STRIPPED

After finishing the script of our feature program for my DEVC30 (Community Broadcasting) class, I decided to take a shower and make myself feel comfortable before jumping to bed to study for my ENG1 exam the following day.

Normally, I took a shower for five to ten minutes, which is basically the same amount of time that women will use just for applying shampoo, conditioner, and other hair treatment bottles they have in their mini baskets. [which almost looks like the shopping baskets at groceries.]

As I enter the shower, I know that this will take much longer than the usual. Not because I want to, but because I have to. As I start to rotate the handle of the shower, the same time the water starts pouring, I feel like a weakling. I want to cry. I am so tired. I want to rest. Thoughts left and right are pouring at the same time the water is. Many ideas have crossed my mind. Will I graduate on time? Am I really being harsh? Does anyone like me? All of the insecurities I have within myself came in front of me. All of them. I was so ashamed, as I enumerate them in my mind. Questions keep on bothering me.

For that moment, I simply closed my eyes and let the water drops invade me. In a few seconds, I hear nothing, just the peaceful sound of the water passing by me. It was so wonderful to hear. How I wish that moment will never end.

BUT!!!!

Of course, in the middle of my “soul searching” there was this distraction once again. The ceiling is making weird sounds again. That is not the first time I heard that sound. It only means two things: a couple is making love once again or somebody is pleasuring himself. I’d go for the latter since I know no female living upstairs.

Back to my shower, as I am standing there in my birthday suit, I was so overwhelmed by everything that I got. I realized so many things. I AM LUCKY. I AM BLESSED. I must be happy with all the things that I am getting. I must be underestimating every blessing that I receive that sometimes I look so foolish not realizing so.

After an hour, I got out. And I realize another thing:

Taking a shower can bring you to the best places you can ever experience. [And I’m not referring to heaven as you fantasize and satisfy the heat and lust in your body]

Stupid but true.

LIFE'S A PARTY

Yesterday was Arianne's debut, the "supposedly" end of the trifecta of debuts that I'm gonna be attending to. Techinically, it's really the tail of the three but there's already a new set of parties that I'm invited [invited or force? LOL!] to go to.

Anyways, it was at Purple Ostrich at Island Cove in Kawit, Cavite. The place is of course familiar since it was the same place where we had our JS Prom both for our junior and senior year [which made me think once again that I was robbed of a Prom prince/King title! LOL!] The party started at almost 8:30 though the invitation said seven but it's because the debutante's class was extended for that day!

Oh well, I was wearing a green long sleeve because they said that the motif was earthy colors, and though it's a toss up between dark yellow and dark green, I went with the latter since the dark yellow was unavailable since it is at the laundry shop.

Only few batchmates went, which is surprising because I didn't expect that many won't show up, though by judging the invitation, only few classmates were a part of the eighteen lists. I'm a part of the 18 Gerberas which in layman's term is simply 18 Roses. Gerberas, according to Hazel [not a reliable source! Kidding!] is a Turkish kind of flower.

The funniest part of the ceremony was the 18 Shots because most of those who were originally part of it were absent, so they just called on fillers, which was the role of most Burix members for the night, and all were surprised because they had nothing to say. What's funnier though, is that the emcee of the night, a Nene Tamayo [PBB Season 1 Big winner] look alike slash a DJ in the hittest radio station in Cavite, keep on butchering all of the names one after the other. From A-rah Dulog [re: Airra], to Rizza Hermosa [re: Hermoso], to Monique Salud [It should be sa-LUD, not SA-lud] to Maria Merexe Vale [she read Merexe with the last letter as a silent one and Vale as in "veil"] Vale, up until to her tongue twistered pronunciation of Hazel's surname, I was so thankful that she didn't butcher mine! Haha!

Incidentally, it was also her parents' silver anniversary! Wow! That is so good. [one, because they lasted that long, and two, because the debut costs expensive, why not make it a two in one celebration? LOL!] Arianne also performed twice [thrice if you count the singing part] that night with the Cotillion, and the Candyman performance.

No one danced THAT much to the disco because most of the DJ's song we're danceable. [sarcasm!] and when I say danceable, I mean those European music that one can hardly move his/her body to. But, of course, most of the songs rocked, but we're not just into out dancing personalities that night.

I was wondering how much stress would it be for the debutante if she finds out that someone from her entourage is absent, because that would be really nerve-wracking. Oh well, don't need to care bout that anymore, because as long as one invites me, it would be a pleasure and you can count me in.

Here are some pictures: [though it's difficult to get one since the stage is quite far, and there's some problem with the lightning of the venue and with my digicam]

DROWNING

A line from the 2002 movie The Hours:

I would tell you that I wrestle alone in the dark, in the deep dark, and that only I can know. Only I can understand my condition. I wish I could be happy in this quietness.

