FRIDAY "BAPTISM"

LATEST NEWS from Inang Bayan are a-buzz about the "canonization", not the spiritual aspect, though, of protesters led by the "walking Priest', Ex-'VP' Teofisto Guingona and Jamby Madrigal, a known staunch ally of ERRap. * ATE GLUE doesn't seem to know HOW to deal with her opponents. Seems to me she was ill-advised by her BADvisers or did she do it herself? ....the strategy, I mean? ** SENDING firemen to douse water on the protesters was indeed a wrong trick to do. Wrong move! It was caught by media and published in newspapers,shown on 'LIVE' reports on TV with accompanying side remarks from reporters. But of course! NOT ONLY does that action put Inang Bayan in bad light, it also makes listeners/viewers abroad think that the present situation seems to be a repeat of the conjugal dictators' strategies. BESIDES, it wards off investors and tourists alike. No matter how much the DoT spend for media blitz to sell RP to foreign tourists, nothing can compare to honest leadership to project a credible nation. IMPRESSION, ATE GLUE, IMPRESSION! *** PEOPLE no longer are afraid of the use of force.Stopping people from protesting, or saying what they feel only lend credence to some nondescript politicos. Take a look at Jamby Madrigal. This one reeks of money and is known as an ERRap alalay. No one took notice of her except the fact that she used judy ann santos in her campaign ads.Now, it seems people are noticing Madrgal because of that water-dousing 'baptism' last Friday. Personally, I do not like Madrigal.I did not vote for her last election. But if she is really working to find out the truth, well and good. I'll rest my case and wait for further developments. **** PSYCHOLOGISTS often say that once we tell kids not to do one thing, the more they'll try....Why not allow people to say what they feel and take it from there? IF ATE GLUE is telling the truth, then let her defend her position before the people. There is nothing to be afraid of if we face the people with clean hands, do we? Killing the impeachment proceedings only made people suspect that something is a-miss. LET the people talk and air their sides. LIKEWISE, let ATE GLUE say her side. THEN LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE. RULING THE LAND WITH FORCE DIDN'T WORK WITH MARCOS. THE PEOPLE CHASED THEM AWAY. LIKEWISE, ATE GLUE cannot stay glued to a position she doesn't deserve. ----------------------------------------------------------- Note: I AM PRO-TRUTH. I HATE LIARS AND CHEATS. Whoever sits in Malacanang [or any other public servant, for that matter] and works NOT for the people would surely receive harsh critique from taxpayers like us.

WALKING IN THE RAIN.....

LAST NIGHT, around 6:30...I walked to KAKETSUKA area, some 500 meters away from my place. * As I approached the Temple, I saw the Blessing Ceremony being performed by SHINTO OBO-SAN [SHINTO MONKS] at the main hall. It was open for all and from where I stood, I saw the last rites. The monk took a branch with green leaves and swung it over the head of this year's over-all leader. The leader then went to the center altar and bowed. As if on cue, the rest of the congregation, also bowed. Amazing! It's as if they all acted on cue! But don't get it wrong...it is part and parcel of ceremonies here. [ Same is true when greeting visitors who pay respects to the departed. ] All bowed and lowered their heads. Then they clapped twice and bowed again. I did, too. I also prayed for personal intentions. ** AFTER that, the parade started. Policemen in white jackets [for better visibility] and luminous vests stood at focal points to direct traffic flow and stop other vehicles from entering the parade routes. THE RAIN hampered the entire proceedings. There were few people last night than the year before, they say... .AS the rain continued to pour....I decided to call it quits. I then bought WATAGASHI [COTTON CANDY] and walked home. Besides, I was soaking wet already! AS I walked home, I couldn't help but savor the sweet WATAGASHI [which is supposed to be a NO-NO since I am in my southbeach diet: day 4! grr..]. Oh well.... I believe walking was good for me, but with a sweet tooth? Talo! *** WAS it the walk that energized my being or is it the sugar in the cotton candy that made me stay awake a little longer?I can't tell...but I was able to finish writing a good enough piece for my other blog last night...tee-hee.... **** WALKING IN THE RAIN. SWEET WATAGASHI. SOAKED SHOES. HIGH SPIRITS. ***** *

DESPITE THE RAINS, LIFE GOES ON....

.....IT WAS A CLOUDY DAY and rainshowers were everywhere as we went out for lunch. Having GYOZA [vegetable dumplings] and CHA-HAN [SINANGAG sa atin, Chinese style nga lang], my companion and I decided to view the COSMOS MATSURI at Asaba-Cho, Fukuroi-shi. It was the last day of the two-day Matsuri where fields of Cosmos were planted by JA [NOKYO-an association of Farmers & the one in-charge of agri produce here:e.g., selling, agri-mix,seeds, et cetera] were a-bloom. ACRES and acres of Cosmos flowers are in bloom,and vehicles of all sorts lined up the long road beside SHOWA Company. Several tour buses were seen and people walked despite the rain, young and old alike. We did walk! We didn't bother bring the umbrellaand walked some hundred meters towards the stalls. Flowers were everywhere. And so were hundreds of people who came and witness the bloom. It reminded me of the SUNFLOWER Festival near our place. That one looked like a miniature of that famous scene where Sophia Loren walked amidst the Sunflower looking for her lost love. Next year, I gotta have that picture taken among the sunflowers, ala-SophiaLoren! MITE GORAN! Alas! I wasn't able to bring my digi-came...and I didn't catch the Cosmos-in-full-bloom..I wanted to save that scene sana... COSMOS are softer to look at unlike the Sunflower which has sharper features. Cosmos comes in different hues of white,pastel pink and magenta. There was a sign that picking flowers are not allowed, although anyone can come a-picking starting tomorrowfor free. Gotta do that, and get the seeds for my garden.... As usual, there were stalls of food and JA produce: early harvest of MIKAN [TANGERINES], YAKIMOCHI*[ GRILLED RICECAKE] dipped in soy sauce!and more.... [----Note* YAKIMOCHI also means SELOS/NAGSESELOS!Hence, my companion said," C, YAKIMOCHI?" then smiled sheepishly....Engs ba sya? hu-hu! ] There was a scheduled MOCHINAGE [THROWING OF RICECAKES]but it was raining so we decided to call it quits. On the way home, we passed by KAKETSUKA Bridge,some 500 meters away from the house.It is celebrating its MATSURI [FESTIVAL] this weekend along with several other towns.KAKETSUKA is famous for its 600 or so year-old YATAI [PORTABLE SHRINE]. It is said that it was made out of a single tree. If that is true then the said tree must be enormous! TONIGHT at around 7, I'll walk towards KAKETSUKA and buy that WATAGASHI [COTTON CANDY]. This one I like; it reminds me of Tatay who used to make them at home for all of us.... Despite the rains, life goes on....

