Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Sunday, August 05, 2007
Prison Zombies
After more than 3.7 million views on YouTube, this video is one of the hottest in the web. I never thought this is possible especially in prisons. Hats of to Mr. Byron Garcia. You're damn good, sir.
Hmmm... can we do it at the Philippine Congress and Senate as well? They surely need some show of discipline like this... Both houses of congress are thought to be a haven of thieves anyway... Might be a good idea.
Monday, July 02, 2007
Meet Ridgy Vicars
Ridgy Vicars
#50 Ilang-Ilang St,
Pasong Putik, Novaliches,
Quezon City
+63916 6124373
Thursday, June 28, 2007
A Wandering Mind
I just came back from the dead and I can’t believe it’s been 3 months since I last blog…
Well, my mind was just wandering around lately. I don’t see myself in the future the way I plan to be… The heck. What else can I say ‘living’ in this fucked up place.
And now I am complaining! Damn!
But the hell, I was dreaming too despite the fact most of the time my mind was wandering around… and I guess it’s worth posting. Just to keep myself reminded in the future that there was one time in my life that I have dreamed so much…
My Oil Palm Dream…
My Oil Palm Dream…
My Oil Palm Dream…
My Oil Palm Dream…
My Oil Palm Dream…
My Oil Palm Dream…
I called an old friend last March. Just wanting to wish him luck on his birthday… Then he told me… “Bro, magtanum na lang ko… Rubber Tree… Didto sa Siquijor bai. Gikapoy na ko diri Cagayan bai, hinay ang kinabuhi…”
Damn! All the while, the oil palm and rubber tree plantations here amazed me. Why I didn’t at least hear these trees in the Philippines…
Why not?
So I asked if I could pitch in. He was planning by the middle of next year so I still have time to align my mind and focus on planning.
My brother told me that there is actually a plantation and a government supported outgrowers in Bohol and the following week, a hometown friend contacted me while I was on my way to Clark Airport. He told me that Balilihan, Bohol is one of the places where the potential for Oil Palm growers are good. I just happen to have at least 10has of unused land for farming….
I just need some investors… The stakes are really good…. Hopefully, planting starts on January next year, God willing. I’ll just have to work for it.
I just talked to Dorb just now telling me that his Siquijor plots are not feasible, he might as well pitch in with mine. Ella and I will be going to Bohol on August and see things through. Hopefully, we could start at least something. One of our ninongs is very interested about it… I just have to find way to convert his interest to investment.
At least, with a mind wandering around… I dream and it doesn’t stop here and it never should...
Posted by Jay Lagat at 5:45 PM 1 comments
Monday, April 09, 2007
What happened to him?
Posted by Jay Lagat at 5:25 PM 8 comments
Labels: genting highlands, where's my money
Sunday, April 01, 2007
To Ella
It's been three years since we exchanged vows, hon, and it's been quite a bumpy ride. We both know our relationship was not perfect, despite the efforts of making it perfect. It was fun.
Posted by Jay Lagat at 7:46 PM 3 comments
Labels: Anniversary, family, Promise
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Fried rice and scrambled eggs
I saw my mom one afternoon sleeping, tired. We had no electricity that time and it was so hot that day. Mama was lying on bed, tired, and I could see perspiration dripping down on her forehead… I just stopped at our bedroom door staring at her… “Kapoy na kaayo si mama…” was on my thoughts and I can still remember how I felt that afternoon. I felt like I was not helping her much and I thought I had to do something for her.
That made me decide to leave for Bohol. All I knew was I had to finish at least high school somewhere else. That was the first time I had a goal. Finish at least high school.
But life was tougher. For two years I was a houseboy and at the same time studying. I had to earn it and I think that experience was worth taking. Tatay Rudy (SLN) was tough that it came to the point that I hated him so much. But later on I realized he was just trying to mold me, indirectly though, but he really made something good for me as a person.
All I needed was a letter from my mama or from Joy maybe, or from papa, which I believed he wouldn’t… I just wanted to know how were they back home, or maybe I just want to know if they missed me. The letters were seldom coming, sometimes, once in months. But I didn’t stop me from writing them a letter at least once in two weeks. It was my only way to at least express my madness. I remember that time, a postage stamp was worth a peso and I had to ask from my aunts (mama’s sisters) on a Tuesday, a market day. Tatay would give me money, of course, but a peso or five from my aunts was really special for me. I remember Tiya Ining (SLN) would hug me when I visited her small kakanin stall in the market or she would complain in tears if she couldn’t give me something. Tiya Inyang was really nice. She was like mama. She would talk to me like I am her own kid… and I felt like I was talking to mama also.
