SPORTS, ANYONE?

BASKETBALL IN THE PHILIPPINES IS DYING....so goes a column I read somewhere. I ALWAYS WONDER.... why Basketball for Pinoys? SA DINAMI-DAMI ng sports na puwede sa physique ng Pinoy, bakit nga ba Basketball? WHEN I was younger, I used to wonder why my parents never watched Basketball. My Nanay and Tatay both enjoyed Boxing. My young mind cannot fathom that, either. Oh yes, Tatay used to play Basketball with the old men in the community during Fiestas as a special charity treat. And he sure was fast. Although he didn't deliver, his assist was great. After all, he is into martial arts, not so adept at ball games. LOOKING at sports pages in the NW and in this part of the Pacific, BASEBALL ...or SOCCER news eat up the space. SO, back to the question: WHY BASKETBALL? Samantalang ang liliit ng Pinoy compared to their western counterparts? Add to this, our local Teams more often have these imports that spells dollars. Besides, kawawa ang mga local players whose salaries [I believe] do not measure up to those of the imports'. PINOYS need to beef up on sports other than Basketball. We have to. KAYA nmn kung susubukan. TAKE BASEBALL. We have the best Little Leaguers in Asia,if not the world. Why not harness that and start from there? OR SOCCER. Pinoys can outsmart their western foes. Kailangan lang dagdagan ang stamina. This could be done through persistent practice and change of diet. Japan started Soccer les than a decade ago, yet they have made it to the semis for the World Cup in Germany next year. Persistence is the secret. PROPER TRAINING PROGRAM is a must. And QUALIFIED PEOPLE to run the COUNCIL or whatever it is that manages our athletic programs. WALANG HALONG KURAKOT lang and we're off to a good start. PINOYS ARE GOOD. WE EXCEL IN ALMOST ANYTHING F WE PUT OUR HEARTS TO IT. That much I know. SPORTS, ANYONE?

AUTUMN IN MY HEART

**************************** ALTHOUGH AUTUMN is officially days away, the signs of autumn and its accompanying soft cool breeze is being felt right now especially in the early dawn.That makes one stay longer with Morpheus and dream of days to come. This is felt even in the daytime. I do not need the aircon while driving since the cool breeze from the open windows gives one that exhilarating feeling. OH HOW I LOVE AUTUMN! I REMEMBER my first taste of autumn with Hiroko on a trip to AOMORI-KEN. This is in Northern HONSHU, the biggest and main island. We were to deliver that steel framed steps for the RINGO-BATAKE [APPLE ORCHARD]. Although I did not do the actual delivery, I just sat in the front seatof that big truck and savored the great view from where I was. WE STARTED early on. Ther plan was to stay in some RYOKAN [A JAPANESE-STYLE INN/HOTEL] for the night and deliver the next day. THE RYOKAN was magnificent. It boasts of natural spring water with fantastic view of the bay somewherein Route # 4. We were ushered in a Japanese-styled room [but of course!] with TATAMI mats. The wide window overlooked a Japanese garden. Beyond the horizon is the Bay. CHANGING INTO KIMONO [JAPANESE DRESS] was a marvel. Then on to the ONSEN [SPRING] OFURO [JAPANESE BATH TUB]. Usually, there are several BATHS like these.The baths are separate for men and women.Dipping into the bath makes one aware of its natural surroundings. I wonder why we have not transformed our Hot Springs in Laguna and elsewhere into natural settings, instead of that plain swimming pools. That way, it would be more enjoyable.Makes one more aware of nature as well. A FANTASTIC DINNER awaits the dinersafter the bath. The array of colors used both in chinawares and the food itself is beyond description. SLEEP AWAITS those who are tired and the deep slumber called in early as the whole day proved to be a tiring one. BREAKFAST IS served at the Hall where one is left with two choices: Western-style breakfast [which gives you that usual bread and egg-bacon ham, etcetera. 0R...the Japanese style one with Mizo soup and rice and fish. I LOVE AUTUMN! I love the changing colors of autumn. I marvel at the magnificence of its varying colors: the golden, red, and orange leaves among the trees in the once-verdant mountains. I WAS TOUCHED by all these magnificence. I shed tears of happiness and joy everytime I see the great colors of autumn! GOD IS TRULY GREAT. HE MADE ALL THINGS BEAUTIFUL! And now I welcome AUTUMN with open arms......

THE TIMES OF MY LIFE

Jeremy [again! Ewan ko ba dito sa taong ito; trip magbasa pero laging may hila] mentioned he'd pass this on to me, and some others. Mahaba nga lang pero here goes.... *************************************************************************************************************** >>>>20 YEARS AGO I went to school with my Nanay making hatid at sundo. She used to park her jeep near the entrance to the Main door, kaya dyahe; my classmates always made 'kantiyaw' kasi 'Mama's Girl' daw ako. I really wanted to go to school alone, kaya lang ayaw pumayag si Nanay. Ayun. I guess I enjoyed my Grade school with classmates and my neighbors. I was allowed to play with them but I needed to come home before it got dark. My Nanay was the strict type. Considering/despite the fact that we had hordes of Yayas and househelps[marami kasi akong kapatid], she wanted me to learn how to make house: clean, cook, wash the dishes, et cetera. So I was tasked not only to watch but lend a hand to the househelp. I didn't relish the mess then...and I didn't know why she has to make me do what I did. >>>>15 YEARS AGO Ganun hanggang high school. "TA[N]GA-Maynila" daw ako, according to my classmates. Quite true. I happened to be brought up in Manila since I can remember yet I feel I didn't know Manila and its crevices. I never got around even in Quiapo BY MYSELF. I didn't understand then why Nanay was so 'mahigpit'. My father was accomodating. He allowed a lil freedom, especially if Nanay went to her home province to overlook her Copra harvest and visit her relatives. I guess I enjoyed HS best: the camaraderie and the lunch box which my Nanay lovingly prepared for me everyday. I remember a PE teacher who stopped by while my friends and I were eating at the school Cafeteria. She peeked at my lunch box and commented: "Wow! Your Nanay must be good!" Mrs. Tomelden even tasted the green salad. When I replayed the conversation to Nanay, she was amused and smiled like she won a gold medal. Great compliment, huh! >>>>10 YEARS AGO Graduate na ako ng college nito. I started school when I was five. I applied for a job at a local radio station. Katuwaan ba. How surprised we [my barkada at that time]were when I made the 32 out of the 230 or so applicants. That gentleman from Davao conducted the interview. It was a Sunday in July.We were made to read a portion from a newspaper.Then a soft sell and a hard one for commercials. I remember a NESCAFE and a JOHNSON'S BABY POWDER lines. Since I have been doing these thing [that of reading aloud in front of the mirror since HS], I made it. I found it quite easy then. Anyway, I made it and worked for a year or so on a 6 to 9 P.M. slot. I learned a lot from this experience.But Radio isn't for my type, I guess. And the hype in the networks even if it is only the airwaves, are so disturbing for someone who was brought up in a home that is modest and strict. Besides another job, the one for which I was prepared for came along. So I willingly transferred from that job to the next. I guess the latter was my true calling. I embarked on furthering my studies and hurdled the long tripfrom Alabang to Diliman, with classes till late on Monday evenings.Dito yata lumabo ang mata ko, kakabasa ng libro habang umaandar ang sasakyan. >>>>5 YEARS AGO By this time I was already moving. Despite the odds and everything,I learned a lot. I also got my first taste of AUTUMN LEAVES on TREK to Aomori. I shed tears of JOY seeing the glorious colors of gold, red and the magnificent maple leaves. I'd like to remember this as the BEST among my memories. >>>>3 YEARS AGO I spent some time traveling from one place to another. I tried to absorb everything I see, learn, read and most of all I learned the ways of people from opposite sides of the globe. >>>>A YEAR AGO I started to teach young kids abroad. Got involved with a Volunteer Group. Met new acquaintances, but no real friends yet. Most Pinays I met were far from those I'm used to. >>>>THIS YEAR I started my own small school in this part of the Pacific. Not much, though...but I guess I am still lucky. Jay had JA, and Von will soon be a father with Indi heavy with their first child. >>>>YESTERDAY I continued arranging the house. There are a lot of unused boxes here and there. Called Marcia and learned that Aurora has not paid..yet! Grr.... >>>>LAST NIGHT Saw a movie: "Taras Bulba, The Cossack" starring YulBryunner: An old movie via the NHK BS 2. I waited for my fave series till 12 mn here. >>>>TODAY Called Marcia again. Learned that Aurora is making reklamo. Mayabang daw ako kasi may pera na.Sus! Goodness!!! Ako pa ang mayabang.Ibang klase rin nmn ang mga taong yun .Ayaw nang magbayad, tapos, mayabang pa ako. Ano ba yan? Makoy emailed me saying they recieved the box already. >>>>TOMORROW Who knows what tommorow may bring? Let tomorrow come. I have no plans yet. >>>>NEXT YEAR I need to work more perhaps... para mapagawa na yung bakanteng lugar sa likod-bahay for Von & Indi in case they still want to transfer. >>>>5-10 YEARS FROM NOW.... God knows that. I'll let God handle my fate.-------- ************************************************************ AND NOW....I pass this on to: . .donna. ..gilbert. ...madz. .......and ....................."M." [kung trip mo lang naman...]

