Why I Hate The Beach...

Earler today I was surfing the net and I was looking at some of my friend's pictures when he went to the beach. It looks so inviting.

Ewan ko ba, I've always told time and again how much I really don't like going to beaches. I like looking at them, but I don't really have the tenacity and patience to stay in one.

So, just for the heck of it, I'll give my reasons why I don't like beaches. Here they are:

1. I feel like I'm swimming in toilet water. People may say how it's "dirtier" to swim in a pool. I say, nope, I don't believe that. At least pools have a filtration system. It filters and cleans the water. So what if pools have chemicals in them? I'd rather have that than swim in the same water fish would literally shit in. I mean...I can't even bear the thought of swimming with fish feces. Eeewwww...

2. I LOVE cold weather. I hate it when it's warm, I hate it when it's super sunny ergo, I hate beaches. Unless I'm in an airconditioned room or cabana overlooking the sea, I'd dread going to the beach.

3. I hate crowds. I'm starting to think that I'm really getting old. Even at a good age of being in my early 30s, I'd rather just spend time in a quiet place if I want to relax or take a vacation. Well, that means Bora, Galera, or any other crowded beach with party people is a definite no-no for me.

4. I get bored easily. I'm not really your typical laid back person. In fact, I hate laid back people. I'm always on the go.

5. While I love mother earth, I'd rather see and be with plants and animals. Take me to a safari anytime than take me to those useless banana boats.

Have a wonderful week ahead of you, people!

Know Your Presidential Candidates

As early as now, we all have to be responsible voters (well, those who are going to vote) and have the initiative of knowing the candidates.

The other day I was asked if I knew what this candidate did for the country. It was then that I realized that we can't just rely on the infomercials we see on television.

I've compiled some websites I found so that we can pretty much get a grasp of the people who could very well be the future president of the country.

Sen. Noynoy Aquino

http://www.noynoy.ph

Sen. Manuel Villar

http://www.mannyvillar.com.ph

Sen. Chiz Escudero (is he running for President?)

http://www.chizescudero.com


Let's be responsible, everyone.

Walking Hand in Hand to Keep the Fire Burning

I was able to (finally) watch Noynoy Aquino's MTV.

It was nothing like the other lame infomercials of president wannabes. It was plain and simple--that there are no promises...that if we want to make our country great, WE HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER.

It didn't have tones of "I was once poor so now I can help the poor" claim. It didn't have the whole "let's use the devastation of the environment" claim. It was plain and simple.

I so believe in this advocacy. I believe that we shouldn't always rely on the leader. The president of the country is just the driver of the country. We would still have to do something from our end if we want to become successful in life.

The problem is, most Pinoys want things in a snap. If they would earn money, they'd rather it be instantly, or they'd rather put a high mark-up. If you all notice, not all sari-sari stores prosper. it's because at times, their prices are higher than that of the grocery.

I think Noynoy's MTV says it all. We are a country of faith and love. If we work hard to one ideal, with the grace of God, we will prosper.

Noy's MTV just gave me the goosebumps and I think it's (so far) the most creative and beautiful work any supporter could give a politician because of a worthy cause.

go Noy!

This Is It

Yesterday, Ed and I watched "This Is It" at the IMAX Theater in SM North EDSA.

Galiiing!

It was kinda mixed emotions on my part. At one point, I couldn't help but become a fan once more because people will really see how hands on MJ is when it comes to his songs and his concerts.

At another glance, you'll just feel sad that he wasn't able to do that concert. Me? I felt sad for the many men and women behind the scenes who worked hard for that concert only to be shattered by Michael Jackson's death.

Let's blame the drugs that killed him.

Sayang.

Paying My Last Respects to Tita Cory

When I learned of the death of Cory Aquino, I felt that it was just right to pay my last repsects. However, I was unable to do that the first day (1 August) as I was busy coordinating my niece's 18th birthday party.

The next day I said I would attend her public viewing at La Salle Greenhills. Unfortunately, I woke up late and slept early because I was still tired from the night before.