That pretty sums up how I feel right now.

SAVE ME.. ERR. BETTER SAVE HER

Everyone's feasting right now, on the article "From Boracay to Greece" that was published at the Manila Standard and the June issue of People Asia magazine.

And as every feast goes, there's definitely a pig in the middle of it, in this case, it's Malu Fernandez, literally, and figuratively a pig. She lambasted every OFW with her sarcastic remarks and demeaning obvservations like the excerpts here:

To save on my ticket, I bravely took an economy class seat on Emirates as recommended by my travel agent. Ron excitedly told me to go for it - Emirates had won best economy class and some award. However I forgot that the hub was in Dubai and the majority of the OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) were stationed there. The duty-free shop was overrun with Filipino workers selling cell phones and perfume. Meanwhile, I wanted to slash my wrist at the thought of being trapped in a plane with all of them.

While I was on the plane (where the seats were so small I had bruises on my legs), my only consolation was the entertainment on the small flat screen in front of me. But it was busted so I heaved a sigh, popped my sleeping pills and dozed off to the sounds of gum chewing and endless yelling of “HOY! Kamusta ka na? At taga saan ka? Domestic helper ka rin ba?” Translation: “Hey there? Where are you from? Are you a domestic helper as well?” I thought I had died and God sent me to my very own private hell.

…. On my way back, I had to bravely take the economy flight once more. This time I had already resigned myself to being trapped like a sardine in a sardine can with all these OFWs smelling of AXE and Charlie cologne while my Jo Malone evaporated into thin air.

As expected, people are so furious, and bloods rose up to this infuriating article of this woman who sees herself so high.

Here's my two cents worth about the article:

Let's not be inconsistent in saying that all that she stated were opinions. Some, and I repeat, SOME facts are true. Let's give the props to her. But, haven't she learned the lesson? Never ever underestimate the power of the Filipino crowd.

I remember when Claire Danes went to shoot in the Philippines sometime in the mid-90's, she called our place [specifically Manila] as "dirty and home for cockroaches." Back then, people snubbed the movie she shot and boycotted her. Well, up until now, she's still a stranger to the Filipino masa.

Danes' comment, though demeaning, was passable. She was a foreigner who's going to the Philippines was a part of her job. But still, Charlie Sheen, and Josh Hartnett did not mention the same comments.

On the other hand, Fernandez shot herself on the foot when she said those nasty comments. After all, she was a Filipino herself. She must be familiar with our culture... or not. maybe she's too busy choosing what dress to wear, what perfume to put, or what food to eat, that she forgot that she's also a Filipino.

As much as possible, I try to think if it's fair to call her a "pig" or a "bitch" because after criticizing her about what she did, it will be pretty much ironic that I'll do the same for her. Because if that was the case, then I should have no basis of starting this post at all.

As someone, who has relatives working as OFWs, this is really a below the belt comment. Truth does really hurt, but in this case, no. What hurts more is the fact that Filipino mentalities are still still prevalent, whether rich or poor, educated or not. She could have had kept the comments herself, but to share it to every Filipino? Damn, seems like soemone forogt to taught her the rules.

There's nothing wrong about being open-minded, especially, we are in a democratic country. That's primarily the meaning of democracy. But what really is she against to the poor people? Oppression of the poor is something so natural and has been a part of our culture already. Such people [poor ones] have already been deprived of material richness that they don't need moral or social degradation anymore. Remember how Filipino people always love the underdogs?

Last thing I heard, she resigned already. She received lots of death threats and was forced to resign from writing. But before that, she released a follow up article explaining that it was all an acerbic wit. It was even entitled "Am I just a diva or people are just lacking common sense?" To which my response was yes, you are so much of a diva, and an ACERBIC TWIT for that matter, and no. WE are not lacking in common sense. Someone better save this woman from drowning to her Jo Malone perfume or better wish that she was the one who evaporated into thin air.

This was her final statemt regarding the issue:

I am humbled by the vehement and heated response provoked by my article entitled 'From Boracay to Greece!' which came out in the June 2007 issue of People Asia. To say that this article was not meant to malign, hurt or express prejudice against the OFWs now sounds hollow after reading through all the blogs from Filipinos all over the world. I am deeply apologetic for my insensitivity and the offensive manner in which this article was written, I hear you all and I am properly rebuked. It was truly not my intention to malign hurt or express prejudice against OFWs.