THE DAY THAT WAS

LATE AFTERNOON, I went to PINOREand ordered a formal suit am gonna wear for Junko's wedding on December 4. I didn't bring any formal wear here with me, so I have to look for some good wear. I wouldn't be caught going to some wedding na mukhang basahan, noh! I did find some good ones but the size didn't fit.The ladyshop-owner will confirm the ordered ensemble any day next week. Great! Then off I went for some good eats for Lolo. I had to prepare something since I had plans to dine out. ******************* No matter how late I go to bed,sigurado, maaga pa rin akong gigising. I believe na ang katawan ng tao, may sariling orasan. Body clock, sabi nga.... Oh well.... Basically, I am a day person. Whenever I sleep late, siguradong pulos hikab na lang ang susunod na araw. I seldom take a nap...If I do, then my sleeping cycle would be totally disrupted and I wouldn't respond to that positively. You see, I work from 3 PM when school here ends. That is the time when we, at JUKUs [CRAM School]start working. The last lesson usually ends around 6,6:30.I have to prepare some print outs and some games,but that would be easy for me,now that I have established my routine here. Kapag inaantok ako, mapapansin ng mga bata yun, kaya 'no way' is it acceptable, right? Buti na lang, Sunday ngayon and there are no classes.Thank God for that! ****************** Last night, a friend and I went to SHIDAX, a local Karaoke-box. It is a building with small cubicles for barkadas and big rooms for big companies.We were met there by Naoko's bf. Although we sang our hearts out, something's missing.... Oh how I wish my loved ones were here with me..... Anyways, before that, we had dinner at some Korean Barbecue House. Went home quite late.....something I rarely do .After shower [to get rid of those tobacco smell,since Naoko's bf smoked like a dragon!],I went to bed....and reviewed the day that was..... ***************************** I Thank God for all the Good Things He Has Bestowed Upon Me.... I wish that all good things happen to those I love as well.... ANOTHER YEAR.......ANOTHER BLESSING. GOOD FRIENDS..........GREAT FEELINGS. =========================== I received some Chikka text from Makoy :and PMs from A., aside from several calls from Hiro. ...and Cards from Dons, Jovy & Co., ...Love you all! ===========================

YOU ARE ALWAYS IN MY HEART....

ESTAS EN MI CORAZON (Spanish) Estas en mi corazon y a un que estoy lejos de mi es el tormento mayor esta fatal separacion Estas en mi corazon y en mi amarga soledad el recuerdo de tu amor dis minuye mi penar Yo bien se que nunca masen mis brazos esta ras prisionero de un carino que fue toda mi ilusion Pero nada ha de poder que te dejo de querer porque una unico dueno estas en mi corazon ======================================= YOU ARE ALWAYS IN MY HEART(English Version:) You are always in my heart Even though you’re far away I can hear the music of The song of love I sang with you You are always in my heart And when skies above are grey I remember that you care And then and there The sun breaks through Just before I go to sleep There’s a rendezvous I keep And a dream I always meet Helps me forget we’re far apart I don’t know exactly when, dear, But I’m sure we’ll meet again, dear ,And my darling, till we do You are always in my heart!

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THANK YOU, LORD...........

.........for another year; ....for another lease on life; ....for the opportunity to touch as many lives as I can; ....for the chance to share some thing to people I love; ....for making me what I have become now; ....for making me think the way I am; ....for making me feel the way I do; ....for granting me all the good things in lifemore than the basics I need; ..............and many more! * I thank you also for all the tears and laughters, the great moments I spend with loved ones and friends; I thank the people who made my day: be they friend or foe,or just plain acquaintance, or a mere bystander who helped me in some ways in some nook I've been to ....I thank the Great One who continue to guide, help,enlighten me on things I should do and what must be done as I travel Life's Highway; ....I thank people who have directly or indirectly hurt me, or have hated my guts and have betrayed me behind my back.They may have their reasons, and that I fully understand. And ....I thank all those who love C. despite her guts,misgivings and her stgraightforwardness: I thank God for that great Gift: the LOVE I get from my closest; THEY make me carry on despite all odds. PRAISE GOD FOR ALL THESE WONDERFUL BLESSINGS! Today I become a year older, and..... BETTER!

WORDS TO LIVE BY

OFTENTIMES, we hear people sing praises to people who have done extraordinary feat: artists, beauty pageant winners,thespians, or even kid geniuses... SUCCESS seems difficult to find for most of us. Others have the 'knack' for turning anything into gold. Others bask in the glory of achievement while others wallow in the pool of unending woes. I BELIEVE ALL GOOD THINGS CAN BE DONE IF WE ONLY FOCUS ON THE WORK AT HAND. Hence, I am sharing some WORDS TO LIVE BY...... It works for me...I sincerely hope in my heart it'll work for you, too! *****TEN VOWS OF SUCCESS *****1. NEVER AGAIN WILL I PITY OR BELITTLE MYSELF.====Oftentimes we indulge in self-pity. This isn't good.Believe in yourself! 2. NEVER AGAIN WILL I GREET THE DAWN WITHOUT A MAP.====Plan ahead, ika nga. Ang taong walang plano,mahirap makausod sa buhay. Remember the 5 P's:Proper Planning Prevent Poor Performance. 3. ALWAYS WILL I BATHE MY DAYS IN THE GOLDEN GLOW OF ENTHUSIASM.====Yes, there will be days when we feel down and out and can't decipher what's eating us out.Pero kailangang labanan ang ganoong isipan. What we exude is like a magnet.Kapag pulos simangot, meron kayang ngingiti sa atin? 4.NEVER AGAIN WILL I BE DISGREEABLE TO A LIVING SOUL.====So far, ito ang mahirap gawin. Even I find myself with uncontrollable passionkapag yung kausap mo, eh nagpipilit mang-inis ba.But I try to control my temper. Iisipin ko na lang, gunggong yung kausap ko, and any amount of reason would be usueless sa mga walang isip. Iwas na lang.... 5. ALWAYS WILL I SEEK THE SEED OF TRIUMPH IN EVERY ADVERSITY.====I used to cry and hate all those who crossed my lines. Eventually, I learned that we live in a world with different people and as such, different characters. Let us learn to acceptthings we cannot change. And if ever we encounter failures, make that as our springboard to learnso that next time, we won't make the same mistake. 6. NEVER AGAIN WILL I PERFORM ANY TASK AT LESS THAN MY BEST.====Sabi nga, always put your best foot forward.There will be lapses, I know, but the point is, Try to do it the best you can. 7. ALWAYS WILL I THROW MY WHOLE SELF INTO THE TASK AT HAND.====I guess this is the same as the previous one.But this one needs concentration.Remember, pangalan natin ang nakasalalaysa bawa't gagawin natin. 8. NEVER AGAIN WILL I WAIT AND HOPE FOR OPPORTUNITY TO EMBRACE ME.====Sabi nila, tamad daw ang Pinoy. Like the Pinoy ican, Juan Tamad, we wait and wait unti opportunity comes our way.I did. I never wanted change then;not anymore!I believe, if we want to be successful, we must be aggressive. Sabi nga sa kanta:"MAGSIMULA KA...." Let us be involved in any good undertaking. Start at your own backyard,then go to your community, then GET INVOLVED IN NATION BUILDING. Waiting for manna from heaven to come is a defeatist motto, and we are not LOSERs! 9. ALWAYS WILL I EXAMINE EACH NIGHTMY DEEDS OF THE FADING DAY.====Self-examination leads to fruitful and more productive endeavours the next day, and the next... Let us learn from past mistakesand make amends for anything we did.Kung baga, may assessment,db?Ganun din nmn sa business [o sa trabaho]may performance rating, right? 10. ALWAYS WILL I MAKE CONTACT THROUGH PRAYER WITH MY CREATOR.====PRAY! Pray to whoever you believe is the Great Being.Iba-iba ang tawag natin sa Maykapal, pero pareho rin yun. Let us give thanks first before asking for anything.Ang hirap sa atin, hingi na lang nang hingi,ayaw magpasalamat. Show GRATITUDE to our Creator by doing good deeds too. ======================================== GOD BLESS US ALL! *

