Monday, October 30, 2006
On - Off Pattern
The ONOFF lamp by design label Rezon brings a new dimension to interior lighting - the pattern of the shade changes when the lamp is turned on. Only the pattern printed on the exterior is visible when the lamp is off, and this alone makes a lovely addition to the decor of any room. Once the light is switched on, a second design hidden on the inside of the shade merges with the outside pattern to form a complete, colorful composition. Available in both standalone cube and hanging styles, each ONOFF lamp has its own secret waiting to be revealed at the flip of a switch.
I'd love to have one of these lamps at home.
Currently reading: Reader's Digest: Laughter, the Best Medicine 1 & 2 [ The special book editions. No, they're not mine, they're my cousin's. I just borrowed it. Haha. ]
The ONOFF lamp by design label Rezon brings a new dimension to interior lighting - the pattern of the shade changes when the lamp is turned on. Only the pattern printed on the exterior is visible when the lamp is off, and this alone makes a lovely addition to the decor of any room. Once the light is switched on, a second design hidden on the inside of the shade merges with the outside pattern to form a complete, colorful composition. Available in both standalone cube and hanging styles, each ONOFF lamp has its own secret waiting to be revealed at the flip of a switch.
I'd love to have one of these lamps at home.
Currently reading: Reader's Digest: Laughter, the Best Medicine 1 & 2 [ The special book editions. No, they're not mine, they're my cousin's. I just borrowed it. Haha. ]
Labels: lamps
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Hakone Daimyo Gyoretsu
(Feudal Lord's Procession in Hakone)
(Feudal Lord's Procession in Hakone)
The festival shouts of 'Down! Down! The Lord comes!' echoing in the hot spring town under the autumn sky
Date: November 3rd
Place: Yumoto Hot Spring Town
City: Hakone-machi, Ashigara-Shimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture
An annual tourist event held on Culture Day (a national holiday), November 3rd, at Yumoto Onsen, Hakone. A procession of a total of 170 people dressed up as samurai warriors and princesses parades over a distance of some 6 km in the hot spring town.
The procession is reproduced in the style of the Daimyo Gyoretsu (feudal lord's procession)which was also known as sankin kotai during the Edo Period (1603-1867). The suite of retainers, each assigned with his role, and armed with spear, bow and arrow, or gun, march on as they carry their lord in the palanquin to the words, 'Down! Down! The Lord comes!' voiced aloud by those leading the procession.
The sankin kotai was a system established by the Tokugawa Shogunate reigning over Japan back then to prevent its subordinate feudal lords from rising in rebellion. By obliging the daimyo lords to go back and forth between their domains and Edo (present-day Tokyo) in alternate years, the Shogunate Government aimed at weakening their financial power.
At 10 o'clock in the morning, the Hakone Daimyo Gyoretsu departs from Sounji Temple, and while carrying out diverse activities on the way, arrives at Yumoto Fujiya Hotel, the final destination, a little past 2 o'clock in the afternoon. The festival is made all the more merry by the performances of the marching bands accompanying the daimyo procession at the front and at the very end, and the dance performances by the geigi unique to hot spring resorts (geigi are women who entertain guests at sake parties with song and dance). Another of the delights of the Daimyo Gyoretsu in Hakone is that you can enjoy bathing in an onsen hot spring to relieve your fatigue once the festival is over.
*Hakone Yumoto Station is about 15 minutes from Odawara Station on the Hakone Tozan Railway.
*Odawara Station is about 35 minutes from JR Tokyo Station on the Tokaido Shinkansen or 1 hour 30 minutes on the Tokaido Line.
*Hakone Hotel, near Lake Ashi would be the best choice for the stay, its near the event and it offers an open-air hot spring bath, with rates of 5,001-10000 yen, and triple twin bedrooms.
So, who wants to go on a tour with me?
Labels: travel, wanderlust, write ups
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
It's hard to say this but:
"Goodbye, Doctor Sioco."
Hahaha. Actually, I do not know why I ever wrote this "goodbye" message. I thought I'd do this just to have an update. Nakikisakay na lang ako okay? Wahaha..Well, thanks to her because I was able to enjoy Philo 1.. So maybe this entry has sense after all.
Many of my friends said goodbye to their old blog layouts, too. No, not me. I love this layout. If I change this layout, I would have to do a lot of tweaking. Absolutely everything would be changed. Also, it wouldn't make sense if I make a new blog for next sem..(but well, Blogger allows a user to have more than one blog.)
Anyway, its not yet goodbye Block 20..
See you all next semester, blockmates!
*kyle, kung nagbabasa ka ng blog ko ngayon.. masaya din yung trip this year! kaso mas bitin..swerte daw tayo, mas matagal yung stay..
*isa pa, baka makaalis ako this month at makapagstay sa Japan for 3 days para lakarin ang mga papeles natin..(take note, NATIN.) ^__^
Currently reading: J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye ( I just love to read it over and over and over again. )
"Goodbye, Doctor Sioco."
Hahaha. Actually, I do not know why I ever wrote this "goodbye" message. I thought I'd do this just to have an update. Nakikisakay na lang ako okay? Wahaha..Well, thanks to her because I was able to enjoy Philo 1.. So maybe this entry has sense after all.
Many of my friends said goodbye to their old blog layouts, too. No, not me. I love this layout. If I change this layout, I would have to do a lot of tweaking. Absolutely everything would be changed. Also, it wouldn't make sense if I make a new blog for next sem..(but well, Blogger allows a user to have more than one blog.)
Anyway, its not yet goodbye Block 20..
See you all next semester, blockmates!
