AUTUMN IN MY MIND

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"The falling leaves, sit by the window
The falling leaves, are red and gold......"

I don't know if I got that one right,
but that song speaks of one love lost, right?
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Well, my memories of Autumn is one which makes my heart cry
not of sadness but one with tears of joy.
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I had my first taste of Autumn a decade or so ago.
You see, I have always opted to go back 'home' in Inang Bayan
when the first sign of chilly winds begin to blow.
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That time, I opted to stay and see most of Japan.
Those were the times when we had enough free time to travel
in most of HONSHU, the main island,
and KYUSHU, that 2nd bigger chunk of island south of Japan.
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When Hiroko asked if I wanted to go to Aomori,
I didn't think twice. I just grabbed that opportunity
and said 'Yes!'
I didn't regret that.
Oh, no...not one bit!
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We started late one October day.
We first travelled via the highway.
But the best view comes from the ordinary inner roads.
We stopped at every place where great views could be had.
We travelled by car and enjoyed the places we passed through,
clicking at every oppotunity.
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When we reached Aomori....
Yeah, that Aomori of the APPLES fame!
....we stopped at the Welcome Banner where
apple-decors [ but of course!] were displayed.
I must have my picture taken, I said.
If only to show Manila friends that I have, indeed,
gone to that place.
Not to brag, but to share that such a place really exist!
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As Hiroko woved through the center of Aomori,
[I believe] H deliberately went to the hills,
where the apple orchards were.....
and stopped a while.
H said that we seemed lost, but later,
I realized H was just showing me those orchards!
Goodness me!
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It was dusk and no one seemed around.
We got down and started clicking pictures as if
there was no tomorrow.
Of course! I had the most!
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I asked if I could just take one pick...
but H said no. We could always buy, but no picking please.
The apples seemed soooooo delicious,
that's why!
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Apples in Japan seemed to be well-taken cared of.
One by one, they are wrapped in protective paper
and turned so each one gets the proper sunshine
to make them sweeter.
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Biotechnology here is well-known.
Apple growers don't just grow apples.
They nurture each one
until it reaches maturity.
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Some apple variety here have honeys in them.
Don't ask me how they did it,
but they seem to be getting better and better each time.
When one cut open the apple,
one can see the slightly glossy concentrate
inside, by the core.....
and these make these apples taste better.
Known Gourmets here have only good words for them.
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Nothing can beat freshly-picked apples.
Up to that time, I didn't like apples that much.
I was, and still am, a MIKAN[TANGERINE] addict.
But I have since included apples in my marketing list.
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I guess we, in Pinas have been used to eating
"delicious Washington apples" [as labeled on the box]
and those small ones from China.
Apples here are totally different!
Worlds apart, so to speak.
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On our way out of the city,
there were stalls and stalls that line the road.....
Parang naalala ko yung road papuntang Tagaytay!
Daming prutas dun, right?
These stalls had only apples and related products for sale.
And, would you believe?
A box costs 300 yen only!
I couldn't believe my eyes!
In supermarkets in my place,
each apple costs about 158-200 yen on ordinary off-season days.
But in-season sales, each costs about a hundred yen.
I wanted to buy more but settled to 2 boxes
which I gave away as pasalubongs to my friends and neighbors!
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WE stayed at a local Japanese RYOKAN [INN]
and enjoyed the Spa and the deliecious food.
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The next day, when we were heading for home,
we passed by the main road. It was then that
I saw those mountains for the first time.
They was a riot of colors:
red, golden yellow, reddish brown, orange....
Oh my goodness!
I couldn't help cry seeing what I saw!
And I thought those pictures I saw in Calendars brought by my Tatay
a long time ago was just that: a painting of sorts that was concocted by some painters.
Geez! Am I lucky to see such blessings from the 0ne above!
How great must God really be!
To make such wonderful things and give them to us!
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I cried and cried.
It just wouldn't stop!
I felt so happy that time that the memories has remained etched
in my mind and heart forever!
We stopped by a Parking Area and took lots of pictures.
Me, posing.....
with those trees of varying colors
as the backdrop.
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I was specially happy
since my birthmonth also falls in Autumn.
What a birthday gift that was!
Since then,
Autumn became a favorite season....
and all there is to it.
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Thanks, Aomori.
.................
And Thank, You, LORD
for a Beautiful World,
a beautiful Autumn
and those apples!
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Yumyum!
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THE SUN SHINES......at last!