LIFE IS LIKE A CUP OF COFFEE

I LIKE DRINKING COFFEE. BUT I limit my intake to one [or two at times] cup a day. RESEARCHERS SAY that COFFEE is good to the body, if taken in small quantities. BY ITS AROMA alone, Coffee makes us feel good. BTW,......DID YOU know that the most expensive coffee is one that comes from the feces of a nocturnal animal in the tropics who eat the coffee beans and the excrement are collected and sold as 'exotic' coffee beans? Most big-time hotels order this rare and expensive variety.WELL, I haven't tasted that...not yet [and I don't think I'd like to venture into that....not in the next twenty or so years.But who knows? I might have drank one while staying in some hotels out there. The thought gives me that strange feeling. Goodness! COFFEE comes in different varieties: ESPRESSO, AMERICAN BLEND,CAPUCCHINO, MOCHA, GOLD BLEND, PRESIDENT, BLUE MOUNTAIN BLEND#1, etcetera...balh-blah-blah...The list is endless! HOWEVER, I LIKE the NESCAFE PRESIDENT best. Tama lang ito sa panlasa ko.I just bought that BLUE MOUNTAIN BLEND #1 but I haven't tried that...not yet anyway.I guess I'm keeping that for special occasion,or I'd better include that in the box am gonna send for Inang Bayan. COFFEE VARIETIES have also intrigued most people in the world. Some like to go to STARBUCKS just to try. I guess people go there not because of coffee but that they simply want to be identified with the 'IN" crowd.Some may take umbrance at this but COFFEE is COFFEE wherever you go. Trip lang natin minsan yung lalagyan [o lugar]at hindi yung laman.... I myself have these coffee cup collection:mugs from all over but I like to use the one mug which was given free from the PAN-YA [BAKERY] here. It just seem comfy to sip from. TALKING ABOUT COFFEE reminds me of this story: A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university lecturer. Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life. Offering his guests coffee, the lecturer went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups: porcelain, plastic, glass, some plain-looking and some expensive and exquisite, telling them to help themselves to hot coffee. When all the students had a cup of coffee in hand, the lecturer said: "If you noticed, all the nice-looking, expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is but normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the better cups and are eyeing each other's cups." "Now, if Life is coffee, then the jobs, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain Life,but the quality of Life doesn't change." "Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee in it." ENJOY YOUR COFFEE, GUYS...NOT THE CUP! LOVE & LIGHT!

WHAT'S IN A NAME? =Part 2

THE TOPIC is so vast one cannot discuss it in one sitting or one entry. So here goes another one.... THE MOST COMMON NAMES among the Japanese is YAMADA, TANAKA, NAKATA and lots more. But the number one in the list is SUZUKI. People bearing this name are scattered all over the Land of the Rising Sun. But the largest concentration is found in HAMAMATSU in Central Japan, which, btw, is beside the city where I live. This is in SHIZUOKA-KEN, the birthplace of SUZUKI Car Plant. It is also where the main plant of YAMAHA and HONDA are situated. THERE IS this joke among the Japanese that if you happen to stop by Hamamatsu Station, just shout the name "SUZUKI" and almost everyone would respond with "HAI?" [YES?] ...meaning, almost all of the residents bear the name Suzuki. This holds true even in my small class of 6. Two girls who attend the same English Class answer to the name SUZUKI YUKA. The 'strange' thing is that they were both born on the same day, same year. I have resorted to calling them YUKA1 and YUKA2 to separate one from the other. The same is true with other common surnames. FIRST NAMES HERE are often well-thought of. Some even consult experts who determines the right name for the child. They believe that by giving the child a good name it will ensure that person's good fortune and happiness. The names are determined by the number of strokes each name written in KANJI is done. MOST NAMES have meaning, or goes together with the surnames. For example, my father is named YAMAKI TORANOUSKE. TORA being a TIGER, which makes his name mean STRONG, and his surname which I discussed earlier means YAMA=MOUNTAIN, and KI=TREE. So if we decipher his name, he would be A STRONG TIGER IN THE MOUNTAIN AMONG THE TREES. Fantastic, isn't it? He sure is proud of his name. He may be strong, but he isn't as wild as a tiger. He was such a soft-hearted and caring person. IN CASES where the only child is a girl [or several girls], the problem of succession comes into the picture. In this case, the husband is enjoined to "adopt" the name of the wife, thus making him change his name to that of his wife's. In the western world and those of ours, this runs contrary to common practice. But this is allowed here to preserve the name that has long been in the family for generations. One shining example is that of TANAKA MAKIKO, a Niigata-Ken lawmaker whose father, the late Prime Minister TANAKA KAKUEI has brought Japan to its peak in the last vestiges of the past century. She married Naoki who was adopted into Makiko's family. ABE may sound Kapampangan, but this one is a surname here. Unlike it's Pampango meaning which means "KAIBIGAN" here, it's plain apelyido lamang. BOYS HAVE have varied names. Here is a list of first names I have encountered in class, or elsewhere: MITSUHIRO, YUDAI[grandeur, magnificent], TAIKI[genius/air/atmosphere], HIDEO[ intelligent, brainy], KATSUO[ winner], YUTAKA* [ABUNDANT, RICH, AMPLE,PLENTIFUL]. I like the last one best: it's meaning is good. GIRLS however have great names as well..... AIKO[ AI-means LOVE// KO means CHILD], MIDORI [GREEN,VERDANT], MAYUMI, NAOKO, and more. ETSUKO means JOY, DELIGHT... which describes the feeling my parents had when I was born, hence the name. THE LIST IS ENDLESS.... We were given names in Japanese names, too. But we didn't care using them while attending schools in MetroManila. We were happy using our names there. Now it's a bit different here. The old folks want to imbue that YAMATO in me, hence they call me the way they like. COOL, ei? NAMES: FORTUNE ? DESTINY?.............. HAPPINESS? HONESTLY? I don't mind. After all, I have used my Christian name longer than I can remember. And I always respond to that name with gusto.

WHAT'S IN A NAME?

WHAT'S IN A NAME? ...SOME PEOPLE OFTEN ASK.... After all......."A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME WOULD SMELL AS SWEET......." OR SO I thought as I watched amused for that two-hour 'Special' program about NAMES last night.THE PROGRAM dealt in-depth research on Japanese surnames: from the unusual to the hilarious to the differing pronunciation, blah-blah-blah! INTERVIEWS were conducted and the program staff went to the pain of going to each site, and some of those involved were even brought right there at the studio. EVEN THE JAPANESE THEMSELVES WERE AMUSED AND SURPRISED THAT SUCH SURNAMES EXISTS! MEZURASHII MYOJI or UNUSUAL SURNAMES ranged from the hilarious to the yucky type [well, that's as far as WE, Pinoys are concerned!]. Let's take a look at a small town in TOYAMA-Ken: >1. SAKANA meaning FISH/ISDA: the couple jokingly said that they have small 'sakana' too. It turned out that they have two small twin-girls. >2. EBI which means SHRIMP/HIPON: and the interviewer had fun calling the old woman "EBI-San [Mrs. Shrimp/Gng. Hipon]". The old Lady apparently didn't mind. After all, she has lived her 80 or-so-years as such. She added she has lived near the fishing port all her life. Talk about fish or is it shrimps... to the sea, huh? >3. USHI which is Japanese for COW/BAKA: A young wife smilingly answered that there are more like hers living in the town. Imagine that! Kung sa 'Pinas ka, tawag sa iyo, Bb. Baka...o kaya nmn, Bb. BABOY.... yayayay! >4. DAIKU is the Japanese word for CARPENTER/KARPINTERO: and he makes a special Japanese delicacy made of fish. He makes decors out of that concoction and for that day, he made a house-shaped delicacy, quite true to his name: that of a carpenter! Sa atin, kung baga, tatawagin mo ang panday ng Mang Karpintero. Sounds good nmn, db? THE SURNAMES were apparently supplied by the DATA CENTER of the country. I am totally amazed at how these were kept and updated. For example, the staff asked for the distribution of a particular surname, the most common, or the most strange. They also have the history of surnames accounted for in their archives. THERE IS one that most cannot pronounce. It was long and none of those in the audience can decipher HOW TO READ it. I agree. Japanese readings have two types. One comes from the Chinese reading and another the Japanese origin. A combination KANJI would turn out a different reading altogether. Mahirap talaga! Mismong mga Hapon, nahihirapan, paano na lang ang mga Banyagang[?] katulad ko? ANOTHER UNUSUAL one came up when a man was called and he showed the KANJI [JAPANESE CHARACTER] on how his name look like. Everyone had fun guessing: IT was written as AUGUST 1 if we are to translate it in English. This left me wondering... meron ba sa atin ng apelyidong AGOSTO UNO? NIPPON is JAPAN in Japanese. The Japanese call their country NIPPON. And it turned out that there is a family in the Japan that answers to that name. NIPPON FAMILY! Great! THEN THERE is this name bearing the PREFECTURES [KEN] or the equivalent of PROVINCES in our country. Most were surprised to know that there were so many Japanese who sport the various Prefectural Names. This includes YAMAGUCHI, KOCHI, TOYAMA, SHIMANE... and so forth. Can't help but be reminded of a Miss MANILA, a security guard at NAIA with whom I left my baggages when I left something at the carousel and had to go back to retrieve it. Hindi ka man beauty-contest potential, puwede na rin, kasi Ms. manila ka agad! Nice one, huh?! THERE'S THIS family in the southermost tip of Japan, far down south of Okinawa's small scattered islands. The patriarch who is in his 80's worry so much about the death of his family's surname. You see, he has five daughters. That means his surname wouldn't survive. He is the 11th in a successive generation of KADENOUUJI [his surname]. His married daughters have thus adopted their respective husbands' names. Having earned the distinction of being THE ONLY ONE sporting that name, which, BTW, dates back to the HEIEAN JIDAI [HEIEAN ERA] posed a big problem. This was solved when two of his grandchildren, a boy and a girl in their teens agreed to be "ADOPTED [YOSHI]" by their grandfather. That would solve the problem of continuity. When asked how they feel, the teens replied that they are truly proud of their granddad's surname inspite of the fact that it will take a long way to say it. I PERSONALLY met a Pinay who was seated beside me on our way to Inang Bayan one December day a few years back. After talking for a while she asked for my name and contact number. I obliged and said: 'YAMAKI' [ YAMA means MOUNTAIN, and KI means TREE]. Then she wrote her name and gave the note to me: FUKIMOTO! I had a hard time restraining myself from giggling.... [sorry po!] ON ONE occasion, I was driving with some Pinays who went with me on a "Sale" in downtown Hamamatsu. One pointed out a billboard with the words FUTABA. She pronounced it in a way as if she is asking...FUTA...BA? The rest of those seated at the back guffawed and can't help feel sorry for Pinays married to someone with this name. ON MY way to work, I was caught in a traffic jam along the National Route #150 [Roads here anre numbered. So if you want to know which one was built first, you got to start with #1:that connects Tokyo with Osaka]. Apparently the flow of traffic stopped when an accident of sort happened atop the bridge. So I was left doing nothing except listen to the CD on my car stereo. Then something caught my eye: KAWAWA. There it was: a billboard advertising a motor shop. I asked a relative later whether it was a family name, and he replied in the affirmative. Kawawa-San! Ms. Kawawa! wiz ko yata type yun... ASO is an ordinary surname in Japan. Sa 'Pinas, ang ASO ay ASO, right? Kapag nasa Japan ka, OKs lang, pero kapag nasa 'Pinas ka, iiwasan ko talaga na matawag ng ganito, noh....kung lang nmn..hehehehe WHEN I was in College, I had a classmate whose surname was BAGONG GAHASA and G. KUTO from the South. He attended our Pilipino class. Goodness! Kahit ano pa, hindi mo ako mapapakasal sa may ganoong pangalan, anoh! Hindi ko siguro masisikmura yun! AHHH...WHAT'S IN A NAME nga ba? EWAN KO... but one thing I know: it's just a name! The person within counts more than any sweet-smelling name in the world. But then...... ENJOY NA LANG KAYO...AND HAVE A VERY GOOD TIME!