*kyle, kung nagbabasa ka ng blog ko ngayon.. masaya din yung trip this year! kaso mas bitin..swerte daw tayo, mas matagal yung stay..
*isa pa, baka makaalis ako this month at makapagstay sa Japan for 3 days para lakarin ang mga papeles natin..(take note, NATIN.) ^__^
Currently reading: J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye ( I just love to read it over and over and over again. )
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Grr.
The tagbox of my blog doesn't work.
And I don't know why.
One more thing.
I do not know what to wear this Saturday. I guess I'll have to cram tomorrow. Yeah, talk about cramming. Think. It's a Thursday today, tomorrow will be Friday [Comm Finals] and "poof!" (it became Koko Crunch? Corny Arnel. Corny. xp ) there goes Saturday. I'll just buy clothes by then. Well, hello there Raina. Kita mo na. Nahihirapan ako mag isip diyan sa theme mo! Haha, joke lang. Happy birthday! EIGHTEEN KA NA! :D
On a lighter note, thanks AstroVision. They have just what I was looking for. :D
Currently listening to:
Faye Wong - Eyes on Me
The tagbox of my blog doesn't work.
And I don't know why.
One more thing.
I do not know what to wear this Saturday. I guess I'll have to cram tomorrow. Yeah, talk about cramming. Think. It's a Thursday today, tomorrow will be Friday [Comm Finals] and "poof!" (it became Koko Crunch? Corny Arnel. Corny. xp ) there goes Saturday. I'll just buy clothes by then. Well, hello there Raina. Kita mo na. Nahihirapan ako mag isip diyan sa theme mo! Haha, joke lang. Happy birthday! EIGHTEEN KA NA! :D
On a lighter note, thanks AstroVision. They have just what I was looking for. :D
Currently listening to:
Faye Wong - Eyes on Me
Labels: random thoughts
Monday, October 16, 2006
Hello there. I'm just propagating a unicameral form of idiosyncrasy occuring malevolently in meritorious piece of my clasterubial brain.
I can't post a decent blog entry right now. I just can't. Nahawa na ko sa 'yo Raina. Wa..
This post surely deserves to be called: Loverboy's nonsense.
Currently listening to:
The flashback of Jane's childish voice moments ago, "I can talk to you." (yun ba yun? nalimutan ko na. hahaha.)
I can't post a decent blog entry right now. I just can't. Nahawa na ko sa 'yo Raina. Wa..
This post surely deserves to be called: Loverboy's nonsense.
Currently listening to:
The flashback of Jane's childish voice moments ago, "I can talk to you." (yun ba yun? nalimutan ko na. hahaha.)
Labels: random thoughts
Saturday, October 14, 2006
To any former ASJA scholar who may be reading this blog on any given moment, greetings. I have some news for you.
A new batch of scholars has been sent to the 2006 ASJA International Junior Program in Toyota City, four days ago. There were only 4 delegates: 2 females and 1 male, plus their attendant. KJ kasi yung isa, hindi daw pinayagan nung school. Sayang.
Here is the list of the three participants:
GRAZA, Catherine Female 14 yrs old Sta. Isabel College
NAKAKE, Emmylou Female 15 yrs old Ifugao National Science High School
PINEDA, Juan Cesar Male 15 yrs old Adamson University High School
They will be staying at Suenohara Junior High School in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture until the 21st of October, 2006.
Madaya nga pala sila, may stop-over sa Singapore. ><
Currently listening to:
Parokya ni Edgar - Ted Hannah
A new batch of scholars has been sent to the 2006 ASJA International Junior Program in Toyota City, four days ago. There were only 4 delegates: 2 females and 1 male, plus their attendant. KJ kasi yung isa, hindi daw pinayagan nung school. Sayang.
Here is the list of the three participants:
GRAZA, Catherine Female 14 yrs old Sta. Isabel College
NAKAKE, Emmylou Female 15 yrs old Ifugao National Science High School
PINEDA, Juan Cesar Male 15 yrs old Adamson University High School
They will be staying at Suenohara Junior High School in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture until the 21st of October, 2006.
Madaya nga pala sila, may stop-over sa Singapore. ><
Currently listening to:
Parokya ni Edgar - Ted Hannah
Labels: news
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Alas, I had time to continue ze list.
Pinoy games. Pabitin, palosebo, basagan ng palayok. A few basic rules make individual cunning and persistence a premium, and guarantee a good time for all.
Balagtasan. The verbal joust that brings out rhyme, reason and passion on a public stage.
Tabo. All-powerful, ever-useful, hygienically-triumphant device to scoop water out of a bucket and help the true Pinoy answer nature's call. Helps maintain our famously stringent toilet habits.
Pandesal. Despite its shrinking size, still a good buy. Goes well with any filling, best when hot.
Jollibee. Truly Pinoy in taste and sensibility, and a corporate icon that we can be quite proud of. Do you know that it's invaded the Middle East, as well?
The butanding, the dolphins and other creatures in our blessed waters. They're Pinoys, too, and they're here to stay. Now if some folks would just stop turning them into daing.
Pakikisama. It's what makes people stay longer at parties, have another drink, join pals in sickness and health. You can get dead drunk and still make it home.
Sing-a-long. Filipinos love to sing, and thank God a lot of us do it well! (Well, except some of the people who sing "My Way" in some bars..)
Kayumanggi. Neither pale nor dark, our skin tone is beautifully healthy, the color of a rich earth or a mahogany tree growing towards the sun.
Handwoven cloth and native weaves. Colorful, environment-friendly alternatives to polyester that feature skillful workmanship and a rich indigenous culture behind every thread. From the pinukpok of the north to the malong of the south, it's the fiber of who we are.