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Clouds have eased a little;
The SUN creeps little by little.
I tell you Friend, that
THAT brightens my day!
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I have longed to see the SUN
since yesterday was a bit cold;
I want to see the sunshine come
and shoo away the cold.
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I have loads of laundry to do;
the hedges need cutting, too.
Come here, O SUN, and shine today
So each of us can do our way!
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I wish I have a magic wand
to do as I have wished
I only want all good things to shine
and shun the bad from coming through.
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I am not saying rains are bad...
Both rain and sun we need them all.
But too much of one thing just wouldn't do.
We need a change and change, we must do.
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The same is true with the country we all love:
When power is abused and people are pushed.....
Most people can't take more than what they can chew.
Pray, I say and all will be well.
God is here,
and the sun shines through!
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Just Me, Checking.....

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A minister passing through his church

in the middle of the day,

decided to pause by the altar

and see who had come to pray.

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Just then the back door opened,

a man came down the aisle.

The minister frowned as he saw

the man hadn't shaved in a while.

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His shirt was kinda shabby

and his coat was worn and frayed,

the man knelt, he bowed his head,

Then rose and walked away.

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In the days that followed,

each noon time came this chap

,each time he knelt just for a moment,

a lunch box in his lap.

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Well, the minister's suspicions grew,

with robbery a main fear,

He decided to stop the man and ask him,

"What are you doing here?"

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The old man said, he worked down the road.

Lunch was half an hour.

Lunchtime was his prayer time,

For finding strength and power.

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"I stay only moments,

because the factory is so far away;

as I kneel here talking to the Lord,

This is kinda what I say:

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"I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU LORD,

HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN,

SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHER'S FRIENDSHIP

AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN.

DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY,

BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY.

SO JESUS,
THIS IS JIM....
CHECKING IN TODAY."

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The minister feeling foolish,

told Jim that was fine.

He told the man he was welcome

To come and pray just anytime.

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Time to go, Jim smiled, said "Thanks."

He hurried to the door.

The minister knelt at the altar,

he'd never done it before.

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His cold heart melted, warmed with love,

and met with Jesus there.

As the tears flowed, in his heart,

he repeated old Jim's prayer:

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"I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU LORD,

HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN,

SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHER'S FRIENDSHIP

AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN.

DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY,

BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY.

SO JESUS,
THIS IS ME....
..... CHECKING IN TODAY."

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Past noon one day, the minister noticed

that old Jim hadn't come.

As more days passed without Jim,

he began to worry some more.

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At the factory, he asked about him,

learning he was ill.

The hospital staff was worried,

But he'd given them a thrill.

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The week that Jim was with them,

Brought changes in the ward.

His smiles, a joy contagious.

Changed people, were his reward.

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The head nurse couldn't understand

why Jim was so glad,

when no flowers, calls or cards came,

Not a visitor he had.

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The minister stayed by his bed,

He voiced the nurse's concern:

No friends came to show they cared.

He had nowhere to turn.

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Looking surprised, old Jim spoke up

and with a winsome smile:

"The nurse is wrong, she couldn't know,

that in here all the while

everyday at noon

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He's here,

a dear friend of mine, you see,

He sits right down, takes my hand,

Leans over and says to me:

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"I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU JIM,

HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN,

SINCE WE FOUND THIS FRIENDSHIP,

AND I TOOK AWAY YOUR SIN.

ALWAYS LOVE TO HEAR YOU PRAY,

I THINK ABOUT YOU EACH DAY,

AND SO JIM,
THIS IS JESUS................
........CHECKING IN TODAY."

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Many people will walk in and out of our life,

but only true friends will leave footprints in our heart.

