Ashfall

There are some items in my  “to do”  list, that I have been ticking-off as “done”.These are the things I want to experience before I exit “stage-left” and await for the next queue into the unknown

Last Saturday, May 12, I finally scratched out as done – “Climb a Mountain”. Considering its called Mt. Pinatubo but actually it is an active volcano, I guess I have hit two birds in a single-shot!

 The elevation of Mt. Pinatubo which we climbed was roughly 1,500 meters above sea level.  The round-trip trek on foot, according to the organizer, averaged about 22,000 steps. That translates to approximately 10 kilometers.  An average person can run 10K in under 2 hours.  Our group trekked 3 hours on the way up to crater lake. Our time travel down to the 4×4 vehicles waiting area was a modest 2 hours. Not bad for a group of newbie’s.

The mental preparation before the climb is the most important part of the game.  You have to think you can do it, no what ifs! From there it is just ten percent physical conditioning.  As I am already quite advanced in age with the rest of the group, I am thankful for the regular exercise that I do.  Both heart and body did not quit.  I only had skin-burn from the cycling shorts I used under my trek pants.  But other than that, I was ok physically when I woke up Sunday morning. I opted not to run the following Sunday morning and instead practiced casting my spinning reel on the parking lot at the Legaspi Park.

The gear preparation is not new to me either. I have gone to various camping activities and even a hardcore military bivouac once.  I still remember how to pack light and use the “lumpia” system in stowing clothes in a tight-bag.  I packed food, extra clothes, flash-light, lighter, whistle in my belt-bag and that was it.

Never leave home without a knife.  That’s why I brought my 3 inch clip-point folder by Gerber Knives tucked in my waist. It is a semi-serrated knife designed for the rugged outdoors.  I am happy that my two trek mates brought with them their Winchester Knives as well.  With a good sharpened knife, you can survive the great outdoors.

Technology has changed so much even in the area of how water is carried during a trek. I used to have an old canteen that’s World War II design. It hung clumsily in your web-belt and did not help your balance since you normally had just one. Today, the camel-back design is so efficient and effective way of stowing water up to 2.5 liters on your back. The “drip hose” gave you easy access to your water pack without having to stop and unload your gear.

While I am a believer of “trail food” or the civilian version of MRE’s(meals ready to eat), my trek mates surprised me with canned food already mixed with rice.  The SanMarino Paella with Rice made my Rice-Crispy bars look like baby food.  I made a mental note to look for those easy to open cans next time!

The adventure began in the van provided by the organizer. There, inside this van, our group met 6 ladies from a heavy equipment company operating in Pasig. They were quite anxious as we were, being our first time at Mt. Pinatubo.

We reached the base camp at around dawn and waited for the 4×4 pick-up trucks to get us through Lahar Country.  It took about an hour’s drive through the ash-lands which seemed to have been forgotten by God.  Amazingly, in the middle of the dessert, there were Katutubo Aetas who put up make-shift huts and sold Coke in Cans at P75.00 a pop! Ice cold mineral water was being traded at P100.00/ 250ml.  I guess we thought our Aetas the true meaning of an “Open Market” system!

After the hour-long bumpy ride, the 4×4 could no longer proceed and that’s the signal to disembark and start walking.  We realized that the water flowing through the mountain brought along fine peebles which hurt our feet as it washed through our walking shoes and sandals.  Our guide, Otep, told me, “Sir, tsinelas ang pinaka-maganda, madali itaktak ang bato’t buhanging” . No shit! They didn’t tell us that in the orientation pack.  Chalk that up to a very painful feet experience.

The trek up the volcano crater was a very enjoyable experience as we traversed over sand, soil and rock. Throw in the occasional streams of water which washed down pebbles, volcanic rock, and God knows what to cut your feet. It’s just one foot after another and pretty soon, you’ve reached the summit.  And once you’re  there, at the viewing deck of God’s wonderful creation, all the effort you have put in the climb was definitely worth every step.

And what do you do when you reach the crater lake? You suck in all the sights, taste the smell of the very humid air, and eat all your packed food of course.  We spent only two hours at the crater lake enjoying the magnificent painting that the Master has painted on His canvass.  As my friend Hill aptly labeled his photographs – “Beauty after a Tragedy”, indeed this is proof that God works in many and mysterious ways.

Even eager-beavers such as our selves had to rest a bit before trekking back home. The lovers had to take a break and take solace under what little shade was provided.

Recharged and refreshed, we took back to the sand, soil and rocks.  This time, the pacing was a lot more faster.  Although you can feel the occasional pinch in your calf-muscle as your try and work vs gravity, the journey was much more easier.  I don’t know why but the return trip from any destination seemed to be a lot more easier and quicker.  Two hours of trekking ang viola! We are at the base of Lahar Country where our 4×4’s were parked. How quickly time flies!

My snappy salute to the 150 brave souls who braved the heat, dust and physical discomfort in order to see Mt. Pinatubo.  You know who you are, congratulations.  Let’s go fishing next time, my casting technique is improving already.

Final Airing - The Late Evening Show

No, it was not the Tulfo Brothers who we had the chance to interview last night.  It was more of the “Brotherhood of the Rose” on the studio since we had four boys who happened to grace the late evening show.

On deck were Mssrs : Floro, Aguirre, Benbinuto, and Figuerroa. We had a special lady who graced the occasion, who, in hindsight perhaps interjected the most thoughtful insight yet. It was fun, intense, and quite revealing. Focused questions were thrown to one the Rose Brothers who gamely took the hot-seat for the night.

I opened the segment with the usual disclaimer, blah-blah-blah, that this is a just an ice-breaker among friends and a chance to vent out suggestions and opinions. After the perfunctory messages were squared away, I fired away with no bull-shit questions and went directly to issue at hand. 

The Rose Brother who was in the hot-seat showed a lot of class and composure in answering questions. Admittedly, there were moments of silence and awkward pauses as the queries got more complicated. The opinions and observations of the other Rose Brothers seemed to have a chilling effect on our subject as we were winding down the late evening show.

The Rose Bother in the hot-seat  was basically quizzed with one line of questioning, and of course, it is about the true colors regarding his friendship with two equally beautiful and charming ladies.  Is there a relationship in the horizon with any of the two women? That’s what we wanted to find out with our probing questions.

I basically gave this Rose Brother a psychological aptitude test to see his preference about the two delightful women.  I asked him four questions :

1. Who among the two women would you bring to a birthday party with your friends that you would literally “party-rock” with?
2. Who among the two women would you bring to a formal concert at the PICC and literally “party-rock” with?
3. Who among the two women would you bring to your 25^th High School Reunion Party assuming all of you are still single?
4. Who among the two women would you bring tonight to your family and formally introduce her to your parents?

Our Rose Brother gamely answered all these questions.  I already formed an opinion and a prediction as to who is the preferred woman.  Would you like to know? Sorry, it was an un-taped session, so I guess it’s up to you to find out.