I really looked forward for Tuesdays those days. It felt like home.
I can’t forget one day when my friends threw me a “mañanita” for the first time. Mañanita was an old practice when friends would serenade you on your birthday at dawn. It was really nice and I really felt like I was really special, damn big time! Maybe, I was just trying to fit around or was insecure that I really wanted a boost… at least that day. It happened again but I was expecting it. It was not as fun as the first one though but it still felt good.
Well, those were the days. Like before, I am alone here in a bit strange place. I could only expect a call from my wife, hear my son’s voice over the phone or my daughter’s cries… Last night, I could only look outside from my room’s window watching the rain… no mañanita to expect, no friends coming, just me. No suman or biko to take but fried rice and scrambled eggs...
I’m 31 today… and I am missing my family more…
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Missing my family for the nth time...
The alarm went on at around 4:45am and I had this feeling of not going to stand up from bed. I just hugged my son while feeding him. I look at my 9-month old daugther while she was sound asleep. She seem very peaceful sleeping and that seem to start a very good day for me.
My wife, Ella, was still either half awake or half sleeping. I made a little embrace to before setting off for a bath...
Well, I guess that started my day today. Early morning wake-up call for the usual travel to Malaysia... feeling saddened by the fact that I'll be leaving again my family and be alone again for the next week or two. But on the other hand, I feel good knowing that I am doing this for them, for my family's future.
I am missing Josh's songs, cries, and his wits. I am missing Lela's kisses. I am missing Ella's company and her mumbles and her laughter. I am missing their love. I am missing the joy of being with them..
As I take the ride going to Clark, then goes the feeling of emptiness setting in. Maybe, I was enjoying more and more the company of my kids each day or I am missing the milestones that my kids have while I am away, or I will be missing the company of my wife for the next few days... these thoughts make me feel depressed and tired...
I just arrived here in Malacca. Tomorrow will be a new day and the next days and I look forward for coming back home again in a week of two...
Oh God I missed them...
Posted by Jay Lagat at 8:21 PM 2 comments
Friday, February 16, 2007
This time I worth the cent
"Hindi pa, ano yun?" pabalik nyang tanong sa akin...
So pinadala ko na lang yung link ng website ni Bamboo para nya marinig...
"Hindi ko makita..." balik nya sa king pagkaraan ng ilang minuto... "ano ba nilalaman nun?"
"Makabayan dre yung kanta, narinig ko lang sa magic 89.9 at nakarelate ako agad..." balik ko sa kanya. Natutuwa lang siguro ako dahil magaling ang marketing ni Bamboo sa isang makabayang kanta...
"Naks! makabayan!" kumento nya na may halong pang-aasar. "Makabayan na sa ibang bayan nagtratrabaho... nyahahahahahaha!!!"
Ganyan lang naman kami paminsan-minsan. Asaran sa text or sa skype lalo pag nababato sa harap ng PC. At medjo nakakalamang ko palagi sa pang-aasar... hehehe!
Nagbibiro lang ang pare ko. Pero napaisip din ako dun sa biruan na yun...
Nung isang araw, nabasa ko naman ang isang post ni Bean na ang pamagat ay "OFW:Bayaning Taksil." Maiksi lang ang post na yun pero yun ay isang mapait na katotohanan sa aming mga OFW...
So ano nga ba? May halaga ba talaga kaming mga OFW sa bayan...
Nung isang buwan, nalaman ko na kailangan ko naman magbayad ng buwis sa Malaysia. Katakot-takot ang buwis.
"Mr. Jay, if you stay here less than 90 days last year, you will have to pay at least RM11,000.00 but if you stayed more you will only pay less than RM2000.00. Deadline of payments will be on 30April2007." Our company's accountant told me such terrible news...
So nadagdagan na naman ang kataksilan ko sa mahal kong bayan. Wala naman akong naalalang nagbayad ako ng ganyan kalaking halaga nung nagtratrabaho pa ako sa pinas. Yung huling dalawang kumpanyang pinagtratrabahuan ko ay medjo dinaya pa ang sweldo namin para lang makaiwas kami sa malaking buwisan. Nagpapasalamat pa kami sa management namin nun dahil malaking kaluwagan nga naman sa aming mga empleyado ang sistemang yun.
