Siopao and Mami for Lunch

The few times I am in Manila I spend it with my parents and Ria.  The other day, when Ria had to do some chores, I accompanied my Dad and step-mom to lunch in Ma Mon Luk restaurant (along Quezon Ave.)

The last time I went Ma Mon Luk Ricky Martin was still with Menudo, Cory was President and Richard Gomez was still a geeky looking teeny bopper actor:

This picture frame was just one of over a dozen others plastered on a wall as you enter the restaurant.  If the owners wanted to maintain an 80's look, they succeeded.  Everything looked liked it did over 25 years ago.  It's a piece of nostalgia right in the heart of Quezon City.

Anyhoo, my dad insisted on going here for lunch because he loved the siopao and mami.  Here he is enjoying both:

Notice the concentration on his face in pouring asado sauce on the siopao (which really is the best I've ever tasted):

Nothing could stop my dad with his meal.  He continued to savor his mami while answering a text message:

My dad really enjoyed his meal over in Ma Mon Luk.  In fact, we brought home a bag full of siopao for merienda.  As for me, I fell in love with the siopao.  Masarap talaga.  grounded ng mabuti yung meat, at konti lang ang taba.  I highly recommend it.  I wish I could say the same for the mami.  Ria loves it.  I personally didn't notice anything different with its taste.  Its like all mamis I've eaten.

This entry by no means whatsoever tries to poke fun at my dad, not at all.  I just wanted to show the politicians are people also, that they do regular everyday stuff like all of us.

And at the end of the day, I don't see him as a congressman.  Rather, I see him as my dad.

Belated Happy Birthday, Dad.  Love you lots!

An Afternoon with Carlos Primero

The faces have been blurred and the names changed in order to conceal their identities.

In my 5 years as a resident fellow of my fraternity, with all the parties and drinking binges that go with it, I had never gotten drunk.  The brods understood my situation (I had a long drive ahead of me and more importantly, I had work the next day) so they let me off with 2 or 3 bottles of San Mig Light.

Not turning into a drunk bastard after law school, I thought I would never drink more than 3 bottles of beer ever again.  I thought I would never get lasing in my life.  After all, if there's a time to be a drinker, that'd be college and law school, right?

I spoke too soon...  Story of my life.

The other day was my dad's birthday.  As usual, there were many politicos, including my fellow board members, mayors, vice-mayors and councilors (no congressmen or senator this year since Dad's birthday fell on a session day).

We had the usual birthday rituals: short program, messages from prominent personalities, the birthday song and lunch.  After having dessert, I looked at my fiance and nieces to signal them that it was time to go home.  And then someone called for me.  Oh, no. It was LCE, my boss.  He signaled for me to come over their table.  I left sina Ria and headed over there.

"Kris, come join us.  Stay here and drink with us."  LCE was with my sister Annette, 4 mayors, 2 Board Members, 1 Vice-Mayor and 3 Councilors.  I looked around the table for a can of San Mig Light.  There was none.

They were having Fundador Exclusivo.  Oh, sh*t, hard drinks.  Now unlike in the fraternity, I couldn't wiggle myself out of this one.  Not with my boss insisting that I drink with them. 

Oh, boy.

I had no choice but to drink the hard stuff.  And when we finished the bottle, one mayor brought out Carlos I, another brand of brandy.  The mayor explained to me the different levels of brandy.  At the low end is Fundador.  Next is Carlos I.  And on top is Exclusivo.  Cognac naman is a sweeter and more expensive brother of brandy.  And its not Cognac unless it was made in Cognac, France.  Most of them were not fond of whisky naman.  My colleagues just drank and drank and talked and talked.  After we finished a bottle, a new one would be opened.  My boss checked on my glass from time to time, making sure it was full.  That stuff is strong.  I had to dilute it with ice.  Anyway, this went on for 7 1/2 hours!  I think we were able to finish 5 or 6 bottles.  I couldn't drive home after that.  Ria had to fetch me.  And when I got home, I didn't eat.  I didn't take a shower.  I just went straight to bed and dozed off.  When I woke up the next day, my head was still throbbing.

That was my first official drinking session as a politician, and I'm sure as hell not looking forward to the next one.

Help me complete the list!

We always complain about the corrupt officials of government, blaming them for everything that's wrong with this country. They're the reason why the Philippines is the perennial basket case of Asia, they are the snakes, the crocodiles, the lowest of the low, so on, so fort, but have we ever thought about the honest and principle ones? 

