Patchwork Kwentos

Remembering Church Worker Jose ‘Pepe’ Manegdeg - Bulatlat

2010-12-14T17:58:00.000+08:00

Remembering Church Worker Jose ‘Pepe’ Manegdeg - Bulatlat

Menthol Candy

2009-10-05T08:04:00.006+08:00

I got off the institution in San Juan and went straight to EDSA Shangri-la to hook up with Ian for some beer and stories. Yearning for a smoke, I looked for a cigarette vendor along Shaw Blvd. but cannot find one so I walked towards Pasig Area until I found a vendor nervously sitting by the sidewalk, eyes moving cautiously, searching, waiting for something.

Settling down beside her with my precius cigarette stick, I asked the reason for her fidgety action. She said that the police are very active nowadays trying to apprehend hawkers like her along the Mandaluyong Central Business District.

She used to earn three hundred pesos net for a whole day's work and its not a 9 to 5 thing but a gruelling morning til night "patintero" with cars and people along Shaw Blvd. Now, her 300 pesos would include her "puhunan" for tomorrow. She makes do with a menthol candy for lunch and has to spend some for her jeepney fare home.

Sitting beside the cigarette vendor along the Shaw blvd. sidewalk, looking at the people rushing by, catching up with something I cannot comprehend, I remembered Thelma at that exact time to be sitting beside the U.S. Ambassador for their school activity discussing God knows what the U.S.A has to offer their beloved Philippines.

And I bet it wont be a menthol candy they'll partake for dinner.

Now for my beer.

Tatakbo si Teddy!

2009-08-18T08:05:00.003+08:00

Images of SONA 09' Protest Rally

2009-07-28T13:41:00.005+08:00

Umuusok ang isang bahagi ng Commonwealth Avenue nuong July 27, 2009 dahil sa himagsik ng sanlaksang mamamayan na naulanan man subalit hindi namatay ang init ng kanilang pakikihamok at pagbalikwas laban sa rehimeng US-GMA.

Malayo-layo rin ang binagtas ko para marating ang kinaroroonan ng bulto subalit nabuhayan ng loob ng muling makadaupang palad ang mga kasamang tuloy-tuloy na nagsusulong ng kilusan para sa pagbabago.

Sa sana ay pinakahuling SONA na ni GMA, hindi siya nagpatumpik-tumpik at patuloy ang mapagmaneobrang mga salita para panatilihin ang sarili sa poder ng kapangyarihan pagkatapos ng kanyang termino.

Handa na ang mamamayan sa laban....

Free Ka Jovencio Balweg!

2009-05-20T12:05:00.000+08:00

Palayain si Ka Jovencio Balweg at lahat ng Bilanggong Pulitikal!

Todo Tiende by Ojos de Brujo

2009-04-01T13:19:00.001+08:00

i was watching Aljazeera channel and came across this fusion band from Spain called Ojos de Brujo. Wasak ang tenga ko! The band really rocked and they even articulated their sound well, and played it even better. Wow!

more about "Todo Tiende by Ojos de Brujo", posted with vodpod

Wednesday Groove

2009-03-27T17:10:00.002+08:00

Last wednesday was crazy hearing a band i totally forgot at the moment the name at the 70's Bistro. With Adrian, we wrecked the dance floor with our groovy dance grooves grooving over SKa music and eclectic music but sounds all the same with the twirling, whirling beer spirit over our heads.

It was a night of renewal and friendship as i met a father of my student for the second time then meeting a former seminarian teaching philosophy who happens to be a housemate of Atty. Adrian.

Its been two days and i still cannot remember the band's name. I've mentioned it to my sister yesterday and now, i am at a lost! the singer styled like Jason Mraz in his trilby but can play a mean guitar while singing.

Memory lost! Its the age thing creeping again.

pawi ng lamig

2009-03-09T16:17:00.001+08:00

Sa Silid ng pag-uusap
isip ay lumulutang-usad
nginig ng kalamnan dulot ng erkon
pinapawi ng init galing sa prodyektor

Don Bosco and Victor Hugo

2009-03-05T12:43:00.002+08:00

I just learned that Don Bosco was visited by the famous Victor Hugo (Les Miserables, Hunchback of Notre Dame) during his brief stay in Paris, France. Hugo was a known anti-cleric but i think were intrigued with the way Don Bosco addressed the problems besetting Italy's youth.

Victor Hugo said, and i quote," "Don Bosco is a man of legend."

