There is No Place Like Home

Dorothy was right, there is no place like home. It seems that it has only been a couple of hours since I left Iloilo…and I’m miss it already. I dunno if I am OA or what but its just…well I’m a bit emotional whenever I go home. I miss the simplicity of life that I love. I miss the laid back days and nights. I miss those sumptuous and fresh foods coming from the nature’s bounty. I miss the people whom I’ve grew up with. I miss my barkada and my friends and family.

There are no 2 hour traffic jams, no big coffins running on streets, no EDSA, no big skyscrapers, no need to rush things over which includes your life as well. Almost everything is placid with a bit frenzy. 

Sadly, I have to take one step further. I have dreams to fulfill, and these are all for my hometown and myself as well. In order for me to achieve it, I have to leave home and face the challenges that is Manila.

Yes, I grew up in Manila (or Cavite)…know about its culture and busy city life…but after that I left her in 2002, my perspectives in life changed. I tend to lean more on the simplicity yet progressive environment of my father’s hometown, which I consider my own hometown as well. I learned to respect different cultures and peoples and enjoyed life at its fullest. The change of place has really made a revolutionary stance within me…and the history hidden in the grand old houses and churches fuelled up my passion that this place indeed needs some revamp.

 But for now, I’ll go…and someday I’ll come back with a better “Berniemack.” Respected and heard of…biskan indi ko pulitiko.

Visayans are Laidback, but not Lazy!

Someone asked me why Visayans are so laid back, always not on a rush and celebrate fiestas in a way that the whole downtown streets close. And why is it that we tend not to rush things…rush things like there is no tomorrow and instead would go on to fiestas and celebrate. Are we that lazy and that’s why we celebrate things too often?

At first, I have my eyebrows raised…What? Lazy? WTF! But again, if I went emotional I couldn’t explain rationally… eh di sumemplang pa ako lalo!  So..first I becalmed myself and faced that guy and gave him some frank answers…

At first I said, we’re not lazy. We just love life to the fullest. We tend not to rush things as if we’re on caffeine steroids.

Second, if we are indeed lazy, how can we manage to have created empires and cities out of sugar, shipping and so much more. Haven’t he forgotten where the Aboitizes, Lopezes and the once powerful political entity called the “sugar bloc” came from? Where did Cebu’s, Iloilo’s, Bacolod’s, Tacloban’s, Bohol’s progress came from? Di ba, from the people’s own blood, sweat and tears? Culture and the environment we’re living are different as his.

Yes we may be laidback, but hey…we’re not lazy either! Enjoy the life to the fullest extent!

As what Mahatma Gandhi say “Live as you are to die tomorrow, Lean as if you have to live forever!”

My dos pesos worth…

Back Online!

Dang, it’s been a long time since I last wrote here. I was too focused on my HabagatCentral.com blog. But anyway, I’m back and I’ll be posting, ranting, commenting, writing anything here…after all, this is my personal blog! Hehehe! So bawal muna ang proof-reading dito kasi English-Filipino at minsan konting Espanyol! 

Its nice to be back…and this 2010, we’ll be adding a new blog in the HabagatCentral family. Just wish me luck that it pushes through. 

Happy New Year to everyone

Erap and Gloria Walking on the Aisle: From Cebu with Love!

Photo from the Philippine Star

Guess what, I’m so surprised seeing the almost impossible political foes. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo walked on the aisle with Former President Joseph Erap Estrada as his escort! Say what?!

At the wedding of the daugher of Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia to the mayor of the town of Lilo-an (also in Cebu) last weekend, these two VIPs were invited and guess what…Gloria and Erap went on the aisle together, kapit bisig pa! This is something you won’t see everyday after former lambasted the latter last SONA. Seemingly irreconcilable since they are both of opposing views and Erap was replaced by Gloria during People Power 2 in January 2001…and Erap is a staunch critic of the President.

Not only Erap and Gloria, but also the former ABSCBN anchors Vice President Noli DeCastro and former Senator Loren Legarda walked on the aisle just behind Erap! Say what!?! Yup, they’re at friction with each other regarding the vice presidency post back then…and now…like Erap and Gloria…walking on the aisle!