ABS-CBN Forums: ALA gov.ph/ style na ba?

NAGTATAKA LANG AKO, may MARTIAL LAW na ba sa 'Pinas? ILANG ULIT na akong dumaan sa ABS-CBN News Forum, pero palaging may DELETED POSTS at may mga SARADONG TOPICS. Yung mga dating registered members ay tinanggal. BAKIT? KONTROLADO ng administrator na si Praetor ang lahat. WALANG MALAYANG TALAKAYAN. Paano malalaman ang isipan at opinyon ng mamamayan kung ang nais ng isang forum ay pulos PRO at bawal ang AGAINST? AKALA KO nga nasa gov.ph/ forums ako, eh. Ang dahilan at OFF-TOPIC. Kung off-topic din lang, eh si lagyan ng mensahe sa ibaba ng post at nang mapaalalahanan ang nagsulat. Ngunit IBA ang nangyayari sa isa sa pinakamalaking nertwork sa Bansa. KARAMIHAN NG NADI-DELETE AY LABAN KAY gloria, samantalang ang mga PRO- ay malayang nakakapag-post. EWAN KO LANG kung ganoon din sa iGMA TV Message Boards. MERON BA?...ng MARTIAL LAW? O sa ABS-SCBN lang merong ganyan? Ano yan? Para saan? Para ano? Bakit? NAGTATANONG LANG NAMAN.... ******************** Am sure glad may malayang talakayan sa blog ni M. at sa iba pang fora. Praise God for that!

BUSY-BUSY DAY

YESTERDAY was a big "clean-up-day" for me and my abode. I started by gathering all the decors for summer and kept them carefully in the box intended for their safekeeping.I then opened another box where atumn things and paraphernalia are kept and just went on with the usual fittings. AH!! THE END product was as good as new! That would be great till after I come back from my Christmas Holidays. THAT DONE, I went on to clean my room and re-aaranged my things. I always wanted to re-arrange the furnitures and fixtures in my room. I enjoy doing these things. Beautiful surroundings always fascinate me. Isn't that part of being a LIBRAN? Although fine fixtures always make beautiful rooms,I utilize old decors and recycle them to come up with new and "reinvented" ones. That would make home decors at minimum cost. Besides, I often go to 100-yen shops[the cheapest!] here. I always look for things that would pass on as something elegant and classy. Neighbors and friends of Jiji often comment that the house looks great. Even the garden has seen some semblance of order since I came. OH...HaH! [yabang ba?...mahilig lang talaga akong mag-arrange ng bagay2]. I must admit I am elated.... Who wouldn't be? After all, I did what I could to transform the once-dull living room here to something liveable....at least. And that includes all the rooms here. ANYWAYZ, I do the same thing whenever I am in Inang Bayan. Masarap maupo sa sofa kapag malinis na at maayos ang lahat, db? 0R PERHAPS, I am already thinking of going home for the Holidays kaya I am already starting to clean? Medyo maaga nmn. I NEED to do the cleaning or else, magagalit ang matanda if I don't. AS THE OLD YEAR near its end, people here clean the entire house in preparation for the coming Year.They want to welcome the New Year with clean surroundings and that includes the whole house, the closets, kitchen, and practically everything! The idea is to get rid of the past year's "malas" [by cleaning]. Having a clean surrounding would be conducive for "good luck to enter the place. AUTUMN IS fast approaching, and the early morning breeze is changing. Dusks come earlier than before and the morning dews are heavier. My special plant has begun to turn whitish from its original green. During cold winter days, it'll turn to red again. MEANTIME, I have embarked on jogging again as part of my slimming program [daw! ]. I hope it works. GREAT DAY. GOOD SWEAT. BEST RESULTS.

PINOY, YOU DECIDE!

Kaya nga may duling at may bulag; Meron ding nagbubulag-bulagan sa gitna ng hinagpis ng sambayanan. Mayroon namang gising ngunit ayaw kumilos dahil na rin sa kanilang taglay na katamaran o kaya'y may tumatahimik dahil sa sila'y naaambunan. Sa karamihan sa atin na ayaw ng maling patakaran, sinasabing tayo'y supersibo sa tingin ng mga gahaman. Paano ba nama'y tila iilan lamang Ang umi-squeal at nagsasabi ng katotohanan. Pumili ka ngayon, Pinoy, kung saan ka pupunta: sa kamay ba ng sinungaling o sa panig ng mahal nating Bayan?

HOW PREPARED ARE WE?

NEWS ABOUT KATRINA and the slow-paced relief operation of the richest nation in the world has inundated most news page since it struck weeks ago. This also prompted the lowest rating garnered by Bush,Jr. He was vacationing at the time Katrina struck. Huh! THE CATASTROPHE revealed something the outside world did not know before: that the mostly African-American communities in the South are as poor as any third world country could be. It pulled the shroud that has been in place since time immemorial. It also revealed that the poor is helpless amidst the ramblings and the posture to maintain the image of being the 'superpower of the world.' It also projected tot he world the INADEQUACIES of a program fro DISASTER-PREPAREDNESS of a superpower. LOOKING AT all these from the outsider's view makes me wonder: Is INANG BAYAN ready for such disaster? I wonder. RECENT DISASTERS such as the Tsunami last December and the Katrina devastation must open our eyes and ears. We must insist on a DISASTER PREPAREDNESS PLAN that must be given priority just in case. Being caught red-handed and unprepared is a big NO-NO!! FOR ALL its faults, JAPAN has adequate plan properly laid out in case disaster of great proportions strike. There are constant updates and drills being conducted in companies, schools, and even in government offices. Every year, they conduct a General Drill at all levels utilizing all agencies. It was put to use when the Great Hanshin Earthquake struck one winter morning in January ten years ago. The concerted effort and the DISCIPLINE of the victims were obvious WHEN THEY LINED UP AND WAITED FOR THE DISASTER WORKERS TO DO THEIR JOBS. Apparently, this same discipline was sorely lacking in Katrina's wake. ALTHOUGH PILIPINAS do not suffer as much earthquake as Japan, our country eats typhoons every other day during the Wet Season. This should make us ready and aware. HAS THE PROPER AGENCY made studies regarding the strengthening of our shorelines? DO WE have a DISASTER-PREPAREDNESS PLAN in place, ready anytime to do their job? DO WE have enough DISASTER-PREVENTION PERSONNEL who can respond anytime? DO WE have a CLEAR PLAN TO COPE WITH ANY SITUATION just in case? DO WE have LOGISTICS to go by? Baka lang naubos na sa 'pagbili' ng simpatiya. SO MANY QUESTIONS. YET the government led by the putative-president appears to be focused ONLY on holding on to dear power as if it is defending life itself. I HOPE in my heart that WE THINK ON THESE LINES.... ...."Tommorow may not come...By then will be too late."