Two great individuals who hoped for a better world in different perspectives, two brilliant and honest minds and hearts who influenced my way in viewing things actually met during their time! That story really made my day!

Anachronism in Lagro

2009-03-03T11:31:00.004+08:00

I saw this rolling store at the intersection of SM Fairview on my way to Sapang Palay. The cow, the wares, and the owners came all the way from Pangasinan to try out their luck against the imperial mall in the metropolis.

Tula sa Tren

2009-02-10T11:23:00.003+08:00

Habang nakasakay sa LRT papasok sa trabaho, nakita ko itong tula, sa tren, (kaya nga tulaan sa tren) na sulat ni Rio Alma. Nagandahan ako talaga. Sana ay mas dumami pa ang mga ganitong obra at ikalat sa kalakhang Maynila. Sa likod ng mga taxi kaya? sa Loob ng Jeep? O Bus? Sana mga paintings din mag-post ang mga gumagawa ng ganitong mga proyekto.

Reading is Freedom

2009-02-05T15:10:00.000+08:00

Love libraries! Libraries exude an air of sacred space for knowledge to freely move and enter the individual and collective minds groping to understand the mysteries surrounding our life. Entering a library, one feels the solemn ritual of a person trying to gain new insights and absorbing what the world offers. Silence pervades the hall lulling sleepyheads that use meditation as an excuse to occupy cubicles and try to sleep in a half erect sitting position as others refer and discuss notes in a hushing manner lest the librarian slash your hush with some tongue lashing.

A library in the traditional sense is a place where books are kept for use but not for sale. It has expanded its scope in present times to include musical, artistic, or reference materials that people can use for whatever purpose they have in mind. It is in this place where you can find the literary works of the communist Karl Marx, the fiery philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche and the capitalist Ross Perot serenely stand side by side in the shelves without the usual debate on class struggles and the correct social system.

But it is always the books that fascinate the imagination as it stands quietly in the shelves waiting to share knowledge and share stories to the next person. Reading books gives an individual the experience that transcends one’s physical boundaries by leafing through the pages and absorbing the magical letters transformed into words that breathes life, stories, and knowledge to the readers. To read is to add up to the cumulative learning of every individual giving each one the chance to absorb wisdoms culled from the experiences of individuals and societies. It’s a fascinating trip that can bring one from the apex of happiness to the abyss of gloom and misery depending on one’s whims and mood at the moment.

In the era of fast food and high speed communication technology where our basis of efficiency and effectiveness lies on how we can accomplish tasks at hand with the least time expended, we are expected to speed up whatever we are doing to get to other tasks diminishing our mindfulness in the present moment. Reading slows down the pace as one discovers the thoughts and minds of authors putting us back into the mindful state of sitting still and quiet solitude that creates space for creativity. As one saying goes, Revolution begins in quiet places.

Slogans of revolution

2009-01-23T09:20:00.012+08:00

Walking on my way to school, i saw a couple of messages sprayed on the wall that merited my interest. Slogans normally written in red with the organization's signature were presented differently. What made me smile was that while the message remained the same, the undersigned was an individual's name and it was painted in a more creative and personal way. Normally, it is the organization's name that would be assigned but here, it was very personal, and actually, cute.

Little Hollywood

2009-01-21T10:16:00.003+08:00

Little Hollywood Restaurant (est. 1960) along C.M. Recto Avenue is an old favorite haunt of drinkers who enjoy their. cholesterol heavy “pulutans” like the different Chicharon style (Bituka, Bulaklak, balat) to go with their beer. I believe the place started cooking roasted chicken in a rotisserie, along with Robina chicken (another company), in the 1970s, long before the advent of the lechon manok craze in the 1980s. I enjoy walking this area when I was small as my mother brings me with her to Roxan theater where she worked in the late 70s to watch early Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee flicks. Wala pang LRT nuon. After the movie, we would buy chicharon at Little Hollywood and munch it along the way.

Siomai

2009-01-21T08:56:00.006+08:00

Bagamat matagal-tagal na rin akong kumakain ng siomai sa tanang buhay ko, nagsimula lang ako magkainteres na hanapin ang pinakamasarap na siomai sa kalakhang Maynila nuong matikman ko ang siomai na tinitinda sa likod ng University of Santo Tomas. Isang simpleng estante na nagtitinda ng dalawang uri ng siomai, pork at saka sharksfin, at gulaman na nagsisilbing pantulak sa bumabarang siomai sa mga nabibilaukang parokyano ng tindahan.