The other Rose Brothers put forth some observations and opinions as well. The highlights of which are as follows :

1. Men don’t just give flowers to a woman and say “ wala lang ”.  To a woman, that would sting like hell.

1. Better to make your intentions known and don’t take any of the women for a ride. You might end up with no one in the end.

1. Special is no longer “special” when you treat them both as equals.  The woman is special if there is an adverb “extra” attached to it.  Be careful not to attach “extra” to both of them as this again defeats the purpose.

1. Choose one or the other. It doesn’t matter who. The important thing is that you did make a choice and now you can move forward. Did I summarize that sufficiently Mr. Aguirre?

As we winded up the late evening show, the only thorn among the roses, Malen, gently told us : “Naninimbang pa yan”.  With that, the interview ends and the Brotherhood of the Rose puts back their game faces and continue working.

Gianna

April 28,2012 will be marked forvever in my young son’s mind.

His best friend, actually, his only girlfriend, Gianna, passed away at about 2:00m that fatefut April morning. 

Both Giana and my son recently turned 8 years old. They were inseperable at play-school for two years.  We kept in touch with Gianna and her family even if they went on to different schools after play-school.

Gianna was a fashionista and loved watching show-biz on tv.  She would always be the most glamorous gal during events at their school. My son absolutely adored her. We even teased them. Predicting that they would make a nice couple one day.

Unfortunately, we will never see that day.  Gianna fell ill to lukemia,  a dillabetating disease of the blood, barely a year after she left play school. We last saw Gianna in her seventh birthday. She was thinner and was wearing a surgical mask.  Probably to keep viral infections at bay.

We said of our last farewell to my son’s dear friend, Gianna yesterday at the St John Bosco Chapels in Makati.  My son was asking why Gianna was in the “freezer-box”.  I told him she will be delivered to angels very soon.  My son said, it’s the soul that goes to heaven dad.  I asked my son is he was sad.  He told me he was not and that Gianna is just sleeping.

Eternal rest grant upon your soul Gianna, sweet child.; and may perpetual light shine upon you. Rest in Peace, Amen.

We Start at The End

Commencement Exercises are always met with mixed emotions. It brings emotions of joy and at the same time sadness.  It is both an end and a beginning.

My first born, Alexandra,  ends her eleven-year journey with St Scholastica’s College today.  Come May, she will now start on a much tougher road. She will tread the campus brightly  painted “Green”  and adorned with images of  “genuflecting-archers” along Taft Avenue, Manila.

While I suggested she take up accountancy, she remained steadfast and elected to take up Business Advertising.  I support her decision and hope she enjoys her college life.

When people ask , “what do you consider your achievements?”, I shun away from answering about my accomplishments at work. After all, work is just a means to the end. It is important, yes, but in my mind, it only takes a back-seat when achievements are from my loved ones.

So to me, it was an achievement to be there at the hospital when my daughter was delivered by c-section, at seven-months old.  It was an achievement when I saw her put on a brave face and ride the school bus for the first time , even though I followed closely in our car. It was an achievement for me when I took a leave from work for three days and watched Alexandra’s every performance as “Paz Waldas” in her school play at second grade. Others may never see that as an achievement, but those days that I took time to be with my daughter during special occasions are what I consider my greatest achievements.

So when Alexandra asked me to wear a coat and tie that very hot Saturday afternoon for her High School graduation, I just swallowed hard and told her, “it would be an honor”.

Bring on the Rain

It is just so irritating to find out that after ten days of exchanging emails, your name suddenly appears in the loop and asks you explain something that you didn’t even have any involvement in the first place.

It is also disgusting when someone above your pay-grade decides to take a course of action with nothing he knows about and let’s you clean up their mess.

But the worst part is when the shit hits the fan and the sucker who started the whole mess takes a Pontius Pilate stand and allows you to get drenched in the shit.

Oh well, same shit, different day.  I’ll just bring an umbrella when the king-shit guy starts grandstanding again

My Inner Space

In 1969, man has successfully ventured into outer space and started the race for “Star War’s” technology.

Today, in my continuing education state, two speakers tried to bring us back to “Inner Space” and touch fundamental truths in business leadership.

What could be more fundamental than drilling inside your core and really finding out your strengths in order that your inherent weaknesses are not exploited by competition. 

First up was a guru names Ted. An American national who espouses a different view in selling a product, process, or an idea. In the traditional management and business courses, we were all taught that in order to effectively sell you have to address the WHAT, HOW, and WHY of a product, process or idea… in that particular order.  It focuses on product superiority and differentiation as the first priority. Your second priority is how to address a channel’s of distribution chain in order to penetrate the market share.  Lastly, you must know the reason why your company is selling that product for your very discerning clients as well.

Sounds good? Of course, that has been taught in every management course for the last 100 years! But if that is the right way to go, why has there been so many horror stories of good companies who go bust? ~That is where guru Ted comes in and challenges the status quo. He tells us that in order to sell effectively, you must convince your prospective clients to “believe in what you believe”. 

He is asking us to de-construct what we have learned and approach selling from the inside going out. He’s asking us to approach selling in the reverse order starting with addressing the WHY, HOW, and WHAT.  That left the audience in the plenary with a hushed silence.  He told us that this was the way Steve Jobs of Apple made his products sell. He sold people his belief that we needed constant innovation in our lives to survive the millennium age. In effect, Steve Jobs started with the WHY people needed his product before he actually developed products! And people bought the idea! They believed in what he believed and that’s what sold the products of Apple!  Hell,  you could buy a cheaper and  technology-efficient mobile phone from Lenovo at 1/8 of the price of Apple.  But Lenovo is not selling a belief, they are just out there selling a product.   

Second to Speak was Emily.  A former director of an advertising agency who made their fortune building up the image of San Miguel Beer.  She must have been pretty intoxicated when she got up on the podium as she ranted on and off tangent with the topic of “creativity”. I could see people around the gallery fidgeting with their mobile phones and I-pads in boredom as she continued talking.  The speaker wasn’t prepared. No power-point flashed on the screen to guide us through her topic. No hand-outs either. It was an effort to try and keep with her talk as she kept bouncing out of bounds with the topic at hand. 

To me, creativity is a bitch, which can not be turned on and off at a moment’s notice. Creativity is something you cultivate. Creativity in my opinion is not inherited, it is a product of a person’s experience and exposure to the world.  It doesn’t develop over-night.

Also in my opinion, people who embrace the company of others and are not judgmental are truly creative people.  It is possible to draw out creativity through the experiences of others. Likewise, if one is not judgmental, he opens his mind to allow the creative juices blend with what he has learned through the experiences of others.

It also doesn’t hurt to take a shot of your favorite alcoholic drink to numb the right side of your brain and let the left part of your brain churn out those creative ideas. It works for Pepe Smith, why the hell wouldn’t it work for you.

