Well, I am not necessarily a musical genius or pop music critic but I am quite an avowed music fan. Or simply someone who enjoys listening to songs and really appreciates the artists and musicians, sometimes even singing along with them. After all, without music, life would be one dry and sad episode.
Anyway, with just about 20 or so days left in the year, I just want to outline a few of the songs here that wove their way into my consciousness this 2009. These are the songs that made quite an impact on me personally this year. and maybe also some friends of mine and others here in the Philippines somehow felt the impact of these songs.
I don't know about the radio stations and others rounding up the songs of the year but here are my shortlist of top songs for 2009:
1) NOBODY - wonder girls (while not necessarily liking the song, the way it played incessantly into the airwaves somehow made an otherwise eyebrow-raising rhythm into a sway-inducing beat) I'm sure this song is gonna enjoy quite a good playback time during this month's company and schools Christmas parties. And I bet a lot of those doing their rounds of Christmas presentations will also make this part of their song and dance number. Nobody, nobody but you (CLAP!)
2) I'VE GOT A FEELING (the black-eyed peas) - here is one ideal pre-party song. One song that you would love to hear to prep you up for a great evening ahead with friends or loved ones..(that tonight's gonna be a good night)
3) INSOMNIA (craig david) - im a bit partial to this song but not necessarily because of the lyrics but more on the title. if you are suffering from the same thing, Insomnia, then you would understand. but the beat is also catchy and cool and Craig David still tickles the ears (feels like insomnia).
4) T-SHIRT (shontelle) - akin to what is known as chick-flick or chick-lit. the song makes heartbreak or breaking up with your beau sounds cool and sexy (or kikay) at the same time. (trying to decide if i really wanna go out tonight,I never used to to go out without you, not sure i remember how to).
5) CARELESS WHISPER (george michael) - okay, this song had been on the airwaves for more than a decade but for this 2009 in the Philippines, the tune suddenly made a comeback of sorts. Talk about reinventing or re-packaging music. No thanks to that video scandal involving a doctor and a sexy star mid-year. Notwithstanding the song tied into that controversy, I still like this george michael classic until now. Although at the moment, it's hard to get rid of that vision of two images dancing sensually whenever the song is played. (I'm never gonna dance again.. blah,blah, blah).
6) CALLE OCHO (Pitbull)- never mind the repetitive chorus 'I know you want me, you know i want cha' but somehow, the beat is quite hypnotic if you ask me. plus, how can i forget this song after watching my cousins dance to it during the birthday celebration of Tita Luz (Hi Ate Alda, Odette, and my niece, Teepee! Hihi!). Whereas the song previously was just a background beat playing on my head but the dance sealed its fate as among the top on my list! (uno, dos, tres, cuatro BOOM!). I think this song is also going to enjoy a lot of minutes on the Christmas parties.
7) YOU BELONG WITH ME (Taylor Swift) - i'm not quite sure if I got kinda hooked to this song because of my niece, Jeannelou who loved the song or was it vice-versa? Still at the homestretch of the year, I just felt it good enough to make it to this shortlist. Never mind if Kanye West doesn't feel Taylor Swift deserves a music award, but hey, the girl still has voice and perhaps Mr. West just doesn't like pretty, white and young ladies. maybe taylor can mouth this line to Kanye instead: If you could see that i'm the one who understands you, been here all along, so why can't you see. that you belong with me. Cheesy?? haha. that's the whole point..
8) FALLING (MYMP) - anything with the word 'falling' will have to be part of my list. Another song on unrequited love (YET), well why not?? we can always be cheesy and sentimental, alright. With this song, MYMP still is making their momma proud. Really like listening to this while chilling out,surrounded by my books and magazines and contemplating life for the nth time (wanna tell you baby, that you're the one that i'm thinking of).
9) TROUBLE IS A FRIEND (Lenka) - I just love hearing this song. Or maybe i was drawn to the word 'trouble' pretty much the same way I'm seduced by the word 'falling' (i.e. falling in love or falling flat on my face. Talk about being accident prone). Trouble is a friend of mine..hmmm. Actually, im not too sure if this is a lullaby or an ethnic something song but it gets inside my head at times..
10) POKER FACE (Lady Gaga) - the beat is catchy and somehow leaves an imprint on the mind once you listen to it. One song that I keep hearing inside my head a few more minutes after its done playing. The sound of this piece catches the artist's character bordering on the extremes with a lace of talent. Plus, I kind of relate to the title being poker-faced most of the time (sometimes trying to hide my emotions by not displaying any reaction).Can't read my, can't read my, No he can't read my POKER FACE.oh, oh, oh, ohh, ohh- oo
These are just about ten of the songs that personally hit my brainwaves this year. There are a lot more actually but hey, this is why they call it a shortlist, right?
Anyway, let the music play (come to think of it, this is another chorus that keeps staying in mind whenever I hear it. From Jordin Sparks I think). Before this year ends, I'm pretty sure there are a lot more songs and sounds that are bound to penetrate our minds and hearts so until then..
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Take on the Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs 2009
Let me vote for one first while I scan the rest of my choices for later postings.
My top vote goes to Patay Gutom. Very nice photographs and food review. Yummy shots. definitely rated PG as in Pretty good.
My top vote goes to Patay Gutom. Very nice photographs and food review. Yummy shots. definitely rated PG as in Pretty good.
Monday, July 27, 2009
What I'll miss the most in Pinoy Parazzi
Mga Bagay-Bagay, Moments, and mga ‘whatevers’ na mami-miss ko sa Pinoy Parazzi, promise.
1. Lunchtime bonding moments
2. The unlimited ink printer
3. Debate ever between Mayin-Dani or Jean-Dani or Dani-Danny
4. Mga halakhakan at harutan (ang tumataginting na bungisngis ni Lhor)
5. Dulce’s perpetual smile (kahit pagod na or namumrublema, smile pa rin)
6. Shing-a-ling ni Sir Aga (justin, kapag meron ipagtabi mo ako or dalhin mo sa Road 5 para kunin ko pagdalaw ko haha)
7. Monthly General Assembly (panalo)
8. The weekly Advertising Lineup (na by this time siguro madadagdagan na, take note, Mayin).
9. After hours ‘gimiks’ with impaktos and impaktitas (wasalak moments)
10. Ang baon ni Lhor at Justin, minsan
11. The daily supply of Pinoy Parazzi jaryo siyempre (pwede bang magpadala kayo sa new office ko? 5cps per issue LOL).
12. Kulitan sa YM and FB (BUZZ! Jean, Mayin, Lhor, Dulce, Justin, Lani, Sir Sai aka coolboy, Faith, Jojo, Rene & minsan kay sir Aga, etc.)
13. Unlimited online connection
14. Very accommodating tech support (from Jerome, to Tyrone, to Jojo)
15. Dinuguan ni Tita Luz (again, pag tiempong may handaan sa Parazzi, susulpot na lang ako minsan)
16. Parazzi outings
17. Christmas Party the Parazzi way
18. Ex-deals ng Lechon
19. GCs from ex-deals (sana makahingi pa rin ng konti minsan)
20. One-liners from Sir Sai and Lani (Mind You, In fairness, di sya kagandahan or Would you mind? moments)
21. Dyenilen and Lorena kulitan moments with Jean.
22. Mga Impakto at impaktitas
23. Proposals galore and mga mala-challenge na Package rates
24. Text reports from Tony or Lani
25. The smell of morning paper hot off the presses (kahit medyo dumidikit pa sa balat ang tinta).
26. Lovelife chikahan (secret love stories and love might have beens)
27. My chair, PC monitor and keyboard at ang filing cabinet
28. That Samsung printer
29. All the paintings
30. Super-horse powered aircondition
31. Sounds of Willie revillame and wowowee heard above the keyboard tapping (especially ang moments na naglilitanya ang mga contestants ng Wowowee).
32. Kulitan with the AEs kapag habulan ng sales reports, ad materials and confirmation of ads.
33. CDO Ham giveaway (remembering that 2008 holidays).
34. Tasty and pandesal meriendas (with CDO hams before and lately, chiz whiz, liver spread and butter).
35. Lambanog ni Sir Aga.
36. ‘Aba, teka!’ moments.
37. ‘Buro’ baon ni Justin (again, susugod ako sa Road 5 just to get some, kala nyo ha. Minda style).
38. Endless photo ops
39. Yung phone na magaan.
40. Sun cellular line and free phone (pwede bang akin na lang? mag 2yrs na o, soli ko na lang ang SIM haha) .
41. Giveaways ng mga stars (from Cristine Reyes, to the Lechon from Bong Revilla and the cake from Direk Wenn de Ramas, etc.).
