Saturday, September 30, 2006

Tracking down what the Elephant has left of us





Ever remember this place? this is where, most of the time, I pass by when I go home from work. I last saw it still upright and very commanding last wednesday. Yesterday, it was a different story. My officemates and I passed pa nga the EDSA, where a very gigantic billboard crashed at the very front of a small barangay. The toppled ad-carrier also squished a car, and a van. I really do hope no one was in there when that happened..

Nga pala, the name of the barangay is Bgy. Pinagkaisahan. Sends me a message. They're gonna need all the "pagkakaisa" possible to have the trash all cleaned out. Even invoke the gods.

Ooohh..that must have been one mighty elephant, looking for its lost peanut.Hihee..





(the railings were supposed to be billboard stuff, now just metal scraps)

I found myself rolling in the floor when I saw this picture. Though it really gave me a clearer image of how extensive the last typhoon was, somebody made the event quite a laughable one. And he really succeeded.

Wla lang..I saw kasi some blogs that featured the recent catastrophe. But don't get me wrong. I'm not very delightful, not at some degree pa nga e. I pity those who sufferred a lot, especially those who went homeless, or houseless.(You don't lose you home kaya.) Let's be reminded that we are all obliged to pray for the more unfortunate ones.

Damn that elephant! Shame on you!

posted by Randyh @ Saturday, September 30, 2006 Comments: 2

The Day Imperial Manila was Humbled




The last few days of September proved to be the most catastrophic. Really. With everything literally flying off their feet, or roots for trees..and if only nature prolonged the very agony, and her washings, I believe ruminants would be off their hooves, believe me.

Xangsane- a noun

  • Laotian word for elephant, though not yet found to actually eat a peanut or any of the pea family.
  • A typhoon, cyclone, hilly-willy, bagyo, that devastated the whole metro manila, or mega manila. OK, the whole Luzon. The day the center was paralyzed, stock exchange cancelled.
  • Local name: Milenyo (why only now? You’ve been 6 years delayed, huh?)
  • Thanks to that bitch (ahmm, he is a he, alright, but let’s set aside the gender issue), electricity IS down, phone lines, cable connections, mobile towers, billboards, going down and down..and me as well..I’ve been down in the dumps for two long days.

    • Actually, there’s some kind of embroidery in there. When the whole of Luzon in reality felt unaided, I was having a good time myself. I was indulging myself in an air-conditioned quarter, with lots of light, with lots of electricity, with lots of internet connection, and with oodles of food, and water. CLEAN water. Haha..take that, muggles! I was the king for two days, until dim-witted Meralco had the sudden urge to repair the should’ve been repaired aeons ago.

    I know, I know, you think I am bluffing? Think again. I was in paradise. PARADISO, y ustedes es en INFERNO. Haha..

    While everyone was dozing-off the entire day, I was in office. The generators really did the trick.

    Ho-humm..I’ve had my friends, my brothers’ cellphones recharged at the office. Ok lang. As the good ol’ friend of theirs, I was their saviour.

    And so, my life was not that much affected. After all, just sleeping at the house for a few hours, then jumping off the bed to head for office is one exciting routine for me. I get to chat with my officemates. Being the youngest there, I was the center of attention. Sometimes bullied, oftentimes endeared. Oh how I love older people.

    At least they get to reminisce their younger days with me around. Haha..

    posted by Randyh @ Saturday, September 30, 2006 Comments: 0

    Sunday, September 24, 2006

    Kwek-kwek was the culprit

    Wala lang...it's anung oras na? Sunday na, at six hours na akong nakaharap sa pc. Ewan ko, I feel attracted towards the screen..I haven't eaten pa nga e. Ahaha..pero I'm not hungry, or even famished. Naalala ko, the last food I ate was the Kwek-kwek, na nakatuhog sa stick. Ang tagal ko ng hndi nakakain un..although meron sa manila, I prefer buying sa amin, here in Muntinlupa. The sauce is thick, and red, and zoobrang sarap talaga. Once nga, I bought a plastic-full, and asked for additional sauce..sauce pa lang, pamatay na.

    Inaantok nako..no one's available online, highly nocturnal pa naman ako.I badly need a book, I've read the books at home over and over again..ok nman, kaso nakakapurga lang. But then, says my Literature professor, and resident comedienne, Prof. Joson, pag binasa mo ung libro ng isang beses, ok siya. Pag binasa mo ule, iba na ang pagtingin mo. Bakit? Kasi, araw araw, naeexpose ka sa iba't-ibang pangyayari, kaya naiiba ang pagtingin mo sa bagay-bagay." Naks. Ang galing nun. Idol material. Ganda na, matalino pa.