So Monday, 3 August, I finally decided that by hook or by crook, I would go to the Manila Cathedral where her remains were transferred from Greenhills. I called my friend (and former student) Kristina Malaya De Mesa - Que and asked her if she was interested in coming with me to the Manila Cathedral. Without hesitation she said yes. It was set.

By 8 pm we arrived at the old walled city, Intramuros. It took us an hour to walk to the END of the line. By 9, we found the end of the line and were now standing IN line. The line was long. To be honest, by the time we reached the door of the church, it was 1:30 am. But we never felt tired. For some reason it was fine for us to stand in line that long. Sure, our legs and feet were sore, but in the end, it was all worth it. And why not? Would you do the same thing for your own mother?

When I approached her casket, I looked at my beloved president. It was evident that she had lost a lot of weight. In some ways, it didn't look like the Cory we got to see in pictures. But one thing is for sure. She looked very peaceful. She was with God.

In Requiem Eternam, Corazon Aquino

We all woke Saturday morning to the somewhat expected and sad news that Her Excellency, Corazon Aquino, the former President of the Republic of the Philippines, succumbed to cancer. She was 76.

Despite being expected (her demise) because she has been confined in the hospital for a month (or more), her death still brought shock to a lot of people including yours truly. I think it came to me as a shock because I still had hope that she would recover--never mind if she was really in the final stage of her illness.

I felt numb. Was this really happening? Is Cory Aquino--Tita Cory to the entire nation--the Mother of Philippine Democracy--really dead? It was as if I was in disbelief. I had to ask a few other people for confirmation. It was then that I turned on the TV and saw for myself the news that I was dreading to hear.

It was as if a close relative died. I cried, and to this day I still can't understand why. Why am I crying? Why is it that everytime that I would watch TV and see the tribute being given to her, or see people stand in line just to see her one last time, I would cry.

Charisma. She had charisma that no other person I know has. She had the same effect that Pope John Paul II had--to make people cry without any reason. Inside, a part of me died with her. She was, after all, the stalwart for change in this country.

Flashback 1986. I was in first grade then when Ferdinand Marcos declared snap elections. My dad had connections from both the Marcos and Aquino side that he would bring campaign stuff from both camps. I remembered filling my closet door with Marcos-Tolentino stickers and the other side with Cory-Doy stickers. However, whenever I was asked who I wanted, I normally answered the former than the latter. Hey, I was a kid. I wasn't aware of what the whole thing was about. To me back then, it was more of me getting used to having a male president with the surname Marcos. Add the fact that I loved his campaign colors.

It was only when my sister came one day with a Philippine flag sewn on her jeans did I start to open my eyes to the history that was unfolding. I wondered why she brought me to EDSA (she lived in Valle Verde) and why there were lots of people. I saw lots of yellow ribbons. Suddenly, all the things I felt for the incumbent turned to admiration for the challenger. It was then that I realized that maybe change is for the better.

It was on this day that I finally got a glimpse of the picture of the woman who was challenging the Manong from Ilocos. She looked mighty familiar. She was the same woman in black that I saw while I was wearing my "I love Ninoy" head band (the one you tie around your head accross your forehead). She was Cory.

This was the start of my admiration for the woman who was so soft spoken that people thought they could step on her. She proved that you do not have to have the brute to topple enemies. All you need is faith and love.

I came to admire her more the day she decided to open Malacanang to the public. This was then that I started to realize the damage of the dictatorship because of what I saw in the palace. So this is what happened. So this is why my nanny was always complaining of feeling poorer by the minute. I was young then, but I understood.

There are many stories about Cory Aquino. People will go at it to tell it to the world. Blogs have been written for her. Mine is no different. But I feel that I owe it to her to write something about her legacy. I feel that it is just right to pay tribute to this remarkable woman who was more than the Mother of Filipino Democracy. She was the spiritual leader of the nation.

There are lots of cynics who would downplay Cory's contribution to the republic. True, the country seemed to have felt that life was harder during her administration. But they were bound to feel it anyway because the previous administration never divulged the reality that a lot was lost because a lot was stolen. Cory's administration was really, the transition phase.