They exist, you know. Government officials, whether elected or appointed, who believe in the system; who strive to make it work; who try to be leaders by example.

I created another multiply site to identify all those honest and principled public leaders with the desire that the list will inspire the corrupt officials to turn in a new leaf, and for all of us, to keep on believing that there is still hope that our nation can be a peaceful, unselfish, just, god-fearing and progressive nation.

Please, help me complete the list.  Click on:

http://leadersbyexample.multiply.com/

Of Circumcision and Tooth Extraction

Today, I accompanied a team of doctors, dentists and nurses in my dad's umpteenth medical mission in far-away Pallas Valley, Vintar town.  I really feel like a 5th wheel in these activities because I have nothing to offer to the patients.

To pass the time I walked around and took some pictures.

You know what they say, 'Summer Time is Circumcision Time.'  And rural Ilocos is no exception as you can see all the young boys lining up to get their pototoys snipped.  I have never seen kids so eager to have their little manoys trimmed than in this place.  It's like they woke up this morning and thought, 'I feel like having a circumcision. Hey, let's go to the doctor and have him make me a man!' Nooh-neeh-nooh-neeh-nooh.

This is a mean picture, but I couldn't help it.  The kids just walk in, put down their shorts and lie on the table.  'Ey, doc, how you doin'? See my pecker?  Care to circumcise me?'

And speaking of the tables, I wouldn't want to be the student who'd have to work on that table next school year.  Imagine all the 'loose ends' that plooped all around it. Ugh!  'Ma'am, anong klaseng eraser 'to?'  'That's not an eraser, iha...'

Another popular thing in med missions are tooth extractions.  I guess oral hygiene is not a priority for farm folk.  Our dentists had a hand full of teeth to extract today. God bless 'em.

And so that wraps up another med mission where yours truly couldn't do diddly-squat for anyone.

I am so looking forward to take up nursing so that I can be useful next time.  

Flower Economics

What is the difference between the bouquet of Malaysian Mums on the left and the one on the right?

Well, the one on the left cost me P30.00.  The one on the right costs P195.00.

Their prices differ by a hundred sixty pesos.  Thats a mark up of 500%.

Why the huge difference?

Well, the one on the left is on sale in Baguio's Public Market.  The bouquet on the right is displayed in one of Glorietta's Flower Shops.

I was in Baguio recently canvassing flowers with Ria in preparation for our wedding this October.  I had to ask the saleslady if she meant P30.00 per stem.  I couldn't believe it was just thirty pesos per bundle! OMG!  I've been cheated by H#ll@*d T*l!p$ all these years!  Ang laki naman ng patong nila!  Sobrang bukol naman yun!

... ... ...

Well, as a management student, that's just business and economics.

Anyhoo, the next time I give Ria flowers, I'll make sure both of us are in Baguio. : ) 

20 SMs and Counting!

A Project of...

Whenever I drive around Metro Manila and other provinces (including Ilocos), I can't help but notice the different projects of the President, Vice-President, Senators, Congressmen, Governors, Vice-Governors, Board Members, Mayors, Vice-Mayors, Councilors and even Barangay Captains kasi naka-paskil mga mukha at pangalan nila eh.  More often than not ang nakalagay ay, "A Project of so-and-so."

I hate to say it, but I was also guilty of this.  I did this sa first tent na binigay ko.  It read, "A Project of the Office of Kristian R. Ablan and the San Mateo - Lataag Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association."

This got me thinking, sa akin ba talaga nanggaling yung project? 

Hindi eh.  

It's not MY money.  It's actually the people's money.  It's taxpayer's money.  So who am I to say na it's MY project.  Siguro, I'm responsible for facilitating and channeling the funds, but that doesn't still make it MY project.  It's still the people's project.

And if ever someone should be credited for the project, I think it should be the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, kasi kami collectively and nag-appropriate ng development fund.  Hindi pa rin ako.

So, my new policy is to recognize those who parted with their hard-earned money so that government could effectively deliver basic services and serve the general public -- the taxpayers.

And that is why, in my most recent BDF project, when I delivered cement and GI Sheets at CABEZA Elementary School and I had a photo taken for records purposes, we held a banner reading, "A Project of the Hardworking Taxpayers of Laoag City."

Because, ultimately, it is THEIR project.