Movies. Still the cheapest form of entertainment, especially if you watch the same movie several times.
Bahala na. We cope with uncertainty by embracing it, and are thus enabled to play life by ear.
Papaitan. An offal stew flavored with bile, admittedly an acquired taste, but pointing to our national ability to acquire a taste for almost anything.
English. Whether carabao or Arr-neoww-accented, it doubles our chances in the global marketplace.
The Press. Irresponsible, sensational, often inaccurate, but still the liveliest in Asia. Otherwise, we'd all be glued to TV.
Divisoria. Smelly, crowded, a pickpocket's paradise, but you can get anything here, often at rock-bottom prices. The sensory overload is a bonus.
Barong Tagalog. Enables men to look formal and dignified without having to strangle themselves with a necktie. Worn well, it makes any ordinary Juan look marvelously makisig.
Filipinas. They make the best friends, lovers, wives. Too bad they can't say the same for Filipinos.
Filipinos. So maybe they're bolero and macho with an occasional streak of generic infidelity; they do know how to make a woman feel like one.
Catholicism. What fun would sin be without guilt? Jesus Christ is firmly planted on Philippine soil.
Dolphy. Our favorite, ultra-durable comedian gives the beleaguered Pinoy everyman an odd dignity, even in drag.
Style. Something we often prefer over substance. But every Filipino claims it as a birthright.
Bad taste. Clear plastic covers on the vinyl-upholstered sofa, posters of poker-playing dogs masquerading as art, over accessorized jeepneys and altars--the list is endless, and wealth only seems to magnify it.
Mangoes. Crisp and tart, or lusciously ripe, they evoke memories of family outings and endless sunshine in a heart-shaped package.
Unbridled optimism. Why we rank so low on the suicide scale.
Street food. Barbecue, lugaw, banana-cue, fishballs, IUD (chicken entrails), adidas (chicken feet), warm taho. Forget hepatitis; here's cheap, tasty food with gritty ambience.
The siesta. Snoozing in the middle of the day is smart, not lazy.
Honorifics and courteous titles. Kuya, ate, diko, ditse, ineng, totoy, Ingkong, Aling, Mang, etc. No exact English translation, but these words connote respect, deference and the value placed on kinship.
Heroes and people who stood up for truth and freedom. Lapu-lapu started it all, and other heroes and revolutionaries followed: Diego Silang, Macario Sakay, Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Apolinario Mabini, Melchora Aquino, Gregorio del Pilar, Gabriela Silang, Miguel Malvar, Francisco Balagtas, Juan Luna, Marcelo H. del Pilar, Panday Pira, Emilio Jacinto, Raha Suliman, Antonio Luna, Gomburza, Emilio Aguinaldo, the heroes of Bataan and Corregidor, and a lot more.
Flora and fauna. The sea cow (dugong), the tarsier, calamian deer, bearcat, Philippine eagle, sampaguita, ilang-ilang, camia, pandan, the creatures that make our archipelago unique.
Pilipino songs, OPM and composers. "Ama Namin," "Lupang Hinirang," "Gaano Ko Ikaw Kamahal," "Ngayon at Kailanman," "Anak," "Handog,""Hindi Kita Malilimutan," "Ang Pasko ay Sumapit"; Ryan Cayabyab, George Canseco, Restie Umali, Levi Celerio, Manuel Francisco, Freddie Aguilar, and Florante-- just some of the examples of our musical gift.
Metro Aides. Against all odds, they continuously prove that cleanliness is next to godliness.
Sari-sari store. There's one in every corner, offering everything from bananas and floor wax to Band-Aid.
Philippine National Red Cross. PAWS. Caritas. Fund drives. They help us help each other.
Favorite TV shows through the years. "Tawag ng Tanghalan," "John and Marsha," "Champoy," "Ryan, Ryan Musikahan," "Kuwarta o Kahon," "Public Forum/Lives," "Student Canteen," "Eat Bulaga." In the age of inane variety shows, they have redeemed Philippine television.
Quirks of language that can drive crazy any tourist listening in. "Bababa ba?" "Bababa!"
"Sayang!" "Naman!" "Kadiri!" "Ano ba!?" "pala." Expressions that defy translation but wring out feelings genuinely Pinoy. Di ba ang chorbah? :D
Cockfighting. Filipino men love it more than their wives (sometimes).
Dr. Jose Rizal. A category in himself. Hero, medicine man, genius, athlete, sculptor, fictionist, poet, essayist, husband, lover, samaritan, martyr. Truly someone to emulate and be proud of, anytime, anywhere.
Nora Aunor. Short, dark and homely-looking, she redefined our rigid concept of how leading ladies should look.
Filipino Christmas. The world's longest holiday season. A perfect excuse to mix our love for feasting, gift-giving and music and wrap it up with a touch of religion.
Relatives and kababayan abroad. The best refuge against loneliness, discrimination and confusion in a foreign place. Distant relatives and fellow Pinoys readily roll out the welcome mat even on the basis of a phone introduction or referral.
Festivals. Sinulog, Ati-atihan, Moriones. Sounds, colors, pagan frenzy and Christian overtones.
Folk dances. Tinikling, pandanggo sa ilaw, kari?sa, kuratsa, itik-itik, alitaptap, rigodon. All the right moves and a distinct rhythm.
Native wear and costumes. Baro't saya, tapis, terno, saya, salakot, bakya. Lovely form and ingenious function in the way we dress.
