Screw Violence!

Seeing the news reports are heartbreaking. Forty plus people massacred one by one, ditched in a cliff and covered with soil. The suspect? Their political rival, the head of a powerful family.

I've heard the same story before. Two powerful families with a hideous display of violence. Only this time, it involves another surname. I've seen  and shortly acquainted with the Mangudadatus earlier this year. It makes me shiver wondering who among them were massacred.

We here in Mindanao are aware of what their rival family is capable of. They sure know how to use their money and their guns. Just a flash of either of the two could pretty much get them what they want or need. It makes me sad to think that money, guns and power are all they need to get by. No love, no respect, no God.
The manner of killing is definitely barbaric; something that only a maniac is capable of, a megalomaniac that is. He feels like he holds so much wealth and power in his hands to the point that he bypasses laws and he even disregards the lives of other people, believing his life to be more valuable than theirs. He exercises so much strength in money, seeing it as a means of buying virtually anything - women, education, life and death. He holds the fear of people in his hands and shows it to them. He assumes that he is a god - omnipotent, all-knowing, able to discern one's destiny. Oh will somebody please show him that he is not?

I feel like a little girl, wondering why people kill. Should we kill people who are killing people? So we can show them that killing people is absolutely wrong? If power gives you the ability to do that, then I won't bother dreaming of being powerful someday.


In this situation, the suspect is a lion and GMA is the generous zookeeper, feeding the animal with his needs. I wish GMA would do the right thing, just this once. I wish justice would work just this once. And I wish the megalomaniac would face sheer reality and his own end, just this once.


I was browsing through some quotations today when I came across this one by Leonard Mosley.

Killing is practically a Filipino national pastime but on Mindanao, it's an industry.

I can't help but raise an eyebrow on that one.  But with the ongoing insane events in Maguindanao, slowly, my mind started to think that there must be some truth in it.

Too Tired to Write Paragraphs

1. I was so busy the past week. Having my dad around means I have to be on my toes! Errands here, errands there! Gaaah!
2. In a few days, My sis is leaving for Japan as an exchange student. We've been going out every now and then to scout for winter clothes. I'm jealous, she gets to wear trench coats, windbreakers and boots. Sana may winter din sa Pinas. :|
3. Davao City was freezing cold last week. Someone must've left the gigantic aircondition unit on. I think I slept more hours last week than any other week in my life!
4. I tried Fiorgelato, Menta flavor. I loved it! Tastes like toothpaste (toothpaste is yummy for me) with chocolate chips in it! Love!
5. To get the Christmas-y feel, I decorated our house. And since every area in the house is too occupied, I almost placed the Christmas tree in my bro's bedroom. Haha. But anyhow, I resorted with poinsettias all over the living room. Goodbye Grinchy me!
6. Cold weather = me eating a lot = me getting fat. 


Bedtime,

Dad's home, Oly's home!

MWAH.

cheeerrsss!!!!!!

yey i can bake!

Yes I can!

A year ago, my aunt from the US sent us a box full of baking goods. Since my mom got sick, these baking goods have come to the brink of expiration. And before everything gets spoiled, somebody's got to do something.

See, I'm no cook. The best dish I can whip up is chicken with oyster sauce where all you need to do is to fry the chicken wings without marinating then smother it with oyster sauce. Bow. My siblings think I'm too impatient and lazy to stay in the kitchen. So months ago, I started practicing with some cake mixes. And now, I guess I'm done rubbing elbows with the wire whisk! The chocolate chip cookies I made yesterday were in a beautiful shade of brown, crispy and just right. Well, well, well.. who's lazy and impatient now?:)

I think this only goes to show how necessity is not only the mother of invention but a good source of motivation too. I'm trying hard not to say it but, yeah, I think I'm starting to fall in love with baking! There. I said it! :))

Cheers!

Early Christmas

This is a picture of the Davao City Hall. I took this last November 2007. It goes to show how Christmas starts early in the Philippines.

Mom and I did the groceries yesterday. We were in the aisle filled with condiments, looking for tomato catsup. As I was taking a bottle off from the shelf, a lady approached me. She was shorter than me, and she looked like one of those ladies in church that led the Bible study for kids. Conservatively dressed, armed with a black book with envelopes sticking out of it. To my surprise, she asked for donations for their foundation. She asked for money. In the supermarket. Gaaah.

Because I was in a major PMS mode yesterday, I raised voice in an attempt to let by-passers hear. "Ha? Donation? Sigurado ka pwede kayo humingi ng donation dito?" She said yes. She added she was from the Pentecostal church. I eyed her and I saw a twinge of deceit in her eyes. But somehow, it seemed as if she needed it badly. She spoke again, prodding me to give her some money for their church. From my wallet, I took a twenty-peso bill. As I  handed it to her, I told her to be careful in case a security guard sees her. I don't think any supermarket would allow people to "solicit" money from the grocers. She took the money, greeted me "Merry Christmas" and took off.

Truly, in the Philippines, Christmas is more than a day. It's a season. And since it is also dubbed as the Season of Giving, it is sad how some people take advantage of it. Nevertheless, the Man upstairs sees our hearts and our intentions.

