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!

SNAFU’s

SNAFU is an acronym believed to have originated in World II from the US Army.  It stands for : Situation Normal, All Fucked Up.

I guess the previous week can accurately be described as SNAFU! Tell me about it. One heartbreak after another, fuck-ups seem to crop in every direction.

1^st SNAFU : After celebrating a solid year of standing bravely on the wall to protect the interest of the Match Factory, team Charlie-India-Alpha personnel are relieved from active duty. Isn’t it ironic that your team’s birthday is also their death anniversary? A cosmic joke slapped in our faces.  For what reasons? I don’t care to know, because soldiers aren’t paid to think, we’re paid to follow orders. With that said, I play with hand that is given to me.  Will this tragic change affect the Match Factory? Most definitely, yes.  I am just waiting for the Sierra to hit the fan and we’ll see who won’t be ducking for cover when it does. Meanwhile, the former team-members return to their mother units but the fire in them will never be put out.  

2nd SNAFU : I was waiting for Wish Lanterns to fly up into the night sky for the “11-11-11” celebration with a pair of buddies.  The shaved-ice on the Blue-Hawaiian-brew cooled down our throats after a harrowing week at the Match Factory. Two hours into the countdown, we get a forwarded SMS.  The lighting of the Wish Lanterns which was estimated to have attracted about a 3,000 people was cancelled.  Foxtrot Alpha!  What the hell gives? It turned out that the organizer, a certain Banchetto was slapped with a local-government order not to release the lanterns in the interest of public safety.  Yeah right, talk about a wasted Friday night.  Here’s a double “Foxtrot Yankee” for the Banchetto folks who caused this fiasco. It is no wonder that the Pasig City Government kicked you out from Emerald Avenue.  You only know how to cook, serve food and leave a lot of trash in your path. 

3rd SNAFU : Since I did not have Pay for View, I listened to the AM Radio Broadcast of the Pacquiao-Marquez fight.  The pinoy ringside announcers did a splendid job of describing the action in the ring. All that one has to do was close their eyes and imagine the  blows given and taken from the two warriors.  From the account of the radio commentators, the fighting pride of the Philippines lost to a counter-puncher.  Was it a surprise? No of course not. The Champ was scouted time and time again. They already found the antidote if an opponent wanted to stay standing after 12 rounds of boxing. The solution? Counterpunch and back-pedal.  It frustrated the Champ and rendered his lighting-fast hand speed ineffective.  Then the decision was announced as I was preparing to go to Cartimar and buy a bike-helmet. The fighting pride of the Philippines won!  What the hell happened?  Well, that may have been from the point of view of the judges but I believe it was another Foxtrot Alpha decision influenced by the promoters. 

Day of the Dead

November 02, 2011 - All Souls Day. It is actually the “Day of the Dead”.

A perfect time to reflect on the mystery of life. Is there anything more mysterious than life? I don’t think so.  Yep, the moment we are born and given the gift of life, there is only one thing certain.  That certainty is called “Death” or the Omega.  It is the end of our existence in this plane. You have to wonder on that great mystery which makes us all equal in the eyes of our maker. 

What makes it mysterious is the unknown after our life in this plane ends.  Do our bodies just rot and return to elemental carbon after five years? Is there a transition of the “soul”, “spirit”, “ chi” into a different plane? Whatever your belief system is, there is always the promise of an afterlife.  Even the uneducated tribes who live in the remote mountains have a basic belief of reincarnation.  I truly pity those educated ones who do not have any faith at all.  For them, death  means the end, with no further continuation of a higher awareness. Are they just being realistic? No, they are just being naïve. How can people of different races, cultures and locations have a common belief system in the afterlife and the atheists simply snub this? Go figure.