May choice pa ba ako? Wala. Sumunod sa sistema. Ipagpatuloy ang buhay OFW...
Kanina, nabasa ko na naitala ang pinakamalaking padala mga OFW sa mga kapamilya. Hanggang sa labin-apat na bilyong dolyar ang naipadala ng may siyam na milyong OFW sa taong 2006. Halos katumbas sa kalahati ng taunang budget ng bansa. Ang halagang yun ay katumbas ng pagod, pawis, at pangungulila. Halos linggu-linggo may naririning tayo na may nagagahasang pinay sa ibang bayan. Nagpakamatay dahil hindi nakayanan ang pang-aapi ng mga amo. Nabuwang sa pang-aabuso ng mga amo. Napatay. Pumatay. Nakidnap... para lang maitaguyod ang naiwang pamilya sa pinas...
Nakakalungkot pero ito ay katotohanan...
Tama si Bean at may tama din ang biro ng pare ko. Kataksilang nga siguro yan. Sana man lang nagamit namin ang kakayahang tumulong magpaunlad ng ibang bayan sa sariling bayan...
Ngayon, pagkatapos ng kontrata namin sa ibang bayan... may kasiguruhan ba ang trabaho para sa amin pagbalik sa Pinas?
"Nagtratrabaho sa ibang bayan, dre, para sa bayan. Bagong bayani nga tawag sa amin, di ba? At least this time, I worth the cent..."
Posted by Jay Lagat at 3:05 PM 4 comments
Labels: OFW
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Tol, ang sakit ng almuranas ko!
Reminds me when I had a horrible experience after sitting on the kingly throne. Damn, it hurts! I can't forget what happened next. My colleague was washing his hands and he saw me through the mirror as I was coming out from the toilet...
"Pare, mukhang ang asim ng mukha mo a..." said my colleague who was neither grinning nor smiling. He's like trying to emulate the look of my face... Like he just saw blood gushing out from my behind and going to faint...
"Pare, sakit ng almuranas ko!" I uttered back trying to hide the pain from my behind...
He laughed out loud, his laughter echoed down the hallway. Me, I can't even talk and standing straight was so painful!
I went to the clinic to have my bottom checked. She asked me few questions and all that I can remember the most was this...
"Jay, let's try this. I Will do a digital check on you." She said...
"Digital check? You mean may ipapasok po kayong high-tech na instrumento sa pwet ko dok?" I told her back thinking about all the high tech gadgets of the modern world and of course I was working with all those high tech machines in the shop floor...
"Hindi Jay, ipapasok ko lang tong daliri ko sa pwet mo..." she answered back like she's going to have a major operation on me...
Shit! I will be fingered!!! It will be my first! Damn!
"Wag na doc, bigyan mo na lang ako ng gamot na ako na lang ang magpasok..." Answered her back and I stood up to tell her that I am done with her.
Well, I can still feel my hemoroid once in a while and I am getting used to it...
Anyway, I just can't help but remember this experience whenever I see Mike Defensor's Ad on TV. I can't even laugh at because it's not funny! The ad really sucks! Whoever directed that ad may have all the hemoroids in the world surrounding him during the shoot.
"Tol! Mike Defensor! Iboboto kita pagka-senador!" Shouts the PacMan look-alike (I don't know his name) and some other personas like Keanna Reaves...
Mike Defensor looks back with the barbed-wire teeth coming out and with face trying to cover up the pain in his ass. He didn't utter a single word but maybe trying to say this silently...
"Tol, ang sakit ang almuranas ko!"
Damn Ad!
Posted by Jay Lagat at 12:20 PM 8 comments
Labels: almuranas, philippine politics, Political Ads
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
My top 10 list of unsenatoriables
I may say, I have to vote and I have no choice but to vote. But who among them that I vote? Certainly, not Pacquiao. I am not from General Santos City... but the heck, if I happen to be from General Santos City, would I vote for him? hmmmm...
