November 21, 2009

Blast from the past: newspaper drive

Tonight, I was sorting through old newspapers, deciding which ones to throw and which to keep. Don’t ask. I’m old fashioned that way.

And because I was doing this, I was actually transported back in time to my days as a student in an all girls Catholic school.

Each year, when I was in elementary, the entire school would hold a newspaper drive. Everyone would bring in old newspapers from back home and you’d get merit points for the newspapers that you’d bring for homeroom. At the end of the month (I don’t exactly remember when), the whole class tallies the newspaper stacks using a giant ruler to measure the height. If I remember correctly, and my memory is fuzzy on this part, the winning section got a prize. The newspapers are then sold to a recycling center by the kilo and the money funding school projects.

I diligently brought newspapers to school. My mom was an avid newspaper reader, at least bringing home two a day from the office, and that would add up to a sizable stack by the time the campaign rolled around.

As I had a younger sister so we had to split the newspapers at home equally. Still, it was still nothing to sniff at, even minus household consumption usage for starting the grill, cleaning mirrors and wrapping fish, among other things.

But no matter how hard I tried, I wasn’t the winner of the class when it came to bringing the most newspapers. I couldn’t figure this out. People with more siblings than I, who I didn’t think read newspapers at home, were bringing newspapers by the stack.

And then I learned one of life’s important lessons at this age, when I was still naive in my thinking that if you were diligent enough, you just might win the newspaper drive. There were signs that the rich classmates of mine, the ones who had more siblings than I and whose parents probably didn’t even read the papers daily, actually bought their stash by the inch.

There were no rules that said one couldn’t buy newspapers to bring to the newspaper drive. The school’s objective was to raise funds, after all. And how would you know if someone bought newspapers to donate, right? (Except that sometimes one whole stack would contain the same edition).

So that was one of the first lessons in life for me. I attempted to beg my parents to buy me some but no dice. (When I was younger, I did think most of the time that it was a pain in the ass to have parents who always wanted you to do the right thing. That lecture came out of my ears with the number of times it got said again and again. But when you get older, you get it.)

Another lesson I learned was there are ways to beat an illogical system. Since the papers were being sold by weight, but measured by height for contest purposes, then if we actually separated the spread of the papers, it could help increase how tall the stack would be when measured. Or at least, that’s what we thought.

Then there was the Chinese-style battle plan. In the beginning, don’t reveal all your firepower. Every class could see how the others were doing in terms of the height of the newspapers because they were stacked up next to the blackboard. So one could pretty much gauge how one fared relative to the others, which was a cause of insecurity if your section lagged behind. But on the last day, then those who had the secret stacks would, in the end, bring out all their ammo, in effect, surprising the competition.

And now that I am older, I have learned another lesson, looking back. The world is round. Those of us who were able to coast by because they had the means to, well, let’s just say that you eventually find out that even if it can buy you a whole stack of newspapers and momentary popularity, money isn’t really everything.

November 19, 2009

Manny + Krista

Manny Pacquiao, you already have fame, fortune and the gift of family. Your mommy Dionisia is very supportive. I heard that your dad is living in one of your houses somewhere. Your wife married you because she loved you, way back when people didn’t even give you a second glance. You are on top of the world, king of your field. You have so much money, you literally can’t keep count.

And there’s a possibility you’re about to throw it all away for another woman!

I have been keeping up with online updates on the alleged affair between Pacman and actress Krista Ranillo, who turns out, is Atenean (yikes!).

Only learned about it because I live tweeted the Pacquiao-Cotto fight and one of the tweets I saw mentioned Krista entering the arena. I’m like, why is she there? She must be such a fan (haha, naive. *smacks forehead*).

And then I saw entries on Chuvaness. And stories on other websites.

I understand why Manny may be enamored of her. She’s so different from him. Aside from the fact that she’s smoking hot, she’s  sosyalin and spokening English. And interestingly enough, she resembles Valerie Concepcion (Remember that prolonged kissing scene for a movie that upset the girl?).

This isn’t the first time, though, that he has been linked with other women. If I’m not mistaken, his wife even alluded to the hookups in previous interviews but said that they had worked it out. But that video of her breaking into tears during the Thanksgiving mass was just a big indication that things are not well between them again.

All I can say is a big Haaaaay naku!

If I were Manny, I would:

Stick with my wife and don’t do a Ramon Revilla or Erap.

Concentrate on getting the best that I can out of my boxing talent because I only have a few years left. Having said that, make sure I go out on top, and with a bang.

Not enter politics. The people love me already. Instead, do charity work or put up a foundation or school for boxers (so people will love me forever).

Assign someone to handle my money (Maybe he already has it. I don’t know. I hope so.).

We’ll see what happens next.

November 15, 2009

Live Tweeting Pacquiao-Cotto

Not a play by play because God knows I don’t even know what’s happening half of the time.

But doing some on the fringe updates via Twitter.

First time am watching a fight with Twitter in the background. Before, just used to live blog, which does’t really work so well because of the format and the cumbersome updates.

