Donya Ina

And Michael V does it again. 

He's made another memorable character.

As a satirical commentary, Bitoy's character pokes fun at the habits embraced by the youth and turns them over to reveal what they really are: desperate, misguided yet funny attempts at self-idolatry and world fetish. Donya Ina represents the quintessential matriarch who ridicules the follies of this generation and makes us see the error - and humor - of our ways.

Check out the official and un-official Twitter page of Yna Moran:

YNA MORAN (OFFICIAL)
YNA MORAN (UN-OFFICIAL)

Prepare to laugh.

NGSB

NGSB. No Girlfriend Since Birth.

That's me. If you're a girl, that's NBSB: No Boyfriend Since Birth. Both are phrases which are factual in use but are derogatory in meaning. No, probably not derogatory. More like expressions of pity. 

In a previous post, I've talked about the probable reasons why I'm still single: Having a significant other is not a priority for me. I'm suffering from inferiority complex which I don't know I have. I'm contemplating priesthood. 

None of these though prove to reassure people that I'm okay being single, that I'm being happy with just me. Still, people ask me why and they have this look upon this face as if they're consoling someone whose entire family just died. In an airplane crash. On his birthday. While the rest of the passengers in that plane survive injury-free.

Perhaps, they have a point. Ma'am RN, for one, gave her best rendition of a caring sister while telling me that not having someone to love makes the heart go cold and hard until it stops beating. Ma'am Alav was more direct, asking me if I was gay. Sir Ramy went on sometime ago of the need to have a girlfriend so I won't miss out on life (especially if I become a priest).

As to that, I say that I'm aware I'm missing out. But like all things, the opportunity cost is also balanced by the benefits I've enjoyed so far. I have more time with my family, with things I really care about. I can do stuff without looking over my shoulder. I can know myself a bit more every day.

Eventually, I may meet someone. But until that time comes, I'll relish the moments of my single life.

So now, whenever someone asks, I belt out an excuse which I got from Henry: "Kailangan ko munang matutong mahalin ang sarili ko bago ako magmahal ng iba." 

It's not really truthful but it's convenient and people respect it much more than my actual reasons.

Barangay Election

I am a disenfranchised voter.

I went to the school, checked the records for my name, and found nothing. 

To be honest, I don't feel anything at all, which only shows how little the barangay elections matter to me. I don't know the candidates (except for Kuya Jong Montales, a fellow lector back when I was still reading in San Pablo. He's running for kagawad). Worse, I don't even know what's their say about the issues at hand.

Still, you have to be surprised at how many choose to run. Despite the tepid pay, many aspire to get these positions. Surely, there are "perks" that we common mortals don't know of (but can guess anyway). Or it's probably because the barangay posts are the next steps to the city/municipal/provincial positions then finally the big league of national candidates: the Senate and the Presidency.

Perhaps, one reason why the barangay elections mean so little to me is that I don't feel the pulse of the barangay. I've never heard of barangay officials (in our area anyway) tinkering about ideas on local governance or pushing for radical measures to improve communities. In the barangay, where innovative social programs can be implemented with minimal risk and maximum reward, there is no compulsion among the local political leaders to change ways, to experiment, or to redefine progress. 

Most, if not all, are simply content administering bureaucratic functions and preparing for the next election.

Given this scenario, can you understand now how little I care?

Networks

"Develop your network."

That's probably the most important advice I got from a client last week. John Paul, a colleague, and I were on a sales call and the client, having noticed that we were young, mentioned - no - stressed this to us.

Earlier this year, Sir Rey, one of our bosses in the office, gave me his own piece on the importance of networks. Looking to increase his circle of acquaintances, he joined the Rotary Club, promptly subjecting himself to the weekly meetings and the monthly association dues that came with it. Over the years, he had benefited from the move, both in terms of his career and of the number of people he can approach regarding some personal concerns. What impressed me the most was how he could interject names or refer personalities in a conversation effortlessly.