MEN!

All problems come from MEN*........ EVER NOTICE how all of women's problems START with MEN? MEN tal illness MENstrual cramps MEN tal breakdown MENopause GUYnecologist and..... When we have REAL trouble, it's a HIS terectomy. ========================= *With apologies to MALE READERSof this Diary..... This entry is only for PUN! I was going over my lessons for adult classes when I came across the above words. Just thought I'd share it with women readers... just for FUN! =========================

SOCKS!!!

YESTERDAY, I went to my usual rounds then bought some fruits and mineral water at IY. Before that I tried to weed some grass that borders that place which faces my room. Some have gone berserk and invaded the plots. I was so engrossed with my garden that I didn't notice the time. Time do fly when you love what you are doing....Indeed! And so I was off to my adult class.I have to be there in twenty minutes! Goodness! * It was when I came back home that I noticed I was wearing an old pair of socks! Eh may butas yun! I did not notice I was wearing that socks... I wonder if anyone noticed that.... DOSHO? * You see, I use always use socks.I f you live here or in the NW, one has to get used to wearing bobbie socks even at home. More so in the Land of the Samurais. But I use the old ones at home. The other night, I used one that has become thin at the heels. It was black. Nanghinayang akong itapon,puwede pa nmn kasi... Then yesterday, I failed to change it! Nakakahiya ang medyas ko! * SOCKS are common here. WHENEVER ONE ENTERS a Japanese home, it is imperative to remove the shoes. Not doing so is deemed unethical. Para mo nang binastos ang may-ari ng bahay kapag hindi mo tinanggal ang sapatos. * I remember one time when some Pinoys came by and used my Karaoke. It was the height of summer and most, if not all, do not wear 'medyas' at home. As soon as they entered, I knew my Lolo would make reklamo.... Sobrang umalingasaw ang ere..... The carpets would have to be scrubbed clean...and I had to do it! * Cleanliness if foremost in any Japanese setting. Although this also depends upon each person involved,removing one's shoes when one enters one's abode is a must here. Therefore one must be responsible for his own personal hygiene. And with that follows the use of socks. * There have been varied stories about socks:some are hilarious, others are embarassing. I was embarassed yesterday and felt so guiltyI wasn't able to sleep.... Did they notice? Did they see? How did I walk? Was anyone looking at my feet? So many questions kept reeling in my head.... * Alas! I have to let go, or else, this guilt-feeling will keep me crazy and I must focus on the tasks at hand. * BTW, I did some test-drive in one Car-Shop in Hamamatsu on my way home yesterday. The LEXUS was enormous! Despite my "butas-na-medyas" thing, I felt like a zillionaire driving one of the luxuriest new cars around. I wasn't aware then that I had ona pair of "butas-na-medyas"... Had I known, I wouldn't have felt as excited..... * I guess I have to discard of these pair, huh? Mahirap na....... and I've got to check it all before I go out of the house! (((((RYOUKAI!!!))))) * SOCKS!

*

WALA KANG MAGAWA? TAWA NA!

1. >Prospective Employer to Applicant: " So why did you leave your previous job?" > Applicant: " The company relocated and they did not tell me where!" 2. > > > > Bisaya 1: " Gara ng kutsi, siguro kay Miyur iyan."! >>>> Bisaya 2: " Dili bay!" > Bisaya 1: " Kay Hipi?" > Bisaya 2: " Tuntu ka man. Kay FATHER iyan. Gisulat niya sa likud o,> 'SAFARI'." 3. > > > > Misis: " Sir, mananawagan po sana ako sa mister ko kasi dinala niya> ang limang anak namin." > Radio Host: " Ok, go ahead!" > Misis: " Honey, ibalik mo na ang mga bata, isa lang naman ang sa iyo> diyan!" 4. > > > > Hello! Heto na naman ako. Gulung-gulo ulit ang isip ko. May nais> lang sana akong itanong sa inyo. Alam ko matutulungan niyo ako. > Ang BIRDS FLU ba ay past tense ng BIRDS FLY? 5. > > > > Nakisakay ka sa FX, ng ikaw ay mautot. Buti na lang malakas ang tugtog. > Bawat pag-utot, sabay sa tugtog. > Nang ikaw ay bumaba, ang sasama ng > tingin nila sa iyo, bigla mong naalala... > .....naka Walkman ka pala! >..< awwwhhh!!!

THE SECRETS OF THE UNIVERSE

by EDGAR CAYCE. EACH DAY when I awaken,I will follow this plan of battle before I am captured by the forces of sadness,self-pity and failure: > IF I FEEL DEPRESSED, I will sing. > IF I FEEL UNCERTAIN, I willr aise my voice. > IF I FEEL POVERTY, I will think of wealth to come. >IF I FEEL INCOMPETENT, I will remember past sucess. > IF I FEEL INSIGNIFICANT, I will remember my goals. TODAY....I WILL BE THE MASTER OF MY EMOTIONS. Henceforth, I will know that only those with inferior ability cannot be at their best... and I am not inferior.... There will be days whenI must constantly struggle against the forces that which would tear me down. Those such as despair and sadness are simple to recognize..... but there are others which approach with a smile and the hand of friendship... and they, too can destroy me.... Against them, too,I must never relinquish control: * IF I BECOME OVERCONFIDENT, I will recall my failures. * IF I OVERINDULGE, I will think of past hungers. * IF I FEEL COMPALCENCY, I will remember my competition. * IF I ENJOY MOMENTS OF GREATNESS, I will remember moments of shame. * IF I FEEL ALL-POWERFUL, I will try to stop the wind. *IF I ATTAIN GREAT WEALTH, I will remember one unfed mouth. * IF I BECOME OVERLY PROUD, I will remember a moment of weakness. * IF I FEEL MY SKILL IS UNMATCHED, I will look at the stars..... TODAY, I WILL BE THE MASTER OF MY EMOTIONS. And with this knowledge, I will also recognize the moods of he on whom I call. I will make allowances for his anger and irritation of today, for he knows not the secret of controlling his mind. I can withstand his arrows and insults.... for now I know that tomorrow he will change and be a joy to approach. * No longer will I judge a man on one meeting; * No longer will I fail to call on he who meets me with hate today. This day he will not buy gold chariots for a penny, yet tomorrow, he would exchange his home for a tree. MY KNOWLEDGE OF THESE SECRETS WILL BE MY KEY TO GREAT WEALTH.... ========================================= Note: I try to follow these lines as much as I can. There are days when I succumb to losing control, but they have been far and in-between since I started. I hope these lines will provoke change in most of us... GOD BLESS US ALL!

