The WWE and the State of Emergency

February 24. Me and my friends were set to go into the biggest event of the year. WWE RAW in Manila Tour! We've been waiting for years for this kind of event to happen again (the last one was I think in the late 80's or early 90's) and February 24 is THE day. A little commentary about the schedule of the fight. When we got a wiff on the said event, the official WWE website announced that it would be a one night event only (and that is on February 24). So we bought tickets on the day the started selling one. We actualy though it was the front row tickets that we bought, but rather it was the Patron side. Talk about mis-information, huh? A couple of weeks later, it was then announced that there will be another day added on their tour. So that's February 24 and 25! And on the 25th, there will be a cage match between John Cena and Edge! Drat. We can't refund our tickets now. Anyway, we went on buying some cardboards and pens and made some placards like the one's that you see on TV with slogans like "You Can't See Me" and Carlito is Uncool.

So there it is. February 24th. THE day! I got up and was really excited to go. This is like going to be one of the most memorable day of my life. Well, as it turned out, it was. When I got down stairs, my mom and dad were watching news on TV and it's said that there was a foiled Coup attempt and a large group of protesters were heading for the People Power Monument to "comemorate" the 20th year of the EDSA Revolution. As we all know, the EDSA Revolution is famous around the world; with the ousting of the Marcos administration with a peaceful and bloodless revolt. Also, for those who don't know, the People Power Monument is near the place where the WWE will be held (in Araneta center). Oh, man. I was like in a "don't do this to me!" phase. So there I was. I went on to go to my work. Now the coup attempt? Well, if you've been living in the Philippines since forever, well, you can say that we Filipinos are kind used to that sort of thing. This just wasn't the first time. Anyway, me and my colleagues who were going, took a half-day leave from work just to watch the WWE event. Later that noon, the president announced a State of Emergency. Now, what is a State of Emergency? Heck. Who knows? From what I've been hearing/reading on the news, it's more like Martial Law. Sheesh... and we thought that the coup attempt was foiled. What the heck was the State of Emergency for??? Afraid of a group of protesters? Man. How paranoid can you get? Well, come to think of it, President Arroyo became president by going to the streets and unjudiciarily removed President Estrada from office. So, a little rally and Malacanang goes on Red Alert.

Aaaanyway, so there we were. Heading for the "Big Dome". We were like praying that the show must go on. By hook or by crook! When we got there, there were still alot of people strolling and shopping on stores in Cubao. People were like oblivious to what's been happening just a couple of kms. away. Actualy, most of us didn't care. What's important is that we got there safe and the show is still on! Yeeeeehawwww!

To be continued...

An Essay from a Korean

I've been reading alot of e-mails about certain foreigners feeling so sad for the Philippines and try to give us ideas on how to run the country. It's a funny thing when you get lectured about love of country from a foreigner. That's the last thing we ever wanted. Here's something that I got from the e-mail just this morning that I would like to share with you:

Presently, there are many Koreans studying in the Philippines to take advantage of its cheap tuition fees. The following is an essay written by a Korean student.

My Short Essay about the Philippines
by Jaeyoun Kim

Filipinos always complain about the corruption in the Philippines. Do you really think the corruption is the problem of the Philippines? I do not think so. I strongly believe that the problem is the lack of love for the Philippines.

Let me first talk about my country, Korea. It might help you understand my point. After the Korean War, South Korea was one of the poorest countries in the world. Koreans had to start from scratch because the entire country was destroyed completely after the Korean War, and we had no natural resources. Koreans used to talk about the Philippines, for Filipinos were very rich in Asia. We envy Filipinos. Koreans really wanted to be well off like Filipinos. Many Koreans died of famine. My father's brother also died because of famine. Korean government was awfully corrupt and is still very corrupt beyond your imagination, but Korea was able to develop dramatically because Koreans really did their best for the common good with their heart burning with patriotism. Koreans did not work just for themselves but also for their neighborhood and country. Education inspired young men with the spirit of patriotism.

40 years ago, President Park took over the government to reform Korea. He tried to borrow money from other countries, but it was not possible to get a loan and attract a foreign investment because the economic situation of South Korea was so bad. Korea had only three factories. So, President Park sent many mineworkers and nurses to Germany so that they could send money to Korea to build a factory. They had to go through a horrible experience.