There was also this guy, a real estate developer, who can arrange for a deal fast because he knew all the significant brokers in the city. He was also fascinating to talk with and you could imagine how much power he wielded mainly by hanging on to this network of friends, family, and professional colleagues. After all, brokering is not a matter of high IQ but is chiefly about relationships.

I want to get to that level too. How I wish I could simply barge into any office and immediately exchange pleasantries with a familiar face. How I wish I can strike a conversation just as easily as the next guy. Admittedly, despite my job, I'm still an introvert at heart and, sometimes, an outcast. 

Still, it's fun to dream what I can be. So watch out world. I'm getting there.

Trust

I'm not upset that you lied to me, I'm upset that from now on I can't believe you.

-Friedrich Nietzsche

Trust is a precious commodity. I bet every unfaithful lover caught in the act can attest to this. As for me, I can honestly say that I'm a very trusting person and I've been burned several times because of this.

What is trust? Trust, as defined, is the "firm belief in the reliability, truth, or ability of someone or something." It not only refers to my belief of the veracity of your statements but also my belief that you'll adhere to your character and principles despite adverse circumstances or my absence.

A teacher of mine once remarked that he can never trust a student again the moment that student breaks his trust. He confided that he is probably the most trusting person in the world but once someone betrays his trust, that someone can never get it back. Ever.

The same goes for me. There have been times when I believed in someone enough to know that he or she's going to do the right thing. Then the moment comes when that person thinks, "Just this once..." and does the act.

Then the inevitable happens. I discover the act. My trust in the person is broken. I never look at the person the same way. At worst, I burn the bridge and that person is dead to me. At best, I remain civil but the road to renewed friendship is not in the cards.

I can forgive if I want to but trusting that person again is something I can no longer do.

Sembreak 2013

Never complain about a trip while you're still on the trip. Save it for later. That's the rule from hereon.

Went to Mati last Saturday. Woke up at 3:15AM. Went to McDonalds Victoria Plaza. Arrived at 4:30AM. Waited for another hour before the gang was complete. Group included Sir Ramy, Sam, Mikko, Divine, AJ, Banisa, Tron. 

Couldn't sleep during the trip to Mati. Engaged in small talk with Sam, Sir Ramy, and Mikko. Stopped briefly at the spot overlooking Sleeping Dinosaur for the requisite photo ops. Off to Banisa's place for breakfast. Corned beef, hard-boiled eggs, fried bangus, rice, coffee, chorizo, bananas. 

At around 10:30AM, went to Ding's place for lunch. Lechon baboy, chicken curry, kinilaw, rice. Some maja blanca, espasol, watermelons for dessert. More guests from BPI arrive.

Off to Dahican. Late afternoon. Got lost before arriving at the resort where our room was. Small room, grossly overpriced at Php 3,000.00. Screen windows. Built with light materials. No private shower or comfort room. Really sleepy at this time. Pretty hot weather. Sweating all over. 

Set up tent. Talk some more. Try to get some sleep to no avail. Finally, off to go for a swim with others. Laundry shop ruined swim suit. Swam a few laps. Then off to watch the Skim Boarding event at another resort (Boring).

Back to resort to rinse off. No water on taps. Hiked to neighboring resorts but no water still. Someone double-parked behind Sam's car so we couldn't get out.

Off to Alex's house for dinner. Stopover at his aunt's house to rinse off and change into dry clothes. Nice dinner: barbecue, lamb, pansit. After dinner, visit at a convenience store to buy water. Back to resort. Tent set up earlier was wet inside because we didn't cover the top with the tarp. Set up another tent.

After some time, off to Sibala Beach Park for the night party. Overheard some discussions regarding the budget. Party starts. Realized (again) that I'm not a party person. Disco lights can trigger epilepsy. Loiters to the nearest bench with Sir Ramy. One on one talk about work, career, and other stuff. Raining all night.

At 12:00 midnight, starts walking to the car. Going home. Doesn't volunteer to drive (Really sleepy and no confidence in my skills). Back to Davao. Miss my bed. Dreamt I was still in Mati.