I may be a critic or a skeptic that this is a publicity move by both parties since after former President Cory Aquino passed away last weekend. There have been uneasy political situations during the wake…seems that Cory Magic lives on to these people…well I hope they are sincere about it, but Philippine politics…is more like a starfruit or balimbing. Yet, I love seeing political factions united and civil as one. After all, this is what Tita Cory would want (but I dunno about Aquino-Arroyo relations though).

Yet even if this is a publicity stint or what, I commend them for being civil with each other and smiled at the uneasy situations. But beyond the photo, what lies ahead is on how this country should progress from a third world economy to another economic powerhouse. This may just a facade. But the people needs genuine and sincere service. And I hope they both walk with each other together with the Filipino people towards prosperity and peace.

Oh alas, the question: Politico = sincerity. That I have to ask the people.

Di Ka Nag-Iisa! Salamat at Paalam Tita Cory

I wouldn’t make it long and complicated with adding up the details. I’m currently listening to the mass being held in Manila Cathedral. I didn’t make it on her wake, but with prayers and dedication to the proclaimed “Mother of Philippine Democracy,” it’s a sad day.

The weather somehow cooperates. Rain pouring because the heaven is mourning, but the sun shines because we also celebrate her life and what she did. Seems that we’re tracing back to the “heaven’s mandate.”

It made me realize though that we as human beings have a mission in life to fulfil. As I was reading “The Fifth Mountain” by Coelho, I later realized the full colour of Tita Cory’s life, from her sufferings to her victories. Somehow, she became one of my institutions of inspiring to live life to the fullest. Somehow, it made me realize that having faith in God doesn’t meant suffering and pain as most people would thought of. Somehow, it made me think that in this life, there are some things that we take for granted but needs focus and emphasis. Somehow, the sacrifices that she made as a housewife and a viuda made me realize that strength doesn’t come alone but through support and through faith.

She may not be the perfect president. She may not have lived up to the expectations of the Filipinos after EDSA Uno. She may have weathered several coup d’etat attempts. She may have not eradicated feudalism. But she brought back what is supposedly for the Filipino people…democracy. And somehow inspired us all to live with the democracy that was restored after 2 decades of totalitarian rule.

And as 2 decades have past, the wounds were healed, at least. There is something about our mother. There is something about Tita Cory. Now, she is with Ninoy and God, her mission fulfilled. It made me realize that we too have a mission to fulfill as Filipinos. It made me realize that being apathetic does not do good to our society. Apathy is somehow we have to combat. Apathy is what Tita Cory fought within us. That we, Citizen Pinoy, are responsible for the actions of our countrymen, ourselves as Filipinos. That change comes from us and not only just a marked social revolution. She’s really the “ilaw ng tahanan.” Ilaw ng Bayan! 

Somehow, Corazon Cojuanco Aquino touched my life even though I do not know her personally nor somewhat close to the Cojuancos or Aquinos. But somehow, there is something about her that made me sad learning about her death. There is also somehow a reason to celebrate as well. Life, dedication, passion, love of country, love of family, sacrifices have reasons, suffering ends. 

The skies mourn her passing, but the sun shines at the same time. Tita Cory is no longer here, but as what Coelho said, “she went back to the Great Spirit.” She is everywhere now, somehow more powerful and omniprescent than she was still in her mortal life. 

For us Filipinos, we may not live in a perfect world. Corruption lingers after EDSA Uno. Feudalism still lingers and power still to the elitist few. Yet we couldn’t just leave Tita Cory’s legacy burnt to ruins, we couldn’t blame her. We still have a long way to go but she made a move that a housewife has done so greatly. It’s time that we, the Filipinos, should continue our struggle to achieve the true meaning of democracy. That we Filipinos have a responsibility to fulfill. That we Filipinos should learn our lesson from the history. That we Filipinos shouldn’t take things for granted. We still have to carry on with this struggle. Kumilos/maghulag kita!

