Drain Paranoid

ahay kamote....

2008-08-31T16:11:00.000+08:00

not much to do.. not really being productive especially in earning much needed cash...

I do am busy.. as a volunteer though... I actually tire myself to death working on a lot of stuffs for other people FOR FREE...

damn.. I really need to do something w/ my life.. I just turned 25 last sunday.. O_O... fucking god I am 25!!! and yet my life is still a mess and no where of getting stable..

I wanted to go back to making big drawings and paintings... its just that I am not earning anything for now that it's also hard for me to invest on art materials to satisfy my artistic cravings..

photography I guess is the only thing keeping my sanity... I also find it to be my most effective source of income but I don't have any projects or commissions so I am just an IDLE BASTARD for now..

yare yare

shiikata ga nai...

Bug Run… An Interesting Road Trip

2008-02-12T01:43:00.000+08:00

Bug Run… An Interesting Road Trip

Volkswagen Käfer Club of Iloilo
Bug Run - Feb 9 - 10, 2008
Iloilo City - Roxas City - Iloilo City

The Bug Run took a year of planning for the Volkswagen Käfer Club of Iloilo Inc. The club itself has to tackle a lot of things before really committing itself on the idea of a long trip for everybody. Iloilo City to Roxas City is quite a long travel especially if you took via the Balasan route. We knew quite well that not all VW Beetles can commit in the event as car conditions and personal obligations may hamper them from participation.

Come January 2008 and the guys met to discuss the possibility of really making the activity possible. From there we had a confirmation of 15 VW beetles, a reasonable number and a feasible one. The date of activity was set and the preparations were noted. February 9 came with much anticipation as those whom committed to the road trip prepared their cars as well as themselves.

The starting point was the Shell gasoline station just after Gran Plains Subdivision, Jaro, Iloilo City. We had 13 VW beetles ready as one was not able to make it due to personal matters and another suffered from car trouble. It was a long morning for most of us as we prepped our cars, double checking everything from the full tank of gasoline to the engine oil and the last minute application of car wax. Some of the club members whom cannot participate came to show support and to send the guys off.

Seeing that everything was ok, everybody started their engines and lined up as we prepared to hit the road. We had a small plan on the order of cars and we headed out to leave the city limits. It was pretty interesting to see the bugs lined up as I was in the last car having the mechanic with us. Our pink VW was the sweeper car. We left at past 9 in the morning.

The trip was a mixed of sunny weather and rain. We had people look at the convoy with curiosity. Its not a frequent thing to see 13 bugs lined up speeding on the highway. Kids saluted and hit each other to the common games we are quite fond of when seeing a bug on the streets. I was really amused at the sight of people smiling at us as we sped away.

We took a break at Barotac Viejo, had a cup of coffee there and we took a stop at Hilltop in Ajuy as we enjoyed the scenic coastal beauty of the place. We also took a break at Ajuy town proper. From there on was a non-stop trip to Balasan, Iloilo.

We arrived at Vice-mayor Ganzon’s residence in Balasan just 30 minutes after 12 noon. We had our cars line up outside his house. The Ganzon family had prepared a hearty lunch for us and we really enjoyed it. Then a text message came that the VW that had car trouble was catching up with us and so we decided to wait for him. We enjoyed that early afternoon talking about everything and then the fourteenth bug arrived.

We left the Ganzon’s residence at past 3 in the afternoon. Our last leg of the trip to Roxas City was met with very heavy rain. We slowly make our way out of Pilar, Capiz with almost zero visibility and only guided by the car signal lights of every bug in the line. Minutes after the heavy rain stopped and we found our way in Pontevedra, Capiz. We took a detour in Pontevedra as we visited the brother of one of the club member whom was our lead car.

Well I guess things will not really go without a hitch. As we were leaving Pontevedra, one of the bug had engine trouble and took time to start up. We waited for him and when we were on our way, another bug had almost ran out of gas. We slowly took him to a gas station to fill up and we slowly assisted the other bug all the way to Roxas City.

We arrived in Casa Felisa, San Antonion Resort Village, Baybay, Roxas City past 6 in the evening. Upon arriving our attention was on the car that had engine trouble. We everybody lending their tools to the mechanic we spend half of that evening figuring out what was wrong with the engine of that VW as well as securing our rooms for the night. The night became more interesting as people came to look at the cars lined up in the parking area as well as VW enthusiasts of Roxas City came and talked with us. Everybody took a break as we headed out to dinner at the local beachside seafood restaurant that was just a walk away. The dinner was welcomed with much conversation on our experiences that day. We had a long talk about that day’s trip and assessed on things that would prove to be useful for the next day’s trip back to Iloilo City.

We returned to Casa Felisa late that night and some of us called it a day while the rest were still focused on the engine of the VW that broke down. We had some conversations with the Roxas City VW group until late that night.

