Sleep all...sleep all day!!!

I watched UP SAMASKOM's Live AIDS tonight. Wonderful, wonderful show! =) hehe! Some highlights were Herb's, Tina's, Ate Glow's, and Tuesday's comic acts. The TGIS movement was really hilarious, and Tuesday brought the house down! (Para sa mga nakanood...) Just imagine our world transform into an egalitarian society that she envisions (sings Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday 2X...). Hahaha!

Sobrang sulit even if we had to stiffly squat on the aisle. Oh well, the organizers sold more tickets than the Abelardo auditorium could accommodate due to the really huge demand. More stories to tell, but for now I really need to sleep.
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***
Nga pala, I finally completed downloading Remy Shand's Rocksteady!!! Biyaya ng Limewire..ehehehe!

Good night world!

This weekend, this is the song to memorize...(a la Love Radio =))

Words and music by Eagle-Eye Cherry

Well I’m so tired
Of falling in love
Finding it easier to fall out
You can’t deny it
I feel it inside Cupid’s fire
I can’t hide

But I’m falling in love again
Ain’t nothing I can do
Falling in love again
Girl this time it’s with you
When I fall
It’s always the same
And I’m so tired
Of playing this game

It’s been so long now
Since I gave up my heart
I’ve kept it locked down
I don’t wanna get it harmed
So let me tell you now
I just want to be sure
That you won’t hurt me
Can you promise me that

Because I’m falling in love again
Ain’t nothing I can do
Falling in love again
Girl this time it’s with you
When I fall
It’s always the same
And I’m so tired
Of playing this game

You got to tell me
If you’re going to break my heart
‘Cos I don’t wanna take the chance
And if it ain’t true
All it’s gonna be
Is nothing but a poor romance
So give me that promise to hold on
And I’ll never let you go
We gotta have something to go on
Or I’m letting you know now

I’m falling in love again
Ain’t nothing I can do
Falling in love again
Girl this time it’s with you
When I fall
It’s always the same
And I’m so tired
Of playing this game

Falling in love again
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I've been really tamad updating my blog the past few days, so quickie lang to...

1. I know it's kind of late to comment about the SONA, but the last one was the most anticipated at least for the last 18 years??? I agree that power must be given to the countryside as this, ideally, will bring about the progress needed in most rural areas. The question now is whether or not the mechanisms to transition to federalism will work given all these political and economic constraints that the government and us, the citizens, face. Too bad I am not an expert to properly weigh the costs and benefits of such proposal. Examining it on the surface, spending hundreds of billions of pesos may not be good to our country's fiscal standing at the present Nevertheless, if the long term benefits outweigh the short term costs, I'm certainly for it.

In the interim, the government must pay special attention to these three investments/policy changes necessary for national progress:

1. Increased public spending in building infrastructure (extending to special economic zones in the countryside)
2. Higher budget allocation to improving the public basic education system (special emphasis must be given to the teaching of Math and Sciences)
3. A public health-oriented state policy/legislation on birth control

Well, just my two cents worth...

***
CK, an old friend from college who goes to law school at the same university, invited me for dinner last Wednesday. At last!!! We were like planning this forever and after months of waiting it finally pushed through. We met at Galeria around 7pm and had dinner at Cafe Mediterranean. Masarap naman. I'm a sucker for Eurasian cusine. So yun, great conversation over dinner. I was glad nobody brought up the GMA-impeachment/resignation issue or else I'd lose appetite.

Great, great night. God knows the many juicy secrets I have told CK. haha! =) But it was surely worth it. =)

***
I'm overjoyed that it's the weekend. Time to lay back and read and sound trip. Well I guess mine kicked off last night when I finally got time to hit Gold's. I had a great destressing workout as I released all my work-related worries. Awkward moment though when I saw a friend (not so close) from high school...well, neither of us had the initiative to approach the other so I pretended as if I didn't recognize him. I wished the whole time we wouldn't bump into each other inside the locker room, or else, syet...another awkaward moment!

