Eh-hum # 288

What would Cory do?

I join the rest of the country in expressing heartfelt condolences to the Aquino family for their loss. In addition, the country lost an icon of democracy and peace. Her regime was not perfect, it was marred by coup attempts and controversies (Mendiola Massacre, power shortages, etc.). But as we know, the transition from martial rule to civilian authority was not easy for the Filipino people, and she, a simple housewife, took the reins at a truly challenging period for the nation.

What is even more sad with the passing of former President Cory Aquino is that there are still remnants of the old martial rule walking about. I am talking about them Marcos cronies who were her political rivals. Perhaps there is some truth to that old Filipino saying, "Ang masamang damo ay matagal mamatay".

Here we go...

When things couldn't get any worse, we hear Kris Aquino-Yap(ping) thanking the Marcoses and Joseph Estrada for their support. Talking about adding insult to injury. Why am I not surprise? Let me take you back to the days when Ms. Aquino-Yap had a talk show on Channel RPN 9, when she had Bongbong Marcos as guest and her gestured distressed the former President. She also forgot the time when Tita Cory apologized to Estrada and the reaction that got from the civil society.

The Aquino family's decision to refuse Malacañang's offer for a state burial was their business and should be respected; hence, I was hoping they wouldn't have to explain why. Well Ms. Aquino-Yap decided to do it anyway, and unfortunately it may further divided the nation (in her logic, one of the reasons was the supposed pull-out of the former President's security details). From what I heard, some of the family members just didn't want to get involved in politics. Naive?

Reality check, from the moment politicos like Erap and other so-called Cory "friends" and "supporters" have been visiting her and hosting masses for her recovery then, it has become a vehicle for these folks for media mileage and support from the voters this coming election. Like what Mr. Cito Beltran said in his article (see link above), how ironic it is to see those trapos who have betrayed her in the past and now claim to be close friends with the family. I am not being cynical, just realistic.

If Cory can see all of this happening, what would she do? I am sad that all of these are happening at the expense of the former President's death. So Kris, don't be naive and say that your clan is "small" (compared to the current regime) and helpless and all that. Think again; these trapos and former cronies see the (politcal) potential in expressing their sadness for Tita Cory's passing. In addition, by expressing publicly your appreciation for Erap's and Marcoses' support (brrrr) and Noynoy's disappointment for a possible GMA visit, you have unwittingly made this a political issue. Again, not cynical, but realistic.

With all of this craziness, I am glad that the former President (and Ninoy) are in a better place right now.

Just tie a yellow ribbon on the old oak tree...

Eh-hum # 239

"Five fifty-five, fifty-five! Dial limang five! Five fifty-five, fifty-fa-ha-ha-ive"

MAKE IT STOP!!!

If you, like myself, are part of the thousands (if not millions) of Filipinos commuting using the Metro Rail Transit, MRT for short, then you will notice that we no longer hear the driver's voice over the train's PA system telling us which station we're already at. Thankfully, a pre-recorded friendly and articulate female voice tells us that, which saves us from getting confused when the drivers still have not memorized the correct order of the stations (have experienced this).

(Also, saves the driver from being jeered at just because they came from certain provinces. Story: my brother heard from a friend that while they where riding the LRT yellow line, the driver announced "Pedro GEL" instead of "Pedro Gil", which prompted once passenger/another friend to say loudly, "Delikado pala sumakay dito, may byahe papunta empyerno". Oh well).

This improvement in the MRT station is welcomed, of course. Some trains even have small TVs for ads. But what is annoying (and speaking of ads) are the commercials being played after the friendly and articulate female voice makes her reminder. It won't be a big deal if there was variety, like a radio station. BUT, as what I have experienced yesterday, it was just ONE commercial, played over and over and over again. From the time I got on the train in Taft, until I got off at North Ave. Much to my chagrin, I found myself humming this Greenwhich pizza ad (to the tune of an Eraserhead hit) on my way home via FX taxi.