“Post-It” and “Starbucks Coffee”

The piping hot french -vanilla coffee at 7-11 can rival the taste, sweetness and caffeine power of Starbucks at any given day.

But 7-11 is a convenience store whose ambience pales in comparison to what Starbucks can offer. You go to 7-11 to get a descent cup of delicious coffee. You go to Starbucks to enjoy your hot drink in comfort and style.  The privacy and the laid back attitude of Starbucks temporarily puts you and your friends in a relaxed state amidst the bustling city.  You go to Starbucks when you are not rushing to another appointment. Mad dashing people can manage to get their hot brews at 7-11.

Am sure Barbee and Franz are not the first.  They are not the first couple whose romance blossomed while sipping coffee in Starbucks after work hours.  The environment of the place definitely has its sway with moods and feelings. But of course, even if you drink gallons after gallon of richly-brewed coffee and don’t say what you feel for the other person, it won’t get you anywhere, perhaps except the bathroom  - for lactose overdose.

That’s where planning, guts, and a leap of faith kicks in.  Guys in general have a hard time expressing how they feel. In fact, most times, they say the most stupid things in front of a girl, even with the well intended meaning at heart. So how did Franz overcome this? A stroke of genius, actually.  He said it in written words.  This is where “Post-It” memo pads came in very handy.  It took guts to write down and discern the feelings he had.  He painstakingly wrote down in small notes those thoughts that were building up in his mind and heart.  It took even greater courage to show them to Barbee. 

Now that intentions and motive where out on the table, follow-through became crucial. And boy, was Franz relentless in that department. My snappy salute to you, sir, for the chivalrous yet cavalier display of one man up-manship to win Barbee’s trust and feelings.

Lessons learned from this story :

It doesn’t matter if you drink your coffee at Starbucks or 7-11 to show your intent to another person.  It does matter that you know the difference when to bring that special someone to those places.

For the guys with a handicap with articulating how they feel -  write it down. We’ve seen it work.

Parallel learning’s :

Kung manliligaw ka, wag kang chu-churot-churot.  The ladies hate it when you shower them with flowers and attention and when asked why you do it, you simply reply with : “wala lang yun”.   Is that about right Mrs. Teano?

Just because you walk home to the bus-stop daily, smoke together at the designated areas incessantly, or send SMS messages to each other,  automatically means there’s something going on.  Girls would rather want to hear your intentions and not keep them guessing. Is that about right Ms. Cheng? 

On the other hand, when you text  a woman “sweet nothings” and the SMS returns with a message from her boyfriend , it means she’s taken.  It’s time to “hit the road jack” and move on.  Tough lesson, but you’ll live. Is that about right Mr. Reyes?

Shooting Stars

I dropped by the shooting range last night to pick-up my firearms license renewal card. I was late in having it renewed so I therefore could not legally carry my “heater”.  I thought about bringing it via concealed carry but I thought about it for a while and let reason overcome common-sense.  Common sense dictated that you carry your “heater” even without a “paper” because you never know when you will be confronted with a lethally violent situation.  Reason however says, if you use your “heater” and the cops find out that you don’t have a valid license on you, chances are you get to spend nights in jail until your lawyer bails you next Monday.   Since I am a chicken-shit citizen of my beloved Pilipinas, I decided to go without my trusty .45 cal tucked in my bag. I carry a Spyderco folder-knife as a back-up so it didn’t feel completely “nekkid”.  

It turned out to be a good decision in hindsight.  The Eastern Police District shooting team was practicing at the range last night. It could have been an embarrassing situation with probable jail time if I got “checked” for my license and I pull out an expired card.

I let the officers finish their practice and got a hold of the Range Officer to claim my license.  Good thing it was already there and I smiled when I saw by shining bald head on the picture card.  I was about to leave when a trio of shooters walked in.

The shooting range was quickly filled with “Shooting Stars”.  The tallest of the trio is professional basketball player – Marc Pingris.  He was joined by his brother in law, “Oyo Boy Sotto, and his lovely wife “Kristine Hermosa”.

I wanted to bang my head for not have brought my “heater” and would have had the chance to practice with true “Shooting Stars”.  Oyo Boy Sotto was very warm and cordial as he spoke with us regular shooters and even joked with the range officer. Mrs Kristine Hermosa Sotto looked like a demigod.  Well, just like a typical wife, she has the “purse” and paid for the range-fee and bullets used by her husband.

I just shot them with my trusty BB9780 phone-camera as a souvenir.   

“Hero”, the Cowardly Dog

My 7 year old son asked help regarding his assignment in Social Studies.  They were studying the traits and contributions of the Filipino heroes of the glory days of my beloved Pilipinas.  We breezed through Doc Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio.  We got stuck with Emilio Jacinto and Apolinario Mabini, because of the confusion regarding their contributions to the freedom process of our country. It took a while to sort out and explain the difference between the “brains of the revolution” vs the “brains of the Katipunan” as an organization.

My son asked me if I was a hero.  I laughed and told him, “all heroes are dead guys buddy, and I don’t intend to die pretty soon”. He gave me a quizzical look and worked back on his notebook, writing down notes.

In retrospect, it would be heart warming to tell your kid you are a hero.  But in reality, that I am not.  I am a shit-coward who wrestles with demons all the times.  How many times have I hurt them by being selfish, I could not count.  How many times I have disappointed them, likewise, I could not count. How many times have I fucked-up and put them down because of rash decisions I made, I can not take inventory now.

Outside the family, same story in the match-factory. How many times I have hurt my co-workers because of actions or the lack of it, I could not take stock. That’s how cowardly I can be.  There’s a difference between being brave versus being a back-stabbing hypocrite.  While perhaps both will get you the same result, the means on how you do it really does matter.

After a few minutes of pondering, my son allows me to read his assignment about heroes.  It moved me to tears.

How can he see that? When I look in the mirror, all I see is this stupid jerk, laughing back at me.

Road Rage

Every night it happens. During the hour-long drive from the match factory to my place, the roads are littered with demons from hell. These speed demons all think that their father owns the road and they weave in and out of traffic to get ahead of you for just a few meters.  They don’t care if they hit your vehicle or cause an accident as they plow their way with total disregard for the traffic rules.  When I  get “cut ” from the right, that’s when it really makes the anger flow from my veins and into my mouth.  I shout not-so-sweet words inside the vehicle.  I can feel the inner rage taunting me to pull out my “heater” and expend rounds through their windshields.

Do i have the “Warrior Gene”? This is a DNA abnormality in one out of three males wherein the lack of a chemical-producing cell creates a signal in the brain to go berserk when provoked. A person does not have a choice in this matter. It’s either he has that or not.  But does this mean when a person has this DNA abnormality that he automatically lives a life of violence?  Sociolgists does not believe so.  Man is a product of nature and norture.

Scientists conducted DNA testing on certain groups of males who have been traditionally branded as “warriors” to see if they exhibit the DNA abnormality known as the “warrior gene”.