So I may just need to wrap up my no-holds-barred opinion about why I should not vote for these candidates:
1. Richard Gomez. Actor. Billboard model for Bench and Belo Medical Group, and some other products. Showbiz TV host. Athlete. Once represented Mamayan Ayaw sa Droga (MAD) but was disqualified via technicality by the COMELEC a few years back. I AM NOT AGAINST ARTISTS running for political office. It's just that Richard Gomez for me is one of the people who have good probability of being a mad politician. A tactless hosting encounter with Erik Santos/Ruffa last year is a real shallow. He's like another injustice secretary in the making. An incident with the Shooting Association members last year made headline. Damn! He can't even get along with a minor organization...
2. Aquino-Oreta, Sotto. Sister of Ninoy and the latter an Artist. Both are former senators. Both are former allies of Estrada. Known critic of the Arroyo Administration. Two of the strongest voices of the Arroyo Resign campaigns! Now jumped-ship! Once in an interview with DZBB, Oreta said that it's their affiliation with their party made them aligned with the administration. My goodness! Then what! After these guys win, jump ship again and shout madly at Arroyo to resign. This is purely political survival of the meanest.
3. Angara. Hmmmm... I have no question of his ability to be Senator. One of the best there is. But gracious! Why is he in the administration ticket? He's got chances of winning this race but I will not vote for him for jumping ship. Same reason as no.2.
4. Pimentel. Oh my goodness. Look, I may not be looking at his best potential but... I don't know really. I wonder if he can get Cagayan de Oro votes. His father even did not win when he ran for vice presidency on CDO. Other family names please!!! If he wins, the senate really becomes a family affair.
5. Cayetano. He's got good publicity in the past three years. One of the staunch critic of the Arroyo family, if not the staunchest. Maybe a good congressman, I am not sure of it. But in the case of talking about all the accounts the first family may have in Germany for me is so shallow. You can't just talk without evidence to show lah. Yes, maybe Mike Arroyo have a lot of bogus accounts in all the countries in the world but please show us first! Simple process engineering tool; No data. No talk. Second, I am not into the idea of having mother and son in the Senate... and so with brothers and sisters tandem.
6. Pangilinan. I love Sharon, to the max. My mother loves her too! Sealed the presidential elections with the word "Noted" and few years later shouted that Arroyo should resign... I don't know. He should have stood by his principles like the great injustice secretary. I would rather vote for Secretary Gonzales. I hate this guy to the max but this is the kind of guy who stands by his own principles even when hated.
7. Chavit Singson. Ilocos Sur Governor. Come on, give me a break...
8. John Osmena. Former Senator. I hope he becomes former senator for good. Aren't we tired of seing old faces with the same old style? his ads even tell me that "Hey Jay, we are here since the beginning and we should continue to reign until the end..." Great. Some other family names please...
9. Coseteng. Former Senator. I don't know her actually. Better not to know her lah.
Those are the ten of my list. I am still weighing options on who to vote from the remaining candidates.
And if I happen to be from GenSan? Manny, you have done really good already for our country. I still hope that your decision is not final yet. Please continue to do what you know best... boxing. Please...
Posted by Jay Lagat at 3:45 PM 7 comments
Labels: election, fucked-up society, philippine politics
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Daybreak at Caleruega
Josh and Shai on the steps leading to the church.
Caleruega church at the background. This church is famous for weddings and retreats. The scenery is just great yet very refreshing to the mind...
Me, Josh, and Shai...
At the church's entrance. Sadly, there was a retreat that day that we were hesitant to take photos inside.
Ella, Josh and Shai on top on one of the retreat cottages at the side of the hill...
Madonna and Child statue at the side of the hill where the church is situated. Josh was just so amazed with these religious icons. He was screaming mad just to go near the statue...
Interested in going to Caleruega? Here's how:
Via South Luzon Expressway, take Sta. Rosa exit and proceed towards Tagaytay Market. Turn Right to Rotonda and proceed to Nasugbu, Batangas. Turn left at the Evercrest Hotel and Restaurant. It is about 500meters from the Nasugbu Arch. The road ends at Caleruega. Really, it's worth the trip!
For couples who may want to consider a great venue for their wedding and for retreat enquiries, you may cantact Caleruega-Philippines at +63921-2709890 or +63921-8304226. Ask for Ms. Jackie, Ms. Imelda or Ms. Cristalle.