Anyway, (ibang topic) as I was fixing my not so manageable wavy hair when I noticed the now-blonde Yaparazzi doing his rituals infront of the mirrors. Man, I couldn't count the number of products he'd take out of his "Kikoy" kit, at di ko na rin malaman kung para saang parte ng katawan nya yung bawat botelya at tube...Amusing...classic metrosexual! hehe!

***
Nabanggit na lang din how good this weekend should be, here's a great read I'd like to share with everyone... By the way, LIVE AIDS na mamaya!!! =)

A Credit Check on Your Balance
by Catherine Pulsifer

When we go to the bank for a loan they look at our debt ratio by calculating how much we spend on housing, how much we spend using credit cards, etc. Depending on the percentages (and of course, by our credit rating) they agree or don't agree to lend us the money we requested.

If you were to take one week and calculate your percentage for:
- Time spent at work;
- Time spent with your family and friends;
- Time spent improving yourself (whether by taking a course or reading a book, etc.);
- Time spent relaxing;
- Time spent sleeping;

what would your ratio be? Would you say you had a balanced life?

To keep our credit in good standing, we need to ensure we keep an eye on the percentages of where our money is being allocated. If we don't do this, we could end up with not being able to borrow money. The same principle applies to our time. Are we allocating our time in the right percentages? At times, it is difficult to keep a proper balance in our lives. But, over time, an improper balance will lead to problems such as:
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- too much time at work leads to burn out;
- too much time with family and friends can cause anxiety with your work;
- too much time improving yourself will leave little time to apply what you have learned;
- too much time relaxing can lead to issues with your work; and,
- too much time sleeping can cause all kinds of problems!

I could flip everyone one of these points and comment instead on "not enough time". But, I think you understand what I am driving at. It is balance; we need it. The sad part is that some people pay more attention to their credit than they do to their own balance in life!

Stop and assess your ratio.
Do you have a life balance?

More photos from Saturday's CDC...











Members and Alumni











Members and Alumni 2!











Rose and RJ (At sinong di makapagsasabi na pumayat talaga si Rosey?)











(KE and Maggie)











(Two-thirds of the triumvirate. Sayang Anj, I was wearing the Cebu shirt. Di bale, there will be a next time. hehe!)
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(Brothers...err...Tutor and Tutee Paloys and Max)

Words and music by Vienna Teng
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hey love
is that the name you're meant to have
for me to call
look love
they've given up believing
they've turned aside our stories of the gentle fall

but don't you believe them
don't you drink their poison too
these are the scars that words have carved
on me

hey love
that's the name we've long held back
from the core of truth

so don't turn away now
I am turning in revolution
these are the scars that silence carved
on me

this is the same place
no not the same place
this is the same place, love
no not the same place we've been before

hey love
I am a constant satellite
of your blazing sun
my love
I obey your law of gravity
this is the fate you've carved on me

Saturday morning was devoted to the Saturday CDC day-care project with UP ECOSOC. It was fun to see those kids from Pook Ricarte. There were quite few we recognized since most of the kids we played games, watched Disney films, had story-telling sessions, and go to educational trips with are in their early teens. And I couldn't believe that it has been years!!!
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Every so often, I think about how we mature without even noticing the years that passed. My kind of lifestyle has made me oblivious of the present. I am determined, ambitious, and positive, but subconsciuosly, I think am paranoid. During meditation, I realize how I dwell too much in the future. So I admit that I need to slow down, get back to my senses, and simply take pleasure in the present.

Yesterday's activity was a good diversion. Not only did I hark back to the good old days when problems revolve around exams and term paper/project deadlines, but for at least a moment in time, I resigned as a seriously frazzled adult (not minding work, credit card bills, Atkins Diet, and the latest political mess).

We cheered, we played games, we...oh sure, they danced, we built a structure out of plastic bottles, we shared stories, and so on. These kids taught us to value our simple sources of joy - little things that keep us mentally, physically, and emotionally stable.