Should one be afraid of death.  Definitely not. It will come. The only question is – when? The earlier we realize that, the easier it is for us to embrace it.  In my younger days, our religious instructors drilled us regarding the “exercise for a happy death”.  It first sounded morbid and our parents showed a lot of concern. Eventually, this was accepted by both the students and parents.  I was taught to learn about the two sides of forgiveness. Forgiving others and asking for forgiveness in return. Only when you have forgiven in your heart can you accept the invitation from the Angel of Mercy whole heartedly. Remember, forgiveness doesn’t have to happen face-to-face with those you have offended.  It is in your heart that you must learn how to forgive and ask forgiveness in return. It doesn’t matter if forgiveness is granted to you or not. What matters is that you asked for forgiveness and in return you have forgiven in your heart.

Do I fear death? No, not at all. I am however horrified with the thought that I have not yet put in order all the things for my family. I am horrified in disappointing my family for not giving them enough of my time. Oh well, while I am still part of the “walking-dead”( really, that is all just what we are..)I might as well try to do everything to make things better for the family.  Do we do things differently? No, just remember your “exercise for a happy-death” and the next hunting trip to the Tumana would be just fine.

All Saints Day

Surely, you would remember All Saint’s Day this year because of the crazy weather.  In the morning of November 01, 2011 the blazing sun was displaying its might, forcing the people to pull out their umbrellas and find temporary relief under their man-made shade.  But the irony of the day is that the weather suddenly decided to go south and showered the land with cold pellets of rain. Again, it forced the people to pull out their umbrellas to avoid getting drenched in the rain. One tool, different functionalities, you just have to love it.

Since I could not visit my relative’s graves due to a conflict in schedule, I lit up three candles at home near the foot of our elevated staircase. The first candle, I dedicated to my maternal grandparents, Gonzalo and Rosario, who passed away in their 80’s.  The second candle, I dedicated to my paternal grandparents, Isidro and Enriqueta who passed away in their 90’s. 

The last candle I dedicated to Danielle, my first nephew who was delivered into the world as “stillbirth”.  Stillbirth is tragic death of a baby inside a mother’s womb that reportedly occurs in 1 out of 160 pregnancies.  He would have been 17 years old by now and probably a college sophomore.  I was supposedly his Godfather. We buried Danielle a day after he was taken from his mother womb.  He had a dark patch of hair and weighed about 7.5 lbs. He had my brother’s smile.

I prayed the Rosary in silence for them(… oh yes I still pray even if you think I should burn in Hell.) I also prayed that they pray for us who are still living in this crazy world.  While I was praying, I reflected on how powerful the strength of prayers are from those souls who are already in heaven.  I prayed for guidance, a little strength, and courage to face each day. 

I also prayed to those departed to heal the hearts of the people I have wronged in the past. May their prayers uplift the hearts of the people I have fucked-up.  I may have had a good reason ,or none at all, for fucking them up when I did.  Perhaps I was pissed drunk, angry or simply crazy when I did it, but its no excuse.  I have still crossed them.  The departed ones  know how I regret making those fucking-awful choices. Choices which will hound me till the rest of my days as my penance.

If you have watched “Game of Thrones” there is a warrior who prays only to one god. He prays to the “god of death”.  And his daily prayer to the god of death—- “NOT TODAY MY GOD, NOT TODAY”….  I admit it’s a bit different as to what my belief system is, but hey, you’ve got to respect the guy’s faith! Am sure none of us wants to meet his maker yet, at least not today.

Kandila

I kicked-off the day with the normal breakfast briefing with my two team leaders. We discussed operational issues encountered from the previous day at the Match Factory. I had to break the bad news that our team was again tasked to head another endeavor in behalf of the whole Match Factory.  While me ‘Hill and I  were joking about having brain-tumors because of intermittent headaches I noticed Anne had visible bruises on her arms. I asked her where she got those and she could not recall.  Perhaps it was a sign of Leukemia I kidded her.  She nodded in approval and said cancer probably ran in our match-factory.