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May God hold you and me
in the palm of His hand and

Angels watch over us.

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But for those of us who are already His,

He not only holds us in the palm of His hand,

but has engraved our names there,

and we are continually in His sight (Isaiah 49:16)

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Yes, I do love God.
He is my source of existence and Savior.

He keeps me functioning each and everyday.

Without Him, I will be nothing.

Without him, I am nothing

but with Him
"I cando all things through Christ
that strengthens me."

(Phil 4:13)

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This is too good not to share

-SO THIS IS ME
.........JUST CHECKING IN
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May you all

Have a Nice Day!

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With YOU Everyday of the Week

• Monday ------Wash Day

Lord, help me wash away all my selfishness and vanity,

so I may serve you with perfect humility through the week ahead.

• Tuesday------Ironing Day

Dear Lord, help me iron out all the wrinkles of prejudice

I have collected though the years so that I may see the beauty in others.

• Wednesday----- Mending Day

O God, help me mend my ways so I will not set a bad example for others.

• Thursday------ Cleaning Day

Lord Jesus, help me to dust out all the many faults

I have been hiding in the secret corners of my heart.

• Friday------- Shopping Day

O God, give me the grace to shop wisely so

I may purchase eternal happiness for myself

and all others in need of love.

• Saturday------ Cooking Day

Help me, my Savior, to brew a big kettle of brotherly love

and serve it with clean, sweet bread of human kindness.

• Sunday ------The Lord's Day

O God, I have prepared my house for you.

Please come into my heart so I may spend the day

and the rest of my life in your presence.

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THAT DAY

TEN THINGS GOD WON'T ASK ON THAT DAY:

1. GOD won't ask what car you drove. He'll ask how many people you drove who didn't have transportation of their own.
2. GOD won't ask the square footage of your house. He'll ask how many people you welcomed into your home.
3. GOD won't ask about the clothes you had in your closet. He'll ask how many you helped to clothe.
4. GOD won't ask what your highest salary was. He'll ask if you compromised your character to obtain it.
5. GOD won't ask what your job title was. He'll ask if you performed your job to the best of your ability.
6. GOD won't ask how many friends you had. He'll ask how many people to whom you were a friend.
7. GOD won't ask in what neighborhood you lived. He'll ask how you treated your neighbors.
8. GOD won't ask about the color of your skin. He'll ask about the content of your character.
9. GOD won't ask why it took you so long to seek salvation. He'll lovingly take you to your mansion in Heaven, and not to the gates of Hell.
10. GOD won't ask how many of these you'd follow hereon....He already knows your decision.

VIRTUES

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"A lie a day, keeps detractors away! "

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"Ang sinungaling, kapatid ng magnanakaw."

....yan ang sabi ni Nanay.

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Cheating is bad!"

...so said my teachers in days gone by.

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Not these days.... Most of those who were interviewed [as shown in one Daily] said

that it was Ok to cheat, "everybody's doing so, anyway!"

The Q was asked of a thousand or so-interviewees after the

Nursing leakage scam came out.

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Geez! Is this the virtue we want our future children to have?

Not me!

Definitely, NOT!

Oh no! Not this one!

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Virtues are scarce these days.

Some people have gone "practical" and sold their Virtues at a price: their own person.

They bow to a meager price....and embrace a life ful of lies,

cheating and live in a country of make-believe espoused by their supposed leader.

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How I wish people can live with dignity even in hard times.

How I wish people look at things with a balanced perspective and weigh things as they see it.

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The present situation isn't very encouraging.

The peso is "stronger"...so they say,

but businessmen such as those who invest in the country say otherwise.

I know! I have made several investments in a number of businesses and

the result isn't that blooming, as the "spokesmen" [lapdogs, tutas or what-have-you]

of the present regime keep on mouthing!

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STOP THE LIES!

Go and LIVE a LIFE that is GOOD,HONEST, and TRUE.

Only then will GREAT THINGS COME TO YOU.

STOP LIVING A LIE!

STOP THE LIE!

STOP THE LIAR!