Great thoughts to mull over and sublime lessons to live by...I suddenly feel the need to do more of these activities. =)

---

Thanks Paloys and Rose for the great company. Salamat din kay Japhet, RJ, Jackie, Joycee, and Rose sa pagsama sa Little Quiapo. At long last, natikman ko na rin ang Fiesta Halo-halo!!! =) Hanggang sa uulitin! =)

You Are Vanilla Ice Cream

Your personality is anything but "vanilla" You're a risk taker, who's up for anything new. You go well with anyone and fit into any situation. You are most compatible with rocky road ice cream. up:gucci bags

You Should Learn Spanish

For you, learning a language is about career advancement and communication. Knowing Spanish will bring you tons of possiblities for jobs and travel. Bárbaro! up:gucci handbags

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For some reason, I miss my sibs...

Unbelievable!

This has been the most slothful week since I transitioned to my current role in our company. I was expecting a lot of work to be assigned to me starting Monday, but surprisingly I got like 10 to 20 percent of normal workload for the day. I somehow expected that squeezing all of my to do's within the normal working hours would be unmanageable, but I was clearly wide off the mark.

So what kept me busy over the week? Trying my best to feel guiltless, I worked on some manual paperwork and updated my files. That was it. The rest of the day I'd spend browsing the intranet reading other work colleagues' blogs (yes, the company encourages the people to maintain one!) and knowing about their gripes in their individual lives (I always search for those who grumble for whatever dissatisfaction they get from their jobs day in and out).

I love reading J's. She's a US-based work colleague in New York, and I am 90 per cent sure that she's a Filipina (has Asian features with an English first name and Hispanic last name). In the kingdom of sarcasm and wit, no doubt, she's a royalty. For a time, she has (figuratively) scribbled things that frustrate her at work. From the dipping stock prices, to the personnel pages policing (a major crackdown on employees who post too-creative shots with their match-making... err...corporate profile!), down to the hazy prospects of spending the next couple of years working for the company. I suppose mid- and upper-level managers would visit her blog to know about her latest rants. Her open letter to the company created a big sensation (at least for those who take time off to check the company intranet)! Who would ever have the courage to blurt out, "... So many things happen with you and it's like there's a bunch of monkeys with typewriters and phones making decisions based on who gets to the bananas first." Clever! =) I was rolling on the floor laughing my butt off!!! =) Without surprise, a senior from the Internal Communications depratment tagged his comments (fairly diplomatic in tone despite J's "caustic" disparagement). Notwithstanding all her blurbs, she still keeps her job and her blog. =)

We (I and workmates closest to moi) more or less share the same sentiments, and it felt great to hear that a counterpart courageously took her stand over sensitive employee issues. In a good way, I bet her daily ranting has done her good. Few weeks back, oh man, she was talking nineteen to the dozen of recurring IT issues, and before the day ended, she got a service call and her issue (at least the most urgent ones) got resolved straight away. up:gucci bags

I am thankful, though, that the higher-ups encourage us to blog. I know most corporations prohibit their employees to maintain one in avoidance of any party's breach of corporate confidentialiy. Mine has pioneered to create blogging policies and I believe this has set limits to the topics that we can publicly discuss. Also, their reminding us to rattle on very sensitive issues (employee relations, R&D, and other confidential cases) only through the internal weblogs was definitely a sharp move in ensuring bloggers at work do not go overboard.

I have been careful in writing, as well. People, in spite of their work busy scheds and lack of time to blog, freely cyber lurk. Though I rant like any griping working class adult, I recognize that there are far better fora to stand up and speak up.

So, it's another weekend again. I'll head for the gym few minutes from now. Another session of hatha yoga!!! =)

This morning, I'm busy with...

- Reading online newsletters
- Browsing my iTunes
- Chatting on YM, and...
- Surprisingly, very few work in the office.
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Everything seems so sluggish today. Bed weather thing...