We further explored the options when we die. We joked about the type of coffins,attire, and music we’d like played during our wake.  ‘Hill simply said he prefers to be wrapped in a straw mat(banig)  and thrown into the river for the fishes to consume. Anne was quite sure she wanted a wake before being laid to rest. I prefer to be cremated and put in a columbarium immediately. No wake, no after-party. Am sure my loved ones would understand that I would not want them to be grieving anymore. 

Why should anyone grieve? Am sure my passing would not be noticed. The world would continue to go on.  As for me, I will be living in a different plane, which is a part of my belief-system. I don’t exactly know how hot or cold it would be, nor do I have an inkling of how long I will be staying there. If the length of stay in this plane is an act of contrition for the sins I have done, then ten-thousand years would seem like only yesterday.  Yes, I fucked up a lot, even up to this day.  Some of them were really borne out of bad choices.

So as we wrapped up our breakfast meeting with these morbid thoughts, I ponder what the next few days of All Saints Day and All Souls Day would bring.  Hopefully more Zombies to kill. 

Spooktacular

Finally, my pirate friends have provided a copy of “Patayin sa Shokot si Remington, Zombadings, Part I”.

I have eagerly awaited for this film because of the media hype this “indi” film has garnered.  For an indi-film, the accolades and promotion it received was similar to what a major-production outfit received.

After an enjoyable hour and a half of watching this film, I would agree with the critics that this indi-film both has commercial values and social awareness issues embedded by the director.

The “commercial values” helped this film move the box-office receipts no doubt.  First is the use of sub-titles to translate “gay-speak” language into English was definitely innovative.  Second, the use of “Big-Star” names to quickly identify the characters in cameo roles kept the audience guessing as to who will play what, till the end of the movie. Third, the use of music and dance numbers through out the film provided the much needed comic relief.  Fourth, the portrayal of “gay” zombies as part of the vengeance-squad was a touch of genius.  Hollywood and British films are making a killing every time they use zombies as a back-drop for their movies. The recent success of the tv-series “The Walking Dead” is a testimony to the continuing fascination of the people to the zombie phenomenon.  The commercial values put enough “economic-blood” into this movie in order for the common people to go out at watch this at the cinemas. Pretty soon, this indi-film maker would eventually find his way into the commercial main-stream.

There were a number of  “social awareness” issues that this film put forward in a subtle way. It gently took “stabs” in the ills of our present-day society while in the guise of comedy.  First stab – the culture of the Pinoys to prefer drinking the whole day rather than go to work.  Second stab – the lack of training and budget of the Police Force to perform their work decently and at par with the world’s standards. Third Stab – the apparent discrimination of gays/lesbians in the workplace and the community.  The gays were stereotyped as loud, cross-dressing bitches who could only work at “carinderias”and beauty parlors.  Fourth Stab – the corruption of Politicians who in this movie asked all the beauty contestants for a sexual-favor if they wanted to win the beauty contest or get “financial assistance” from the congressman.  Fifth Stab – the proliferation of  “gay sex” as an emerging source of income from the underprivileged. Yep, don’t close your eyes, commercial sex isn’t all about women folks, men do it too, because 80% of our population are below the poverty line; the men will eventually bite the bullet and get fucked from behind.. Let’s get real, commercial-sex will continue to thrive unless government shapes up our economics.

The movie tries to strike a balance between box-office appeal while tickling our social-awareness.  There are also good morals or lessons in the story that the director allowed the characters to simply voice it out in the film.  The first lesson is about love and strength of the family ties. Yep, in this film you would see and hear how the village macho-guy trades places with his gay son in order to save the latter from a curse. The second lesson is about  acceptance of a person not withstanding the person’s sexual orientation.  If I may paraphrase, …”it is better to be gay if being gay means fighting for what you believe is right”.  Being gay never meant to have a “defeatist”attitude. On the contrary a gay person should always be in the “thick of battle” to ascertain that his basic rights will never get trampled  by anyone.

Oh by the way, I lruly adored the scene where the female cop, played by Janice De Belen, emptied her 9mm bullets from her Beretta service-pistol on the forehead of the Zombading beauty-contestant that the corrupt politico danced with. 