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D.U.I.

Twenty-six police officers and government employees have been punished

for driving after drinking so far this year,

already surpassing last year's total of 25, the National Police Agency here has found.

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Four were arrested on suspicion of violating the Road Traffic Law for

driving under the influence or the more serious charge of drunken driving.

Prosecutors received the cases of 20 offenders, the NPA said.

The National Public Safety Commission Chairman apologized Friday

for the behavior of the police. The NPA said it will start a special education program for police personnelto stop drunken driving among themselves.

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Japan has taken stricter measures against driving under the influence

following a horrific accident in Fukuoka in late August.

A drunken city employee hit an SUV and pushed it off a bridge into a river,

killing three children.

Police have set up check points around the nation to catch drunken drivers.

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Of the 26 officers and employees mentioned in the NPA's report,

two were fired for driving while intoxicated.

They worked at the Okayama and Nagasaki prefectural police forces.

Twenty were suspended from their duties,

two had their pay cut, and two were reprimanded,according to the NPA.

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Twenty of the drivers had at least

0.15 milligram of alcohol per liter of breath, the limit set under the Road Traffic Law.

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Kaya tuloy nagkahigpitan na naman dito!

Pati tuloy yung Test ko, postponed muna....

Pag nakalipas na ang focus sa pulisya dito.

Pulis kasi ang nagbibigay ng test....

Eh under hot water silang lahat dahil nga sa dami ng nahuli sa kanila.

Na-interview nga sa TV yung police officer na nagbibigay ng test

tsaka nag-interview sa akin....

Napanood ko sila sa TV....

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Better wait for a while.....

Palipasin ang Bagyo!

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HANDA KA BA?

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SA LOOB NG ISANG TAON,

ilang beses nga ba ”bumibisita" ang Bagyo sa Bayan natin?

Sampu? Labinlima?

Marahil, higit pa.

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Maliban sa Bagyo, marami rin sa atin ang Bulkan

na kapag sumabog eh, tiyak na napakaraming

mahihirapang lumikas.

Sunog, lindol, o landslides, baha, atbp..

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Ganun din naman dito kung saan ako

nakatira sa kasalukuyan.

Lalo na sa lugar namin!

Nalula ako nang nalaman ko kung gaano

kadalas ang lindol dito!

Sinasabi ng Meteorological Agency dito

na mahigit sa isangdaang beses kung maglindol dito.

OO nga at medyo hindi maramdaman kasi nga,

minor earthquakes lang.

Mga 2...minsan, 3 sa Richter Scale.

Meron ding panahon na nagigising ako

sa kalaliman ng gabi at maririnig

ang tunog ng lampara sa gitna ng kuwarto ko

na umuugoy, kahit na ang bahay namin ay

bungalow type.

Minsan, akala ko, nahihilo ako:

yun pala, may lindol.

Laging may daily updates sa telebisyon,

kaya alam namin kung ano ang situwasyon.

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Hindi rin maikakaila na ang Mt. Fuji ay isang dormant volcano.

May mga oras na talagang tinatalakay sa telebisyon ang scenario

sakali mang sumabog ito.

Sa palagay ko, mawawala ang Shizuoka-ken

sa mapa kapag nagkaganoon.

Malapit din dito ang isang Geothermal Plant na siyang pinagkukunan

ng enerhiya sa lugar namin.

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Matay kong isipin,

talagang maraming posibilidad na mangyari....

kaya naman, napagdesisyunan ko na,

na talagang babalik ako sa Pilipinas

pag dumating na ang tamang panahon.

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Ang gobyerno dito ay talagang kumikilos:

• lahat ay tinuturuan na maghanda

sakali mang magkaroon ng kalamidad.

• Pinapayuhan ang lahat na maghanda.

Binigyan ang bawa't household ng isang BAG.

EMERGENCY BAG kung baga.