Congratulations Sigrid Bernardo for bringing home the Best Director Award (Short Film Category: "Babae") from this year's Cinemalaya Independent Film Fest. =) I'm so proud of you!!! Told you last time at the Virgin Lab Fest that Ken brought a bootleg copy to my place for film viewing around January. Not sure though if he got permission from you..haha! =) Anyway, I'm just so happy about all the special citations this film has earned. =) Hope to see you one of these days, aights!up:gucci handbags

In less than two months, we are moving from our 6750 office to our new Eastwood CyberOne HQ. It's bye bye to 10pm MRT rides, Greenbelt motmot moments, and Food Choices swine-outs. haay...
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Got this from Phillip...
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Three names you go by:
1. Marlon
2. Marlon-san (yes, my Japanese clients call me
this way)
3. LonLon, my childhood nick

Three screen names you have had:
1. The Nerve
2. Sleepy Head
3. Somnambulist Nocturnal

Three physical things you like about yourself:
1. My ab
2. My ab
3. My ab

^ that makes it abs...hahaha! =)

Three physical things you don't like about yourself:
1. overstaying acne on my jawline (i can't match
Silver Ginn's tuloy. haha!)
2. My hair when it grows really thick 2 weeks after
i get a haircut
3. My butt (so i really need to drag my ass back to
the gym. hehe!)

Three things that scare you:
1. heights
2. reptiles (only when they're on the loose)
3. predictions of a devastating earthquake

Three of your daily essentials:
1. Shower
2. Shave
3. Brush

Three things you are wearing right now:
1. My China Hainan souvenir shirt
2. No Fear board shorts
3. My sexy black Mossimo undies (hahahaha!!!)

Three of your favorite bands and musical artists:
1. India.Arie
2. Tori Amos
3. Lifehouse (for now)

Three of your favorite songs:
1. Beautiful Surprise (India.Arie)
2. 100 Years (Five For Fighting)
3. Maybe (Dana Glover)

Three things you want in a relationship:
1.Trust
2. Respect
3. Mind-blowing sex =)

Two truths and one lie (in no particular order):
1. I was a theater performer.
2. Panglao Island is the best place I've ever been to.
3. I'm a workaholic.

Three physical things about the preferred sex that
appeal to you:
1. the eyes
2. the skin
3. the butt

Three of your favorite hobbies:
1. Take pictures.
2. Sing (kahit out of tune and mali-mali lyrics)
3. Sound trip

Three things you want to do really badly right now:
1. Exercise
2. Continue reading the Da Vinci Code
3. Sleep

(di ko alam kung ano uunahin ko...)

Three careers you're considering/you've
considered:
1. Marketing
2. Vis Comm (effort!)
3. Culinary Arts (isa pang effort ito...haha!)

Three places you want to go on vacation:
1. Bohol
2. Tahiti
3. Macau

Three kids' names you like:
1. Elisha
2. Malachy
3. Aaliah

Three things you want to do before you die:
1. See all the great Asian temples.
2. Backpack from Luzon to Mindanao
3. Release an international best-seller

Three ways that you are stereotypically a boy:
1. I don't say "excuse me" when I fart at home. haha!
2. I have a messy room.
3. I don't like company when shopping for personal
stuff.

Three ways that you are stereotypically a girl:
1. I spend about an hour or so getting myself ready
before I leave for work.
2. I can't miss my nightime ritual.
3. I'm into HR/customer service.

Three celeb crushes:
1. Scarlett Johansson
2. ...
3. ...

Three people that I would like to see take this quiz
now:
1. EHS
2. anybody
3. ...

Yun lang...

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"Uhaw"








"Takbo, Bilis, Takbo"








"Ang Lalaki Sa Breakwater"








(wala akong maisip..EHS???)

I took this photo when Kuya, Oi, and Malcolm flew back to Manila for a vacation last May. My nephew was an oversized 10-month old infant. Today, he's exactly a year and 9 days old. Still oversized. =)
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Happy Belated Birthday Malcolm!!! =)

The week that passed was a breeze. It wasn't as drama-packed as the previous weeks that went by. Okay fine, except for the rallies that display nothing but partisan, hedonistic egos of the same people. Funny thing was officemates kept on joking about grabbing free lunch along Ayala (care of Makati's pride, no one else but your beloved Mayor Binay =)). Still, I'm thankful the nearing 'hikahos' days haven’t come, so I had few bucks to spare for a hearty lunch at Chef D' Angelo. up:gucci handbags

***

I'm glad to have spent a couple of nights with some very close friends.