Two Lines

You can not imagine how a litmus paper showing “Two Lines” after it is dipped in a tub containing a woman’s fresh urine can change that woman’s life completely.  

Two Lines appearing on a strip of Litmus Paper means the “stork ”will be delivering a baby in the next couple of months.

Our Snake Charmer if officially  “off-market ” as she prepares herself to be part of a world-wide community known as Motherhood.

I wish you well Kim, your baby -  good health, and to Noy,  a warm congratulations!

Pirate of the Air Waves

It’s Saturday night, the kids and the wife are exhausted from all the outdoor activities we did.  They go the bedroom and hit the air-conditioning for some relief versus the evening heat. I settle down with my portable movie-player at the dining room table and start watching some movies I downloaded.   Yep, I am my own pirate.

To say that the “Expendable” is an action movie is really an understatement.  It has a powerful cast that kicks ass even when the actors are just lounging about in the movie. It features Sly Stallone, Dolph Lundgren, Jet Li, Jason Statham, Randy Couture, and Steve Austin.  The fight scenes are crisp and fast, however,I particularly pay attention to the knife-fighting sequences.   I have a “thing”for blades and its practical application.  I must say, Jason Statham handles the knife pretty well in the movie.  But the question really is – what’s the message of the story after all the dust and explosion settles? It’s actually a grim reminder that we, the ordinary people in the work-force, can be replaced, retired, or fired at any given time. So people, better stay sharp and  focused on your work.  Don’t be caught fucking around because really, ten new college graduates would gladly fill in your spot at an instants’ notice.  To all the people who slack-off and don’t want to finish school for one reason or the other, wake up. The reality is that the working-world has sonofabitch rules and one of them is getting a degree before you are allowed to compete in the corporate rat-race.  You will also be labeled as an “expendable” if you keep putting off school. I wont be surprised if you will find yourself old and with no stable job because you chose to hold on to the “contractual chain” for much too long. Get back in school, finish it.

“Real Steel” takes us into the future where humans are no longer allowed to fight in the ring.  Whether it is boxing, muay-thai,mixed martial arts or anything of that sort is considered illegal because it could maim and kill another human being for sport.  Instead, fighting-robots are built to fight in the ring.  Androids controlled by their human-masters is not a bad idea. It actually preserves the humans from bashing each others head and that’s ok with me. The fighting ‘bots is just the back-drop for the story about a father who meets his son for the first time in eleven years.  The story is actually the triumph of the human-spirit against adversity when the trouble is within the family.  The son in this movie is actually more mature than the character of the father, played by Hugh Jackman.  It is the pureness of the boy’s heart which awakens his father’s senses.  The awakening is a slow and dramatic process until the father finally owns up to his responsibility of being a parent. Children, don’t give up on your parents. Parents, sometimes your children are wiser than you think.

“The LakeHouse” tells of a mystical tale between a couple distanced by time.  Yep, it’s a  bit complicated at first because two stories are developing at the same time while they are actually happening two years apart.  The character of Keanu Reeves is living two years in the past while the character of Sandra Bullock is living at the present time.  They apparently both lived in the same lake house at two different points in time.  It is the rusty Mail Box on the front lawn that serves as their conduit between time.  They would exchange letters through the mailbox and get to know each other better. They both know it a relationship that can’t work but they try anyways.  In the real world, that happens a lot. Not the part where you encounter a mystical gateway through time. The part when we encounter possible relationships  at the wrong time.  Hell yeah, you know what I am talking about. You don’t have to look far. Almost everyone who knows anyone has a story like this.  But don’t loose hope.  Maybe in this lifetime you can’t make it work. However, in your mind, nothing stops you from caring for that special someone that is already bounded by time.  

Well would you look at that, it’s 2:30 am. I have to knock-off now. 