First on their list is Punk Rock band member of the ’80’s who has been into violent encounters on and off the stage.  He said that any little thing that ticks him off can set the “rage”on and he will respond with physical violence to take the the edge off.

Next on their list are twin brothers who grew up as Latino Gang Bangers in East LA, USA.  They were thrust into violence as early as age 10 when their families gave them up because they were poor.  They killed to survive and actually enjoyed the violence and power of being in control of their turf.

The scientists move on to test six Harley Davidson Bike gang members. These tough sonofbithces livesa shadowy liives filled with crime,sex, and violence all through their adult lives.  They cruise around the backroads of America practically looking for trouble like the ancient hordes of Monggolia who pillage, rape, and burn villages.

An interesting control group the scientists approached for testing are the Mixed Martial Arts fighters. These hardened  warriors of the octagon fight violent matches everytime they step on the ring. 

How can the testing be complete without a  NAVY Seal.  A SEAL has the repuation of being a killing-machine for  the US Military. The SEALs can turn-on and off their killers instincts at a moments notice. They can be violently efficient with their bare hands to end a conflict when placed in a combat-zone.

What surprised me was the fact that the scientists tested a group of Buddhist monks. The monks lIiving in peace in hilly part of Los Angeles was for me, a subject perhaps used for contrast.  But dont be fooled, these monks train in martial arts and can rather be violent when pushed to action.

So what were the results. You would be shocked :

1. Punk Rocker - Negative for the Wárrior Gene

2.  Latino Gang Bang Twins - Both postive for the Warrior Gene

3.  Bad Ass Biker Gang - 3 of 6, Postive for the Warrior Gene

4. MMA Fighters - 5 out of 5, negative for the Warrior Gene

5. Navy SEAL - Positive for the Warrior Gene

6. Monk - 3 of 3, positive for the Warrior Gene 

The results are mind blowing. It clearly shows that not all violent men actually have the warrior gene.  It also shows that men with the warrior gene are pre-disposed to violence and they can excel in that. 

In the post-testing interviews of the subjects, majority of the gang members experienced broken or negelected families.  Some of them were bullied as children and their anger slowly developed into physical violence to counter the rage.

The MMA fighters who fought day in and day out were not surprised with the outcome. They said, they trained to fight and did not fight just for fun.  The violence in the ring is actually controlled by rules and supervised by a referre. In the final analysis, MMA is still a sport.

The SEAL guy spent 16 years in various theatres of combat for the US Navy. He killed and blew up things because it was his job and solemn duty.  While he admitted he had his own share of fist-fights in middle-school, he grew up with a loving family who always put him back on the right track.  Violence can be tamed with the right guidance.  He calls it “controlled agression” which can be tuned out with the right training.

The monks, in their previous lives, were persecuted in their home countries.  One was a former vietcong rebel who fought guerilla warfare vs the amercicans in the middle ’60’s.  While they all were positive for the Warrior Gene, they all chose to control their violence with meditation and peace. In parting, they said you need  outlets to channel out the negativities in your mind and prevent violence. 

So it’s not only genes that matter whether we are predisposed to violence.  Nurture or the environment where we live plays an equally important part if we will burst into violent fits of rage. I dont care to know if my DNA has that abnormality. I will deal with it my own way.

I get off my car and close the garage. The road-rage has cooled down.  I guess that’s why I engage in a lot of other activities to get this rage in check.   It also helps that I get phone calls on my mobile device when I go home, it keeps me sane and a lot less angry at those jerk-drivers.   Ah, alas, it’s Tueday again, am off to the shooting range!!

Eve’s Deadly Apple

A tree known to bear poisonous fruits can not be eaten, for surely you will die.

That is exactly the problem that faces the impeachment court on  Feb 15,2012 regarding the photo-copied document presented by the prosecution panel.  The bank witness claims the document which the prosecution attached to their subpoena,which is supposedly a faithful reproduction of a bank record, is a FAKE.

Well, talk about crap to the highest level. The prosecution panel was already winning in my score-card  because they have established that the Chief Justice had more money in his bank account versus what was declared in his SALN.  Now because of this mada-fuckin-blunder, the evidence is now at risk of being thrown out. Why? Because the evidence was ferreted out illegally.  And our law states that evidence gathered illegally is automatically deemed inadmissible. That’s the doctrine of the “fruits of the poisonous tree”.

If the evidence was gathered illegally, it is akin to a poisonous tree, wherein it’s fruit when consumed, will have fatal results. Tough luck assholes! I can not understand why they had to resort to this tactic which will imperil their case.

What appeared as a “slam-dunk” case for the prosecution is now teetering on the brink of being blown out of the water. Such a shame.  The Chief Justice will probably get away with this case because of a technicality of the law. 

But remember, justice comes in many and unexpected forms.

Peaches and Cream

I try and follow the Impeachment Proceedings on radio-streaming every chance I get.  It is getting another form of education wherein legal luminaries clash like fighting-roosters in a pit!  You would learn the protocols when inside a courtroom. You would observe which counsel comes to the fight prepared and who appears just for the sake of representing their client.

One would hear brilliance in an argument where at first thought, you would have certainly waived the white flag of defeat.  No lawyer admits defeat. They simply see it as a temporary set-back wherein they would certainly bounce back the next time around.

Yesterday, Feb 13, 2012 the lady senator-judge from the Visaya’s gave the lead prosecutor a revalida on Law 101.  Oh boy, she gave the swanky-lawyer a good education with rules of evidence and the practice of sighting jurisprudence. 

She basically tore apart the prosecutors arguments with regards to the opening of the respondent’s foreign currency deposit . In one breath, she told the fledgling prosecutor that the principle of “checks and balance” exist to prevent a co-equal branch of government from exceeding its boundaries.  So the Supreme Court must actually put forward a position in an impeachment proceeding when the argument is about a question of law! 

Also, when jurisprudence if sighted, she lambasted the poor counsel to make sure that he sights it in totality and not in abbreviated form to suit only what he wants to put across.  It turned out the the jurisprudence being sighted by counsel will only apply for that case! It was a one-time exemption that the Supreme Court said can not be used in other cases! She basically scolded the greenhorn lawyer for being a fucking-sneaky-bastard!

How’s that for a lesson in Law? You’ll never get that in the classroom, whether you’re in Ateneo or UP!

Seminarista

Balik eskwela na naman ako. Ayus naman, pagkakataong makalabas sa pabrika ng posporo at maka kilala ng mga bagong tao.  Tatlong araw na libre ang tsibog, cha-a, at kape. Saan ka pa?  Ang seminar ay tungkol sa sensitibong linya ng aking ginagalawang industriya.