February 10 greeted us with a mild shower in the morning as we had breakfast and continue working with the VW engine. Some us took the opportunity to enjoy the beach. We finally got the VW fixed and we decided to arrange the bugs into a VW formation on the open field next to the parking lot. We spend late that morning taking pictures of the bugs as well as having me climb up a tall ladder which the guys held against a tall post just to take an bird’s eye view shot of the whole thing. We also asked a truck parked nearby by to give me permission to climb on top of it just to take a picture of the whole bugs from a different angle.

Lunch came with us enjoying it at the same restaurant we had dinner the night before. It also was an opportunity for us to discuss the trip back to Iloilo City. We basically talked about guidelines and protocols while we were on the road. The topics discussed were based on the previous day’s trip from Iloilo City. Lunch ended and we returned back to our cars and prepared for the trip back home.

We left Casa Feliza around past 2 in the afternoon and headed out into the heart of the City of Roxas. We had a detour stop at Tracy, a famous cake shop in the city and some of us bought bake for pasalubong. We then made our way to the Shell gasoline station and had our tanks filled up with gasoline for the long trip back home.

The group decided to make another detour and we headed to Yellow Box, a local pizza place and enjoyed pizza. Some of the guys took the time to order take out as well. When everything was all set, the group left Roxas City past 4 in the afternoon. For the trip home we took the route via Passi City.

Leaving Roxas City came with a much slower pace and a much coordinated convoy. We had a lot of people waiting to see us sped away. Children were waving goodbye at us and we see such interesting smiles from people who saw us. The trip came with a light shower but it never hampered people from seeing us as we pass by.

We finally reached Passi City late that afternoon and we were quite relieved to find us back into Iloilo Province. There was a light traffic as Passi City had its fiesta celebrations and we had to be contented to the amount of vehicles and people in the streets.

The trip ended as we arrived in Zaraga, Iloilo past six and the guys stopped and had the final talk for the day. The convoy shall end from Zaraga as we all will be heading back to Iloilo City and home on our own separate ways. I arrived home exhausted from the trip almost 7 pm.

I guess the road trip was quite an experience and am sure we will be doing the same again soon.

----------------------------------------------------

more pics of the event here
http://vans3n.multiply.com/photos/album/82

Rock Ed Philippines - Iloilo "PASA ARTE" Feb 23, 2008

2008-01-31T02:41:00.000+08:00

Rock Ed Philippines - Iloilo "PASA ARTE" Feb 23, 2008

Art workshop for the kids of the Sulod-Bukidnon Tribe at Don Ignacio Ramirez Elementary School, Brgy. Jayubo, Lambunao, Iloilo

If you guys can donate art materials: papel, pencil, crayons, watercolor. coloring books or visual

We are also still looking for more volunteer art teachers and those who are willing to help us in this endeavor.

*still accepting books for the ongoing BOOKBIGAYAN.

EDUCATE TO END POVERTY

NO MORE EXCUSES PHILIPPINES!!

Dinagyang 2008 - Incoming Art-related Activities

2008-01-15T02:50:00.000+08:00

Dinagyang Festival
Jan 25 - 27,2008

for details..check the link...

When Timawa Meets Delgado
http://vans3n.multiply.com/calendar/item/10026/When_Timawa_Meets_Delgado

Dinagyang 2008 - On The Spot Painting Contest -
http://vans3n.multiply.com/calendar/item/10030/Dinagyang_2008_-_On_The_Spot_Painting_Contest_-

Recent Works - Dinagyang Art Exhibit
http://vans3n.multiply.com/calendar/item/10029/Recent_Works_-_Dinagyang_Art_Exhibit

eXodus 2.0 - Elvert de la Cruz Bañarez - Art Exhibit
http://vans3n.multiply.com/calendar/item/10028

eXpansion 1 - Films by Elvert de la Cruz Bañarez
http://vans3n.multiply.com/calendar/item/10027

NUJP: JOURNALISTS ARE NOT ENEMIES OF THE STATE!

2007-11-29T23:30:00.000+08:00

NUJP: JOURNALISTS ARE NOT ENEMIES OF THE STATE!