Sunday family gatherings. Or, close family ties that never get severed. You don't have to win the lotto or be a president to have 10,000 relatives. Everyone's family tree extends all over the archipelago, and it's at its best in times of crisis; notice how food, hostesses, money, and moral support materialize during a wake?
Calesa and karitela. The colorful and leisurely way to negotiate narrow streets when loaded down with a year's provisions.
All Saints' Day. In honoring our dead, we also prove that we know how to live.
Handicrafts. Shellcraft, rattancraft, abaca novelties, woodcarvings, banig placemats and bags, bamboo windchimes, etc. Portable memories of home.
Pinoy greens. Sitaw. Okra. Ampalaya. Gabi. Munggo. Dahon ng Sili. Kangkong. Luya. Talong. Sigarillas. Bataw. Patani. Lutong bahay will never be the same without them.
OCWs. The lengths (and miles) we'd go for a better life for our family, as proven by these modern-day heroes of the economy.
The Filipino artist. From Luna's magnificent "Spoliarium" and Amorsolo's sun-kissed ricefields, to Ang Kiukok's jarring abstractions and Borlongan's haunting ghosts, and everybody else in between. Hang a Filipino painting on your wall, and you're hanging one of Asia's best.
Tagalog soap operas. From "Gulong ng Palad" and "Flor de Luna" to today's incarnations like "Bakekang" (yes, bakekang)--they're the story of our lives, and we feel strongly for them, MariMar (soooooo old) notwithstanding.
Midnight madness, weekend sales, bangketas and baratillos. It's retail therapy at its best, with Filipinos braving traffic, crowds, and human deluge to find a bargain. Come to think of it, Rob Manila has a Sale tomorrow. But then, sa foundation day celebration of Masci na lang muna. :D
Quality of life. Where else can an ordinary employee afford a stay-in helper, a yaya, unlimited movies, eat-all-you-can buffets, and the latest fashion but here, in the Philippines.
Hmm. I guess that would be enough. I don't know how to end this list, but well. Okay. Thanks again to my references! Gambatte ne for me! :D
Pinoy games. Pabitin, palosebo, basagan ng palayok. A few basic rules make individual cunning and persistence a premium, and guarantee a good time for all.
Balagtasan. The verbal joust that brings out rhyme, reason and passion on a public stage.
Tabo. All-powerful, ever-useful, hygienically-triumphant device to scoop water out of a bucket and help the true Pinoy answer nature's call. Helps maintain our famously stringent toilet habits.
Pandesal. Despite its shrinking size, still a good buy. Goes well with any filling, best when hot.
Jollibee. Truly Pinoy in taste and sensibility, and a corporate icon that we can be quite proud of. Do you know that it's invaded the Middle East, as well?
The butanding, the dolphins and other creatures in our blessed waters. They're Pinoys, too, and they're here to stay. Now if some folks would just stop turning them into daing.
Pakikisama. It's what makes people stay longer at parties, have another drink, join pals in sickness and health. You can get dead drunk and still make it home.
Sing-a-long. Filipinos love to sing, and thank God a lot of us do it well! (Well, except some of the people who sing "My Way" in some bars..)
Kayumanggi. Neither pale nor dark, our skin tone is beautifully healthy, the color of a rich earth or a mahogany tree growing towards the sun.
Handwoven cloth and native weaves. Colorful, environment-friendly alternatives to polyester that feature skillful workmanship and a rich indigenous culture behind every thread. From the pinukpok of the north to the malong of the south, it's the fiber of who we are.
Movies. Still the cheapest form of entertainment, especially if you watch the same movie several times.
Bahala na. We cope with uncertainty by embracing it, and are thus enabled to play life by ear.
Papaitan. An offal stew flavored with bile, admittedly an acquired taste, but pointing to our national ability to acquire a taste for almost anything.
English. Whether carabao or Arr-neoww-accented, it doubles our chances in the global marketplace.
The Press. Irresponsible, sensational, often inaccurate, but still the liveliest in Asia. Otherwise, we'd all be glued to TV.
Divisoria. Smelly, crowded, a pickpocket's paradise, but you can get anything here, often at rock-bottom prices. The sensory overload is a bonus.
Barong Tagalog. Enables men to look formal and dignified without having to strangle themselves with a necktie. Worn well, it makes any ordinary Juan look marvelously makisig.
Filipinas. They make the best friends, lovers, wives. Too bad they can't say the same for Filipinos.
Filipinos. So maybe they're bolero and macho with an occasional streak of generic infidelity; they do know how to make a woman feel like one.
Catholicism. What fun would sin be without guilt? Jesus Christ is firmly planted on Philippine soil.
Dolphy. Our favorite, ultra-durable comedian gives the beleaguered Pinoy everyman an odd dignity, even in drag.
Style. Something we often prefer over substance. But every Filipino claims it as a birthright.
Bad taste. Clear plastic covers on the vinyl-upholstered sofa, posters of poker-playing dogs masquerading as art, over accessorized jeepneys and altars--the list is endless, and wealth only seems to magnify it.
Mangoes. Crisp and tart, or lusciously ripe, they evoke memories of family outings and endless sunshine in a heart-shaped package.
Unbridled optimism. Why we rank so low on the suicide scale.
Street food. Barbecue, lugaw, banana-cue, fishballs, IUD (chicken entrails), adidas (chicken feet), warm taho. Forget hepatitis; here's cheap, tasty food with gritty ambience.
The siesta. Snoozing in the middle of the day is smart, not lazy.
Honorifics and courteous titles. Kuya, ate, diko, ditse, ineng, totoy, Ingkong, Aling, Mang, etc. No exact English translation, but these words connote respect, deference and the value placed on kinship.