Ang gaganda ng mga topics ng seminar, malas lang talaga at hindi lahat ng inimbita upang maging resource-speakers ay magagaling sa public-speaking.  Wala akong duda na mga subject- matter-experts ang mga ito.  Ang siste, karamihan sa kanila ay hindi preparado o may sapat na kakayahan upan mag salita sa harap ng maraming tao.  Pero hindi iyon dahilan para hindi ka matuto dahil may mga hand-outs naman na pinamahagi. Nasa sipag at tiyaga na lang ng mag-aaral kung pipilitin niyang matuto o hindi.

Pero ang pinaka-magandang mga leksyon na napulot ko ng mga araw na iyon ay hindi galling sa mga resource-speakers. Talaga nga namang ang edukasyon ay hindi mo lamang makukuha sa pagbabasa ng mga libro. Mas marami kang kakapulutan ng aral mula sa karanasan ng mga ibang taong iyong makakasalimuha.  Isa sa mga kasama ko sa grupong iyon ay dating kawani ng Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas.  Siya ay nag silbi sa bayan ng tatlong dekada bagyo siya lumipat sa mundo ng mga sibilyan. Nakaranas na siya ng digmaan sa Tawi-Tawi, Mindanao. Nakasama rin siya sa delegayson ng mga sundalong kumatawan sa United Nations Peace Keeping Force sa Cambodia.  Naging bahagi rin siya ng Special Warfare Group ng ating Katihang Pandagat bilang isang Fleet Commander. Ang huli niyang pwesto bago siya ay nagretiro ay ang NCR Command Force kung saan ang seguridad ng Metro Manila laban sa lahat ng klaseng banta ay kanyang pinangangalagaan.

Dahil ang aming takdang-aralin ay tungkol sa pagkuha ng katotohanan gamit ang“interview techniques”, hindi nag atubuli ang aming magiting na ka-grupo na  naglahad ng kanyang karanasan.  

Ayon kay Heneral, ang “interview techniques” ay hindi matibay na pamaraan  upang makuha ang katotohanan.  Sa kanyang karanasan, mas angkop ang “interrogation protocols” upang mapalabas ang katotohanan.  Hindi na rin epektibo ang pisikal na pasakit bilang “interrogation protocol” ( binunutan mo na ng kuko gamit ang plais pero ayaw pa ring mag salita). 

Ang isang epektibong “interrogation protocol” ay ang ”sleep deprivation”.  Ito ang pamamaraan na hindi mo papatulugin ang iyong “subject” hanggang bumibigay ito sa katotohanan. Sa taktikang ito,  parating may nag uusisa sa “subject” at hindi mo siya bibigyan ng pagkakataong mag pahinga.  Kapag wala namang kausap ang “subject” laging may nakaka-binging tugtog siyang maririnig.  Normal daw na pag katapos ng 48 oras ay bibigay ang iyong “subject” kung may alam siya.

Kung sakali naman daw na medyo gipit ka sa oras upang malaman ang katotohanan,  siguradong walang matibay na sinungaling pagdating sa “tubig”.  Sa “interrogation protocol” na ito, ang “subject” ay pipiringan upang siya ay “ma-disorient”. Mayroon ding natural “psychological fear”  sa madidilim na lugar ang isang tao kaya ito ginagawa.  Ihihiga ang “subject” sa sahig, bangko, o lamesa. Tatakpan ang bibig at ilong ng “subject”  ng isang basang bimpo upang mahirapan siyang huminga.  Dahan-dahan bubuhusan ng tubig ang basang bimpo upang palabasin ang “drowning sensation”.  Siguradong papasukan ang ilong ng tubig at pag suminghap ng hangin ay diretso sa baga ang hanging may kasamang tubig.  Kung may aaminin ang isang “subject”, dito raw sa pamamaraang ito nakukuha ang totoo.  Hindi ko hinuhusgahan ang pamamarran na kanyang nilahad.  Ako lang ay nakinig at nag-isip kung saan angkop gamitin and “interview techniques” kontra “interrogation protocols”. 

Yung sa susunod naming takdang aralin “proving fraud in court, marami rin siyang naibahagi sa amin.  Kahit ganoong kabigat ang akusasyon sa iyo, basta walang matibay na ebidensiya, mababasura lang ang kaso.  Ayon sa kanya, nasampahan na siya ng mga asuntong-kriminal ng may mga nasawi na rebelde sa isang matinding engkwentro. Lahat ng ito ay hindi binigyan ng merito ng husgado dahil sa kakulangan ng ebidensya.  Inilhahad niya na ang reklamong criminal ay isinampa pag katapos na may nasawi sa isang lehitimong operasyon ng militar. Ang operasyon ay nagdulot ng pag-bubuwis ng buhay ng mga sindikatong  sangkot sa “kidnapping” sa Mindanao. Nagtapos ang operasyon sa isang “shoot-out” sa karagatan ng Jolo.  Sa maniwala kayo o hindi, puro banyagang kagamitan ang ipinahiram sa Katihang Pandagat upang tuntunin ang mga pasaway na mga bandido.  At dahil sa mga makabagong teknolohiyang pandigma tulad ng : “drones”, “satellite phones”, at “stealth water-crafts”, ay nasugpo ang mga bandidong ito.

Natapos ang aming seminar na mayroon akong dalawang pananaw na natutuhan tungkol sa magulong mundo na ating ginagalawan.  Ang isang pananaw ay : ang lahat ng bagay ay makukuha sa mahinahon at ma-diplomasyang pag-uusap.  Sa kabilang dako, may pananaw na :  may pagkakataong kailangan gumamit ng “kamay na bakal” upang maisa-ayos ang isang  malalang sitwasyon.

Pleasant Surprise

Akalain mo yun. Hindi nga, hirap akalain na magkakaganun.

When I talked about changes happening in Y2011 as the most constant thing that I have witnessed, little did I know that it will still push forward to present day Y2012.

Laking pasalamat ko sa Poong May Kapal sa kanyang pagpapadala ng “kaliwanagan ng isip”. Itong pagliliwanag ng isipan ang naging daan upang makita ng isang napariwarang dalaga ang landas pabalik sa kaligayahan. Kaligayahan na hindi na niya kailangan hanapin sa ibang tao upang ang sarili niya ay magkaroon ng kabuluhan.  Isang taon na din kaming hindi nag kita at akoý nagulat sa kanyang pagababago.  Pagkatapos ng isang masakit na pag hihiwalay dito sa pabrika ng posporo, nakabangon na siya ulit sa lakbay ng buhay.  Bumalik na siya sa kolehiyo upang ituwid and daan patungo sa mas-nakakariwasang buhay. Wala na rin siyang ina-asahang “boyfriend” upang madama niya and pagmamahal.  Nadarama na niya ang pagmamahal na dulot ng Dakilang Lumkiha sa pamamagitan ng kaniyang mga kapatid, magulang, at mga malalapit na kaibigan.  Totoong nagalit ako sa ginawa mo noon. Pero hanggang ganun lang yun. Galit ako sa ginawa niya, pero hindi sa kanya, bilang isang tao.  Ako ay natutuwa at mas maliwanag na ang itinatahas niya ngayon.

