Living in the City

Fake Mobile Phones with Voice Altering Feature Fake cellphones from China are circulating the black market. These phones are said to have voice altering feature: from male to female to child's. I saw it on Unang Hirit awhile back. It was tested on cam by the program host and an NBI officer. The officer is saying that the phones can be used for unscrupulous pursposes if not crimes; hard to trace because they are smuggled, therefore not registered with the local National Telecommunications Commission. I saw a site saying that India is flooded as well with these mobile phones. The site even spells out the models of the phones. So what are they coming out with next? Confidentially though, I like to test the gadget :-) joke! Cheers everyone! PS I hope I can afford to stay hopeful today. my neighbor's car is not on her street garage again and someone left very early for an early morning appointment; i am afflicted with paranoia again... :-(

The "Lion of the U.S. Senate" is gone (1932-2009) The last of Rose Kennedy's men dies. Ted Kennedy passes on to the next life after being afflicted with cancer. He was 77. Despite his many flaws, including those of his more historical brothers, the liberal part of the globe can not help but feel admiration for these brothers. Despite Chapaquiddick, and many other Kennedy life tragedies, Senator Ted it seems, were able to weather it all. And now the last of them is gone. His remains lie in the Kennedy sanctuary, Hyannis Port in Massachusetts. Reports say he will be buried at Arlington Cemetery.

Finally, I was able to locate a copy of post EDSA TIME with Tita Cory on the cover, which I purposely bought for posterity. This issue is dated January 5, 1987. Only too glad to have kept it all this time. I am very sure Tita Cory is in heaven now! Will I see you there when my time comes? :-)

My partner gave me this lapel pin, a shoe emblem representing the industry for which Marikina is known for. Our Mayor MC Fernando gave him and his Korean business partners a couple of these pins, during a visit to the Mayor's office. The visit was about a business proposal offering the City with LUMINA eco-friendly and energy saving lighting systems. The proposal will save the city lots of money in terms of energy savings. Seguey to getting the pin: I got curious about its history, where it was first used, etc. Also, I remember my partner also giving me the Mao-Tse-Tung pin which he got from a Vietnam trip, way, way back. I know I still have it somewhere in one of my memento boxes. This is what Wikipedia says about lapel pins which I share: "A lapel pin (also called "button" or "badge") is a small pin often worn on the lapel of a dress jacket. Lapel pins can be purely ornamental or can indicate the wearer's affiliation with an organization or ...

 A Tasteless episode at the famous  Le Cirque While we were all busy trying to do unselfish and heroic acts, feeling sympathy and acting good as Filipinos for Former President Cory Aquino, President Arroyo and her party was in New York enjoying a blowout dinner at the very famous Le Cirque restaurant. It's a dining place where you experience a 'Table in Heaven', according to it's website. Apparently, the dinner accompanied with caviar and champagne cost almost a million pesos. To me, this is ill-timed and "ill-conceived" as Merriam Defensor said in an interview. I looked at the restaurant's menu, which accordingly cost 25$ for lunch and 35$ for dinner, consists of the following entree choices: Appetizer Choices Fluke Crudo Basil, Cavaillon Melon, and Chipotle White Almond Gazpacho Smoked Paprika Shrimp Heirloom Tomato Salad Ciliegine and Olive Brioche Grilled Octopus Salad Chorizo Aioli and Fingerling Potatoes Sheep’s Milk Ricotta Gno...

Who would not be proud of this woman? Some one so simple and yet noble in her aspirations not only for herself but for her faith, beliefs and country. I pray that God gift us soon with someone as good as Cory. Former President Cory Aquino is on TIME's Aug 17, 2009 Asian Edition (Vol 174 No 6) cover again. "Corazon Aquino 1933-2009: The Saint of Democracy" The article extols Cory Aquino's contribution in restoring democracy in the Philippines. It highlights the virtues she exhibited starting from the day, Ninoy Aquino, her husband was assasinated at the tarmac of the then Manila International Airport. Thanks to Time's image I liberally borrowed. P.S. My observations during the week that Cory was lying in state: 1. We heard nothing from El Shaddai, nor INK nor JIL 2. The Catholic Church gained so many pogi points as the days went on 3. That Kris might have been reared and loved by Cory but is not her daughter in terms of lifestyle choices; but t...

