I watched today's match of the Pambansang Kamao at 135 lbs live at the Asturias Hotel Function Room.
Were it not for my ex who happens to be in town with her friends, I would have been happy watching the bout in my boarding house. But then, she phoned in telling me they're leaving for Manila this afternoon. We haven't had the time to see each other since they arrived. Been busy with my schooling.
So off I went to Asturias. The hotel airs another Pacman fight for P400 and that includes a buffet meal. I found **** at the pool with her ladies-friends. When she said that ******, a lawyer-friend, was upstairs (the bout was being shown at the hotel's function room at the 2nd floor), I excused myself telling the girls that as they go aswimming, I would like to see if Pareng Manny can secure another boxing championship belt by beating Diaz at 135 lbs. So i went upstairs, paid the fee and entered the function room.
I came in just as the last undercard fight was heating up. I had to hurry and dispense with whatever buffet-savviness I have to "dive" for the food. I would not be able to watch the main bout while I eat. Nor can i afford to miss the "value for my money" (read: the live coverage + the food)... So while the main fighters' national anthems were being sung, I was done with the main courses and already munching fruits in a platter. Of course, i stood up when the Lupang Hinirang was sang (while munching a slice of watermelon and then keeping the watermelon seeds in my mouth until the "Ang mamatay nang dahil sa 'yo.")
The fight lasted only up to the last minute before the 9th round ended. Diaz was KO'd when Pareng manny's lethal left hit him after bombs and bombs of left and right landed on Diaz' face. The first 8 rounds showed how strong a ring punisher the Pacman is. Diaz was just too lucky to have strong legs to keep him standing. I don;t know how he can withstand those Pacman Punches!
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Sunday, June 29, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
An Attempt to be in the Guiness Book
Tonight's Baragatan Finale had been marked by rains, rains..and then the fireworks . I thought we broke the record for the world's longest grill..
Earlier at around 1800, I braved the congested Malvar Street to get the books we ordered at Josol Residence in San Pedro. Backriding with me as the rain poured was Ace, who herself had placed an order for a book whcih law students can buy only from Rex Book STores in Manila. I crisscrossed the length of the slippery thoroughfare, made sharp, quick turns just to avoid getting stuck in between vehicles, some of them16 to 18 wheelers. And then finally, we got to Glenda's house and learned they all went out to Rizal Ave, the city's main street where the longest grill was being set up. But not Mamang who was tending to her Diocel Beloved.
I asked Mamang why she didn't go. It's an important and historical undertaking, I told her. "It's ok", she said, "pwede namang kahit in spirit na lang ...".
We tahnked her bade her goodbye after she handed us the FedEx package containing the books. Again I readied myself for another driving stint with monstrous traffic situation in Malvar. Malvar is an alernative city street which parallels Rizal Ave. Since Rizal was closed for the "historical undertaking" going on there tonight, all vehicles were diverted to this alternate road. The traffic was so heavy that tricycles and multicabs, main modes of transportation here in Puerto Princesa, seemed like not moving at all. Which reminded me of EDSA and España during rush hours. Blue, another classmate who was also going to Glenda's place to get her books aboard a multicab, opted to turn back and went home instead, knowing that we're on our way there on a motorbike.
The drive going back was less stressful except that raindrops got bigger and plentier. We had to make a stop over at Legend's main entrance. The heavy downpour hit the city when we were waiting for Blue at Duchess' front yard. I wondered how's the grilling in Rizal going on...
Thank God, in a shortwhile, the rains stopped. I dropped Ace near the Provincial Capitol grounds where her group, which included her friends and a special someone leaving for Iloilo tomorrow, hanged out. Tonight's the last night of enterntainment extravaganza at the Capitol. This was the last night of live band performances, night bazaars, and food stalls, etc at the Capitol grounds.
Thereafter I went back to my boarding house, too eager to start browsing and reading my new books in Labor Law, Property and Sales. As I was checking on the pages of my books which were Fedexed all the way from Manila, I thought I heard a gunshot. And then there were two, and three..and then there were more. Fireworks! Ha ha. I've always been drawn to them. The second time I lost my cellphone, it was during that night a friend and I joined thousands who flocked to SM MoA's Promenade to watch the 2005 World Pyro Olympics.