    ----Someone who made a snide remark on my last entry, wrote a comment. Wla lang..naasar lang ako. Pero that's perfectly fine. Anyway, Mars has always been secure of itself. And when I mean always, that's Always in its very context.

    As for the question, I'll answer you in Russian Language: Nyet.

    Random Words:

    Pravda (Truth)-Russian
    Cuando(when)-Spanish

    Random General Info:

    King Bhumibol Adulyadej
    • king of thailand
    • 78 years old, longest serving monarch at 60
    • name is pronounced Poo-mee-pown A-doon-ya-dett
    Random Quote:

    Why do you blush? When I say the wrong things.
    -2002 Ms. Universe Oxana Fedorova
    • she was dethroned for various reasons, not complying with her responsibilities, and wanting to pursue her own career.
    • First Miss russia to hold the title, but was dethroned and crown was given to Justine Pasek, Panama's first Ms. Universe.
    • Scored a whopping 9.88 in swimsuit competition, the highest in history.
    • I have watched the entire competition that year, and I must say, she's the most beautiful Ms. Universe winner.
    • Ahaha..kamukha kasi niya si Farrah, for me. Ala lang. Hindi nga.



    posted by Randyh @ Sunday, September 24, 2006 Comments: 2

    Saturday, September 23, 2006

    Astrology meets Literature



    Wla lang..natuwa lang ako..

    To keep my side of the bargain, I will dedicate to you this entry. If you ask me why, ask again. Yourself this time..what did you do to me?

    I'll tell you a story.

    Once earth was revolving around the sun. Because the sun was its primary source of energy, it was compelled to continue with its revolution. Anyway, it was all it knew, to revolve.

    Then came another celestial being. It was Venus. The Earth, captured by its gravity, drew itself near it. Anyway, it said, "I'm still doing my usual circling along my orbit". And so, by virtue of Venus' entry to its magnetic field, and within the earth's early years, Earth knew, there was no problem. Earth knew, at last, it had purpose.

    Or so Earth thought..

    Then came Mars. Easily spotted, with its unusual features, unusually red, hot features. Although Venus was supposed to be hotter(scientifically, it is), Mars had this aura of warmness..Hotness..Increasingly hot. Plus the fact that Venus has been wearing this veil of thick clouds, that Earth cannot see thru its inside. Earth didn't know if Venus was that sincere. And so, attracted by Mars' almost nakedness, brought about by its thin layer of atmosphere, Earth drifted away from Venus, to its new-found benediction; Mars.

    But problems are hard to evade..for the newly established tie.

    Earth found out that there were too many Mars out there. Especially that Mars was near its clan, the asteroid belt. Earth saw Ceres, an equally dashing celestial body. And there was also some other: Deimos, Phobos, etc.

    And he was driven to a deep thought. "Why, on the first place, did I choose Mars over Venus? Now it seems there are a lot of them out there..could it be..just..plain lust? Nah..maybe not."

    And the sun glowed brighter, and unusually warmer than before. Interestingly, no one seemed to feel the phenomenon. They just shrug off its mere presence. They don't realize that when life was much simpler, they jusy revolved around it, receive plenty of sunshine, feel its warmth..and be satisfied. Now, revolving seems a remote idea, with everyone wobbling from each other's paths.

    Venus tried to reach out for Earth, and somehow, it succeeded in its objective.

    Venus, in a desperate attempt,"Venus could have chosen Mars over Earth, because Venus was designed for Mars, but I take the risk, and instead choose you, Earth. Mars and Earths could never be together in such a manner. Because you come from the same mold."

    The solar system was rigged, for the first time.

    For 6.5 billion years, that was what happened.

    Earth has yet to decide, for the next billion years.

    Meanwhile, the sun just kept on glowing. Anyway, with His divine thinking, he understands everything.

    The story hasn't ended yet.

    And pluto, was demoted to a minor planet, because of too much wobbling with Neptune.

    (I guess too much wobbling isn't yet accepted in some parts of the solar system-Ed.)



    posted by Randyh @ Saturday, September 23, 2006 Comments: 5

    Randomizations..

    Ahaha..Miraculously, I had this sudden urge of updating my page. Wla lang..boredom has struck me once again, and I'm feeling uncanny..(?)

    Anyway, significant events may have been the driving force, too..baka..siguro? baka sakali..ahaha..(there goes my favorite expression..I wonder, for how long kaya? Cuando?)

    Random Thoughts abound..yeeehaah!! To sum it all..

