Work 'n Shop (for Good Times!)

At the office during the tour of the foreign participants in the office.


During the farewell dinner hosted by the office.

Third Blog

I've acquired my third blog via a lucky ticket from wordpress. I decided that it will be primarily for literary outputs (sans the personal anecdotes, angst, whatever you can actually read here). That's just to avoid redundancy.

I wonder sometimes, if, in sleeping, one is able to stop time. I imagine, doing nothing somehow keeps the status quo. Like how water in the glass remains constant, or how the worn shirt stays in the bin. Or how the slippers don't move.

I wonder, if there's magic in all of these that some things in constant, never changing.

read more Dreamweavers.

Back

I'm back at work. Went to this one-week seminar-workshop on investigative journalism last week which my office co-hosted with the Asian Institute for Broadcasting Development and Friedrich Ebert Stiftung. 'twas great. I thought initially one week would be a bore but it turns out bitin. I met some journalists from other countries like Shane (from FijiTV), Jee (from ITV in Thailand), Yuyun from Indonesia, Kul from Thailand, too. I was with another colleague from the news department and two from our public affairs department. There was also Ricky (Carandang) from ABS-CBN. Will post photos soon after I uploaded them. :P

Crash

Last Friday, I was tasked to cover Typhoon Ondoy while it landfalls into Aurora. But God was good, it was weaker than predicted and in the morning of Friday, it was all sunshine.

Scenes from an accidental vacation. Had my deepest sleep when I was there in Baler, Aurora. I think the beachfront faces the Pacific Ocean already.


Have you heard the Pacific Ocean ramble?

Whatchalistening To?

Taking timecodes, appearing like a dj. Yaaaaak. Hehehehehehe.

Don't Go Far Off

Pablo Neruda

Don't go far off, not even for a day, because --
because -- I don't know how to say it: a day is long
and I will be waiting for you, as in an empty station
when the trains are parked off somewhere else, asleep.

Don't leave me, even for an hour, because
then the little drops of anguish will all run together,
the smoke that roams looking for a home will drift
into me, choking my lost heart.

Oh, may your silhouette never dissolve on the beach;
may your eyelids never flutter into the empty distance.
Don't leave me for a second, my dearest,

because in that moment you'll have gone so far
I'll wander mazily over all the earth, asking,
Will you come back? Will you leave me here, dying?

--

Tell me, that this is all just fantasy. Don't lead me on. I've surrendered and kneeling at your feet, without you even knowing. Before you, I am powerless.

For you, imagined lover.

Shameless Plug

from www.igma.tv

It's probably too small but I'm right there on the webby. Hehehehe. Today's highlights. We're on rotation ehehehe.

PGMA: "Protect The Dignity of this Country"

Militant groups condemn the rape of a 22 year old Filipina by six US Marines.
Source: www.bulatlat.com

Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez today said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo called him up and ordered him "to protect the dignity of this country" in reference to the rape case of a 22-year old Filipina by six US Marines.

"That speaks volumes. I take it to mean that we have to respect Philippine laws while following the provisions of the Visiting Forces Agreement," Gonzalez said.

This is the first time the President has ever spoken on the issue. She has come under criticisms from various militant women's organization over her perceived silence on the issue.

"It appears, she didn't want to rock the boat as it were," Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel said in a television interview.

Arroyo is perceived to be a staunch ally of the United States. The rape case, a first since the VFA was enacted by the Philippines and the United States, is said to be a litmus test of the treaty.

Fingers-Crossed

One afternoon, my eyes found yours, and from that moment, I knew you owned me.

I tried to brush it aside. But one morning, you passed by and I was reminded. And I knew there was no escaping.

You awakened in me, something I, for so long denied. Been badly burned and I still am chaffed. But then again, you remind me that something is not won, unless it is waged.

The terrain looks familiar. How many times have I passed this way? The familiar landmines. The enemy foxholes. The charred remains of a conquered territory.

I am scared.

But I promise this time, I will learn from my mistakes and not back out. But will be more careful.

New Fave

"You're Beautiful"



My life is brilliant.

My life is brilliant.
My love is pure.
I saw an angel.
Of that I'm sure.
She smiled at me on the subway.
She was with another man.
But I won't lose no sleep on that,
'Cause I've got a plan.

You're beautiful. You're beautiful.
You're beautiful, it's true.
I saw your face in a crowded place,
And I don't know what to do,
'Cause I'll never be with you.

Yeah, she caught my eye,
As we walked on by.
She could see from my face that I was,
Flying high,
Fucking high,
And I don't think that I'll see her again,
But we shared a moment that will last till the end.

You're beautiful. You're beautiful.
You're beautiful, it's true.
I saw your face in a crowded place,
And I don't know what to do,
'Cause I'll never be with you.

You're beautiful. You're beautiful.
You're beautiful, it's true.
There must be an angel with a smile on her face,
When she thought up that I should be with you.
But it's time to face the truth,
I will never be with you

Thorn Bird

Lifted this from jiji's.

Thorn Bird

THERE is a legend about a bird which sings just once in its life, more sweetly than any other creature on the face of the earth. From the moment it leaves the nest it searches for a thorn tree, and does not rest until it has found one. Then, singing among the savage branches, it impales itself upon the longest, sharpest spine. And dying, it rises above its own agony to outcarol the lark and the nightingale. One superlative song, existence the price. But the whole world stills to listen, and God in His heaven smiles. For the best is only bought at the cost of great pain... Or so says the legend.

~~~~~~~~ o 0 o ~~~~~~~~~~

Sometimes, grief is unfathomable as silence.

Christmas

Christmas will be a little different for the family this year. There will be no Christmas tree, as per wishes of my Mom.

"Wala naman si Daddy, eh," was my Mom's curt reply to queries of my bro on why we still haven't put up a tree this time of the year.

It was pointless, of course, to convince her otherwise. This will be the first year we won't have Dad around. The first New Year without him. October 30 was the first birthday he wasn't with us. And the first Undas that an immediate family member is under the ground.

So many firsts, it almost feels like we're starting over again.

Starting over. How difficult is that. Had my fair share. Mom's undergoing one right now. Not very sure how she's coping but hopefully the reunion with her siblings on Christmas that I'm planning will somehow take away her attention from her grief. Not to say, she doesn't have to. Only, not during the holidays.

"In spirit, he will always be with you," a tita emails me from California.

Back

So I'm back (from outer space).

I had a restful 3-day vacation in Lucena. Did nothing there but sleep, eat, smoke, sleep, eat and smoke again. Had my fill of Mom's and my bro's cooking (sheesh, my younger bro knows how to cook now and I'm left with dialing skills to contact delivery.)

Anyway, I'm in that vacation mode still (somewhat) so I'm just gonna update you soon. (As if there are people who actually bother about my blog ehehheeh).