Local Legislation 101

At the start of my term as Provincial Board Member, I submitted proposed measures under my name.  Siyempre ako yung nag-isip, nag-research, nag-type at nag-submit. So, sarili ko yung nilagay ko as Sponsor.  Ang ilalagay ko sa title, 'Sponsored by BM Kristian Ablan.'

Pero nagtaka ako nung hindi gumagalaw sa committee yung mga draft ordinances ko, habang yung iba naman gumagalaw.

And then I noticed that the proposals that were moving were the ones wherein the sponsors included the 'real' sponsor, the committee it would most probably be referred to and its chairman.  For example, 'Sponsored by BM Kristian Ablan, BM Juan Dela Cruz and the Committee on Environment." Pag-ganun, wala ng public hearing - public hearing.  wala na ring committee report. 2nd reading na kaagad. 

I further noticed that if you really want your proposal to breeze through the board, ang ilagay mo as sponsor ay 'Committee of the Whole,' which means it is authored by everybody, kahit wala silang cinontribute ni sinco.

There's no such thing as 'giving credit where credit is due' here in local legislation.  In order for your proposals to pass you have to credit as much people as you can.

Learning my lesson I started applying it.  The Blood Handling Fee for Indigents Fund was a personal request by the Local Red Cross Chapter.  It was asking for P150,000.000 for use for indigent patients who needed blood, but could not afford the P1,500.00 fee for laboratory examination.

So, I drafted an appropriation ordinance.  I knew if I put only my name sa proposal, it wouldn't pass through.  Instead of putting my name, I put 'Sponsored by the Committee of the Whole.'  And wouldn't you know, na-pass namin siya within a month!  Yun nga lang, hindi 150k.  Bumaba sa 100k.  Needless to say, at least may magagamit na ang mga indigent patients.  Although may gastusin pa rin sila, at least gumaan ang financial burden.

So, di bale na ang credit-credit na yan.  Ang importante magawa ko ang trabaho ko. 

Zoom IN Postcard Project

My inspiration to hold a photo contest last year was to come out with a calendar that featured the different tourist spots in Ilocos Norte.  Kasi di ba politicos usually distribute calendars during Christmas and New Year with their faces on it?  Yung may "Season's Greetings from Mayor So-and-so."

I just think its to 'trapo-ish' and cheezy for me.  I told myself, kung maglalabas din naman ako ng kalendaryo, might as well one that features my province's tourist assets.  Kasi we lack in that department and I like to help boost our tourism economy.  Kasi it helps the mom-and-pop businesses dahil nga dumadagdag ang mga customers nila.  It also helps the working sector because more jobs are created.

And that's why I organized the ZOOM IN Photo Contest.  Unfortunately, by the time I got the pictures and awarded the winners, it was last week of December na.  There was literally no print work going on kasi holiday.  And when business resumed in January, the printer told me it would take them 3 weeks to print the 15-month calendars that I wanted.  So, February na lalabas.  That was too late.

It was my fault.  I should have held the contest earlier.

Anyhoo, here I was with a bunch of great photos of the province and no calendar to print.

What else could I do with them that wasn't schedule-dependent?  Naisip ko na we also lack in the post card project.  I mean seriously, you go to National Book Store and look at all the postcards, how many feature Ilocos Norte?  More often than not, wala.  Mostly Manila, Cebu, Boracay, Palawan and Davao yung mga postcards.  Kung from the north, usually Vigan.  Wala o bihira ang may postcard ng Ilocos Norte.  Kung meron man, Paoay Church lang.

And so, that's what I did with the ZOOM IN Photos.  I turned them into postcards.  I picked 12 photos that depicted the different tourist spots found here in the province.  Some are well-known, like Saud Beach, Paoay Church, Cape Bojeador Lighthouse.  I also put the lesser-known tourist spots, like Kapurpurawan Rock Formation, Kaangrian Falls and Pangil Beach, to spur up growth tourism in those areas.

I printed 500 sets of those 12 photos.  So that's 6,000 postcards.  I gave away 250 sets.  The other 250 sets, I sold by consignment so that I could recover the costs.  Kung maganda ang reception, I will print out more.  Pag-hindi, I will venture into other souvenir products like keychains or ref magnets.

Again, my little contribution to spur up growth in the local tourism sector.   