42. Edgar Caderao
43. Papaya soap Christmas giveaways from Sir Aga (sana may sobra uli this Christmas).
44. Ang taho ni manong tuwing umaga sa tapat ng Parazzi.
45. Fishball and kikiam moments
46. Monday meetings with Advertising sales
47. Ang mga fotogs at ang litanya-ever ni Mark Atienza (anong sinabi ni Chiz Escudero sa monologue mo.haha. peace, man).
48. All the AEs
Pero ang mami-miss ko talaga is yung pag-arangkada ng Pinoy Parazzi. Guys, promise wag kayo makakalimot ha pag super sikat na kayo. I hope maalala nyo rin na may isang Loida na nakasama at naging bahagi ng Larawan ng Katoto-waan. Cheers!
I’ll still be very much around. Hindi na nga lang araw-araw but still, I’m not saying goodbye but only ‘see you around!’
Maraming salamat and I love you all, mga ka-Parazzi!
1. Lunchtime bonding moments
2. The unlimited ink printer
3. Debate ever between Mayin-Dani or Jean-Dani or Dani-Danny
4. Mga halakhakan at harutan (ang tumataginting na bungisngis ni Lhor)
5. Dulce’s perpetual smile (kahit pagod na or namumrublema, smile pa rin)
6. Shing-a-ling ni Sir Aga (justin, kapag meron ipagtabi mo ako or dalhin mo sa Road 5 para kunin ko pagdalaw ko haha)
7. Monthly General Assembly (panalo)
8. The weekly Advertising Lineup (na by this time siguro madadagdagan na, take note, Mayin).
9. After hours ‘gimiks’ with impaktos and impaktitas (wasalak moments)
10. Ang baon ni Lhor at Justin, minsan
11. The daily supply of Pinoy Parazzi jaryo siyempre (pwede bang magpadala kayo sa new office ko? 5cps per issue LOL).
12. Kulitan sa YM and FB (BUZZ! Jean, Mayin, Lhor, Dulce, Justin, Lani, Sir Sai aka coolboy, Faith, Jojo, Rene & minsan kay sir Aga, etc.)
13. Unlimited online connection
14. Very accommodating tech support (from Jerome, to Tyrone, to Jojo)
15. Dinuguan ni Tita Luz (again, pag tiempong may handaan sa Parazzi, susulpot na lang ako minsan)
16. Parazzi outings
17. Christmas Party the Parazzi way
18. Ex-deals ng Lechon
19. GCs from ex-deals (sana makahingi pa rin ng konti minsan)
20. One-liners from Sir Sai and Lani (Mind You, In fairness, di sya kagandahan or Would you mind? moments)
21. Dyenilen and Lorena kulitan moments with Jean.
22. Mga Impakto at impaktitas
23. Proposals galore and mga mala-challenge na Package rates
24. Text reports from Tony or Lani
25. The smell of morning paper hot off the presses (kahit medyo dumidikit pa sa balat ang tinta).
26. Lovelife chikahan (secret love stories and love might have beens)
27. My chair, PC monitor and keyboard at ang filing cabinet
28. That Samsung printer
29. All the paintings
30. Super-horse powered aircondition
31. Sounds of Willie revillame and wowowee heard above the keyboard tapping (especially ang moments na naglilitanya ang mga contestants ng Wowowee).
32. Kulitan with the AEs kapag habulan ng sales reports, ad materials and confirmation of ads.
33. CDO Ham giveaway (remembering that 2008 holidays).
34. Tasty and pandesal meriendas (with CDO hams before and lately, chiz whiz, liver spread and butter).
35. Lambanog ni Sir Aga.
36. ‘Aba, teka!’ moments.
37. ‘Buro’ baon ni Justin (again, susugod ako sa Road 5 just to get some, kala nyo ha. Minda style).
38. Endless photo ops
39. Yung phone na magaan.
40. Sun cellular line and free phone (pwede bang akin na lang? mag 2yrs na o, soli ko na lang ang SIM haha) .
41. Giveaways ng mga stars (from Cristine Reyes, to the Lechon from Bong Revilla and the cake from Direk Wenn de Ramas, etc.).
42. Edgar Caderao
43. Papaya soap Christmas giveaways from Sir Aga (sana may sobra uli this Christmas).
44. Ang taho ni manong tuwing umaga sa tapat ng Parazzi.
45. Fishball and kikiam moments
46. Monday meetings with Advertising sales
47. Ang mga fotogs at ang litanya-ever ni Mark Atienza (anong sinabi ni Chiz Escudero sa monologue mo.haha. peace, man).
48. All the AEs
Pero ang mami-miss ko talaga is yung pag-arangkada ng Pinoy Parazzi. Guys, promise wag kayo makakalimot ha pag super sikat na kayo. I hope maalala nyo rin na may isang Loida na nakasama at naging bahagi ng Larawan ng Katoto-waan. Cheers!
I’ll still be very much around. Hindi na nga lang araw-araw but still, I’m not saying goodbye but only ‘see you around!’
Maraming salamat and I love you all, mga ka-Parazzi!
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Sentimental choices
There are somethings that just had to happen. probably a design of fate but also one borne out of necessity with a mighty dose of determination.
When faced with a decision, it's only a matter of minutes before the moment passes by so it is only fair to react swiftly whether its to make a jump or turn around..judgment call is what i can term it.
Time to shake off the cobwebs and prepare for both the new and the old, of goodbyes and reunions at the same time.
To borrow from a line in an old MJ song 'and I don't know whether to laugh or cry' but then certainly it's not about dying but more about living..
When faced with a decision, it's only a matter of minutes before the moment passes by so it is only fair to react swiftly whether its to make a jump or turn around..judgment call is what i can term it.
Time to shake off the cobwebs and prepare for both the new and the old, of goodbyes and reunions at the same time.
To borrow from a line in an old MJ song 'and I don't know whether to laugh or cry' but then certainly it's not about dying but more about living..
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
'Tuyo' on a Wet Day
With a storm underway, I couldn't help but think of the perfect way to spend a rainy day when one is trapped indoors and wouldn't dare brave the floods, strong winds and heavy traffic than to plan an appetizing but simple meal.
A meal that would not be a strain on the budget but would just consist of a main ingredient that is easily found within your pantry. Something very easy to cook though not necessarily well-accepted by those averse to pungent odors and dishes. A dish comprised of the lowly 'tuyo' or dried fish.
And here is another way to prepare tuyo especially on a wet and cold morning and with no time to scour the groceries for gourmet tuyo, we can improvise on our cooking and try this 'fried tuyo with a twist' recipe that I learned from my mother:
Fry the tuyo (up to you how many pieces you like) in a pan, cook until slightly brown. Have at least one clove of crushed garlic ready. Set aside the cooked tuyo, then saute the garlic on the pan using the same oil for frying the tuyo. YOu man use olive oil if you want and cook only under medium heat. Put the tuyo back in the mix and pour about three teasponful of vinegar and let simmer for a few seconds,take the heat off and you're done.
You may opt to sprinkle a bit with dried garlic or chili bits for a more spicy creation. Best served with fried rice.
Now who says simple things don't bring great pleasure?
A meal that would not be a strain on the budget but would just consist of a main ingredient that is easily found within your pantry. Something very easy to cook though not necessarily well-accepted by those averse to pungent odors and dishes. A dish comprised of the lowly 'tuyo' or dried fish.
And here is another way to prepare tuyo especially on a wet and cold morning and with no time to scour the groceries for gourmet tuyo, we can improvise on our cooking and try this 'fried tuyo with a twist' recipe that I learned from my mother:
Fry the tuyo (up to you how many pieces you like) in a pan, cook until slightly brown. Have at least one clove of crushed garlic ready. Set aside the cooked tuyo, then saute the garlic on the pan using the same oil for frying the tuyo. YOu man use olive oil if you want and cook only under medium heat. Put the tuyo back in the mix and pour about three teasponful of vinegar and let simmer for a few seconds,take the heat off and you're done.
You may opt to sprinkle a bit with dried garlic or chili bits for a more spicy creation. Best served with fried rice.
Now who says simple things don't bring great pleasure?
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
To Tweet or Not to Tweet
Found myself caught in a web of web applications (sic).Just when I thought I'd browsed enough sites online to last me a lifetime, I suddenly find myself joining the Twitter bandwagon.
Nothing sensational or life-altering experiences yet. My so-called tweets are just mostly about random musings,whatever comes to mind in a particular moment or a craving for something. But what do you know? Somehow this new medium or social network alternative attracted my ever distracted mind, probably out of curiosity and the continuing search to somehow relieve some emotional burdens and unload pent-up passions and sentiment into cyberspace.
Talk about trying all stuff before finding out whether it's good or bad for me, but hey, I'm always the adventurous and risk-taker kind of person anyway, though it doesn't seem obvious when you look at me. Anyway, i am just exploring this whole Twitter magic and know that it has yet to reach its full potential encouraging a new form of online communications and even a targeted medium for advertising and brand building. I realize too that maybe in about two or three years from now, all these networking sites and blogs(Facebook, My Space, Plurks, Friendster, etc) will soon be replaced by the next killer web application. But for now, it is safe to say that twittering still has a long way to go and for now I am just enjoying it.