Brown Bottles

I chose to pick up a weapon and stand on the wall.  This wall protects the financial freedom of the people who also made their choice to be under my protection.  Standing on the wall is a thankless job.  When you are “right”,  that means something went absolutely-fucking wrong with the wall and the institution you are trying to protect takes a hit.  On the other hand, when you are “wrong” it means your ass is on the sling.  The institution sees only your failure to anticipate  the things to ensure that the wall of protection remains strong.

Being caught between the devil and the deep blue sea doesn’t even compare to the way decisions that we, soldiers on the wall, make everyday.  That’s why I only take volunteers as part of my team.  If you think you are only forcing yourself to stand on the wall, better get out. It could get a lot worse, very fast.

I give my snappy-salute to all my volunteer-soldiers who have to endure all the shit that is thrown their way and still manage to smile.

I may rant and curse. But I am loyal to the wall where I stand watch.  I will be here again tomorrow, my weapon in tow, and head held up high.  But tonight, I might find respite in downing a few brown bottles.    

Basang Basa sa Ulan

The artesian well has been a vital water-system since the old testament of the Holy Bible.  The builders of artesian wells dig vertical shafts deep into the ground until they tap into a water-source trapped beneath bed-rock and soil.  They then widen the shaft and build mortar-support so the walls  won’t collapse on itself.  An artesian well can be rigged with a pump using hydraulics to suck out the water from the ground.  A bucket tied to a long rope has also been as effective in gathering water from an artesian well. 

There are drawbacks from relying on artesian wells as a water source. First, it is bound to dry up.  Since you are simply drawing fluid “trapped” under the earth, you don’t expect the well to give you a perpetual supply  water.  It will eventually run out.  That is the reason why alternative water supplies are now being seriously studied world wide.  Secondly, when the source of the water-trap begins to dry up, the ground on top will eventually sink.  This is called “liquefaction”.  When the pressure of the water is released, the walls of the water-trap beneath the ground slowly  collapses.  This phenomenon causes the top-soil to degenerate and slowly “sink” the communities where the artesian wells are located. 

While man-made dams seem to be the solution to the supply of drinking-water and irrigation requirements, it is also not a permanent solution.  Man-made dams can collapse.  Man made dams collect water from rain-fall or temporarily store water flowing down from elevated sources. If an El Nino phenomena occur on a five-year stretch, we are looking at parched throats from an angry mob. The next world war may not be a fight for the resource of oil but from drinking water.  Red-China will be at the forefront of this scenario as they may simply block all the melting ice-water that flows from their territories down to the rest of the Asian region.

There is a push from scientists to study a  “rain-collection” program as a supplement to dams. The scientists are suggesting that society start collecting rain water in their own houses, apartments, building, and condominiums. Collected rain-water is supposedly distilled and would need minimum chemical treatment for it to become potable. In my beloved Pilipinas, there are only two seasons and one of them sends so much rain water each year. 

If this rain-collection program can be implemented on the local-government level requiring each house, apartment, condominium, and building to safely-store rain water, we are looking at a more sustainable water supply for the generations ahead.      

Head Shot

People tend to exaggerate things if they want to slant the situation their way.  Even if it’s really not a bad situation, slanting the story, so to speak, can make it appear worse than it actually is.

Dito sa pabrika ng posporo, may ganitong nangyayari.  Ginagawan ng malalang kuwento ang isang tao para lumabas na isa siyang “halimaw”.  Pinipilit pag tahi-tahiin ang mga kwento ng ibat-ibang nagsasabing “biktima” ng  pangigipit ng ating “halimaw”.

You don’t go accusing people of things that you can’t fucking prove.  If I was the counsel of “halimaw”, I would sue his accusers sorry asses for libel, defamation or slander. Am sure I would find one that would neatly fit the bill.