Posted by Jay Lagat at 5:44 PM 2 comments
Labels: Discovered Reality
Monday, February 12, 2007
Tatsulok by Bamboo
Just want to share the lyrics of tatsulok (Triangle) by Bamboo. I heard this song last week over Magic 89.9 and I was madly looking for the title and lyrics of this song... until yesterday when I saw Bamboo on TV.
So here it is!!!
Totoy bilisan mo, bilisan mo ang takbo
Ilagan ang mga bombang nakatutok sa ulo mo
Totoy tumalon ka, dumapa kung kailangan
At baka tamaan pa ng mga balang ligaw
Totoy makinig ka, wag kang magpa-gabi
Baka mapagkamalan ka’t humandusay dyan sa tabi
Totoy alam mo ba kung ano ang puno’t dulo
Ng di matapos-tapos na kaguluhang ito
Hindi pula’t dilaw tunay na magkalaban
Ang kulay at tatak ay di syang dahilan
Hangga’t marami ang lugmok sa kahirapan
At ang hustisya ay para lang sa mayaman
Habang may tatsulok at sila ang nasa tuktok
Di matatapos itong gulo
Ngunit ng suminag,kay daming mga tao,
At ang dating munting bukid, ngayo’y sementeryo
Totoy kumilos ka, baliktarin ang tatsulok
Tulad ng dukha, nailagay mo sa tuktok
Hindi pula’t dilaw tunay na magkalaban
Ang kulay at tatak ay di syang dahilan
Hangga’t marami ang lugmok sa kahirapan
At ang hustisya ay para lang sa mayaman
Habang may tatsulok at sila ang nasa tuktok
Di matatapos itong gulo
Posted by Jay Lagat at 11:09 AM 5 comments
Labels: fucked-up society, kanta
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
No second circumcision for me!
Posted by Jay Lagat at 10:14 AM 7 comments
Labels: Flops, fucked-up society
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Joke!
Posted by Jay Lagat at 3:55 PM 1 comments
Labels: fucked-up society
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Can we just give reason a chance?
Posted by Jay Lagat at 6:39 PM 1 comments
Labels: fucked-up society
Thursday, January 04, 2007
The Smith Show
"My golly, it's better that way. What would they want? That we will just let the judgment become final and then pardon him?"
Those were the words of the Injustice Secretary of the Arroyo administration. Secretary Raul Gonzales was quoted by the Philippine Daily Inquirer on a press conference called by the Injustice League yesterday.
Well, what can I say? The secretary is just confirming that he has a leaded tongue, i mean like a pig's tongue plated with the poisonous lead. If he is the one of the brightest minds of this current 'fake' administration, then what will we call a yolk-less egg? He is just as fit as the contestants of the gag show "Battle of the Brainless."
He is just trying to fuel more hatred among the very people that he should serve. Ironic as I may think, this is the only secretary that severely criticizes his own judges over judgments not in terms with his cruel intents. Why the hell he was secretary of justice anyway?
Now he is giving us a preview on how the Smith Show ends. A presidential pardon at the end. Yes! Even when the Supreme Court of this republic upholds Judge Pozon's decision, the president will pardon him anyway. So where will all these arguments go? This is just a comedy show! Then later on at the middle of the night while we sleep, the president will just simply pardon Smith and let him slip to the US!
That will be "Midnight Madness III, the final escape!"
The fact that the administration will simply twist or desecrate the very fundamental law of the land just to maintain the so-called friendship with the US, then there is no reason for me to disagree that we are only puppets of a facist government! We try to emulate the so-called greatness of the US when in no way, we don't have a chance (at this point) to be like the americans!
Diplomatic friendship, in my point of view should be just and equal. Not that the other only enjoys the sweetness of it and the other desgraced. Otherwise, this is not friendship afterall. This is just a simple act of 'garapalan' with the Philippines being abused.
Then they are worried about how fast news spread around the world? Then with that, we have to kiss asses just to make sure that their demonic faces are covered?
Yes, I am not a lawyer nor a politician. I am just a common tao, common pinoy... reading between the lines and lies.
I beg your pardon, Mr. Injustice Secretary? Pardon? Pardon?
Posted by Jay Lagat at 4:14 PM 2 comments
Labels: fucked-up society
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Just a wishlist
Posted by Jay Lagat at 5:12 PM 0 comments
Labels: Discovered Reality, Flops, fucked-up society