RANDOM THOUGHTS OF HOME

PLANNING IN advance for the trip back home is something that lifts my spirit...BIG TIME! It never stop to elicit that 'magnificent aura' [as Hiroko often say]from my person everytime we embark on plans on what-to-dos ad infinitum.Hiroko often says I can do anything I want on such occasions. And that feels simply GREAT! AND SO we talked lengthily on the Master Plan. Yet, as of this time, nothing concrete has been arrived at. I guess all depends as soon as I set foot in Inang Bayan. Besides I need the approval of those concerned in order to push through the entire plan, right? EVERYTHING SEEMS to be in place....except, of course Jay's true plans. He has to take into consideration Hans' plans, too. Oftentimes, I have asked Jay whether he has done [again!] something I didn't know yet, but he was admant to deny he has. I have warned him not to pose more surprise-problem to me, since my heart cannot take any more unwelcome & unexpected news. I HOPE in my mind and in my heart that EVERYTHING WILL TURN OUT RIGHTFOR THE BETTER AND FOR EVERYONE TO BE HAPPY. I CAN'T ASK FOR MORE. ALL THINGS SAID, all I have to do is wait.....and HOPE.... and PRAY. THESE DAYS, Hiroko says sleep is elusive with constant dreams of home.I laugh at the thought. Was it anticipation? I'd like to think so. ME? I have always pictured, even fantasize of home even in my waking hours. AFTER ALL, HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS.