But a bigger surprise two weeks into Y2012 is how I witnessed change coming from someone that even I,  wrote-off as a completely hopeless case. I guess God has proven me wrong for the proverbial “nth time”.  While I do not have any personal dealings with her, she has surely brought personal-pain for a lot of people in the match factory.  It’s not yet a complete turn-around. However, she has stopped with the bullying and the mellowed down with the “fuck you, I don’t care” attitude.  Hell, I had to splash water on my face to check that I was not dreaming when she smiled and started a polite conversation with me. She has a long ways to go, but my point is, she’s actually moving positively in the right direction.

Pero ang pinakamalaking pagbabago ay ang nangyari sa akin. Sa unang pagkakataon, ay natatanggap ko na ang ibang mga kabanta sa aking kahapon na medyo mahirap dalhin lamang nag iisa.  Laking pasalamat ko ulit, sa Dakilang Lumikha, at binigyan niya ako ng bagong pagkakataon na ako ay ma-pakinggan at ma-gabayan.  Salamat sa Dakilang Kaloob ninyo Panginoon ko at walang pagod kang nakikinig sa akin at pilit akong iniintindi.  Hindi naman ibig sabihin ay magiging santo na ako. Dahan-dahan lang at baka lagnatin ako sa bilis ng pagababago.

I know of a person who was once asked if he believed that people can change. He said : “No, I honestly believe that people can’t change, but I have actually seen it happen”.  I guess he never fully understood nor appreciated the power of prayer and it’s abundant capacity to effect change in people, no matter how tough that sonofabitch is!!

OPLAN T-O-R-O-T-O-T

That fast, that furious, as we said our goodbyes to 2011.

Like a turbo-charged car in sixth-gear, the days counting down to December were in a hurried state.

I’ll take the good days and the bad days as well. 

While I have regrets about stupid-fucking choices I made(consciously or under whatever influence it may have been at that time) they are still my mistakes that I can not undo.  I ask for forgiveness, a little understanding, and a resolve not to fuck-up again.

The better days I had, it is for me to enjoy and cherish. To have been part of guiding people improve their own lives would probably rank as the biggest achievement I have contributed for Y2011.

During the last two days of Y2011, I chanced upon two visitors. 

Rizal Day, December 30. -Along the winding mountain road of Bo,Lawagin, Nagcarlan, Laguna I saw an ominous sign – a white crane riding on the back of a water buffalo.  I pulled down by the roadside, pulled out my “Silent Trigger” and zeroed the scope on the white-feathered visitor.  It was about  40 feet away, with almost no wind blowing at any direction. I did not have to make any compensation on my scope.  All of a sudden, the water buffalo started to move.  What the fuck!! The white-feathered creature would surely flap its wing and move on to a more stable platform.  I was dumbstruck as the crane simply enjoyed the ride and decided not to fly as it moved closer to my position. The water buffalo moved about 10 feet closer and I could already place the dead-center of the scope on its scrawny neck. If I severe the neck with my .22 caliber subsonic round, it would immediately paralyze the bird as it falls to the ground.  I chamber the rifle and began the breathing cycle as I prepare to pull the trigger. At the last moment, I re-engaged the safety and took my eyes of the scope.  I smiled at the water-buffalo who gave the crane a platform to rest.  I said in my mind : “Go home Mr. Crane, I’ll let you fly this time”… What the fuck right? Well, at least today, the bird isn’t  depriving any fisherman of his livelihood by just sitting on the Carabao’s back.  My son and daughter were surprised, but very happy that I did not bag the crane.

A rude visitor however decided to pay a visit on the last Day of the year, 31^st December.  My pet budgies(love birds) were making such a ruckus that I had to check what the fuck was pissing them off. Lo and behold! A sewer-rat was busy chewing the plastic container where I stashed the bird seeds. My pets were angrily reacting to the hungry rodent who was stealing their food.  I dashed for my “Silent Trigger” and without remorse fired a bullet down-wind where the sewer rat was feasting on the bird seeds. From my scope, I followed through with the movement of the sewer rat as it crumpled flat on its belly.  I believe it was a “clean hit”. The sewer rat did not flail nor flinch after the hollow-pointed round penetrated its skin and probably snapped into two, its vertebral column. Serves the rat-fucker some good!!

Talk about ending the year with a sub-sonic bang!  Happy New Year everybody.   

Paskuhan sa Tumana 2011

December 16,2011.  For a couple of hours at least, 18 brave souls now banded as Match Factory workers, celebrated their Christmas Party.

This Christmas Party would be fondly remembered as a night of revelations.

First and foremost, it was a revelation to see the organizational skills of Kenn and Cathy. Their uncanny duo made it possible to execute a four week “monita-monito” run very smoothly without people having to give latex-condoms as we’ve seen in past years.

Cathy’s catering skills were revealed as she budgeted not a whole lot of money to come up with a sumptuous feast.  The “tower-mug” was a touch of class that transformed the dinner setting into something funky. 

The music of the night was courtesy of the “Tumana Band” of  Almond and Van. But the revelations of the night were still about to come.  Deah and Kim wowed us with their singing prowess.  Ella, of course, dazzled us with her emotional songs.  Truly revealing was Cathy’s rendition of “I don’t want to miss a thing”.  Nobody was talking when she belted that number while her special-someone, Mon, listened in awe.  The rap-trio of Ria,Jasmine, and Deah was hilarious.  But the Champion of all songs would be RJ and his rap-version of a Linkin Park hit – “In the End”.

Just when you taught you saw it all, the wacky side of the TL’s was revealed as they participated in the banana-match relay.  Their hips swayed gamely as if they were teachin us how to doggie as they battled to reach the finish line.

Almond then revealed his bitter-sweet news.  Sweet because he would be pursuing a dream in the land of milk and honey. Bitter because we would see another good man leave come 2012.

The thunder of the night would be the revelation of Francis and Barbee.  Yes folks, they have finally admitted that they are now an item.  Hell Yeah! What else could you ask for? A surprise for every step you take.

Post Script. Another tender revelation.  Rhea is confirmed to be on the same boat with Kim. Two kids for Y2012, a pair of luck charms.

“I tried so hard and got so far but in the end, I found out that  it did really matter….

Merry Christmas and a Peaceful New Year.

I’ll be home for Christmas, babe

It has finally come to the month of December again. How quickly the days were plucked like the falling leaves from our Kamias tree.

But climate change has certainly altered the weather pattern of Christmas . Gone were the cool days of early morning dawn. Gone also, were the days when at 5:00 pm, the landscape was already covered with darkness and you would love to take long evening walks. This year, the change in the climate has brought upon us a “wicked-weather” that is as fickle-minded as a teen-age shopper at Forever 21!   The mornings could be blazing at 27degC and suddenly shift to storm-rains in the afternoon. One thing I noticed, the heat is no longer humid, it has become dry heat!!.  

