Thursday, November 8, 2007

Fellow Bedans, let's show support to The Bedan. Sign this petition. Let's fight for press freedom

My fellow Bedans, let us show and express our support for our beleagured and struggling student publication, The Bedan! WE CANNOT ALLOW ITS DEMISE. This publication is very historical. It has produced great freedom fighters like Ramon Mitra, Raul Roco, Rene Saguisag, among others!



HAHAYAAN BA NATING BASTA-BASTA MAWALA NA LANG ANG THE BEDAN?!

UNIFORM,

GRADUATE SCHOOL OF PHILO CLOSURE,

DEPARTMENTAL FUNDS,

MAGNA CARTA,

THE BEDAN,



ANO PA ANG SUSUNOD??!

BEDISTA MANINDIGAN TAYO!

http://thebedan.petitionhost.com/

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Firts Day High

November 5, 2007
1st day of classes for the 2nd semester

Atty. L: So, you're Mr. Christopher Linag. Can you tell us something about yourself?

Me: Good evening Sir, I am Christopher Linag blah blah blah. blah blah blah...

Atty. L: You know what Mr. Linag? You look like a nerd, a cute nerd with your glasses. You should change it to attract more women. Can you remove your glasses now?

Me: (I removed my glasses)

Atty. L: Mr. Linag, you still look like a nerd.

:-)

Thursday, October 25, 2007

i won a ticket for Sugarfree gig sa 70s Bistro!

Nag-post si Ebe nung isang araw ng message sa sugarfree mailing list:

sa nagtanong tungkol sa next single, let me make it more interesting. ..
the first 5 listers who can guess what the next single is (it should be out in a few days) will
get to watch our next 70s bistro gig for free. ayos ba? =) don't email me privately ha? dito ko
na lang iche check sa list.
i'll wait for your answers til tomorrow ng 11am. game!

ebe

_______

curious, sumali naman ako.

'Nangangawit' yung sagot ko.

_______

nag-post ulii sya the following day:

bago ko sabihin, our next single is nangangawit. if we're lucky, a great director will do our
video. someone we've never worked with before. bigtime sya chong. sana di maudlot.
anywaaaay, the five listers who get to watch our next bistro gig are
1. TOJ/ Andipata
2. Kristelle Sison
3. christopher linag
4. inch
5. ellyn chan

now i know for a fact that baka si inch may pasok at si ellyn ay nasa australia. kung di sila
pwede (at malamang di pwede si ellyn), the others who guessed it right are

1. archangel salvosa
2. klara anonuevo
3. jayvee.

so please confirm na lang ha? =)

ang saya pala ng ganito, biglang nabuhay ang list haha.

ebe

ps boto na sa rock awards =)

_________

COOL. nanalo ako! sa dami nung nanghula eh tumama ang aking bet. hehe!

Astig! =)

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

say a little prayer please : A Letter from Carlo Cruz, whose wife perished in GLORIETTA

Good day everyone,

I wish I were writing under different circumstances.

I would like to inform you that my wife Leslie Cruz
was part of the casualties in the Glorietta 2 Mall
bombing in Makati City, Philippines. She was supposed
to have a minor out patient surgery at Makati Medical
Center at 230pm.

I had taken a leave from work to accompany her there.
We dropped off our daughter, Amber, at my parents
place in QC to babysit at around 10am. We then
proceeded to Makati and was there at 1230pm. Since she
had been fasting in preparation for her procedure, she
wanted to move around and listen to some music while I
grabbed a bite to eat. We parked at the basement of
Park Square 2, and headed for the Glorietta 2
entrance. We parted at the top of the escalator, she
turned right towards Filbar's while I went left
towards the restaurants. That was the last time I
would see her.

Around 120pm, she had called me so that we can meet at
the Glorietta 2 exit just in time to make her
appointment. As I made my way there from Glorietta 1
through the connecting hallways, and was about to turn
the corner, I heard 2 deep thumps and the shock-wave
from the blast hit me. At that moment my heart dropped
as I knew that the origin of the blast came from the
same place where we were supposed to meet. I tried
getting to where my wife was, but the dust was too
much and it was as if I was staring at a white wall.

I still tried to convince myself that she was able to
make it out, and that after ringing her mobile without
a response only meant that she dropped it in the
confusion. After 6 hours of searching from Makati Med.
to Ospital ng Makati, the blast site, and back again
to MMC - with the help of all the people I could get
hold of, that I was able to get confirmation in what
the state of my wife was.

My Dad and Uncle signaled me in from the ER of MMC. My
Uncle (who's a doctor) asked me to describe Leslie's
appearance to another group of doctors. I saw in the
eyes of one that the description made sense. Instead
of confirming it to me, they huddled together, then
brought me to a small examination room. It was only
through a digital camera that I was able to confirm
(and deny) that she was indeed gone.

I have so many regrets. I should have met her sooner.
I should have ran instead of a brisk walk. I should
have not chose to park where I did. I should have
braved the dust and went in the blast site. I should
have ...

Today's the 4th day. It is still terribly difficult to
breathe, let alone wake up realizing that your source
of strength, your best friend doesn't lie beside you
on your bed. That my deepest worry is when Amber
starts asking for her Mama.

I am glad that Amber's too young to understand the
loss and pain. In time I would like to tell her the
details of how her mother died, but more importantly I
would like to raise her as how her mother lived - a
loving person, strong willed, decisive, caring, and
nurturing. She has always cared for her family and
friends, and sacrfied her career for being a full time
mom and home maker.

As with all couples we had our ups and downs - none of
which I regret not going through. The sweet is never
as sweet without the sour. For almost 4 years of
marriage, we've finally hit our balance in life only
to be taken away in an instant. I have no regrets
about our marriage. She has loved me and Amber beyond
her capacity. I will always love her.

It is my first time to write to egroup as I've lurked
and watched emails being sent to and fro. All I want
now is that for each of the couples here is to cherish
each moment that we spend with our loved ones. Pretty
simple to say, very easy to take for granted.

