Remember the time when the man in the mirror was bad?

Gone too soon indeed is the thriller that was Ben.

Rest easy,  Moonwalker.

Amen.

A simple tribute to Michael Joseph Jacskon (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009)

My Mahal and I are already married for more than a year.   Sad to say that most of that time was spent apart.  He has to work  in Hong Kong while I need to stay in the Philippines to teach.

I think the longest time we lived under one roof was 2 months.  That was summer of  2008.  We settled in a little flat in Hong Kong.  That house for me was special.  I considered it our first home.

When summer of 2008 was over,  I needed to return to Manila.  Little did we know that I was not alone when I left Hong Kong — baby was already with me

Two bleeding episodes, 9 months of growing a bump, and a ceasearan section later, I returned to Hong Kong  just this May.  I was so thrilled of spending my 2-week vacation in our old flat.  I was so glad that my husband had meticulously maintained it in terms of cleanliness.  He is so much better in house cleaning than me.

And that was my last return to our old,  little,  sweet flat.

With my husband’s new job in Laguna, and baby who is already starting to coo and smile, my hubby and I decided to finally settle in the Philippines.

We were just newly weds when we first opened the door of our  flat.  Now we had closed  its door as parents to a cooing baby girl who had waited for us to come home together.

We just got home last 21st of May.  Together.  At long last.

A full circle.

Pulutan (n.) (literally “something that is picked“) is a term roughly analogous to the English term “finger food” or “appetizer”.  A snack accompanied with liquor of beer.

Pinoys have an appetite for the mundane of things.  Let me demonstrate…

The balut. An 18-day old chick resting innocently inside its shell.

The Isaw. Chicken intestines grilled to fecal perfection!

Yep… perhaps we are already familiar with these two.  Such delicacies made Pinoys famous in the gastronomic world.  But have you seen this one coming?

Megamouth shark. The world's rarest and most elusive specie of shark.

A Megamouth shark was captured by fishermen off the coast of Bicol while fishing for some mackerel.  Instead of letting it go, well,  the poor shark became a perfect pulutan sauteed in coconut milk.  Click here for the complete story.

Wow! That’s another first for the Filipino people!

Sorry if I am making a mockery out of this but I find butchering that poor giant fish  the top of the long sad list of stupid things Filipinos had done.  My gahd!!!  Are we that poor to include a megamouth as pulutan?!

What is most ironic and bizarre about our love for dear Mother Nature  is that the Philippines was hailed first in town and city participation out of the 88 countries among 25 different time zones in the recent Earth Hour.

Sadly, hanggang pakitang tao lang tayo!  I guess for us Pinoys, turning off the light switch is way much easier than sparing that megamouth as pulutan.  That  mouth-watering morsel that comes ever so often!

We can’t blame Filipinos – turning off our light switch is way easier than passing a concrete bill to protect our forests and oceans (which is in dire straits as with our poor fish) or segregating our wastes. We can’t even decently throw a candy wrapper in a trash bin for crying out loud

Top participant in Earth Hour? Nah…

Turning off our light switches for 60 minutes is one thing – being sensitive to what Nature really asks of us is another.

Tagay pa!

]]> http://duskfading.wordpress.com/2009/04/09/pinoy-pulutan-and-earth-hour/feed/ 2 duskfading balut isaw_ng_manok megamouth shark http://duskfading.wordpress.com/2009/01/17/a-caffeinated-surprise/ http://duskfading.wordpress.com/2009/01/17/a-caffeinated-surprise/#comments Sat, 17 Jan 2009 06:59:54 +0000 duskfading http://duskfading.wordpress.com/?p=299 ]]>

I did not have a decent sleep last night. I guess it’s a hormonal thing for a primigravida on their 8th month.

I was actually light-headed when I squinted my way to our dining area. There I saw a package addressed to me. The sender…. duh…. her name didn’t ring a bell.

When I opened the package…. lo and behold! A dream came true right in front of my eyes….

Starbucks Planner 2009

My God! I never thought a stranger by the name of Maver will send such pure bliss through the mail. Thanks to my oh so sweet husband (Mwah! Mwah!) who won Maver’s online “contest” to  get me this planner.

I have been collecting these prized organizers since 2005, the year Starbucks first came up with the idea. Since I am a primigravida deprived of coffee, I stopped my reveries of having the sought-after Starbucks Planner this year. I had totally accepted the fact that a toothless smile from a healthy baby is the trade off for saying NO to a cup of steaming Caramel Macchiato.

Let's take a peek...

Maver, you have no idea how much I am raving right now. As if you have treated me with 16 tall cups of my long lost Caramel Macchiatos. Belated happy birthday Gossip Gehl! May the Lord multiply your happiness and blessings ten-fold this new year.

Check out the names of these Pinoy establishments and laugh your heart out!