In 1964, President Park visited Germany to borrow money. Hundred of Koreans in Germany came to the airport to welcome him and cried there as they saw President Park. They asked to him, "President, when can we be well off?" That was the only question everyone asked to him. President Park cried with them and promised them that Korea would be well off if everyone works hard for Korea, and the President of Germany got the strong impression on them and lent money to Korea. So, President Park was able to build many factories in Korea. He always asked Koreans to love their country from their heart. Many Korean scientists and engineers in the USA came back to Korea to help develop the country because they wanted their country to be well off. Though they received very small salary, they did their best for Korea. They always hoped that their children would live in a well off country.

My parents always brought me to the places where poor and physically handicapped people live. They wanted me to understand their life and help them. I also worked for a Catholic church when I was in the army. The only thing I learned from the Catholic Church was that we have to love our neighbor. And I have loved my neighbor. Have you cried for the Philippines? I have cried for my country several times. I also cried for the Philippines because of so many poor people. I have been to the New Bilibid prison. What made me sad in the prison were the prisoners who do not have any love for their country. They go to mass and work for the Church. They pray everyday. However, they do not love the Philippines. I talked to two prisoners at the maximum security compound, and both of them said that they would leave the Philippines right after they are released from the prison. They said that they would start a new life in other countries and never come back to the Philippines.

Many Koreans have a great love for Korea so that we were able to share our wealth with our neighbor. The owners of factories and companies distributed their profits to their employees fairly so that employees could buy what they needed and save money for the future and their children.

When I was in Korea, I had a very strong faith and wanted to be a priest. However, when I came to the Philippines, I completely lost my faith.

I was very confused when I saw many unbelievable situations in the Philippines. Street kids always make me sad, and I see them everyday. The Philippines is the only Catholic country in Asia, but there are too many poor people here. People go to church every Sunday to pray, but nothing has been changed.

My parents came to the Philippines last week and saw this situation. They told me that Korea was much poorer than the present Philippines when they were young. They are so sorry that there so many beggars and street kids. When we went to Pagsanjan, I forced my parents to take a boat because it would be fun. However, they were not happy after taking the boat. They said that they would not take the boat again because they sympathized with the boatmen, for the boatmen were very poor and had a small frame. Most of people just took a boat and enjoyed it. But my parents did not enjoy it because of love for them.

My mother who has been working for a Catholic church since I was very young told me that if we just go to mass without changing ourselves, we are not Catholic indeed. Faith should come with action. She added that I have to love Filipinos and do good things for them because all of us are the same and have received a great love from God. I want Filipinos to love their neighbor and country as much as they love God so that the Philippines will be well off. I am sure that love is the keyword which Filipinos should remember. We cannot change the sinful structure at once. It should start from the person. Love must start in everybody in a small scale and have to grow. A lot of things happen if we open up to love. Let's put away our prejudices and look at our worries with new eyes. I discover that every person is worthy to be loved. Trust in love, because it makes changes possible. Love changes you and me. It changes people, contexts and relationships.

It changes the world. Please love your neighbor and country. Jesus Christ said that whatever we do to others, we do to Him. In the Philippines, there is God for people who are abused and abandoned. There is God who is crying for love. If you have a child, teach them how to love the Philippines. Teach them why they have to love their neighbor and country. You already know that God also will be very happy if you love others.

That's all I really want to ask you Filipinos.

"To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe." -Anatole France

I also read something like this a couple of years ago from a Korean too. The only difference to this e-mail is that this Korean didn't blame the corruption in the government for the current situation of the Philippines. He's probably true, you know. We Filipinos just lack patriotism. We cradle the west as if they are our saving grace. Well, if you look into our past, being colonized by 3 different countries, we actually don't have a cultural identity that we can cling on. The Philippines grew up holding on to the hands of these foreign invaders (most especially the US) and forgot to let go. Also, the sad truth to all these, is that WE, as a nation, are not totaly unified. Who says we're not unified? You mean to tell me that being united when a natural disaster occurs is not unified? Well, that's just it, isn't it. We need to have a natural disaster in order for us to be one. What happens when there aren't any? Nothing! We keep on bickering amongst ourselves, pulling one another down. The term crab mentality comes into mind. Anyway, the point to all this is that we must learn to love. We should first learn how to love ourselves; for who we are and for what we are. Not in a selfish kind. Then, love our fellowmen/neighbor. Let's end all this bickering and try to solve problems instead of making new ones. After that can we only acheive the love of country.

Gosh. Look at me lecturing about something so deep a topic. Anyway, Koreans should know, right? Meaning, looking at their history and all, they probably were the poorest in asia back then. But look at them now. Who would have thought that these people were looking up at us in the past. Now, it seems that the tables have been turned. So sad. This is just something for us to think about. With the current situation of our country, we need new ideas. Well, come to think of it, this isn't exactly new.