Ninoy and Cory dreamt the impossible and was surprised that with God anything is possible As a tribute to a couple who in life and in death gave their all, I borrow this song -- considered I believe, as the national anthem of the Ninoy Aquino Movement previously, and now I think also appropriate for anyone or everyone, who dare dream the best for our country.... God Country Country Men Fellow Humans Family Self The perfect heirarchy of life. And the Song ... To dream the impossible dream To fight the unbeatable foe To bear with unbearable sorrow To run where the brave dare not go To right the unrightable wrong To love pure and chaste from afar To try when your arms are too weary To reach the unreachable star This is my quest To follow that star No matter how hopeless No matter how far To fight for the right Without question or pause To be willing to march into Hell For a heavenly cause And I know if I'll only be true To this glorious quest T...

Unity for Filipinos in Cory's Death? Just now, I saw on tv, Bongbong (plus wife), including Imee Marcos, attend the wake of former President Cory Aquino at the Manila Cathedral. Later, I saw Ballsy Aquino (I think), shaking their hands, perhaps as a thank you and welcome gesture. I can't help but feel warm inside. As a Filipino, I have longed to see the day of real, honest to goodness unity. These gestures both from the Marcos and Aquino families might just be the start towards that end. Sana naman. I know, deep in my heart that we can only move forward as a nation if we are all united. To me, to move forward is to see the lesser among us have a better life. Though my life is far from perfect, I sincerely hope that majority of Filipino families will enjoy what we had and have, and more: -- like good education for their children. (I even have one, gone to and finished college for free {almost} at UP, and two, both finished, and one almost graduated ...

I have a copy of TIME Woman of the Year issue dated January 5, 1987. From my piles of important documents, I tried to find it this morning. And indeed it was there. Though a bit worn out, it was still okey. It bore my signature on the cover. Hur! Why did I have to do that? I look inside and on page 4 there it was written in bold white fonts Cory Aquino Leads a Fairy-Tale Revolution, Then Surprises the World with Her Strength But then I get disappointed, her photo on page 5 was cut out. Hur! TIME's piece on Cory's ascendancy to power pays tribute to Cory's "determination and courage in leading a democratic revolution that captured the world's imagination." The article also points out the role that "she has resuscitated its sense of identity and pride". In the same issue, the piece entitled "A Christmas Conversation", Cory was asked who were the great influencers in her life. In response, he said that both her parents influenced her a l...

I am respectfully borrowing Tita Cory's prayer, which I think she wrote after finding out that she was sick of colon cancer. Almighty God, most merciful Father You alone know the time You alone know the hour You alone know the moment When I shall breathe my last. So, remind me each day, most loving Father To be the best that I can be. To be humble, to be kind, To be patient, to be true. To embrace what is good, To reject what is evil, To adore only You. When the final moment does come Let not my loved ones grieve for long. Let them comfort each other And let them know how much happiness They brought into my life. Let them pray for me, As I will continue to pray for them, Hoping that they will always pray for each other. Let them know that they made possible Whatever good I offered to our world. And let them realize that our separation Is just for a short while As we prepare for our reunion in eternity. Our Father in heaven, You alone are my hope. You alone are my salvatio...

As I watched ABS-CBN's presentation last night about President Cory's fight for democracy, memories came rushing back. At that time my children and I lived inside Camp Aguinaldo. I have always felt lucky to be there, as those moments in our country's history were unfolding. I remember, JPEnrile and his boys were holed up at the Defense Department building. On the radio, I heard Cardinal Sin was asking for the people to support Enrile. He was calling to what was later known worldwide as People Power. And so as those moments started to develop, my mother and I together with my children started to feel uneasy, perhaps, short of being afraid. What was going to happen? Will there be civil war? That was foremost in my mind. I feared more for my children than anything else. And so history revealed itself. It showed so many astoundingly good things about the Filipino. As a tinge of sadness for Cory envelop my rainy morning, I feel good again. Because of Cory, the ...

An icon who symbolized freedom. Someone you would not catch not wearing yellow, if she can help it. Someone who stood right with her husband, Senator Benigno Aquino, forgetting she herself was in pain; a mother who stood right with her children, wayward or not; and A President who stood right with her country, someone who never wanted to have that power, to begin with . Sad we may all be... it is time to be with the loving embrace of the Lord. Alas, no more pain. God bless Cory Aquino!!! So long.