Thank you all for the prayers. I would still like to
ask you to please include Leslie in them until her
40th day so that the path to God's kingdom is well lit
and she is no longer in the dark.

Sincerely,

Carlo Cruz

Monday, October 22, 2007

Sa Aking Pagtanda

here's a good reminder for us all...

Sa Aking Pagtanda

Sa aking pagtanda, unawain mo sana ako at pagpasensyahan. Kapag dala ng kalabuan ng mata ay
nakabasag ako ng pinggan o nakatapon ng sabaw sa
hapag kainan, huwag mo sana akong kagagalitan. Maramdamin ang isang matanda. Nagse-self-pity ako a tuwing sisigawan mo ako.

Kapag mahina na ang tenga ko at hindi ko maintindihan
ang sinasabi mo, huwag mo naman sana akong sabihan
ng "binge!" paki-ulit nalang ang sabihin mo o pakisulat
nalang. Pasensya ka na, anak. Matanda na talaga ako.

Kapag mahina na tuhod ko, pagtiyagaan mo sana akong
tulungang tumayo, katulad ng pag-aalalay ko sa iyo noong nag-aaral ka pa lamang lumakad.

Pagpasensyahan mo sana ako kung ako man ay nagiging makulit at paulit ulit na parang sirang plaka. Basta pakinggan mo nalang ako. Huwag mo sana akong
pagtatawanan o pagsasawaang pakinggan.
Natatandaan mo anak noong bata ka pa? kapag gusto mo ng lobo,paulit- ulit mo 'yong sasabihin, maghapon kang mangungulit hangga't hindi mo nakukuha ang gusto mo. Pinagtyagaan ko ang kakulitan mo.

Pagpasensyahan mo na rin sana ang aking amoy. Amoy
matanda, amoy lupa. Huwag mo sana akong piliting
maligo. Mahina na ang katawan ko. Madaling magkasakit
kapag nalamigan, huwag mo sana akong pandirihan.
Natatandaan mo noong bata ka pa? Pinatyagaan kitang
habulin sa ilalim ng kama kapag ayaw mong maligo.

Pagpasensyahan mo sana kung madalas, ako'y masungit, dala na marahil ito ng katandaan. Pagtanda mo, maiintindihan mo rin.

Kapag may konti kang panahon, magkwentohan naman
tayo, kahit sandali lang. inip na ako sa bahay, maghapong nag-iisa. Walang kausap. Alam kong busy ka sa trabaho, subalit nais kong malaman mo na sabik na sabik na akong makakwentohan ka, kahit alam kong hindi ka interesado sa mga kwento ko. Natatandaan mo anak, noong bata ka pa? Pinagtyagaan kong pakinggan at intindihin ang pautal-utal mong kwento tungkol sa
iyong teddy bear.

At kapag dumating ang sandali na ako'y magkakasakit
at > maratay sa banig ng karamdaman, huwag mo sana akong pagsawaan alagaan. Pagpasensyahan mo na sana kung ako man ay maihi o madumi sa higaan, pagtyagaan mo sana akong alagaan sa mga huling sandali ng aking buhay.

Tutal hindi na naman ako magtatagal.
Kapag dumating ang sandali ng aking pagpanaw,
hawakan mo sana ang aking kamay at bigyan mo ako ng lakas ng loob na harapin ang kamatayan.

At huwag kang mag-alala, kapag kaharap ko na ang
Diyos na lumikha, ibubulong ko sa kanya na pagapalain ka sana ...

dahil naging mapagmahal ka sa iyong ama't ina...

Written by Rev. Fr. Ariel F. Robles
CWL Spiritual Director
St. Augustine Parish
Baliuag, Bulacan

Sunday, October 21, 2007

senseless (2)

Nakakagalit yung nangyaring trahedya sa Glorietta2 nung Byernes.
Bakit kailangan pang may madamay na mga inosenteng tao? Wala naman silang kinalaman dun ha?

Nagbabasa ako kanina ng Inquirer, hindi ko napigilan ang mapaluha. Nandun sa article yung excerpts ng interviews sa mga pamilya nung mga namatayan. Naisip ko, kahit kaninong pamilya, pwedeng mangyari yun. Marami pang maaaring gawin at maitulong sa pamilya nila yung mga nasawi. Pero nagyon, naglaho na lamang bigla lahat ng kanilang mga pangarap. Nararapat bang sapitin nila y'on? Maiisip mo talaga, na unfair ang buhay. Hay, nagiging philosophical na naman ako. Nadala lang siguro ako sa mga nabasa ko sa dyaryo kanina.

Sa bawat paglabas natin ng bahay, paano pa tayong makasisiguro na makauuwi tayo ng buhay?

Ipagdasal natin ang mapayapang paglalakbay ng mga inosenteng biktima ng krimen na ito.

Friday, October 19, 2007

contrasting





I met Malbert and his sister Bernadette while taking some photos of the sunset in Baywalk. I enjoyed talking to these kids. They are from Vito Cruz, Manila. Malbert is very smart and articulate that you wouldn't think he's only seven years old. He boasts that he could climb the coconut tree in front of us. In fact, Malbert was the one who volunteered themselves to have their photos taken. Bernadette shared that their youngest sibling named Angel died severl years ago because of drowning in Manila Bay. Bernadette is in grade 2 while Malbert stopped schooling. After the shoot, they proceeded to Luneta to make palimos. I gave them my baon (a sandwich) and some coins.

I learned a lot from Malbert and Bernadette. I hope that they will go the distance someday... that the darkness they are into right now would turn into light.

yet another bombing


Today is a tragic day. May bomnings na namin sa Maynila, this time sa Glorietta. As of the latest news, 8 ang namatay at maraming sugatan. Sino kaya ang may gawa nito? Kawawa naman yung mga nasawi at yung kanilang mga pamilya. Ano na ba ang nagyayari sa atin?

photo credits: http://disneycute.multiply.com/

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Hopia lyk it!