*****

WHICH ONE WOULD YOU RATHER BE?

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil without saying a word. In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and poured it into a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me what you see...." "Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied. Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg. Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, "What does it mean, mother?" Her mother explained that each had faced the same adversity: >>> boiling water .... But each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong and hard; however, after being subjected to the boiling water it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water. "Which one are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?" *****Think of this: Which am I? >>>>Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity, do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength? >>>>Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart? >>>>Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst you get better and change the situation around you. ****** .When the hour is the darkest and trials are greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level? .How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean? * The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes their way. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can't go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches. * When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. * Live your life so at the end you're the one smiling and everyone around you is crying. * *It's easier to build a child than repair an adult. *

APPLES OF MY EYES....

AUTUMN always make me feel great.I have stated these lines so many times in the past. I LOVE almost everything in Autumn and one of these is the fact that 'TIS APPLE-PICKING TIME! * AROUND this time several summers ago, Hiroko and I went to AOMORI-KEN. Yeah...THAT place famous for its super-duper delicious RINGO[s] [APPLES]! I had the best time of my life roaming around the hilly ORCHARD with apples all around me...... APPLES here are several notches up as far as taste is concerned. I know....I have had enough of Washington Apples up in the NW; I never enjoyed that when I was there. This may be borne from the fact that BIO-TECHNOLOGY is the culprit... or is it? ** DID YOU KNOW that there are APPLES that have been "cured" with HACHIMITSU [HONEY] inside? It makes the APPLE sweeter and better. ALTHOUGH I like eating the 'HONEY' variety, I also enjoy the Green ones. They taste milder and sweeter [for me, at least]. *** EACH apple here is tended with TLC. This is obvious in every apple harvested by pickers across the North: AOMORI, AKITA, NAGANO and other nearbyPrefectures/Provinces. **** ORCHARDS are now bustling with activities. JIJI [LOLO] said so. He just arrived from AOMORI and delivered the steel STEP-LADDERs to one of the companies that sell them there. And he brought home a box-full of APPLES! He bought it for 300 yen! [Translated, around 75 PhP!] One box-full, Ja, one box! Kung baga, sa tatlong barya [coins], meron siyang isang kahon ng mansanas... .Kung mura lang sanang magpadala sa 'Pinas,eh si sana nagpadala na ako. ORDINARILY, one can buy apples in supermarketsall over Japan for 100yen each. ***** APPLES are best eaten fresh....and they stay that for so long. This reminds me that the apples we buyas part of our Christmas table fare are from the US and China....they are a far cry from the goodies here. The "DELICIOUS" variety aren't that delicious. The China variety seems bland. ****** I LIKE my apples eaten fresh. But sometimes, I cook them in honey over low heat, until the pulp has grown soft and the honey absorbed. AN APPLE A DAY.... .... * APPLES, ANYONE?

BAGAHE BLUES

SENDING packages to Inang Bayan is quite easy these days. With no-weight limit policy among the companies vying for attention from foreigners living in the Land of Ichiro Suzuki.... it is so convenient! Indeed! * KNOWING that I would be tied up in the Winter with the arrival of so many KENSHUSEI[s] [TRAINEE[s], I decided to take out my DREAM BOX [this one is where I keep all my purchases which I intend to be my pasalubongs] today and made a listing. Besides, I have the mornings free for cleaning the house; I work in the afternoon,usually after school hours. ** I WAS astonished to find that my NIMOTSU [BAGGAGE] have blown this much! All these time, I have not noticed all these things. They have piled up and filled the closet. Goodness! I have enough already. I need to send this by late November in time for my arrival in December. Good timing? Naaahhh...just proper planning. *** WHY so much? Well, most Bags were given by Shiseido,the cosmetic company which I patronize. Then most "samples" are free.[read: LIBRE!]. So I have horded brushes, foundations, lotions,ad indinitum.... Then the "End-of-Summer Sale" usually offer bargains and these things [tees, shorts, blouses, blah3] are wearable in the Tropics. Small toys are likewise LIBRE, if you eat with kids. My friend always get them for me....while I pay at the Cashier hahahah!!!! That would be good as give-a-ways, right? Mr. Donut here gives a lot of "presents" , PRESENTO they say.... From plato to cups to tabo to mugs,door mats, diaries,.... Likewise the PAN-YA [BAKERY] which sells my favorite HOKKAIDO MILK PAN [BREAD] gives chinawares for purchases made on the 15th of each month. So there! **** MADALI lang makaipon ng anuman dito. In fact, kapag nagsawa na yung mga Hapon, itatapon na lang. ISTORBO lang kasi sa bahay. Dati kasi, pwedeng magtapon ng TV sets, o ref, o anumang appliances sa GOMI-BAKO [ BASURAHAN]. I made "pulot" in Tokyo when I studied there. I had this nice table and a bookshelf. Maganda pa and sturdy, but I had togive it up also when I moved to KYOTO. ***** Two years ago, binago na ang rule kasi ang daming basurang nagkalat. NOW, one has to pay the DENKI-YA SAN [APPLIANCE STORE] a certain fee for every appliance we throw. Yung ibang Pinoy na taga-Davao always wait for news if we will buy a new one. This means we will discard the old ones....so meron silang magagamit sa apartment nila. OK din, db? HINDI nmn sira ang mga itinatapon...lumang model nga lang. Most Pinoys even pack the old bicycles they picked up and sent them via BALIKBAYAN BOXES. Great ideas, indeed. Yun nga lang, kailangan, talagang GOMI [BASURA]or given by someone...or else, baka matulad doon sa isang Pinoy na pinick-up ng pulis dahil he was using a bike that was reported missing. Tinawag ako ng pulis para mag-interpret sa nahuling Pinoy pero wala ring lusot. ****** OLD AND NEW. GIVE AND TAKE.