Bounce!

Interview with God

This is another SMS from a friend of mine. Lately, I've been receiving alot of good text messages from friends that I can't share with others through the same way due to the length of the message itself. So here I'm gonna share with you the nice message that my friend sent me:

Interview With God:

Host: What surprises you most about humankind?

God: That they get bored with childhood, they rush to grow up and then long to be children again. That they lose their health to make money and then lose their money to restore their health. That by thinking anxiously about the future, they forget the present, such that they live in neither the present nor the future. That they live as if they will never die and die as thought they had never lived.

Bounce!

Nothing To Do (2)...

Has there been a time in your life that all you ever do has been a cliche? Last weekend, it happened. I was tired of my routine of waking up, playing my Nintendo DS, watch TV (whether it be DVD or HBO), eat and sleep again. I really got bored. So after a month of not going to a mall, I went to Festival Mall. I didn't buy anything, but roaming around in the mall is a better alternative than lying around in the house. I also got to watch a movie. It's called Close To You starring John Lloyd Cruz, Bea Alonzo (damn, she's so cute) and newcomer Sam Milbey. I totally liked this film! Well, I am a sucker for romantic-comedy films and this one really hit the spot. It's pretty awkward though, a lot of eyes were looking at me. Looking around, I noticed that I was the only one who doesn't have a partner and particularly, I'm the only single MALE inside the theater. I really don't want to give them ideas, but I really wanted to watch the movie, so I let them stare. Sheesh... to hell with them. I'm enjoying the movie, dammit.

Anyway, after watching the movie. I thought whether I should go home right away or not. But seeing as it was already late at night, I decided to head back home. When I got back, my movie craving is far from over. I still watched on DVD a Korean movie called ...ING. I'm not really sure why it's called ...ING, but I liked it. It stars Kim Rae Won (My Little Bride) and Im Soo Jeong (Tale of Two Sisters). Now this movie is more of a feel-good movie rather than a romantic-comedy. I did bring a tear to my eye for it ended tragically. Sigh... I don't want to be too emotional that night but I really couldn't help it.

Then yesterday, I got up and watched the boxing match between Brian Viloria and Jose Aguirre. I was expecting a fast bout, and so did Viloria I guess, but rather, it ended at the 12th with a decision in favor of Viloria. Huh. It wasn't as exciting as a Pacquiao match but still, the kid's got alot of heart to defeat a champ. After that boring game, I watched another Korean movie called Wedding Campaign. At first I thought it was supposed to be a comedy, but it turned out, it's more of a drama with some light comedy. The movie is about a group of single korean men, who can't find love in their own country and decided to go to Uzbekistan and find a bride there instead. This reminds me of the incident last year where a group of Korean men were caught trying to get Filipina brides here in the Philippines through agencies that were run by their fellow Koreans. It's sad to think that their only chance of marrying is by going abroad. Anyway, back to the movie. The main character set off to Uzbekistan with his friend in hoping to find a girl to marry. Through a Korean connection in Uzbekistan, he was paired off with korean-Uzbekts (uh... koreans who were born and grew up in Uzbekistan) and a Korean translator who knows how to speak the language of Uzbekistan. Unknown to him, his translator happened to be from North Korea. I guess it's a big issue if you a south korean falls in love with a north korean. In the end, he fell in love with his translator. I think it's one of those radical korean films. But still, it is a nice movie.

Bounce!

SMS

Yesterday, I received a SMS or text message if you will, from a friend of mine. And I would like to share it with you just for the heck of it:

I've realized that life is indeed full of contradictions. Sometimes it's crazy to be sane, you need to fall to fly, people suffer because you care... You have to unlearn to know the lesson, you have to give up because you are strong, you have to be wrong to make things right... Nonetheless, life's complexities are also life's source of beauty. We should cry to laugh again, fall apart to be whole again and get hurt to love again.

Bounce!

Post Valentines Report

Really now. What makes Valentine's day special? Besides that I don't have a date? Last night upon going home, I was caught in a major traffic jam in our place. I mean, when I usually drvie thru there, the traffic seems fine. But yesterday was the worst one yet. I really don't get it. Also, flowers are as costly as hell. I really think DTI should look over this. This is already a scam.