Nagbigay rin sila ng listahan ng

dapat ay laman ng bag na ito:

tubig, kendi, biskuwit,

pagkaing de-lata [tinapay, kanin, lugaw,

sardinas, prutas, at iba pa]

pangginaw, blanket, extrang damit,

aluminum sheets[para panlaban sa maginaw na taglamig],

plastic na pwedeng gawing instant toilet,

guwantes, flashlights, baterya, radyo,

at marami pang iba.

Kailangan ding dala-dala ang pansariling dokumento:

National Insurance, IDs at Cash Cards para

sakali man, may maipakitang pagkakailanlan.

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Ang mahalaga ay makapaghanda ng pansariling pagkain at gamit

habang naghihintay ng tulong galing sa gobyerno.

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May nabibili rin, nguni't ito ay medyo mahal.

Ang ginagawa ko ay bumibili paunti-unti ng mga kailangan.

Sana ganun din ang gawin ng bawa't Kababayan natin.

Halos kasing dami ng Bagyo sa loob ng isang taon

ang Bagyong meron sa Bayang ito.

Sa totoo nga, madalas akong biruin ni Jiji na

'binibisita ka ng Bagyo, galing sa Pilipinas'....

Kaya dapat marahil, maghanda ang bawa't isa.

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IKAW ba, Kapatid....

Handa ka na ba?

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PAGKATAPOS NG UNOS

Isang Linggo pagkatapos bumWisita

ni Milenyo: eto ang situwasyon sa Pinas::::

BILLBOARDS:

NOW

they are saying!

Kung hindi pa nanalasa si Milenyo,

hindi pa maiisip na yang naglalakihang billboards eh

delikado, lalo na yung giant billboards na nasa

ibabaw ng mga building sa EDSA.

Hirit pa ng mga Advertisers Association,

40 na bb lamang nag nawasak,

at mayroon silang 2000 mahigit sa

EDSA, sa Highways, at sa iba pang bahagi ng

Metropilis!

Ha?

40 LANG!?

Lang?!

Aba at talagang pasaway ang mga ganid!

Lang daw!

Yun mismong 'lang' na yun, may nabiktima:

may namatay, may natabunan ng mga nagliparang

billboards, at may mga sasakyang naipit

nang bumagsak ang mga ito!

Ang hirap kasi sa ating mga 'magagaling

[sa nakawan!] na mga opisyales,

kasama na ang mga bogus.....

eh kikilos at iisipin lamang nag mga bagay-bagay

kapag may nabiktima na.

Samantala, marami pang kalat!

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Ni wala tayong

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PROGRAM

na nakahanda para sa anumang sakuna:

lindol, baha, o anupaman.

Halatang naghihilahan at

wachinangga ang kilos nitong si pygmea!

Magaling lang sa litratuhan

at bunganga. Wala sa gawa!

Buset!

AASA lamang sa tulong ng ibang Bansa.

Mabuti kung ang mga tulong ay nakakarating sa

kinauukulan.

Natawa na lang ako sa ginawa ni US Ambassador K

sa US$100,000 na dineretso sa PNRC

[isa pa yang ahensiya na yan;

marami ring kurakot dyan na taga-loob!]!!!!

Sampal yun kay gloria na siya mismong tumatanggap sa

mga tulong nang nakalipas na panahon!

Ha-ha! Buti nga sa iyo!

Pero macapal ka naman, eh...

kaya mo yun....

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KURYENTE!

Halos isang Linggo na ang nakalipas,

pero ang Meralco,

ang bagal ng serbisyo.

Sa singilan...

o sa putulan ng koneksyon,

mabilis pa yan sa alas kwatro!

Pag tinawagan mo:

tsk!

Maghintay ka!

Sumalosep!

Hanoba?

Wala nang ligo,

wala pa ring tubig.

Bakit?

Eh kapag walang kuryente,

walang gana ang mga pumps sa mga subdivisions....

Limitado rin ang supply ng

distilled waters sa lugar sa MetroSouth.

Wala rin silang kuryente eh!

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TELEPONO:

Nawalan ng koneksyon, kahit sa landline ng tatlong araw...

Mabuti na lang ant nagkaroon ng

koneksyon noong Linggo.

Natawagan ko ang kamag-anak ko.