When People Power Becomes Tiring

The Philippines has been in the news for a couple of days now but not in a good way. A foiled coup attempt last Friday that led to the government announcement of a State of Emergency. With the government's not so subtle warning on media take-over if they deem that the news are not favorable to them. Press freedom is a right and not a privilage that can be revoked and it caused me to be more wary of the current presidency. Then news of the violent dispersal of the people gathered in EDSA shrine started filtering in which made me wonder what will happen to those already gathered a block away from our office building. It's a blessing that the whole afternoon passed with no untoward incident. It was only when I'm on my way home did I see the military trucks parked in front of our office but nothing violent came out of it. I did walk a few miles to get a glimpse of the rallyist but did not linger like I used to, somehow my heart was not into it.

Sunday came and regular programming was interrupted in the late afternoon when news of a military stand-off at the Phil. Marines HQ. I live near Gate 1 of Fort Bonifacio and have military people as my neighbors but I never had any inkling of what was happening. But then again, having some basic military training myself the saying "what you see, what you hear, when you leave, leave it here"must be upheld at all times, so they will never talk about specific plans but we do talk about disatisfaction with what is happening to the country. My sister is jumping for joy wanting to go heed the call of one of the soldiers to support them by having a vigil at the military chapel. My daughter is more excited at the prospect of not going to school the following day since the school is beside the Phil. Army HQ.

I never found the urge to stand up and join all these calls to protest and vigil unlike before. Although I'm not happy with the current administration with corruption worse than the Marcos era, I see so viable alternative being offered by the opposition. The leftist, rightwing and opposition are all calling for the President to step down with a transitional government as a replacement. What I need is a face that will take on the resposibility of changing the nation. I want a chance to review that persons capability and integrity. I'm sick and tired of seasoned politician doing all the talking without any action. I believe I'm just one of the many Filipinos who wants to see a change in our country but we have learned our lessons the hard way. It will take more convincing before I can forsee myself going out in the streets again.

21st Century Life Less Ness..!!

Our communication - Wireless

Our business - Cashless

Our telephone - Cordless

Our cooking - Fireless

Our youth - Jobless

Our food - Fatless

Our labour - Effortless

Our conduct - Worthless

Our relation - Loveless

Our attitude - Careless

Our feelings - Heartless

Our politics - Shameless

Our education - Valueless

Our Follies - Countless

Our arguments - Baseless

Our commitment - Aimless

Our life - Meaningless

Our bosses - hopeless

Our Salary - Very less !!!!!!!!!!!!

I Want Some "Dumburger"

Finally after two weeks of postponing our movie date and getting a haircut due to health reasons we finally did it last night. How I wanted to watch all those Oscar nominated movies so I can form my own opinion on who deserves to win but Mae is hell bent on watching Pink Panther so what can I do but give in.

I conditioned my mind not to nitpick on the script, the technical aspect and just appreciate the entertainment value of the movie and I did find myself laughing at some of the scenes. The most memorable scene for me is the interaction between a language instructor and the character played by Steve Martin . The line "I want a hamburger" repeated countless times with hamburger pronounced various ways had me craving for one but ended up eating rice instead.

It's now past midnight and just writing this entry made me crave again.... gosh give me a "bumburger" pleaze!, I mean "hamburger"....

20 Years After People Power

Today our country is commemorating the 20th anniversary of the 1st People Power Revolution that removed then Pres. Ferdinand Marcos from Malacanang. I woke-up expecting it to be just another ordinary day with a rally to be held here at the Makati Business District later in the afternoon. I openend the tube and what do I see, all the morning programs are reporting a foiled coup attempt early this morning. To think that I live near the military camp but I never felt any disturbance during the night. So I go on my usual routine and let my thoughts wander on how life was for me 20 years ago.

I has in junior high and so into the music and fashion of the 80's (think Madonna, Duran Duran and Spandau). Being a martial law baby, I reapt the good from that era. The public school system was at it's best and my teachers did a good job of feeding my thirst for knowledge. I felt safe in the streets and I remember a clean metropolis. It was no surprise therefore when I became an active Marcos supporter (and I'm not even of voting age) and figured in debates with my classmates who are against him. February saw the rise of political unrest but most of us became pre-occupied with our upcoming prom. Prom night was Feb. 24 and my friends and I were having our hair fixed at a salon when the guys passed by and told us that the school has to postpone the event due to the people uprising in EDSA. How I hated Cory and all the other prominent personalities of EDSA 1 that I joined all the pro Marcos rallies after his downfall. I experienced being hit my high pressure water canons and being chased by anti riot police. Gosh, those were the days......

As I'm writing this entry the President just declared a State of Emergency allowing her government to do warrantless arrest to those who are plotting against her administration. How ironic can it be that after 20 years we are agains seeing what could possibly be a repeat of the past.