Cory may have the reputation of having the administration with the most number of coup attempts. But rather than look at that, one can see that hers also was an administration of strength because no coup attempt was successful. Cory faced every challenge with calmness, optimism, and faith in God. How many times have we heard that she mentioned the importance of prayers?

A lot of people may say things about her but one thing is certain. She was a person of integrity and transparency. She was never accused of corruption. Now, is there any politician in the country who can claim that as well?

If there's one thing that Cory has, it would have to be the fact that she is very much what her name is--HEART. She has a very big heart that it overflows with love--for her children, her grandchildren, her relatives, her friends, but more importantly, to the Filipino people. She collected the wax that dripped from the dying (or dead) candle that her husband lit for the country when he was assassinated in 1983 and rebuilt a new candle of hope when she restored democracy in 1986.

No other person could do it they way she did it. Even now as we live in the fruits of what she accomplished, it is important that we remember that we will never have what we have today had it not been for her. Even the fact that we can access the internet can be traced to her since she was the person who allowed freedom of information. Now, that's a legacy.

My heart goes to her children Noynoy, Ballsy, Pinky, Viel, and Kris--their spouses and their children. I could just imagine the pain that they are going through with the loss of their mother. You are always in my prayers.

To President Aquino who is watching from the heaven above, my sincere and grateful thanks to everything you have given us. Rest in peace, my dear president.

Remembering Michael Jackson

I guess all of us woke up or went to work shocked with the news of Michael Jackson's untimely death. I was one of those who found it quite surreal that today it still feels like he's going to wake up and do his moonwalk, to smile and tell the world that this is all a joke.

But of course it's not a joke. He's never waking up again. He, like Farrah Fawcett (whom I adored as a child--love her hair and her smile), is now in eternal slumber.

I chose to make this tribute to the man and his music rather than the negative things that he was for some reasons known for. Here was a man who was able to crossover from a time when colored entertainers in the United States were not treated as fairly as their white counterparts. Michael Jackson broke the mold and gave a new meaning to the word "entertainment".

For someone who was born in the 70's, had his formative years in the 80's, I grew up listening and singing Michael Jackson songs. For the longest time, I was singing and humming "Ben" unknown to me that this was a song for a mouse. I sang "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" long before I heard the way Filipino icons Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos butchered the now classic Jackson Five Christmas song. I tried (unsuccessfully) to imitate the moonwalk the first time I saw it when Michael sang Billie Jean. I, like many boys in my generation, bought a pair of white gloves but only used one glove. I was awed by the fact that here was a guy who could get the big names in the music industry of the United States together to sing in one song with the purpose of raising money to help the crisis in Africa. I marveled at his concerts on how he set that bar so high for other entertainers to follow. When I watched his concert here in the Philippines in 1996, I was floored by the fact that he was here. I couldn't believe that I was standing and watching a concert of the great Michael Jackson. Never mind if I had to walk a few miles from where we parked to the actual venue. Never mind if the crowd seemed like half of the crowd at the Quirino Grandstand during the visit of Pope John Paul II a year ago in 1995. Heck, this was a legend performing!

I turned a blind eye on all the allegations against him. Sure, the guy could be weird, but I don't think he was weird enough to commit sexual harrassment. He was a little boy trapped in a man's body. How could he be that sexual?

I just focused on what he gave rather than what he is. After all, people listened to his records because of the music, and not the "Wacko Jacko" that he was labelled with. People watched his videos and concerts for the entertainment and not because they were itching to hear if he would comment on the allegations filed against him. After all the words, labels, and allegations thrown at him, he still proved to be the greatest entertainer of our time. From where I stood 13 years ago at his concert in 1996, I noticed that this was an entertainer who had so much charisma that he gave the same effect that Pope John Paul II did to the people--cry for no reason.

Sadly, he's no longer with us now. But his memory and music will live forever.

I'm posting a list of my favorite Michael Jackson songs to pay tribute to the true King of Pop.