aRrOyO ImPeAcHmEnT RAP:HOW THEY VOTED

I just wanted to REMEMBER THESE NAMES...... hence I am reprinting the NAMES OF THOSE WHO ARE TRUE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PEOPLE AND THOSE WHO ARE REPRESENTATIVES OF THEIR OWN GREED. ************************************************************************************************************** = AFTER a marathon overnight session, 158 lawmakers in the 236-seat House of Representatives voted Tuesday to ratify the justice committee's decision last week effectively junking the three impeachment complaints against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Fifty-one lawmakers, firmly resolved Arroyo should be impeached for electoral fraud, corruption, and human rights violations, voted ‘No.’ Meanwhile, six lawmakers abstained. Below is the list showing how the House legislators voted: ....................................................................YES VOTES.......................................................................... Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (KAMPI) 1. Rep. Rodolfo Albano (Isabela) 2. Rep. Felix Alfelor Jr. (Camarines Sur) 3. Rep. Antonio Alvarez (Palawan) 4. Rep. Genaro Alvarez Genaro (Negros Occidental) 5. Rep. Rodolfo Antonino (Nueva Ecija) 6. Rep. Ignacio Arroyo (Negros Occiedental) 7. Rep. Luis Bersamin Jr (Abra) 8. Rep. Narciso Bravo Jr. (Masbate) 9. Rep. Tranquilino Carmona (Negros Occidental) 10. Rep. Victor Dominguez (Mountain Province) 11. Rep. Tomas Dumpit (La Union) 12. Rep. Consuelo Dy (Pasay) 13. Rep. Amado Espino Jr. (Pangasinan) 14. Rep. Peter Paul Falcon (Surigao del Sur) 15. Rep. Eduardo Firmalo (Romblon) 16. Rep. Oscar Gozos (Batangas) 17. Rep. Corazon Malanyaon (Davao) 18. Rep. Suarto Mangudadatu (Sultan Kudarat) 19. Rep. Alfredo Maranon III (Negros Occidental) 20. Rep. Anthony Miranda (Isabela) 21. Rep. Ronaldo Puno (Antipolo) 22. Rep. Nerissa Corazon Soon-Ruiz (Cebu) 23. Rep. Victor SUmulong (Antipolo) 24. Rep. Generoso Tulagan (Pangasinan) 25. Rep. Luis Villafuerte (Camarines Sur) 26. Rep. Ma. Amelita Villarosa (Occidental Mindoro) Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino 27. Rep. Catalino Figueroa (Western Samar)28. Rep. Danilo Lagbas (Misamis Oriental) Lakas 29. Rep. Benjamin Abalos (Mandaluyong)30. Rep. Bienvenido Abante, (Manila)31. Rep. Roque Ablan (Ilocos Norte)32. Rep. Anuar Abubakar (Tawi-Tawi)33. Rep. Almario Mayo (Davao Oriental)34. Rep. Ma. Angelica Amante (Agusan del Norte)35. Rep. Prospero Amatong (Compostella)36. Rep. Hussin Amin (Sulu)37. Rep. Trinidad Apostol (Leyte)38. Rep. Rey Aquino (Pampanga)39. Rep. Munir Arbison (Sulu)40. Rep. Leovigildo Banaag (Agusan del Norte)41. Rep. Salacnib Baterina (Ilocos Sur)42. Rep. Belma Cabilao (Zamboanga)43. Rep. Roberto Cajes (Bohol)44. Rep. Carmen Cari (Leyte)45. Rep. Bobbit Carlos (Valenzuela)46. Rep. Nanette Castelo-Daza (Quezon City)47. Rep. Eufrocino Codilla(Leyte)48. Rep. Arthur Celeste (Pangasinan)49. Rep. Edgar Chatto (Bohol)50. Rep. Antonio Cuenco (Cebu)51. Rep. Samuel Dangwa (Benguet)52. Rep. Simeon Datumanong (Maguindanao)53. Rep. Del De Guzman (Marikina)54. Speaker Jose de Venecia (Pangasinan)55. Rep. Arthur Defensor (Iloilo)56. Deputy Speaker Raul Del Mar (Cebu)57. Rep. Abdullah Dimaporo (Lanao del Norte)58. Rep. Mauricio DOmogan (Baguio)59. Rep. Faysah Dumarpa (Lanao del Sur)60. Rep. Felix Durano (Cebu)61. Rep. Glenda Ecleo (Surigao del Norte)62. Rep. Eileen Ermita-Buhain (Batangas)63. Rep. Gerardo Espina Jr. (Biliran)64. Rep. Edgard Espinosa, (Guimaras)65. Rep. Orlando Fua (Siquijor)66. Rep. Albert Garcia (Bataan)67. Rep. Constantino Jaraula (Cagayan)68. Rep. Raul Gonzalez Jr. (Iloilo)69. Rep. Eladio Jala (Bohol)70. Rep. Carlos Lacson (Negros Occidental)71. Rep. Exequiel Javier (Antique)72. Rep. Reylina Nicolas (Bulacan)73. Rep. Prospero Pichay (Surigao del Sur)74. Rep. Monico Puentebella (Bacolod)75. Rep. Herminia Ramiro (Misamis)76. Rep. Isidro Real Jr. (Zamboanga del Norte)77. Rep. Ma. Milagros Magsaysay (Zambales)78. Rep. Marcelino Libanan (Eastern Samar)79. Rep. Roger Mercado (Southern Leyte)80. House Majority Floor Leader Prospero Nograles (Davao)81. Rep. Arrel Olano (Davao del Norte)82. Rep. Eduardo Roquero (Del Monte City)83. House Deputy Speaker Gerry Salapuddin (Basilan)84. Rep. Joey Salceda (Albay)85. Rep. Lorna Silverio (Bulacan)86. Rep. Jose Solis (Sorsogon)87. Rep. Mary Ann Susano (Quezon City)88. Rep. Wilhelmino SY-Alvarado (Bulacan)89. Rep. Herminio Tevez (Negros Oriental)90. Rep. Aurelio Umali (Nueva Ecija)91. Rep. Edwin Uy (Isabela)92. Rep. Eduardo Veloso (Leyte)93. Rep. Eleuterio Violago (Nueva Ecija)94. Rep. Manuel Zamora (Compostela Valley)95. Rep. Eduardo Zialcita (Parañaque)96. Rep. Juan Miguel Zubiri (Bukidnon)97. Rep. Antonio Floirendo Jr. (Davao del Norte) Liberal Party (LP) 98. Rep. Harlin Abayon (Northern Samar)99. Rep. Rolando Andaya (Camarines Sur)100. Rep. Danton Bueser (Laguna)101. Rep. Fredenil Castro (Capiz)102. Rep. Solomon Chungalao (Ifugao)103. Rep. Junie Cua (Quirino)104. Rep. Rodriguez Dadivas,(Capiz)105. Rep. Matias Defensor (Quezon City)106. Rep. Antonio Diaz (Zambales)107. Rep. Abraham Mitra (Palawan)108. Rep. Rafael Nantes (Quezon)109. Rep. Ernesto Nieva (Manila)110. Rep. Miles Roces (Manila)111. Rep. Federico Sandoval II (Malabon)112. Rep. Eric Singson (Ilocos Sur)113. Rep. Danilo Suarez (Quezon)114. Rep. Judy Syjuco (Iloilo)115. Rep. Rodolfo Valencia (Oriental Mindoro)116. Rep. Joey Hizon (Manila)117. Rep. Laurence Wacnang (Kalinga) Nacionalista Party118. Rep. Eduardo Gullas(Cebu)119. Rep. Jesus Crispin Remulla (Cavite) Nationalist People’s Coalition120. Rep. Alipio Badelles (Lanao del Norte)121. Rep. Roseller Barinaga (Zamboanga del Norte)122. Rep Anna York Bondoc (Pampanga)123. Rep. Elias Bulut Jr. (Apayao)124. Rep. Douglas Cagas (Davao del Sur)125. Rep. Antonio Cerilles (Zamboanga)126. Rep. Faustino Dy (Isabela)127. Rep. Michael Duavit (Rizal)128. Rep. Emilio Espinosa Jr. (Masbate)129. Rep. Conrado Estrella (Pangasinan)130. Rep. Uliran Joaquin (Laguna)131. Rep. Josefina Joson (Nueve Ecija)132. Rep. Simeon Kintanar (Cebu)133. Rep. Vincent Garcia (Davao)134. Rep. Gregorio Ipong (North Cotabato)135. Rep. Jesli Lapus (Tarlac)136. Rep. Benasing Macarambon (Lanao del Sur)137. Rep. Francis Nepomuceno (Pampanga)138. Rep. Manuel Ortega (La Union)139. Rep. Isidro Rodriguez Jr. (Rizal)140. Rep. Jurdin JEsus Romualdo (Camiguin)141. Rep. Rizalina Seachon-Lanete (Masbate)142. Rep. Emmylou. Talino_santos (North Cotabato)143. Rep. Gilbert Teodoro (Tarlac)144. Rep. Renato Unico JR (Camarines Norte) Partido Demokratiko Sosyalista ng Pilipinas (PDSP) 145. Rep. Cesar Jalosjos (Zamboanga del Norte)146. Rep. Cecilia Jalosjos-Carreon (Zamboanga Del Norte) Reporma Party 147. Rep. Ernie Clarete (Misamis Occidental Reporma) Independent Representatives 148. Rep. Edcel Lagman (Albay)149. Rep. Florencio Vargas (Cagayan) Partylist Representatives 150. Rep. Edgar Valdez (APEC)151. Rep. Sunny Rose Madamba (APEC)152. Rep. Ernesto Pablo (APEC)153. Rep. Leonila Chavez (BUTIL)154. Rep. Guillermo Cua (COOP NATCCO)155. Rep. Representative Ernesto Gidaya (Veteran Freedom)156. Rep. Eulogio Magsaysay (AVE)157. Rep. Acmad Tomawis (ALIF)158. Rep. Rene Velarde (BUHAY) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((NO VOTES))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) Lakas 1. Rep. Robert Ace Barbers (Surigao del Sur)2. Rep. Robert Jaworski (Pasig)3. Rep. Clavel Martinez (Cebu)4. Rep. Edmund Reyes (Marinduque) Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP) 5. Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara (Aurora)6. Rep. Erico Basilio Fabian (Zamboanga)7. Rep. Teofisto Guingona III (Bukidnon)8. Rep. Jacinto Paras (Negros Oriental)9. Rep. Benjamin Agarao(Laguna) (not LP as earlier reported) Liberal Party (LP) 10. Rep. Henedina of the Liberal Party (Batanes) 11. Rep. Joseph Emilio Abaya (Cavite)12. Rep. Juan Romeo Nereus Acosta (Bukidnon)13. Rep. Proceso Alcala (Quezon)14. Rep. Benigno Aquino III (Tarlac)15. Rep. Rodolfo Bacani (Manila)16. Rep. Rozzano Rufino Biazon (Muntinlupa)17. Rep. Justin Chipeco (Laguna)18. Rep. Manuel Mamba (Vagayan)19. Rep. Hermilando Mandanas (Batangas)20. Rep. Antonino Roman (Bataan)21. Rep. Lorenzo Tanada III (Quezon)22. Rep. Alfonso Umali Jr. (Oriental Mindoro) Nacionalista Party (NP) 23. Rep. Gilbert Remulla (Cavite) 24. Rep. Cynthis Villar (Las Piñas)25. Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano (Taguig-Pateros) Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) 26. Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio (South Cotabato)27. House Minority Floor Leader Francis Escudero (Sorsogon)28. Rep. Arnulfo Fuentebella (Camarines Sur)29. Rep. Arthur Pinggoy Jr. (South Cotabato)30. Rep. Rodolfo Plaza (Agusan del Norte)31. Rep. Ruy Elias Lopez (Davao City) Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) 32. Rep. Teodoro Locsin (Makati) Partylist Representatives 33. Rep. Ana Theresia Hontiveros-Baraquel (Akbayan)34. Rep. Loretta Ann Rosales (Akbayan)35. Rep. Mario Aguja (Akbayan)36. Rep. Rodante Marcoleta (Alagad)37. Rep. Mujiv Hataman (Anak-Mindanao)38. Rep. Crispin Beltran (Anakpawis)39. Rep. Rafael Mariano (Anakpawis)40. Rep. Florencio Noel (AN WARAY)41. Rep. Teodoro Casiño (Bayan Muna)42. Rep. Joel Virador (Bayan Muna)43. Rep. Satur Ocampo (Bayan Muna)44. Rep. Hans Christian Seneres (Buhay)45. Rep. Emmanuel Joel Villanueva (CIBAC)46. Rep. Liza Maza (Gabriela)47. Rep. Renato Magtubo (Partido ng Manggagawa) Independent Representatives 48. Rep. Agapito "Butz" Aquino (Makati)49. Rep. Roilo Golez (Parañaque)50. Rep. Rolex Suplico (Iloilo)51. Rep. Ronaldo Zamora (San Juan) ABSTENTIONS 1. Rep. Ferjenel Biron (Kampi, Iloilo) 2. Rep. Baisendig Dilangalen (PMP, Maguindanao)3. Rep. Augusto Baculio (Lakas-CMD, Misamis Oriental)4. Rep. Janette Garin (Lakas-CMD, Iloilo)5. Rep. Jaime Lopez (Lakas-CMD, Manila) 6. Rep. Florencio Vargas (Lakas-CMD, Cagayan) FAILED TO VOTE Rep. Imee Marcos (KBL, Ilocos Norte)Rep. Pedro M. Pancho (KNP, Bulacan)Rep. Juan Miguel "Mikey" Macapagal Arroyo (Lakas, Pampanga)Rep. Remedios “Matin” L. Petilla (Lakas, Leyte)Rep. Victoria H. Reyes (Lakas, Batangas)Rep. Erwin L. Chiongbian (Lakas, Sarangani)Rep. Oscar G. Malapitan (LDP, Kaloocan)Rep. Rodolfo Q. Agbayani (LDP, Nueva Vizcaya)Rep. Florencio T. Miraflores (LP, Aklan)Rep. Reynaldo S. Uy (LP, Western Samar)Rep. Luis A. Asistio (NPC, Kaloocan)Rep. Claude P. Bautista (NPC, Davao del Sur)Rep. Carlos O. Cojuangco (NPC, Negros Occidental) Rep. Mark O. Cojuangco (NPC, Pangasinan)Rep. Emilio C. Macias II (NPC, Negros Oriental)Rep. Juan C. Ponce Enrile Jr. (NPC, Cagayan)Rep. Joseph A. Santiago (NPC, Catanduanes)Rep. Antonio M. Serapio (NPC, Valenzuela)Rep. Antonio Jr. P. Yapha (NPC, Cebu)Rep. Carlos R. Imperial (NPC, Albay)Rep. Romualdo T. Vicencio (NPC, Northern Samar)

FOR ..... M.

I AM AMAZED! or is it DAZZLED? Actually, I didn't know what to say. I was lost for words last night. I CRIED because I felt the pain that goes on with the revelation. THANK YOU for telling. At least now you are free of that which haunts you. You think the world is against you because of what you are. Wrong! There are people who know better than to condemn that which is good and great. REST ASSURED THAT I REMAIN AN AVID FAN.... GOD BLESS, dear One and May Your Lines Inspire More People Around The Globe.

from cory

TAPOS NA ANG LABAN!