• Parlor in San Juan is named : Cut & Face
• Wholesaler of balut in Sto.Tomas, Batangas : Starduck
• Fast food eatery in Nueva Ecija : Violybee
• Internet cafe opened among squatters named : Cafe Pindot
• In Manila , there’s a laundry named : Summa Cum Laundry
• Petshop in Ortigas : Pussies and Bitches
• A pet shop in Kamuning : Pakita Mo Pet Mo
• Bakery : Bread Pit
• Bank in Alabang : Alabank
• Restaurant in Pampanga named : Mekeni Rogers
• Restaurant in Pasig : Johnny’s Fried Chicken: The ‘Fried’ of Marikina
• A boxing gym : Blow Jab
• A tombstone maker in Antipolo : Lito Lapida
• A copy center in Sikatuna Village called : Pakopya ni Edgar
• A beer house in Cavite called : Chickpoint
• Laundromat in Sikatuna : Star Wash : Attack of the Clothes
• Internet cafe in Taguig named : N@kopi@
• Name of a kambingan : Sa Goat Kita
• A salon somewhere : Curl Up And Dye
• A lugawan in Sta. Maria, Bulacan : Gee Congee
• A water refilling station in Dapitan named : Wa-Thirst
• A store selling feeds for chickens : Robocock
• Shoe repair in Marikina : Dr. Shoe-Bago
• Shoe repair store along Commonwealth: SHOEPERMAN: We will HEEL you, save your SOLE, and even DYE for you
• Petshop : Petness First
• Flower shop : Susan’s Roses
• Taxicab : Income Taxi
• A 2nd hand watch store : 2nd Time Around
• A squid stall in a wet market : Pusit to the Limit
• A shrimp store : Hipon Coming Back
• A gay lawyer’s extension office: Nota Republic
• A ceiling installer : Kisame Street
• A car repair shop : Bangga ka ‘day?
• An aquatic pet store in Malolos: Fish Be With You
• A fishball cart named : Poke Poke
• A beauty salon: Saudia Hairlines
• A bakery : Anak Ng Tinapay
• A resto along Mayon road in Manila : May Lisa Eatery
• Laundry shop : Wash Your Problem
• This mobile massage business name isn’t funny, but their slogan is: Asian Mobile Massage Service: Massage only, God is watching
• Ice cream parlor: Dila Lang Ang Katapat
• Chicharon store: Chicha Hut
• Neighborhood pizza store: Pizza Hot
• A fishball cart near UST: Eat My Balls
• A barbershop in Cagayan de Oro: Pinoy Big Barber
• A Resto : The Last Supper
• A goto resto : Goto Ko Pa!
• A peanut vendor’s cart with a funny name : Mani ni Papa
• A gym in Malolos : Gaymann Fitness Center
• My brother’s party needs business : Balloon-Balloonan
• A Chinese restaurant in Pasig: Lah-Fang
• A store selling fresh chicken, owned by woman named Dina: Dina Fresh Chicken
• An actual bait and tackle shop in U.S.: The Master Baiter
• Panaderia : Trimonay Bakeshop
• Salon : Hair Dot Comb
• Peanut wholesaler outlet in Laloma : Mani Pakyaw

Source: My acknowledgments to the true source. Forwarded Email.

June 22, Sunday, 2:30 am

My parents and I are in deep slumber when we had noticed the sound of the howling wind outside. Anong meron???

Who would have known that the eye of the storm, Frank, has landed in Manila that early morning. There was no rain, but the wind was so strong we felt that it would skin our roof bare. No joke! We kept our fingers crossed as we listened to our rusty roof squeaking in the battering wind.

We woke up around 7am and learned from the news that Manila is under signal no.3. The highest storm alert level given by the country’s weather agency PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration) (In Tagalog: Pangasiwaang Pilipino sa Palingkurang Atmosperiko, Heopisikal at Astronomiko – Now that’s a trivia bit!)

News regarding the onslaught of Frank in Iloilo and the Visayan region was reported since yesterday. However, the rage of the storm arriving at the doorstep of Manila… well, that was not highlighted in the news! The hell! Yesterday, it was a sunny hot afternoon and my neighbor even had a videoke set up outside their house to have a birthday bash! Who would expect that the eye of the storm will be arriving at the holiest hour of sleep the next morning!

Misinformation and confusion regarding the status of weather in the Philippines has long been a pain in the neck. Not to mention, the finger pointing of mayors and government agencies as to who will announce the suspension of classes and work in offices. Seems like people are already used to the pathetic ritual of going to work/school in the morning, bravely facing the hard rain, and moments later when flood has already risen up to your armpits, they will request you to return home (for your own safety).

Storms are inevitable. To ensure safety of the public, the only way is to be prepared for the said calamity ahead of time. So, you tune over the radio or TV. Just pray that the supply of electricity will not be cut off from your place. You can also check the internet for a real time update.

When I checked PAGASA website http://www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/ , this is what flashed before my eyes…

Wow! Very accessible.

After several more attempts and summoning what is left of my patience, the site had finally loaded.

My main concern was to learn about flooded areas in Manila, so I clicked the Flood Forecast tab of the site. Lo and behold!!!

Okeeeyyyy…. So seeking wisdom from PAGASA’s website is not such a good idea. I will stick to FM radio powered by 9 gigantic size D batteries. How reliable!