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) urges the Philippine Nation al Police (PNP) to stop treating journalists who covered the failed Magdalo uprising as enemies of the state. We protest in strongest terms the PNP's move to forcibly bring some journalists to the National Capital Region Police Office in Bicutan and condemn the confiscation of video footage of the day-long stand-off at the Manila Peninsula Hotel. We denounce the overkill that led to the tying of the hands of members of ABS-CBN's technical team and reporters in what looked like a virtual arrest. The explanation by police officials and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro that the move was made to prevent the escape of Magdalo troops does not wash. The technical team had superiors who could have been asked to verify their identities. And, certainly, there is no reason police officials would be ignorant of the identities of reporters Pinky Webb and Ces Drilon. While we concede the PNP's right to conduct a thorough investigation of a crime – and we do not dispute that the takeover of the Peninsula was a crime – the police ought to follow legal procedures. Invitations to questioning shoul d be differentiated from coercion; journalists have the option to accept the invitation and, certainly, should be accorded the basic right to counsel. We concede authorities' right to demand a halt to coverage that could jeopardize the lives of state security forces but believe any move for redress should pass through normal channels, involving management of television stations and not lowly ground staff. While journalists' refusal to leave the Pen when ordered by the cops could have jeopardized their lives, live footage of the Pen standoff showed they did not block authorities from doing their tasks. Nor is their little to support suspicion s that media showed bias for Trillanes and company; if anything the rebels complained about media's alleged bias for government. It is regrettable that a day that would have given the government a clear-cut politic al victory would be marred by knee-jerk reactions of the authorities. This government claims it is protecting democr acy. It should realize that media is a prime component of the democracy it purports to serve.

Reference:
Jose Torres Jr. - Chairman
National Union of Journalists of the
Philippines (NUJP)

Calajunan - Iloilo City Dumpsite (July 12, 2007)

2007-07-18T01:03:00.000+08:00

Well it may not be the first time that I actually went into Brgy. Calajunan, Mandurriao, Iloilo City, the city garbage dumpsite area. My NGO had already been working with the people there for quite some time now. We already had 2 weekend activities there for the kids.

The NGO Loob Inc. had asked me to take pictures of the place to be sent to our fellow volunteers in Japan for this fundraising activity this weekend for that area. Well, I gladly accepted the opportunity to take em pics..

The only thing that was a problem was the weather, as in really bad weather. And to the fact that the place was a garbage dumpsite made things a bit of a challenge. Thankfully the weather was on our side for a while and by braving through the piles of almost everything and anything I was happy I was able to endure the stench.

The only thing I have observed from the people there is the simplicity of life and contentment. Something I really appreciate in them even if they live their lives in poverty.

Well after we were done, I was screaming for a bath, and worst, the weather decided not to be friendly with us anymore.

Oh well, was quite the experience.