So the fireworks which lit up Puerto skies after the rains, made me say goodbye for a while to my class' assigned readings. Bebang, Eric and I watched the fireworks from our boarding house here in Recaido. And when they asked me out, I did not respond with a single hesitation. So out to the streets we went. All three on one bike.
I was just too curious what happened to the province's attempt to be put in the Guinness Book of Records. The fireworks had come to a stop... and so did 95% of the grilling. What we happened to chance upon were a few groups still grilling, but the trucks had begun collecting and loading those grills that were earlier installed from Mendoza Park up to PEO Road. We even got to taste a forkful of grilled tuna and scallops.
Did we break the record? Yes we did. It's a new record -- the longest grill attempt that failed!
Ok, so blame it to the rains. But what happened to more than a million pesos spent for the preparation, for the media coverage and all? Where did all those sea produce go?
A meter of grill accordingly cost 5 thousand pesos and it included a mixture of seafood to be grilled. The attempt was to show the world the longest seafood grill at 3-km long. If the info I gathered was correct, trusting on my conversion skills, the organizers could have collected an astounding P15,000,000. But yeah, unfortunately it failed. How much they were able to collect I don't know. I just hope everything's well-accounted and that whatever sponsorships and financial collections the organizers had amassed would be enough to compensate the provincial budget allotted to this failed undertaking. Let's say they were able to successfully collect sponsorships for a kilometer-long grill, which as to my estimate as we walked from Rizal-Lacao to Dagomboy, was actually attained, that would still be 5M. Deduct the expenses paid up for preparation which could be at 1.5M, still a 3.5M is something.
I just hope taht whatever amount they were able to collect from this longest disappointment, they will be keeping and using for the "next attempt" as what they said. I can only wish they would be putting it in the bank....and not in their pockets. In the bank account of the provincial government not theirs. The province doesnt have to shoulder a single cent the next time they attempt the same.
To ooze away our feelings of disgust, we checked on the live band performance at the Capitol Square, did some sight seeings and ended at the Centralle Grill at the Corner of Rizal Ave and Junction 1. But the pub was another disappointment. The native and nature setting was ok but the service and the people who hang out there were weird.
Earlier at around 1800, I braved the congested Malvar Street to get the books we ordered at Josol Residence in San Pedro. Backriding with me as the rain poured was Ace, who herself had placed an order for a book whcih law students can buy only from Rex Book STores in Manila. I crisscrossed the length of the slippery thoroughfare, made sharp, quick turns just to avoid getting stuck in between vehicles, some of them16 to 18 wheelers. And then finally, we got to Glenda's house and learned they all went out to Rizal Ave, the city's main street where the longest grill was being set up. But not Mamang who was tending to her Diocel Beloved.
I asked Mamang why she didn't go. It's an important and historical undertaking, I told her. "It's ok", she said, "pwede namang kahit in spirit na lang ...".
We tahnked her bade her goodbye after she handed us the FedEx package containing the books. Again I readied myself for another driving stint with monstrous traffic situation in Malvar. Malvar is an alernative city street which parallels Rizal Ave. Since Rizal was closed for the "historical undertaking" going on there tonight, all vehicles were diverted to this alternate road. The traffic was so heavy that tricycles and multicabs, main modes of transportation here in Puerto Princesa, seemed like not moving at all. Which reminded me of EDSA and España during rush hours. Blue, another classmate who was also going to Glenda's place to get her books aboard a multicab, opted to turn back and went home instead, knowing that we're on our way there on a motorbike.
The drive going back was less stressful except that raindrops got bigger and plentier. We had to make a stop over at Legend's main entrance. The heavy downpour hit the city when we were waiting for Blue at Duchess' front yard. I wondered how's the grilling in Rizal going on...
Thank God, in a shortwhile, the rains stopped. I dropped Ace near the Provincial Capitol grounds where her group, which included her friends and a special someone leaving for Iloilo tomorrow, hanged out. Tonight's the last night of enterntainment extravaganza at the Capitol. This was the last night of live band performances, night bazaars, and food stalls, etc at the Capitol grounds.