And yes, sometimes its also interesting to read about what another person had for breakfast no matter how trivial it may seem. There's just something artistic in putting all those random thoughts together and reducing them to a maximum of 140 character per 'tweet'.
So I guess I'll be twittering more in the days to come.. come and follow me @loidita
;)
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Of Sex Videos, Our Women & Pinoy Voyeurism
All the uproar on the Hayden Kho –Katrina Halili and 40 others sex video scandal going on for some weeks now has made me think that we are after all a nation of prudes, or perhaps a combination of a prude and a voyeur (pruyuer, anyone?).
Well, one couldn’t blame the public’s curiosity that was piqued by the personalities involved in the scandal. Who wouldn’t be curious on what transpired between this well-known, good-looking actor wanna-be/medical practitioner/gigolo/playboy turned into a pervert & persona non grata stud, a sexy actress , another one, a supposedly star-in-the making commercial model /professional doctor turned porno sensation plus another prominent doctor, heiress and business lady turned into a lovestruck sugar mommy of sorts? Throw in a few other scenes and sidelights involving more famous people and influential personalities in the mix and naturally, you get a blockbuster in your hands. If this whole sex video scandal (with sub-plots on drugs and psycho-sociopathic shebang) were a movie, it surely would be a big hit.
Anyway, the fame, betrayals, scandals and violations aside, there is also something to this scandal issue that is causing some stir on the Filipino psyche and also raising a few questions on the nation’s morality and how we treat our women.
Our reaction and attention to the sordid tale unfolding before our eyes somehow shows that we Filipinos are still collectively a conservative lot notwithstanding a few advances in technologies and our modified acceptance on society’s norms. If these sex videos prompt us to react vehemently in a way as to reach the senate halls, then we can safely assume that we are not used to these sexual perversion or blatant abuse of women. Pity our nation if we were to just shrug this whole case off as just one of those daily events, relegating the plight of the ‘women victims’ as an ordinary way of life. So this reaction, this news about the beleaguered doctor’s maltreatment (not on medical terms) but an abuse against women now holding this nation captive is indeed called for. Even the emphatic privilege speech of Senator Bong Revilla was a welcome relief. At last we have somebody in the Senate sensitive enough to its citizen’s problem or a sexy star’s problem for that matter. Briefly, we were diverted from the never-ending bickerings of our politicians. Somehow that is one positive note to all this ‘Hayden-Kho-mera issue.’
On the downside, we couldn’t help but notice our penchant for voyeurism much as we care to admit it or not. Why else will this sex video proliferate and reach mainstream if not for the unrelenting uploading and downloading of the videos? Just hearing about the existence of such tapes made us turn our necks to see where we can find and view it. Or maybe we are just naturally curious to see how these attractive people do it and even more curious to know if these truly are the personalities involved as they say. Still, I believe that everyone had different reactions and feelings while watching those videos. Others might feel disgusted at the victims and the perpetrator, others feel pity or envy (?), others are laughing, others still are either enraged or aroused – all these mixed reactions pointing to one thing: we actually took the time to watch those footages, some even rewinding it over and over and a lot more are passing them on to friends, burning them into CDs, blue-toothing like crazy, etc. Admit it guys, we are all guilty one way or another of being sex voyeurs. And why else would they even sell these scandalous videos for millions of pesos if Pinoy voyeurism is not a target market? Or perhaps, we just enjoy the whole exchange, the sex thing?
Still, the brightest side to all this is that Filipinos as a nation still value our women and even sexy stars however much her reputation has been ruined still deserves some dignity and that no one has a right to trample on her rights. Whatever they say about a woman being immoral for getting involved with an otherwise attached man and having sex with him, she still has her rights to her own privacy. And that private acts like that should have been kept hidden. For all intents and purposes, I also direct that phrase to those kiss-and-tell guys. You know these types of insensitive, immature guys who makes love with a girl and then brags about the whole thing to his friends. Although not exactly showing a video of their sack session, still letting others know about your ‘bumping and grinding’ is equally embarrassing to the lady concerned and is also a violation of her rights, with or without the presence of a camera. That would certainly feel like a slap on any woman’s face.
And being involved in a sex video without her consent and suddenly finding the whole country watching it is more than a slap or a kick in the stomach. Just wait and hear the whole country say oucchh! and you will realize the extent of what you have done. And hey, guys! It’s never a macho thing to kiss and tell anyway.
And for us who got ‘curious’ over the videos, there is nothing wrong with watching two people making love as long as it’s a scene from a movie, nor is there anything wrong for two supposedly dating couples to engage in such activities. But if we start to enjoy these things despite knowing that someone has fallen prey to another’s perversion, that’s where the real problem begins.
Well, one couldn’t blame the public’s curiosity that was piqued by the personalities involved in the scandal. Who wouldn’t be curious on what transpired between this well-known, good-looking actor wanna-be/medical practitioner/gigolo/playboy turned into a pervert & persona non grata stud, a sexy actress , another one, a supposedly star-in-the making commercial model /professional doctor turned porno sensation plus another prominent doctor, heiress and business lady turned into a lovestruck sugar mommy of sorts? Throw in a few other scenes and sidelights involving more famous people and influential personalities in the mix and naturally, you get a blockbuster in your hands. If this whole sex video scandal (with sub-plots on drugs and psycho-sociopathic shebang) were a movie, it surely would be a big hit.
Anyway, the fame, betrayals, scandals and violations aside, there is also something to this scandal issue that is causing some stir on the Filipino psyche and also raising a few questions on the nation’s morality and how we treat our women.
Our reaction and attention to the sordid tale unfolding before our eyes somehow shows that we Filipinos are still collectively a conservative lot notwithstanding a few advances in technologies and our modified acceptance on society’s norms. If these sex videos prompt us to react vehemently in a way as to reach the senate halls, then we can safely assume that we are not used to these sexual perversion or blatant abuse of women. Pity our nation if we were to just shrug this whole case off as just one of those daily events, relegating the plight of the ‘women victims’ as an ordinary way of life. So this reaction, this news about the beleaguered doctor’s maltreatment (not on medical terms) but an abuse against women now holding this nation captive is indeed called for. Even the emphatic privilege speech of Senator Bong Revilla was a welcome relief. At last we have somebody in the Senate sensitive enough to its citizen’s problem or a sexy star’s problem for that matter. Briefly, we were diverted from the never-ending bickerings of our politicians. Somehow that is one positive note to all this ‘Hayden-Kho-mera issue.’
On the downside, we couldn’t help but notice our penchant for voyeurism much as we care to admit it or not. Why else will this sex video proliferate and reach mainstream if not for the unrelenting uploading and downloading of the videos? Just hearing about the existence of such tapes made us turn our necks to see where we can find and view it. Or maybe we are just naturally curious to see how these attractive people do it and even more curious to know if these truly are the personalities involved as they say. Still, I believe that everyone had different reactions and feelings while watching those videos. Others might feel disgusted at the victims and the perpetrator, others feel pity or envy (?), others are laughing, others still are either enraged or aroused – all these mixed reactions pointing to one thing: we actually took the time to watch those footages, some even rewinding it over and over and a lot more are passing them on to friends, burning them into CDs, blue-toothing like crazy, etc. Admit it guys, we are all guilty one way or another of being sex voyeurs. And why else would they even sell these scandalous videos for millions of pesos if Pinoy voyeurism is not a target market? Or perhaps, we just enjoy the whole exchange, the sex thing?
Still, the brightest side to all this is that Filipinos as a nation still value our women and even sexy stars however much her reputation has been ruined still deserves some dignity and that no one has a right to trample on her rights. Whatever they say about a woman being immoral for getting involved with an otherwise attached man and having sex with him, she still has her rights to her own privacy. And that private acts like that should have been kept hidden. For all intents and purposes, I also direct that phrase to those kiss-and-tell guys. You know these types of insensitive, immature guys who makes love with a girl and then brags about the whole thing to his friends. Although not exactly showing a video of their sack session, still letting others know about your ‘bumping and grinding’ is equally embarrassing to the lady concerned and is also a violation of her rights, with or without the presence of a camera. That would certainly feel like a slap on any woman’s face.
And being involved in a sex video without her consent and suddenly finding the whole country watching it is more than a slap or a kick in the stomach. Just wait and hear the whole country say oucchh! and you will realize the extent of what you have done. And hey, guys! It’s never a macho thing to kiss and tell anyway.