I guess “Change” is the predominant direction for Y2011. We, at the Match Factory, are not excluded in this evolving sphere of change.

This year, two former Match Factory workers said “I do’s” with their respective partners and changed their lives with new journeys.  Ate Ron and Toots are now linked with other couples who promised each other that they would “love, cherish, and hold each other, till the end of time” .  Our very own, Rhea, followed suit by end July and started to her own life journey with Julius.  Any new takers for Y2012? 

At the start of this year, one of my sons in the match factory underwent difficult change when he had to say goodbye to his partner.  The change would not be easy as he had to let go of pieces of emotional baggage.  But he took the change positively and underwent a transformation. To start fresh, he transferred to a new place by himself kept himself busy with his SLR.  Slowly but surely, he steadied himself and learned to be part of the team once again.

Also at the start of the year, we had the pleasure of going to a real-life Tumana. The journey changed me forever as I knew what my retirement would look like. The blessed event was complete with angry birds, guns, fishing rods, and a pool of fish who simply didn’t want to be caught. 

In the match factory, the first quarter of the year was also noted with a lot of changes. Processes and business demands get updated and so we re-align our manpower to these changes. Some of these changes meant saying goodbye to old and  loyal friends. However, it also meant getting to know new friends. We said our goodbyes to Janaly, Ohyen, Kris, Donna, Jaymar, and of course to Joanna this year.  We said hello to Jasmine, Cathy, Franz, Barbee, Ella, Almond, RJ, and Louise. It was an even happier reunion of sorts for Tan-tan and Rhea who had the pleasure of formally joining the team.

As expected, the change in the composition of the new team resulted in some friction as the honey-moon period transitioned into serious work.  New personalities clashed with the old personalities. That was really expected.  What the hell did you expect when sixteen people(16) are thrown together in a 4×10 meter clean-room? Eventually, the new team settled their differences and began to work together.

A life-changing event happened to our snake-charmer-Kimster.  She announced her biggest surprise for Y2011 when she learned she was blessed with a baby in her womb.  It made me ponder about my own children and what we would do, as parents, to make them happy. For the Chinese, a pregnant woman in the workplace is supposed to bring in good luck for the company. I certainly wish Kimster and her baby the best of health.

As we cruised toward the middle of the year, the Match Factory was ridden with personal conflicts arising from God-knows-what.  Changes would be again seen as the meek were transformed to lions.  Clashes in the pantry, bathrooms and hallways would be common skirmishes.  In the end, the loud-mouths would eventually succumb to the silence that the passive peace-makers bring to the table. Personally, it would have been a choice of sending a .45 hollow-point or a 5.76MM armor-piercing round,  down their noisy mouths.

In the same parallel cruise of the middle-year, professional conflicts also sparked in the match factory.  Sparks and tempers were flying every which way as manpower constraints and limited access to resources forced management to implement brutal changes. As usual, it’s the people who would be sacrificed in the end. Some hard working factory people got the raw end of the deal as they only did what was asked of them but they got the ire of the other workers.  In the same token, the brutal changes did some good as some of the “bad apples” in the factory simply couldn’t hack it anymore and left.

During the third quarter of the year, my son here in the match factory experienced another round of change as he got back on the saddle and entered into a new relationship.  This time, his partner is a professional with a bachelor’s degree in Education. She has worked as an educator for the past five years and comes from a very humble family. I have had the opportunity to meet her and her parents as well. Hopefully, my son has learned invaluable lessons as he prepares himself for marriage.

Even hobbies change, if I may say so myself.  From simply shooting pest-birds and silhouette targets, I actually enjoyed shooting with a camera. I joined the coverage of a Fun-Run and a Halloween gig called Spooktacular.  Change really does a person some good, some time.

As we round up the year, I am continuously looking forward to changes.  The devil in me needs to be tamed and that’s a fucking work in progress.  To those lives I have positively touched and changed, may you pay it forward to another deserving soul. To those lives I have negatively touched and perhaps damaged forever, my sincerest apologies.  I tell you, I don’t sleep without having thought about you and my transgression.  Everybody goes through this permanent cycle called change.  I am a tough nut to crack but I would like to believe there is still hope for me to improve myself.

Have a Happy Holidays ahead of you. This Christmas is about change, just like the first Noel who changed the world more than 2,000 years ago……”Heat up the food babe, I’ll be home for Christmas. Don’t forget to wear your lovely red-lipstick with nothing else on….ho-ho-ho”

Araw ng Kagitinggan

We were so used to former PGMA’s “Holiday Economics” that yesterday’s holiday at the middle of the work-week caught us off-guard.

Since it was a Wednesday, I believe people simply opted to stay in the city and do their Christmas shopping.  Boy oh boy, were the malls packed!

After doing some Christmas shopping of my own, I decided to watch films with courage and bravery as themes. What better way to commemorate Gat Andres Bonifacio, right?

First, I downloaded a 2011 remake of an alien film classic – “The Thing”.  I was able to watch an earlier version of “The Thing” which starred Kurt Russell.  In fairness, the latest remake was almost as good as the Kurt Russell version.

The story is about an alien spacecraft that crashed in the Arctic wasteland, hundred of thousands of years ago.  An expedition in 1984 was able to uncover the ship and its lone passenger trapped in a block of ice.  The lone passenger, trapped in this frigid coffin of ice is what is called “The Thing”.   The scientists on the expedition take a tissue sample of the frozen passenger and inadvertently re-animates the spider-looking creature.  Lo and behold, the creature is apparently not as friendly as they expected it to be and it starts feeding on the expedition team.  To complicate things, “The Thing” can copy the human-figure of its victim . It can also use the faculties of speech and reason to lure more victims to their death.  There is only one courageous  survivor of the expedition, a female scientist. This ass-kicking geek blows up the alien creature by shoving a military-grade explosive in “The Thing’s” mouth.  Talk about an ice-breaker eh?

Next movie I pirated off the net which displayed bravery is a Filipino flick by Regal Films.  The movie is entitled “Aswang” (loosely, this is Filipino version of any known blood-sucking creature).  In this movie, it is the Aswang who displayed extra-ordinary bravery by defying what her nature dictates.  This memorable Aswang chooses to preserve life and does not treat humans as cattle. Of course she gets into trouble with her entire clan who treats her as an outcast.  The movie is set in a fictional baranggay in Pampangga called “Barrio Tumana”.   Yep, I shit you not, it’s actually called Tumana. 

Since this is not an Indi Movie, the movie is complete with twisting sub-plots. There is murder and unrelenting chase-scenes. There is a trio of  bad-ass hitmen hunting down the children. There is a story about redemption regarding one of the hitmen.  There are also dream-sequences of wanton passion.   A  typical Regal Film formula : a little bit of everything for everyone. How can this Aswang movie go wrong when you have a demigod like Lovi Poe as the central character with fangs.