Una ko itong natagpuan ng minsang napadaan ako at nakita ko ang naguumpukang mga estudyante na di magkandaugaga sa pagbili at pagkain ng siomai. Animo'y na-duduwende ang mga bumibili at nagkakagulong umorder ng tatlo, apat na order (isang order ay P11.00 kada tatlong (3) piraso) at nilalantakan na mismo duon sa lugar, bagamat yung iba ay inuulam pang-hapunan.

Masarap ang siomai dito, lalo na kung gutom na gutom, at ang mas masaya ay ang presyo nito na parang hindi naaapektuhan ng implasyon at pandaigdigang resesyon at hindi pa nagtataas hanggang ngayon (o baka tapat lang ang tindero sa itinakda niyang halaga na nakapinta sa kanyang rolling store o baka tinatamad pintahan ng bagong presyo).

Kaya sa kada baba ko ng LRT, kada pasok ko ng mga mall, at kada lakad ko sa mga lansangan ng Maynila, hindi ko mapigilang tumigil at tikman ang mga tindahan ng siomai sa mga tabi-tabi na maaaring masabing "the next best thing sa siomai"para sa akin.

Sa hanayan ng mga siomai, eto so far ang madalas kong mabili at makain, dahil na rin sa dalas ng pagdaan ko sa mga estante nila.

1. Bernabest Siomai (LRT stations)
2. Master Siomai (LRT stations)
3. Likod ng UST (check out photo)
4. Siomai sa tapat ng Our Lady of Fatima Church, Cordillera, Q.C.

ponso's shoe

2008-12-10T11:38:00.003+08:00

Ponso's Nike shoe effortlessly looked like a still art installed in the middle of his Lolo and Lola's house as he ran around barefooted.

Filipino cookies

2008-12-10T11:22:00.003+08:00

Someone went to Spain and gave us this cookie called "Filipinos." Brownish black outside and white inside, like oreos, or the never ending colonial mentality still enveloping most of the Filipinos' psyche.

Frisbee Revolution!

2008-11-18T09:47:00.000+08:00

I played Frisbee again with my students and Boys’ home kids at Boystown two Saturdays ago and it has been a while since I last threw the magic saucer that gives me that natural high pumping my endorphin level a few notch higher. I have always been a fan of those who can throw the disc in different ways and still visualizes that one of these days, I’d be running in the field trying to catch the high flying Frisbees! But at the moment, it is all in the realm of mind visualization.

I read the book One Billion: A China Chronicle written by Jay and Linda Matthews in 1983 and read an excerpt that interested me about frisbee and the People's Republic of China.

"To squeeze some new amusement from dry urban life, people in Peking and other large cities have latched on to the Frisbee. Foreign tourists frequently brought Frisbees into the country and gave them away, but the plastic discs never made much headway until the Peking No 4 Toy factory started mass producing “flying saucers,” as they are known in China. The first 60,000 locally made projectiles sold out quickly in 1980, and now orders from all over the country are backed up. “Frisbee fever has struck,” The Peking Evening News reported. It recommended a game of Frisbee as a “wholesome pastime” for children and good exercise for their elders. The police, however, are not similarly enchanted by young Frisbee fanatics who commander whole neighborhoods and send their flying saucers whizzing in and out of traffic. On a single day in August 1980, police detained 350 wayward disc throwers. Of those, 344 were “criticized” and 6 repeat offenders had to surrender their Frisbees."

Jerrico, LIVE at The Airliner on November 21, 2008

2008-11-18T08:23:00.001+08:00

Jerrico hip-hops progressive music signifying unity amidst diversity and positive global vibration.

The Jerks!

2008-11-14T07:51:00.004+08:00

Do not go gentle into that good night

rage, rage against the dying of the light.

- Dylan Thomas

The Loves of Che Guevara

2008-11-12T10:30:00.009+08:00

I read a book around two months ago about Che Guevara and learned that he actually got married twice and that he had children! I thought he was single all throughout his career as a revolutionary. The first girl, Hilda Gadea i guess was instrumental in introducing Che with radical thoughts during their stay in Guatemala. She was an organizer and a Peruvian exile due to her progressive activities that put her into trouble when the pro-people president was removed from office by a fascist leader.