And for us who got ‘curious’ over the videos, there is nothing wrong with watching two people making love as long as it’s a scene from a movie, nor is there anything wrong for two supposedly dating couples to engage in such activities. But if we start to enjoy these things despite knowing that someone has fallen prey to another’s perversion, that’s where the real problem begins.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
ADVERTISE IN PINOY PARAZZI (The Print edition)
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5. Targeted nationwide promotion - To guarantee the growth of PINOY PARAZZI and to increase exposure, our foto-jaryo is always aggressively promoted to anyone and everyone involved in the entertainment industry and their media partners and suppliers. We also regularly partner with event organizers for added exposure.
6. Purchasing Power – PINOY PARAZZI is sent to TV buyers, motion-picture and TV executives and also in the Senate, Congress and City Halls. We have targeted the most influential decision makers in the country. These powerful and influential individuals receive PINOY PARAZZI on a regular basis.
7. Endurance - An ad in any issue of PINOY PARAZZI will be among the most enduring advertising exposure you can receive. People do not just throw away PINOY PARAZZI; it is passed on to others and also referred to as a credible "source of entertainment" even beyond the issue date. Placing an ad in PINOY PARAZZI extends your advertising minutes!
8. Distinctive – Our unique format draws attention to our paper. And our ads are distinctive because the pages are lively, colorful and artistic, appealing to a lot of readers. So you are guaranteed a lot of ‘eyeball time’ when you advertise in PINOY PARAZZI
9. Emerging Brand – the PINOY PARAZZI brand is already causing a lot of heads to turn as far as the field of publishing is concerned and a lot of advertising people are taking notice of our paper. It is poised to be among the most widely-recongized brand in the country thus associating your own brand /services with good quality and prestige.
10. Unique Partnerships - PINOY PARAZZI’s special relationships create access for advertisers to showbiz & politics’ biggest events and to lively, active consumers.
For more details, visit our website: www.pinoyparazzi.com
10 WAYS PINOY PARAZZI (print edition) WORKS FOR THE ADVERTISER
1. Phenomenal Pass-Along Rate – PINOY PARAZZI has one of the highest pass-along rates of any entertainment publication! One copy of PINOY PARAZZI is read by at least 5 more people and your ads are sure to reach more than our total circulation.
2. Bonus Distribution - along with our targeted distribution to newsstands and our nationwide following of loyal readers, each issue of PINOY PARAZZI receives bonus distributions thru our partnerships with showbiz talk shows, and thru special conventions, awards ceremonies and film festivals, and trade exhibits.
3. Newsstand Distribution – PINOY PARAZZI is distributed to newsstands across the Philippines and in parts of HK and Italy. The number has grown 30% in the past ten months and is expected to continue growing as we reach other distribution areas.
4. Controlled Circulation – PINOY PARAZZI has the entertainment industry and politics’ best controlled circulation. When you buy an ad in PINOY PARAZZI your ad will be seen by the most influential figures and decision makers in the country. We have developed the most accurately controlled lists possible.
5. Targeted nationwide promotion - To guarantee the growth of PINOY PARAZZI and to increase exposure, our foto-jaryo is always aggressively promoted to anyone and everyone involved in the entertainment industry and their media partners and suppliers. We also regularly partner with event organizers for added exposure.
6. Purchasing Power – PINOY PARAZZI is sent to TV buyers, motion-picture and TV executives and also in the Senate, Congress and City Halls. We have targeted the most influential decision makers in the country. These powerful and influential individuals receive PINOY PARAZZI on a regular basis.
7. Endurance - An ad in any issue of PINOY PARAZZI will be among the most enduring advertising exposure you can receive. People do not just throw away PINOY PARAZZI; it is passed on to others and also referred to as a credible "source of entertainment" even beyond the issue date. Placing an ad in PINOY PARAZZI extends your advertising minutes!
8. Distinctive – Our unique format draws attention to our paper. And our ads are distinctive because the pages are lively, colorful and artistic, appealing to a lot of readers. So you are guaranteed a lot of ‘eyeball time’ when you advertise in PINOY PARAZZI
9. Emerging Brand – the PINOY PARAZZI brand is already causing a lot of heads to turn as far as the field of publishing is concerned and a lot of advertising people are taking notice of our paper. It is poised to be among the most widely-recongized brand in the country thus associating your own brand /services with good quality and prestige.
10. Unique Partnerships - PINOY PARAZZI’s special relationships create access for advertisers to showbiz & politics’ biggest events and to lively, active consumers.
For more details, visit our website: www.pinoyparazzi.com
Friday, April 10, 2009
MY TOP VIDEOKE SONGS
I've been thinking about those songs I often belt out whenever friends and our family get together for some karaoke singing. And these songs almost always are included in my 'repertoire'. See if you and I have something in common about videoke songs we love to sing to:
1. For Your Eyes Only
2. Almost Over You
3. Finding out the Hard Way
4. How Do You Keep The Music Playing
5. I Wanna Be With You
6. Out Here On My Own
7. Anything For You
8. Anyone Can See
9. Words Get In the Way
10. Weak
11. Tell Him
12. Huwag Ka Nang Magbabalik
13. Kung Ako Na Lang Sana
14. Para Sa Akin
15. The Only Love
16. Don't Let Me Be The Last To Know
17. Neither One of Us
That is all I can recall for now but I'm very sure there are lots more that I am trying hard to sing once in a while. I'm not really a microphone-hog but sometimes I just wanna let it all out and de-stress thru singing.
How about you. What's your all-time favorite karaoke song?
1. For Your Eyes Only
2. Almost Over You
3. Finding out the Hard Way
4. How Do You Keep The Music Playing
5. I Wanna Be With You
6. Out Here On My Own
7. Anything For You
8. Anyone Can See
9. Words Get In the Way
10. Weak
11. Tell Him
12. Huwag Ka Nang Magbabalik
13. Kung Ako Na Lang Sana
14. Para Sa Akin
15. The Only Love
16. Don't Let Me Be The Last To Know
17. Neither One of Us
That is all I can recall for now but I'm very sure there are lots more that I am trying hard to sing once in a while. I'm not really a microphone-hog but sometimes I just wanna let it all out and de-stress thru singing.
How about you. What's your all-time favorite karaoke song?
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Basta Tokwa
With Lent underway, I had a bit of experimentation done at the kitchen. The result is a tofu (tokwa) recipe in something spicy sauce. Here is how I prepared the meal..
1 medium cube tokwa (cubed)
5 tbsps. cooking oil
1 red sili labuyo (medium)-chopped
3 tbsps. crushed garlic
1 medium sized onion-julienned
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tsps. ground pepper
2 tsps. chili-garlic sauce (courtesy of Mr. Maglonzo, paging Ana)
Procedures:
Heat pan, fry the tokwa until golden brown
Set aside the fried tokwa and then begin sauteing the garlic, onion and red chili in medium heat.
pour in the soy sauce mixed with the ground pepper and add a bit of water then let boil.
put the tokwa back in the mix, add the chili-garlic homemade sauce and let simmer for a few seconds and voila! you have an oriental-type of dish with an edge. Hmm, yummy!
Monday, April 6, 2009
Be Careful What You WIsh For
Yes, to borrow from that old saying 'be careful what you wish for, cause you just might get it. Somehow I get the feeling that I am actually facing that kind of situation in one aspect of my life. I am not willing to divulge it at the moment but perhaps in time.. It's just a bit sad how things you thought you wanted earlier seemed not to be too big a deal at all once you have them within your grasp.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
100 VERY PINOY THINGS - repost
Just thought of re-posting this compilation of things that are very pinoy. Found it very amusing and want to share it through my blog here:
100 VERY PINOY THINGS
1. Merienda. Where else but in the Philippines is it normal to eat five times a day?
2. Sawsawan. Assorted sauces that guarantee freedom of choice, enough room for experimentation and maximum tolerance for diverse tastes. Favorites: toyo't calamansi, suka at sili, patis.
3. Kuwan (Kwan), ano. At a loss for words? Try these and marvel at how Pinoys understand exactly what you want.
4. Pinoy humour and irreverence. If you're api and you know it, crack a joke. Nothing personal, really.
5. Tingi. Thank goodness for small entrepreneurs. Where else can we buy cigarettes, soap, condiments and life's essentials in small affordable amounts?
6. Spirituality. Even before the Spaniards came, ethnic tribes had their own anitos, bathalas and assorted deities, pointing to a strong relationship with the Creator, who or whatever it may be.
7. Po, opo, mano po. Speech suffixes that define courtesy, deference, filial respect--a balm to the spirit in these aggressive times.
8. Pasalubong. Our way of sharing the vicarious thrills and delights of a trip, and a wonderful excuse to shop without the customary guilt.
9. Beaches! With 7000 plus islands, we have miles and miles of shoreline piled high with fine white sand, lapped by warm waters, and nibbled by exotic tropical fish. From the stormy seas of Batanes to the emerald isles of Palawan and white sands of Boracay--over here, life is truly a beach.
10. Bagoong. Darkly mysterious, this smelly fish or shrimp paste typifies the underlying theme of most ethnic foods: disgustingly unhygienic, unbearably stinky and simply irresistible.