*

CENTRAL AIRPORT, NAGOYA

================= TODAY IS A RED-LETTER-DAY HERE: With nothing much to do [unless I stay home the whole day and watch that MARATHON which is broadcasted LIVE on TV], and be with my lonesome self [again!].... my friend and I decided to spend the day DRIVING AROUND. * WE BOTH opted for the New CENTRAL AIRPORT or the CHUBU KUKO somewhere in NAGOYA. I have never used this new airport since I arrived here early this year. I thought it would be best to familiarizemyself with the new terminal since I'll be going back homethis Xmas Holidays. ** WE STARTED early. We wouldn't like to be caught in the familiar traffic, you know... "THE EARLY BIRD CATCHESTHE WORM" thing.... ONLY, what we caught was the intermittent rainshowers all dayfrom SHIZUOKA to AICHI-KEN. *** I was up at around 3 A.M., and had enough time to get ready before NAOKO came with her TOYOTA NOAH. She drove all the way to the AIRPORT. We stopped in some PARKING AREA where we had WASHOKU [JAPANESE CUISINE] Breakfast: grilled SANMA [TAURY], NATTO [that foul-smelling [!]FERMENTED SOYA BEANS ], MISO SHIRU[MISO SOUP], and SHIRO GOHAN [WHITE RICE]. She enjoyed it;...... I didn't. **** THE WEATHER didn't cooperate, so we had to drive carefully and reached CENTRAIR [short for CENTral AIRport: you see, the Japanese have this thing about short-cutting some words... ] at around 8. ***** IT WAS HUGE! It was built on reclaimed area in the middle of MIKAWA BAY.... just like KANSAI AIRPORT in OSAKA. The airport was imposing and can beseen from afar, before one enters the area leading to the long Bridge that connects the Airport to TOKONAME City. ****** It boasts of its own HOTEL right at its doorstep! I took all the Brochure I can get, just in case no one brings me to the airport. Iba na raw po ang HANDA, db? ******* THERE WERE 2 PARKING AREAs, each one can accomodate as many as 1600 -1800 vehicles. Despite these,there was a long queue at the Gates; I wondered why, and Nao remarked that most who go there are just like us:for sight-seeing! Hee-hee! Apparently, we were not alone in the Curiosity Department, huh?!! ******** WE went around... and feasted our eyes on all things, especially the SHOPS....which sells everything: from OMIYAGE[s] [PASALUBONGs] to Food Stalls: STARBUCKS, BAGEL & BAGEL [NY Style], to JAPANESE CUISINE of all sorts... .There were BAGS, and GLASSES,CRYSTALS.... lots and lots both men and women would crave for.... And yeah, you're right! The DUTY-FREE is located INSIDE, AFTER ONE CHECKS IN with the IMMIGRATION. ********** I can't help but buy some small things:hair pins/ornaments, crystals, SENBEI [Japanese Crackers], & TSUKEMONO [PICKLED RADISH & OTHER VEGGIES]. I also found a red pair of glasses [good for costume parties: It's HALLOWEEN soon....], MASK [purple cat-like one/good for CostumeParties with my students...] et cetera.. My friend bought lots; she had oodles of wads,anyway! ********** FINDING something for lunch was quite easy: there were lots of shops to choose from. I had a BAGEL with SALMON AND CREAM CHEESEand a cup of LATTE. Nao had a cup of Japanese Soup and a freshly-baked MELONPAN [BREAD din yan, noh!]. I didn't think it was a heavy meal, but we both felt we were full. Why is it so I will never understand.... Kapag nasa bahay ka, sunod2 ang kain, yet never felt satisfied, ei? Ah..Ewan! *********** ANYWAY, after walking through the SKY DECK and viewing the TAKE-OFFs and LANDINGsof a number of HIKOKI[s] [AIRPLANES], we decided to call it a day. .......'Nga pala, sa a tin, may bayad na yung makapasok sa "VISITORS LOUNGE" kaso nga lang, parang nasa kulungan ang siste if you're looking from the ARRIVAL area. ************ WE paid the PARKING FEE [300 Yen/hour]and headed for home. It was unbelievable, but the rate stared us right into our eyes:900 yen! Translation: we were there for three hours! Ho-hum..... ************* I am just wondering... HOW COME WE CAN'T COME UP WITH WORLD-CLASS AIRPORTS like this one? What happened to our own? WHEN are they going to honor their words and give Caesar his due? WHY can't we be as precise and as high-tech as our neighbors? So many questions: So many remain unanswered.... *************** RAINY DAY. WALKING THROUGH SHOPS. EATING BAGELS. DRIVING ALL DAY. *************** *

EAT CAMOTE====> Part 2

=============:* CAMOTE [SATSUMAIMO]: Part 2:============= EAT CAMOTE.... I remember that old lines we used to sing during CAMPFIRES with boys and girls at Day Camps and Live-in Camps of both the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides and the FPP several summers ago..... What great fun we had as we guffawed at how some naughty ones would pfft at the last words.... >>>>"EAT CAMOTE, THE MUSICAL FRUIT,THE MORE YOU EAT, THE MORE YOU PFFFT...."<<<< * Those were the days...... It was then that we always eat CAMOTE CUE, that sweet mid-afternoon snack we all love as a kid.... It was part of our youth.... It was the food the MASA all loved because it is affordable and filling... ** I NEVER REALIZED how important CAMOTES are to the Japanese until I came here. AROUND THIS TIME OF THE YEAR.... it is CAMOTE-HARVEST TIME. There are CAMOTEs everywhere: inside the supermarket, the roadside farmer's stall [which, btw, sells the cheapest;it is untended and there is a box where the buyer places a 100-yen-coin per packageof produce], and even in Talk Shows! *** ASIDE from the wide range of benefits one gets from eating CAMOTEs, farmers share the farming techniques and 'other secrets' with the hosts. Soft, loamy soil is needed to bring out the best produce, so they say..... Apparently, the BEST CAMOTE comes from the South, mostly in KYUSHU, the southernmost island in the Land of the Samurais. **** There is a range of CAMOTE VARIETIES, each one distinctly superb and with varying qualities. They revere the MURASAKI [VIOLET] variety as it is only grown in KAGOSHIMA-KEN, that Prefecture at the tip of KYUSHU Island. ***** COOKING CAMOTE is one great experience. The best one can get is that cooked over BLACK STONES under which, COALS are kept at a certain temperature. This one tastes better than the STEAMED ones. CAMOTEs here are seldom boiled. CAMOTE-CUE here [minus the stick, Lolah!] seems odd, though. SALT is added and honey or black sugar is used and sprinkled with BLACK SESAME SEEDS. IT IS the best season to eat CAMOTE especially now that the weather is getting colder. ****** ONE Pinay saw me buy CAMOTE cooked over those STONES in one Supermarket near my place. She offered an unsolicited snide remark: "BADUY! PAGKAIN NG POOR!" which made me smile in exasperation. It left me shaking my head as I headed back home. POOR soul! THAT is the reason why I seldom connect with Pinays here.... So now you know, ei? Besides, I seldom find someone who think in the same wavelength as I do, not that I am a snob....no, not that..... but I would rather be with a selected few people I consider MAJIME [SERIOUS] rather than be with MANUKEs [STUPID FOOL]. ******* CAMOTEs, ANYONE? ********