Heroes and people who stood up for truth and freedom. Lapu-lapu started it all, and other heroes and revolutionaries followed: Diego Silang, Macario Sakay, Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Apolinario Mabini, Melchora Aquino, Gregorio del Pilar, Gabriela Silang, Miguel Malvar, Francisco Balagtas, Juan Luna, Marcelo H. del Pilar, Panday Pira, Emilio Jacinto, Raha Suliman, Antonio Luna, Gomburza, Emilio Aguinaldo, the heroes of Bataan and Corregidor, and a lot more.
Flora and fauna. The sea cow (dugong), the tarsier, calamian deer, bearcat, Philippine eagle, sampaguita, ilang-ilang, camia, pandan, the creatures that make our archipelago unique.
Pilipino songs, OPM and composers. "Ama Namin," "Lupang Hinirang," "Gaano Ko Ikaw Kamahal," "Ngayon at Kailanman," "Anak," "Handog,""Hindi Kita Malilimutan," "Ang Pasko ay Sumapit"; Ryan Cayabyab, George Canseco, Restie Umali, Levi Celerio, Manuel Francisco, Freddie Aguilar, and Florante-- just some of the examples of our musical gift.
Metro Aides. Against all odds, they continuously prove that cleanliness is next to godliness.
Sari-sari store. There's one in every corner, offering everything from bananas and floor wax to Band-Aid.
Philippine National Red Cross. PAWS. Caritas. Fund drives. They help us help each other.
Favorite TV shows through the years. "Tawag ng Tanghalan," "John and Marsha," "Champoy," "Ryan, Ryan Musikahan," "Kuwarta o Kahon," "Public Forum/Lives," "Student Canteen," "Eat Bulaga." In the age of inane variety shows, they have redeemed Philippine television.
Quirks of language that can drive crazy any tourist listening in. "Bababa ba?" "Bababa!"
"Sayang!" "Naman!" "Kadiri!" "Ano ba!?" "pala." Expressions that defy translation but wring out feelings genuinely Pinoy. Di ba ang chorbah? :D
Cockfighting. Filipino men love it more than their wives (sometimes).
Dr. Jose Rizal. A category in himself. Hero, medicine man, genius, athlete, sculptor, fictionist, poet, essayist, husband, lover, samaritan, martyr. Truly someone to emulate and be proud of, anytime, anywhere.
Nora Aunor. Short, dark and homely-looking, she redefined our rigid concept of how leading ladies should look.
Filipino Christmas. The world's longest holiday season. A perfect excuse to mix our love for feasting, gift-giving and music and wrap it up with a touch of religion.
Relatives and kababayan abroad. The best refuge against loneliness, discrimination and confusion in a foreign place. Distant relatives and fellow Pinoys readily roll out the welcome mat even on the basis of a phone introduction or referral.
Festivals. Sinulog, Ati-atihan, Moriones. Sounds, colors, pagan frenzy and Christian overtones.
Folk dances. Tinikling, pandanggo sa ilaw, kari?sa, kuratsa, itik-itik, alitaptap, rigodon. All the right moves and a distinct rhythm.
Native wear and costumes. Baro't saya, tapis, terno, saya, salakot, bakya. Lovely form and ingenious function in the way we dress.
Sunday family gatherings. Or, close family ties that never get severed. You don't have to win the lotto or be a president to have 10,000 relatives. Everyone's family tree extends all over the archipelago, and it's at its best in times of crisis; notice how food, hostesses, money, and moral support materialize during a wake?
Calesa and karitela. The colorful and leisurely way to negotiate narrow streets when loaded down with a year's provisions.
All Saints' Day. In honoring our dead, we also prove that we know how to live.
Handicrafts. Shellcraft, rattancraft, abaca novelties, woodcarvings, banig placemats and bags, bamboo windchimes, etc. Portable memories of home.
Pinoy greens. Sitaw. Okra. Ampalaya. Gabi. Munggo. Dahon ng Sili. Kangkong. Luya. Talong. Sigarillas. Bataw. Patani. Lutong bahay will never be the same without them.
OCWs. The lengths (and miles) we'd go for a better life for our family, as proven by these modern-day heroes of the economy.
The Filipino artist. From Luna's magnificent "Spoliarium" and Amorsolo's sun-kissed ricefields, to Ang Kiukok's jarring abstractions and Borlongan's haunting ghosts, and everybody else in between. Hang a Filipino painting on your wall, and you're hanging one of Asia's best.
Tagalog soap operas. From "Gulong ng Palad" and "Flor de Luna" to today's incarnations like "Bakekang" (yes, bakekang)--they're the story of our lives, and we feel strongly for them, MariMar (soooooo old) notwithstanding.
Midnight madness, weekend sales, bangketas and baratillos. It's retail therapy at its best, with Filipinos braving traffic, crowds, and human deluge to find a bargain. Come to think of it, Rob Manila has a Sale tomorrow. But then, sa foundation day celebration of Masci na lang muna. :D
Quality of life. Where else can an ordinary employee afford a stay-in helper, a yaya, unlimited movies, eat-all-you-can buffets, and the latest fashion but here, in the Philippines.
Hmm. I guess that would be enough. I don't know how to end this list, but well. Okay. Thanks again to my references! Gambatte ne for me! :D
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Woo yes, I came up with a list at last. Hey thanks to my references. :D
FROM the 1896 Revolution to the first Philippine Republic, the Commonwealth period, the EDSA Revolt and everything else, history marches on. Thankfully, however, some things never change. Like the classics, things irresistibly Pinoy mark us for life. They're the indelible stamp of our identity, the undeniable affinity that binds us like twins. They celebrate the good in us, the best of our culture and the infinite possibilities we are all capable of. Some are so self-explanatory you only need mention them for fellow Pinoys to swoon or drool. Here, from all over this Centennial-crazed country and in no particular order, are a hundred of the best things that make us unmistakably Pinoy.