Finding Right Gift

I wanted to give a little something for two friends I've met through the net so I went to a handicraft store inside SM Makati. My Malaysian friend has always been naughty about anatomy of a certain asian celebrity we like so immediately thought of the barrelman as a perfect gift for her. Seems pretty tame until you lift the barrel. I swear I saw it in the store a month ago but suddenly it's no longer available *sobs* it would have illicited a lot of laughs from her.



I ended up buying them the best dried mangoes from Davao to tide them over while they enjoy the sights and sounds of Bangkok.

A Flicker of Hope

It's been days since the landslide that buried a village in St. Bernard, SouthernLeyte. And with the rescue by various local and international rescue volunteers going at a snail pace due to the high possibility of another mudflow the hope of rescuing the children trapped in a school buried deep in mud grows dimmer as the hours tick. Last night, I was able to see a glimmer of hope when American and Malaysian officials said that their high-tech seismic-sensitive gear has detected sounds at the site of an elementary school. A rescue dog even stopped at a spot three times, so for those visiting my blog please join me in saying a little prayer for those kids. It's a race against time and time is something they don't have....

Good Food and Wonderful Friends

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Originally uploaded by marissa_p.

It's another TGIF night with the Voltes 5 and the laser sword (yes I know it corny) gang. Dinner is at Min Sok along Don Pedro and we ordered our usual (just check the photos).We tried another dish, a hot chicken stew (like pinoy afritada) that had most of us drinking water after a few bites and/or having a bite of of so sweet macaroons given by Rizza. We are hungry but tried to refrain from finishing all the food cuz we are still waiting for 3 ladies to join us. Karen came first but refused to eat and instead requested for soju to calm her nerves. Her return flight from Bankok was not yet confirmed but keeping my fingers crossed she can get a seat today. Carol and Brooklyn came in last and with the help of Mrs. Ham,the kind ajumma who ownes the restaurant they have their first bite of the lettuce wrapped sangyeopsal. Brooklyn fighting!!! I'm sure next time you'll get the hang of putting the entire thing in your mouth. We feel so at home in that restaurant that we are not mindful of the other guest and talk, talk, talk and laugh loudly.

After dinner we went shopping for ramen, milk and Vita B at a nearby korean store, no rice cake this time but I've saved space for the best puto and kutsinta from Bulacan courtesy of Pau. No car today so we took two cabs going to Rockwell for our after dinner coffee. Cha, Aileen and I arrived at Starbucks after 5 minutes but it took another 15 mins for the others to arrive because they got lost. Between sips of our coffee we continued our chatter about Bi, GOD, fishnet, sex and marriage in no particular order. No wonder we never noticed that it's already 2am and sadly it's time to say good-bye again....

Friend, Dinner and Coffee

Last night I had dinner with a friend, and because it's Valentine's Day the chinese restaurant was full of dating couples. I arrived first and noticed another lady (much older than me) at a table beside mine nothing unusual there until her date arrives. Whoa, a much younger man *lucky lady* My friend came a few minutes later, placed our orders and had our endless girl talk in between bites of food. Then a guy enters the resto with flowers and proceeds at the table beside us. The lady pretended not to notice the guy standing beside her for a good 30 seconds (is she blind everyone around her saw the guy except her) then she made a very obvious ...

Lady: Oh I'm surprised who are you? (Yucks, poor acting girl).
Man: A guy outside asked me to give this to you.
Lady: Really? * batts her eyelashes* who can it be.... thank you
Date: no response just continued eating

My guess? Poorly written script on how to make my date jealous and make him notice me more hahaha.... So not getting the desired effect from her toyboy, lady finished her dinner pronto and paid the bill. After they left my friend told me that he saw the guy before in that same restaurant with another lady love. Man, it's not a smart move to bring all your lovers to just one place.

Anyway after dinner we decided to have coffee at Starbucks which is a good 10 minutes walk enough to settle the food in my stomach. The place was also jampacked with couples and groups of friends having a nightcap. They even have a live acoustic band that accompanied our lively chatter. I told you being alone is not an excuse to not enjoy heart's day, hope you had fun too!

Just Another Valentine's Day

Nine hours to go and it's Valentine's Day again on my end of the world. Yes, it's that day when everywhere you look there are hearts and cupids decorating the facade of malls and restaurants. Flowers and chocolates are selling like hotcakes and guys literally pulling their hair thinking of plans to make the day special for their love one.

But really, I'm never into the whole commercial hoopla involved in celebrating D- day. Not even as a teen when receiving flowers, cards, chocolates or heart shaped doughnuts from a guy is like an affirmation of how popular you are. Yes I did get my share of roses and mushy cards that had me laughing out loud from the wrong grammar and spelling on some guys declaration of his love .... I'm that picky even then. I'd rather have a guy who does small deeds everyday to show his love rather than a grand gesture only during special occasions.

