2006 December 20 - Wireless Communication

I left my house keys while rushing out of the house. Yes. It's idiotic but that's not up for discussion. I usually lock the doors with my key but this time Manang Nally, our gardener, was at home and I told her to lock up. I got home several hours later and, after turning my bag and the car inside out, finally admitted to myself I had left my keys in the house.

I got the brilliant idea of going to Manang Nally's house since I knew she had a key. The problem was her house was in another mountain and the only way to go there was to go through a dark and slippery pathway that would either lead you to her house or to the river several feet down. On top of that, I distinctly remember her telling me they have killed several snakes along that way. I had no flashlight but I figured if I squint hard enough I'd see the trail. HEHE

While looking for the path, I came upon a house which had dogs barking. Now I will take my chance with a strange and dangerous route but figured I can't outrun an animal with two legs more than what I had. I decided the only way I was going to get through was to shout. Yes, I am a coward. HEHEHE After several "tao po"s a girl finally emerged to help me and she turned out to be Manang Nally's niece.

Since it was dangerous to try the path, we decided to shout to get my message across. We could see a dim fire still burning in one of the houses. Pedro, the one who lived just across the river, heard our shouts and went to Manang Nally's house.

Manang Nally: (shouting from the darkness) Andyan si Lee?!!!! (Is Lee there?)
Niece & I: Oo!!!! (Yes!)
Manang Nally: Yung susi kunin mo kay Pinang!!!! (Get your keys from Pinang.)
Me: Okay! Thank you!!!
Manang Nally: Sige!!!! (Okay!)
Me: Good night!!!
Manang Nally: Good night din!!! Babay!!!
Me: Babay!!!

And that, ladies and gentlemen, concludes our demonstration of the excellent use of wireless technology in communications.

December 8, 2006 - Home Sweet Home

Attended mass at 615AM. Since it was a Friday and very early, there were only a handful of people who went to mass. I took advantage of the situation and took some photos. On a Sunday, people stroll in the chapel's garden, children would be running in the paths, and some would be taking in the ambiance while eating taho. =)

2006 November 20 - The Third's the Charm for Pacquiao

A Side Note. The telecast of the 3rd Pacquiao-Morales fight over ABS-CBN was very irritating. The never-ending advertisements were expected. But really, something has to be done about the commentators. They had screaming matches that rivaled the fight itself. While the punches rained hard on Morales the commentators were blubbering all over my ears. They're supposed to be there to comment and give a play-by-play account but they sounded like incoherent idiots with loud voices.

2006 November 10 - Welcome Address

O di ba may welcome address pa. So if you were recently added welcome to my virtual home.

To long lost friends who I have recently made contact with here: Great to hear from you!

To friends who are just around the corner: Let's get together when I find myself in Manila. I'm up for coffee and good conversations =)

I'm already based in Baguio having had enough of Manila's heat and traffic. I'm very content with my life here. I enjoy tutoring little kids and I find myself looking forward to the things I learn from them. I do miss friends but I enjoy the company of old friends here in Baguio. I miss my family especially my nephew which is a good thing because distance does make the heart grow fonder and every visit to my family is special. I think that's about what I can think of right now. If any of you are reading post a comment and I'll reply. As for now thank you for your presence, albeit virtual, and wherever you are I hope the best for you. =)

2006 July 29 - Kyle XY

Kyle woke up in a forest stumbling upon two people in a tent and then finding his way to the city naked. He has no recollection of how he got to where he was. The sights and senses that he sees and feels are all new to him much like the world would affect a baby.

The premise is a bit blah and I didn't have high hopes for it when I was reading the summary and the run-down of the pilot episode. When I did get to watch the pilot I found myself enjoying it. It has a light sci-fi mystery to it.

Nicholas Rea, who played an FBI agent in The X-Files finds the tables turned as he plays the mystery man on this sci-fi series. ABC Family has commissioned 10 episodes for this season. I think there's going to be more if the succeeding episodes are as good as the first.

2006 January 29 - The National Anthem Singer

It would have been disrespectful not to have written anything about the girl who sang the Philippine National anthem in the Pacquiao-Morales fight. A lot of people were talking about her and asking who she was. Texts from friends were overwhelming that I just had to say something about it. To describe her performance I would have to borrow from Simon Cowell in American Idol - "She was extraordinary! Unfortunately, extraordinarily bad." The singing itself was riddled with flat notes but she managed to cap it off with a shriek of "LABAN PACMAN!" at the end of the anthem with a voice that would undoubtedly scare the Wicked Witch of the West. With the anthem she managed to sink the Philippines as much as the government and the not-to-be-named plotter of the Oakwood Mutiny sank the economy. It is a feat not easily claimed by many. So let us not be too harsh on the singer. There is no sweet victory without the bitter taste of a badly sung National Anthem on worldwide TV.