Thereafter I went back to my boarding house, too eager to start browsing and reading my new books in Labor Law, Property and Sales. As I was checking on the pages of my books which were Fedexed all the way from Manila, I thought I heard a gunshot. And then there were two, and three..and then there were more. Fireworks! Ha ha. I've always been drawn to them. The second time I lost my cellphone, it was during that night a friend and I joined thousands who flocked to SM MoA's Promenade to watch the 2005 World Pyro Olympics.
So the fireworks which lit up Puerto skies after the rains, made me say goodbye for a while to my class' assigned readings. Bebang, Eric and I watched the fireworks from our boarding house here in Recaido. And when they asked me out, I did not respond with a single hesitation. So out to the streets we went. All three on one bike.
I was just too curious what happened to the province's attempt to be put in the Guinness Book of Records. The fireworks had come to a stop... and so did 95% of the grilling. What we happened to chance upon were a few groups still grilling, but the trucks had begun collecting and loading those grills that were earlier installed from Mendoza Park up to PEO Road. We even got to taste a forkful of grilled tuna and scallops.
Did we break the record? Yes we did. It's a new record -- the longest grill attempt that failed!
Ok, so blame it to the rains. But what happened to more than a million pesos spent for the preparation, for the media coverage and all? Where did all those sea produce go?
A meter of grill accordingly cost 5 thousand pesos and it included a mixture of seafood to be grilled. The attempt was to show the world the longest seafood grill at 3-km long. If the info I gathered was correct, trusting on my conversion skills, the organizers could have collected an astounding P15,000,000. But yeah, unfortunately it failed. How much they were able to collect I don't know. I just hope everything's well-accounted and that whatever sponsorships and financial collections the organizers had amassed would be enough to compensate the provincial budget allotted to this failed undertaking. Let's say they were able to successfully collect sponsorships for a kilometer-long grill, which as to my estimate as we walked from Rizal-Lacao to Dagomboy, was actually attained, that would still be 5M. Deduct the expenses paid up for preparation which could be at 1.5M, still a 3.5M is something.
I just hope taht whatever amount they were able to collect from this longest disappointment, they will be keeping and using for the "next attempt" as what they said. I can only wish they would be putting it in the bank....and not in their pockets. In the bank account of the provincial government not theirs. The province doesnt have to shoulder a single cent the next time they attempt the same.
To ooze away our feelings of disgust, we checked on the live band performance at the Capitol Square, did some sight seeings and ended at the Centralle Grill at the Corner of Rizal Ave and Junction 1. But the pub was another disappointment. The native and nature setting was ok but the service and the people who hang out there were weird.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Araw ng Tatay
Dear Tatay,Happy Fathers' Day, Tay!
It was just the other day when you braved the heat and the Pier-to-Capitol route of the Grand Parade for the Opening of Baragatan 2008. You danced in the streets "like there's no tomorrow", never minding the disability that has taken over the normal functioning of your legs. Paula Abdul would have been amused.
I despised the choreographer when during the rehearsals I discovered you were being given dance steps that would really pose as challenge to your condition. Much to my dismay, you let them do what they required. You eagerly followed the ethnic dance steps and religiously attended the rehearsals. And you even enjoyed -- a no-surprise to me since you always love what you're doing. You had me worrying each time you feel some pains in your legs. It's me who bore the brunt of a million and one worries each time I saw you perform.
You beat those dumbasses who do not have anything to do but sit and babble all day and accomplish nothing. They pride themselves as they who know this and that, and yet know too little. They too were required to take part in this year's Pantiguan event but they backed out days before the event. With a million and one fake reasons, those bad guys shredded off important puntos against your delegation. And yet, they got stronger legs and healthier body nourished by a SG of 20+.
A day after the punishing Pantiguan, you and utol Insoy made your way to your hometown where the body of your younger sister lies. You did not yield to your personal sorrow and grief so as not to affect your part and contribution for our town's participation in this year's Baragatan.
Risks. You always take them. There would be persona's priding themselves "eating bullets"; but you, you eat risks. Most of the time, you don't think long term. You don't imagine what the results or benefits of your actions and deeds are because you do them for the sake of doing them.We have not been affluent. And we will never be because you choose never to be. You unfailingly extend to and share with others what should have been for yourself. I find rivals in people who think you always have the means to help them -- relatives and non-relatives.