Nakakaduda ang tiempo ng mga sinasabing nagrerekalamo. Meron nga ba talagang nag-rereklamo? O ito ay pinpilit lang na ilang mga tao para maka-gawa ng ikakasira ng iba?  Eh bakit? Ano motibo? Dahil kaya sumisikat na ang bituin ng sinsabi nilang “halimaw” at hindi nila ito matanggap? Dahil dati ay itinapon nila sa basurahan ang pobreng taong ito at nang nalinis na niya ang basurahan eh hahanapan nila ng butas? 

By simply asking around the alleged harassment victims, I have gathered enough data to come to my own conclusion.  The “harassment” events, while they may be morally incorrect in hind-sight, appears to have been triggered by the alleged “victims” themselves.  In some of the cases, it only appear to be a string of “striking-out” from prospective date attempts.  At best, this is a case of a horny-bastard who wants to dip his hand in many honey-jars.  At worst, he has very poor pick-up lines that makes him appear to be a loser at getting a date.

Ikaw na ang mag-mina ng ginto sa basura. Di ka kaya ka-inggitan ng mga nag-patapon sa iyo dun? Ano ba naman ang maka pag-pagawa ka ng mga ulo posporo na may kabuuong halaga ng tatlong bilyong piso!  Ingat ka, baka ma head-shot ka ng mga naiingit sa iyo.

Stay low. Stay quiet. Getting shot in the head like a Zombie is not worth all the effort you put in your job.  If it’s any consolation, not everybody can be fooled all the time. 

“Let the one among you without fault of their own cast the first stone against this man standing steadfast behind this wall”…..  

Quiel

The 4^th  Roman “Jun” Gonzaga Fun Shoot was held last Sunday, October 02, 2011 at the Front Sight Shooting Range, Pasig City.

Ten shooters braved the winds and drizzle of typhoon “Quiel” and battled for the prestige of placing first.  Coming in “first” meant having the prestige of buying the next round of breakfast for all the shooters!  Hey, that’s why they call it Fun-Shoots. You play to enjoy your game, have same laughs,  improve your skills along the way, and enjoy the free-food; courtesy of the top-shooter from the previous month!

The Fun-Shoot is where you “apply” the shooting skills you have been honing at the firing range.  During a Fun-Shoot, you get to fire your weapon on the move which is really neat! You also get to fire from various positions that you normally can’t do during a regular target practice.  We fired from the kneeling position behind  a concealed barrier to simulate  real-world gun-fighting .  We were asked to shoot at moving targets! Those rope-activated “swingers” simulate bad-guys who are trying to cover from shots you fire. Then there’s “handicapped”shooting or using just one hand to fire your weapon. This is to simulate what happens in the event that one of your arms get hit during a fire-fight and you need to continue shooting your weapon to end the conflict.  But the most anticipated targets of the fun-shoot are the “6×6” plates that simulate head-shots!  It’s like your in the apocalypse and you have to shoot zombies in the head so you don’t get bit and be part of the walking dead crew!

While the Fun-Shoot is more of building camaraderie among shooters, there is also the undertone of real competition among the shooters.  I don’t think of it as competing with my fellow shooters. My mind set is to constantly improve myself by competing  against  my “best time” and “dope” ( accuracy on previous engagement). To my mind, shooting is a practical sport.  Therefore, the application is more for practical results – kill them all and don’t get killed while you’re at it.  To me, it doesn’t really matter what my ranking is after the end of Fun-Shoot. What matters is that I have improved my reaction time in target acquisition and improved my accuracy in sending rounds down range to the intended targets.

I believe in the fighter’s dictum – “Train Hard, Fight Easy”.  It’s wise to get your skills honed to muscle memory, so panic doesn’t eat you alive in that sticky situation when you have to deploy your zombie-killer.

Stage One was a 24 target course where we shot from various standing and kneeling positions while simulating a wounded arm.  I was 24 for 24 with 19 rounds hitting the alpha zone.

Stage Two was composed of two running courses with a total of 15 targets. The stage was  made tougher by  including 2 “swinging targets”.  I fucking missed a pair of rounds at the last two swingers  which were mandatory 2 hit-targets. Fuck!

