Eco recession out, Swine flu in

From economic recession, comes the swine flu outbreak.

It came so sudden to me.

I was in the middle of my ride to work when Mike Enriquez interviewed this expert regarding the outbreak of Swine Flu in countries like US, Mexico, Canada, etc.

Inquirer then confirmed it today, April 28, 2009, 40 cases have been confirmed in the US, 6 in Canada, and the number continues to grow.

But the questions still lies, what is Swine Flu? How does one get one? Where did it all start?

Swine Flu, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is a respiratory disease common in pigs mainly caused by Type A Influenza virus that normally causes outbreak of influenza in pigs.

Unknown was the reason of its infection to human. However, due to direct exposure to pigs, humans have been infected with the disease causing death.

According to them, one can't be infected through intake of pork. The virus can die at a 160 degrees Fahrenheit as what it usually does with other viruses or bacteria.

The disease is spread via regular or close contact of human beings with pigs - this is common in livestock farms where hogs are usually kept.

But where do we go from here?

I just do hope Filipinos will be take part in the actions that the government is taking to prevent the infection of the disease here in the country.

I mean, nothing really serious has happened in the country yet. But we should be aware and keep our guards high regarding this issue. Like Bird Flu and SARS, this is really something serious that we should focus ourselves into.

This is not just for ourselves.

But for the generations to come.

For you guys...

I don't really need to do this. I know.

But what the heck, here goes nothing.

WARNING: This blog entry is very cheesy.

* * *

I started my first job in an office where everything seems to be a blur image of what I hate the most - numbers. I thought, this isn't what I want. I hate numbers.

But everything changed when I met not just office mates, not just acquaintances, not even just friends, but a family.

I may be leaving.

But one thing's for sure, you guys will always have that special place in my heart that no one ever can replace.

TO MITZI: You made me realize that having fun while literally working is possible. Every laugh, every smile, every jokes we shared will always be a part of me wherever I go. You are not a friend, you are my ate, and you will always remain to be one where life will take me. Thank you so much for the worth-keeping memories and for the genuine friendship you offered with open arms.

TO MS.ELA: How lucky am I to have the coolest boss in town? When I got lost in the midst of numbers and more numbers, you we're there to help. When I got drowned amidst all the hassles and bustles of the industry, you we're there to help. Now tell me, ain't I lucky enough? Thank you so much for the patience and for the encouragement - for pushing me to become the best person I can be.

TO PAPA DON: How fast time flies. I was not under your tutelage, but I learned more than one from you. You were not just a friend to me, you were a father, a brother, a confidant, a mentor. Thank you so much for the words of wisdom you shared to me. I will surely miss the smoke sessions, the laughs, the storytellings, and the backfightings. *wink*

TO MS. MALOU: It was not until I went out when I really realized how light it is to work with someone like you. If there's one thing I'll miss of you, It's how you react with every touch, kiss, and smell I did with you. "Nakakadiri ka," or "Tang inis," - I will never forget those. Though you easily get pressure, thank you for showing me the

TO MS. CATHY: You were a mother to all of us - more than that lady inside the squared office. You were a vulnerable lady yet you showed me how to be strong in this industry. There was more than that smile, there's strength and courage. Thank you so much for believing in me,from I drew courage to face the twists and turns of the industry.

TO KUYA JEFF: I never had a Kuya until you came. I never knew how it felt to have a brother until you came. And as such, I would like to thank you for that. For keeping me company when I needed it. Thank you so much for the hand and the ears you lent me, for the brotherly love, and for the encouragement.

TO LALAINE: You had your own world, and I understand. But keep in mind that in this world, we have to grow, we have to sacrifice things, and we have to seek for knowledge. I do pray and hope that time will come that you will be out there, loud and proud than anyone else. I will surely miss being with you in an oh so quite yet competitive room. See you around Laine.

TO LARA and CAMILLE: There's more than that ladyish look you portray, there's will power. And I admire you guys for that. Thank you for letting me see the true picture there is in this industry. May you continue to be strong enough not for others, but for yourself. I will surely miss you guys.

AND TO AGNES: Hey. It's not yet the end of the world. We will still each other, of that I'm sure. Let me just say that in life, we have to know where we're going, where we're heading. With that, I know you will find your spot here on earth. It my not be now. But soon, it will come. Nes, thank you for the care, the love, the friendship. Thank you so much for loving me just the way I am. I will really miss you.

* * *

This ends my speech, with tears almost falling from my eyes.

I will surely miss you guys.