Technology has come a long way.

November 14, 2009

Kibitzing Politics and Manny

Have been so busy. My clean laundry is strewn in my living, all three weeks’ worth of it. I just console myself that at least it’s clean. My grocery bags are unpacked. My kitchen floor is just plain gross. I haven’t even had time to cook! And my new blog is sadly neglected.

I wish I had more time to kibitz on Philippine politics. Ironically, I had more time to do so when I was living in LA. Kibitz, like the fact that Gilbert Teodoro and Noynoy Aquino are actually first cousins. Or that Noynoy and Mar share a lady between them (I keep on saying this but it’s really an awesome fact).

Now that Edu Manzano is Gilbert’s vp bet, what’s a girl to do? Edu has been a longtime crush of mine and when I met him in person eons ago, I broke my ban to not have photos with local celebrities, him just being the second local celeb I actually hyperventilated to have a photo with (The first one was Gabby Concepcion and I was in third grade, so sue me! I will still jostle for a photo op with Gabby anytime.)

But no, Edu, even if I’m crushing on you, it’s not enough to have my vote. Especially since I’m actually registered and will vote come election day. FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE.

And this angle of the presidential race being an Ateneo (my alma mater) versus La Salle (all my family members’ alma mater) is funny in a simplistic way. Oo nga naman. Who could have seen it coming? Even in presidential election, passion can be equated into something akin to a basketball game. Waaah!

Forgive me if I don’t make sense and this post sounds like a ditzy one. I’m feeling ditzy tonight. Especially since I’m actually looking forward to Manny Pacquiao’s match with Miguel Kuto este Cotto this Sunday.

I think Manny is great. He’s funny, can laugh at himself, has had an awesome, amazing life story so far, and is liquid as water, with assets and no liabilities financially, except for his hangers on (But if these chuwariwaps give him the psychological boost he needs to win his matches, then they’re a good enough investment).

I wish I could be like Manny: earn big bucks and be someone my country is proud of. But that remains to be seen. Lol.

Hayayay. So I will stop sharing my ditzy thoughts now. But before I end this show, let all of you all know how crazy I am about Body Shop’s Peppermint foot lotion. It did as it promised, meaning my cracked heels are no more, and Body Shop’s cocoa hand and nail cream. It actually made my hands softer and I’ve only been using it for a few days. And no, I didn’t accept payment for this endorsement.

So goodnight, sleep tight. On Sunday, hope I wake up to watch the fight.

PS Latest NCIS episode rocks, the one where Kai gets killed. I was actually cheering McGee on with his new girl, because I just woke up after six seasons of repeatedly watching NCIS over and over to realize that McGee is now a stud in Season 7. But no, they had to kill her. Worse, they had to make her evil. And what’s that moment again between Ziva and Tony? Please let them hook up already? Or that moment with McGee and Abby? Argh.

November 7, 2009

NCIS vs NCIS Los Angeles

Watching NCIS Los Angeles now after watching latest episode of NCIS (the one where they bring back Mike Franks from Mexico).

My question is, and I hope somebody out there can answer it, is even if they belong to the same government agency, why do they seem to be operating on different budgets? NCIS LA seems more techy, slick and obviously more well-funded compared to its DC counterpart. NCIS LA seems to be teeming with people in their underground office while at NCIS we only see the same set of people.

NCIS LA seems to be more field work oriented and more action packed.

I probably need to re-watch the Legends episode when the introduced NCIS LA in NCIS. I know I remember there being a quip from McGee to Gibbs about how come LA had more cooler tech stuff so maybe it was answered there.

Yes, I know it’s a TV show and most of it is fictional. But it would be great to find some answers. :)

November 7, 2009

Raising the Bar Season 2

Okay. Another 10 hours of my life lost to watching Rasing the Bar Season 2.
raising_gallery01_512x341

Photo from TNT.tv website.

The series in danger to becoming sappy, especially with Jerry Kellerman’s crusading ways. But so far, it has held up well as a go-to TV show to watch when there’s nothing better.

Season 2 didn’t resolve anything between Richard and Roz, which for me, and for other people watching the show, seems to be the highlight. The Jerry-Bobbi angle is a been there, done that thing. And after they have now hooked up, will they get into fights? They’re sweet, but I don’t really care about them except maybe think about how attractive they are as a couple.

But I’d like to see more of Richard and Roz and how their relationship will hopefully progress.

I’d also like to see if Charlie will get a proper boyfriend and if Judge Kessler would find herself a man she remotely likes.

The legal issues are interesting but not compelling. It seems like it’s one indigent after another being picked on by the district attorney (portrayed as unreasonable) and the police (portrayed as ruthless). Message to scriptwriters, it needs more oommphh.

I don’t know if I’m going to follow the show’s Season 3. Like the case of True Blood, I watched the first season just because I’m OCD that way (meaning I won’t drop something unless it’s really, really unwatchable), but decided not to watch the second, as it didn’t really excite me the way that my staple TV shows have.