Ang Pinoy talaga, sadyang malikhain. Magaling mag-isip. Pag himaluan pa ng sense of humor, mas lalong nagiging astig. Nakita ko to sa Quiapo. Saludo ako sa nakaisip nung pangalan na to.

an afternoon photowalk in the historic Malolos








Today was a fun and learning-filled day for me. I had a photowalk in Malolos. Ang sarap palang matutunan ang kasaysayan ng sarili mong bayan. Ngayon ko lang naa-appreciate ang mga mahahalagang pangyayari sa kasaysayan ng Bulakan at syempre pati ng Pilipinas. It makes me proud na malaki ang ginampanang papel ng aking probinsya sa ating identidad at pagkanasyon (nationhood?).

Saturday, October 13, 2007

Manila, Manila



I particularly liked how the first photograph turned out. I cannot believe that I was actually the one who took it. Lol. Being an amateur in photography, I think that it was quite a feat. (Oo, nagbubuhat ako ng sariling bangko. Hehe!)

In Motion @ Quiapo Bridge




You've Got Mail




Para sa akin, kahit laganap na ang e-mail at iba pang uri ng high-tech modes of communication, iba pa rin sa pakiramdam ang makatanggap ng sulat na ipinadala sa pamamagitan ng snail mail. Napaka-personal kasi nito. Nakakalunkot lang isipin na hindi na natin masyadong ginagawa itong tradisyon na ito.

Yung monument ng The Postman daw is dedicated to the men and women of the Philippine Postal Service. Sabi dun sa mark: A symbol of service excellence, the postman delivers mail that touches the lives of the people across this country and around the world.. Agree ako dun. Bilib ako sa ating mga kartero. Natatandaan ko nung gradeschool ako, palagi kong hinihintay yung kartero sa aming bayan lalo na kapag may inaasahan akong sulat mula sa mga kaibigan. I miss the good old days. Hehe!

Bilang papugay sa kanila, bakit di tayo bumalik sa ating nakasanayan (kahit isang beses lang)? Subukan natin muling magpadala ng sulat sa ating mga kapamilya sa mga post office sa ating lugar. Ako, gagawin ko yan ngayong semestral break.

dahil dito sa Mariposa ay mahirap ang nag-iisa


Dahil dito sa mariposa ay mahirap ang nag-iisa
Dahil dito sa mariposa ako lang ata ang nag-iisa

Mariposa. Isa sa mga unforgettable songs ng Sugarfree. Ganda ng lyrics, di na nakakagulat dahil si Ebe ay isang musical genius. Astig din yung music video nito with Quark Henares at the helm.

Wala lang, napadaan kasi ako kanina dito nung papunta ako sa Cubao X. Naisip ko lang kuhanan. Di ako pumasok ha? Baka may mga malisyosong mga nilalang ang nagbabasa nito.Haha! Ayus!

Friday, October 12, 2007

Avenida: A New Look



Isang welcome development yung utos ni Mayor Alfredo Lim na ibalik ang dating Avenida, yung Avenidang bukas sa mga pampasaherong dyip. Ang ginawa kasi ni dating Mayor Atienza, isinarado nya ang lugar na to sa mga PUJs (at sa iba pang pribadong mga sasakyan) at pinalagyan ng tiles nang sa gayon ay puro tao lang ang laman ng lansangan. Hehe, di ko rin masyado naunawaan kung bakit ginawa yun ni LA. Ang naging epekto tuloy ay ang matinding trapik sa Sta Cruz area. Ngayon, maluwag na ang lansangan, na para naman sa pangkalahatang-kabutihan. Mabuhay ka Mayor Lim!

Jump!


Escolta kids frolicking in a breezy afternoon. At the background is the Pasig River and the Central Post Office. I am finding it amusing to capture happy moments of children. These kids are carefree and innocent. I wish I am a kid again. Hehe!

return of the comeback



Para sa akin, kapuri-puri ang ginawa ni Caparas na buhaying muli ang industriya ng komiks. Maganda rin na suportado ng National Commission on the Culture and the Arts (NCAA) ang proyektong ito. Naging bahagi na ng Pinoy popular culture ang form ng literature na ito. Nung bata ako, natatandaan ko pa na palagi akong bumibili lalo ng nung Funny Komiks. Si Eklok yung di ko makakalimutang character dun. Di lang naman kasi entertainment ang purpose nito. Matututo rin ang mga batang (maski matanda hehe) pahalagahan ang pagbabasa. May mga aral din namang matututunan dito. Maganda rin na sa murang-halaga lamang ay mabibili na ito. Bumuli ako ng dalawa kanina sa may gilig ng Sta. Cruz church. Sana ay tangkilikin ito ng masang Pinoy.

high


While taking a walking tour in the Pasig River along Escolta to find some interesting subjects to photograph, I saw these kids climbing the post. Guess why they are there? They are going to jump and swim!

sino 'to?



Hindi yan image ni Mama Mary. Akala ko din nung una eh ganun eh. It turned out tarp pala sya ng isang candidate for the upcoming SK elections. Nakalagay yan sa mga likod ng tricycles . Nagoyo talaga ko, sa malayuang tingin parang kung sinong santo. Hehe. Sana manalo sya, kung qualified sya.

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Abalos steps down

Even before the impeachment case against him has formally begun, Comelec chair Bejamin Abalos stepped down from his office. The resignation of the besieged Abalos was pathetic. What's with all those tears and use of drama to spice up his act? Making pa-awa did not work. The news viewers are now intelligent. They know that the accusations against Abalos are true. His highly questionable dealings with ZTE has taken its toll on his career. The appeal to emotions tactic of is futile. In the meantime, he has to attend the ongoing Senate hearings on the matter. Looking at the wider picture, he still has not cleared his name on the previous controversies he got himself involved in, most notably, the Hello Garci scandal and that of the cheating incidents during recent senatorial elections. The Comelec under his term, according to a topnotch election lawyer Atty. Leila Delima, is one of the dirtiest that has ever existed. Hence, there is no more reason for him to stay in office. Fellow staunch GMA supporter (In)Justice Secretary Gonzales must follow suit. Oh, and GMA herself too.