11. Bayanihan. Yes, the internationally-renowned dance company, but also this habit of pitching in still common in small communities. Just have that cold beer and some pulutan ready for the troops.
12. The Balikbayan box. Another way of sharing life's bounty, no matter if it seems like we're fleeing Pol Pot everytime we head home from anywhere in the globe. The most wonderful part is that, more often than not, the contents are carted home to be distributed.
13. Pilipino komiks. Not to mention "Hiwaga," "Aliwan," "Tagalog Classics," "Liwayway" and "Bulaklak" magazines. Pulpy publications that gave us Darna, Facifica Falayfay, Lagalag, Kulafu, Kenkoy, Dyesebel, characters of a time both innocent and worldly.
14. Folk songs. They come unbidden and spring, full blown, like a second language, at the slightest nudge from the too-loud stereo of a passing jeepney or tricycle.
15. Fiesta. Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow is just another day, shrugs the poor man who, once a year, honors a patron saint with this sumptuous, no-holds-barred spread. It's a Pinoy celebration at its pious and riotous best.
16. Aswang, manananggal, kapre. The whole underworld of Filipino lower class mythology recalls our uniquely bizarre childhood, that is, before political correctness kicked in. Still, their rich adventures pepper our storytelling.
17. Jeepneys. Colorful, fast, reckless, a vehicle of postwar Pinoy ingenuity, this Everyman's communal cadillac makes for a cheap, interesting ride. If the driver's a daredevil (as they usually are), hang on to your seat.
18. Dinuguan. Blood stew, a bloodcurdling idea, until you try it with puto. Best when mined with jalapeno peppers. Messy but delicious.
19. Santacruzan. More than just a beauty contest, this one has religious overtones, a tableau of St. Helena's and Constantine's search for the Cross that seamlessly blends piety, pageantry and ritual. Plus, it's the perfect excuse to show off the prettiest ladies--and the most beautiful gowns.
20. Balut. Unhatched duck's embryo, another unspeakable ethnic food to outsiders, but oh, to indulge in guilty pleasures! Sprinkle some salt and suck out that soup, with gusto.
21. Pakidala or padala. A personalized door-to-door remittance and delivery system for overseas Filipino workers who don't trust the banking system, and who expect a family update from the courier, as well.
22. Choc-nut. Crumbly peanut chocolate bars that defined childhood ecstasy before M & M's and Hershey's.
23. Kamayan style. To eat with one's hand and eschew spoon, fork and table manners--ah, heaven.
24. Chicharon. Pork, fish or chicken crackling. There is in the crunch a hint of the extravagant, the decadent and the pedestrian. Perfect with vinegar, sublime with beer.
25. Pinoy hospitality. Just about everyone gets a hearty "Kain tayo!" invitation to break bread with whoever has food to share, no matter how skimpy or austere it is.
26. Adobo, kare-kare, sinigang and other lutong bahay stuff. Home-cooked meals that have the stamp of approval from several generations, who swear by closely-guarded cooking secrets and family recipes.
27. Lola Basyang. The voice one heard spinning tales over the radio, before movies and television curtailed imagination and defined grown-up tastes.
28. Pambahay. Home is where one can let it all hang out, where clothes do not make a man or woman but rather define their level of comfort.
29. Tricycle and pedicab, the poor Pinoy's taxicab that delivers you at your doorstep for as little as P3, with a complimentary dusting of polluted air.
30. Dirty ice cream. Very Pinoy flavors that make up for the risk: munggo, langka, ube, mais, keso, macapuno. Plus there's the colorful cart that recalls jeepney art.
31. Yayas. The trusted Filipino nanny who, ironically, has become a major Philippine export as overseas contract workers. A good one is almost like a surrogate parent--if you don't mind the accent and the predilection for afternoon soap and movie stars.
32. Sarsi. Pinoy root beer, the enduring taste of childhood. Our grandfathers had them with an egg beaten in.
33. Pinoy fruits. Atis, guyabano, chesa, mabolo, lanzones, durian, langka, makopa, dalanghita, siniguelas, suha, chico, papaya, singkamas--the possibilities are endless!
34. Filipino celebrities. Movie stars, broadcasters, beauty queens, public officials, all-around controversial figures: Aurora Pijuan, Cardinal Sin, Carlos P. Romulo, Charito Solis, Cory Aquino, Emilio Aguinaldo, the Eraserheads, Fidel V. Ramos, Francis Magalona, Gloria Diaz, Manuel L. Quezon, Margie Moran, Melanie Marquez, Dingdong Dantes, Ninoy Aquino, Nora Aunor, Vilma Santos, Pitoy Moreno, Ramon Magsysay, Richard Gomez, Kris Aquino, San Lorenzo Ruiz, Sharon Cuneta, Marian Rivera, Erap, Tiya Dely, Francis M, Korina Sanchez, Gary V. , Lacson, PGMA,
35. World class Pinoys who put us on the global map: Lea Salonga, Paeng Nepomuceno, Eugene Torre, Luisito Espinosa, Lydia de Vega-Mercado, Jocelyn Enriquez, Elma Muros, Onyok Velasco, Efren "Bata" Reyes, Lilia Calderon-Clemente, Loida Nicolas-Lewis, Josie Natori, Manny Pacquiao, Charise Pempengco.
36. Pinoy tastes. A dietitian's nightmare: too sweet, too salty, too fatty, as in burong talangka, itlog na maalat, crab fat (aligue), bokayo, kutchinta, sapin-sapin, halo-halo, pastilyas, palitaw, pulburon, longganisa, tuyo, ensaymada, ube haleya, sweetened macapuno and garbanzos. Remember, we're the guys who put sugar & franks (horrors) in our spaghetti sauce. Yum!
37. The sights. Banaue Rice Terraces, Boracay, Bohol's Chocolate Hills, Corregidor Island, Fort Santiago, the Hundred Islands, the Las Pinas Bamboo Organ, Rizal Park, Mt. Banahaw, Mayon Volcano, Taal Volcano. A land of contrasts and ever-changing landscapes.
38. Gayuma, agimat and anting-anting. Love potions and amulets. How the socially-disadvantaged Pinoy copes.
39. Barangay Ginebra, Jaworski, PBA, UAAP (La Salle-Ateneo), NCAA and basketball. How the vertically-challenged Pinoy compensates, via a national sports obsession that reduces fans to tears and fistfights.
40. People Power at EDSA. When everyone became a hero and changed Philippine history overnight.
41. San Miguel Beer and pulutan. "Isa pa nga!" and the Philippines' most popular, world-renowned beer goes well with peanuts, corniks, tapa, chicharon, usa, barbecue, sisig, and all manner of spicy, crunchy and cholesterol-rich chasers.
42. Resiliency. We've survived 400 years of Spanish rule, the US bases, Marcos, the 1990 earthquake, lahar, lambada, Marimar, and Tamagochi. We survived Erap.
43. Yoyo. Truly Filipino in origin, this hunting tool, weapon, toy and merchandising vehicle remains the best way to "walk the dog" and "rock the baby," using just a piece of string.
44. Pinoy games: Pabitin, palosebo, basagan ng palayok. A few basic rules make individual cunning and persistence a premium, and guarantee a good time for all.
45. Ninoy Aquino. For saying that "the Filipino is worth dying for,'' and proving it.
46. Balagtasan. The verbal joust that brings out rhyme, reason and passion on a public stage.
47. Tabo. All-powerful, ever-useful, hygienically-triumphant device to scoop water out of a bucket and help the true Pinoy answer nature's call. Helps maintain our famously stringent toilet habits.
48. Pandesal. Despite its shrinking size, still a good buy. Goes well with any filling, best when hot.
49. Jollibee. Truly Pinoy in taste and sensibility, and a corporate icon that we can be quite proud of.
50. The butanding, the dolphins and other creatures in our blessed waters. They're Pinoys, too, and they're here to stay. Now if some folks would just stop turning them into daing.
51. Pakikisama. It's what makes people stay longer at parties, have another drink, join pals in sickness and health. You can get dead drunk and still make it home.
52. Sing-a-long. Filipinos love to sing, and thank God a lot of us do it well!
53. Kayumanggi. Neither pale nor dark, our skin tone is beautifully healthy, the color of a rich earth or a mahogany tree growing towards the sun.
54. Hand-woven cloth and native weaves. Colorful, environment-friendly alternatives to polyester that feature skillful workmanship and a rich indigenous culture behind every thread. From the pinukpok of the north to the malong of the south, it's the fiber of who we are.
55. Movies. Still a great form of entertainment, although not so cheap anymore, especially if you watch the same movie several times (or should I say pirated DVDs, instead).