But their relationship, according to the book (i forgot the title), was more on the realm of politics with Hilda Gadea's polemics on Marx, Lenin, and Latin American Revolution mesmerizing Che Guevara to fall for her.

Guevara however decided to separate from Gadea through a letter (because Hilda was in Peru) because of, i don't know, maybe due to the distance and the separation that took place when Che decided to join Fidel Castro in that historic Granma expedition. They had one child who died in 1995. the book surmised that Che was only attracted to Hilda Gadea because of her determined attitude to pursue whatever goals she set her mind on, and for this matter, it was Che Guevara and her radical ideas. He even asked Hilda and Hildita, their daughter, to stay with him in Cuba after the victory but i do not know the reason of their falling out (because i do not remember all the details of the book and it has been two months since i read it).

Anyway, maybe because he fell in love with another girl during the course of the revolution to topple the Batista Dictatorship. The lady named Aleida March who worked as his secretary and also his compañera became his second wife. They had 4 children and one of them continues to pursue the ideals of Che Guevara as a doctor in Cuba and all the oppressed people in the world!

Black is the Colour

2008-11-10T08:08:00.003+08:00

Black is the Colour
(traditional)

Black is the colour of my true love's hair
Her lips are like some roses fair
She's the sweetest smile, Andthe gentlest hands
And I love the ground, Whereon she stands.

I love my love and well she knows
I love the ground, whereon she goes
I wish the day, it soon would come
When she & I could be as one.

I go to the Clyde and I mourn and weep
For satisfied, I never can be
I write her a letter, just a few short lines
And suffer death, a thousand times.

For Black is the colour of my true love's hair
Her lips are like some roses fair
She has the sweetest smile, Andthe gentlest hands
And I love the ground, Whereon she stands.

Biking on Empty

2008-11-09T23:25:00.006+08:00

This bike has been stationary for more or less one and a half year in my parent's house. My sister and I were supposed to buy it for P10,000 but we still got no money to splurge. Anyway, we have discussed the matter again and hopefully, we can pay the owner in installment basis. So, i brought it out, again, had the wheels fixed, and was able to ride it ONCE, since last month.

Of Irish Music in Quiapo

2008-11-09T22:34:00.007+08:00

As I enjoy my walk along the Quiapo area one day while practicing one of my street rites, which is to check on the bootleg audio CDs hawked along the busy side streets, I stumbled upon an audio CD of a band called The Script. I asked the seller to play it and their music sounded perfect! After hearing the first cut called “We Cry,” I immediately parted with my hard earned twenty pesos (approximately $.40) and protectively stashed the CD inside my bag smiling contently. I also got a CD of an eclectic mix of Irish music in Quiapo once titled "Celtic Thunder." I gave it to my boss though so there was no chance of appreciating it.

Anyway, I saw the Script album prominently displayed at a Music One store and found out that the band is actually making quite a stir in the music world, spinned as the next best thing coming from Ireland after U2 with their hit “The Man who can’t be Moved.” I sure am lost with what’s in and out for not listening to the radio. But that is the least of my concern.

I also recently watched a video film “Once,” a short budgeted Irish film about a struggling musician. The film was so sweet and sincere acted out by real-life musicians Glen Hansard and Marketa Iglova. Shot in Dublin, Ireland, it reminded me again of my pledged affinity to Eire as my second country after the Philippines (but that is another story). The song “Falling Slowly”, with its simple lyrics and duet can stir emotions of memories, of hope, and lost loves and loves lost.

“Big Sur” by The Thrills is another song that I got a few years ago. All the while, I thought they are from San Francisco but then again, they hail from Ireland! What’s with the Irish lineage to be able to produce such musicality! With a population of less than 6 million, they really make a global impact in music.

Of course there are the Irish pop acts past and present like U2, The Cranberries, the Pogues, The Dubliners, Belle x-1, Corrs, and other bands that I do not know. But one Irish act that stands out for me is Christy Moore. Christy Moore with his soothing, relaxed yet tension-filled rendition of folk ballads never fails to make me sit and close my eyes and wonder what is happening to the Ireland of my imagination. “Black is the Color” sung by Mr. Moore is a song that I always keep close to my heart. Thank you to the person who introduced me to the music of this great artist.

The Gatekeeper

2008-11-06T16:22:00.005+08:00

Quiapo Church

(October 2008)

Si Ka Juanito Itaas

2008-11-05T11:37:00.000+08:00

I first met Juanito Itaas during one of the immersion weekends required for our third year students at the New Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa City. His daughter is a scholar of our school’s partner institution and his family would normally adopt one of our students to experience community life.