My friend C was back in the job hunt for a rather money-spinning profession in the service support industry. Taking a call center job was never part of her career plan. (Sure I've yet to find a being in this crisis-battered country whose job preference is to talk to irate clients from offshore 8 hours straight.) Though C's more geared towards the arts (specifically music and performing), she realizes she has to keep up with the shifting economic climate and find a more stable job. She told me of her plans to spend (or rather endure?) few months taking calls, and when she saved enough cash, she'd look for a more lucrative and stable career overseas.

I've heard the same litany for, God knows, a thousand times from people I get to mingle with day in, day out. It has made me realize how serious the social crisis has become to the point that it has now penetrated the Pinoy mentality. Each person's psyche seems mechanically set to be awash by the rising tides of the Filipino Diaspora. While I approve of people who dare make one big personal sacrifice to change their lot in life for the better, I think even more highly of successful 'balikbayans' who willingly serve to be this nation's change agents. The world witnessed this took place in South Korea decades ago, so proving it was a strong force to deliver the next generations from the perils of extreme poverty. I just hope that our brothers who live more privileged lives overseas would take on the same challenge.

***

On a less serious note, we all agree that it's a great, great weekend. I'm listening to some great tunes through my Apple iTunes, and I don't have to worry about matters in the office. The artists below are on my current playlist and boy, I love to listen to their songs! Well, space filler lang.=)

Al Green
Alicia Keys
Angie Stone
Anita Baker
Annie Lennox
Aretha Franklin
Beyonce
Black Eyed Peas
Chaka Khan (Love Thang!!!)
Coldplay
Cynthia Alexander
D' Sound
Destiny's Child
Dishwalla
Donell Jones
El Debarge
Enigma
Eric Clapton
Erykah Badu
Five For Fighting
Foreigner
Gladys Knight
Heart
Howie Day
India.Arie
James Taylor
Jamie Cullum
Jason Mraz
Jewel
Jill Scott
Jimmy Eat World
Joe
John Legend
John Mayer
Joss Stone (Choking Kind! =))
Kanye West
Kaskade
Kathy Trocolli
Keane
Kelly Clarkson
Kevyn Lettau
Kina
Lauryn Hill
Lifehouse
Mariah Carey (We Belong Together is a smash hit!)
Marvin Gaye
Maxwell
Mishka Adams
Modjo
Moony
Morcheeba
No Doubt
OST - Serendipity
Putumayo
Remy Shand
Roxette
Sade
Shawn Colvin
Sheryl Crow
Sinead O' Connor
Smokey Robinson
Sophie B. Hawkins
Sound
Stacy Kent
Sting
Tamia
Tears For Fears
The Temptations
Tori Amos
Twista
Usher
Vertical Horizon
Vivian Green

As suggested by Anj, I'll go try Party Shuffle =)

I downloaded the latest version of Apple iTunes. Saya! I never attempted to download the player kse akala ko pang-Mac lang, pero 'di naman pala. I haven't sampled all its smart features yet, but the radio stream is so far the best!!! More music alternatives with less commercial interruptions. Cool media player!!! up:gucci handbags

So now, I'm tuned in to di.fm Deep House which plays all those silky, soulful, and sexy deep house music. Knowing that it's a laid-back Friday evening, I just let myself drown in the music. haaa...sarap!!!

The 7 Secrets of Highly Successful People
Your Personal Plan for Career Success
--------------------------------------------

Marlon, your secret to success is to be Ambitious...

You have high aspirations for your life and tend to expect the best from yourself and those around you. Because of your ambition, it's also likely that you've developed a pretty clear vision of your future and are working steadily to achieve it. Sitting back waiting for opportunities isn't your typical style. In fact, the people around you can probably spot the "can-do" attitude that glows from within you from a mile away. up:gucci bags

Your ambition puts you in a good light in front of colleagues who probably view you as extremely resourceful and driven. They see this in you each time you make a quick decision or draft up a new plan before it's even asked for. For you, sitting around and waiting for the next project to drop from the sky is not a way of life.