Manila Ocean Park

Last Monday, I brought my relatives to the newly opened Manila Ocean Park (MOP) located behind the Quirino Grandstand in the City of Manila.  Kasama ko si Ria, yung sisters-in-law ko and their children.

Ria and I wanted to go here for the longest time so that we could compare it with Singapore's Underwater World in Sentosa.

Although MOP is not completely finished (paper signages, exposed outlets, and unpaved flooring, to mention a few), Ria and I both agree that MOP is better.

First, because of this.  Upon entering the park, this is what you see.  An open-air, plantful aquarium with mini-waterfalls.

Then you enter a dark hall with more aquariums featuring marine life from the dee blue sea.  There are interactive touch-screen panels for those who want to know more about the animals.

Then you proceed to a round hall with even bigger aquariums featuring more fish.  This time with a sunken ship theme.

Afterwards, you enter the underwater tunnel where you are surrounded by different marine animals.

The last exhibition is an even larger aquarium which showcase sharks and manta rays.  Even the roof is not spared as it doubles as an aquarium for other manta rays.

Having said that, I wish the management would fast-track the completion of this marine zoo so that visitors could really enjoy their stay.  Sana matapos na yung mall na adjacent sa park, at yung mga finishing touches sa harap ng park at sa parkingan sana i-prioritize.

What's up with the pose, BF?

What's MMDA Chairman Bayani 'BF' Fernando up to these days?  

And what did he eat to suddenly decide to be MMDA's poster boy?

These big white tarps are all over EDSA.  Some have been vandalized with paint (quid pro quo, sir?)

And what's with the 'saudi' pose?

C'mon, sir, you're better than that!  I idolize you for what you and the missus did in Marikina.  Don't be another trapo by posting your face all over the place.  Nawawala po ang respeto ko sa inyo.

And if you must insist (for your 2010) bid, please, lose the pose.  A simple, sincere smile would do much better.  

Gov. Spitzer Resigns Amidst a Prostitution Scandal

New York Governor Elliot Spitzer earlier announced, in a press conference, his resignation from office for being linked to a prostitution ring.

The scandal erupted just this Monday after US federal law enforcement officials disclosed that a wiretap had caught the 48-year-old chief executive spending thousands of dollars on a call girl at a fancy Washington hotel on the night before Valentine's Day.

"I cannot allow my private failings to disrupt the people's work," Spitzer said in Wednesday's presscon. He made the announcement without securing a plea bargain with US federal prosecutors.

Spitzer will be replaced by Lt. Gov. David Paterson next Monday.

Palabra de Honor and Delicadeza is very much alive overseas as Gov. Spitzer resigned only amidst allegations. And he did it swiftly--within a week. You got to give it to the Americans. Hindi sila kapalmuks.

This is not an isolated event. Just recently, Clinton fundraiser Geraldin Ferraro also quit her post because of her remarks about the Obama campaign. She allegedly said that the only reason why Obama was winning was because of his African-American image. This drew some flack and Ferraro was attacked in the media. So, she resigned.

And not to long ago naman, Obama supporter Samantha Power also resigned after telling a reporter that Hillary was a 'monster.' Yun lang ha, dahil sa isang comment, nag-resign na siya.

Kahanga-hanga sila, hindi dahil sa mga ginawa nila, pero dahil nagbitiw sila sa posisyon dahil sa mga ginawa nila. At hindi sila naghintay na maaresto, masampahan ng kaso at humarap sa husgado. They resigned immediately after the controversy erupted.

Ganito din in other countries, like Korea, Japan, Taiwan and the UK. Pagma-link ka sa controversy, resign agad. Better to keep honor and lose the job, than to keep the job but with a tainted reputation.

I hope I could say the same for people here in the Philippines, but I can't. Dito kasi politicians hold on to power no matter what. Kahit ilang controversies na ang ma-link sa kanila at kahit obvious na obvious na madumi ang kanilang mga kamay, sige pa rin--they hung on to their posts all the tighter. Pipigain nila ng pipigain hanggang sa kadulo-duluhan. Di bale na that they bring down the administration's credibility with them or that their actions hamper economic progress, their posts are apparently their vested rights.

Everytime I watch them on the news all they say is, 'intayin natin ang desisyon ng husgado', 'wala pa namang demanda', 'wala naman daw ebidensya', so on, so forth, and the worst is, 'hindi ako magbibitiw kasi malinis ang aking konsensya.' Oh, god, give me a break.