Remains to be seen.

November 6, 2009

Manny Pacquiao on Jimmy Kimmel

It was funny to watch Manny Pacquiao on Jimmy Kimmel Live. And no, I couldn’t watch Part 3 where he sang. It would have driven me up the wall. :)

November 5, 2009

Waiting for 500 Days of Summer

I seriously cannot wait to watch 500 Days of Summer. And I want to watch it in the cinema and not on DVD.

Because it stars cool actors who are just on the brink of stardom and would probably become more popular after this movie. Mostly coz of the scene where Summer talks to the Guy when she hears him listen to The Smith’s “There is a light that never goes out.”

Take me out tonight
Where there’s music and there’s people
And they’re young and alive
Driving in your car
I never never want to go home
Because I haven’t got one
Anymore

Take me out tonight
Because I want to see people and I
Want to see life
Driving in your car
Oh, please don’t drop me home
Because it’s not my home, it’s their
Home, and I’m welcome no more

And if a double-decker bus
Crashes into us
To die by your side
Is such a heavenly way to die
And if a ten-ton truck
Kills the both of us
To die by your side
Well, the pleasure – the privilege is mine

Take me out tonight
Take me anywhere, I don’t care
I don’t care, I don’t care
And in the darkened underpass
I thought Oh God, my chance has come at last
(But then a strange fear gripped me and I
Just couldn’t ask)

Take me out tonight
Oh, take me anywhere, I don’t care
I don’t care, I don’t care
Driving in your car
I never never want to go home
Because I haven’t got one, da …
Oh, I haven’t got one

And if a double-decker bus
Crashes into us
To die by your side
Is such a heavenly way to die
And if a ten-ton truck
Kills the both of us
To die by your side
Well, the pleasure – the privilege is mine

Oh, There Is A Light And It Never Goes Out
There Is A Light And It Never Goes Out
There Is A Light And It Never Goes Out
There Is A Light And It Never Goes Out
There Is A Light And It Never Goes Out
There Is A Light And It Never Goes Out
There Is A Light And It Never Goes Out
There Is A Light And It Never Goes Out
There Is A Light And It Never Goes Out

I super love this song and can play it over and over again. And I love it despite the suicidal you and me against the world message. Hihi.

 

November 4, 2009

Raising the Bar Season 1

Just finished 10 episodes of TNT’s Raising the Bar Season 1 (and yes, I am fully well aware that that’s 10 hours of my life).

Do I like it? I don’t hate it. It’s a decent enough legal drama. It’s not as groundbreaking as Ally McBeal was, as quirky as Boston Legal, as full on as The Practice.

The relationships among the lawyers are interesting because, as far as the first season goes, everyone seems to be consistent personality-wise.

It’s not totally addictive, but it’s something that you won’t mind watching if you feel like just kicking back and relaxing.

The main lead, Jerry Kellerman (Mark Paul-Goselaar) is charming enough. So is Richard Patrick Woolsley (Teddy Sears).

After hours of staring at Kellerman’s face on screen, finally figured out that he’s the guy from Saved by the Bell. Haha.

Should you watch it? Do if you’re into legal dramas. Do if you aren’t looking for something extremely meaty. Do if you have free time and have nothing better to do. Otherwise, stick to the more popular fare.

November 4, 2009

Star-studded Noynoy MTV

This new Noynoy Aquino star-studded MTV has created quit a stir in the blogosphere. Some of the comments range from the purely superficial point of view, such as on the outfits worn in the video, hairstyles, size of Noynoy’s gut, to the celebrities in the video, to the more serious message it wants to send across to potential voters.

Watched the video twice.

I think it works as an initial introduction. On the superficial level, it makes people who otherwise wouldn’t watch a political video actually watch it if they are fans of any one of the stars who are endorsing the candidate.

Admittedly, most people nowadays have short attention spans. Unless they’re in the mood for protracted political discussions, which most people are not, then this video is successful in using star power to draw attention to the candidate.

The next question would be, is it the kind of attention that the candidate wants? In my opinion, at this point, any kind of attention that could eventually lead to intelligent discussion of issues is a good step in the right direction.

Should a lot be read into this particular video? I think it should just be taken as it is. It’s an MTV-style video that showcases the celebrities hand in hand with the candidate they have chosen to endorse.

I’m quite impressed with the celebrities that they have managed to pull together for this. Wouldn’t be surprised if this becomes the envy of other candidates, who will most probably remark bad things about it in public but secretly wish that they had actually been able to do the same.

One has to put in context that the celebrity has always been a big, integral part to campaigns in the Philippines. And the celebrity draw is still very essential in running a campaign that is talked about and therefore in the public eye. I’m not saying this is necessarily a good thing. But this is how things have worked.

Now my next desire is to see YouTube videos of Noynoy talking policy and governance. Haven’t actually had the time to look it up, there may be some floating around. If there aren’t any, I hope they will come out with some soon.

Will also make time to watch videos of other candidates.