But we will see each other around. It's a small world after all.

Philippines becoming India

Thanks to Slumdog Millionaire, I have tasted the bitterness of life in India. It was like traveling the country for an hour and a half. 

But this blog is not about what India is, rather, it's about what Philippines has become that I have seen it clearly through Ted Failon's latest issue.

May it be in TV, radio, print, or online, Ted Failon and the death of his wife, Trina Etong, has been the talk of the town for almost two weeks now.

It was a total shock for the media industry and the country, at large. 

And now, as forensic pathologists, hired by the side of Ted Failon, investigate the death, it will continuously be a resounding issue for the family.

But what this blog will talk about is the brutality of the policemen who arrested the alleged suspects, who are relatives of Ted and Trina, minutes before Trina died. Without warrant of arrests, the Quezon City Police Department did such acts which I think is way beyond human rights.

Philippines has become what India is. And the law enforcers are the ones who proved it.

May this be a wake up call for the country, most specially those who enforce laws.

These police people need not brutally arrest the relatives of Ted and Trina - issues can well be settled minus brutality. The family needs a private time in this time of grief, and, I think, the law enforcers should respect this.

Where has your respect gone?

Philippines has become what India is now.

And it will continue to be one with these people.

From a photographer to a model

I'm not really the model type. 

Though I should admit that I love to pose in front of the camera. Aside from being a photographer, I love to take photos of myself.

I love photography in general.

Again, I'm not the model type.

I don't have that chiseled body, killer smile, or that high fashion pose.

Nah.

This just made me realized that I should stick with what I do best, stay behind the camera.

To T2 or not to T2? That is the question.

There's really a lot to say about T2 or Tenement 2.

Maricel Soriano is Maricel Soriano, she is undeniably an actress, thanks to her years and years of experience both in TV and film. You could really feel the fear in her eyes, truly exceptional.

Eric Fructuoso is an added value for the film. After years of absence in the movie scene, he makes a comeback that, I think, no other actors can. He is not the best, I should say, but his acting was perfect for the role - except for the naknamput word that he keeps on repeating throughout the film.

Mika dela Cruz is also another eye candy. The child, seeing her also in Goin Bulilit, has what it takes in portraying difficult and sensitive roles. She may be quite maarte for the role, being a daughter of a blind probinsyano, but she pulled everything off. 

I, personally, like the idea of not including John Lloyd Cruz in the billing of the film. His present popularity, after the You Change My Life phenomenon, would cover up the actors and the film, itself. Who would want that to happen right?

Lastly, I should commend the film's cinematography. It captured, the best possible way it can, the feel of the underworld. Kudos.

Here starts the negative part of my review.

The screenplay seems not to be the best one that Chito Roño and Aloy Adlawan could produce. There is surely more to what they have done. If Chris Martinez did it for Sukob and Roy Iglesias for Feng Shui, having Chito Roño on the side, why did Aloy didn't make it?

The graphics is another story to tell. I would probably forgive the technology that the Philippine industry presently has, but there was surely more than what they did. 

Actors like K Brosas and Camille Pratts should have been scrapped out. I really don't know if their acting was the best for the film. Even John Lloyd Cruz is questionable whether he fits the role or not.

Though it was really shocking, thanks to an invention called sound effects, it wasn't really that scary or eerie that when you get out of the movie house, you'll be scared of that particular thing, just like Feng Shui and Sukob did to me.

However, it still boils down to one's opinion and criticism. I still leave everything to you guys who will watch the film in the days to come.

To T2 or not to T2?

i say, not.

Sa ikalawa, Pwede na

Pagkatapos ng mahabang pahinga, 

heto't nagbabalik na naman siya - 

si Serena at ang mga litrato niya.

Tila ganito na ata talaga, 

Bawat kuha'y kakaiba,

tingin niyo? Ayos naman hindi ba?

Pero dito iyong makikita,

Natural na ganda niya,

Na tila hindi magagawa ng iba.

May pula, may dilaw,

may kulubot, may bughaw,

iba-iba bawat pindot sa kamera.

Maaring ang iba'y hindi makita,

maaring may kung anumang abala,

Pero kung iyo'ng titigan,

Tila dadalhin ka sa karimlan.

Sana'y inyong nagustuhan,

Hanggang dito na lamang.

How do you make Holy Week holy?

Growing up in a province like Davao, there's really a big difference as to how I commemorate Christ's passion or simply, the Holy Week.

When I was still living there, this week is the holiest week I live my entire year. 