HOMESICK BLUES*

....WHEN I'M FEELIN BLUE.... all I have to do is take a look at you then I'm not so blue.... **************** Goodness,........ of all times! Kung kailan nakatagal ako nang ganito, saka pa ako nakaka-feel ng LONELINESS... ASUS! * FOR reasons I cannot fathom,I feel down and out these past week. Can I categorize it as LONELINESS for family members who are away from me? OR is it just one of those blues? ** I can imagine the lonelinessand homesickness our OFWs are suffering.... just like that of the image that I see staring back at me in my hand mirror. *** ...ANYWAYZ, I was sooooo lonely I helped myself to some pints of new O-SAKE [RICE WINE], heheheh... For a teetotaller, this is a big NO-NO! So how did I feel? Well, I feel a bit not myself, but then I resorted to crying myself out [again!]. I texted Makoy and he answered right away...sending soft words to ease my loneliness. ..God, I love that lil Angel! **** Am off the usual track and I sometimes question the rationaleof this all... I could stay with my family and live happily ever after... Goodness! Nevertheless...I feel pain inside.... I don't know how to say it... ***** Who knows? God may grant a soul who'll have the patience and the guts to love a fool such as I. ****** ...AM I ALONE in this world? Is this my FATE? TO WHAT EXTENT will I make TIIS here? ******* Weighing things altogether... I don't think the happiness of being in familiar grounds commensurate to what I earn here. Nothing can compare to being with those you love and who love you in return. ******** Please God... Grant me the PATIENCE to take all these.......... ====================== * My apologies for the rantings and ramblings of a lonely soul who live far away from home....... *

HANABI

WITH EVERY MATSURI [FESTIVAL] or great gatherings here HANABIs [FIREWORKs] surely follows. IT STARTS AS EARLY as 6:30 A.M. and as late as 9:00 P.M.. Small HANABIs or FIREWORKs will be featured in-between the two-day event. I first noticed the first HANABI early this morning, around 6 AM.... and I thought: "Woooo! MATSURI DA!"[IT'S MATSURI [ TIME!]] But the best one will be tomorrow evening: this one is BIG-TIME since it culminates the entire festival. The SAIGO HANABI [FINAL FIREWORKS] lasts some thirty minutes. The final ones come one after the other and capped by themost beautiful ones. Hence, even if I do not go near the TEMPLEat night...., I have a good view from the comfort of my bedroom window. MATSURI. HANABI. YATAI. WASHOI! *****

MATSURI

ON SPORTSFEST AND MATSURIs....

THE SECOND SUNDAY of October is supposed-to-be SPORTS DAY...

or what some say THE HEALTH DAY.

Hence, the next day, a Monday is a holiday in the Land of the Rising SUN

[although the Sun is barely in the horizon today...DOSHO? ]

TONIKAKU, the setting is ready [I saw the Temple area glittering and spruced up last night as I was driving from work] and today, all roads lead to the SPORTSFEST.

BUT FOR SOME REASONS, our group seemed fit to incorporate the MATSURI [FESTIVAL]ALONG WITH THE SPORTSFEST this week. Why they did it, I have no idea....Perhaps to economize? Hmmm...

*

THERE is the program for the three-day affair distributed last week. It is filled wth activities from sun up to sun down. There is even a KARAOKE TAI KAI [A KARAOKE SINGING CONTEST], some food stalls, and more....

Food sold are, of course, cheap and beer sells for 100 Yen ONLY!

There is YAKITORI [CHICKEN BARBECUE],YAKISOBA [PANCIT-Japanese style],YAKIMOCHI[ inihaw na MOCHI -parang TIKOY, only this one is pure w/no sugar, hence, tasteless; they just use SOY SAUCE],

TAKOYAKI [SQUIDBALLS], COTTON CANDY [meron sa atin nito],

ODEN [this is a combination of BOILED EGGS, TOFU, KONYAKU, etcetera].

ODEN is something best eaten on cold winter nights. Not only is it healthy,it also appeals to my palate.This one is prepared way ahead of time and boiled for a long time.

**

LEADERS have been assigned to watch over each section and program.

The schedule is quite hectic.The last entry is supposed to start at 2115! Fantastic!

***

YATAI [SMALL SHRINE/parang CAROSA sa atin] will make the rounds of the area and will converge at the TEMPLE area.This will be done especially at night, for the residents to see the beauty of the YATAIs.They are fully decorated with kids atop, playing some tunes [ala-banda style].Eager parents take pictures while bystanders pose as they use their mobiles to record the moment....

****

I have seen so many MATSURIs here: each place have distinct way of celebrating theirs.

Ours is a small town,hence the YATAIs and the MATSURIs are small-time [if one may call it that!]

*****

MATSURIs are celebrated as a show of GRATITUDE to the Gods for a GOOD HARVEST.

That is why,most MATSURIs are done AFTER HARVEST-TIME, which is about this time.

Note that Japan has only one planting seasonwhich starts in Spring. Unlike ours which can accomodate two, this country has four-seasons, hence...

******

WHILE MATSURIs are good ways to celebrate the communal spirit of the people,

some youngsters see this as a way to drink liquor away from the prying eyes of their parents. Since most youngsters are involved in dancing in the streets wearing those famous "HAPI" coats, it is AFTER the dancing that these teenagers stay longer and help themselves to the OSAKE [RICE WINE].

I have seen lots of street fights involving these kids.Hence, the security is beefed up by the presence of policemen who make themselves visible especially in the TOKAI [capital] region.

*******

In our place, there were incidents of group wars and street fighting as well.These are GAKIs [ BULLIES, BRATS]who perhaps, need some beatings from over-busy parents. Or is it love they need? I wonder....

THIS is also the reason why JIJI has ceased to participate activelyin these activities.

He says his conttribution only make some kids go berserk after drinking rice wines....

********

MATSURI.

HAPI COAT.

YATAI.

OSAKE.

*

ON COLD NIGHTS.....