Merry Early Christmas! :)

The Strangest Thing

Kaninang umaga, may nagring ng aming doorbell. Tumakbo ang house boy namin palabas at dali-dali rin siyang bumalik. Sabi niya, "Nik, ikaw humarap dun." Aba inutusan ako. Pagsilip ko sa bintana, uy! Amerikanong naka-long sleeve, naka-shades at namumula dahil sa init ng tanghaling-tapat. Naka-gusgusin outfit pa ako nun, sando at punit-punit na short. Dahil ayaw kong ma-rape sa sarili kong pamamahay, dali-dali akong nagbihis.

Paglabas ko, kinamusta niya ako. Sabi ko, "Great." Pero wala gaanong energy. Pagkatapos nun, naglitanya na siya tungkol sa kanyang produkto. Teleponong touch screen na may kung anu-anong features na hindi naman ginustong ilagay ni Alexander Graham Bell.

Pagkatapos niya maglitanya, sinabi ko na malamang interesado ang Tatay ko pero wala siya sa bahay. Sabi ko, iwan niya nalang ang contact number nila.

At dahil Pinay ako na likas na tsismosa, tinanong ko siya, "Why are you doing this? Are you an employee of some company?"

Sabi niya, "No, I'm the boss. I own the company." Aw ah. :|

Naikuwento niya pa na tumira na siya sa iba't ibang bansa sa Asia for fifteen years. Taga-California siya, umuuwi pa rin siya four times a year. One week pa lang siya dito sa Davao, dahil kaka-launch lang ng produkto nila dito. At dahil gusto niyang matuto ang kanyang employees kung paano magbenta, sumama siya mag-house to house.

Mula dun, di na ako nagtanong ng mga basic questions na binabato sa mga dayuhan.

Ano nga ba yung basic questions?

1.Your salary, how much?
2. Do you hab wife? Or girlpren?
3. Pilipina, you like?

But anyway, nakakatuwang makita na mismong dayuhan ang nagsisilbing "servant leader" sa mga Pinoy. Bihira ka lang ata makakakita ng CEO o boss dito sa Pinas na mismong magmamarket ng kanyang produkto. At in fairness sa kanya, hindi siya nagpaka-superior sa mga binebentahan niya. Hindi niya tinatratong ignorante ang mga kausap niya, kumpara sa ibang Pinoy.

Hindi Hollywood material yung Kano pero ang pakikitungo niya sa mga Pinoy ay mas mabuti pa sa pakikipag-kapwa tao ng mga mismong Pilipino.

Tagay,

Inspired

I was browsing thru Flickr the other day when I saw several dreamy photos that inspired me to do my own thing. These photos appeared lite and soothing to the eyes. I loved the concept so much. Hence, I went on a photo-editing spree for several hours and came up with some good stuff.

 This is my cousin Jap's bum. Teehee.

I've always loved this. A Flickr user asked permission to use this on some art stuff. Somebody's flattered. :)

For some reason, the "mist" above each photo is so eye-friendly.

Some street photos and a window.

For two months since my Dad left for Mongolia, I've been working on photo enhancement using lots of stock photos. If my Dad didn't take the camera with him, I might not have realized that I actually have pictures that I can work on. Yaaay. :) Hope to do some real photography action soon!

Cheers,

COUNTDOWNS

When my days have suddenly become such a bore, I realized I have so many things to look forward to!

3 days before another reunion with highschool BFFs!
9 days before my Dad comes home with my Oly camera.
25 days before my sister flies to another country.
44 days before our family vacation!
50 days before Christmas!
57 days before a spanking New Year! Yeah!:)

Before we know it, it's already 2010! I'm an excited kid! Woohoo! :)

The Week That Was

It was a loooooong and fun week for me! :) Highlights, highlights!

1. I did all my mundane tasks. Went to the bank, did the groceries and all the hoo-ha.
2. Mom and I went to Seawall for a stroll last Monday. Her walk is really improving.
3. My college friends, whom I haven't seen in agessss, came to Davao last Tuesday. We hung out at my friend's house til the wee hours of dawn. Good times!!! Ended up having an imaginary friend. Haha.
4. My sister turned sixteen last Tuesday! I cooked spaghetti for her, my own rendition. It rocked. :) Can't believe my sister is ONLY sixteen when she's several inches taller than me. Haha.
5. A few friends hung out in our house last Thursday. Yaaay. Haven't done that in a while. :)
6. The Boy and I met for a fantastic dinner date and a ride home in his green Volkswagen.
7. One of my closest friends ever is leaving for London. She and my other friends had a get-together and I wasn't able to come. :(
8. My bro drove me around the city for most of the errands I did. Buti nalang, I taught him how to drive. Haha.

It's because of all these things that I've become a zombie just in time for Halloween. I didn't get much sleep for several days because of the night-outs. Gaaaah. I'm not used to it anymore. I wake up grumpy and tired. But anyway.

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I realized that when I pray, I always ask God to make me a better person. I love God for the seemingly endless chances He gives me each day. And I hope He will love me more in return as I try my best not to waste the chances He blesses me with. :)