1. Man in the Mirror
2. Rock with You
3. Human Nature
4. Beat It
5. Billie Jean
6. PYT
7. Wanna Be Startin' Something
8. The Way You Make Me Feel
9. I Just Can't Stop Loving You
10. Smooth Criminal
11. Black or White
12. Scream (with Janet Jackson--i LOVE the video)
    
13. You Are Not Alone
14. Got to be There
15. Don't Stop Til You Get Enough

May you rest in peace, Michael.

Japes and the Beauty Queens

I love pageants. No, wait...I am a pageant freak...hehehe...

I had the privilege of meeting Filipino beauty queens and I've posed with them in pictures...here are some of the pictures I have...

Me with Anna Maris Igpit (L), Bb. Pilipinas World 2006 and Lia Andrea Ramos (R), Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2006 (Miss Photogenic, Miss Universe)

With Chiqui Brosas-Hahn, Bb. Pilipinas Universe 1975 and 4th Runner-Up, Miss Universe 1975

With 2005 Bb. Pilipinas-Universe (and Miss Universe Photogenic) Gionna Cabrera

With 2007 Bb. Pilipinas World, Maggie Wilson

With 2007 Bb. Pilipinas International, Nadia Lee Cien Dela Cruz Shami

With Precious Lara Quigaman, 2005 Miss International

Working Nights Again...

For the first time in a year, I'm back to working nights. Thank God one of my bosses told me that it's just for the week. I don't think I can survive working nights again. I'm not getting any younger, you know.

What comes with age, they say, is high blood pressure. I have that. Then again, I've been hypertensive since I was 18 (boo-hoo). I've gotten used to it.

But there's something different now that I'm in my 30s. I have to be extra careful of everything because cells don't regenerate as fast as they used to.

Oh well...'tis the season of growing old...

(...but I don't look old...thank God...and thank beauty products...hahaha)

Bloggin' Again

It's been a long time since I used this site to blog.

I have to say, I'm so sorry because I got so keyed up in blogging in my old friendster account.

I have to say, I'm so sorry because I also got keyed up in blogging in my Multiply account.

As they say, the prodigal son returns to blogger. :-)

More Pageant Questions and Answers

Candidate Number 7, do you think communication is important in today's society? Why, or why not?

Before anything else, Mr. Host, I would like to greet the entire country a happy hello. Now, to the questions, I thought that communication is importance in society today because communication served as keys to I think to bonded the peoples in the world for world peace. If the peoples don't communication, then they will not understood all. If they don't understood all, they can't have peace, right?

Miss Philippines, I understand that you are a model. What kind of clothes have you modeled?

Well, I am an in-demand model in my country. I have modeled gowns and laundry.
Laundry, Miss Philippines?
Yes, you know, the bra, the panty, the sexy pajamas...
Oh, lingerie...
What is lingerie?
Well, Miss Philippines, you just described it just a moment ago.
Oh, really? I am sorry, it could be my shortened memory...
Shortened memory or short term memory?
Please, don's ask me more questions. I am losing now in this pageant.

Candidate 3, what is the importance of marriage in today's society?

Oh, ah, the important of marriage in society is that it promotes safe sex. Thank you.

Gay Misconceptions and Misgivings

Misconceptions and Misgivings

It just disappoints me to admit that to this day, most Filipinos have certain misconceptions about gay life here in the Philippines. Honestly, I can’t really blame them if they think this way because of the stereotype that the media (more particularly film and television—where a good 80 to 90% of the men are either gay or bi) has influenced the people.

So okay, many beauticians (hairdressers, make-up artists, or both) are gay. But I think it would be unfair to the entire gay, lesbian, and bisexual community if people would generalize the situation. Here’s a fact folks: about 60% of the male teachers are either gay or bisexual. Wake up, and smell the roses. There are politicians who are gay, there are doctors who are gay, and guess what? There are even religious people who are gay.

What has this world gone to???

Honestly, and I hate to burst the macho man’s bubble, the world has had gays, lesbians, and bisexuals. Hell, even one of the greatest leaders of the world had his share of homosexual relationships (does Alexander the Great ring a bell?). There wasn’t even an exact passage in the Bible that condemns homosexuality because basically, homosexuality (lesbianism and bisexualism) has been a practice even before the time of Jesus—it’s as old as the oldest profession in the world.