Nevertheless, I am so proud of you. I cannot find one single word to say how much I love being your son. As young Filipino-British talent Charlie Green would phrase it, I will have to use all "the good words in the dictionary" to describe the feeling.
As tribute to you, I am sharing here photos and a video to tell the world about your perseverance, your brilliance and strength that comes from within.
Have a safe and sound stay there in Samar! Great, great job in the Pantiguan!
Watch Tatay do it! Look for the super dancer with a cane.
The Cane Power! (Tatay in his Palaw'an costume.)
The Local Chief Executive admiring his belly and the beads they put on him.
The Local Chief Executive admiring his belly and the beads they put on him.
When some pain and exhaustion set in...
Stopping and waiting for the parade line to move again.
With fellow street dancers and fellow parade participants.
I sneaked in with the group just in time for another shot.
Parade now about to start.
Performance finally over...waiting for his clothes.
Quenching his thirst...
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Ca sez:
kasui nui (6/9/2008 5:35:12 PM): hey, eyom, i got an idea... Read somewhere that hillary clinton might be better off not running for veep. Agree na din ako ngayon, after some thought. Know why? Kc she has spent all these years getting out of her husband's shadow, I dont think she will want to get into another man's shadow again which is of course, Obama's. She has so much power and influence that she could harness all that as a member of Obama's cabinet (supposing he wins), or as a senior member of the Senate or some such thing. She should maintain all that power and influence if she is to run again in 2012, and playing 2nd fiddle to Obama might not be good in the long run. Get what i mean?.. Dont u think so?... Hmmmn... Just a thought...
Back to Puerto Princesa
Just got back here in Puerto Princesa today...
Today is Philippine Independence Day and we flew the Philippine flag the entire 5 hours + trip.
Today is Philippine Independence Day and we flew the Philippine flag the entire 5 hours + trip.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Farewell, Nay Tesing.
At noontime today, we received the sad news that Nanay Tesing passed away. She was in my father's hometown in Salcedo, Eastern Samar and we, here in the south-easternmost town of mainland Palawan, the country's westernmost province.
Nay Tesing was said to be the black sheep of the family. Very rebellious but was said to be the prettiest. (Tatay, of course, has to be the most handsome. Well, Tatay, indeed, is, now -- he is the only male sibling alive.)
Nay Tesing's indulgence in alcohol has been treated both with pride and disgrace. She could gulp down bottles of gin without a chaser. I remember her doing the laundry for Jhuns (my eldest male sibling) for a bottle of gin shortly before Kuya sought the "greener" deserts of KSA. Her alcoholism would turn out to be one of the main causes of her illness.
For me, I seldom saw her in my intermittent, more or less 10 years stay in Manila since 1995 when I went to college . She lived in Tondo and I resided in Quiapo, San Andres, Sampaloc and later in a dorm inside my campus.What I cannot forget and will never forget bout her was when Tatay underwent an operation at the Philippine General Hospital in July 2003. While choppers hovered over the Manila skyline, as it was the height of the Glorietta siege of the Magdalo group, Nanay Tesing was busy tending the room we occupy at the 7th Floor of the PGH. She shooed away the janitors and told em she was "in-charge' of Tatay and our room.
How can I forget you, Nay? I know you had been through a lot--- family breakdown, almost-daily-financial dillemma, pasaway na mga pinsan ko, almost all the burdens and hardships and injustices in life. My aunts and cousins have told me about it all. And yet, I haven't done a single thing for you. Now I recall, once during a semestral break that I happened to spend in Nanay Toria's house in Tondo, you came and insisted you do my laundry. I hadn't been able to sufficiently give you something in return. I was a student then. Yet when I began working and earning a little more than what I need for my self, I no longer returned and looked for you.
Nay Tesing, am back to being a student this time. I may not have anything to send for your wake and your funeral but you will always be remembered. Your kind are who I aim to be of service to if I will be given the chance to, someday...I'm persisting, Nay.
May you rest in peace.