According to a study conducted by two sociologists from Cornell University, mothers suffer more when competing with equally skilled/experienced fathers and childless men and women in the job market. They presume that this “maternal penalty” could be the glass ceiling that most women face in the workplace.

Another noteworthy report was presented by two economists from Barnard and Columbia provides plausible bases why most smokers, in terms of career advancement, do not progress to the same degree as nonsmokers. The study presents that smokers’ putting more value to present enjoyment over the future costs of their lifestyle translates to their having a higher discount rate, which makes them less willing to make (long-term) investments, including investments in their health.
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You may read the rest of the article here.

Feeling nostalgic last Saturday...
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UP Lagoon



Acacia

Free Ads



Candlelight



Holy Sacrifice



Pahinungod

People have converged at the streets as they call on the people to pressure GMA to resign. Some random thoughts about the very swift turnout of events:
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1. I think the People should give the President a chance to submit herself to due process through congressional impeachment.

2. I agree with Sassy that Cory and FVR should, out of delicadeza, stop acting like this nation's Council of Elders. Let's set the record straight...they never qualify as this nation's moral guiding light.

3. I don't understand how GMA's resigning from her post will save this ailing nation. I think that toppling the Chief Executive through extra-constitutional means will do us more harm than good. These "key players" are too obstinate to comprehend the pros and cons of their actions.

4. While key personalities' statements flash on the front pages of the major dailies, our brethren from the Visayas and Mindanao regions, remain voiceless. How come they, a major moving force in developing the Rural South, don't get as much media exposure as the grumbling Rez Cortez? This makes their compelling the President to heed the call of immediate resignation high-handedly unfair.

I've been working in my company for exactly one year and 4 months, yet people ask what the nature of my current job is. Well, I've been involved in a lot of HR work, in particular, managing the relocation of international assignees and their families to Asia. Comparing it to the service support / business transformation outsourcing industry standards, the job is not as financially rewarding (I think). And surely, thoughts of looking for a much greener pasture have hit my mind, especially when I hear of work colleagues getting offered a better position and compensation by a direct competitor. up:gucci handbags

Notwithstanding the lesser financial perks due to the region-wide cost-cutting measures, I still consider the prospect of growing professionally within the firm. I know the daily vocation will do me good in the long run, so I think there's still some good sense to patiently wait for such opportunity.

There certainly are times when I get really strained with the processes to be initiated and issues to be resolved, but I feel good whenever I get commended for the littlest of my initiatives. A couple of months ago, the company sent me to Japan (the market I'm handling) to personally meet with our clients and partners. It was fulfilling to hear words of appreciation from people whose transfer (in spite of the physical, mental, and emotional crosses that their families had to bear with the move) I smoothly managed over the past months. I spent great times in getting personal with them, their spouses, and kids. International Relations has never been this fun. =)

Our senior released the survey results for last month's customer satisfaction survey . It was my first time to be included in the list and be rated by an external client. So until now, I am still euphoric about getting cited as a Customer Satisfaction Winner. This is one of the few good reasons why I've stayed for this long. I guess I needed some proof that I am really contributing to the business.

Now, I don't have immediate plans to look for more fertile grounds. Sorry griping workmates, but I am determined to stay longer. =)

Weekend na!!! Yehey!!!

Only hours from now, President Bush touches down in Scotland for the G8 Africa summit. Tomorrow, a delegation travels to this meeting with millions of letters from around the world, asking the G8 leaders to take up a new fight against global AIDS and poverty. Will they carry your signature and voice?
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We only have 24 hours left: Sign the ONE letter to President Bush and join 390,000 Americans in asking for an historic debt, aid and trade deal for the world's poorest people.
At Live 8 this past Saturday, more than 1 million people from Hollywood to Hip-Hop to the Heartland called in one voice for an end to extreme poverty and global AIDS. In living rooms from Des Moines to Johannesburg, 2 billion people tuned into the concerts on TV and asked for real change in Africa.