Where will this telenovela lead us?

Abangan na lang natin ang susunod na kabanata...

Saturday, September 29, 2007

Sugarfreestacular!!





May hangover pa ko sa concert kagabi.Hehe.

Sugarfree Live!



Sulit na sulit ang paghihintay. Napaka-successful nung concert nila kanina. Wala ako masabi. Nakakakilabot yung areglo ng mga kanta kasi nga kasama nila yung Manila Symphony Orchestra. Ganda nung tunog. Mas binigyang-lalim ng MSO yung mga kanta. Ibang klase. Ang ganda pa ng seat na nakuha ko, sa harap na harap.

Na-astigan ako sa cover ni Ebe ng Still Fighting ni Ben Folds.

Sana may repeat.

Friday, September 14, 2007

murdered by would-be brothers



The fate of UP senior Cris Anthony Mendez was unfortunate. By joining Sigma Rho Fraternity, he had high hopes that the fraternity would be able to help him in building a bright future for himself and his poor family. Never did he realize that the very people who promised him the moon and the stars would be the same people who will put an end to his dreams, forever. I emphatize with Cris' family. He could have been the one who would be able to uplift his family from its present condition. He could have been a a great leader and public servant. But now, he has left. What is going to happen to his promises?

It is also surprising that Sigma Rho seems to be getting away with it. The suspected iniatitors are into hiding. Why would they hide if in the first place, they have nothing to do with Cris's death? There are no other suspects but the said fraternity. All evidence point to it as perpetrator of the untimely death of Cris. They don't even have the courage to face the authorities. I hope that justice would be served upon my namesake.

Rest in peace, Cris.

Everybody Hates Gloria



The most disgusting face on earth belongs to her.

The Filipinos absolutely hate her. In fact, the only ones who believe in her are Injustice Secretary Raul Gonzales, National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales and Press Secretary Toti Bunye. However, I was still able to come up with a list of ten things that we could possibly approve of her:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Her name or her face has become the ANTONYM of the word "credibility."

It is a shame to the nation that we have nothing to be proud of our very own president. Oh, by the way, she is not really a president. She was never elected to office. She stole the votes from the people with the indispensable aid of the Honorable Comelec Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano.

(photo credit: www.inquirer.net)

The price to pay




The verdict has been handed down by the Sandiganbayan.

Estrada is guilty of plunder. Much has been said about the historic event. To my mind, the conviction is a triumph for the people, for the Philippine justice system. By this event, we are reminded that no one is above the law, even the highest official of the land. The former president was indeed guilty of the commission of plunder. And for that, he must suffer the consequences. No matter how the Estrada camp insist that the Sandiganbayan Special Division who heard the case for six years was programmed to convict him, I am still of the belief that he is indeed liable for the crime charged. How could a President possibly and legally acquire or amass such big amounts of money, not to mention other questionable properties such as the Boracay Mansion.

This should also serve as a warning, even a threat, to the equally beleaguered Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Certainly, she is FAR WORSE that her predecessor. She has a lot of explaining to do to the Filipino people. So far, she has kept mum on the issues which directly affect the public:

Fertilizer scam and Jocjoc Bolante
Hello Garci and Vote Rigging during the 2004 presidential elections
Extrajudicial Killings
Forced disappearances of those critical to her administration
2007 senatorial elections vote rigging in Maguindanao
EO 464
Proclamation 1017
ZTE Broadband Deal
JPEPA
Graft and corruption incidents

GMA should be afraid once her (stolen) term ends in 2010.
She should be very, very afraid.

The Filipino people has a strong message to this (non)president:

GMA, YOU'RE NEXT!

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Moving Asia Forward with Uncommon Faith


Last August 31, I attended the presentation ceremonies of this year's Ramon Magsaysay Awards at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Honored were:

Former Senator Jovito Salonga (Philippines) for Government Service;
Rev. Kim Sun-tae (Korea) for Public Service;
Mahabir Pun (Nepal) for Community Leadership;
Tang Xiyang (China) for Peace and International Understanding;
Palagummi Sainath (India), Journalism, Literature and Creative Communication Arts;
Chen Guangcheng (China) and Chung To (China) for Emergent Leadership.

It was a privilege to see and hear from these great individuals. Their life stories were utterly inspiring. The common denominator among the awardees is that, amidst adversities and hopelessness, they saw the light and brought hope and positive change to their respective countries.

Of course we all know what kind of leader former Senator Jovito Salonga is. His contributions (through his long public career in government service) to the betterment of our society is unquestionable. His name is unblemished. In this age where the almost all government officials' motives in running for office are dubious, it would really alter the depressing political sphere of our country if we will have more Jovito Salongas: a man of honesty, sincerity,integrity and substance. The Philippines is in dire need of more Salongas. I am privileged to be a volunteer of his NGO Bantay Katarungan.

Today, at eighty-seven, Senator Salonga urges young people to seek happiness in service. More important in life than wealth is meaning. We will find it, he says, if we live "by what we know to be true and good." Asked how would he like to be remembered, he says: “As a politician who played politics according to his Christian conviction.”

The other awardees' contributions to their socitites are also worthy of emulation. The most significant realization for me is that it only takes a single person to change the world. No matter how small your good deeds are, it can affect the life or lives of the people you are helping. It is really good to know that these kinds of people are real, are existing. They give us a ray of hope.