56. Bahala na. We cope with uncertainty by embracing it, and are thus enabled to play life by ear.
57. Papaitan. An offal stew flavored with bile, admittedly an acquired taste, but pointing to our national ability to acquire a taste for almost anything. 58. English. Whether carabao or Arr-neoww-accented, it doubles our chances in the global marketplace.
59. The Press. Irresponsible, sensational, often inaccurate, but still the liveliest in Asia. Otherwise, we'd all be glued to TV.
60. Divisoria. Smelly, crowded, a pickpocket's paradise, but you can get anything here, often at rock-bottom prices. The sensory overload is a bonus.
61. Barong Tagalog. Enables men to look formal and dignified without having to strangle themselves with a necktie. Worn well, it makes any ordinary Juan look marvelously makisig (good-looking).
62. Filipinas. They make the best friends, lovers, and wives. Too bad they can't say the same for Filipinos.
63. Filipinos. So maybe they're bolero and macho with an occasional streak of generic infidelity; they do know how to make a woman feel like one.
64. Catholicism. What fun would sin be without guilt? Jesus Christ is firmly planted on Philippine soil.
65. Dolphy. Our favorite, ultra-durable comedian gives the beleaguered Pinoy everyman an odd dignity, even in drag.
66. Style. Something we often prefer over substance. But every Filipino claims it as a birthright.
67. Bad taste. Clear plastic covers on the vinyl-upholstered sofa, posters of poker-playing dogs masquerading as art, over-accessorized jeepneys and altars, giant wooden spoon and fork displayed on walls--the list is endless, and wealth only seems to magnify it.
68. Mangoes. Crisp and tart, or lusciously ripe, they evoke memories of family outings and endless sunshine in a heart-shaped package.
69. Unbridled optimism. Why we rank so low on the suicide scale.
70. Street food. Barbecue, lugaw, banana-cue, fishballs, IUD (chicken entrails), adidas (chicken feet), warm taho, squid balls, kikiam, fishballs, one-day old chicks. Forget hepatitis; here's cheap, tasty food with gritty ambience.
71. The siesta. Snoozing in the middle of the day is smart, not lazy.
72. Honorifics and courteous titles: Kuya, ate, diko, ditse, ineng, totoy, Ingkong, Aling, Mang, Manong, Bossing, etc. No exact English translation, but these words connote respect, deference and the value placed on kinship.
73. Heroes and people who stood up for truth and freedom. Lapu-lapu started it all, and other heroes and revolutionaries followed: Diego Silang, Macario Sakay, Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Apolinario Mabini, Melchora Aquino, Gregorio del Pilar, Gabriela Silang, Miguel Malvar, Francisco Balagtas, Juan Luna, Marcelo H. del Pilar, Panday Pira, Emilio Jacinto, Raha Suliman, Antonio Luna, Gomburza, Emilio Aguinaldo, the heroes of Bataan and Corregidor, Pepe Diokno, Satur Ocampo, Dean Armando alay, Evelio Javier, Ninoy Aquino, Lola Rosa and other comfort women ho spoke up, honest cabbie Emilio Advincula, Rona Mahilum, the women lawyers who didn't let Jalosjos get away with rape.
74. Flora and fauna. The sea cow (dugong), the tarsier, calamian deer, bearcat, Philippine eagle, sampaguita, ilang-ilang, camia, pandan, the creatures that make our archipelago unique.
75. Pilipino songs, OPM and composers. "Ama Namin," "Lupang Hinirang," "Gaano Ko Ikaw Kamahal," "Ngayon at Kailanman," "Anak," "Handog,""Hindi Kita Malilimutan," "Ang Pasko ay Sumapit"; Ryan Cayabyab, George Canseco, Restie Umali, Levi Celerio, Manuel Francisco, Freddie Aguilar, and Florante--living examples of our musical gift.
76. Metro Aides. They started out as Imelda Marcos' groupies, but have gallantly proven their worth. Against all odds, they continuously prove that cleanliness is next to godliness--especially when those darned political candidates' posters have to be scraped off the face of Manila!
77. Sari-sari store. There's one in every corner, offering everything from bananas and floor wax to Band-Aid and bakya.
78. Philippine National Red Cross. PAWS. Caritas. Fund drives. They help us help each other.
79. Favorite TV shows through the years: "Tawag ng Tanghalan," "John and Marsha," "Champoy," "Ryan, Ryan Musikahan," "Kuwarta o Kahon," "Public Forum/Lives," "Student Canteen," "Eat Bulaga." In the age of inane variety shows, they have redeemed Philippine television.
80. Quirks of language that can drive crazy any tourist listening in: "Bababa ba?" "Bababa!"
81. "Sayang!" "Naman!" "Kadiri!" "Ano ba!?" "pala." “Ganon, eh!”, “yun o!”. Expressions that defy translation but wring out feelings genuinely Pinoy.
82. Cockfighting. Filipino men love it more than their wives (sometimes).
83. Dr. Jose Rizal. A category in himself. Hero, medicine man, genius, athlete, sculptor, fictionist, poet, essayist, husband, lover, samaritan, martyr. Truly someone to emulate and be proud of, anytime, anywhere.
84. Nora Aunor. Short, dark and homely-looking, she redefined our rigid concept of how leading ladies should look.
85. Noranian or Vilmanian. Defines the friendly rivalry between Ate Guy Aunor and Ate Vi Santos and for many years, the only way to be for many Filipino fans.
86. Filipino Christmas. The worlds longest holiday period. A perfect excuse to mix our love for feasting, gift-giving and music and wrap it up with a touch of religion.
87. Relatives and kababayan (countrymen) abroad. The best refuge against loneliness, discrimination and confusion in a foreign place. Distant relatives and fellow Pinoys readily roll out the welcome mat even on the basis of a phone introduction or referral.
88. Festivals. Sinulog, Ati-atihan, Moriones. Sounds, colors, pagan frenzy and Christian overtones.
89. Folk dances. Tinikling, pandanggo sa ilaw, karinosa, kuratsa, itik-itik, alitaptap, rigodon. All the right moves and a distinct rhythm.
90. Native wear and costumes. Baro't saya, tapis, terno, saya, salakot, bakya. Lovely form and ingenious function in the way we dress.
91. Sunday family gatherings. Or, close family ties that never get severed. You don't have to win the lotto or be a president to have 10,000 relatives. Everyone's family tree extends all over the archipelago, and it's at its best in times of crisis; notice how food, hostesses, money, and moral support materializes during a wake?
92. Calesa and karitela. The colorful and leisurely way to negotiate narrow streets when loaded down with a year's provisions.
93. Quality of life. Where else can an ordinary employee afford a stay-in helper, a yaya, unlimited movies, eat-all-you-can buffets, the latest fashion (Baclaran nga lang), even Viagra in the black market?
94. All Saints' Day. In honouring our dead, we also prove that we know how to live.
95. Handicrafts. Shellcraft, rattancraft, abaca novelties, woodcarvings, banig placemats and bags, bamboo windchimes, etc. Portable memories of home. Hindi lang pang-turista, pang- balikbayan pa!
96. Pinoy greens. Sitaw. Okra. Ampalaya. Gabi. Munggo. Dahon ng Sili. Kangkong. Luya. Talong. Sigarillas. Bataw. Patani. Lutong bahay will never be the same without them.
97. OFWs. The lengths (and miles) we'd go for a better life for our family, as proven by these modern-day heroes of the economy.
98. The Filipino artist. From Luna's magnificent "Spolarium" and Amorsolo's sun-kissed rice fields, to Ang Kiukok's jarring abstractions and Borlongan's haunting ghosts, and everybody else in between. Hang a Filipino painting on your wall, and you're hanging one of Asia's best.
99. Tagalog soap operas. From "Gulong ng Palad" and "Flor de Luna" to today's incarnations like "Tayong Dalawa", “May Bukas Pa”,--they're the story of our lives, and we feel strongly for them, MariMar notwithstanding.
100. Midnight madness, weekends sales, bangketas and baratillos. It's retail therapy at its best, with Filipinos braving traffic, crowds, and human deluge to find a bargain.
and thats...
100 VERY PINOY THINGS
100 VERY PINOY THINGS
1. Merienda. Where else but in the Philippines is it normal to eat five times a day?
2. Sawsawan. Assorted sauces that guarantee freedom of choice, enough room for experimentation and maximum tolerance for diverse tastes. Favorites: toyo't calamansi, suka at sili, patis.
3. Kuwan (Kwan), ano. At a loss for words? Try these and marvel at how Pinoys understand exactly what you want.
4. Pinoy humour and irreverence. If you're api and you know it, crack a joke. Nothing personal, really.
5. Tingi. Thank goodness for small entrepreneurs. Where else can we buy cigarettes, soap, condiments and life's essentials in small affordable amounts?
6. Spirituality. Even before the Spaniards came, ethnic tribes had their own anitos, bathalas and assorted deities, pointing to a strong relationship with the Creator, who or whatever it may be.