So before I start sending e-cards to friends and family, let me share ways to make Valentines special for singles out there. Get together with people who do love you -- friends, family members, the people who already have relationships with you.

• Host a singles party at home and rent chick flick movies that you and your friends can enjoy. Or bring out all your dance cd's and party the night away.
• Go to a karaoke bar either alone or with friends and sing your heart out.
• Send flowers or candy to someone who doesn’t have a sweetheart, and sign it anonymous.
• Treat the kids in your family to an ice cream.
• Send a heartfelt Valentines card to someone who inspired you and tell them how much they mean to you.

Hope the suggestions will help in making your "solo" Valentine's Day truly memorable.

Having Breakfast for Dinner

A friend called me up last night to have dinner with her since she's craving for bibingka . I'm still at the office and Cafe Via Mare is just around the corner so there was no excuse for moi. Not that I don't enjoy her company but I'm desperately trying hard to lose weight and going out with her means me eating rice again... sighs... sighs....


So with my diet thrown out of the window (at least for tonight) I ordered what is usually referred as a typical Filipino breakfast. Vigan longanisa with fried garlic rice and sunny side-up egg. We also shared a bowl of Pansit Molo which is like a chinese wanton soup . I felt I gained a few pounds after consuming that meal. In fact, I was so full I hardly touched breakfast this morning so my stomach is grumbling now.

Bye now, I'm going out for lunch!

My Exotic Cause of Death

I will be struck down by a meteor!



How will you die? Take the Exotic Cause of Death Test

Binondo On A Week-end

Nothing gets me more excited than a trip to Binondo (the Chinatown of Manila) because I always love the feel of old Manila and wander through the shops that line the streets of this enchanting place. Seems everything you need can be brought here at wholesale prices. And the prospect of an authentic chinese meal after a tiring day will keep your mouth watering.



I spent quite a lot of money inside Divisoria Mall because everything is cheap, cheap, cheap. Your peso will go a long way if you are brave enough to tackle the traffic and the people who are all in a rush to go to their destination.

Not Your Ordinary Day

I spent friday night with a friend having a belated birthday celebration at Kaya while we talked about our not so distant past. I was happy I had nothing scheduled the next day so I can sleep longer and enjoy another ordinary week-end with the family. I guess I spoke too early because nothing ordinary happened over the week-end.

So while having brunch, I turned on the tv and tuned in to a local cable news channel to be updated on what's happening and was shocked with the images being televised. More than 60 died (mostly elderly women) and hundreds were injured in a stampede to enter the venue of a game show celebrating it's first anniversary. Lured by the big prizes being offered a lot of the marginalized poor in the city and nearby provinces trooped to ULTRA in Pasig City hoping that they will be the lucky one to win but ended up losing more. Throught the day all local stations showed scenes of people trying to find their love ones in hospitals and morgues and kids looking for their parents (why they drag them to a crowded place is beyond me).

Then another flash report of a ship sinking in the Red Sea near Egypt with 1000 reported dead. My heart sank deeper because I also made friends through the net in that country (good thing they made assurances that they are safe). There were no life vests given and the crew even left without notice to their passengers, how heartless! Somehow it cast a shadow to my day and made me think that if only more precautions were enforced, disasters like this could be avoided.

Another Sleepless Night and Comic Scenes

There was not much of an excitement in my life for the past few days. It's the same routine ~ waking up at 4:30 to prepare breakfast and get my daughter off to school, catnap for an hour then prepare for work. Out by 6pm and brave the long line at the public utility terminal to get home. Can't wait for friday since I'm meeting some friends to unwind. Last night traffic was light and I got home early and just in time to catch another hour of American Idol auditions this time in Vegas. Seems the city of lights failed to impress the judges and they only gave 11 passes for the next round in Hollywood. Medical Investigation followed with brand new episodes which is good since the new season of CSI will not air until mid Feb. (yes I know, I'm turning into a couch potato) I may opt to sleep which I really need but what can an insomniac do but to pass the time until the bed finally beckons. So after checking all the other shows on cable and deciding nothing is worth watching at 12 midnight, I decided to match a movie instead, S-Diary with Kim-Seon-ah as the lead.

The first scene showed his bf complaining about her being so needy of his attention and always seeks constant affirmation of his love. He no longers finds it cute and decided to break-up with her but with a parting message that she should find all her ex-boyfriends and ask them if they really loved her. So the story unfolds with her looking back to her past and in the process learn something about herself. But being a KSA movie expect a lot of comical scenes especially when she takes revenge on all her past lovers. Finally she realizes that she was living in a fantasy world where infatuation, lust and need can be mistaken for love. How many woman out there still needs to have their bubbles burst?