Live 8 was not just about one Saturday. It was one day in a long walk to justice. Don't let this opportunity pass without taking a minute to change the lives of a generation - through something as easy as sending an email. We made a noise the world has never heard on Saturday, will President Bush and other leaders hear us?

Ask at least 3 friends and family to sign the ONE letter to President Bush today.

In the next few days, eight men will huddle around a table to decide the fate of millions of lives in a new and historic solution for those who need it most. Sign the ONE letter today.

Thank you,

The ONE Team

P.S. Look at the ONE.ORG blog for the most up to date news on ONE at the G8 summit in Gleneagles, Scotland.

I hate this day!!!

So background of the story...I owe my friend few friggin hundred dollars from our trip few months ago. All my financial issues started with this friggin' American Express people's not activating my account more than a couple of months back (even after several follow up calls to make sure that my card was working). So I had to charge everything to a work buddy's AMEX card and we kind of agreed that I would just pay her back upon receipt of her billing statement. up:gucci handbags

WhenI got reimbursed by my company last week, the forex rate was PHP 55.47 to a buck. Now, settling all dues on my work colleague's behalf, I'm friggin' stressed to know that exchange rate rises to PHP 56.45 to the dollar!!! Shhhhhhhheeeeeeeeeeeeeetttttttttttttttt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lugi ako!!!

Anyway, that's not the end of the friggin' horror story. I scheduled a BPI online funds transfer before I left the office last night, as I anticipated that everything would be settled by today...well only to know this morning (after funds transfer confirmation) that the recipient account would be credited by the next banking day. Ano yun, nakafloat yung pera for a day???!!! Another shhhhhhhhheeeeeeeeeeeeettttttttttttttttt!!!!!!!!! So where the hell is the convenience of real-time, online banking transaction that you showily market to the buying public???!!! Dammit! Phone bankers could not do anything, but utter their pretentiously empathetic spiel that yada..yada...yada...they all knew how extremely frustrated I was with how badly things turned out. (Hinga malalim...) Haay...still hoping that the peso appreciates against the dollar by tomorrow, so I don't incur another friggin' FOREX loss.

Hate it! Hate it! Hate it!!!

It was fun to go out with old friends Xenia, Ken, and Tintois. =)

Arlo, gusto lang kita inggitin. Out of boredom, we went out around 11:30 pm (kinda late...)tapos we headed for Timog. Di bale mukhang masaya naman ang Davao leg ng "First Day Funk." =) hehe! Next time!!!
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It had been like five years since I witnessed the Malate night life (those happening at the Nakpil and Adriatico Streets). Yes, my dear friends that was where I went last Friday night, with two very close high school friends, Arlo and Ken. When we got there, I wasn't surprised that Old Malate, where the most happening street parties were, was not as crowded. Obviously because higher-end Eastwood, Greenbelt, and The Fort create a lot of competition as far as catering a good nightlife to the urban party animal is concerned. up:gucci handbags

But one thing that sets it out from the rest is that events in this area are the craziest. I got a chance to see a very diverse crowd as we cruised from the Remedios Circle to Nakpil and Orosa (geesh, these are the more popular streets. We passed by little alleys, the names of which I don't even remember.) So we went bar hopping and just danced and boozed the night away. We went to Fluid which is more of a Hip Hop/R&B dance club. We were "body-bumping" with some pretty lasses (so chicker.haha!!!) - most were very young U-Belters. But Arlo was freaking bored with (for obvious reasons) no gay people around. hahaha! So he waited for about a quarter of an hour before we left the dance floor, said farewell to the Bling Bling music (which neither was I nor any of my friends was digging) and headed for, nowhere else, but BED!!!

For "target market reasons" (to coin an officemate), I never went to BED. But since all the clubbing and the boozing was on Arlo, I told him, "Alright, I'll go to BED (the club ha...) with you." And also, he convinced me that regardless of the crowd, BED had, without doubt, the best club music in the area that even all his other straight friends would agree.