Thursday, August 30, 2007

i heart Sugarfree


Sugarfree high ako these days. nung sunday, nanuod ako ng jam sessions nila sa jam 88.3. astig, ako lang yung fan na nandun, the rest, crew na ng EMI Phils. (yung record label nila) at ng jam. they sang about seven songs from their 3rd album, Tala-arawan. during the show, i asked them if a 4th album is on the works. wala pa raw, next year pa sabi ni ebe. nag-enjoy talaga ako.magaling sila mag-perform. after nung show, i approached ebe, jal and kaka to have my cds autographed. bait nila. nag-invite pa sila na manuod daw ako ng gig nila the following day.

dahil nga i had a blast dun sa jam sessions, i decided na manuod din ng gig nila kinabukasan (buti na lang holiday nun). sa Mayric's to sa españa. kasama ko yung brod ko. nakakatuwa dahil naalala pa ni idol ebe ang aking pangalan. "Oh Chris buti nakarating ka," banggit ni idol. para sa isang fan, malaking bagay yun.

kanina sa library, i spent about 3 hours googling Sugarfree. Lahat na yata ng blogs, reviews, articles about them eh nabasa ko na. At eto ang bottomline ng lahat ng mga nabasa ko: Sugarfree is the best band of the post-Eraserheads era in music. marami rin akong natutunan sa aking pagbabasa. Mas nakilala ko ang aking paboritong banda. Nalaman ko ang kanilang pinagmulan, ang kanilang mga kabiguan. Marami palang struggles na pinagdaanan ang Sugarfree bago nila narating ang lugar king nasaan sila ngayon. Nalaman ko rin ang mga istorya sa likod ng mga kanta. sa totoo lang eh na-move ako at lalong tumaas ang respesto ko sa banda.

ewan ko pero since nilabas nila yung debut album nila na SA WAKAS eh naging tagahanga na kaagad na nila ako eh. Ibang klaseng album yun, sabi ng music critics,isa na syang legendary album na maituturing. Naging critically-acclaimed etong Sa Wakas. Nanalo sa 2003 NU Rock Awards ng Album of the Year pati Best New Artist. For a band as young as Sugarfree then, it was already a huge feat.

A huge feat, it really was. Deserving naman kasi ang banda. Highly talented ang mga musikero na to. Si Ebe, sobrang laki ng bilib ko sa taong to pagdating sa pagsulat ng kanta. Yung kanta nya, universal ang theme. Yun tipong makaka-relate lahat ng tao. Totoong-totoo, galing sa puso. Walang pretensions o pagkukunwari. Idagdag mo pa dyan ang kalidad ng boses ni Ebe.

Napaka-espesyal sa akin ng album na to. Lalo na ang Hintay, Burn Out, Mariposa, Telepono, Fade Away, Los Baños. Lahat na yata eh.Melancholy at its best ang album na ito, sa palagay ko.Naaalala ko kasi nung graduating na ako sa Beda, tuwing gabi eh sugarfree ang pinapatugtog ko. Kapag sadtrip, inuulit-ulit ko pakinggan yung Fade Away. The profundity of the lyrics would always aggravate the emptiness I was feeling at that moment, of course, not in a bad way. "We all fade away..."

DRAMACHINE. Eto ang kanilang sophomore album. Just like the first, it earned good reviews from the critics. This time, di na ganun kalungkot ang mga tema. A tad happier and livelier na. Palagay ko ay mas pinalapit ng album na ito ang Sugarfree sa masa, taga-suporta man o hindi. Sino ba naman ang makakalimot sa Hari ng Sablay? Oh dun sa pagkukwento ni Ebe tungkol sa kanyang Kwarto? Ang paborito ko ay yung Kwentuhan at Dramachine.

With every album, Sugarfree just never fails to outdo itself. Bawat album, nasu-surpass yung success nung una. Tala-arawan, their lates album, is currently doing well. Sana nga eh maka-gold din just like Dramachine. Pero kung hindi man, it doesn't matter. Ang pinakamahalaga naman ay ang maibahagi nila ang kanilang musika sa kanilang mga taga-suporta. Sapat na yun.As expected, magaganda ang kanta sa Tala-arawan. Napasikat na nila yung Kung Ayaw Mo na sa Akin at Dear Kuya. Patok sa akin yung video ng Dear Kuya, ang kulit. Parang spin-off ng Palibhasa Lalake. Hehe. Sa ngayon, their third single Wag Ka Nang Umiyak is enjoying a tremendous airplay. Tama yung comments nung dalaw kong barkada, nakakataas ng balahibo ang kantang to. Pakinggan nyo na lang para malaman nyo. Enjoy din ako sa Kailan Ka Ba? at Ikaw Pala. Magkakambal tong dalawang tracks na 'to. Kailan Ka Ba talks about a man who's frustratingly waiting for somebody to save him. sabi nung lyrics: "Sino? Nasan? Kailan ka ba? Darating at ako ay sagipin? Sa mundong malupit at naiinip.." Yung Ikaw Pala yung sagot sa tanong sa Kailan Ka Ba. Bonus track din dito sa album yung Batang-Bata Ka Pa from the Kami nAPO Muna tribute sa Apo Hiking Society.

Hanggang ngayon, nakapako pa rin sa utak ko ang mga kanta ng Sugarfree. Pag natapos mag-play sa utak ko yung isang kanta eh mapapalitan na naman ng ibang kanta nila. Parang may built-in ipod special Sugarfree edition haha.

Excited na ako sa kanilang first major concert sa September 29 sa Music Museum. Di na ko makapaghintay. Hehe.

hardcore Sugarfreak ako. paki mo?
And I am damn proud of it.
Mabuhay ang mga musikerong Pinoy!

Astig.
Ayus.

Tuesday, August 7, 2007

ibang klase 'to!


This is our classroom. Your alternative social studies class on FM.usapang.ugali.musika.sining.at.sibika. Matuto. Makinig.Makilahok.Game. Kasama si Lourd de Veyra at Gang Badoy.-sabi sa website nila.
_____

Repost from rockedradio.blogspot.com:

Now.
For the first time we will request for ALL Social Studies Teachers to make this required listening for students. So if you know a teacher, tell them about this episode. Please.

Human Security Act overview. Listen to the Supreme Court's Atty. Midas Marquez, the DOJ's Atty. Geronimo Sy, UP Third World Studies Center's Prof. Miriam Coronel, and Free Legal Assistance Group's Atty. Chel Diokno discuss the merits and cons of the Human Security Act.

Totoo bang puwede kang ma-arresto na walang warrant?
Totoo ba na kung suspected ka lang na subersibo eh pwede ka nang madakip?
Bola lang ba yon?