Fact of the matter is (and this some people just can’t accept), that in this day and age, homosexuality has been more and more accepted and tolerated. Why? Because the whole world is starting to realize that gays, lesbians, and bisexuals, after all, are HUMAN.

I had an experience recently with my friends from my office. They wanted to go out for a gimmick. One suggested that we go to Malate, more particularly, to Bed, one of the trendiest gay bars in the metropolis. So we went.

Wait a minute, a gay bar? Yes, my friends, a gay bar—a G-A-Y, space, B-A-R. Now, why is it that most people would have a peculiar reaction to the term?

For the straight people here in the Philippines, a gay bar would have to be a place where some male strippers would dance waiting for their customers to tuck money in their tiny trunks.

Point taken. It is true. However, one tends to generalize the term with this kind of place. A gay bar, even if you look it up in any reference manual, my friends, is a bar catered to the gay community. It does not necessarily mean that every gay bar in the country would have good chiseled men grinding to the tune of “It’s All Coming Back To Me Now” of Celine Dion.

Bed is a different kind of bar. It’s a bar where any gay, lesbian, or bi goes to party and just have a good time. It’s your typical bar, as in B-A-R with drinks and good music—where people mingle and be themselves. It just so happen that this bar in particular is frequented by gays, lesbians, and bisexuals.

I would be unfair if I do not tell that even straight people go there, more particularly straight women. Why? Because the atmosphere there is far better than that of the bars they are accustomed to go to. At least there, they can just be themselves and have a good time, minus the bad looking guy desperately trying to get her number, and minus the guys feeling they’re so handsome that they can get any girl at a wink. In this bar where I go, everyone just have a good time.

So okay, you see some guys kissing. So what? Don’t you guys do that to your girls in straight clubs? What is so wrong with that?

Honestly, I pity straight men. I do not mean to generalize this but majority of the men developed a double standard. They claim they abhor homosexuality but enjoy looking at two women getting at each other. HELLO! Lesbianism, darlings, IS HOMOSEXUALITY. So what is wrong with two men kissing each other?

I particularly hate it whenever a guy would say that he does not like going to places where there are a lot of gay people. They actually think that gay people would go after them. This made me think. Maybe it’s the other way around—honestly, maybe you’re just to scared of being unnoticed and rejected.

There is a saying that gay men have far better taste than women. I’d like to think that way as well. Why then, would women still come to OUR BARS? There was even a saying that the ultimate test whether a man is good looking is to ask the opinion of a gay man. I’d have to agree with that.

Funny, but sometimes, people mistake the gay lifestyle as a life that is centered in sex. That is particularly not the case. While most gay man loves having sex, one can still attribute it to the fact that biologically, a gay man is still a male species. And male species, by nature, have a tendency to be promiscuous.

At least for gay men, they know if their partner is really experiencing orgasm. After all, they’re male too. Based from the many women I’ve talked to, they admit having faked orgasm, all because their men seem to focus sex on themselves. That, my dear heterosexual male friends, is a FACT.

There are many misconceptions on the gay lifestyle. But we, the gay community, can’t just re-educate and re-educate people all the time. Friends, ignorance can NEVER be a reason. As I always say, an ignorant person is a stupid person.

I pity them.

More Beauty Pageant Questions and Answers

HOST: Miss Philippines, if you were to interview a famous person in history, who would it be and why?
Answer: Well, if I were to interview a famous person in history, I would interview someone from my country's history because then I can talk to him in my language.
HOST: So who would you interview?
Answer: Well, maybe Mother Theresa because I want world peace.

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HOST: Candidate 10, if you were to win the title of Mutya ng Lahi tonight, to whom would you dedicate your victory?
Answer: Well, uhm, I will dedicate my victory to, uhm...well, I will dedicate my victory to...myself! Because I work so hard to win. That is all, thank you.