...................EAT SINIGANG! AT LAST.... after several days of gloomy weather,the sun crept out from behind the clouds.... It's a welcome treat, even for half-a-day only, if we are to go by the weather prediction [which is, btw, almost always perfect]. After all those laundry needs to be done and the rooms need some air. I always go for airy clean rooms. * HOT SOUPS on cold days [or nights] always make each meal a great feast for me. Last night, feeling cold and alone,I made some SINIGANG. I still have that Mix I brought from homelast time. Some pork, veggies [radish,tomatoes, leeks] and hot new rice made my dinner superb. There are lots of left-overs,so my lunch wouldn't pose much problem,would it? As usual, I gave a bowlful to the nearest Oba-San, to which she wasgrateful...I hope! She always liked that 'EZU-NIK' [translation:ETHNIC] concoction since she liked the SUPPAI [MAASIM] AJI [TASTE]. I remembered that and her many YASASHI [KIND] gestures to me in the past, so there. ** Here, the people live like the Barangays of old. People in the community share some of the harvest and in return, recieve those from others as well. I guess this works [still] in the small towns and cities. Perhaps, it does in big cities and the Metropolisamong old friends and neighbors. With the proliferation of "MANSIONS" [ that is the Japanese version of CONDOs], and apartment-housing, most modern-day Japanese no longer know the art of socializing. Same is true, I guess with most Pinoys, huh? *** TODAY, I'll be a bit busy.That is, I need to go to the Bank for some transactions. Jiji can't do it since he's been busy in his business and no one except I can negotiate [yabang, ano?] his Bank account transfers, ad infinitum. **** GOT TO GO and check where that fire trucks are going... The sirens have become louder.... must be near here.... somewhere.... *****

NAKU !

ONE OF MY STUDENTS,a senior High lass wanted to come with me [that is, if she can escape the hectic winter SHUKUDAI..] when I go back home for the Holidays. As I was wonderin where I'd take her, I decided to browse the net for some tips. * I WAS SURFING for some travel tips when I stumbled upon this intro in one travel.org. or somethin... >>>>"Introduction: The 7000-odd islands that comprise the Philippines are the forgotten islands of southeast Asia. Off the main overland route and with a recent history of martial law and endemic corruption, the country has struggled to attract tourists in the numbers many of its southeast Asian neighbours have."<<<< ** Grrr... at grr... pa! Nakaka-turn off ako kaya tinigilan ko na ang paghahanap ng magagandang lugar. Hah! *** So this is HOW these travel organizations abroad "SELL" our country! No wonder less tourists come to visit the Philippines despite the 'effort' exerted by the DoT [as if there is any!]. **** ON SECOND THOUGHT, ...I can't help but think...maybe....just maybe... they may be right. Ours have the reputation of being KORAP and THE SUPPOSED "PUBLIC SERVANTS" are robbing the country's coffers left and right. To add salt to the wound, these people who robs us go unpunished. Classic examples are the marcoses and ERR-ap. ***** Today, the pidal family continue to pillage the economy and they stay in power via transactional politics. SAD BUT TRUE. I wonder when we'll ever achieve BETTER GOVERNANCE THROUGH CLEAN, HONEST PUBLIC SERVANTS. Most good men in government have bade their goodbyes. A good number of those left have the reputation that stinks to Hades. ******

ODE TO EICH

ANATA GA HOSHII Anata ga hoshii Ai ga subeta ga hoshii... ***** HONE MADE hone made Hone made aishite hoshii no yo... *****

CAMOTE AND OUR SKIN....

WANNA HAVE THAT MUCH-COVETED FAIRER SKIN? EAT CAMOTE! So they say..... * I was tidying up things when I heard a food expert and nutritionist explain the fantastic benefits of SATSUMAINO [oo, Ate, ito yung walang kamatayang KAMOTE...] on a TV program. ** KAMOTE, CAMOTE.... WHATEVER WAY YOU WANNA CALL IT.... This one is really, really GREAT! ...SIMPLY GREAT! *** Most women want to have fairer skin....oh, well, much fairer than the ones they have. It's the same the world over. Call it vanity or whatever you like. But the audience were one in saying they want fairer skin, too. The guest-expert detailed the benefits and how to achieve those. He enumerated steps, recipes and guided the viewers regarding preparation and basic facts about KAMOTE. **** I never realized that the 'DAGTA'of these KAMOTEs ARE GOOD FOR THE SKIN..... ... NOT ONLY THAT! I used to believe that EATING LOTS OF KAMOTES would be a big NO-NO for those who want to stay slim. ON THE CONTRARY, EATING JUST A MERE 10 gms of KAMOTE would mean we are bound TO LOSE 200 gms of BODY FAT! UNBELIEVABLE...BUT TRUE! ***** SO many concoctions were discussed and here are some: 1. CAMOTE JUICE- In a BLENDER: MIX STEAMED CAMOTE,A TSP. HONEY, YOGURT, LEMON EXTRACT:Presto! Great for the skin.... 2. CAMOTE TARTS [with less sugar/or better still, substitute honey] 3. CAMOTE CUE -only here, they add a pinch of saltand sprinkle them with black sesame seeds; and more........AND MORE.... ****** Wanna have clearer, fairer skin? Why not try eating KAMOTE from here on? You'll not only lose fat, you'll have fairer skin, too! Sounds cool, huh!? ******* Worried about that gas your body would likely give out? WEll, that's part of our biological functions,kiddo. Besides, it's great for the body system. ******** SO....KAMOTE, ANYONE? *

THE BATTLE IS RAGING

........................and the verbal exchanges flared... BRENDA is at it again! Why now, I wonder.... Perhaps she may have thought she has lost her name recall 'value' [as if she is valued at all!] and felt she must grab the headlinesonce more... .....0r...is it another ploy to divert the attention from the VENABLE transaction entered into by the arroyo people? I wonder.... really! 0r...maybe it is another way to ingratiate herself to her political benefactor, without whose machinery, she wouldn't have had the chance to be included in the administration slate and make that 'win' in a national election. That is, if most Pinoys deem that electionto be fair and honest. ...ha ha! * The PROBLEM in INANG BAYAN has been endless, and pidal's wife has done another faux pas, e.g., aside from the VENABLE contract. THE EO 464, according to Fr. J.Bernas,S.J. is illegal. This Executive Order was issued by Mrs. pidal and aims to gag all government people. It prohibits them from testifying, 0r saying anything about what they know, WITHOUT PRIOR APPROVAL FROM MALACANANG. This is now being echoed in different government agencies by way of implementing guidelines to be drafted by the corresponding heads. GAGGING her allies made one presidential adviser's BP jack up, and his heart condition worsen.Pity that "poor" guy! He must have been bothered by his conscience evading the truth in front of the Senate Probe and broadcasted live via national TV. ** THEN there is the "revelation" of BRENDA that Cory and Drilon are up to assasinate mrs. pidal! Cory? ....in a plot to assasinate? She must be kidding! GOODNESS! *** QUO VADIS, PILIPINAS? Where are we going? OUR COUNTRY HAVE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS... AND THE MOST DANGEROUS ONES ARE THE LEADERS.... What I mean to say is...those illegal ones. They spin tales and yarns so well that even they, themselves, believe that they are indeed....telling the truth, sabi nila!--------------------