Makinig. Magtanong na kayo ngayon dito sa website habang maaga pa, minsan mahirap basahin ang questions online during the show itself. Mauna na kayo dito pa lang.

Samahan si Gang, Lourd at si Karl Roy magtanong tungkol sa sinasabing batas na ito.

Makinig. Magtanong. Matuto. Makilahok.

PS: please feel free to cut and paste this onto your online accounts. More people should hear this episode.

your alternative Social Studies class on FM radio



ROCK ED RADIO. Ito na ang pinaka-astig na radio program ngayon. Napaka-informative at entertaining. Andaming pwede matutunan. According to its website: "This is our classroom. Your alternative social studies class on FM.usapang.ugali.musika.sining.at.sibika. Matuto. Makinig.Makilahok.Game. Kasama si Lourd de Veyra at Gang Badoy."

Nung Sunday, Earth Care 101 ang topic ng show. One thing that I realized while listening to the program is that is high time for us to take care of our environment.

All the environmental crises (extreme weather conditions, the critical level of our major dams, etc) should be a wakeup call for us. Through our own small ways, maraming kaparaanan upang mapangalagaan ang ating Inang Kalikasan. Ang simpleng di pag-aaksaya ng tubig, ang pagtanggal ng plugs ng appliances kapag di ginagamit, ang hindi pagtatapon ng basura sa lansangan. At ang pinakamahalaga sa lahat ay education at information. Marami sa atin ang may maling notion na dapat ay ang mga environmental groups at gobyerno lamang ang nangangalaga sa ating kapaligiran. Hindi iyon tama. Dapat ay tayong mga mamamayan ang nangunguna sa mga ganitong usapin. After all, napakalaki ng papel na ginagampanan ng ating environment sa ating pang-araw-araw na buhay. Kelangan ko bang maging bahagi o miyembro ng mga organisasyong tulad ng Greenpeace? Hindi. Pero sa totoo lang, pagkatapos ko pakinggan yung show, parang gusto ko mapabilang sa kanila. Saludo ako sa mga ginagawa nila. Astig.

to blog or not to blog

gustuhin ko mang i-maintain ang aking blogs (eto at yung isa kong blog na seryoso), eh parang di ganun ka-posible eh. nakakain kasi ng pagbabasa ang lahat ng oras ko. Ang daily routine ko kasi ay eto:

8am - aalis dito sa Marikina papuntang school.
9am -dadating sa school. start na ng pagbabasa para sa 59m class kinahapunan
9am-5pm onwards - reading time. Dapat sundin ang routine na ito strictly, or else, i'll perish.
5-9pm - aattend naman ng class. madalas nag-eextend pa yan until 9:30
10 or 10:30- dadating ako sa bahay. I hardly have the energy to take my dinner. Mas gugustuhin ko pa ang matulog.

sa ganung klaseng sched, malabo talagang mai-update ko ang aking blog. Disappointed nga ako since sinabi ko dati sa sarili ko that blogging would be a regular thing for me. Pero alaws talagang oras eh. Marami pa akong gustong isulat. Hopefully, I will be able to resolve this little predicament. Pero sa ngayon, the most that I can do ay bumisita sa blogs ng ibang tao (blog crashing ba 'to? hehe) Nag-eenjoy talaga at nalilibang kapag nagbabasa ng blogs ng iba't-ibang klaseng nilalang.

cancelled-ang-classes-today-kaya-magsagot-muna-ng-walang-kwentang-survey-na-to-mula-sa-friendster...

1.) Anong song ang last na pinatugtog
mo.?
- Tala-arawan album ng
sugarfree. 'Huwag Ka Nang Umiyak'
pucha galing ni ebe. tumatayo balahibo
ko sa kantang to

2.) San ka galing kahapon?
- eskwela.

3.) Sinong huli mong nakausap sa
phone?
- carmela. classmate ko. nagco-confirm
kung ala ba talagang pasok

4.) Sinong iniisip mo ngayon?
- sino sa palagay mo?

5.) Happy ka ba ngayon?
- happy. buti walang pasok. may
midterm exam pa naman ako sa wills.
that means more time to prepare. bait
ni Lord

6.) Kamusta naman ang life moh?
- sa ngayon, boring. monotonous. same
pattern:
gumising
mag-aral.
magbasa.
magbasa pa.
umattend ng klase.
umuwi.
magbasa pa nang konti.
matulog.
aba eh kung pwede lang magbasa sa
panaginip eh ginawa ko na siguro haha
buti talaga cancelled ang classes
ngayon. hayan, na-break ang pattern

7.)Mabilis ka bang magsawa?
- depende kung ano ba yang tinutukoy
mo.

8.) Gusto mo bang makipag telebabad sa
telephone?
- hindi

9.) Sinu ksama mo ngayon?
- mag-isa ngayon sa bahay

10.) Pagod ka ba ngayon?
- steady lang. bakit, imamasahe mo ba
ko? haha

11.) Napagalitan ka ba ngayon?
- dehins

12.)Umiyak ka ba kanina?
- wala namang dahilan para umiyak

13.) Mahilig ka ba sa gifts?
- bakit, bibigyan mo ko??

14.) Anong gusto mong gawin ngayon?
- lumipad. may reklamo??

15.) San mo gustong pumunta?
- sa dulo ng walang hanggan. haha

16.) Umiinom ka ba ng mga alcoholic
drinks?
- inom tayo?

17.) Anong mas gusto mo... makulit o
pasaway?
- makulit

18.)Malambing o mataray?
- mixture siguro. para may spice

19.) Anong fave mong drink?
- medyo napapadalas ang lipton green
tea ko ngayon. yung mainit ha. yung
naka-teabag. sarap eh. dahil siguro
ang endorser eh crush ko. si armi
millare. it gets me in the zone.