************************************************************************************************************* ...DITO! Kayo naman... Sa Lupang Hinirang...TULOY PA RIN! IT WAS A LANDSLIDE WIN for Koizumi's Group. AND MOST OLD FOLKs don't feel good. That includes Jiji. His retirement pay and pension plan won't change, that's why! KOIZUMI's win would spell shelving [again!] the social security matters which would benefit the greying members of society. His focus is limited to the postal privatization only! Before the plenary voting last month, he threatened to abolish the SHUGIIN [THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES] if and when his Bill won't get the needed majority approval. The Lawmakers were defiant, even those from his own coalition. From his defeat, he vowed not to support those who opposed him. Then he abolished the Lower House, hence, this snap election. By doing so, isip ko, 'Grabe nmn itong si Junichiro Koizumi; hindi lang nasunod ang gusto niya, nilusaw na ang House of Rep.! OLD FOLKS hereabouts supposrted the opposition led by OKADA. Okada is targeting the SS issues since Japan is now experiencing the lowest Birth Rate of all times. He espouses additional support for families in an effort to encourage parents to have babies. The alarming rate of people from 60 years and over is s overwhelming that officials are adamant to increase benefits for child-rearing. It must be noted that hospitalization bills for Childbirth is absolutely free for all Japanese. Added to this, each child receive a certain amount from birth to about six or seven y/o. THE MARGIN OF VICTORY is overwhelming that interviews are non-stop. All programs show the latest trend and special talk shows have started their marathon reporting 'Live' . Supporters of all candidates are out cheering, even at this late hour. WHICH REMINDS me of the election campaign while I was still in Inang Bayan. The only difference is that cheating and manipulation is quite far from here. Siguro, hindi puwede dito si gloria. Tiyak, hindi tatagal si gma dito. Bawal kasi ang manipulasyon ng numero, noh! It is amazing to know how fast the Japanese gather info and numbers without a hitch. Unlike in Inang Bayan where it took days [or weeks?] to get the exact numbers, here,it's just a matter of minutes. It is also difficult to manipulate the returns. Or is it dependent on "Honesty-is-the Best-Policy" system? Wala na ba talagang pag-asang maging honest ang Pinoy? Huwag Naman.... ONE THING, though...Jiji said something about voting for 6 MEMBERS to sit as JUDGES IN THE SUPREME COURT. There were 7 candidates and each voter must name 6. I wonder why we, ordinary Pinoy Voter are not allowed to choose the candidates for our Courts... Bakit nasa Presidente LANG ang karapatang ito? Kaya tuloy nagkakaroon ng POWER-PLAY sa Pinas, eh! Partisan Politics ang nananaig.

TODAY

TODAY while the blossoms still cling to the vine I'D sail on my sweet sorrow and sip that sweet wine; A million tomorrow shall all pass away, 'ERE I forget all the joys that we had...today. I'LL be your TENSHI and you'll be my TENKEI, YOU know who I am by the song that I sing; A million tomorrow shall all pass away, BUT I'll still feel like this way....till then.

ON CHEATS AND PARTISAN POLITICS

REPORTS OF AN UNHOLY ALLIANCE between marcos and gloria, between ERR-ap and gloria abounds. In fact, the scuttlebutt is here and there. It fills every nook: from talk shows to editorials, columns and blogs from everywhere. SPECTACULARLY MISSING from the plenary voting in Batasan this week was imee, that daughter of imelda who was reported to have been in Singapore during the crucial moment. Ei? WHAT GIVES? LIKEWISE, ERR-ap's 5 loyalist congressmen casted 'YES' votes, meaning...they support non-impeachment. Again, WHAT GIVES? KNOWING PHILIPPINE-STYLE POLITICS, gloria must have put her machinery [again!] into good [for her and her family, at least, but not for the country!] use. With the husband around and that artista-son of the desgracia-familia arriving in time for the marathon circus, wads of money and promises of juicy positions must have been the call of the day. Indeed, PARTISAN POLITICS played to the hilt. All because someone is afraid yet she desperately wanted to stay in power. THE PROBLEM with our leaders is that they lack the CREDIBILITY, INTEGRITY AND THE HONESTY to lead a nation to a better future. If there are any left, counting with one hand would produce a sad few. A LEADER, particularly if you're on top, must act respectably in order to be respected. In gloria's case, she must earn that respect. Looking at her actions of late, I don't think I'd respect someone as 'sinungaling' and as unfeeling as she is. Besides, some persistent rumors have it that she isn't a practicing Catholic as she wants herself projected to the public. With nani at one side, she has to 'act' as a submissing wife' to pidal who calls most of the shot in Malacanang. I DO NOT KNOW whether to pity or admire her, to hate or commiserate with her....ALL I know is that she is not a good leader for this country at any time. After all, I hate liars and cheats. I hate magnanakaws and manipulators. And I hate people who do not have 'PALABRA DE HONOR'.. THE CLOUD OF DOUBT CONTINUES....it is like the sword of Damocles hanging over gloria's head as long as she keeps her stance of holding desperately to dear power. UNHOLY ALLIANCE. PARTISAN POLITICS. CHEATERS.

SEPTEMBER 17,2005:SATURDAY

HEARD THE GOOD NEWS: Indi is giving birth on Sept. 17, before she gets to experience the pangs of 'labor'. AND....IT'S A BOY! THE BAD NEWS [is it? I read somewhere that C-section is the safest way these days...I wonder] is that she is going under the knife. YUP! Caesarian section for her first-born. It was a breech pregnancy. AM A BIT helpless....I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO SAY.... JUST TAKE CARE OF HER, DEAR GOD.... AND HER BABY....AND VON. MAY THEY EXPERIENCE YOUR NEVER-ENDING LOVE AND CARE.

TRIP MO?

************************************************************************************************************** GETTING AWAY FROM IT ALL is always an exhilarating experience.One gets to relax, even for a day or two away from the hustle-bustle of everyday life. MY FRIEND and I went on a trip at one scenic ONSEN [HOT SPRING] in a nearby Prefecture. The day started early, around 6 A.M. but the roads are already bustling with vehicles, mostly delivery trucks-the lifeline of this country. After a while, I noticed the change in scenery, with lots of golden acres of land stretching from one end to the other. The scenery speaks of abundant harvest anytime now. AS WE approach the ONSEN, we were met at the main door by a group of women, all dressed in KIMONOs [JAPANESE DRESS] and they bowed deeply. We were ushered to our room after confirming our reservation for the day. THE ONSEN-HOTEL speaks of typical Japanese resort. It has rooms to stay and, of course, OFURO [HOT BATHS] . One is transformed into a traditional Japanese-style room, with KIMONOs for guests, and TATAMI MATS to booth. SINCE THE BOTH OF US were starving, we decided to take our lunch first, before we dip into the hot bath. This lunch is not included in the tour-package, so we ate out. We found a nice resto nearby. AFTER THAT WE TOOK A WALK at nearby souvenir shops and peeked at the array of tiny but beautiful curios for sale. I bought two for my friends in Manila.I also bought one for my personal collection. GOING BACK to the ONSEN, we decided to take a dip. The owner [or is it the manager? I really have no idea and I did not bother to ask] explained the medical side of the hot spring: ..."contains natorium, blah-blah.." NOW THIS ONE is different. While in PANSOL, we can take a dip with our clothes on, here one has to do it NAKED. HAH! Great! SO I moved on to remove my clothes. As I am not used to going naked in public [Goodness!]it took a while before I was able to. I went to the place where low faucets and stools are and began to wash my body. This is something everyone MUST DO BEFORE TAKING A DIP AT THE OFURO [HOT BATH]. It is deemed unhealthy and improper to go straight to the OFURO. Other people might want to use them, too. SO IMAGINE a conservative PINAY going naked in front of other women [thank God for separate OFUROs!] ...and it's taking me extra time to finally go out there! After hedging and covering everything I can with that small face towel, I reached the small pool! Wheew! I was relieved to find only two women in there. Paano na lang kung marami? Yayayay! THE TYPICAL Japanese OFURO in ONSENs are quite big. It is like a small pool where everyone can join and take a relaxing dip while enjoying the natural scenery. Some ONSENs are located beside the sea; some in the North are found in the middle of the snow. Still others are located beside rivers, or atop a hill...in fact, ONSENs here are everywhere! Remember, this Land is said to be atop volcanoes, which makes it emit lots of gas, thus, hot springs. Some HOT SPRINGS in HAKONE boasts of hot water, so hot that it can boil eggs if you dip them for a few minutes. BUT WHAT I look forward in every ONSENs are the FOOD they offer. DINNER is served exactly after taking a bath. The food is simply marvelous! The table before you is picture-perfect, with Japanese potteries and chinawares simply adorable! I always have that soft space in my heart for Japanese ceramics and potteries. Oh, I have a small collection which I brought back home in INANG BAYAN via my Balikbayan Box. I still collect good ones, if chance and funds permit. WHILE WE WERE having dinner, the bed is being prepared. Typical FUTON [Japanese mattress] over the TATAMI MATS. THE NEXT DAY, typical Japanese breakfast is served with Mizo Soup, and Grilled SAKANA [FISH] and rice is served. AHHH...ONSEN! I REALLY ENJOY GOING TO ONE: I like the food, the scenery, the beauty, and the healthy dip in hot springs..... .....except that I have to go through the rigors of going naked [again!]! ONSEN, ANYONE?

AFTER THE STORM

THE SKY WAS CLEAR after the storm. Altrhough there were thin clouds here and there, the sun shone magnificently all through the day. IT IS ALWAYS LIKE THIS. After each storm, the sun will surely shine and bring sunshine to all, regardless whether you are in Baton Rouge or in Miyazaki, in Quezon City or in Alabang. THE RECENT MARATHON CIRCUS in Batasan was like a bad dream. There is a POLITICAL STORM that looms in Inang Bayan. Reading the news and hearing from Kamag-anaks over the phone about the massive death of democracy, I can't help but feel disgusted. I was so angry I cried. Imagine a bunch of monkeys [mas mabuti pa yata ang unggoy, may pakinabang!] conspiring at the behest of that putative winner in the last election. Parang mga puppet at walang isip. Halos lahat mga ganid at walang konsiyensiya. May matira man, iilan at walang makinarya. BUT I BELIEVE IN MY HEART that something good will happen. After all, it is not always night. As sure as the day breaks after midnight, we will see the sun shine for all of us who want a better PILIPINAS. After the storm, we can be assured of a clear sky. THIS I HOPE PARA SA BAYAN.