That's not the point eh. The point is you lost credibility. And without credibility, how can you demand respect from your subordinates?

Where are your senses of honor and delicadeza? Have you lost them together with the values of honesty and integrity?

Here in the Philippines, politicians are either really innocent of charges hurled against them, or are just plain thick faced.

Paging Gov. Spitzer, can we invite you here as guest speaker? Our embattled politicians could learn a thing or two from you (besides, we're all assumed to be frisky and womanizers anyway, so no moral problem in that department).

Road Sign Project

This is another little project of mine.  One thing I noticed while traveling along the Ilocos highway is that there aren't enough road signs point to the province's tourist spots.  Not unless you're from the area or its your second time.  That's why I thought of making tourist road signs like the ones they have abroad--Brown with directional signs.

Now, I only had a small budget, so I had to choose my points-of-interest carefully.  I could only afford 4 signs.  I picked Cape Bojeador Lighthouse (pictured above) 'coz its signs were fading away; Kapurpurawan Rock Formation (pictured below) because it's a new attraction; the Bangui Viewdeck; and the Bangui Windmills.

If you'd noticed, there are two designs.  The one above was the prototype.  The fabricator didn't quite get what I wanted.  The edges are pointy.  Sa next batch, he got it right--rounded na yung edges.

Anyhoo, I had the 4 signs put up today, in time for those going on a road trip this Holy Week and for the summer season.  When I get more funds, magpapagawa pa ako for Mairaira Cove, Patapat Viaduct, Kaangrian Falls and Paoay Lake.

All for local tourism sake. 

Forgive the small "KRA" in the lower right corner.  I didn't want to be "trapo"-esque and put my whole name underneath the sign, like I owned it, but I couldn't not put a 'mark' naman.  I had to put something.  It's just for identification and future reference.

CNN Interactive-Touch-Screen-Political-Map-Watchamacallit

Have you been watching the US political news in CNN lately?  They have this huge interactive touch screen showing the political map of the 50 States.  They're using it to explain the election results for the Republican and Democrat Primaries.

Ang galing!  With a flick of the finger, the screen scrolls east, west, north or south.  When the newscaster touches the screen with two fingers and slides them apart the map zooms in!  and when he slides them closer it zooms out!  He can highlight, draw, encircle.  It's like a multi-colored blackboard, minus the chalk dust!

I remember tuloy the movie Minority Report, when the character of Tom Cruise would operate a similar much advanced system.  Yung pinagkaiba lang sa movie, Cruise would draw in thin air, parang 3-D.  Sa CNN, plasma touch screen.  Pero the technology is there.

Wow, gusto kong magkaganun.  Tapos mag-google earth ako and stalk my brothers, sisters and friends living abroad.  Magkano kaya yun?

Super Tuesday

Super Tuesday is a day in February when over 20 States select their Democratic candidates for the Oval Office.  That race was won by US Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton.  Sadly, it was all downhill from there as US Senator Barack Obama beat her in the States that followed.

Today, 3 March 2008, may not be super tuesday, but it sure seems like it.

For Clinton, it's do or die.  She must win in the states of Texas, Ohio, Rhode Island and Vermont, whose primaries are today, otherwise she will lose the Democratic nomination.  She needs to win all four States.

Here in the Philippines, it's Super Tuesday in UP Diliman as the students there elect the new University Student Council.  My brod, Third Bagro from Law is running up against Steph Tan of CSSP and another candidate whose name escapes me, for the chairmanship.  Friends say it will be a very close fight.

Both contests are interesting to watch.

I can't wait to find out who came out the victor.

USC Elections in Diliman

On March 4, the almost 25,000 students of UP Diliman will be electing a new University Student Council. From Chairperson to Councilor to College Representative.

I hope students start practicing this early on how to be responsible and thinking voters.

Here's what I do when I select who to vote for a position.

First, I ask what does the position entail? Does it require leadership skills? Does it involve project implementation? So on, so forth.

Second, I gather all the data I can get on the candidates gunning for that position. I line them up side by side. Pictures, Names, Credentials and most important, Platform of Government.

I try to remember if ever met the candidates and what were my impressions of them. Did they shake my hand, greet me with sincerity and explain his platform?

Then I absorb as much information as my brain can digest. I compare and weigh the candidates.

Who I think is best for the position, that's who I vote.