20.)Adik ka ba sa siopao?
- di ako nihilig o mahilig dun. baka
binasang karton o pusa ang palaman haha

21.) Anong feeling mo pag may kausap
ka sa phone?
- ano ba ang dapat maramdaman? ewan

22.) Anong iniisip mo ngayon?
- kung bakit pinapatulan ko ang survey
na to hahaha

23.) Anong feeling mo ngayong oras
na 'to?
- steady nga lang. kulet

24.) Mahilig ka ba sa mga remembrance?
- tama lang. detach. detach.

25.) Anong ginagawa mo ngayon?
- nagsasagot ng survey na to,
malamang??

26.) Kumain ka na ba ng dinner?
- oo. kagabi. umaga na eh

27.) Anong huli mong pinanood sa TV?
- Umagang Kay Ganda. nagcartwheel pa
nga si rica peralejo eh. anong sense
ng pagsasabi ko nun? haha wala lang
naalala ko lang

28.) Bakit kelangan masaktan 2wing
magmamahal?
- aba malay ko

Thursday, July 19, 2007

The New Equation for Good Music


tune in to 92.3 XFM

xFM plays downtempo, electronica,
ambient, chill out, lounge, house,
trip hop, and indie music.

eto yung former joey. sarap makinig
dito. nakakasawa ang mainstream fm
radio eh. lalo na kung nag-aaral for
tomorrow's recitation(ATTENTION FELLOW
LAW STUDENTS! hehe!) o kaya kung
nagkakape o kaya yung simpleng
pagrerelax lang. try nyo!

www.923xfm.ph

Wednesday, May 9, 2007

christopher reads



I've never enjoyed reading Time that much until I grabbed myself a copy of its latest issue. This special issue features the 100 most influential people there is at present. Been reading the articles since two days ago and I really find the stories behind these people interesting. A worthwhile read especially when one is bored, a good alternative to making yourself look like a fool in front of the boob tube. Haha!

Grab your copy now!

Sunday, May 6, 2007

Be cool.



Sa wakas, nalasap ko rin ang tinaguriang 'the best halo-halo in town' ng Inquirer, ang Razon's Halohalo. Pag ganitong sobrang init ng panahon eh nakakatulong sa pagpawi ng init (pati init ng ulo haha)ang isang cool na cool na halohalo.

Di ko kokontrahin, bagkus ay papatotohanan ko ang review ng Inquirer, napakasarap talaga ng Razon's.

Sulit ang long drive papunta ng Razon's. I might return tomorrow, kapag uminit ulit ang ulo ko dahil sa napakatinding init. Haha!

Saturday, May 5, 2007

Tama Na. Panahon Na.



Tama na ang katahimikan.
Tama na ang hindi pakikialam.
Tama na ang panunuod lamang.
Tama na. Tama na.

Panahon na para sa tunay na pagbabago.
Panahon na upang manindigan.
Panahon na upang marinig.
Panahon na upang kumilos.
Panahon na. Panahon na.

Kabataan, tayo ang pag-asa at kinabukasan.

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

senseless horror


May the souls of the victims of the Virginia Tech bloodbath rest in peace.

Sunday, April 15, 2007

victorious


Today, the whole nation celebrates the victory of the People's Champ Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao. The viewers watched with awe how Pacman delivered the final blow by knocking out Jorge Solis on the 8th round. It was an exciting fight. Pacman deserves another hero's welcome. One thing admirable about him is that he offers every fight to the Lord. He has a remarkable faith!

This is another honor for our country. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

Meanwhile,his legion of fans (myself included) too are praying that he change his mind and withdraw his candidacy for the congressional race in General Santos City.

hottah! hottah!


Pansin nyo rin ba? Sobra ang init these days. Lalo na kanina, talagang hindi ko ma-tolerate. Sana lang di mahal maningil ang Meralco para naman pwedeng bukas ang aircon 24/7. Haha! Sabi sa ng Pag-asa sa news, hotter days are to come this May. Ampupu, eto ngang init ngayon eh sobra-sobra na weh, paano pa kaya sa isang buwan?! Hay, good luck na lang sa ating mga Pinoy haha! Can we really beat the summer heat or the summer heat's the one that is going to beat us? Hmmm, the question makes sense.

At any rate, sana ay kayanin natin etong malaking dagok sa buhay na ito. Haha!

Monday, April 9, 2007

my old man


Masaya ang pamilya ngayon.

Nung april 5, nag-birthday si tatay. He turned 60. Kagabi, Easter Sunday, ginanap ang kanyang surprise birthday party. Oo, hindi nya alam to. Matagal-tagal din naming pinaghandaan to kaya masaya kami na naging successful yung mahalagang event na to.

Napaluha si tatay nung pagbaba nya sa sasakyan. Ang ine-expect nya kasi eh isang simpleng swimming lang ang pupunatahan nya kasama ang kanyang mga apo. Nagulat sya nung nakita nya ang napakaraming well-wishers. Pamilya, kamag-anak, kaibigan at iba pang mahal sa buhay.

Nung umiyak si tatay, di ko namalayan, napaluha na rin pala ako. Tears of joy. Ang sarap malaman na maraming nagmamahal sa tatay.

Isa lang ang hiling at dasal naming lahat: para sa speedy recovery ni tatay. Sana ay manumbalik ang dating sigla nya, yun bang big appetite for life. Kaya natutuwa ako na kahit sa maliit na selebrasyong naganap eh napaligaya naman sya.

Alam ko, naririnig ni Lord ang aming mga dasal. Gagaling din si tatay.

Friday, March 30, 2007

xxx

from Caloy and company's journal..

Trip lang!

Know your PORN STAR name! Here’s the formula: your first name is the name of your first pet (whether it be a cat, dog, fish, dragon…) and the last name is the name of the street where you live..

mine's GAB SAN FRANCISCO. What's yours? Hahaha!

