July 30, 2008

Tick-tock...

The President's 8th State of the Nation Address was applauded 102 or 104 times, according to reports, of which the loudest was allegedly on the President's statement, "Texting is a way of life. I asked the telecoms to cut the cost of messages between networks. They responded. It is now down to 50 centavos."

But reports later on pointed out that this price cut in text messaging is only up to October 2008.

A promo? In the SONA?

See poster and print ads for details?

Oh well, just text away, then, and hope it becomes permanent.

There are much, much more crucial matters than this.

***

A silent countdown has begun in my head. It's again that time of the year.

This alarm goes off around a month before I turn a year older, and I tend to start seeing and doing things a little differently.

The changes are too small to notice. Nevertheless, I feel that a month from now, these small changes will be my very own birthday surprise for myself.

***

Yet another item in my list of never-to-do-again in driving.

I know it's foolish to think our eight-year old AUV is some sort of an amphibious vehicle capable of going through the flooded streets of Manila last July 16, at the height of Typhoon Helen.

But somehow I did (blame it on that very important deadline at work), and I'm still thanking my lucky stars I didn't get stuck at EspaƱa Avenue that morning. I don't know if I could ever get over the shame if that happened.

I have to admit, though, it was satisfying to see the disappointment in the faces of the Tulak Boys following me through the flood, waiting for my ride to stall, drown, or something.

Not today, guys.

Then again, maybe it's a matter of time before my luck runs out.

*Knock on wood*

***

Very soon my friends will find out if legends can be broken.

Ohoho! This will be fun!

Goodluck!


Tick-tock... ^^

July 28, 2008

Cheers and praise

While over a month has passed since Typhoon Frank and public attention to news has shifted to other matters, relief and rehabilitation of Aklan would take much, much longer.

Aklan still needs help more than ever. Please visit BULIG AKLAN, BANGON AKLAN! and "An Open Letter for Help" from Gov. Carlito Marquez for the ways how we could help and the things needed, such as:
1. Safe drinking water
2. Food/Canned goods
3. Rice
4. Noodles
5. Medicines
6. Clothes
7. Shoes/Slippers
8. Sleeping Mats
9. Blankets
10. Towels
11. Katol or insect repellant
12. Candles and matches
13. Soap, shampoo, tooth paste & tooth brush
14. Old toys
15. Books

In the meantime, it’s never too early to say thanks to the good things that came our way.

Cheers to all who generously gave their time and resources to help rebuild the lives affected by Typhoon Frank.

Praise to the many online residents who reached out and helped bring attention and aid to Aklan, among them, to name a few, fellow Aklanons Cheryl Joy (American Living, Filipina Thinking), who carried on with what she started despite almost giving up blogging, Joanne Tupas-Parsons of Kids Ahoy and the people behind Akeanon ag Proud, who’re up and running and organizing from the very start, and our friend Cez (Vanilla Caramel), who's got a longer list of those who helped (plus a good serving of happy, happy news).

Again, there are many others who made every post, every forwarded email, every bulletin, etc, count. Cheers to you all!

***

Speaking of cheers and praise, it’s been a while since I’ve watched a movie that had people standing and clapping in the end (I can’t even remember what movie it was).

Two of the last three movies I’ve seen this month had that effect on people.

The first one even had some people quietly singing and dancing in their seats from the start.

Mamma Mia! the film is a real treat for my generation (ubo-ubo). It's good ole’ ABBA music wrapped in a feel-good comedy about restless hearts, finding peace with yourself and the one you love, and that elusive fountain of Aphrodite.

Thanks to this movie, I'm adding ABBA songs to my list of driving music. Heehee!

The second movie is as dark and gloomy as Mamma Mia! is light and bubbly -- and the applause from moviegoers was just as loud and long.

Maybe the sheer complexity of his thought-provoking script, coupled by the fact that he's played by a late actor that has been showered with much accolades by his peers, made the Joker of The Dark Knight one of the most cerebral characters I've watched (mababaw lang ako eh).


One thing is for sure: at the end of the movie, people are applauding and talking more about Joker than Batman.

***

A few hours from now, the President will deliver her 8th State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Let's see how many times her audience at Batasang Pambansa will applaud this year.

Let's listen up...

I want these back

I can't recall the last time I doodled, and out of nowhere, this came out today during our flag ceremony. Okay, maybe not ou...