Merienda. Where else is it normal to eat five times a day?
Sawsawan. Assorted sauces that guarantee freedom of choice, enough room for experimentation and maximum tolerance for diverse tastes. Favorites: toyo't calamansi, suka at sili, patis.
Kuwan, ano. At a loss for words? Try these and marvel at how Pinoys understand exactly what you want.
Pinoy humor and irreverence. If you're api and you know it, crack a joke. Nothing personal, really.
Tingi. Thank goodness for small entrepreneurs. Where else can we buy cigarettes, soap, condiments and life's essentials in small affordable amounts?
Spirituality. Even before the Spaniards came, ethnic tribes had their own anitos, bathalas and assorted deities, pointing to a strong relationship with the Creator, who or whatever it may be.
Po, opo, mano po. Speech suffixes that define courtesy, deference, filial respect--a balm to the spirit in these aggressive times.
Pasalubong. Our way of sharing the vicarious thrills and delights of a trip, and a wonderful excuse to shop without the customary guilt.
Beaches! With 7,000 plus islands, we have miles and miles of shoreline piled high with fine white sand, lapped by warm waters, and nibbled by exotic tropical fish. From the stormy seas of Batanes to the emerald isles of Palawan--over here, life is truly a beach.
Bagoong. Darkly mysterious, this smelly fish or shrimp paste typifies the underlying theme of most ethnic foods: disgustingly unhygienic, unbearably stinky and simply irresistible.
Bayanihan. Yes, the internationally-renowned dance company, but also this habit of pitching in still common in small communities. Just have that cold beer and some pulutan ready for the troops.
The Balikbayan box. Another way of sharing life's bounty, no matter if it seems like we're fleeing Pol Pot every time we head home from anywhere in the globe. The most wonderful part is that, more often than not, the contents are carted home to be distributed.
Pilipino komiks. Not to mention "Hiwaga," "Aliwan," "Tagalog Classics," "Liwayway" and "Bulaklak" magazines. Pulpy publications that gave us Darna, Facifica Falayfay, Lagalag, Kulafu, Kenkoy, Dyesebel, characters of a time both innocent and worldly.
Folk songs. They come unbidden and spring, full blown, like a second language, at the slightest nudge from the too-loud stereo of a passing jeepney or tricycle.
Fiesta. Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow is just another day, shrugs the poor man who, once a year, honors a patron saint with this sumptuous, no-holds-barred spread. It's a Pinoy celebration at its pious and riotous best.
Aswang, manananggal, kapre. The whole underworld of Filipino lower mythology recalls our uniquely bizarre childhood, that is, before political correctness kicked in. Still, their rich adventures pepper our storytelling.
Jeepneys. Colorful, fast, reckless, a vehicle of postwar Pinoy ingenuity, this Everyman's communal cadillac makes for a cheap, interesting ride. If the driver's a daredevil (as they usually are), hang on to your seat.
Dinuguan. Blood stew, a bloodcurdling idea, until you try it with puto. Best when mined with jalape? peppers. Messy but mmmmm.. DELICIOUS.
Santacruzan. More than just a beauty contest, this one has religious overtones, a tableau of St. Helena's and Constantine's search for the Cross that seamlessly blends piety, pageantry and ritual. Plus, it's the perfect excuse to show off the prettiest ladies--and the most beautiful gowns.
Balut. Unhatched duck's embryo, another unspeakable ethnic food to outsiders, but oh, to indulge in guilty pleasures! Sprinkle some salt and suck out that soup, with gusto.
Padala. A personalized door-to-door remittance and delivery system for overseas Filipino workers who don't trust the banking system, and who expect a family update from the courier, as well.
Choc-nut. Crumbly peanut chocolate bars that defined childhood ecstasy before M & M's and Hershey's.
Kamayan style. To eat with one's hand and eschew spoon, fork and table manners--ah, heaven.
Chicharon. Pork, fish or chicken crackling. There is in the crunch a hint of the extravagant, the decadent and the pedestrian. Perfect with vinegar, sublime with beer.
Pinoy hospitality. Just about everyone gets a hearty "Kain tayo!" invitation to break bread with whoever has food to share, no matter how skimpy or austere it is.
Adobo, kare-kare, sinigang and other lutong bahay stuff. Home-cooked meals that have the stamp of approval from several generations, who swear by closely-guarded cooking secrets and family recipes.
Lola Basyang. The voice one heard spinning tales over the radio, before movies and television curtailed imagination and defined grown-up tastes.
Pambahay. Home is where one can let it all hang out, where clothes do not make a man or woman but rather define their level of comfort.
Tricycle, the Pinoy's taxicab that delivers you at your doorstep for as little as PHP7.00 (but then it was just 3.00), with a complimentary dusting of polluted air.
Dirty ice cream. Very Pinoy flavors that make up for the risk: munggo, langka, ube, mais, keso, macapuno. Plus there's the colorful cart that recalls jeepney art.
Yayas. The trusted Filipino nanny who, ironically, has become a major Philippine export as overseas contract workers. A good one is almost like a surrogate parent--if you don't mind the accent and the predilection for afternoon soap and movie stars.
Sarsi. Pinoy rootbeer, the enduring taste of childhood. Our grandfathers had them with an egg beaten in.