Celebrating (or even having) valentine's day is only a way of depressing alot of single men and women. They should abolish this occassion. I mean, think about it. Couple's could show their love everyday of the year. What makes February 14 any different, right? Sheesh... look at me. I'm sourgraping because I didn't have a date. >_> My friend found a new single's term for Valentine's day. Instead of calling it Valentine's day, she called it Single's Awareness Day. Sound's good to me. Hehehe. ^_^

Forgive me for ever being so cranky. I'm like the Scrooge of Valentine's Day. Anyway, today is February 15th and today is my dad's birthday. So Happy Birthday, Dad! ^_^

Bounce!

Happy Valentine's Day

Today's the day. The day of hearts. St. Valentine's day. The day where lovers around the world gets mushy and cuddly with one another. Sigh. How I miss celebrating this day. But then again, not celebrating it gets me a chance to save money. No dates. No flower buying. Hehehe.. looks like I'll be celebrating Valentines at home. Here're some interesting facts about Valentine's Day:

There are varying opinions as to the origin of Valentine's Day. Some experts state that it originated from St. Valentine, a Roman who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity. He died on February 14, 269 A.D., the same day that had been devoted to love lotteries. Legend also says that St. Valentine left a farewell note for the jailer's daughter, who had become his friend, and signed it "From Your Valentine". Other aspects of the story say that Saint Valentine served as a priest at the temple during the reign of Emperor Claudius. Claudius then had Valentine jailed for defying him. In 496 A.D. Pope Gelasius set aside February 14 to honour St. Valentine.

Gradually, February 14 became the date for exchanging love messages and St. Valentine became the patron saint of lovers. The date was marked by sending poems and simple gifts such as flowers. There was often a social gathering or a ball.

In the United States, Miss Esther Howland is given credit for sending the first valentine cards. Commercial valentines were introduced in the 1800's and now the date is very commercialised. The town of Loveland, Colorado, does a large post office business around February 14. The spirit of good continues as valentines are sent out with sentimental verses and children exchange valentine cards at school.

http://www.pictureframes.co.uk/pages/saint_valentine.htm

Today would also be the first anniversary of the infamous Valentine's day bombing. Local authorities are on red alert today due to some threats made by terrorists to celebrate this occassion with a blast. Sigh... people nowadays aren't really that frightened anymore. It'll take more than a bomb scare to terrorize Filipinos. Anyway, Happy Valentine's Day to all of you.

Bounce!

10th Philippine International HotAir Balloon Fiesta

I've just recently been to the most awesome event that I've ever seen to date. I've been looking for out of town adventures for sometime now and this really hit the spot. I'm talking about the 10th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta that was held at Clark Field Pampanga. They've been holding this event for some time now and just recently was I aware that there was such an event here in the Philippines. Thanks to my friend, I got to go.

Although it was a four day event, we just went there last saturday. We were hoping to leave early but 5:30 AM is much too early for us to handle. So we set off from Manila to Pampanga at around 9:00 AM. This was also my first long drive on my Mazda 3 and it was fun and a bit tiring. We got to Pampanga at around 11:00 to 11:30 AM. It was hot that day but windy at the same time. When we got there, we were hoping to see Hot Air Balloons (it is, after all, a Hot Air Balloon Fiesta) but sadly there weren't any. We asked around about those big things and they said that the Hot Air Balloons flew as early as 5:30 AM. Bummer. Even if we did leave at 5:30 AM, we still wouldn't have seen the damn things and it would have been a really long day. Fortunately, the organizers said that the balloons will inflate again in the afternoon, so we still got to see them.

Anyway, while we were there and waiting for the return of the balloons, we got to see some high flying action courtesy of the local and international aviation pilots who did their thing on the air. There was this balloon bursting competition where pilots will fly by and try to burst balloons in the air. Professional Sky Divers. Then there was this mini-rocket launching demonstration by some so-called rocket scientists. And there was also a RC-helicopter and plane exhibition. But none of that thrilled us more than learning that we could get a chance to ride on an actual Hot Air Balloon for free sponsored by TOTAL (it's a gas station). Well, it's not actualy free. You must have an accumulated amount of receipts from TOTAL to get a free ticket or buy a P400 gift certificate from them to get a ticket. We don't have receipts from TOTAL so we decided to get the P400 gift certificate instead. The TOTAL people told us that they would let us ride in the afternoon once they get the right wind and inflate their balloon, but that is up to only 5:30 PM. So we waited and we waited but sadly, they didn't get to launch their balloon. But we got to see hordes of Hot Air Balloons that afternoon.