7. Po, opo, mano po. Speech suffixes that define courtesy, deference, filial respect--a balm to the spirit in these aggressive times.
8. Pasalubong. Our way of sharing the vicarious thrills and delights of a trip, and a wonderful excuse to shop without the customary guilt.
9. Beaches! With 7000 plus islands, we have miles and miles of shoreline piled high with fine white sand, lapped by warm waters, and nibbled by exotic tropical fish. From the stormy seas of Batanes to the emerald isles of Palawan and white sands of Boracay--over here, life is truly a beach.
10. Bagoong. Darkly mysterious, this smelly fish or shrimp paste typifies the underlying theme of most ethnic foods: disgustingly unhygienic, unbearably stinky and simply irresistible.
11. Bayanihan. Yes, the internationally-renowned dance company, but also this habit of pitching in still common in small communities. Just have that cold beer and some pulutan ready for the troops.
12. The Balikbayan box. Another way of sharing life's bounty, no matter if it seems like we're fleeing Pol Pot everytime we head home from anywhere in the globe. The most wonderful part is that, more often than not, the contents are carted home to be distributed.
13. Pilipino komiks. Not to mention "Hiwaga," "Aliwan," "Tagalog Classics," "Liwayway" and "Bulaklak" magazines. Pulpy publications that gave us Darna, Facifica Falayfay, Lagalag, Kulafu, Kenkoy, Dyesebel, characters of a time both innocent and worldly.
14. Folk songs. They come unbidden and spring, full blown, like a second language, at the slightest nudge from the too-loud stereo of a passing jeepney or tricycle.
15. Fiesta. Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow is just another day, shrugs the poor man who, once a year, honors a patron saint with this sumptuous, no-holds-barred spread. It's a Pinoy celebration at its pious and riotous best.
16. Aswang, manananggal, kapre. The whole underworld of Filipino lower class mythology recalls our uniquely bizarre childhood, that is, before political correctness kicked in. Still, their rich adventures pepper our storytelling.
17. Jeepneys. Colorful, fast, reckless, a vehicle of postwar Pinoy ingenuity, this Everyman's communal cadillac makes for a cheap, interesting ride. If the driver's a daredevil (as they usually are), hang on to your seat.
18. Dinuguan. Blood stew, a bloodcurdling idea, until you try it with puto. Best when mined with jalapeno peppers. Messy but delicious.
19. Santacruzan. More than just a beauty contest, this one has religious overtones, a tableau of St. Helena's and Constantine's search for the Cross that seamlessly blends piety, pageantry and ritual. Plus, it's the perfect excuse to show off the prettiest ladies--and the most beautiful gowns.
20. Balut. Unhatched duck's embryo, another unspeakable ethnic food to outsiders, but oh, to indulge in guilty pleasures! Sprinkle some salt and suck out that soup, with gusto.
21. Pakidala or padala. A personalized door-to-door remittance and delivery system for overseas Filipino workers who don't trust the banking system, and who expect a family update from the courier, as well.
22. Choc-nut. Crumbly peanut chocolate bars that defined childhood ecstasy before M & M's and Hershey's.
23. Kamayan style. To eat with one's hand and eschew spoon, fork and table manners--ah, heaven.
24. Chicharon. Pork, fish or chicken crackling. There is in the crunch a hint of the extravagant, the decadent and the pedestrian. Perfect with vinegar, sublime with beer.
25. Pinoy hospitality. Just about everyone gets a hearty "Kain tayo!" invitation to break bread with whoever has food to share, no matter how skimpy or austere it is.
26. Adobo, kare-kare, sinigang and other lutong bahay stuff. Home-cooked meals that have the stamp of approval from several generations, who swear by closely-guarded cooking secrets and family recipes.
27. Lola Basyang. The voice one heard spinning tales over the radio, before movies and television curtailed imagination and defined grown-up tastes.
28. Pambahay. Home is where one can let it all hang out, where clothes do not make a man or woman but rather define their level of comfort.
29. Tricycle and pedicab, the poor Pinoy's taxicab that delivers you at your doorstep for as little as P3, with a complimentary dusting of polluted air.
30. Dirty ice cream. Very Pinoy flavors that make up for the risk: munggo, langka, ube, mais, keso, macapuno. Plus there's the colorful cart that recalls jeepney art.
31. Yayas. The trusted Filipino nanny who, ironically, has become a major Philippine export as overseas contract workers. A good one is almost like a surrogate parent--if you don't mind the accent and the predilection for afternoon soap and movie stars.
32. Sarsi. Pinoy root beer, the enduring taste of childhood. Our grandfathers had them with an egg beaten in.
33. Pinoy fruits. Atis, guyabano, chesa, mabolo, lanzones, durian, langka, makopa, dalanghita, siniguelas, suha, chico, papaya, singkamas--the possibilities are endless!
34. Filipino celebrities. Movie stars, broadcasters, beauty queens, public officials, all-around controversial figures: Aurora Pijuan, Cardinal Sin, Carlos P. Romulo, Charito Solis, Cory Aquino, Emilio Aguinaldo, the Eraserheads, Fidel V. Ramos, Francis Magalona, Gloria Diaz, Manuel L. Quezon, Margie Moran, Melanie Marquez, Dingdong Dantes, Ninoy Aquino, Nora Aunor, Vilma Santos, Pitoy Moreno, Ramon Magsysay, Richard Gomez, Kris Aquino, San Lorenzo Ruiz, Sharon Cuneta, Marian Rivera, Erap, Tiya Dely, Francis M, Korina Sanchez, Gary V. , Lacson, PGMA,
35. World class Pinoys who put us on the global map: Lea Salonga, Paeng Nepomuceno, Eugene Torre, Luisito Espinosa, Lydia de Vega-Mercado, Jocelyn Enriquez, Elma Muros, Onyok Velasco, Efren "Bata" Reyes, Lilia Calderon-Clemente, Loida Nicolas-Lewis, Josie Natori, Manny Pacquiao, Charise Pempengco.
36. Pinoy tastes. A dietitian's nightmare: too sweet, too salty, too fatty, as in burong talangka, itlog na maalat, crab fat (aligue), bokayo, kutchinta, sapin-sapin, halo-halo, pastilyas, palitaw, pulburon, longganisa, tuyo, ensaymada, ube haleya, sweetened macapuno and garbanzos. Remember, we're the guys who put sugar & franks (horrors) in our spaghetti sauce. Yum!
37. The sights. Banaue Rice Terraces, Boracay, Bohol's Chocolate Hills, Corregidor Island, Fort Santiago, the Hundred Islands, the Las Pinas Bamboo Organ, Rizal Park, Mt. Banahaw, Mayon Volcano, Taal Volcano. A land of contrasts and ever-changing landscapes.
38. Gayuma, agimat and anting-anting. Love potions and amulets. How the socially-disadvantaged Pinoy copes.
39. Barangay Ginebra, Jaworski, PBA, UAAP (La Salle-Ateneo), NCAA and basketball. How the vertically-challenged Pinoy compensates, via a national sports obsession that reduces fans to tears and fistfights.
40. People Power at EDSA. When everyone became a hero and changed Philippine history overnight.
41. San Miguel Beer and pulutan. "Isa pa nga!" and the Philippines' most popular, world-renowned beer goes well with peanuts, corniks, tapa, chicharon, usa, barbecue, sisig, and all manner of spicy, crunchy and cholesterol-rich chasers.
42. Resiliency. We've survived 400 years of Spanish rule, the US bases, Marcos, the 1990 earthquake, lahar, lambada, Marimar, and Tamagochi. We survived Erap.
43. Yoyo. Truly Filipino in origin, this hunting tool, weapon, toy and merchandising vehicle remains the best way to "walk the dog" and "rock the baby," using just a piece of string.
44. Pinoy games: Pabitin, palosebo, basagan ng palayok. A few basic rules make individual cunning and persistence a premium, and guarantee a good time for all.
45. Ninoy Aquino. For saying that "the Filipino is worth dying for,'' and proving it.
46. Balagtasan. The verbal joust that brings out rhyme, reason and passion on a public stage.
47. Tabo. All-powerful, ever-useful, hygienically-triumphant device to scoop water out of a bucket and help the true Pinoy answer nature's call. Helps maintain our famously stringent toilet habits.
48. Pandesal. Despite its shrinking size, still a good buy. Goes well with any filling, best when hot.
49. Jollibee. Truly Pinoy in taste and sensibility, and a corporate icon that we can be quite proud of.
50. The butanding, the dolphins and other creatures in our blessed waters. They're Pinoys, too, and they're here to stay. Now if some folks would just stop turning them into daing.
51. Pakikisama. It's what makes people stay longer at parties, have another drink, join pals in sickness and health. You can get dead drunk and still make it home.