To Tita Cory: “Talagang di ka nag-iisa! Mabuhay po kayo!” 

Mabuhay ka Tita Cory! Madamu guid nga salamat sa imo nga pag-guia sa amon halin sa kadulom sang diktaturya pakadto sa demokrasya! Madamu guid nga salamat! Padayunon tani namon guihapon ang imo nga kausa, sa pakigbato sa korupsyon, sa pakigbato sa matuod nga demokrasya para sa katilingban kag sa banwa sang Pilipinas! 

Philippine Typhoon Names of 2009

You might even wonder why the name “Jolina” came in the scene of the name of typhoon. Jolina fans, rise and be counted! 

On average, the Philippines is a receipient of about more or less 20 typhoons/tropical disturbances per year. Some go on landfall, others just passing by the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

I still remember when the typhoon’s or tropical disturbance’s name in the Philippines is named from women which usually ends their name in “ng.” Because the old popular belief that women’s attitude of unpredictability and mood swings are the best description a weather disturbance, especially a typhoon has.

Only later in the 20th Century did the names changed from a chauvinist to a more gender-sensitive list of names which depicts more of popular Philippine culture.
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Para Kay Tita Cory! Salamat at Padayon!

Dahil ngarag na ang utak ko sa pagod, ito muna po ang iaalay ko sa alaala ni Tita Cory. 

 The Miracle of EDSA: The Road to Freedom

Photo by Flow Galindez

EDSA for short spans around 24 kilometers. Considered to be one of the busiest thoroughfares in Metro Manila, this road has contributed so much to Philippine history and economy. Dedicating this post in memory of the late former president Tita Cory Aquino.

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President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s State of the Nation Address 2009’s Full Transcript

Here’s the full transcript of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s State of the Nation Address for 2009 for the Republic of the Philippines during a Joint Session at the Congress.

     Thank you, Speaker Nograles, Senate President Enrile, Senators, Representatives, Vice President de Castro, President Ramos, Chief Justice Puno, Ambassadors, friends…

    The past twelve months have been a year for the history books. Financial meltdown in the West spread throughout the world…

    Tens of millions lost their jobs; billions across the globe have been hurt—the poor always harder than the rich. No one was spared…

    It has affected us already. But the story of the Philippines in 2008 is that the country weathered a succession of global crises in fuel, in food, then in finance and finally the economy in a global recession, never losing focus and with economic fundamentals intact…
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Tags: Gloria Macapagal Arroyo PGMA philippines politics SONA 2009 State of the Nation Address

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K-Pop LSS! I Want Nobody Nobody But You! Clap! Clap! Clap!

First time I heard this song, it was playing all over the novelty radio stations of Metro Manila. It was the English version. However, when I saw the video on Myx, then it’s confirmed…its another Korean Pop song or K-pop. And guess what, it’s gaining popularity among the masa.

The real essence of pop music, nakuha ng kantang ito. Because of the repetitive claps, catchy tunes and chorus that’s making me insane everytime I hear this song, it became an overnight LSS.

Wondergirls is a girl group from South Korea. With the invasion of Koreans themselves and everything Korean (Koreanovelas, Korean songs, Korean restaurants), looks like the Philippines has been chosen to be ROK’s destination. They may haven’t invaded like colonizers of the past but their culture has emanated the minds and hearts of the ordinary Juan and Juana dela Cruz. From Koreanovelas to K-pop songs.

In any ways, this song is sooooooo addictive that it keeps on playing over the radio. I was surprised that these girls’ song was being played over Monster Radio frequently!

And so, J Honey and the Wondergirls….and the beat never changes!

I want nobody nobody but you *clap clap clap* I want nobody nobody but you *clap clap clap* I want nobody nobody but you!! And the song lingers my head over and over again and again and again and again! Hehe!!

Ancient Filipino Artistry: Angono Petroglyphs of Binangonan Rizal

Discovered by the renowned National Artist Carlos Botong Francisco, it is a collection of more than a hundred figure carvings of humans and animals that was carved in hard rock by Filipino ancestors dating back about 3000 BCE!

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