    • My Mom had her major operation, hysterectomy, to be exact. A grueling six-or more-hour of operation really made me worry..And because I'm the best son she has had, I was there when the operation started, progressed, and ended. Hndi nga lang privileged na makita ung actual overhaul.Bawal e.
    • Ciempre, I became the bantay by her side, along with my Tita, sometimes my Tatay, and my uberly wide-mouthed 'Insan. Yes, big-mouthed..ang daldal kaya..I was very much intimidated, (I dont like being intimidated), pero whokey lang, mejo cool xa..No boring moments 'ika nga. From her boyfriends, flings, concubinities, acquaintances, uberly-handsome, and chiseled Doctors..(haha..whatta description!), lahat un, naikwento nia at napansin niya. What's left of me? Innumerable nods..Oh well..I guess I'd be seeing much of her pa, she's currently stayin with us. Happy me? Ahem..
    • More mom updates: I played Doctor (a cute and likeable one..wehehehe..) when she was finally discharged. When no one else in the house knew why she kept on vomiting, I told them, it was a case of "too much acid". The remedy? Antacid. To think na my Dad gave him lots of fruits, ranging from "somewhat acidic to gravely acidic..". Shame on you Dad..shame on you..!(sounding triumphant)
    • Last Friday, she left for Saudi, to go back to her work there. To think na she underwent operation Sept.15, she left Sept.21..kaya mu yun? Ahaha..Beats me..She alone can do that.
    • Mushy me, I called her three times before she boarded the plane. Unfortunately, I can't make hatid to her. I haven't accompanied her before, in her flights, and I'm quite superstitious..baka malas ako e. I almost choked when I gave her a call. Bawal. Alpha-males shed tears..yes. But not in the library no?! Dun kasi ako tumawag. When I finally said "I love you", I felt relieved, lalu na when she returned me the phrase. Here's the funny part, I saw someone, from my side, using my peripheral vision, shot his face towards me..sabi ko nga to myself..."gusto mo, ikaw rin?" ahaha..Had I not controlled myself, I would have done that...and to hell with the consequences..wahaha..pero I wouldn't do that. Hell no!
    • Lately, I've been equally fascinated with couples, be it the normal ones, and the "modern ones". Ngaun pa, when my lovelife seems to approximate absolute zero..(haha..absolute zero? reminds me of.."when will I reach..) I badly need one. Grabe, I never knew I have this penchant for couples. Cguro inggit lang. Nah..baka next thing I know, baka I'd be breaking my being celibate.Oops..ahaha..biro lang.(mysterious smile)
    • I'm enjoying na my life now. After all, I tried to pick myself where I left off. Ang hirap ng gusto mong kausapin ung mga kaibigan mo, pero hndi mo magawa ksi baka mawala ung credibility mo, pero, anywei, fate must have wanted me to try to make areglo na lang. aun, after certain Hi's, and hellos, some touches with TLC, a certain" ui, no hard feelings ha?", na sinagot ng" hndi nman ako galit e". Tsaadaaan!!! Ok na. Un nga lang, kulang pa. May natitira pang isa. I believe, may purpose yan kung bakit delayed..haha..
    • I love my work talaga! Tomorrow, I'd be 5 months na sa job ko. I have a nice circle of friends, from whom I get tons of attention, and affection, lalu pag napag-uusapan kung gaano daw ka-rural ung muntinlupa, which is a big whammy. Hindi kaya! Un nga, it pays me good, for a 4-hour stint, na minsan ay tinatamad ka pa. Talk about being lenient and competitive rolled into one. Galeng no?
    • I want to particularly thank Ann Cocos, haha..alam mu na un. Wala lang..overwhelmed lang talaga ako. No wonder, God loves you, and I have this feeling that you are spilling me some.

    May susunod pa..special entry.

    posted by Randyh @ Saturday, September 23, 2006 Comments: 0

    Saturday, September 09, 2006

    In the Clearing

    The sky is already clearing up, and the clouds? They are not as voluminous as before, but they are still there. Still drizzling too, but I've learned to cope with the little rain, after all, what can a little rain do to me?

    The bubble gum has already gone off my mouth, and it was days ago.But then, I still can taste it's bittersweet presence, although someone has offered me a glass of water, and it gave me a soothing effect. I was quite fascinated and feeling funny I drank the water considering it was from the same mob. Yes, I drank the water, but I got hold of it the moment they weren't looking. I'm still thinking of that bubble gum kasi. I mean, old people would say that bitter pills were the best remedies, and I'm trying to connect the two ideas.

    I was holding the glass just a minute ago, but I decided to have it rest for awhile. I told myself, I'd be looking at it maybe tomorrow, the day after that, or as early as tonight, before I snooze off. Probably I'd be looking at it differently, or it may look more crystal clear. I'm not so sure, pero, i'm willing to keep it. After all, it wasn't just an ordinary glass, it's a biodegradable glass, plus the fact that it was handed to me by someone I know I will always treasure.

    Cguro, I'm not ready yet for any more water, or drinks, or wine. I want to savor my last sip of the liquid. Pero it won't be long before then. Evrything would return to its normality, but definitely not like before.

