Monday, February 27, 2006

Eh-hum # 90

As if things couldn't get any worse, certain personalities/individuals try to make things more interesting by suggesting that the Military withdraw their support to their Commander in Chief.

(Former) Scout Ranger head honcho Brig General Danny Lim reportedly went to the office of AFP Chief of Staff Generoso Senga and tried to convince him that he and the rest of the military should join protes rallies and withdraw their support from the President. Because of this, Gen Senga placed BGen Lim under custody. Because of this, plus the rallies celebrating People Power I and demanding that the President should step down, President Arroyo issued Presidential Proclamation 1017, which placed the country under the "state of emergency" plus loyalty check among the armed forces. As expected, members of the opposition and other solons asserted that the 1017 is unconstitutional and are now finding means to discredit both the proclamation and the President.

Aside from this, the Marines (of the PN) protested yesterday after the relief of their Commander. Colonel Ariel Querubin, the leader of the protest, said he was acting to protest the relief of Marine commandant Major General Renato Miranda. Fortunately, the standoff ended without any more problems. The new Marine commandant, Brigadier General Nelson Allaga, announced the end of the standoff, saying “we will follow the chain of command; we will follow the Constitution and the duly constituted authority."

Last Friday, my mother asked me via phone what is the situation in Camp Aguinaldo, where I was working. Overall, it was peaceful, the tanks seen on TV was at the GHQ, which is like blocks away from my office. My parents were worried, but really, the media has this knack for transforming small issues into big headlines.

Wednesday, February 15, 2006

Eh-hum # 89

How did I celebrate Valentines Day?

By taking a leave from work and spending the whole day at school to study for my mid-terms. Nonetheless, it was our (kasambahay) Merly's birthday so it was all good. She treated us last Sunday: we had Tropical Hut goodies for dinner (black gulaman...YUM). As I said, it was all good.

***

I just realized that one year ago...I posted a post (duh) on Valentines Day...how the day was the "bane of singles everywhere...a reminder that they are (still) unattached". This includes me, of course. But as I have said before, this is not really that big a deal. Being my nerdy self, I even wrote information on the history of the holiday, including a link to a source (I forgot what site). BWAHAHAHAHA! Its actually funny, but at the same time weird.

Weird...I have come to realize (pagkatapos ko mag-munimuni) that my being single is cause by my preference not to be kikay...or taking the time to pretti-fy myself (hwehehe) to get noticed. Nowadays, I see how too kikay and frivilous some young girls to the point it becomes silly. What's more silly is that they do this not for themselves but for the "viewing pleasure" of the opposite sex. Growing up, I only look into the basics of neatness, not attempting to put make-up (confession: I actually do not know how) on or whatever.

On the other hand, I am somehow waiting the estrogen to kick-in seeing that I am too...uh, "nonchalant" about being a girl. I guess, it wouldn't kill me to be a lady every now and then...but then again...

Monday, February 13, 2006

Eh-hum # 88

Quiz muna before writing something serious/inspiring/funny...heheheh


Your Animal Personality

Your Power Animal: Eagle

Animal You Were in a Past Life: Whale

You are active, a challenger, and optimistic.
Hard-working, you are always working towards a set goal.


Your Eyes Should Be Gray

Your eyes reflect: Intensity and drive

What's hidden behind your eyes: A sensitive soul

Wednesday, February 08, 2006

Eh-hum # 87

The stampede in ULTRA was a tragic event...but I though it was blown out of proportion when the government sponsored/created a fact finding inquiry on this. Also, I somehow anticipated that anti-GMA elements would be using the incident to their advantage, like saying the incident was caused by poverty and the governemnt's inability to deliver the masa's basic needs. Hmmm...maybe that's why they created the fact-finding body? Jeezzz.

Nonetheless, I was also shocked to hear DILG Undersecretary Marius Corpus' comment that the network treated the crowd as animals. Corpus apparently stated that "[the huge crowd that turned out for the show] was enticed and made to suffer all sorts of inconveniences and, in that sense, were exploited, manipulated, treated like animals" and "[offering only a few tickets to people who had lined up for days] was like throwing a small slice of meat to a hungry pack of wolves and that triggered the stampede" (quoted from the Philippine Star, date 08 February 2006). Okkkaaaaayyyy. This remark makes it clear that the DILG is so sure that the network is the only one liable for the incdent.

True enough, the network is responsible for the incident, whether they were unable to control the crowd or underestimated the number of people that would be lining up outside. However, my question to the DILG is this: while your fact-finding committee alleged that since Monday last week people were already lining up or perhaps affecting traffic, why did not the local government police of authorities (in Pasig) did not became active in securing the place prior to Saturday's event? Where's the initiative on their part to tell (or remind them) the network of the number of people already lining up? ABS-CBN is liable, but i think the DILG, especially the Pasig's leaders, also has some level of responsibility in controlling the growing crowd in ULTRA.

Moreover, while it is also inappropriate to say this, the reality is that people belonging to class D and E are not exactly the most open-minded among the Pinoy population. It's possible that they became unruly when they refuse to understand the situation that they cannot anymore get to see the show and earn some serious cash, which can be described as a limited good. Whoever made the first push, he or she or they were really bent on getting some of the limited goods offered by their show. It is sad to note that Filipinos are not the most disciplined of all peoples. To illustrate, perhaps only a percentage of the population actually use pedestrian lanes when crossing the streets, use the sidewalks, or follow the traffic rules. Being a MRT-rider, I am frustrated at how some of the commuters resort to pushing people out of their way (or pushing them into the train) in order to get a seat. Without discipline, the MRT is a haven for accidents. In other words, the selfishess and disregard for simple unwritten guidelines (like respect for others) has a lot to do with the ULTRA incident. This can happen anywhere, even at the MRT/LRT or at malls.

All I am saying is this...you can't really blame the whole thing on just one person or entity...many factors can come into play that led to the tragic incident. What I wish for people to become more responsible or at least realize that they could have done something but didn't. In this case, while there is really no point in feeling proud after announcing that "its their fault, not mine", what should be done is to help one another in order to alleviate the pain left by the incident.

***

Speaking of crowds...


What is this, a mass action in China? Nope, just students "lining up" to register for entrance examination at an art college. Posted by Picasa

Friday, February 03, 2006

Eh-hum # 86

You Are a Frappacino

At your best, you are: fun loving, sweet, and modern

At your worst, you are: childish and over indulgent

You drink coffee when: you're craving something sweet

Your caffeine addiction level: low

Wednesday, February 01, 2006

Eh-hum # 85

And the nominations are in. The Oscars is THE awards night for Hollywood (particularly big screen productions). When I was younger, I used to watch the show which was usually broadcasted in RPN Channel 9.

Anyway, here's my forecast..or at least my wish list:

Best Picture - Brokeback Mountain or Walk the Line
Best Director - Ang Lee
Best Actor - Joaquin Pheonix (Sorry Heath)
Best Actress - Reese Witherspoon (legally blonde, and legally talented)
Best Supporting Actor - Paul Giamatti
Best Supporting Actress - Rachel Weisz (lovely actress)

AND Please Don't Forget: Best Animated Film: Howl's Moving Castle (Let's hear it for Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli!!!)