I could still remember waking up at around 4 o'clock in the morning to join the Way of the Cross which is a walk for around a kilometer or two.

I even usually join a choir of angels singing to celebrate the Christ's resurrection. Yes. I wore that one cloth with an artificial halo and wings while singing, "Alleluia, Alleluia, Alle, Alleluia,"

The name speaks for itself.

When I started spending my Holy Week here in Manila, things changed. 

Instead of a prayerful and holy Holy Week, I spend it out-of-town with my friends and special someones. Last year I went to Subic, this year will be in Zambales.

Maybe because I'm miles away from my family, who are the ones who influences me to spend it the way they do which is the one thing I miss about this week.

I wish I could spend this with my family.

I miss them. I miss them so much.

"Lordy, this week of solitude and serenity, may you guide and protect my family, my friends, and my better half,"

Cheap Chip Tsao

Who the hell is Chip Tsao?

I was once again a couch potato one night at home when I came across a news report on TV about a chinese columnist expressing his angst, anger, hatred, or whatever you call against the Filipino nation. In his article entitled The War at Home, Chip Tsao discussed his rant against the Philippines for claiming Spratly Islands. 

Thanks to Google, I got the chance to read the full article. Here it goes.

* * *

The War at Home by Chip Tsao

The Russians sank a Hong Kong freighter last month, killing the seven Chinese seamen on board. We can live with that—Lenin and Stalin were once the ideological mentors of all Chinese people. The Japanese planted a flag on Diàoyú Island. That’s no big problem—we Hong Kong Chinese love Japanese cartoons, Hello Kitty, and shopping in Shinjuku, let alone our round-the-clock obsession with karaoke.

But hold on—even the Filipinos? Manila has just claimed sovereignty over the scattered rocks in the South China Sea called the Spratly Islands, complete with a blatant threat from its congress to send gunboats to the South China Sea to defend the islands from China if necessary. This is beyond reproach. The reason: there are more than 130,000 Filipina maids working as $3,580-a-month cheap labor in Hong Kong. As a nation of servants, you don’t flex your muscles at your master, from whom you earn most of your bread and butter.

As a patriotic Chinese man, the news has made my blood boil. I summoned Louisa, my domestic assistant who holds a degree in international politics from the University of Manila, hung a map on the wall, and gave her a harsh lecture. I sternly warned her that if she wants her wages increased next year, she had better tell every one of her compatriots in Statue Square on Sunday that the entirety of the Spratly Islands belongs to China.

Grimly, I told her that if war breaks out between the Philippines and China, I would have to end her employment and send her straight home, because I would not risk the crime of treason for sponsoring an enemy of the state by paying her to wash my toilet and clean my windows 16 hours a day. With that money, she would pay taxes to her government, and they would fund a navy to invade our motherland and deeply hurt my feelings.

Oh yes. The government of the Philippines would certainly be wrong if they think we Chinese are prepared to swallow their insult and sit back and lose a Falkland Islands War in the Far East. They may have Barack Obama and the hawkish American military behind them, but we have a hostage in each of our homes in the Mid-Levels or higher. Some of my friends told me they have already declared a state of emergency at home. Their maids have been made to shout “China, Madam/Sir” loudly whenever they hear the word “Spratly.” They say the indoctrination is working as wonderfully as when we used to shout, “Long live Chairman Mao!” at the sight of a portrait of our Great Leader during the Cultural Revolution. I’m not sure if that’s going a bit too far, at least for the time being.

* * *

As I previously asked, who the hell is Chip Tsao?

Thanks once again to Google, I knew that Chip Tsao comes from a family of writers and editors. His father and mother worked in a magazine and newspaper in Hong Kong. He worked as a reported in BBC where he was soon accredited as a writer in UK.

I clearly understand where he is coming from - a point of view of a patriotic writer concerned of his country's welfare, like everyone else is.

However, he need not label other countries, or Philippines to be exact, such names such as, "a nation of servants." This I think is way beyond the border and responsibilities of a journalist.

I, myself, was once a journalist, working as an editor-in-chief of a student publication back in college and I know for a fact that being a writer, you should inculcate the limits and responsibilities of a journalist.

Though he already asked for forgiveness, and as far as I know, the Philippine embassy in Hong Kong already accepted it, it can't be denied that this writing caused a wound in every Filipino's heart. 

We may be a "nation of servants," but we are a nation of dignity and honor, of courage and bravery. 

TO Mr. CHIP TSAO, where has your ethics gone? If you want war, we will give you war.