Pinoy fruits. Atis, guyabano, chesa, mabolo, lanzones, durian, langka, makopa, dalanghita, siniguelas, suha, chico, papaya, singkamas--the possibilities!
Pinoy tastes. A dietitian's nightmare: too sweet, too salty, too fatty, as in burong talangka, itlog na maalat, crab fat (aligue), bokayo, kutchinta, sapin-sapin, halo-halo, pastilyas, palitaw, pulburon, longganisa, tuyo, ensaymada, ube haleya, sweetened macapuno and garbanzos. Remember, we're the guys who put sugar (horrors) in our spaghetti sauce. Yum!
The sights. Banaue Rice Terraces, Boracay, Bohol's Chocolate Hills, Corregidor Island, Fort Santiago, the Hundred Islands, the Las Pi?s Bamboo Organ, Rizal Park, Mt. Banahaw, Mayon Volcano, Taal Volcano. A land of contrasts and ever-changing landscapes.
Gayuma, agimat and anting-anting. Love potions and amulets. How the socially-disadvantaged Pinoy copes.
Basketball. How the verticaly-challenged Pinoy compensates, via a national sports obsession that reduces fans to tears and fistfights.
People Power at EDSA. When everyone became a hero and changed Philippine history overnight.
Beer and pulutan. "Isa pa nga!" and the Philippines' most popular, world-renowned beer goes well with peanuts, corniks, tapa, chicharon, usa, barbecue, sisig, and all manner of spicy, crunchy and cholesterol-rich chasers.
Resiliency. We've survived 400 years of Spanish rule, the US bases, Marcos, the 1990 earthquake, lahar, lambada, and many more.
Yoyo. Truly Filipino in origin, this hunting tool, weapon, toy and merchandising vehicle remains the best way to "walk the dog" and "rock the baby," using just a piece of string.
to be continued? Haha, of course.
FROM the 1896 Revolution to the first Philippine Republic, the Commonwealth period, the EDSA Revolt and everything else, history marches on. Thankfully, however, some things never change. Like the classics, things irresistibly Pinoy mark us for life. They're the indelible stamp of our identity, the undeniable affinity that binds us like twins. They celebrate the good in us, the best of our culture and the infinite possibilities we are all capable of. Some are so self-explanatory you only need mention them for fellow Pinoys to swoon or drool. Here, from all over this Centennial-crazed country and in no particular order, are a hundred of the best things that make us unmistakably Pinoy.
Merienda. Where else is it normal to eat five times a day?
Sawsawan. Assorted sauces that guarantee freedom of choice, enough room for experimentation and maximum tolerance for diverse tastes. Favorites: toyo't calamansi, suka at sili, patis.
Kuwan, ano. At a loss for words? Try these and marvel at how Pinoys understand exactly what you want.
Pinoy humor and irreverence. If you're api and you know it, crack a joke. Nothing personal, really.
Tingi. Thank goodness for small entrepreneurs. Where else can we buy cigarettes, soap, condiments and life's essentials in small affordable amounts?
Spirituality. Even before the Spaniards came, ethnic tribes had their own anitos, bathalas and assorted deities, pointing to a strong relationship with the Creator, who or whatever it may be.
Po, opo, mano po. Speech suffixes that define courtesy, deference, filial respect--a balm to the spirit in these aggressive times.
Pasalubong. Our way of sharing the vicarious thrills and delights of a trip, and a wonderful excuse to shop without the customary guilt.
Beaches! With 7,000 plus islands, we have miles and miles of shoreline piled high with fine white sand, lapped by warm waters, and nibbled by exotic tropical fish. From the stormy seas of Batanes to the emerald isles of Palawan--over here, life is truly a beach.
Bagoong. Darkly mysterious, this smelly fish or shrimp paste typifies the underlying theme of most ethnic foods: disgustingly unhygienic, unbearably stinky and simply irresistible.
Bayanihan. Yes, the internationally-renowned dance company, but also this habit of pitching in still common in small communities. Just have that cold beer and some pulutan ready for the troops.
The Balikbayan box. Another way of sharing life's bounty, no matter if it seems like we're fleeing Pol Pot every time we head home from anywhere in the globe. The most wonderful part is that, more often than not, the contents are carted home to be distributed.
Pilipino komiks. Not to mention "Hiwaga," "Aliwan," "Tagalog Classics," "Liwayway" and "Bulaklak" magazines. Pulpy publications that gave us Darna, Facifica Falayfay, Lagalag, Kulafu, Kenkoy, Dyesebel, characters of a time both innocent and worldly.
Folk songs. They come unbidden and spring, full blown, like a second language, at the slightest nudge from the too-loud stereo of a passing jeepney or tricycle.
Fiesta. Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow is just another day, shrugs the poor man who, once a year, honors a patron saint with this sumptuous, no-holds-barred spread. It's a Pinoy celebration at its pious and riotous best.
Aswang, manananggal, kapre. The whole underworld of Filipino lower mythology recalls our uniquely bizarre childhood, that is, before political correctness kicked in. Still, their rich adventures pepper our storytelling.
Jeepneys. Colorful, fast, reckless, a vehicle of postwar Pinoy ingenuity, this Everyman's communal cadillac makes for a cheap, interesting ride. If the driver's a daredevil (as they usually are), hang on to your seat.
Dinuguan. Blood stew, a bloodcurdling idea, until you try it with puto. Best when mined with jalape? peppers. Messy but mmmmm.. DELICIOUS.
Santacruzan. More than just a beauty contest, this one has religious overtones, a tableau of St. Helena's and Constantine's search for the Cross that seamlessly blends piety, pageantry and ritual. Plus, it's the perfect excuse to show off the prettiest ladies--and the most beautiful gowns.