http://vans3n.multiply.com/photos/album/41 << more details here

^__________________________________^d

ILOILO FIRSTS

2007-05-28T01:55:00.000+08:00

1. Iloilo is site of the Malayan landing in the Philippines, according to the Maragtas Legend.
2. The first written law of the country – Code of Kalantiao
3. The first school for boys in the Philippines was founded in Tigbauan by the famous Jesuit priest and historian, Pedro Chirino in 1592.
4. The first place to put up a Christian church in the Philippines was Jaland (Dumangas) in what is now the barangays of Ermita in 1566.
5. Iloilo is the first city outside Manila to have a foreign business house (Loney & Co.) and the first foreign vice-consul.
6. The first province to export sugar to Australia.
7. The first and original Queen City of the South – Iloilo City
8. The first and oldest golf course in the country – Sta. Barbara Golf and Country Club
9. The only city outside of Spain to be honored by the Queen Regent of Spain and was given the name “La Muy Leal Y Noble Ciudad de Iloilo” or “The Most Loyal and Noble City of Iloilo” which is still emblazoned on the city’s official seal.
10. The first town in the country to be named after a similar town in Spain. - Arevalo
11. The only province to have two cities during the Spanish time: Iloilo City, chartered in 1890, and Jaro in 1891.
12. The biggest province in the Philippines in population, income and economic production during the 19th century.
13. The best and biggest producer of textile during the Spanish era.
14. The first city outside Manila to have electricity, telephone, telegraph, railway, ice plant, automobile and other modern conveniences.
15. The first province outside Luzon to fly the Philippine National Flag (in Sta. Barbara, Nov. 17, 1898).
16. The first department store in the country, Hoskyn & Co., established in 1877.
17. The first city outside Manila to have direct shipping lines with Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, Europe and America.
18. The first commercial airline in the country was the Iloilo Negros Air Express Co. (INAEC).
19. The first Philippine airline established after World War II was organized by Ilonggos… the FEATI.
20. The first provincial high school in the Philippines…Iloilo National High School.
21. The first Elementary School established under the Americans -- Baluarte Elementary School in Molo.
22. The first protestant barrio in the country -- Calvario, Janiuay.
23. The first Baptist Church in the Philippines – Jaro Evangelical Church.
24. The first luxury liner in the island – S/S Don Esteban of the De la Rama Line.
25. The first city to have double – decked buses.
26. The first concrete road in the country – from Forbes Bridge to Jaro Plaza.
27. The first city to have a car assembly plant – Taller Visayas de Strachan & McMurray. The car assembled was the “Deiler” in the 1920’s.
28. The first province to produce many millionaires and the first city to have a millionaire’s row.
29. The first Filipino to launch the propaganda movement in Spain, Graciano Lopez Jaena of Jaro also known as the greatest orator the Philippines aver produced.
30. The only Filipino nominated to the Supreme Court of Cuba – Raymundo Melliza.
31. The first Filipino to fly an airplane for passengers was an Ilonggo – Jose Tinsay in 1925.
32. The first doctor of laws from Oxford University – Melquiades Gamboa.
33. The first doctor of philosophy in political Science – Victorino Diamonon.
34. The first Filipino doctor of Education – Pedro E. Y Rio.
35. The first Filipino woman doctor of Philosophy in Engineering – Josette Garcia Portigo.
36. The first Filipino doctor of Philosophy in Anthropology – F. Landa Jocano.
37. The first Filipino to win the Congressional Medal of Honor during the WWII – Captain Jose Calugas of Leon.
38. The first Filipino soldier in the American Army to win medals of Heroism & Courage from the governments of United States, Belgium & France during the WWII – Sgt. Ramon Subejano of New Lucena.
39. The first Filipino girl to be called the fastest woman in Asia – Inocencia Solis of New Lucena.
40. The first most-be-medaled Filipino girl swimmer – Nancy Deano of Dingle.
41. The first Filipino international chess grandmaster – Eugene Torre of La Paz.
42. The first community school movement originated by Supt. Jose V. Aguilar.
43. The best organized guerilla unit during World War II under Gen. Mariano Peralta.
44. The first guerilla unit to contact, by radio, Gen. Douglas MacArthur and President Quezon during World War II.
45. The first Filipino lady to win a cultural heritage award – Magdalena Jalandoni of Jaro.
46. The first Filipino feminist – Pura Villanueva Kalaw.
47. The first bookstore and printing shop in the Visayas and Mindanao – Libreria la Panayana.
48. The first modern and most beautiful custom house in the country.
49. The first government constructed museum building in the Philippines – Museo Iloilo.
50. The first city to have modern cinema houses and theatres outside Manila.
51. The first gravity irrigation system outside Luzon – Sta. Barbara Irrigation System.
52. The first successful compact farm in the country – Tagsing Buyo, Sta. Barbara.
53. The only province to have an anti-biotic drug named after it – Ilozone and Ilotycin which are brands of erythromycin, a wonder drug developed from a soil sample from Iloilo.
54. The first province to be declared a model in development planning by NEC/USAID.
55. The number one food-producing province of the Philippines today.
56. The first and only town in the Philippines to produce four justices of the Supreme Court, seven senators, seven governors, and seven cabinet members.
57. The site of the first international research center in the fishing industry, the SEAFDEC in Tigbauan.
58. The biggest public school division in the country is the Division of Iloilo.
The first city, which initiated a free education program in the elementary schools by eliminating the matriculation fees and providing free school supplies and the elimination of tuition fees in public secondary schools.
59. The first student council – Central Philippine University Republic
60. The biggest library in the country – Henry Luce III Library of Central Philippine University
61. The first work study program in the country – Jaro Industrial School (Central Philippine University)
62. The city with the most number of banks outside Manila with 112 banks and rising.

Makes u feel proud to be an Ilonngo !!

Insomniacs Dream by ~sophOcleszia

2007-05-28T01:38:00.001+08:00

He always wakes on tomorrows
his trying eyes then tick
a vision blurred by constant searching
to form a clear image with every blink
hours of slumber had no use
stealing away patience
a waste they happen to be
an escape, a failed mission.
He gets up ridden from the mattress
and sees no sunlight from the blinds
only specs of white and yellow which grew
vivid as the dark turned calm.
With sleep that does not come easy
but which came as morning broke
He sees no day in this tomorrow
for he caught up with the evening
which seemed abandoning and cold
he stood restless and pulled away
the covers on the wall
glanced outside his window, thinking:
"From this gutter, I will look to the stars."
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

thank you Corr for that wonderful creation..

\m/

Oil Spill in Guimaras Island, Philippines

2006-08-27T02:29:00.001+08:00

Large oil spill in the Philippines threatens marine ecosystem

17 Aug 2006
Manila, the Philippines – An oil tanker that sank in the Philippines last week is leaking tons of fuel, affecting the local marine and coastal ecosystems.

The M/V Solar I, chartered by Petron, the Philippines’ largest oil refiner, was carrying 2.4 million litres of oil to the southern island of Mindanao when it went down in unusually rough waters off Guimaras Island, several hundred kilometres south of the capital, Manila.

To date, 200,000 litres of oil have leaked from the tanker, contaminating a 24km2 area. The oil slick has already reached the coastal towns of Nueva Valencia and Jordan on Guimaras Island, as well as Villadolid, Pulupandan and Bago on Negros Island. The spill is heading up through the Guimaras Strait.

