Tita Luz's Visit

Start:

Feb 1, '09

Jason, Rhoda, and Xanti's Visit

Start:

Feb 1, '09

Jason's Birthday

Start:

Feb 5, '09

Happy (Chinese) New Year!

My third in Xavier, the first on the quadrangle with the "Stallion" design.

Mga Sandali ng Ka"emo"han 2

Sto. Niño, two Bernardos, SM City Clark, Momo, and Mom

The past three days is like a whirlwind with a steady constant center. I spent most of it riding some form of transportation and traveling from one place to another.

Friday: spoke as the Voice of the Alumni at the Balik Kolehiyo of the San Jose College Seminary; visited the funeral wake of Jake's grandmother;

Saturday: went home to Cabanatuan at 6 am; fetched cousin Maurice from Muñoz, a town in Northern Nueva Ecija, visited two of the brothers of our grandmother;

Sunday: watched the dancing procession in Kapitan Pepe, drove our car through the SCTEX at at least 140 kph; looked for and shopped at SM Clark; prepared a bedroom for my Mom; installed the microphone and web cam to allow chatting with my younger brother Jason; and went back to Manila with my other brother, Jayjay.

Monday: 1:30 AM finally a restful sleep

The one constant in all this is my Mom: I mentioned her in my speech, visited her several times at the hospital, had a conference with a doctor about her latest condition, talked to our Tata Puret about a design for her bed in case she decides to come home, and bought at SM City Clark things that would hopefully make her condition better.

Fave Image

My love for our Mother Mary deepened through this depiction of her. I prayed thousands of rosaries and countless prayers before it. And even until now, I still keep a picture of it beside my bed in Cabanatuan.

The oldest image of the Assumption at the Maria Assumpta Seminary, Fr. Franciscio "KIT" Algas, our second prefect of discipline (after three years under Fr. Diony Esluzar who passed away recently) once told me in passing that it has been with the seminary from the earliest days of its foundation which is according to him is 1964) and that it came from Spain.

It was varnished with brown during the rectorship of Fr. Michael Balaria and that was how it was when we arrived in 1986. Through the urging of then-Seminarian Ricky Samonte, Fr. Rene Vigilia had it painted with the color that it has today. I think the coating from that time has not been painted over till this very day since the blue paint of the sash is peeling away in parts. Not repainting it, however, gives the statue an antique like appearance.

Mga Sandali ng Ka-"emohan" 1

Seminaryo ng Maria Assumpta

Inaruga mo ako nang apat na salin ng panahon.

Pipi kang saksi sa aking mga luha't halakhak, mga sinaunang pakikibaka't pagpupunyagi. Mga silid mo't pasilyo ang nagtulay sa aking kamulatan at kawalang muwang.

Ikaw ang sumabay sa aking mga unang paglalatag ng mga pangarap. Ikaw ang nagpaniwalang liwanag ang higit na bahagi ng mundo. Ikaw ang nagkubli sa akin ng katotohanan ng mga kabiguan at kapighatian.

Sa Iyong bisig, natagpuan Ko ang mga nilalang na ngayo'y katali di lamang ng aking buhay kundi ng akin ding kaluluwa. Sa kawalan ng masusuungan, sumandig kami sa isa't isa, at nakatagpo ng lakas. Umindayog kaming sabay-sabay sa pintig ng pagkakaisa sa kabila ng pagkakaiba at sumaliw sa malabong malinaw na kumpas ng hangad ng dakilang manlilikha.

Sa aming paglisan, di Ka namin malimutan sapagkat ang hugis Mo, ang kulay Mo, ang dunong Mo, at maging, oo, ang buhay Mo ay bahagi na ng aming buong pagkatao.


Extra time last weekend at the seminary compound sort of gave me an opportunity to go around the place and take pictures. It was a home weekend for the high schoolers and the older men (who exist only in plans and dreams when I was there) were waiting for lunch in hidden corners.

My being a former seminarian gave me access to the different parts of the Maria Assumpta Seminary, my home for four years (as well as my two brothers Jay and Jason) and which I constantly visited when I was still a seminarian.

There are many changes, to say the least. The first to third year classrooms now house an upperclassmen chapel and the seminary library. The fourth year classroom and the faculty workroom are at present laboratories. The dining hall has been transformed into classrooms while the our old chapel and auditorium are parts of the college section of the building.