    And what about the rain? Oh yes, the rain is starting up again. But it's more like a refreshing rain, completely different than before. Thanks for what happened, I almost forgot na kasi the taste of the rain. Nakalimutan ko na maalat pa pala un.

    I miss my home.

    posted by Randyh @ Saturday, September 09, 2006 Comments: 0

    Wednesday, September 06, 2006

    My Whine-ry

    (Disclaimer: This is something that should have been posted a ga-zillion years ago, if only the writer hadn't been disillusioned, virtually confused, and knowingly misled. This post should be treated seriously. Lastly, even happy and optimistic people do get hurt.)

    --------------------------------------------------------------
    Ngaung gabi, I'm chewing a bubble gum. Matagal tagal na din ako hindi kumakain ng bubblegum. Im wondering where should I throw my bubblegum, which I've been chewing for an hour now. No trash can in sight.Tapos,umuulan pa.Ok lang,buti na lang umuulan.

    Kaasar talaga. That would have made a sum of all those things that happened, just happened, will happen, soon to happen, and so on. What would hurt the most is that you don't need to earn for yourself some enemies. Some of your so-called friends would turn out the most fitting for the job.

    I know that I have lost my precious place from the group, if not completely ostracized, the very moment I got off our common ship. Yes, I admit, it was my fault that I was led out of the "DB door". Yes, i was beginning to lose steam, to lose interest, and it really wasn't my interest. I can still remember the time when I told a friend that I never really wanted to "view slides under those eons-old microscopes", or memorize thick bibles of info about backboned animals, much more, trace phyla, phylum, orders, those aren't what I really want. Kaya nga you can't blame me for leaving you guys off. And although it was finally freedom to finally be purged out from that prison, it was heartbreaking for me to leave right away, after all, you were the very reason I stayed, it wasn't the Bio really, it was your presence.

    But to my dismay, my leaving would result to a gap I never imagined. Binded lang pala tayo ng Bio.

    I was thinking of many instances na nagpatunay lang na there was this wall na slowly but surely making its way right in the middle of us. Yung mga times na I felt those "What-the-hell-are-you-doing-here stare", and those "you-have-no-business-in-here glare". Cguro I must be uberly exaggerating, kaya lang, if you feel something's wrong, there really is someting wrong. Yes, and there were those times na I feel bad kasi I can't relate to all those "high words", and then you go talk some sense out of everybody, and then you feel na "buti pa aung hangin, naramdaman nila, alis na ako." I don't feel bad pala, i feel worse!

    But what triggered it all was this," Mag-seryoso ka na kasi", or " Ayusin mo yang buhay mo", or the exploding," Sana magseryoso ka namn minsan." (wala na akong masabi,can't breathe)

    ---------------------------------------

    It was quite unfortunate, nakakasama ng loob na they don't feel na I have so many things to worry about. Na it wasn't my choice that all of these are happening, na I have to think of so many things, that I don't know if they do understand, or see through. Only a few people know that I'm actually more of a serious type of person, that all of those "joking around" are merely outlets. Pati ung shooing away pag andun ako, or making utos when everyone's so damn busy with an upcoming activity, ok lang un sa akin e, kaya lang nakakasama lang ng loob na it seems it's not out of friendship,parang more of a superior to an inferior. I don't know if it makes sense e, ok lang kung ilang beses lang e, kaya lang, MADAMING beses. nakakapanliit kaya.

    With my new life now, I can better see everybody. There are others minsan mo lang makita pero pag nagkita kayo, iba ka pahalagahan. Thanks kenneth, the best ka.

    And there are others na hindi mo close dati pero iba pag pinansin ka. Thanks pat, joyce, edna, at reinzi. How I wish I've known you a lot earlier.

    There are others still who didn't give up on you, na who'll talk some sense kahit ala kang sense. Dati mong kasama pero mas naging close mo lalo. I'm not naming names.

    There are others still na hndi mo kilala, na ngaun mo lang nakilala pero nakakagaan sa loob ung reaksyon pag anjan ka.Thanks jeanette, kuya joram, ate tinay, ate tin. Jeans, iba ka.

    But there are others na I don't know if I'd love and see the way I've seen and loved them before. I still look up to them as friends, kaya lang..ayaw nio kasi sa akin e.

    Masyado lang siguro akong sensitive, pwede ring hinde. Inipon ko lang, ngaun lang sumabog. Nakakaasar kasi e. Kayo pa.

    "I went to a distance, somehow far yet so near, and I finally realized I wasn't part of the picture.I guess I should go find my own."

    There, sawa na ako sa bubblegum. At kayo ang naging basurahan.

    posted by Randyh @ Wednesday, September 06, 2006 Comments: 2