MAKE IT STOP!!!

Well, this little experience proves that 1) repetitive commercials are annoying, worse than LSS; and 2) it really works. If I suddenly crave for pizza/pasta, I know what numbers to dial.

All together now: "Five fifty-five, fifty-five! Dial limang five! Five fifty-five, fifty-fa-ha-ha-ive"

Note: I should demand money for even mentioning said pizza company in this blog, especially if people started calling. Hehehe.

Eh-hum # 234

Whew!

My sister's home for the weekend after spending five days in Baguio. Hence, the house became noisier with more trips to the kitchen for family discussions and before dinner snacks.

After being tag-teamed by my siblings, I finally was able to watch 300. Its a bit late, but watching movies months after it has been shown in theaters is a habit of mine, so am not complaining (part of my "against-the-flow" philosophy, I guess). And I am certainly NOT complaining about this:

Let me just repeat what I've said before, those abs are REAL...real...real. If Gerard Butler gets any more hotter than he already is, we might just found an alternative source of energy.

***

I am a bit annoyed that one of my new blouses is ruined no thanks to a few loose threads. When I first saw the rip (it could be caused by a washing machine mishap or apathetic ironing), I wanted retribution since I used it only once and it did cost me some hard-earned money. However, I realized later on that putting the blame on other people (particularly household help) will not make it any better and I ought to find other ways to have it fixed so that a relatively new blouse won't go to waste.

One option was to have it replaced, but I figured it won't fly since it has been more than a week. I could also try asking the boutique (where I purchased it) if they could fix it. Or visit a shop that specializes in these things.

Oh well. The bottomline is, I am trying not to make this incident ruin my Monday. Or the fact that I am sniffling and coughing since yesterday. But thanks to a certain coffee shop near work, I am feeling much better.

Eh-hum # 177

Saw a rather annoying commercial on TV recently.

A woman, a housewife, was sitting on the couch and folding the laundry. Based on the smile on her face, she was quite happy how clean the clothes turned out. After she has finished, her preteen son comes in the living room and throws his jacket over her head. She protests and her face turns from serene to irritated. But her husband, who was lying on the floor and watching television, laughs at their son's antics and prevents her from scolding him. The woman stops and ponders on what just happened. What could have made her change her mood so easily? TADA! Its an ad for a medicine for menopausal women experiencing hot flashes and mood swings.

So, based on this commercial, it was not the son's bad behaviour or her husband's indifference that pissed her off, it was her hormones. Hmmmm...right...that made SO much sense.

Eh-hum

Eh-hum # 155

Before anything else, let me greet all the moms (especially mine) a Happy Mother's Day! No words can fully express how much we love these exceptional women and role models. From your kids: thank you for everything. ;)

***

Hate to put this in the same post...oh well...

I'm annoyed by a several things, and one of them is losing stuff. It does not matter how big or small, how significant or dull the thing is; just as long as I'm using it and then, by some weird force of nature (or simply my forgetfulness) I lose it, I get quite cranky. For instance, I remember back in grade/high school, whenever I lose the cap of a relatively new ballpen, I render the thing useless. Since a capless ballpen annoys me, I am forced to buy a new one, which also annoys me.

At this age, I still lose stuff. So far (here in Japan, I mean), I've lost a stapler, a comb and a handkerchief. (Also back in grade school, I lose handkerchiefs on a daily basis; hence, there was a time that I stopped bringing one to school and resorted to tissue paper, which I later realized was not a particularly good idea.) I shouldn't so bummed about it; but since these are MY things and therefore, I am NOT suppose to lose them. I don't know which is worse: losing things or being seen as disorganized and careless for losing even seemingly nonsensical things...like combs or hankies. Hmmm...maybe that's why I'm annoyed. Eh-hum.

***

In other news: this editorial cartoon from TIME proves that there IS justice in the world.