52. Sing-a-long. Filipinos love to sing, and thank God a lot of us do it well!
53. Kayumanggi. Neither pale nor dark, our skin tone is beautifully healthy, the color of a rich earth or a mahogany tree growing towards the sun.
54. Hand-woven cloth and native weaves. Colorful, environment-friendly alternatives to polyester that feature skillful workmanship and a rich indigenous culture behind every thread. From the pinukpok of the north to the malong of the south, it's the fiber of who we are.
55. Movies. Still a great form of entertainment, although not so cheap anymore, especially if you watch the same movie several times (or should I say pirated DVDs, instead).
56. Bahala na. We cope with uncertainty by embracing it, and are thus enabled to play life by ear.
57. Papaitan. An offal stew flavored with bile, admittedly an acquired taste, but pointing to our national ability to acquire a taste for almost anything. 58. English. Whether carabao or Arr-neoww-accented, it doubles our chances in the global marketplace.
59. The Press. Irresponsible, sensational, often inaccurate, but still the liveliest in Asia. Otherwise, we'd all be glued to TV.
60. Divisoria. Smelly, crowded, a pickpocket's paradise, but you can get anything here, often at rock-bottom prices. The sensory overload is a bonus.
61. Barong Tagalog. Enables men to look formal and dignified without having to strangle themselves with a necktie. Worn well, it makes any ordinary Juan look marvelously makisig (good-looking).
62. Filipinas. They make the best friends, lovers, and wives. Too bad they can't say the same for Filipinos.
63. Filipinos. So maybe they're bolero and macho with an occasional streak of generic infidelity; they do know how to make a woman feel like one.
64. Catholicism. What fun would sin be without guilt? Jesus Christ is firmly planted on Philippine soil.
65. Dolphy. Our favorite, ultra-durable comedian gives the beleaguered Pinoy everyman an odd dignity, even in drag.
66. Style. Something we often prefer over substance. But every Filipino claims it as a birthright.
67. Bad taste. Clear plastic covers on the vinyl-upholstered sofa, posters of poker-playing dogs masquerading as art, over-accessorized jeepneys and altars, giant wooden spoon and fork displayed on walls--the list is endless, and wealth only seems to magnify it.
68. Mangoes. Crisp and tart, or lusciously ripe, they evoke memories of family outings and endless sunshine in a heart-shaped package.
69. Unbridled optimism. Why we rank so low on the suicide scale.
70. Street food. Barbecue, lugaw, banana-cue, fishballs, IUD (chicken entrails), adidas (chicken feet), warm taho, squid balls, kikiam, fishballs, one-day old chicks. Forget hepatitis; here's cheap, tasty food with gritty ambience.
71. The siesta. Snoozing in the middle of the day is smart, not lazy.
72. Honorifics and courteous titles: Kuya, ate, diko, ditse, ineng, totoy, Ingkong, Aling, Mang, Manong, Bossing, etc. No exact English translation, but these words connote respect, deference and the value placed on kinship.
73. Heroes and people who stood up for truth and freedom. Lapu-lapu started it all, and other heroes and revolutionaries followed: Diego Silang, Macario Sakay, Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Apolinario Mabini, Melchora Aquino, Gregorio del Pilar, Gabriela Silang, Miguel Malvar, Francisco Balagtas, Juan Luna, Marcelo H. del Pilar, Panday Pira, Emilio Jacinto, Raha Suliman, Antonio Luna, Gomburza, Emilio Aguinaldo, the heroes of Bataan and Corregidor, Pepe Diokno, Satur Ocampo, Dean Armando alay, Evelio Javier, Ninoy Aquino, Lola Rosa and other comfort women ho spoke up, honest cabbie Emilio Advincula, Rona Mahilum, the women lawyers who didn't let Jalosjos get away with rape.
74. Flora and fauna. The sea cow (dugong), the tarsier, calamian deer, bearcat, Philippine eagle, sampaguita, ilang-ilang, camia, pandan, the creatures that make our archipelago unique.
75. Pilipino songs, OPM and composers. "Ama Namin," "Lupang Hinirang," "Gaano Ko Ikaw Kamahal," "Ngayon at Kailanman," "Anak," "Handog,""Hindi Kita Malilimutan," "Ang Pasko ay Sumapit"; Ryan Cayabyab, George Canseco, Restie Umali, Levi Celerio, Manuel Francisco, Freddie Aguilar, and Florante--living examples of our musical gift.
76. Metro Aides. They started out as Imelda Marcos' groupies, but have gallantly proven their worth. Against all odds, they continuously prove that cleanliness is next to godliness--especially when those darned political candidates' posters have to be scraped off the face of Manila!
77. Sari-sari store. There's one in every corner, offering everything from bananas and floor wax to Band-Aid and bakya.
78. Philippine National Red Cross. PAWS. Caritas. Fund drives. They help us help each other.
79. Favorite TV shows through the years: "Tawag ng Tanghalan," "John and Marsha," "Champoy," "Ryan, Ryan Musikahan," "Kuwarta o Kahon," "Public Forum/Lives," "Student Canteen," "Eat Bulaga." In the age of inane variety shows, they have redeemed Philippine television.
80. Quirks of language that can drive crazy any tourist listening in: "Bababa ba?" "Bababa!"
81. "Sayang!" "Naman!" "Kadiri!" "Ano ba!?" "pala." “Ganon, eh!”, “yun o!”. Expressions that defy translation but wring out feelings genuinely Pinoy.
82. Cockfighting. Filipino men love it more than their wives (sometimes).
83. Dr. Jose Rizal. A category in himself. Hero, medicine man, genius, athlete, sculptor, fictionist, poet, essayist, husband, lover, samaritan, martyr. Truly someone to emulate and be proud of, anytime, anywhere.
84. Nora Aunor. Short, dark and homely-looking, she redefined our rigid concept of how leading ladies should look.
85. Noranian or Vilmanian. Defines the friendly rivalry between Ate Guy Aunor and Ate Vi Santos and for many years, the only way to be for many Filipino fans.
86. Filipino Christmas. The worlds longest holiday period. A perfect excuse to mix our love for feasting, gift-giving and music and wrap it up with a touch of religion.
87. Relatives and kababayan (countrymen) abroad. The best refuge against loneliness, discrimination and confusion in a foreign place. Distant relatives and fellow Pinoys readily roll out the welcome mat even on the basis of a phone introduction or referral.
88. Festivals. Sinulog, Ati-atihan, Moriones. Sounds, colors, pagan frenzy and Christian overtones.
89. Folk dances. Tinikling, pandanggo sa ilaw, karinosa, kuratsa, itik-itik, alitaptap, rigodon. All the right moves and a distinct rhythm.
90. Native wear and costumes. Baro't saya, tapis, terno, saya, salakot, bakya. Lovely form and ingenious function in the way we dress.
91. Sunday family gatherings. Or, close family ties that never get severed. You don't have to win the lotto or be a president to have 10,000 relatives. Everyone's family tree extends all over the archipelago, and it's at its best in times of crisis; notice how food, hostesses, money, and moral support materializes during a wake?
92. Calesa and karitela. The colorful and leisurely way to negotiate narrow streets when loaded down with a year's provisions.
93. Quality of life. Where else can an ordinary employee afford a stay-in helper, a yaya, unlimited movies, eat-all-you-can buffets, the latest fashion (Baclaran nga lang), even Viagra in the black market?
94. All Saints' Day. In honouring our dead, we also prove that we know how to live.
95. Handicrafts. Shellcraft, rattancraft, abaca novelties, woodcarvings, banig placemats and bags, bamboo windchimes, etc. Portable memories of home. Hindi lang pang-turista, pang- balikbayan pa!
96. Pinoy greens. Sitaw. Okra. Ampalaya. Gabi. Munggo. Dahon ng Sili. Kangkong. Luya. Talong. Sigarillas. Bataw. Patani. Lutong bahay will never be the same without them.
97. OFWs. The lengths (and miles) we'd go for a better life for our family, as proven by these modern-day heroes of the economy.
98. The Filipino artist. From Luna's magnificent "Spolarium" and Amorsolo's sun-kissed rice fields, to Ang Kiukok's jarring abstractions and Borlongan's haunting ghosts, and everybody else in between. Hang a Filipino painting on your wall, and you're hanging one of Asia's best.
99. Tagalog soap operas. From "Gulong ng Palad" and "Flor de Luna" to today's incarnations like "Tayong Dalawa", “May Bukas Pa”,--they're the story of our lives, and we feel strongly for them, MariMar notwithstanding.
100. Midnight madness, weekends sales, bangketas and baratillos. It's retail therapy at its best, with Filipinos braving traffic, crowds, and human deluge to find a bargain.
and thats...
100 VERY PINOY THINGS
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Aaargh!!
Just wanted to write something. felt like im about to explode or bang my head on something. The week just past still had its irritating effect. Hope i could get out of this mood fast otherwise someone might just get what he deserves!! hmmp!
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