The uneven "U" shape of the structure has been completed to become a more uneven and even a very distorted square with a line in the middle. I imagine this set up makes escape harder but not impossible for seminarians with raging hormones.

The bell, however is still there, exactly where Benedict, my kumpare, our official bell ringer for a long time would hit it to announce the beginning and ending of activities day in and day out.

I sort of wrote the pseudo poem above while posting the pictures. It is a flood-of-emotions-spur-of-the-moment poem so the images are very random and scattered. I hope to find the time and the inspiration to improve it by becoming more conscious of writing conventions. But I may just leave it the way it is.

Freshmen Interaction

Start:	Jan 17, '09 07:30a
End:	Jan 17, '09 5:00p

I am not sure with whom and at what time. All I am sure of is that I will be there to support the batch particularly my two sections.

Balik-Kolehiyo: San Jose College Seminary Alumni Homecoming

Start:	Jan 6, '09 7:00p
End:	Jan 11, '09
Location:	San Jose Seminary, Ateneo de Manila Campus

Alumni Homecoming of the college department of my home for more than a decade: 1990-2001, given a year or two of leave of absences and regency.

Introducing: Cousin Maurice and His Family

Momo, the second eldest among us apos of Nanay Gloria Bernardo and Tatay Fernando Valido, the Senior, his wife Rissa and three children, all boys and all born abroad visited us afternoon of Sunday.

I have met their eldest, Oliver when I visited them in Vancouver in 2002 and Miguel here in the Philippines sometime between the current year and that, but I am so happy to finally meet Raphael.

I was the cool, doting uncle again last Sunday afternoon. With this lot, who needs his own?

FAMILIA - Singles Enrichment Retreat

January 10-11, 2009 Bp. Vicente C. Reyes Catholic Center, Cabanatuan City

Fiesta: Sto. Nino

Start:	Jan 18, '09 08:00a
Location:	Kapitan Pepe, Cabanatuan City

because of the arrival of my cousin and his family: noone is invited and nobody is welcome!

includes a celebration of the eucharist, a dancing procession, free lodging, tour of Cabanatuan, two free meals

departure from Manila: approximately 6 PM, Saturday, January 17

departure from Cabanatuan: approximately 1 PM, Sunday, January 18

expenses: roundtrip transportation Manila-Cabanatuan: 360 pesos, others: at your own volition

Two 2-3 hour trips by bus

needs to wear red and do stupid dance moves during the procession

Watchmen

Rating:	★★★★
Category:	Books
Genre:	Comics & Graphic Novels
Author:	Alan Moore, Dave Gibbons, John Higgins

Reissued at 90 (?) pesos each, the first issue of the 'Watchmen' series is now available at comicbook stores.

Altough I want a more comprehensive review of this one of a kind comicbook/graphic novel, I am posting one now in order to announce this good news to comicbook fans of mature inclinations.

I forward the unsolicited advice that first time readers start with this rather than the collected version because 'Watchmen' is not the typical one sitting, browse through kind of comicbook. Besides the collected version is quite bulky; one does not want to transform his at least 800 peso worth graphic novel (the cheapest that I know of is from Bestsellers also in Galleria) into a dog-torn-waste-paper-basket-case in no time.

The story is rich in many levels. Unlike the 'Bone' series, no pages are wasted. The artwork, though at times childish in appearance, is of a color hue that shames 'V for Vendetta' and even the new 'Shazam' series. Although, there are no mind boggling action sequences and therefore no comic bubbles that proclaim their corresponding sounds, the conflict is intruiging enough to sustain one's interest until the very end. At the same time it makes one impatient that he is holding a complicated work rather than a comics for children. It is so hard to resist the temptation not to take a peek at the ending. The resolution is satisfaction guaranteed.

I can't wait to see the film adaptation.

Rated R: Hindi Lahat...

Paunawa: Hindi po ito panggagaya sa 'Joke of the Day' ni Andrew.

'Hindi lahat ng malakas, super hero!' 

                                   - Putok

'Paano tayo makakabuo kung hindi ako papatong sa iyo?' 

                                   - Lego

'Halika, bigyan mo pa ako ng init. Kailangan kong pumutok para ako'y
iyong matikman at ika'y masarapan. Ayan na! Puputok na! Humanda ka!' 