The Guimaras Strait is one of the most productive fishing grounds in the country, as well as a popular tourist destination. It is home to pristine white sand beaches, several marine sanctuaries and unspoiled coral reefs and mangrove forests.

The Philippines coast guard is calling this the worst oil spill in the country’s history. According to officials, 1,000ha of mangrove forests have been affected, including parts of the Taclong Island Sanctuary, a feeding and breeding ground for fish and other species.

“Oil spills are most destructive when they reach the shoreline,” said Abbie Ramos of WWF-Philippines. “Critical habitats such as coral reefs and mangrove forests are being affected and will take years to repair.”

Threatened species such as the dugong, green and hawksbill turtles, and several cetacean species can also be found along the Strait.

“The area is tremendously rich in marine life,” added Dr Jose Ingles, WWF-Philippines coordinator for the Sulu-Sulawesi Marine Ecoregion. “A spill of this proportion is simply catastrophic.”

The coast guard has sent oil spill response teams from Manila and Batangas and doing all they can to clean up the leak.

WWF hopes a national oil spill contingency plan that includes all stakeholders — coastguard, oil industry, local fishermen and coastal communities — will help pool resources in an effort to form rapid response teams to deal with any future oil spills throughout the country.

In addition, as extreme weather events may very well be part of our future, WWF is seeking new standards for transport of hazardous cargo in rough weather, and current shipping routes should be reviewed and new options considered in order to avoid particularly sensitive marine areas.

END NOTES:

• The Guimaras oil spill is the second such incident in the Philippines in the last eight months. In December 2005, a power barge ran aground on the nearby coast of Antique, dumping 364,000 litres of bunker oil. This oil spill severely polluted 40km of Antique’s coastline and decimated more than 230ha of pristine mangrove forest. Rehabilitation costs are estimated at US$ 2 million, and clean up efforts have not yet been completed.

• WWF has been working in the Guimaras Strait area for several years to promote sustainable coastal management. In 2004, WWF-Philippines facilitated the completion of participatory coastal resources assessments covering a 54km coastline and 37,187ha of municipal waters in the four towns of the Northern Guimaras Strait, as well as developed a programme for the sustainable management of the Strait’s blue crab fishery.

SOURCE: http://www.panda.org/news_facts/newsroom/index.cfm?uNewsID=78300
-----------------------

The oil spill has already affected more than 20,000 families in Guimaras. 17 barangays from 3 municipalities. It has already reached some towns in Northern Iloilo ... It has been sighted as far as Cadiz City, Negros Occidental.

We are still struggling with the clean up... it's not easy since there is a major health hazard and we lack proper equipment. To be honest... as long as the tanker is down there at the bottom spilling bunker oil to the surface, even if how effective the clean up be, the oil will be there the next day.

Taklong Island, a marine sanctuary was badly damaged by the oil spill as well as 20 smaller islands more or less that are natural marine sanctuaries that are damaged as of now.

Basically, I don't think in 3 years matapos ito, minimum of 6-10 years the most. And the recovery of the natural ecosystem will take 30 years more or less.

Schools in Iloilo City are already coordinating with each other over relief efforts. Though we are not allowed to go to Guimaras to directly participate in the clean up operations due to major health concerns, students are now collecting plastic bottles to be made into make-shift boom floaters. We are also in the effort of providing food and medical supplies to the families concerned as well as proper clothing. We are also gathering things like gloves and boots and containers that are needed in the clean up operations. We are negotaiting with rice mills for the rice husks needed.

As for who is liable... there was an investigating committee already formed by the local government here to address the issue. To be honest, I would want both the shipping company and Petron as liable.

A new mask to wear..

2006-05-27T01:16:00.000+08:00

We all but wear a number of masks... for we can never truly reveal our true selves. In our lifetime, we wear masks to adjust to people and the situations we are in. It's our simple way of coping with the reality that we are living without really compromising who we really are.

Masks are not to hide our true selves but merely to conceal a part of us from the rest of the world. It is not worn in shame, but worn to protect who we truly are. For we all know that the world simply cannot understand nor comprehend the things that truly lie beneath within us.

For every chapter of our lives, we wear a different set of masks. We simply show the world something they are comfortable with, for we all know we simply cannot please everybody.

I now shall take on a different mask, in a way to adjust to a new chapter in my life. Yet that will not mean I shal truly give the world a different perspective of myself. It's just an act of concealing a part of me from the rest.

Shiigata ga nai neh..

NYT Editorial on Philippine Political Crisis

2006-04-07T23:29:00.001+08:00

The New York Times
April 5, 2006
Editorial

Dark Days for Philippine Democracy

Filipinos thought they had put an end to electoral chicanery and governmental intimidation when they overthrew the Marcos dictatorship two decades ago. Unfortunately, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has completely lost touch with the ideals that inspired that 1986 "people power" movement.