My friend really wanted to ride one. She was so frustrated that we deicided to sleep over at Pampanga and come early in the morning to get to ride on the TOTAL Hot Air Balloon instead of taking a refund. So we looked for some accomodations but the places near Clark was fully booked. It was a total drag. We went on asking for a room from one hotel to another. We only got a room just outside the vicinity of Clark. At last.

We woke up at around 4:00 to 5:00 in the morning. And left at around 5:30 AM. When we got back to Clark, we were surprised that there were alot of people there already at that wee hour in the morning. Anyway, we checked at the TOTAL booth if our tickets were still valid and we're glad that it still is. So we waited again and hoping that we get to ride the damned thing (it was also the last day of the event so, it was to ride or bust!). While waiting, we get to see the launch of the other Hot-Air balloons. It was awesome! It was worth sleeping overnight at Pampanga and waking up early in the morning. It was a sight to see!

After a few more waiting, we saw the TOTAL Hot-Air balloon inflating. We were saying "hopefuly, this is it. The next chance of riding that thing will be next year." So we hurriedly went to the place where the balloon was inflating and got on line. To our surprise, there were actualy some people who have been waiting to ride that thing since Thursday. Oh well, we were lucky (somehow or the other) after all. Anyway, in the end, we got to ride the hot-air balloon. Though it didn't go far and didn't go that high (it flew just several meters from the ground), it was worth it. It was kinda annoying though that the pilot kept on reminding me about my weight. Hehehe... ^_^

After that experience, I'm planning to go back next year (even after I was all red due to the scorching sun). Also, I'm planning on taking more out-of-town excursions from now on. I never realized it was that so much fun. ^_^

Bounce!

Wedding Bells Left and Right

Since the start of this year (including last December), people I know are getting married. Last December, my office mate buddy, Jay, got married. Sadly, I didn't get to attend his wedding because I was in LTO (Land Transportation Office) that day to take care of my lost license. I was expecting to just catch up to the wedding, but, unfortunately, taking care of the license took some time than I have expected.

Then just this January, two other officemate friends also got married. The first one was our Production Manager, Tess. It was really nice to be there. The emcee at the reception was so upbeat that the whole reception turned out to be one big game show. Looks like he's a frustrated game show host or something. I don't know. Who cares, right? The second one was my seat mate in the office, Jopo. Her wedding was the unexpected one yet. I've never been to a wedding with Purple as their color theme. Even the men wore purple barongs. The kids, though, were great. They have butterfly wings on their backs while walking along the aisle. Also, their entourage consists of politicians (special metion goes to ex-Senator Tessie Oreta) because the groom's father happens to be a City Councilor of Malabon. At the reception, I got the chance to sing for the bride and groom. I wasn't totally prepared for that. Though my friend did asked me to sing long before the wedding, I backed out a few days before it. Then on the day of the wedding, she still insisted that I sing (along with my other friends). Oh, what the heck. So I did it. I sang Because of You by Keith Martin.

Tomorrow, my college friend, Jing, is going to tie the knot with her long time boyfriend, Doods. In March, my cousin, Poch, will also tie the knot. And in April, my best bud in the office, Botai, is also going to tie the knot as well. And I'm going to be the best man. It'll be an honor to be the best man for the guy. He's really such a good friend.

It's a weird thing, weddings. I never realized how old we have grown up. My buddies are getting married and ready to start a family of their own. While me, on the other hand, is still single. Believe me, there's not a day that goes by that I haven't thought of settling down. It's just that I haven't found the right one for me (or vice versa). I'm not getting any younger, you know. And the idea that most of my friends are getting/got married is really driving me nuts. But then again, if you think of it, alot of men in my situation would exactly think the opposite. But ofcourse, in the end, it's just me.

Bounce!

Nothing To Do

Well, well, well. I didn't realize that it was sometime since I last posted something here on my blog. It's already February and my last one was on November of last year. Right now, I don't have anything to do. Production on our next project isn't officially starting yet. By the way, for those who doesn't know yet, HOODWINKED is already out in the States and made big on its first weekend box-office. Yay! Despite the harsh criticism that it took, Hoodwinked went neck and neck with Disney's Glory Road for the number 1 box-office on Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend. It actually took us by surprise when we went number 1 on some days. In the end, we ended up second. It's not bad... for an independent animation film, that is.

A lot of my friends outside the office keeps asking me whether we had some incentives upon reaching number 2 at the box-office. Well, we were hoping that we would get something out of it, but sadly, there isn't. Though, we WERE promised that we're going to get a raise by the start of the next project. Hopefully they keep their promise. ^_^ Anyway, that's it for now. I'll try to be active in posting something again here at my blog.

Bounce!