Living in the City

It's been almost 4 months. Ondoy damaged almost all of Metro Manila. Pepeng deluded most of Central and Northern Luzon. Why do I have to go back to these sad memories? I think I need to; if only to document in a glimpse our one of a kind experience. I wish it didn't happen. But wishes rarely come true. Marikina, the city where my family lives suffered one of, if not the worst nightmare's a city could ever endure. Why it had to happen, I am definitely sure,  was not an act of God. Looking back and bringing  myself to that fateful day, I distinctly remember hearing from my transistor radio that Ipo, Angat and Magat, three dams  in Central Luzon was about to release or had just released water. I was listening to  DZBB. And when I saw from our bedroom window that water was on our street, I kind of  grew apprehensive. Is this connected to the water release from the three dams? This has never happened before. It was our 8th year in this subdivision and I have not seen anythin

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