Mrs. Arroyo is no Ferdinand Marcos, at least not yet. But this onetime reformer is reviving bad memories of crony corruption, presidential vote-rigging and intimidation of critical journalists. Unless the Philippine Congress and courts find ways to rein in her increasingly authoritarian tendencies, democracy itself may be in danger.

This was not the outcome people expected five years ago when Mrs. Arroyo, then the vice president, was swept into power on a wave of popular discontent with her discredited predecessor, Joseph Estrada. In those days, Mrs. Arroyo, a professional economist, was seen as an earnest reformer. She won further credit by pledging not to run for a new six-year term in 2004.

But then she changed her mind, and her style of government as well. Her narrow re-election victory became tainted after a tape revealed her discussing her vote totals with an election commissioner while ballots were still being counted. She survived an impeachment attempt over that incident. But she was forced to send her husband into exile over charges that he took bribes from gambling syndicates.

Earlier this year she briefly declared a state of emergency in response to allegations of a coup threat that others disputed. Since then she has been intensifying pressure on a wide range of political critics and especially on the press. Government officials have warned news outlets that they will be held to restrictive new guidelines, the justice secretary talks darkly about a journalistic watch list, and the staff members of a well-known center for investigative journalism have been threatened with sedition charges. No Philippine government has made such efforts to muzzle the press since the Marcos era.

President Bush has repeatedly hailed Mrs. Arroyo as an important ally against international terrorism. He now needs to warn her that by undermining a hard-won democracy, she is making her country far more vulnerable to terrorist pressures.

-----

Cry Freedom

2006-02-27T00:51:00.000+08:00

Feb 25 is the celebration of the EDSA People Power that happened 20 yrs ago... a mass undertaking of the Filipino to ouster a dictator that held the country under martial law... we made history on that day...

now 20 yrs later... I am afraid.. the Filipino people failed to uphold the glory and the essence of EDSA People Power... and on the day of its 20th anniversary.. the country is gripped again into political turmoil prelude to another Martial Law... "State of Emergency" as the government justifies it.. but what is actually happening is still the same as what happened 20 yrs ago.

A desperate attempt by a leader so greedy to hold her place in power that she would neglect the basic civil rights of every Filipino in order to get what she wanted... she feeds her lies to the public with bribery and self-promotion... and with questionable and unconstitutional means...

A pity... it has been 20 years now.. and yet we still failed to uphold the true meaning of EDSA People Power... and I'm afraid, if we can't understand what EDSA really is... we are bound to commit the same mistakes again and again...

Sober - Tool

2006-01-09T00:21:00.000+08:00

There's a shadow just behind me
Shrouding every step I take
Making every promise empty
Pointing every finger at me
Waiting like a stalking buttler
Who upon the finger rests
Murder now, the pattern called "must we"
Just because the son has come

Jesus,wont you fucking whistle ?
Something but the past and done
Jesus, wont you fucking whistle
Something but the past and done

Why can't we not be sober?
I just want to start this over
And why can't we drink forever?
I just want to start this over

I am just a worthless liar
I am just an imbecile
I will only complicate you
Trust in me and fall as well
I will find a centre in you
I will chew it up and leave
I will work to elevate you
Just enough to bring you down

Mother Mary, won't you whisper?
Something but what's past and done
Mother Mary, won't you whisper?
Something but what's past and done

Why can't we not be sober?
I just want to start this over
And why can't we sleep forever?
I just want to start this over
And why?

I am just a worthless liar
I am just an imbecile
I will only complicate you
Trust in me and fall as well
I will find a centre in you
I will chew it up and leave

Trust me
Trust me
Trust me
Trust me
Trust me

Why can't we not be sober?
I just want to start things over
And why can't we sleep forever?
I just want to start this over
And why?

I want it when I want it
I want it when I want it
I want it when I want it
I want it when I want it

Tears in Hell

2005-12-18T03:33:00.000+08:00

Dreaming in the fields of wysteria
In bitter anguish of malevolent pain

We weep in the fiery hate of existence
As the world crumbles into nothing

The tears we shed are our own soul
A downpour of our outmost hate

Long live Tears in Hell
We shed tears for both joy and sorrow!!

Palimpsesto

2005-06-23T22:40:00.000+08:00

Filipino culture is a product of colonization - formed for almost 400 years in a Spanish convent and 100 years in Hollywood. One may take this negatively or positively depending on one's political leanings. Of course before the Spaniards came to the shore of the Philippine arhipelago, the islands already boast 50,000 years of civilization as attested to by the artifacts. Filipino culture is indeed a combination of the indigenous, the Hispanic, and the American. A Filipino is a melting pot of the Eastern and the Western civilizations. This combination of cultures or this colonial acculturation of the Filipino can be likened to a palimpsest, a papyrus or parchment that has been written more than once, with the earlier writing not completely erased.