I believe PAGASA is equipped with the right gadgets to monitor and forecast weather situations. The sad problem lies on information dissemination. The media should be more aggressive in updating the public of the status of weather. Our steadfastness and readiness to face natural calamities should already be innate in us, the Philippines being a country of having an average of 30 storms a year.

Where is hope in PAGASA?

-o0o-

Have an extra drizzle of this unweatherly report from the wisdom of a cow.

Seems like our daily financial budget for things becomes leaner and leaner.

And indeed when it rains, it pours! Notice those times when your budget is already stretched to the limit, more concerns that needs you to spend just pop up.   Like the increase of every available service in the Philippines for example. And you have no choice but to further stretch your already measly income. Your skills of budgeting and saving and making containers of baby powder as piggy banks are being put to the acid test. There are also times that the only thing left in your purse is your exact fare for that jeepney ride home. Truly, these are trying times.

Here are the top 5 things that drains the purse of the everyday Pinoy worker.

1. Transportation fare -  My earliest remembrance of the minimum jeepney fare was PhP 1.50. That time, I can still afford to pay for my companion’s fare when we are commuting. At present, it has soared to PhP 8.00. Sa tingen mo ba makakapanlibre ka pa?  Tricycle fare is at present PhP 6.00. FX operators have  increased all its original fares  by PhP 5.00. Hmmm… Perhaps walkaton will be the next big sport.

For those who have the wheels… When was the last time you had your tank full? Gahd! Even the gas tank experiences a diet.

2. Food -  Cheapest rice to date = PhP 18.50 per kilo. This is NFA rice with the quality of which, they say, is comparable to animal feed.  Rice satisfactory to the human senses = PhP 35.00 per kilo. Which will you consider when buying rice? A. The palate  B. Rumbling stomach C. Rumbling stomach while waiting in loooooong lines to get rice.  D.  Rumbling stomach while waiting in line to get rice with your already lean purse. F. All of the above. G. Wala sa mga nabanggit.

For those who often eat out… Expect a PhP 5.00 to PhP 15.00 increase in your daily canteen/cafeteria/fast food meal. Now that’s motivation to start that long-planned diet.

For those who attempt to do the groceries….  I wonder if you will be able to fill one grocery cart with  PhP 1000 cash to spend.  Hmmm… wag na lang tayo mag-cart.

3. Meralco – I do not blame Juday for justifying system loss being part of every Filipino’s electricity bill. Since she is a showbiz celeb na tumatabo ng milyon milyon sa takilya, I bet if she had ever experienced disconnection because she missed paying the bill.  And I wonder if she is ever affected with the soaring prices of rice, groceries, and the sardines which she endorses.

4. Medicine – Being sick nowadays is already considered a sin.  As one commercial stresses, “Bawal magkasakit.”  It is so darn true.  I feel for those families who are required to allot a big chunk of their budget to manage a medical condition. What is sad is that medicine cannot be compromised.  Sometimes the cheaper generic version is hard to find, or worse, unavailable in the market.

5. Cellphone Load/Bill – I use prepaid card to feed the diet of my ravenous cellphone. Cellphone communication is a given necessity. With my husband presently working overseas, need I say more

Seems like the fact of skyrocketing commodities and services will be here to stay and we should start to learn to cope with it.  The list is painful and inevitable.  Anything more to add to this pocket-draining list?

Thanks to http://www.engrish.com for these funny funny pics featuring out-of-this-world english translations.

Gahd, I am telling you I spent half a day just laughing my head off at these pics. Definitely a stress reliever!

Ingat!

Finish this fast!

Very harsh!

This is perhaps the most morbid sign I’ve seen. Beware cyclist!

Thank you for open!

Guess where this is applied…

And if you are dead, please call funeral services.

Please check out their site for a truly enjoyable experience!

]]> http://duskfading.wordpress.com/2008/06/04/reading-the-signs-part-2/feed/ 4 duskfading http://duskfading.wordpress.com/2008/05/28/reading-the-signs-warning-may-cause-nose-bleed/ http://duskfading.wordpress.com/2008/05/28/reading-the-signs-warning-may-cause-nose-bleed/#comments Wed, 28 May 2008 04:28:06 +0000 duskfading http://duskfading.wordpress.com/?p=70 ]]>

Iba’t ibang signs:

Bawal omehi dito. Ang maholi bog bog tsaka molta P1000.

Don’t Parking

Wanted Boy Waitress

Ponkan : 5 pesos per each

Sweat Corn. May luto

Ukay-ukay. More on the 2nd floor (upstairs)

Sorry we’re close. Lunch brake.

No urinating over the walls

Tsk tsk…nus bled ito!!!

Would you believe these are all EDIBLE??? Gahd… what a masterpiece! I wanna gobble them all up. Thanks to my friend who had emailed me this. SUMPTUOUS! Pass me the wasabi please…

For more feast for the eyes, I recommend the blog http://omgowned.wordpress.com/2008/05/25/what-happened-to-the-food/