We got in around 3:30. It was packed with queer folks of all sizes and shapes (obvious ba?). Nevertheless, Arlo was right. They play the best House and techno music!!! Almost everyone was in his best get-up - typical clubbing scene. So nagmukha na naman akong basura! (I remember walking out of Peligro because I felt the business casual attire was so out of place..hehe!) Arlo and Ken seem to frequent the place with some friends from the other circle. I told them to go dance while I, purposely acting like a lemon grass growing from the cracks on a wall, just chilled out at the bar. After having just a couple of Strong Ice, I suddenly felt that everything around me was spinning. Well, may be because I was stressed and never rested for more than 5 hours over the past nights and the drinking that followed wasn't right. So by then, I had to lean against the bar because I was losing my balance. I guess few Pranayama Yoga sessions paid off because it only took me few deep breaths to regain control of my senses.

To my expectant friends, no spectacular event happened (and nope di po ako nagpa-convert). Except that few guys would unexceptionally hit on me. At first some would come near and just stare, while others quite absurdly blurt out their so used up pick-up lines. One interesting encounter was with this soon-to-be barrister who looked very decent and smart. He bluntly said that he liked me, but I also had to be perceptively upfont in saying that we didn't have the same "target market." Then he said he'd like to hang out with straight men. So there was doggedness!!! haha! After a few exchange of individual bio-data, I told him that his friends could be looking for him so he'd better go back to the dance floor. He had this impression that I was shooing him. So sabi ko, "Ah hindi naman. Sige okay lang if you want to just stay and talk." So he stayed for about 20 more minutes, told his chronicles in law school and some personal stuff until his friends called him up and told him they'd got to be going. It was an interesting encounter, though. I can't believe that some, like this guy, tend to be very persistent. So occasionally I ask myself why should they even try catching a gray mudfish when they have all the gleaming kois in the pond for harvest? (Ay di pala parang tilapia for harvest ang kois. Care to suggest a better term? ehehehe!). Ganun talaga siguro...

I had one really crazy night in Malate. I guess the best thing about this place is that one can simply let loose without people judging him/her. Regardless of race, religion, political affiliation, or sexual preference, people will surely find this place perfect to embrace diversity. I guess neither Greenbelt nor any place can surpass what the Old Malate has offered in this regard.

The sun was up when we left the place. I asked Ken if we could pass by the Malate Church. So inside, I offered a short prayer for having survived the stressful week that was. Ken and I had breakfast without Arlo (He left earlier without us knowing it.) and I got home at 9am.

After a warm bath, I don my usual comfy clothes and retreated to my own BED. I slept soundly like I didn't suffer from Insomnia. I finally got back to my senses past 10 pm. Thank Heavens for a restful slumber. =)

This afternoon, I witnessed a pageant of enraged anti-GMA rallyists. Again, the people are passionately expressing their rage to the point of hauling the President and her loyal entourage over burning coals. up:gucci handbags

Experiencing all these, I've started to worry about our country's economic prospects. In addition to the oil price hike, (not to mention its direct and transitory effect to the prices of basic commodities and its residual, yet long-term effect to the mortality rate resulting from coronary heart disease aggravated by generalized anxiety disorder), we see images of a weakening peso, a sluggish stock market, and a hazy investment climate. More politicking over the next days will bring the worst of our days.

In the vein of our countrymen out in the streets, I am as disconcerted by how events in the government and our society unfold over the weeks. But unlike them, I do not believe that this frenzy will do our country any good. We've had enough melodramatic display of People Power over the years and apparently, we never learned from these events. Our country has become the butt of all jokes amongst Asian nations and, once again relating it to the Filipino psyche, I say this is scandalously "nakakahiya."

The problem with most of us is that many overly speak in volumes. Just look at those people who are shamelessly full of themselves snuggling up the frontline of all these destabilizing propaganda. The masses are miserably vulnerable and, most blindly consent to the opposition camp's taking advantage of the situation.

During these hard times it is wisdom from truth, and unquestionably not political agitation, that we need as one people. Let the parties be heard and the truth be told.

I hunger for truth. Feed me with it.