Juanito Itaas is convicted for the death of Colonel James Rowe, a high ranking American military officer gunned down by alleged New Peoples Army (NPA), the armed group of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) in 1989.

Juanito Itaas is very unassuming and soft spoken. While his name might generate reverential awe among activists from generation 90s as a fierce and determined people’s warrior, his mild and gentle ways reflects the humility that I think each and everyone must possess in serving the people. His story has been retold time and again in the discussion groups among activists, in the debates among human rights lawyers, and I guess, even up to the top echelons of the Philippine military.

He has been in jail for almost twenty years and I heard that if not for the United States’ pressure on the Philippine Government he would have been freed already like his co-accused in the case.

Here is a link of an interview with Juanito published February 2007.

http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/feb/08/yehey/top_stories/20070208top6.html

Juanito Itaas, just like the majority of the Filipino people, is a victim of social injustice and I hope that he gets the freedom he truly deserve and continue his quest for a more humane and just society.

Free Juanito Itaas and all Political Prisoners!

Uphold Human Rights!

Back Pains

2008-10-28T13:10:00.002+08:00

Its a hard struggle if it is a physical one within oneself. I experienced a very very painful sensation this morning as I prepare for school reverberating from my lower back to my whole body that incapacitated me for at least a good 7 minutes. I cannot move one bit, else my whole body would tremble with painful aftershocks. It was very frightening! I was so pale during the attacks and it was a struggle to lie down, get up, and sit. I even used crutches to stand up! So i am here now sitting, waiting to have my x-ray taken. A lumbar spine x-ray to check what is in store for my aching cback.

But i am happy that i survived the excruciating pain and learned that my pain tolerance is quite good.

Natalie Merchant

2008-10-24T14:10:00.000+08:00

I've rekindled my liking to Natalie Merchant and 10,000 Maniacs after seeing this video clip of her song "Jealousy" somewhere in the world wide web.

I love Ms. Merchant!

D3-08 Celebration

2008-10-24T13:47:00.001+08:00

The Ateneo High School community celebrated last Thursday, Oct 23, 08, the Delaney-Duffy Day or D3 starting with a Mass in the morning, a short program and serenading of students before lunch, and ended with a bang of a party at the Red Box in Trinoma. In honor of two Jesuit priests, Charles Duffy, SJ and John Delaney, SJ, this event is in recognition to all the formators at the AHS who selflessly share their time and effort in the spirit of MAGIS in extending personal care (cura personalis) to our young Ateneans.

I enjoyed the bonding time partying hard with Gerlie, Pino, Jody, Arnel, Ma'am Ester, Tes (Team CSIP) and other formators from different subject areas. It was a blast singing and dancing our lungs out reminiscing the new wave era. Warat nung umuwi!

Ang saya dito!

Trial

2007-04-16T12:13:00.000+08:00

Peace is every step...especially in times like these when i am trying my new eyeglasses without the benefit of reverting to the old one when i begin to feel dizzy because i left it at home....

April 15, 2007 was fun going to Sky's 2nd birthday party and meeting old acquaintances. I was with Thelma, Andres, and Ponso. Pizza Hut children's party seemed more calm compared to other fastfood chain where even the party is in the fast mode causing stress to children and parents alike. Or maybe, it was the pizza that made the difference. We enjoy eating pizza. Andres ate two slices excluding the other one he ate during the pizza eating contest.

We were re-aquainted with Azel (my circa 1990s Bistro buddy), Atty. Dennis G. (who is now heading the national campaign of a Seafarer's organization for Partylist, though his heart i feel still belongs to BayanMuna), and Sky's Lolo and Lola.

I also joined the Tour of the Fireflies 2007 in the morning, a 50 kilometer bike around the national capital region. Am still tired just thinking of it and the experience has not sinked in. I liked the tshirt though and also met Juts and Gax along the road. It was Noel who invited me to join the tour and started riding the bike at 5 a.m with Jeffrey and Lito from our place to the Tiendesitas in Pasig for the registration. Just going to the starting point was already gruelling for me, a balik-siklista.

Thelma went to Baguio with her officemates. Andres is in his grandparent's house in a makeshift swimming pool excited to use his goggles. Ponso is walking using his stroller. And i am typing in front of this blog. Its lunchtime anyway.

What is the difference between a friendster and a blogger?