Stage Three was a shoot-out which put the single-stack magazine shooters at a disadvantage.  The stage was a 29 minimum-hit course. My four single-stack magazines can hold 32 bullets which meant I  only had a three-round spare for misses or dud-rounds(improperly reloaded bullets that don’t go bang).  I ran the course and hit 24 of the 29 mandatory hits.  I encountered five dud rounds.  Oh well, breaks of the game really fucks big-time.  It was an eye-opener! In a real gun-fight, the bad guys don’t wait for you to reload - they will kill you.  I guess I have to source one more magazine clip.

I go home after a satisfying day at the range. I’ll have to clean the zombie-killer this afternoon and get ready for my regular practice this coming Tuesday.       

Duty Free

I was nervously waiting at the lobby of the Fiesta Mall Duty Free in Pasay City.  For the life of me, I could not remember why I was there at the first place and why I was feeling this nervous. Out of the blue, a familiar face, appeared from inside the lobby. It was Anne. That was real fucking surreal as Anne used to work for me at the Match factory. She was waving for me to come inside the shops and out of the cold.  My feet were like on auto-cruise as I approached Anne.  She gave me a short kiss on the lips and uttered…”you’re late”….

What the fuck am I late for?….. I asked Anne

Have you forgotten your date with MeAnn?  she fires back.

Huh? I was at a loss for words. Last time I checked, I was pretty much married with two children and now I have a date with this MeAnn girl.

I asked Anne about the details of my supposed “date” with this MeAnne who I obviously don’t know.

In one breath, Anne told me that I reserved two months ago for an on-line date with MeAnne and I was already paid. Wow! I exclaimed …I am into on-line dating now? Is Anne now an on-line pimp?

….and, as if on cue, a foxy hot-chick enters the lobby of the Duty Free!

Oh my Lord!! Oh my sweet Jesus!!I know this MeAnne character. She works in our Match Factory! She bangs only the hot guys!! Was that the reason that I had to make it like a business deal? What the fuck man??!!!

MeAnne waives to both Anne and I as she continues to walk toward us. The tits are bouncing and the hips are swaying.  Now I now why I am feeling nervous. Without a bit of warming, MeAnee takes a full kiss on my lips, parting them ever so softly, and allowing our tongues to touch.

MeAnne takes my hand, and wraps it around her waist. She asks …”are you ready?”

I don’t remember what my answer was. I just remember walking with her, my arms never letting go of her waist.

We must have walked a block or so when I heard a male voice shouting….”brother…stop..brother!!!!

Oh my God!!! I look around and I recognize both the voice and the face. It’s my good friend Aries!! I asked MeAnne what the hell Aries was shouting at us for. She told me she was supposed to date Aries but he couldn’t put up the payment so I got the slot with her today.Oh this is turning out to be a fucking nut day! 

Aries catches up with us and takes a snap-shot with his phone-camera. “What the fuck man? What the hell was that for?” …I asked.  

Aries quips back….”Well If I can’t have her, I might as well share her with the rest of the world in my Facebook Account….with YOU IN IT!!!!!   Oooppss. That really turned up the alarm bells for me.

“You better delete that bro”….i said in an angry tone… Aries darts off and runs opposite where MeAnne and I stood.

Again, for the life of me, I don’t fucking know why I had to kiss MeAnne on the cheeks and say…”I got to get that picture deleted, Honey”…..

Aries could sure run. I was chasing him for at least eight city blocks. We were jumping on cars ,boxes, and slipping on the street occasionally. His lungs must have finally given way as he dropped on all fours and was hungrily sucking on air. 

“Fuck You, Asshole!!!… that chick-freak in bed should be mine!!!! Aries shouts with all of his remaining strength.

I took a deep breath as I was also winded out and said…..“Bro…all you needed to say was “Please”.

I wake up and realize I better just head out for the park and jog. I slept for twelve hours straight last Friday night.