NUMBERS & PEOPLE

TWO WEEKS AGO, an old man came aroundand asked how many resided in our house. I was wondering why an old man, maybe in his 70s would do that. So I asked him politely who he was. He replied he was from the KOKOZEI CHOZA... and he showed me his ID card hanging on his neck. * YEAH,....you're right! I didn't know that! Oh well..... He promised he'll be back after a couple of days. I dismissed that as some weird salesman or somethin... EXACTLY TWO DAYS LATER,he did come back! Goodness! I was out working on the hedges and cutting the ones fronting my room when he rang the doorbell. Apparently, he didn't notice me on atop the step-ladder on the far side of the main house. He said he was leaving something [an envelope] and will pick it up after a week. I took it and thank him for his efforts. Here, you HAVE TO say something to thank everyone's efforts: to the PostMen, the Meter Readers [electric and gas]and even the Newspaper Delivery Man/Woman, practically EVERYONE! It's part of that gratitude thing. I left it for JIJI to see. As usual, he said he'll do it next time. ** DATA-GATHERING STARTED here again. That's what all those envelope was all about. The Census-taking is done every five years just to UPDATE THE RECORDS. Most services like the LOCAL POLICE, the CITY HALL, the CENSUS AND OTHERS...here go around and take note of the change: in telephone numbers, the number of residents, the names of additional members, and so on... I guess this is good; it updates its record once every five year and sets their record straight. Doing this also makes them aware who resides where and thus makes regular contact with the corresponding agencies. *** Take the example of those illegal/non-visa foreigners.. The policemen regularly visit the residences ON FOOT and thus keeps track of the people in the community. Thus, if they suspect some illegal residents there, they contact the IMMIGRATION officers and these IOs work from there. These results in numerous raids and arrests of those "Os" or what most Pinoys here call "BILOG". **** I WONDER.....do we have updated STATISTICS in INANG BAYAN? .1. do we still have FOOT PATROLS [THE POLICEMEN WHO GO AROUND WALKING AND CHECKING HOUSEHOLDS FOR CRIMES, SAFETY, ET CETERA? ..2. do we say THANK YOU to POSTMEN, METER-READERS, POLICEMEN? ... 3. do we HAVE CENSUS/STATISTICS PEOPLE GOING AROUND [BY FOOT] AND CHECK THE NUMBER OF RESIDENTS IN ANY GIVEN AREA? I WONDER.... *****

HELPING THE COMMUNITY

The TIME: 8:00 A.M. The Place: JINJA- [the LOCAL SHINTO SHRINE] I GOT UP early today for the scheduled KUSAKARI [GRASS-CUTTING] at the local JINJA [SHINTO SHRINE] near our home. AS USUAL, JIJI didn't go. He never does. BUT I DID. * IT WAS a sight to behold:men and women all walking towards the TEMPLE. It was as if everyone were united and determined to do something for the community. ** INSIDE THE SHRINE is a TEMPLE: very similar to our own CHAPEL. The only difference is that it is bordered by large trees. The EVERGREENS offer shade in the summer, which is good. The fresh air it gives is a welcome treat, indeed. It also offers a sort of spiritual refuge for those who want peace and quiet. For these refreshing greeneries, it is always easy to spot a SHRINE wherever I go... in fact, anywhere in The Land of the Samurais. *** OUR AREA is composed of several GROUPS. ALL these groups converged today and cleaned the Shrine in preparation for the MATSURI [FESTIVAL] scheduled on the second Saturday& Sunday of October. These MATSURIs are done as a form of GRATITUDE FOR A GOOD HARVEST, quite similar to that one we have somewhere in Laguna.[sorry, I forgot the name of the place]. **** WHILE the meeting was primarily intended for the cleaning and sprucing up of the area around the Temple, most women, as well as the men in the community used the time to exchange pleasantries and revive friendships among the participants. ***** THE WOMEN mostly took care of the small grasses along the path leading to the TEMPLE; THE MEN took care of the trees and the big bulk of dried weeds and placed them in small trucksto be deposited somewhere. ****** ME? I stayed with the OBA-SANs [TITAs] in our group, and well....talked for a while with some of them. But mostly, I limited mine with the AISATSUs [GREETINGs]. I was hoping I can catch up with the Sunday Mass in IWATA... but due to the volume of grass and other 'talk'...I failed to. ******* AFTER that, area leaders distributed the drinks: a can of juice/tea/coffee. It was also one way to check the attendance. That spells a penalty/fine of 1,500JpY [PhP 750.00] for each absence. Some areas impose a bigger amount. ******** THEN ALL HEADED FOR HOME. ON THE way home, one of the OBA-San in our group asked me to accompany her to her HATAKE [paddy]. She handed me a couple of bags with GREEN PEPPER and a kilo and a half [maybe] of SATOIMO [TARO/GABE sa 'Pinas]. ********* I ONLY WISH we have similar activities like this in Inang Bayan. Working together in any endeavour would surely benefit the area we live in. Giving money or making donations is a good deed. BUT GIVING SOMETHING OF YOURSELF IS BEST. WE must not only take; we must also give. ********** GOOD DAY. GREAT SWEAT. HAPPY INTERACTION. PLEASANT SMILES. *

STRANGE, BUT TRUE.....

STRANGE, BUT TRUE.... ----- Isn't it strange how a 20 dollar bill seems like such a large amount when you donate it to church, but such a small amount when you go shopping? * Isn't it strange how 2 hours seem so long when you're at church, and how short they seem when you're watching a good movie? ** Isn't it strange that you can't find a word to say when you're praying, but you have no trouble thinking what to talk about with a friend? *** Isn't it strange how difficult and boring it is to read one chapterof the Bible, but how easy it is to read 100 pages of a popular novel or ZANE GREY book? **** Isn't it strange how everyone wants front-row-tickets to concerts or games, but they do whatever is possible to sit at the last row in Church? ***** Isn't it strange how we need to know about an event for Church 2-3weeks before the day so we can include it in our agenda, but we can adjust it for other events in the last minute? ****** Isn't it strange how difficult it is to learn a fact about God to share it with others, but how easy it is to learn, understand,extend and repeat gossip? ******* Isn't it strange how we believe everything that magazines and newspapers say, but we question the words in theBible? ******** Isn't it strange how everyone wants a place in heaven, but they don't want to believe, do, or say anything to get there? ********* Isn't it strange how we send jokes in e-mails and they are forwarded right away, but when we are going to send messages about God, we think about it twice before we share it with others? ********** IT'S STRANGE ISN'T IT? Now that you've read this message, STOP and THINK A-WHILE.... AND SINCE IT IS SUNDAY..... GO TO THAT PLACE AND TRY TO TALK TO GOD ! ....YOU CAN DO IT! GOD BLESS, EVERYONE !!!