Now, it's been 4 years since I last voted in UP, but if I were to vote today, I would write THIRD BAGRO for USC Chairperson.

I know him to be a competent student leader. He was the Chairperson of the CSSP-SC when I was USC Chair, and that Council submitted to us the most comprehensive compilation report on the proposed new UP Charter. All departments of CSSP had their input.

Sure, he's my brod, but so is fellow USC Councilor Paolo Mapula, and I'm not gonna vote for the latter if given the chance because I don't see eye-to-eye with him in terms of program of action.

Yes, he's running under Alyansa, the party I ran under before, but that shouldn't be an issue because I've been out of campus politics since 2005. And I also have friends in Stand-UP and Kaisa.

What I'm trying to say is, we shouldn't base our vote on relation or filiation.

It should be principally based on competence.

Third, I think, is competent. So, I hope he wins this Tuesday.

Good luck, Third.

n.m.Y.l.

Lower caps ang 'n', 'm', and 'l' kasi I wanted to emphasis the 'Y', which stands for YOUTH.

I'm here in Cebu right now attending the 16th National Movement for Young Legislators Convention.

Coming from the useless PBMLP Convention held late last year in Manila, I was expecting a lot from the NMYL.

Siyempre, Youth Leaders mga to 'eh. I was expecting seminars, training modules and a chance to debate on issues. On a specific note, I wanted to discuss making a statement regarding the NBN-ZTE broadband scandal. Not to condemn the National Government, but to call on our congressional leaders to amend the procurement law. Clearly, there was a flaw in the system as it does not cover executive agreements.

Pero walang opportunity.

Instead, upon deplaning I was greeted with banners of "Youth Leaders" running for National positions. I was lead to a van with a huge poster of a candidate, sabay bigay ng flyer niya. The van's windshield said it was a free shuttle to the hotel, but I was feeling it was an indirect bribe.

When my colleague and I arrived in the hotel, I was greeted with over a dozen beautifull cebuano lasses in short shorts wearing a shirt of their sponsor candidate. Obviously, this was a strategy to get the votes of the male delegates.

I had to look at my invitation again to make sure I was at the right venue. I thought I was at an FHM/Maxim/UNO event.

All over the plenary hall were posters, banners and streamers of the candidates. Most of the campaign ads only had their faces, names and positions vying for. I looked at the back of one flyer to read his/her platform, there was none.

This was the National Movement for YOUNG Legislators Convention, right?

Then how come my colleagues were acting like OLD TRAPOS?

I couldn't stomach what was happening. The sexy girls were inviting us to the 'after dinner' parties of their respective sponsors. Man, more of the same treatment. Unbelievable.

We're suppose to be the new generation of government leaders. We are the new hope. And we are acting like this?

Wala na talagang pag-asa ang ating bayan kung ganyan din lang.

Naawa pa naman ako kasi madaming SK delegates and they were being sweet talked by their 'kuyas' and 'ates'. Eh ang bata pa naman, jung 15 or 16 ka lang, madaling ma-impluwensya. I could just 'sigh' in frustration.

Where are the seminars, the trainings, the open dialogues?

I saw one silver lining amongst the dark clouds. One female candidate (a Councilor of Quezon City) had a platform of government. Her campaign material featured her past achievements and her plans if elected. One of my concerns here in the NMYL is the sharing of best practices. and the only medium i know that could be effective was the creation of a website. This candidate had that as a platform, and she was serious about it because she created the website in advance. Meaning hindi siya empty promise. Type in 'NMYL' in google and you wouldn't find a website, so I know wala pa. But this candidate created www.nmylph.org and the website exists! Trial stage pa lang pero atleast meron.

So I will vote for this candidate. I hope she makes good with her promises and maintains the website.

As for the other candidates, if you're going to act like an OLD TRAPO, you don't deserve my vote.

Grow up. Be honest and responsible. Act fair and square. Be an example.

Be a true youth leader.

Wacky Products from a Japanese Discount store in Singapore

Here in Manila, we have Japanese Discount Stores in the malls. I think there's this one place where everything in it is P88.

Well, I went to Singapore recently and they, too, have their share of Japanese Discount Stores. This one in Vivo City Mall in Harbour Front, called Daiso, was a huge one. Everything inside it was sold at S$2.00 (or around P60).

There were a lot of weird, wacky and Japanese-zy products. Here are just some.