Really grateful for another weekend with friends. Also thankful that nothing happened. Amazed at the generosity of the people who hosted us. Still, I wish circumstances would be better next time. 

Animal Cruelty

Earlier this month, news broke out of a video gone viral showing three girls crushing a puppy to death. Of course, the reaction was instantaneous. Some vilified the girls while others called for a manhunt. Others also called for draconian measures to punish the girls.

My reaction, although the same, is not that strong. Perhaps it's because I'm also guilty of my own acts of animal cruelty when I was growing up. I guess we all are in varying degrees.

One memory that stands out was when we cooked a house lizard for fun. My playmates and I were daring one neighbor kid to eat the lizard (he didn't). That's why we did the deed. 

Another memory was when one of our puppies was close to death and was very lethargic in its movements. I 'tried' to coax him back to action by rolling him across the garage floor. 

Still another was the time I caught a frog and had it dissected in class.

In sum, I was also guilty of causing hurt and pain, the essence of being cruel. But one redeeming factor for me was that I learned quite early this life lesson: that it is never right to inflict pain and suffering to anyone or to anything.

I believe all of us go through this stage, the point in life where we become cruel without realizing that we are. I don't know how this comes about. Some may trace it to faulty parenting or peer influence. But we do grow up and when we do, we realize our errors.

The tragedy here then belongs to those people whose callousness borders on the inhumane, whose ignorance has given way to tolerance and sadistic delight.

Am I angry at these girls? Obviously, yes. But I also pity them for what they have become.

Looking Out To The Sea

Let me share a morning habit.

During my daily commute to work, I cross the Bolton bridge and, upon crossing, I stare out of the jeepney window, fixing my gaze to the sea. Sometimes, the sea is brown after a heavy rainfall and, most of the time, it's blue as the sky. Amidst the polluted air and the noisy roars of car engines, the scenery is something I revel in. The sea is a picture of peace and calm.

On the average, this brief sightseeing trip takes five seconds but it's one of the highlights of my morning. Sometimes too, there's the awkward moment when the pretty girl across you thinks you're staring at her when, in fact, you're staring at something else. Nasty looks have come my way because of this habit but it continues to be one of my simple joys.

Try it sometime if you're crossing the Bolton bridge. Maybe, the sea might whisper something to you in return.

Tropfest

My thanks to Roslyn for sharing this clip.

It's an entry to Tropfest Australia. As a background, Tropfest is a short film festival/competition and is staged in various cities across the globe.

Right now, I'm having a good time watching entries in Youtube, many of which are so good. Like in everything else, a lot of things happen when you're forced to be sweet and concise in your works. Mediums such as the short story and the short film are perfect examples of this observation.

Salt

In the movie Salt, the final scene involves Evelyn Salt and agent Peabody engaged in a tense conversation on board a helicopter. Salt relays to Peabody the truth behind the Russian sleeper spies and convinces him to let her go. Peabody does so and Salt jumps out and into the Potomac river.

What made Peabody risk his career by letting the protagonist go? He believed in the heroine and, furthermore, he believed that she was the only one who could track and shut down the other Russian cells that his government had never detected.

I'm just thinking about this in relation to the pork barrel issue. What if a citizen just went on a mission to kill all the members of Congress who are implicated in the scam? Like Salt, he'd simply be doing what is definitely in the minds of the public right now. What if that citizen had nothing to lose, similar to the character of Frank in the movie God Bless America?

What would be the reaction if he, in fact, succeeds? Will he be regarded as a hero? A villain? A vigilante who chose to commit the sins that we only dream of doing? An outcast who's lost his faith in the system?

These are indeed dark times. 

Copycats

Disappointing.

Just watched The Company's performance in the ABS-CBN concert Kanta Natin To.

In an event meant to highlight Pinoy music, originality, and talent, the group sung Pentatonix' Evolution of Music (Something I wrote about in another post).

Actually, I've got no problems with them singing their own version of a foreign group's hit. But they could have simply performed OPM.

Instead, they became copycats for the night.

They're probably thinking right now that no one would notice. Well, to that, I honestly think the original version is way better than their rendition.