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HOST: Miss Philippines, you said you want to work in the construction industry in the future. That is quite odd for a woman. Why do you want to enter such industry?
Answer: Oh, that is easy. you see, my father is an erector. I want to be an erector too. I want to see a lot of erections going on.
HOST: What?
Answer: Yes, I want to be an erector so that there are many tall buildings in the world. Thank you.

Adobo Eaters in the Olympics: The Future of Philippine Sports

I was a bit exhausted from my work the previous day and I had to force myself to wake up at 2:45 am of Saturday so that I could watch the Opening Ceremonies of the 2004 Olympiad in Athens, Greece. Yup, the nation that gave birth to the olympics long before Jesus was born was again hosting the most celebrated sporting event in the world.

The Olympics was actually revived in 1896 by a Frenchman (which is why the official language of the Olympics is French) and was held in Athens. Now, as the banners and the billboards in Athens would say, Greece is welcoming the Olympics home.

So there I was, sitting on our blue leather couch, watching the Opening Ceremonies on TV. I was watching it through the local channel and was so glad that because of budget constraints, the network did not send their pool of broadcasters to cover the event. At least now, I was able to watch the Opening Ceremonies without the local broadcasters yapping and yapping throughout.

After the drama, pomp and pageantry of the performances, the athletes were now being honored through their parade in the stadium. Anxiously, I await the entrance of the Philippines. It was only then did I realize that according to Olympic tradition, it is in the host country's discretion whether the countries (212 I think) would be arranged according to their alphabet. Greece did just that and the Philippines was country number 197. It was a long and ardent wait.

Then came our very own Pinoys. Romeo Brin was holding the flag. It made me think. The Philippines has been participating since the 1900's. Never did it win a single gold. Well, actually, we did win one gold in the 1988 Seoul Olympiad. Arianne Cerdeña gave that honor. However, bowling, at that time, was a demonstration sport. As such, the winners will not be part of the medal tally.

This year, 16 athletes from the Philippines will compete to bring home a medal. The last medal achieved was in the 1996 Atlanta Olympiad. It was a silver medal won by Mansueto Velasco for boxing. This made me think. The Filipino athlete has a lot of potential in any international sporting event. What is wrong with our system today and our athletes are not doing as good as they are supposed to?

Here's the current scenario. While we learn in grade school that the national sport is Sipa (Sepak Takraw), if we go anywhere in this country, one can see the ultimate sporting influence of the United States--basketball. Give me a Barangay or an area here in this country that does not have a basketball court and I tell you, within a week, expect one to be built, even on the street if possible.

True, the Filipinos have a passion for this sport. There's an Amateur league, a professional league, even a barangay league and a school league. There's PBL, MBA, PBA, NCAA, and UAAP. And it does not end there. There's also AAPS, PASARELLE, and even Milo Basketball competitions.

So now I ask this important question. If we are a nation so keen on basketball, then how come we don't have a team competing in the olympics? Here's my answer: because we are NOT QUALIFIED. Why? Because we NEVER won any International Olympic Committee (IOC)-accredited international event. Would we bask in our SEA Games victory? That is too small to compare.

Here's a thought. Why don't we pattern our system with that of the Chinese? They start training early on when they are kids. And more so, they train according to disciplines that THEY CAN EXCEL IN because it is a possibility in terms of skill, and PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES. Face it, with China's 7-footer athletes and the taller caucasians, does our small players in basketball stand a chance? NO.

Let's focus more on sports that do not need height advantage. Here are some that I can suggest:

1. Archery
2. Bowling (if it becomes an official sport in the Olympics)
3. Badminton (the current olympic champs are from Indonesia and Malaysia--who are shorter than us)
4. Tennis
5. Golf
6. Dancesport
7. Gymnastics
8. Baseball/Softball
9. Synchronized Swimming
10. Diving
11. Cycling
12. Sailing
13. Rowing
14. Fencing
15. Swimming
16. Rhythmic Gymnastics
17. Taekwondo
18. Judo
19. Weightlifting
20. Wrestling
21. Discus throw
22. Javellin Throw
23. Shotput
24. Hammer throw
25. Shooting

Let's support these disciplines first and maybe, just maybe we can get a gold...say, 2008?