                                   - Popcorn

'Kahit papaano, gusto ko din ng exposure!' 

                                   - Singit

'Hindi ko hinahangad na ipagmalaki mo na ako'y sa iyo. Ayoko lang
naman na sa harap ng maraming tao, ganun mo na lang ako itanggi!' 

                                   - Utot

'Hindi lahat ng hinog ay matamis!' 
            
                                   - Pigsa

'Kapag ang katawan mo'y nag-iinit, lagi na lang ako ang hinahanap mo.
Maya't maya mo akong ginagamit at pinapagod. Hindi ka na naawa!' 

                                   - Aircon

'Pagod na akong humawak ng balls mo! Pagod na rin ako sa
pagbihis-hubad mo sa akin. Malapit na naman ulit! Ayoko na!!!' 

                                   - Christmas Tree.

'I ikspik that it will be a long payt, a good payt, But you know, I
didn't ikspik. Tinks por da God, you know, and tinks por ol da
pelepeno pipo!' 
                          
                                   - Manny Pacquiao.

'You never even thank me for making you happy, then you throw me away
just like that. I hate you for using me, for making my life full of
shit!' 

                                   - Tissue

'Hindi lahat ng kulot, salot!' 

                                   - Goldilocks

'Hindi lahat ng bubuyog, kulay itim!' 

                                   - Jollibee

'Alam kong sa tingin mo, masaya ako! Pero bakit kayo ganyan?! Sa
tuwing wala na kayong masabi, ako na lang ang ginagamit nyo! Pagod na pagod
ako sa pagngiti!'

                                   - Smiley

'You can cry all you want, you could always blame me... You said, it
wasn't fair that you just want life to be better. But remember, it's all
your fault! You stabbed me with a knife!' 

                                   - Sibuyas

'Isubo mo ang kahabaan ko. Dilaan. Sipsipin. Paglaruan sa bibig mo..
Para lumabas ang katas ko na kinasabikan mo. Nag mamahal,' 

                                    - Ice Candy

'Bakit ayaw nyo pa rin sa akin kahit sosyal at maganda ako? Dahil ba
mas sweet ang iba?'. 
        
                                    - Fruitcake

'Panakip butas mo lang pala ako!'. 

                                    - Panty

'Pinapaikot mo lang ako! Nagsasawa na ako. Mabuti pang patayin mo na
lang ako'. 

                                    - Electric fan

'Hindi lahat na walang salawal ay bastos!' 

                                   - winnie d' pooh

'Alam mo ba wala akong ibang hinangad kundi ang mapalapit sa iyo.
Pero patuloy ang pag-iwas mo'. 
 
                                   - ipis

'Hala! sige magpakasasa ka! Alam ko namang katawan ko lang ang habol
mo.' 

                                   -hipon

'Ayoko na! Pag nagmamahal ako, lagi na lang maraming tao ang
nagagalit! Wala ba akong karapatang magmahal?!' 

                                   -Gasolina

'Sawang-sawa na ako, palagi na lang akong pinagpapasa- pasahan, pagod
na pagod na ako.'

                                   -Bola

'Ginawa ko naman lahat para sumaya ka, mahirap ka ba talagang
makontento sa isa? Bakit palipat-lipat ka? 

                                   - TV

'Hindi lahat ng maasim may vitamin C' 

                                   -kili kili 

'Pilitin mo man na alisin ako sa buhay mo, babalik at babalik ako! 
                                                             
                                   -Libag

'Anung kasalanan ko sa iyo, iniwan mo na lang akong duguan...'

                                   -Sanitary Napkin

'Hwag mo na akong bilugin..' 

                                   -kulangot 

 'Bwisit na buhay ito! Araw-araw na lang, itlog! Umaga, tanghali, gabi, itlog! Itlog! Itlog! Lagi na lang itlog!' 
                                    
                                   -Brief

'Sige, kalimutan mo ako para malaman ng iba ang baho mo! 

                                   -deodorant

'Ako lang ang makakapagpadugo ng ilong ni Manny Pacquiao!' 

                                   - English

'Hindi totoong anak ko si Bakekang! At lalong hindi ko kapatid si
Mike Enriquez! Kaya pwede ba, tigilan na ang tsismis na yan!' 