This one is an umbrella holder for the bicycle. Just in case it rains, you can just reach near the bike's handlebar and get your umbrella ready to protect you from getting wet. An alternative use would be when your jousting with a pedicab driver. This can be your Joust Stick holder.


This next one is a decorative product. If you want to beautify your kitchen sink, why not purchase this product. It'll turn any faucet into a tulip. Such a beautiful addition to your home. Satisfaction guaranteed.


Item Number 3 is a necklace with a reflector. In case you are walking along the highway late an night and there are no lamp posts nearby, this nifty little product will save you from being hit by a truck since its large reflector will warn sleepy drivers of your presence.


The next item if for the Mister. Tired of getting wet when the Mrs. tells you to wash the dishes? Well this waterproof arm cover will solve all your problems! Just insert in both arms as illustrated and you will have hassle free washing all the time!


And in case the Mrs. wants to wash the dishes herself, here is the 'patterned' arm cover. The same product, with the woman's touch.


And the top S$2 Product I discovered at the Daiso Japanese Discount Store is... a 2-set Portable Ashtray. Be a responsible citizen by keeping the city clean with this portable ashtray. Why throw your cigarette's ash on the sidewalk when you can dispose of them in this sleek looking portable ashtray.

sigh. You got to hand it to the Japanese, they think of everything

OMG, I'm friggin' too old for American Idol!

I've been watching Season 7's Top 24 the past couple of days and I noticed ang daming matatanda na kasama. There's Jason Yeager from Texas who's 28 years old already. And he has a son. Then there's Luke Menard (below) from Indiana who's 29 na. Tapos there's the Australian Michael Johns, who's also 29 years old.

Sabi ko, ang tatanda na ng mga 'to, pwede pa ba 'tong maging American Idol?

insert Long Pause here.

Look who's talking! Holy crap, trenta na pala ako! I'm older than any of the contestants in this years Top 24! Hindi ako makapaniwala. That would make me there... 'kuya'. ungh!

Holy crap!

Pero ang tatanda ng itsura nila. Iba mukhang tatay at nanay na. In fact, may mga tatay at nanay ng nga.

Anyhoo, old age aside, inabangan ko yung performance ni Ramiele Malubay, isang Fil-Am mula sa Miramar, Florida. I think she did good. very well, compared to the girls who sang before her.

Insert Ina Magenta's : "Magaling, magaling, magaling!"

I don't think she was the best singer-performer, but I think she's good enough to stay until the Top 12. I'm pretty sure she sings better than Jasmine Trias and Camille Velasco.

I hope she's allowed to sing an OPM song in the show.

Anyway, I'll continue watching this show since Amazing Race is done.

How do we solve a problem like Glo-ree-yah?

Right now, students from the universities are organizing this A.S.A.R. Campaign. It stands for Advocacy for Sustained Accountability and Reforms. In a nutshell, its calling on the president and her cabinet to come clean and take a leave of absence or resign. This is of course a result of the revelation of Joey De Venecia regarding the NBN-ZTE deal, supported by personal accounts of whistleblower Jun Lozada.

They're all calling for GMA to step down.

You know, I'm beginning to like President Arroyo less and less because of all these exposes, but I don't think anyone's resigning anytime soon.

I don't think President Arroyo feels the same way Erap felt 8 years ago, when he was removed by Edsa II.

May kulang pa eh.

The campaign lacks 'oomph.'

Perhaps its because, for me, no matter how big the irregularity is (to the tune of $130 Million), the deal did not push through.

It was scrapped just in time last year.

So there was no real exchange of money. In other words, hindi naman nawala yung $130 Million ng bayan.

And because of that, I believe hindi makaka-follow through etong renewed campaign to unseat Gloria.

Imagine if nagkaroon nga ng bayaran, at tsaka inexpose nila Joey at Jun. $130 Million in the pockets of Abalos, Neri, the First Gentleman, so on, so forth. Then the people will be outraged. Then the people will come out of their houses and sing in unison, "Patalsikin si Gloria! Gloria resign!" And I'm pretty sure, tanggal kaagad si GMA.

Pero gaya ng nasulat ko earlier, hindi natuloy yung kontrata. So President Arroyo can look the camera straight in the eye and say, "lets get back to work," without beating an eyelash.

But this is just my take on the situation. I've been wrong several times. And as they say, anything can happen.

Good luck to my friends in the ASAR Campaign!