ENDLESS DEBATES....

THE POLITICAL DEBACLE is enormous. I'VE BEEN watching endless debates on TV and there seems to be nothing substantial being discussed. It feels the same. TWO DAYS to go before the election on Sunday, and everyone is racing against time to cover as many sites to visit. Campaign trails are inundated with those loud speakers roaming the streets till after dark, enjoining the Japanese voters to voye for their candidates. OKADA of the supermarket chain clan proposes focus on SOCIAL SECURITY more than the POSTAL PRIVATIZATION PLAN of KOIZUMI. Old folks here support the PENSION idea since it is foremost in the minds of the greying generation. WHILE KOIZUMI seems popular with younger ones, the majority of the citizens have grown weary of his promises and the declining economy has made every one feel disgusted. WHY THE NEED for privatization is beyond me. While I use the Postal Saving Services since I came here, I don't think privatizing the Postal Services will make a difference. This country has so many big-time delivery-service companies already that putting the Postal Agency into private hands would only aggravate the already-clogged market. Besides, postal workers wouldn't want to be absorbed in the private sector where pay is lesser than those in government. Unlike in Inang Bayan, government employees here are well-paid and receive benefits, aside from a higher pay-scale. MEANWHILE, the debates continue.....

DESPERATELY WAITING

QUE HORROR! [ to borrow the Castillano expression of M's granddad] DISASTERS ARE everywhere these days: TYPHOON # 14 just went to Hokkaido where it is lashing its wrath on residents there. It left more than 10 people dead in Kyushu and nearby Prefectures. Damage in properties are enormous and the soldiers responded immediately to the calls for help. AS TYPHOON # 14 is raging in the North, another typhoon [#15] is brewing in eastern Philippines that threaten to move upwards. I sure pray and hope it won't veer towards us, again. Let it go upwards naman, for a change. Goodness.... no let up from natural disasters. We can no longer cope with that. ANOTHER DISASTER worse than any typhoon that have visited any country is the gloria disaster. This is one HORRIBLE disaster we never imagine to happen after marcos! How long she will continue to stay, only God can tell. I believe in my heart that God never allow any evil to win in this world. ALL EVIL THINGS MUST COME TO AN END. I f this does not end now, it will....soon. God won't let us down. Knowing ang believing that God works in mysterious ways, who knows? After all, people who live notorious lives die notoriously. People who live by guns, die by guns, they say. Who knows the fate that awaits a usurper? MEANWHILE, WE WAIT. And PRAY. And HOPE. MAY GOD BLOW AWAY THE DARK CLOUDS FROM OUR MIDST; MAY GOD CLEAR THE SKY OF BLACK CLOUDS HOVERING IN THE HORIZON SOONER RATHER THAN LATER. GOD BLESS PILIPINAS!

WHAT NOW, MY LOVE?

WHAT NOW, my love? QUO VADIS, PILIPINAS? NOW THAT the impeachment was killed by the strings pulled by the machinery of mike and his ilks? SO THAT is how gma wants to be remembered in the annals of Philippine history...huh? I CAN'T help but feel disgusted with the result of the impeachment proceedings the other night in Batasan. But I must not give up. Not this time. Not in the future. SO MANY times in the past situations like these have happened. Remember the aftermath of the Snap Election in the 80's? The massive cheating and manipulation of the tabulation at PICC prompted the insiders to walk out. They said they cannot stomach what was happening at the time. Days later, we had EDSA1. THEN ERR-ap's impeachment at the Senate had this 2nd envelope problem. But then again, the people won. GOD WON'T LET US DOWN. He was w ith us when we were down and out. He will be with us for as long as we believe. MAY GOD HELP THE COUNTRY WE ALL LOVE.

IT HURTS....BUT I'LL REMEMBER.....

I READ with despair the death of TRUTH in INANG BAYAN. I CRY in anguish to learn that forces of evil [again!] won. I FEEL angered by the actions of our "honorable" representatives who are supposed to speak for the people, yet who have played AS DIRTY AS gloria and jdv. WHAT HAPPENED in Batasan early Tuesday morning is the manipuilation of the devil herself. Done in the witching hour when the black forces are said to roam, the Administration TUTAs did what they have planned to do: Kill the impeachment. With the help of her husband and son [who planed in to "arrange" things for her, obviously] they have managed to call each one of these "honorable" men and displayed their DISHONORABLE ACTS by killing democracy and truth in the country. Ms. Arroyo won a reprieve, but at what price? PARTISAN POLITICS played a vital role in the proceedings. Some men were promised something: be it an appointment in a government position, or the much-sought-after PORK. EVERYTHING has a price. Arroyo and her desgracia-familia did everything to stay in power. NOW she owes everyone her position and she must do her part of the alliance or else.... EVEN imee who was visible in Makati rallies was not around....Or ERRap's allies in Congress made a turnaround. What gives? Some reliable sectors have hinted an "unholy alliance" between arroyo and the disgraced dictators. Can't help but think: "Birds of the same feathers..." ORDINARY PEOPLE like me are left wondering....crying in pain....helpless in the midst of this farce that is going on in the country. ARROYO might want to clear this problem prior to her trip to the UN, but she should stop and think: does she honestly believe that foreigners think she won, or that she is indeed the legitimate president ofthe Republic? Does she know what foreigners think of her? Do people of all races think highly of her and her manipulations in government? Does she? THE PROBLEM WITH US IS THAT WE EASILY FORGET. WE DONOT REMEMBER. Look at the abuses of Martial Law and the Conjugal Dictatorship. Now we see the dictator's children in top posts in government; Look at ERRap's misrule, and we still have the sons and the wife in the Senate and in SJ. IT IS TIME WE REMEMBER: Let the past be our lessons. LET US remember what these people did there in Congress that fateful night.... LET US remember who did what.... AND WHEN the time comes, let us do what we must do.

TYPHOONS IN DAILY LIVES

________________________________________________________________ IN THIS PART of the world, we only have two seasons: DRY and WET seasons. And these days, we have to contend with the typhoons that come into our lives, whether it is natural or man-made. THE NATURAL ones are unstoppable [or is it?] Some sectors vow that GLOBAL WARMING is the root cause. But since time immemorial, we have had typhoons, rains and storms in cycles. This is one natural happening we have to be prepared for. After all, we can't stop the rains and winds, can we? THE RECENT Katrina catastrophe showed us that even the wealthiest nation in the world cannot cope nor handle their own in the face of disaster. Seven days and counting...and yet relief operations has just started. Most of the battered areas are still submerged in water, and worse, stinking with dirt, sewage and death. The worst is still to come, some experts say. EVERY YEAR, we, too are faced with rains of all sorts: from typhoons brewing in the Pacific. These typhoons usually follow the same path. Most go and visit the Philippines then move on North towards Taiwan, or worse, Japan. Seldom does it veer towards Mainland China and/or No/SoKorea. These phenomenon MUST make us aware and be ready for any consequences. DISASTER-PREPAREDNESS AND DISASTER-PREVENTION must be on the high-list of all if we are to survive the disasters that come our way. It is sad to note that America, the superpower and the richest country in the whole-wide-world has responded unexpectedly-slow...too slow in fact, to the exigencies of the moment. I sincerely hope we have that PROGRAM to respond in case of extreme emergencies in INANG BAYAN. Let us learn from other people;s mistakes. JAPAN HAS long been doing these exercise. Everytime local folks are asked to evacuate, the evacuation centers are always ready to feed and administer to the needs of the citizens. I wonder why America has failed to provide such basic services to their people. SANITATION ALSO pose some grave problems among the evacuees. While food is necessary, sanitary toilets and health concerns are also important. IS INANG BAYAN ready for such emergencies? I wonder.....IF THE OFFICIALS who are accused of massive cheating from the top official down to the lowest level CANNOT DO ANYTHING to save their soul, how do we, ordinary citizens, expect them to implement BASIC SERVICES? Most of the country's coffers must have been spent in paying the TUTAs in Congress and 'garci'. ......THEN WE ARE FACED WITH ENDLESS STORMS AND TYPHOONS IF WE ARE TO REMAIN COMPLACENT IN THE FACE OF EMERGENCIES, NATURAL OR OTHERWISE. TIME TO MOVE. THE TIME IS NOW. GO!

