Funny Vandalism

Just want to share some random graffiti in my room. Some are interesting and I would have wished that the former boarders were more liberated and less frugal in expressing their thoughts on the walls. As for me, if ever the dark side should prevail, a simple (and cliche) "Paolo was here" would suffice, preferably in a place where the landlord would never attempt to look. But then again, I might change my mind. Who knows right?

"Sakit!!!"

"Jan 15 - June 15 - 2012"

"Warning! Libakera ang room # 6. Isa ra na ka plywood ang wall ->"

"I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!"
"YOU'RE MY PEACE OF MIND IN THIS CRAZY WORLD" (what song is this?)

"WE'RE ON THE ROAD, WE MOVE FROM PLACE TO PLACE (sic) AN (sic) OFTEN TIMES WHEN I'M ABOU TO CALL IT HOME WE'D HAVE TO MOVE ALONG. LIFE IS A CONSTANT CHANGE AND NOTHING STAYS THE SAME :)) "

"1 person P2,000 Rent per month"

"P2,200.00 2 persons - negotiable"

"Please clean the CR kay pirteng hugawa sa tiles og sa salog"

"Lata na ang kahoy"

"To the luck boarder my (sic) hard earn (sic) effort to make this room neat as possible (sic) David" (still, he couldn't resist vandalizing)

"Warning! May ilaga musulod gikan sa ilawum sa salog southwest corner of the bed there's a hole "

"Another warning! naay okok musulo gikan sa ubos sa purtahan"

Moving Out

I just moved out of our house.

Don't worry. I wasn't kicked out by my parents. It was entirely my own decision. As to why a guy like me should be willing to move out of my comfort zone and risk financial distress, I have my reasons:

1.) The road construction along R. Castillo and along Quezon boulevard is taking forever. I have been coming to office late for the past three weeks because I spend over an hour commuting to work. That's unacceptable simply because I'm not in Manila and I do wake up early.

2.) I'm already a law student ("Naglo-lawko na."). I need all the time I need to study and if I could do that by shaving wasted time during my commutes, then I do it.

3.) I'm turning 25 this August. I've made a personal promise to myself back then in Taguig that I'll be out of the house when I'm a quarter century old.

4.) My younger sisters are growing up and they're still sleeping in my parent's room. If I leave, Yanyan gets to move into my room (When Ate leaves later this year, Klengkleng gets to have her room. Personally, I prefer that Yanyan have her own room because she's becoming a teenager but the little senorita isn't interested because my room isn't air-conditioned).

5.) It's part of becoming an adult. I can't call myself such if I'm still semi-relying on my parents' generosity and goodwill.

So there you have it. I don't know if I shall be moving back in after a couple of months but I intend to stay out of the house for the long run.

Solar-Ready

California just passed a law that all new homes in subdivisions of ten or more must include a 250 square foot “solar zone” on the roof.

I got that from an article in Home Design Find. 

I'm interested in it because it is my first time to come across a piece of legislation intended to make solar energy a way of life. The law is intended to make way for homes which can be fitted with solar panels. These panels generate their own electricity and thus help reducing the demand for electricity generated from more conventional means (e.g. coal plants etc.). 

I envision a similar ordinance being passed in Davao City. But this will probably occur when solar panels have gone down in cost while oil prices have jacked up so high our government cannot ignore exploring other alternatives means of generating electricity.

Good luck to us.

Bataller

My surname doesn't translate, not even close, to a Spanish word. The best guess is "batalyon" or batallion, in English.

However, there's a theory in the family that the surname "Bataller" had its origins during the American occupation. Some soldiers working for the census had asked my ancestor what his name was. After having said so, the Americans found it too hard to write down so they concocted a new name instead. They glanced again at my ancestor and, noticing his short stature, wrote down "Be Taller". Over the years, the "e" in the name accidentally got inverted and the name itself was shortened to just one word.

Hence, the modern version: Bataller

It's apocryphal but you never know, right?

Human Personhood And Abortion

Peter Kreeft is good.

In an issue so emotionally charged, he has managed to logically dissect the argument of the pro-choice movement and turn it on its head. With reason, Peter Kreeft has revealed the absurdity of the positions taken by those who support abortion. 

This article is a refreshing look at a discourse which, until now, has not concluded but has in fact intensified.

It speaks about resolving the question of abortion with the question on when human personhood exists and demonstrates that the defense of the unborn need not hinge on religious beliefs but on a deeper respect of the human person.

Here's the article: Human Personhood Begins At Conception