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

3 Things.


pag walang magawa, nakakalibang din na magsagot ng survey sa friendster. at least, di ka nakatunganga lang di ba? What a semi-senseless way to kill time. :)

T | h | r | e | e |

3 schools you went to:
1. St Martin De Porres Catholic School
(Gradeschool. Bulacan)
2. Immaculate Concepcion School for
Boys (Highschool. Bulacan)
3. San Beda College (College. Mendiola)

3 things in your bag:
1. law books (or i will perish)
2. highlighters and pens (lots of them)
3. kikoy kit haha! (toothbrush,
toothpaste, cologne)

3 things you do when you're stressed:
1. sleep
2. disengage and just NOT think
3. blog hopping

3 favorite fruits:
1. strawberry (i want to go to Baguio,
now!)
2. melon
3. mango

3 of your favorite food:
1. adobo (patriotic!)
2. sinampalukang manok (fan ako ng
mainit na sabaw)
3. chopsuey (Baguio na naman naaalala
ko)

3 Current favorite songs:
1. wait for you (performed by my idol
Elliott Yamin {from American Idol
Season 5] in his recently released
debut album. syet kanina ko pa to
pinapakinggan.soul-FULL. galing talaga
ni idol ko!)
2. way back into love (from music and
lyrics OST, by Hugh Grant and Drew
Barrymore)
3. Sundo by Imago (i love you Aia!)

3 words you say a lot:
1. Musta?
2. Seryoso?
3. Mainit na sabaw (well, phrase yan)


| T | h | e | W | h | o | s |

Who is in the house with you?
parents, brother and his family

Who did you get this survey from?
Andre

What are you thinking about right now?
finishing all my final exams is a BIG
RELIEF!

Who did you last talk to on the phone?
Lanie

Whose house did you last go to?
bahay namin, last sunday bago ako
lumuwas

Who was the last person you told you
loved?
wala eh. pathetic? haha. i'd rather
show it

Who do you wish you were with right
now?
Being alone is just fine

| T | h | e | W | h | e | r | e | s |

Where do you live?
Bulacan

Where is your phone?
at my pocjet, bakit makikitext ka? hehe

Where are your parent(s)?
Bulacan

Where do you sleep?
sa kama, malamang

where did you get the shirt you are
wearing?
sa sampayan. haha!

| T | h | e | W | h | a | t | s |

What was the last thing you ate?
KFC, the best fried chicken in town
partnered with java rice

What color shirt are you wearing?
dark blue

What is the closest item near you that
is blue?
i'm actually wearing it. di ba nga?
tingnan mo sa itaas

What do you like best about your
school now?
quality education, you get what you
pay for

What do you hate the most about it?
so far, wala pa naman. ay oo meron,
there are times na sobrang crowded.
parang US embassy haha! pero tolerable
naman

what is your favorite color?
RED. No other but RED. Go San Beda
Fight!

What is your favorite thing?
every-Thing haha

What kind of surgery have you had?
no major surgeries so far. i don't
intend to undergo it unless it's a
matter of life and death hehehe

What is the last movie you watched?
300! i saw it just this afternoon.
Superb!!! Visually stimulating, astig
yung ginamit na technology, kung ano
man yun. of course, great screenplay
and performances. Money's worth it!
3 thumbs up!

| T | h | e | W | h | e | n | s |

When did you last go to the mall?
kanina nga bi ba nanuod ako ng 300.
kulet.

When did you last light a candle?
hmm, nung all saints' day for my
deceased loved ones

When did you last see your dad?
Nung sunday. he's sick since november.
sana gumaling na sya. palagi ko yang
pinagdadasal. :{

When was the last time you fell inlove?
change topic..
oooops last question na pala. hahaha!

Sing Like YAMIN it!


The long wait is over. At last, my personal favorite American Idol finalist Elliott Yamin's album is out. It's dubbed Movin' On. I've listened to it and I must say, it's a great jumpstart for my idol.

It's been a year since AI paved the way for Elliott's musical career. He confesses in his blog: “My friends kept saying I had nothing to lose,” says singer-songwriter Elliott Yamin of his decision to audition for “American Idol,” “and I really didn’t. I was at a point in my life where I had no direction. I was just scraping by at my job. I thought, I’m 27 years old and what do I have to show for it? I was lost. Deep down inside, I wondered if by trying out, I could somehow put myself on a path to something I’d always longed for but never admitted to anyone.”

Starting in the competition as an underdog, Simon Cowell's initial comment that he is “potentially the best male vocalist in the history of ‘American Idol.’" definitely gave him a boost. His singing "pierces through the heart," as put by Paula Abdul.

His blog wrote.. "Perhaps even more compelling than Yamin’s status as an out-of-nowhere vocal powerhouse – he came to “AI” with no vocal training and no real performance experience – is his role as the underdog, who as a child had to cope with near-deafness in his right ear and at 16 was faced with Type 1 diabetes."

Beat that. I think it's the rawness of his talent and his humble background made supporters love this "funky white boy" from Virginia.

Back on the album. Among the writer-producers who participated in the creation of Elliott Yamin are the duo known as Stargate (Beyoncé, Ne-Yo, Rihanna), Josh Abraham (Pink, Linkin Park, 30 Seconds to Mars), DJ Lethal (Evanescence, Linkin Park, Limp Bizkit), Michael Mangini (Joss Stone, Baha Men, David Byrne), and Derek Bramble (David Bowie, Vanessa Williams, Lalah Hathaway). Add this fact to his remarkable voice and we are sure to get our money's worth.

Elliott's the best talent that AI has so far discovered. With his distinctively soulful vocals, I instantly became a fan when I saw one of his performances in AI Season 5. Here's my Yamin top 5 performances list during AI Season 5.

5. Home (Michael Buble)
4. A Song for You (Donnny Hathaway, Elliott's own idol)
3&2. Trouble and If I Can Dream (both from Elvis Presley sang during the crucial Elvis night, i think this is when Chris Daughtry was eliminated making Elliott reach the Final Three)
1. Somebody to Love (Queen). Impressive!!! Check it out in YouTube!

As a member of Yamin's legion of fans, I encourage you my friends (especially those who are into music) to take a look at this one great artist. He'll make your (musical) world go round!

If you happen to love it too, I welcome you to the E-Train!