The image of the palimpsest of a Filipino culture can be seen in Philippine literature and art. "Palimpsesto, the Spanish word for palimpsest truly defines the so-called identity of a Filipino. For we are a palimpsest of which our own indentity is mixed with the Chinese, the Spaniard and later with the Americans. This is who we are, this is what a Filipino is. A palimpsesto of which we can never deny.

Post Aeternitatem

2005-03-31T22:08:00.000+08:00

In the lives we all take, we find our own sanity crumbling before the wasted reality. And as incoherent nightmares torment our very souls, we come to terms of harboring the darkness that has engulfed our being. Cruel in its own sense of delusion, with its own needles stuck in our flesh.

As the path leads to another realm, should we chose which door to open? Each with its own serpents running amuck in the murky water we all need to cross. Choices have their own prices; we all need to know the difference. And the doors all look inviting.

Welcome to the eternal chasms of loneliness. Of arrogance and pride shall we block the light that tries to invade this little place we call home. As we grin in bitterness at the sun and the innate beauty it brings.

As the heart pounded in rhythmic beats of drums we dance in the company of death and decay. Our ally in this gruesome ordeal.

Forever seemed so long, would you think? Yet even time shall cease in the hollow eyes of desolation. Its systematic movement in aeons shall fade within the black hole we shall carve out of loneliness. With smiles of gargoyles and inanimate statues shall we stay to witness the catastrophe we brought to ourselves.

We all need to speculate what lies after eternity. When shall its long path end to the destination? What shall lie in wait for the pathetic travelers whom chose to take this quest? In either way, forever shall only answer that question.

Fifteen Minutes

2005-02-14T23:49:00.000+08:00

Sweat drops falling like crazy. The heartbeat pounded in systematic rhythms. Bare hands trembling in nervousness, as the venue as slowly packed with eager and anxious people. It looks like it was going to be a very long night.

The car park was overwhelmingly crowded. Booze and the smell of cigarettes fill the chilly night air. And people are still turning up at the entrance. Their line was long and is becoming a little bit unfriendly. Thankfully nobody has the balls to pick up a fight; it was way too early for that. With all the policemen around, one has to reconsider that notion though.

The first band was already on stage. Their music resonated across the vast open spaces. I was standing at the back portion of the venue, with my electric guitar held closely beside me. Flip, our bassist had a couple of drinks already and I was getting a bit worried. But I have far more concerns at the moment. I went to Ray of Candyflip as he walked down the stage; they were one of the first to play. I finally got the two electric cords I needed and my mind was at ease.

The worst part about these things is the waiting part. For underground bands such as us, it has been a common thing. And for most of us, it was the most mind draining experience. I did my best in calming myself down and hyping myself to the music. And as our band named was announced by the half-drunk emcee, I weaved past the surging crowd of people gathered already in front of the stage.

The stage was illuminated in all sorts of lights. And being one of the first onstage, I was subject to its fury. Faces of friends and familiar people fixed their eyes on you as the whole band was finally onstage for their first front act. The sound check went smoothly; the band’s equipment has been set prior to the event. With a hand gesture to our vocalist, the band began with our first song.

For most of us, fifteen minutes is not an enough time. It is time too little and limited. Yet for the underground bands of the local Iloilo scene, it was for more enough. Things have been that way I guess. The gig evenly divided among the ten bands out to front act for the famous Manila based band Cheese. Fifteen minutes allotted to my band SwitchJarz to play two cover songs and three original compositions. Our fifteen minute shot at fame.

The crowd in rhythmic angst and desolation. Our music flowed with pure emotion as the moshpit escalated into a full scale riot. Passion in its rawest form, music at its highest peak. My body let go of all inhibitions as I weaved across the stage in maniacal rage. The shrieks of guitar distortion ripped through my soul. I closed my eyes and let the music guide me to the perfection of my craft. It is our music, it is our passion and it is our will. With this ideal, I let go of the fifteen minute limit given to us. Ten minutes or even five minutes, we won’t give a hell. It is all about the music. And they can all throw their clocks for that matter.

Sweating and satisfied, I packed my guitar back to its case. The tread down the stairs was a brief one. The crowd below showered us with applause and appreciation. I guess our time was up. The band slowly went back to our normal state of being. A welcoming sight of booze and food awaited our time-strict return. I took my role as an audience to the other bands and enjoyed the rest of the night as well.

My shot at fifteen minutes of fame was over. And as I prepared myself to leave the Marina car park, my heart still pounds with adrenalin to a performance well done and a gig well earned. For us, each gig has been a unique experience. And with every fifteen minutes, we will definitely give it our all.

Deep River - Utada Hikaru

2005-02-09T23:39:00.000+08:00

Is the finger that's drawing a line
to connect the dots tracing out the road
I've come down, or the one I'm going away on?