                                       - Shrek

Dayo

Rating:	★★★★
Category:	Movies
Genre:	Animation

Ang tanging pelikulang pinanood ko sa katatapos (?) na MMFF. Patunay ito--sa sarili ko, hindi sa ibang tao--na gusto ko pa ring suportahan ang industriya ng pelikulang Filipino. Patunay ito na naniniwala pa rin ako sa galing natin sa paglikha sa larang-sining ng paggawa ng mga obra sa pinilakang tabing. Patunay ito na nakikinig ako sa pakiusap ni Kuya German Moreno.

Hindi naman ako binigo ng Dayo. Unang-una na siguro, hindi ko tinaasan ang nibel ng inaasahan ko. Kinumbinsi ko rin ang sarili ko na hindi ko pagtutuunan ng pansin ang mga kahinaan ng pelikula sa larangang teknikal dahil wala naman talaga tayong tradisyon ng anime o animation; komiks lang--ni hindi pa nga comics.

Nasiyahan ako sa pelikula, natawa ako sa ilang nakatatawang tagpo at kahit sa ilang hindi, naantig ang damdamin ko sa mga sandaling kaantig-antig at sa mga hindi, namangha ako sa mga kulay, tunog, at mga nilalang na bunga ng mga guni-guni ng manunulat, mga tagaguhit, at direktor. Sa madaling salita, nakapasok ako sa mundo ng... hindi Elementalia... kundi Dayo.

Ipinangako ko sa sarili ko na hindi ko papansinin ang teknikal na aspekto ng dula. At tinupad ko iyon, subalit hindi ko mapalampas na punahin ang akda sa larangang artistiko kahit sa isang aspekto lamang at iyon ay ukol sa pagsasalaysay.

Bilang isang guro sa panitikan, patuloy akong namamangha sa kawalan ng kakayahan ng ating mga manunulat na lumikha ng mga istoryang may internal na tunggalian ang pangunahing tauhan at ang buong kuwento ay nakalunday sa tunggaliang ito. Lagi't lagi ang mga salaysay na nakatatagpo ko sa aking pagbabasa ay mga kuwentong itinutulak at ginagawang interesante ng dami ng mga pangyayari. Sabi ng ilan, ayaw raw kasi ng mambabasang Pinoy na mag-isip. At sa kasawiang-palad, ang Dayo ay hindi nakaligtas sa nakagawian nating ito bukod pa sa pagpapahinuhod sa mga diyos ng komersiyalismo--isang katotohanan na kahit tayong nasasatabi lamang at may layang pumuna kung kailan ibig natin ay hindi maiiwasang aminin.

Magkagayunman, lumabas ako sa sinehan nang palihim na inaawit ang pangunahing awitin ng pelikula na balita ko ay nananalo ng award. Maaaring magaling nga iyon o dahil nakahihiya naman kung matatalo ang kanta ng ipinagmamalaki nating si Lea Salonga. Subalit para sa akin, kapag ginagawa ko ang aksyong iyon, iisa lang ang ibig sabihin: may inukit sa isip at puso ko ang pelikula.

Isa itong napakainam na simula ng mga magiging pakikipagniig ko sa mga tauhan ng mundo ng pinilakang tabing.

My Life

Rating:	★★★★
Category:	Books
Genre:	Biographies & Memoirs
Author:	Golda Meir

The memoir of one of the founding fathers (mothers) of Israel and the second real book that I finished over the break.

The recent events in the Middle East involving the State of Israel is not the impetus in my reading this book. It just so happen that my father got this book from my shelf of unread materials while I was not home (and without my permission) and left it lying around. The matter of fact is I began reading it even before those events filter into the news.

However, that I am halfway done through it when the media focused on the latest on the Israel-Palestinian conflict helped a lot in my viewing of the situation. Foremost, it helped me somehow consider that Israel may not be the bully in the conflict and neither are the Palestinians the victims of Israel.

The book, however, made me realize how subjectivity can indeed influence the writing of history. In the book, for example, the likes of Nixon, the military junta of Burma (or their predecessors), Idi Amin of Uganda, and Nicolae Ceauşescu of Romania appear hero-like at some point.

This book is a good reading though for it shows a fine example of a lady-politician-leader who only had in her being the good of her people.

Laconites/Williamnites/Delinites Partee Peeps in Dampa

Isa sa pinaka hindi makalilimutang pagdiriwang ng pasko.