expensive shoes, over 2000 in pairs!)wow.



Sen.Benigno Aquino Jr., "Ninoy" as he was called was imprisoned for 7 years and 7 mos. before this speech, he had been granted to fly to the US for a heart surgery, thus, he was in Los Angeles to give this talk. He mentions about his prison ordeal,
quote:

"...you will note that one of the greatest problem of a prisoner is loneliness, for 7 years I wasn't aloud to see the moon and the stars, there were days when they left me all alone by myself, I had no reading material, I had nothing, I was twiddling my thumb, I would walk and walk and walk across my room, just a room of but 4 meters by 5 meters, hoping that I get tired and then when I get tired I will fall asleep, knowing that tomorrow will be the same..."

In 1973, a high ranking official offered to release him if he'd endorse the "New Society" and make an apology to Marcos, ask him for forgiveness through a letter or a telephone call, but Ninoy refused;

"eh ano naman kako ang kasalanan ko eh sya ang nagkasala sa bayan, bakit ako hihingi ng tawad?!" / "Why? what have I done wrong? He's the one who made mistakes against his country? Why would I be the one to apologize?"

He briefed the audience of what was taking place in the country at that time, about the plans of the Marcoses to hang on to power and changing the Constitution to do so.



The new Constitution mandates the change from a Democratic type of goverment to Parliamentary type to make Marcos a President for life!



"...I shall dedicate the last drop of my blood to the restoration of freedom and the dismantlement of your Martial Law."

---

Today August 21 is a National Holiday to commemorate the death and heroism of Sen. Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. a modern day hero , an inspiration to all. He was assassinated at the Manila International Airport in 1983 upon his arrival to the Philippines after his stay in America. He left 5 children and a wife that will take on his visions of a better Philippines, Corazon C. Aquino, his widow became the first woman President of the Country, ousting Marcos through people power in EDSA 1986. August 1, 2009 Corazon C. Aquino passed away, Time Magazine's "Saint of Democracy", She is the woman in yellow that I featured thrice in my posts for all that she's done and now, we all realize how these couple have probably included in their marriage vows "to love and honor their country ^^," it's amazing how they devoted their lives in the service of the Filipino.

Salamat Ninoy, Salamat Cory.

oh happy days!

The light of day just happened for me! ^^ I'm now back to being a lover of life... that was fast?! I was just fuming mad hours ago and now, I'm a huggablle-lovable care bear! Well, human as we are, we're complicated ... woman as I am, I'm far more complicated. I now truly believe that we are tweaked in a certain way that we cannot really contest among men. We're all goddesses ... it's our right to be. Excuse my hormones but that just did those whining rant on my previous posts, it wasn't entirely me, it's my evil side...har.har. I have an evil side and if I have it, every woman with hormones has one! be afraid now. We go berzerk! ^^ kidding. Well, moments like these happen when I just hate some people for their guts, when there are also times when I like people with guts! Depends on what time of the day you caught me ... just don't, when it's around 3 pm because that's when I'm running autopilot, my brain is half asleep, especially at non-busy times like now...

But things are looking up, I'm now working on a layout, a revision. I recently got installed with Autocad 2008, it's ancient for some who has been using it for more than a year, like my husband who laughs at me whenever I use the COPY command and I click away, because when you do and doesn't need those lot, it makes copies over and over! ^^ I have to practice, I'm a lover of all things old and conventional but yes, I will try. I like the way it zooms in and out in 2008 so that's a good sign that I'm moving on forward to Autocad 2008!

So cheers to a happy life!

BIG GIRLS DON"T CRY....they wail!

ok no more patronizing looks, I'm fine. It's not enough that I wasn't invited for the site visit yesterday that I'm not invited too for the meeting this morning. I'm soooo not liking this. I will charge them with sexual discrimination eventually, if the reason why I can't go to the site is because I'm a WOMAN and my boss doesn't want those stares when I walk in. That really makes me mad now ... I didn't make those drawings so others could read them for me, I am a MATCH for these guys and they just wont let me get the same opportunity just because I'm a GIRL??? WTF. Well, that's how far I'm reading it ... for as long as I've been working in this industry that they always give me the "girly" things to do whenever there's a choice between a technical drawing and typing on an excel file, they'd give me the "typing" on the excel file and the guy who's in level with me gets the drawing ... why??? just because I'm a GIRL???!!! I don't want "comforts!" if it means that I wont be able to prove myself. I'm not perfect, I'm not the best ... but don't magnify my mistakes just because "again" I'm a GIRL! and they don't expect us to be technical! WOW. 5 years in the Design and Engineering Department, I've been to Italy, the US and Thailand doing what I do (technical stuff) and here? Now? this comes up?!!! Why??? oh why???!!! I'm not perfect, I'm not the best, but I'm NOT STUPID, I know what you're trying to do ... but I won't let you!

goodbyes are not all SAD!

'Much that I want to be around and take care of my followers and be as friendly as possible without having to BLOCK one ... I just did and I'm not sorry! This is not a "for adults only" site, this is for the lovers of life, for genuine, talented people!!! ... I'd like to have followers but if you will put up naked photos of yourself or anyone else in your avatar as it appears on my wall, you're OUT! ... and I mean OUT!!!

I am watching you.