Nay Tesing was said to be the black sheep of the family. Very rebellious but was said to be the prettiest. (Tatay, of course, has to be the most handsome. Well, Tatay, indeed, is, now -- he is the only male sibling alive.)
Nay Tesing's indulgence in alcohol has been treated both with pride and disgrace. She could gulp down bottles of gin without a chaser. I remember her doing the laundry for Jhuns (my eldest male sibling) for a bottle of gin shortly before Kuya sought the "greener" deserts of KSA. Her alcoholism would turn out to be one of the main causes of her illness.
For me, I seldom saw her in my intermittent, more or less 10 years stay in Manila since 1995 when I went to college . She lived in Tondo and I resided in Quiapo, San Andres, Sampaloc and later in a dorm inside my campus.What I cannot forget and will never forget bout her was when Tatay underwent an operation at the Philippine General Hospital in July 2003. While choppers hovered over the Manila skyline, as it was the height of the Glorietta siege of the Magdalo group, Nanay Tesing was busy tending the room we occupy at the 7th Floor of the PGH. She shooed away the janitors and told em she was "in-charge' of Tatay and our room.
How can I forget you, Nay? I know you had been through a lot--- family breakdown, almost-daily-financial dillemma, pasaway na mga pinsan ko, almost all the burdens and hardships and injustices in life. My aunts and cousins have told me about it all. And yet, I haven't done a single thing for you. Now I recall, once during a semestral break that I happened to spend in Nanay Toria's house in Tondo, you came and insisted you do my laundry. I hadn't been able to sufficiently give you something in return. I was a student then. Yet when I began working and earning a little more than what I need for my self, I no longer returned and looked for you.
Nay Tesing, am back to being a student this time. I may not have anything to send for your wake and your funeral but you will always be remembered. Your kind are who I aim to be of service to if I will be given the chance to, someday...I'm persisting, Nay.
May you rest in peace.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Hillary publicly and officially ends her bid for the US Presidency.
Just off the wires 50 mins ago today (Saturday in the US) is the latest news from AP about Hillary Rodham Clinton's public declaration of the end of her campaign and her rallying behind the triumphant Democratic nominee, Barack Obama.
There is definitely opposition, tears and disbelief among her avid supporters. But that is it. Party rules indeed rule as Obama gained the required number of delegates to nail the nomination.
The challenge for madame idol Hillary is to unite hers and Obama's supporters. "We may have started on separate journeys but today, our paths have merged, she said. Barack Obama's picking her as his running mate will surely go a long way. Theirs is going to be a tandem to beat.
There is definitely opposition, tears and disbelief among her avid supporters. But that is it. Party rules indeed rule as Obama gained the required number of delegates to nail the nomination.
The challenge for madame idol Hillary is to unite hers and Obama's supporters. "We may have started on separate journeys but today, our paths have merged, she said. Barack Obama's picking her as his running mate will surely go a long way. Theirs is going to be a tandem to beat.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Hillary about to admit defeat?
I've batted for Hillary since the the Presidential nominations race of America's two main rivaling parties kicked off.I've followed the Primary Contests; silently cheered every time she won and silently got disappointed each time she lost. I've mourned when, after her Super Tuesday victory, she ended up losing one state after another. I was confident she would make a comeback and that her party's superdelegates will throw a big chunk of support, enough to make her clinch the nomination. But Obama is un-stoppable. His fundraisings were awesome, and his campaign strategies absolutely working! And so Hillary Clinton trailed Barack Obama in the Dems' nomination contest since 1st week of April (?). She has never recovered and edged Barack in the race even though I all-the-more cheered and wished she'd still be able to nail it. She has made some impressive comeback's but so has Mr Obama. The delegate count needed is obvious to be first attained by him.
It's not over till its over, she says. But latest news from the wires today imply she's conceding defeat. Tsk tsk....
I wonder what Ca is thinking now. :) (Don't worry Ca the pustahan with Marc is whther it will be the Democrats this time or the Republicans still who'll capture the American presidency..)
I'm sure Barack Obama will rule over McCain. But I was sure with Hillary getting the Democratic nomination too. Until lately.
[Hillary's photo grabbed from her HillaryClintonDotCom website]
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