Ang Piping Saksi

Nakakapagtaka.  Mapapa-isip ka. Ano motibo? Bakit na lang bigla-bigla, mayroon isang lupon ng nag-rereklamo laban sa isang tao.

Ang mga reklamo, mas panis pa sa pansit na inihain noong huling pasko. Bakit kamo? Saan ka naman nakakita ng isang nag reklamo na dalawang taon na ang nakaraan ng sinasabi niyang insidente?

Saan ka nakakita ng nag reklamo na mayroon din naman siyang pag-uudyok doon sa kanyang nirereklamo?   Beh…di kaya “provocation” tawag dun?

Saan ka nakita ng nagreklamo na pumayag sa isang “one-night stand”, pero, nang binigyan ng “good night kiss”  kinalaunan eh….”below the belt” na daw?

Saan ka nakakita ng nagreklamo, tatlong taon na nakaraan ng nag te-text sila ng kahalayan eh alam naman nilang parehong “joke-joke” lang. Pero pag dating ng kasalukuyang taon eh saka siya nabastusan na.  Tagal naman umepekto ‘te.

Saan ka nakakita ng nagreklamo ng pangigipit  eh yung reklamador mismo nag-bigay ng “multiple-choice questions ” kung ano gusto pang-hahalay ang gawin sa kanya?

Malikot daw ang kamay…mabilis dumapo sa mga balikat, baywang, at likod.  ‘Te, sa tingin mo magagawa yan sa harap ng dalawamput-apat na tao? Bakit walang testigo?

Mahirap mag-salita. Minorya lang ang boses ko at walang binesa ang opinion ko sa usaping ito.  Pede sanang lumuban ang inireklamo tungkol sa mga akusasyon na ito. Tama lang naman diba? Para malaman na kung ano talaga ang tototo! Pero ginipit ninyo siya upang siya ay “kusang magbitiw” sa tungkulin sa pangakong makuha ang huling sahod at “clearance”. 

Ate, baka balikan kayo ng “constructive dismissal” sa Department of Labor dahil hindi ninyo binigyan ng “due process”.  Hindi na lumaban ang inireklamo. Hindi ninyo siya pinadaan sa tamang proseso. Eh ang daming butas sa mga testimonya ng mga nagrereklamo. 

Sa labanang ito, isa lang ang tiyak - walang panalo dito, puro talunan.

Sa inireklamo, hindi na niya maipagtatangol ang kanyang sarili. Sira na ang kanyang pangalan at karera sa Pabrika ng Posporo.  Sa mga nagreklamo, hindi ninyo masasabing nakamit ninyo ang hustisya.  Lagi nang may duda sa inyong bersyon ng storya, kasi hindi ninyo pinabayaan maka-sagot ang inireklamo.

Sana, sa mga nag-reklamo, wala sa inyong pinilit lang na mag-salita laban sa inireklamo. Sana ang pag re-reklamo ninyo ay bunga ng tunay na kamuhian sa mga pangayayari.  Pero mga ‘te, kataka-taka ang “timing”ng inyong mga reklamo. Sabi ko nga, panis na ang inihain ninyong mga akusasyon. 

Mayroong aalis pero ang daming tanong at haka-haka kung ano ang tunay na mga pangyayari  sa kanyang paglisan.    

Just Tiis

Alas siete y media na ng gabi. Oo, maulan, pero kanina pa naming umaga umuulan. Eh Bakit ganun? Photnamang trapik yan, talo pa bisperas ng pasko, ang lhufet!!!

Naibaba ko na ang dalawa kong pasehero. Solo flyt na ako sa biyahe pero halos dalawang oras na ako nag bibiyahe. Anak ng matabang garapata! Eh nasa Tagaytay na dapat ako sa ganitong kahabang oras na paglalakbay  Pero hindi, labing 16 na kilometro lang ang tatakbuhin ko mula sa pabrika ng posporo hanggang bahay. Pakiramdam ko eh parang pumasok at umuwi na ako ng dalawang ulit!

Inilipat ko ang tala-pihitan ng radio mula sa porgramang “Boys Night Out” papunta sa AM frequency ng DZMM.  Super Shit ang balita! Nag-gigirian pala ang kampo ng mga Arroyo at mga taga Bureau of Immigration sa paliparan ng NAIA.  Nag pupumilit umalis ng bansa ang dating Panggulo at kanyang asawa papuntang Singapore.  Eh ang siste, may “Hold Departure Order” na ipinatutupad ang mga tao ng Kalihim ng Hustisya!   Ayaw payagang umalis ng bansa ang dating Panggulo.  Ang kampo naman ng mga Arroyo, may kopya ng isang “Temporary Restraining Order”  na ibinigay di umano ng Supreme Court kung saan pinapayagan bumiyahe ang dating Panggulo at ang kanyang mga alapores.

Okinawa-Japan!!!! Kaya naman pala nagka buhol-buhol ang trapik! Eh lahat ng tao eh nag kukumahog umuwi kasi baka mag kagulo. At nasan ang mga magigiting na taga-pagayos ng trapiko? Wala lahat. Ang laking bulsyiet talaga.  Lahat ata ng mg Alagad ng Batas eh pupuntang NAIA!!

Parang nakikinig ka sa isang radio-drama. Sino ang nagwagi? Wala! Hindi naka biyahe ang dating Panggulo at ang mga alapores.  Nag mukhang “TANGA” ang Kalihim ng Hustisya.  Si Juan Dela Cruz, naipit sa buhol-buhol na trapik, ubos ang oras, ubos ang gasolina!

Lahat ba ng kautusan ng Kataas-taasang Hukuman ay tama?? Hindi rin noh!!! Lalo na at papayagan mong maka puga ang mga sinasabing responsable sa pinaka malaking pandaraya ng eleksyon sa huling dekada!!! Hindi mo ba man lang isa-alang-alang ang posibleng responsibilidad na maaring matakasan ng dating Panggulo pag ito ay hindi na bumalik sa bansa? Dahil ba hindi pa binabasahan ng demanda ang dating Panngulo eh walang magagawa ang gobyerno?  Napaka ganda ba ng “track record” ng dating Panggulo? Eh hindi ba sabit-sabit ang Panggulo, ang kanyang Asawa, at mga kasama sa gobyerno  sa lahat ng malalaking raket na naibulalas sa madlang Pilipinas?

Mukha daw kawawa ang dating Panggulo kagabi sa NAIA. Tanginangsyiet!!! Lahat po ng pag-arte eh napag-aaralan.  Lalo na ang mga pulitiko na buong buhay nila ay sanay sa harap ng kamera.

Maaring may natapakang mga karapatang pang-tao kagabi.  Kahit ako, aminado dun. Pero pag hustisya naman ang nakamit para sa karamihan, kahit masakit ang nangyari eh ok na yung tiniis kong trapik kagabi..

Justice maybe a slow grind here in my beloved Pilipinas. But Justice is still a biyatch and it bites real bad when it does!