---

And in the midst of 2 controversies that should topple off the present administration from its seat and choke on the bill for expensive dinners that they had, we're like orphaned children not sure of what to do, where to go and who to trust. How do we put ourselves together after a loss of a good leader? She would have known what to do, she would have called upon people to step up against the abusive use of power and corruption, against insensitivity. That while these people we call "public servants" dine for a few hours that costed over a million pesos, an old man unable to fend for himself died last night of HUNGER... it costed him his life to have NOTHING. No food, no shelter. HUNGER, it is a cruel way to die ... to be deprived of a BASIC necessity for living, it is disturbing.

It was on the news, that man. That I was teary eyed for such a sad news. That I, having the prevelige to eat "more" than 3 times a day and could choose to control when to eat merely for " dieting" or "losing weight" feels so guilty for the food that I have not properly consumed or have left to stale. If I feel this way, I suppose these PEOPLE that we put into power feel worse for having failed in their DUTY... but who believes that they do??? NOBODY. They'd probably just consider him as part of statistics, people die. They've been burying people who live on the streets for years. He is no different.

That thought just made me sick to the stomach.

We are like orphans ... we needed that voice, we needed that someone who would say the opinion of the masses out loud and without fear. She would have spoken our truth and reason. But she is gone ... I know. This is the 3rd time that I've mentioned of bidding goodbye to her. Accepting reality that without her and the people who walked beside her, we must carry on with our OWN VOICE. We no longer have that someone who will do it for us...that while I go to work and continue living life as I know it with parties and karaoke. She and people like her, rally on the streets, hold press conferences, risk their lives for our causes. We cannot sit still and watch the world go 'round without IT noticing US... and though the STREETS are still too overwhelming for me to take, I will start with myself and mean to change my life for others. I wont be SELFISH. I promise.

I have every right to be heard because 30% of my monthly salary goes to tax! (eyes rolling...) and I wont let some dirty politician take VIP parking spaces!!! or get VIP services when we pay the same!!! Being in POWER is NOT a RIGHT but a PRIVELIGE, a TRUST given by the PEOPLE. It is a job, a commitment ... it is NOT a free BANK account!!! You owe your POWER to the people, you ARE NOTHING without the PEOPLE and if you don't believe in this you probably have STOLEN your way to get up there.

back in the day

If I were to describe myself in any way that I cannot do anything about and does not plan to do something about for the rest of my life and will die on being it, is that I'm a true blooded Filipino with NO mix of any other heritage but Filipino .... OK, OK, I'm part Filipino, part caffeine! Which gives me more than a billion other siblings for the caffeine part!

Anyway, my dear half blooded brothers and sisters for the caffeine part ... I've recently joined a facebook group called "Old Philippines" and as you know, I'm not easy to please by just any group or apps, that I have by far meticulously approved only 500 or so ... what??? Don't give me that look! 500 is good.

I found this one very amusing. I'm an old soul, what can I say? I like looking at old photos, imagining what it was like then and if the sky was really brown faded??? ^^ kidding! I just like looking back ... it wont hurt. It makes me feel good being what I am, being who I am and proud to be it... After all, who we are is rooted from the past regardless of how much we change and how far we've gone to divert our interests ... color our hair, bleach our skin, rid of the accent ... who we are is who we are. We cannot undo the part of how we came into this world.

Here's a glimpse of the past ... starting off with of course some OLD FASHION. ^^ These dresses are still worn today for programs and special events but is given a modern twist. The last time I was able to wear one was when I was on the 6th grade! While my sister, because she's a teacher gets to wear one of these for several times in a year!

woman in our national dress

Manila 1899

Filipino Women preparing for a Siesta

Upper class Tagalog girls

Two beautiful Tagalog Sisters

The "butterfly sleeves" as what the elders say is kept straight and stiff when outside the home, for in those times if you wrinkle it, it means that you have been "hugging" someone ... which was a big NO, NO. If you were caught holding hands, it already means marriage!

back on track!

Yesterday was pretty much a good day, I promised myself focus and I had that all throughout the day, I was nothing but work. That's how it's supposed to be isn't it? When you are at work, be at work! ... yeah, what a sad life we all live in this world. Money matters and that's how it's gonna be. We cannot say that it isn't important, because it is. We cannot really live without it in all honesty. If I want to go on a vacation to relax and have that wonderful spa treatment, what does it take to have that? MONEY. Yes. Now I sound like a real gold digger here!!! grr. But, that's the truth ... DESPITE all of the goodness in me, despite all of the wonderful things I appreciate for being free ... I still wish for more "financial blessing". That's not bad to ask, I'm the most frugal person you may know for keeping unspent daily budget in an old ice cream can, so you see what tough time we're all having when a very frugal person like me asks for more money! That when I spent 900+ pesos for a bottle of vitamins yesterday I was already cursing the government! Why on earth did they spent $20,000 for a dinner at Le Cirque in New York?!!! While I wonder how'd that taste?! I paid for my vitamins anyway.

These are the tough times ... and though I know and I understand that we cannot let the President and our representatives who visited Obama last week eat dinner at Mc Donalds, $20,000 or 1 million pesos in our currency be spent that easy. I'd probably choke on that tiny-little serving of "whatever they ate" in that upper east side of Manhattan restaurant! You know how tiny the servings are in those fancy, dim lit restaurants, with names you can't even say properly on the menu but turns out to be a snail dish or something you'd never eat if it wasn't deemed "high-end". ugh.

I bet, if the former lady President we buried last wednesday with such high reverie were alive today? She'd be on the media looking so disappointed and with a gentle motherly voice she'd say " you disgust me" . THAT should make them shiver.

^^

salamat President Cory

There's nothing yet I can say for the moment is too overwhelming for words. I'm just grateful that a Cory Aquino have touched the lives of the Filipinos.