Two people tie these lines together
one day everyone will arrive at the sea,
not scared because they'll become one.

Flowing through countless rivers
you don't have to accept everything
with the name you're given
without ever asking 'why'?

Our pain just now flew away.

We weren't entrusted with swords
just so we'd know how they sound when they clash.
Who can you protect with that kind of contradiction?

You change shape so many times,
floating down before me today
I'm looking for you.
You don't have to be accepted everywhere.
Everyone was blessed with a blade called "individuality"

Sometimes the flow changes
you don't have to accept everything with the name you're given
without having anything.
the birds facing against the sea breeze just now flew away

~~~~~
a reflection..

A Path in the Moonlight

2005-01-07T23:53:00.000+08:00

Life is made in a path to the moonlight. Amidst the darkness that covers our existence, we choose the way towards the unreachable light. A path we vow to tread towards the end. The road made from our own choices.

We exhuast ourselves in making sure that the path is in accordance to what we want it to be and where it will lead us. We stick to the pathway even if hell is poured upon us, a sign of conviction. The pride that we are the master of our lives, and nobody can influence what we wanted our lives to be.

Yet, to stray from the path means death. A flaw in our quest for perfection. To wander aimlessly in the darkness holds a grim future. But human as we are, we stray away from what we have aimed for. An unavoidable fact.

To deviate from the way is a common thing. Our human frailty ensures that we commit this act time and time again. The concept is not whether we strayed from the path we made, but on how many times we forced ourselvses to return to the path we had taken.

Once we get lost, the road may never be found. Yet we cannot just stay lost forever. We must put our soul to the effort of finding our pathway to the moon again. That even if we may not reach the light at the end, we have been guided by that light. The moon may be miles away, but the idea that we are walking in its rays is a sense of satisfaction that atleast, we may be doing what we think is best for our existence.

Angel Apocalypse

2005-01-05T22:58:00.000+08:00

In the end, nothing matters anymore. As we walk on into the darkness, beings thought to be the avatars of purity shall be tainted by the sheer mockery that is existence. Fate shall decide what curses befall on each soul that walks in this bitter reality.

To trust an angel in the midst of melancholic ignorance shall be as risky as life itself. The question shall be of faith rather than the object of concrete evidences. An immense sense of faith to follow and die for the ideologies you uphold. Radicalism at its best.

Unconsiously, our good and pure intentions also have negative karma. Action equalls reaction.. reaction in its positive and negative aspects.. time only can tell.

All this shit have positive and negative implications.. it is only in the side your are on. Things may be right for you.. for your faith but will be hell for others. Thus the conflict ensues..

Which one is right??.. everyone is right, in one way or the other... the power of good intentions and its fate to destroy human existence.

Witch Hearts

2005-01-04T01:04:00.000+08:00

"To laugh is to risk appearing the fool...To weep is to risk appearing sentimental...To reach for another is to risk involvement...To expose ur feelings is to risk exposing your true self...To place ur ideas,ur dreams before a crowd is to risk their loss...To love is to risk not being loved in return...To live is risk dying...To hope is to risk despair...To try is to risk failure. But risks must be taken, because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing. The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing & is nothing. They may avoid suffering & sorrow, but they cannot learn, feel, change, grow, love & live. Chained by their attitudes, they are a slave, they have forfeited their freedom. Only people who risk are free...Blessed Be!"

Dark Fairies

2005-01-02T22:38:00.000+08:00

Listen to the sounds, by the myth that bounds and by those philanthropic moments that was cherished by some and not forgotten. Giving us the time for redemption into our own faith that leads us close to fate.

Everybody sees the individual, looking for someone to notice their transparency, unleashing those Dark Fairies that was trapped. About 2 years ago, searching for what is real and travel to the other side of the world. Dark Fairies believes that every summoned spirits have rhythms in our every light. Music is thy nature and imagination is thy power.

Now the time has come for a chance to reborn from the dusk.
It is we the dark fairies have the eye that no one else may know and can put into our very soul, identifying the pulse and the rhythms of your guitar, picking up thoughts that captivate our every heart and mind.

In each night and day, it will be no end and this would be the beginning for immutable course.

After the Inferno

2004-12-30T17:28:00.000+08:00

Burning words never learned to
linger amids the sheer pain they bring.
The wake of such bitterness
cannot overcome compassion
from within ourselves.
We lie in dreams of darkness
wondering of how fate
weaved uncertainties in our very being.

We learn to die. We learn to live..
All in its cynical cycle.
As we head forth towards a senseless future,
should we wonder why we exist?

Shall we subject ourselves in life's complexities?
Questions I may never be able to answer.
And yet as we learn to live in the wake of the fire that burned our souls..
We may still stand in all uncertainties life may hold.

Burn

2004-12-28T01:45:00.000+08:00

fuck xmas.. burn..

am new here.. and i dont know shit..