BUKLURAN PARA SA KATOTOHANAN

Saw this in mlq3's and pcij blogs: SPREAD THE WORD.................... Statement of Unity Bukluran Para sa Katotohanan We come from all walks of life, from different political, cultural, and economic persuasions, different points of view. But in diversity, we find a cause for unity. That cause for unity is our common objective to secure the truth. We all seek the truth. We want the truth to come out. And yet every means for seeking the truth has been frustrated; every avenue for arriving at the truth has been blocked; and every opportunity to find the truth is being closed. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s response to our call for the truth has been to suppress evidence, hide her accomplices, engage in a grand cover-up, sow fear, foment distrust and use every instrument at her disposal to encourage division among our people. We will not be divided in these critical times. We say with one voice, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo must go. For the good of the country, she must go. For the sake of our nation’s future, she must go. For the preservation of hope as a motive force in our national life, she must go. We are united by the belief that this crisis must be resolved in a manner that is peaceful and democratic. Without the truth, there cannot be peace; without the truth, there is no genuine democracy. The truth must set our nation free. Unite for the truth. Demand the truth. Defend the truth. Kami ay ang Bukluran Para sa Katotohanan. Action for Economic Reforms AKBAYAN Citizen’s Action Party Ateneo Concerned Faculty and YouthBangon, PilipinasBagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) Be Not AfraidBlack & White Movement Citizens for TRUTH (Transparency, Responsibility, Unity, Trust, Hope) Citizens for Truth, Resignation, Impeachment, or Ouster (C4T) Coalition for National SolidarityCounsels for the Defense of Civil Liberties (CODAL) De La Salle FPJP Movement Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC) Interfaith Movement for Truth, Justice and Genuine Change (IFM) Kilusan ng Makabansang Ekonomiya (KME) Laban ng MasaMoro National Liberation Front (MNLF) Peoples Assembly for Genuine Alternatives to Social Apathy (PAG-ASA) Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) Reporma Union of Muslims for Morality and Truth (UMMAT) United Opposition (UNO) Unity for Truth and Justice UP AWAREUP Diliman Student Council (UPD USC) White Ribbon Movement Women MarchYouth DARE If you agree with this message, kindly copy it and post it in your blog, or link to it. Please send a message at this crucial time.

MAGKAISA PARA SA BAYAN!

AS I scan the net for news I came across mlq3's column for Monday. It was so written that the reader feels the anger [...or shall I say disgust?] of the writer. Goodness, I feel the same way! mlq3 has the gift of words and that makes him exceptional. We, lesser mortals can't do that. I read ConradoDeQuiros account of the same event but this time, I find CdQ's column a lot tamer than mlq3's. Great piece, indeed! I SINCERELY hope that the Filipinos do something united for the country. While I can't be there physically, rest assured that my prayers are always with you all. I love the country that cradled me in my youth, and I have always professed to be back when the right time comes. I really do. SAMANTALA, UNITE is the magic word. Where there is no UNITY, we cannot achieve anything. MGA KABABAYAN: MAGKAISA! =====BE UNITED! HINDI KAYO NAG-IISA.....KASAMA KAMI SA ANUMANG KILUSANG PAMBAYAN.

KUSAKARI

I WOKE UP LATE this morning! When I looked at the table clock, it says 8:30! whooo! I'm late! When I looked at the window, I saw men and women cutting grass along the street that leads to ours. GREAT! I got to shell out 1,500Yen for not attending! That's a cool 800PPesos, kid! Waaahhh!!! MOTTAINAI! [SAYANG!]!! EVERY YEAR residents of each town MUST participate in COMMUNITY PROJECTS and KUSAKARI or GRASS-CUTTING is one of them. Non-attendance would mean paying a fine. Each household sends a representative and being the youngest in ours, the burden fell on my shoulder. Most households send the wife or the head of the family. USUALLY, these KUSAKARIs are scheduled from May through the hot summer months, when the grass seem to grow everywhere, and at great speed. I have participated in these activities so many times in the past. It makes me feel responsible for the upkeep of the area where I live. It reminds me that there is something I can do to help in nation-building: by making myself useful in my community. These activities are SYNCHRONIZED in ALL TOWNS, CITIES, PREFECTURES IN THE COUNTRY. And I imagine, all people in Japan are out early morning of a specific Sunday and do something for the community. Great, indeed! PROGRAMS LIKE THESE must be implemented in Inang Bayan as well. I find the activities here DOABLE in Inang Bayan. Kaya lang, BAWAL MAGPADALA NG KATULONG sa ganitong pagtitipon. Marami sa ating mga kababayan ang ganito ang gawain. Kapag may miting sa Barangay, magpapasabi si Mrs. ni Konsehal na "busy siya"...atbpng mga kadahilanan. Reminds me of that saying: "KUNG SADYANG GUSTO, MAY PARAAN, KUNG TALAGANG AYAW, MARAMING DAHILAN." I wonder why our 'honorable' leaders have not thought along these lines.... AS FOR me, I have resolved to attend the next KUSAKARI....promise!

IT'S SEPTEMBERRRRRR.......

SEPTEMBER RAINS..... are here again...and they prove to be harsher than ordinary rains. ALTHOUGH the weather seem the same, its a bit mushy than last month's. LAST NIGHT, I went out to dinner with a friend. It has been sometme since I did that. I don't usually go out nights. But I enjoyed the dinner and went back home past my bedtime. I woke up late this morning, so I missed the KUSAKARI [ GRASS-CUTTING] of the area. That means I have to pay the fine imposed for non-attendance. Great! 0h well.... HARVEST TIME is here and the scene here seems replicated everywhere in this region. Tractors fill every paddy hereabouts and truckloads of newly-harvested rice are busy transporting them to warehouses adjacent to the farmers' homes. Some who do not maintain big warehouses sell their produce to JA: a farmers' cooperative that makes limits the price of rice in this country. LOOKING at the golden paddies full of rice stalks, I can't help but be reminded of humility. There is an ADAGE attached to this. It speaks of knowledge or wealth, and how people deals with them. Some of us who have gained a little seem to put success in our heads, that we forget to be humble. I wish we remember this for as long as we live. NEWLY-HARVESTED rice always taste good. No...they are excellent! I hope I can bring lots when I go back home for the holidays. But relatives would rather prefer MILAGROSA or JASMINE RICE than JAPANESE RICE. I wonder why. Maybe because Japanese rice are softer? ....and Pinoys are used to firmer ones? Hm.... WEATHER FORECASTS says there is another typhoon brewing in the Pacific. I hope this one would go straight to NOKOR and SOKOR. That way, we can be spared from its havoc. Reports say it's quite strong... And I am afraid. After Katrina's wrath, I'd rather not have typhoons and storms.... Tama na yung konting ambon, paminsan-minsan.... ANYWAYS.......I AM STILL WAITNG....SANKEI...hope to hear from you SOON! GOD IS GREAT: HE MAKES ALL THINGS BEAUTIFUL...... GOD BLESS EVERYONE!

ON CRISIS MANAGEMENT

THE VISION that flashes through the screen never stop to amaze me....or is it disgust I feel? I am numbed by what is going on in america! And yet they can afford to send so many troops to Iraq and spill blood all over the once-beautiful place. THE WEALTHIEST country in the whole world, who regal themselves as a "superpower" now seems to be the opposite. The devastation transformed the area as if to look like a third-world country scenario. The victims of Katrina's wrath have become refugees in their own country, with five days of no food, no water, no power and no nothing except a sea of floodwater. The desperate people of Biloxi and New Orleans are desperate: they were promised buses to transport them to Texas, but wait is the word and no buses on sight. THE SITUATION is getting worse, with America's CRISIS MANAGEMENT in question. The slow-paced relief operation seems to be at a loss. Some say they have a plan for disasters like this, but that none of its residents have heeded, nor were they interested ...until this came along. MEANWHILE, STINKING dead bodies are left to rot under the baking sun. Someone among the residents quipped that it looks like Hiroshima [I beg to disagree here, since Hiroshima was much worse, if not the worst!]. I HAVE relatives who embraced everything america; I wonder whether they are truly happy with the situation and the government's response to situations like these. I hope in my heart that they won't suffer the same fate as those in the affected areas. I BELIEVE that every nation, including ours, MUST have a CRISIS MANAGEMENT TEAM that would truly respond to situations at a flick of a finger. Japan has, and for that, I salute these people who have made it their duty to safeguard the citizens and to respond ASAP whenever, wherever needed 24-7/365. Besides, DISCIPLINE is one good thing to bear in mind. Chaos and anarchy in the midst of disaster makes beasts of men, regardless whether you belong to a third-rate country or the G-8s. MAY WE BE BLESSED WITH ALL GOOD THINGS so that we can cope with anything that comes our way. GOD BLESS EVERYONE!

WANTED !

THE CALL for six more votes seems difficult to achieve. MOVEMENTS of all kinds are seen, felt and "noted". Rumors are hot that money has changed hands since last week. Telephone lines have been busy with the demolition team doing its calls "personally" to gather as many allies. Some blogs [ particularly mlq3's ] reported that visitors trooping to Malacanang is endless [if we are to consider the cars with low numbers passing by its gates. GANUN NA lang ba yun? Wala na bang mahalaga kundi pera, dinar, yen, dolyar atbp.? AREN'T THERE any more modern-day PINOY BAYANIs these days? Wala na bang may konsiyensiya sa Bayan? THIS IS the time for all good men to show the world that we still have good, honest people in this part of the world. CALLING ON all good Pinoys in Congress.....and all government offices........ CALLING ON gloria and here 'husband": MAKONSIYENSIYA NAMAN KAYO! PLEASE!