Balut. Unhatched duck's embryo, another unspeakable ethnic food to outsiders, but oh, to indulge in guilty pleasures! Sprinkle some salt and suck out that soup, with gusto.
Padala. A personalized door-to-door remittance and delivery system for overseas Filipino workers who don't trust the banking system, and who expect a family update from the courier, as well.
Choc-nut. Crumbly peanut chocolate bars that defined childhood ecstasy before M & M's and Hershey's.
Kamayan style. To eat with one's hand and eschew spoon, fork and table manners--ah, heaven.
Chicharon. Pork, fish or chicken crackling. There is in the crunch a hint of the extravagant, the decadent and the pedestrian. Perfect with vinegar, sublime with beer.
Pinoy hospitality. Just about everyone gets a hearty "Kain tayo!" invitation to break bread with whoever has food to share, no matter how skimpy or austere it is.
Adobo, kare-kare, sinigang and other lutong bahay stuff. Home-cooked meals that have the stamp of approval from several generations, who swear by closely-guarded cooking secrets and family recipes.
Lola Basyang. The voice one heard spinning tales over the radio, before movies and television curtailed imagination and defined grown-up tastes.
Pambahay. Home is where one can let it all hang out, where clothes do not make a man or woman but rather define their level of comfort.
Tricycle, the Pinoy's taxicab that delivers you at your doorstep for as little as PHP7.00 (but then it was just 3.00), with a complimentary dusting of polluted air.
Dirty ice cream. Very Pinoy flavors that make up for the risk: munggo, langka, ube, mais, keso, macapuno. Plus there's the colorful cart that recalls jeepney art.
Yayas. The trusted Filipino nanny who, ironically, has become a major Philippine export as overseas contract workers. A good one is almost like a surrogate parent--if you don't mind the accent and the predilection for afternoon soap and movie stars.
Sarsi. Pinoy rootbeer, the enduring taste of childhood. Our grandfathers had them with an egg beaten in.
Pinoy fruits. Atis, guyabano, chesa, mabolo, lanzones, durian, langka, makopa, dalanghita, siniguelas, suha, chico, papaya, singkamas--the possibilities!
Pinoy tastes. A dietitian's nightmare: too sweet, too salty, too fatty, as in burong talangka, itlog na maalat, crab fat (aligue), bokayo, kutchinta, sapin-sapin, halo-halo, pastilyas, palitaw, pulburon, longganisa, tuyo, ensaymada, ube haleya, sweetened macapuno and garbanzos. Remember, we're the guys who put sugar (horrors) in our spaghetti sauce. Yum!
The sights. Banaue Rice Terraces, Boracay, Bohol's Chocolate Hills, Corregidor Island, Fort Santiago, the Hundred Islands, the Las Pi?s Bamboo Organ, Rizal Park, Mt. Banahaw, Mayon Volcano, Taal Volcano. A land of contrasts and ever-changing landscapes.
Gayuma, agimat and anting-anting. Love potions and amulets. How the socially-disadvantaged Pinoy copes.
Basketball. How the verticaly-challenged Pinoy compensates, via a national sports obsession that reduces fans to tears and fistfights.
People Power at EDSA. When everyone became a hero and changed Philippine history overnight.
Beer and pulutan. "Isa pa nga!" and the Philippines' most popular, world-renowned beer goes well with peanuts, corniks, tapa, chicharon, usa, barbecue, sisig, and all manner of spicy, crunchy and cholesterol-rich chasers.
Resiliency. We've survived 400 years of Spanish rule, the US bases, Marcos, the 1990 earthquake, lahar, lambada, and many more.
Yoyo. Truly Filipino in origin, this hunting tool, weapon, toy and merchandising vehicle remains the best way to "walk the dog" and "rock the baby," using just a piece of string.
to be continued? Haha, of course.
Monday, October 02, 2006
The Kennedy and Lincoln Connection
I got this thing from an email. Well, I guess its worth reading.This discusses John Kennedy and Abraham Lincoln's "connection." Well, I don't know. Just read it. Here goes:
Abraham Lincoln was elected to Congress in 1846.
John F. Kennedy was elected to Congress in 1946.
Abraham Lincoln was elected President in 1860.
John F. Kennedy was elected President in 1960.
Both were particularly concerned with civil rights.
Both Presidents were shot on a Friday.
Both Presidents were shot in the head.
Lincoln's secretary was named Kennedy.
Kennedy's Secretary was named Lincoln.
Both were assassinated by Southerners.
Both were succeeded by Southerners named Johnson.
Andrew Johnson, who succeeded Lincoln, was born in 1808.
Lyndon Johnson, who succeeded Kennedy, was born in 1908.
John Wilkes Booth, who assassinated Lincoln, was born in 1839.
Lee Harvey Oswald, who assassinated Kennedy, was born in 1939.
Both assassins were known by their three names.
Both names are composed of fifteen letters.
Lincoln was shot at the theater named 'Ford.'
Kennedy was shot in a car called 'Lincoln' made by 'Ford.'
Lincoln was shot in a theater and his assassin ran and hid in a warehouse.
Kennedy was shot from a warehouse and his assassin ran and hid in a theater.
Booth and Oswald were assassinated before their trials.
A week before Lincoln was shot, he was in Monroe, Maryland.
A week before Kennedy was shot, he was with Marilyn Monroe.
Well, how's that for a blog post? Hahaha.
Currently listening to:
Parokya ni Edgar - Choco Latte
Labels: random thoughts