As the recent recipient and target of death threats, hate blogs, and deeply personal insults, I now truly understand the insidiousness of discrimination and prejudice disguised as humor. Our society is bound together by human chains of kindness and decency. I have failed to observe this and I am now reaping the consequences of my actions. It is my fervent hope that the lessons that Ive learned are not lost on all those who through anonymous blogs, engaged in bigotry, discrimination, and hatred ( against overweight individuals , for example )

I take full responsibility for my actions and my friends and family have nothing to do with this. To date I have submitted my resignation letters to both the Manila Standard and People Asia, on that note may this matter be laid to rest.

Well, now I'm pretty sure that she learned her lesson. So much that she'll get an A for it.

WOW!

I have just seen the number of Friendster views I have for this month and it says:

Who's Viewed Me?
403 views since 8/6/2007

For someone like me, that's a lot! Whew! :)

CELEBRATION!!!!

Celebration
Let's all celebrate and have a good time
Celebration
We gonna celebrate and have a good time

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RIZZA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah. Hehe. Yesterday was a reunion of some sort! It was Rizza's debut [the second part of the trilogy] Hehe. It was held at Palms Country Club in Alabang. And I was suppose to attend the party not in a good mood. Here's why:

This time I bought my gift earlier on time, I avoided cramming, and I already chose what outfit to wear days before the event. I don't want to cram again because aside from the fact that unpleasant words came off my mouth when I panic, I look so stressed and unpleasant. And I am avoiding that since this is a big time party! I was at the venue 5:30 PM since the event will start at 6:00 PM but knowing Filipinos, 6:00 starts at 7:00, and stupid me, really came before time so I was waiting for one hour while all my high school clasmates are still on their ways. In fairness to me, there's already lots of vehicles at the parking lot but I will never ever step out of the car without seeing someone familiar so I was like prima donna there waiting for a companion. The earliest came at 6:30 PM. Imagine, I'm waiting for one hour inside the car! Damn! I LOATHE late comers.

Oh well, moving on, the party was so so so so so good! I enjoyed it so much! It was like a dream for me since it looks like I'm attending the Golden Globes or the Screen Actors Guild with the round tables and formal dresses and the paparazzi with all the cameras flashing left and right. And Joker Arroyo was there! hehe! After all, he's the debutante's uncle!

The first thing that I did was tumambay sa choco fountain! Haha! Stik-O then marshmallows then wafers. It is damn delciious! I was like a child who was in his fantasy land! I already saw Rizza so we took some pictures first and then I went back AGAIN to the chocolate factory. Haha!!

The ceremony went smoothly and fastly. There were no 18 Treasures because I think Rizza was dedicating more time for the disco part and don't want to bore the audience. I am at the 18 roses and it went well. Minor blooper of the night was when Ryan, Rizza's brother slipped during their performance. Actually, it was a very professional move of him. It might sound funny or shameful but I don't think so. He acted as if nothing had happened and the confidence paid off for the minor blooper. I was able to walk through the floor and it was really really slippery because of the bubbles that appeared at the start of the program. I almost fell as well.

The foods were delicious and I wasn't able to eat that much because I was so conscious that I might burp or I won't be moving comfortably so I just went back to my favorite spot of the night.. the CHOCO FOUNTAIN!

Then, it's time for the Disco! It was so much fun. They played so many cool songs and I was grooving so much that I didn't notice that I'm so sweaty and that makakapuno ka na ng tasa sa kakapiga ng damit ko." Haha!

The best thing about that happened, once again, [aside from the choco fountain] was the reunion of our high school classmates! Many classmates who I think migrated to other planets already showed up! It was fun!

All in all, it was bitin! It ended so early. 12 midnight?!?! I was expecting 2 to 3 in the morning. But every minute was worth the fun and the wait I had. Thanks Rizza! And on my way to the next debut two weeks from now!!!

Here's some pictures from the event:

Here am I, all dressed up!


The debutate with her family


Dancing with Rizza during the 18 Roses


Members of the 18 Roses. There I was, far right


Paolo, me, and Kokoy in our version of A Few Good Men



Camwhores unite!!!!!


Kami ni Rizza, the debutante, after the party

ONE to a MILLION???

I was watching Game Ka Na Ba this morning and I was able to enjoy the jackpot round for I answered five out of the six answers. The topic was a very easy one, "Primetime Emmy Award winners for Best Comedy Series". The letters given were A, I, S, F, E, and J. The only one iIwasn't able to answer was J. I was thinking of Just Shoot Me [though I know it's wrong] or Jack and Bobby [which is a drama series. Hehe.]

My answers were:
A- Arrested Development
I- I Love Lucy
S- Sex and the City; Seinfeld
F- Friends, Frasier
E- Everybody Loves Raymond
J- Jack [something] Show

Most of the answers were winners this decade so it was quite easy.

Now, I know I'm right. Studying Emmy history pays off. Bigtime.