Friday, May 22, 2009

Careless Whisper, Careless Doctor, Careless Dancer

“I’m never gonna dance again…”

The first line in the chorus of Careless Whisper could be Katrina Halili’s personal pledge after scandalous sex videos featuring her and Hayden Kho spread faster than the A H1N1 virus. Indeed, the title of the song fits these two showbiz personalities well.

Without a doubt even if Ms. Halili is the victim in this real-life drama, she is careless as well. Many of my friends (most of them females) raised their eyebrow upon knowing what has happened. Their initial reaction was, “Why should we pity her? It’s her flirtatious act which brought her to this disgrace.” Indeed, if we are to make a grassroots analysis of why and how this scandal happened, we would be led to the fact that “it takes two to tango.” There would be no scandal if she did not allow herself to be lured by the looks and machismo mechanismo of Dr. Kho.

However, much of the carelessness lies on the sexhibitionist doctor. There are various levels of carelessness that we may attribute to him. One of them is his carelessness to have his homosexual tendencies be exposed. As what Kay suggested in her blog, “Is it possible that his narcissism then doesn’t just stop on “bragging” or “showing off” his escapades, but serves a channel for an unconsious way of “sexually motivating and satisfying” other men?” (http://isdafish.blog.friendster.com/)

I have to agree that his move to “share” and “boast” about his sexcapades to his male friends is something very gay. In my opinion, a straight guy wouldn’t really tell the world about the number of women (and men) that he had sex with. I wouldn’t dare show a personal sex video (assuming I have one) to my bestfriend Alfie. I mean, for what? Boast that I’m a guy because I have had sex with more women? Pussy. Oh yes, aside from being a pussy-eater, Dr. Kho’s move is only done by pussies. A real sex machine and sex god would be at a lost when asked to count and name names.

Moreover, Dr. Kho is too careless to have these videos scatter like wildfire WITH HIM IN IT. He was so stupid and careless to include himself in the videos. He could have shown it; and bluetoothed an edited copy where his face is hidden and the women’s faces were clear. That would have been more "hustler". Now, he doesn’t have an alibi.

In relation to this, the fact that he was identified might lead to prospective women getting aloof of him. He might even lose the greatest milk factory of all: Vicki Belo. Probably, after a few days or months, he would lose his greatest boastful phrase to his beermates: “Only Belo touches my skin (and fills my pocket) who touches (and fills) yours?”

“I’m never gonna dance again…”

The first line in the chorus of Careless Whisper fits the careless acts of two people. Indeed, when one whispers, one should be very careful not to be heard. Unfortunately, Katrina and Hayden’s whisper became a shout heard and feasted upon by the whole world.

Friday, May 1, 2009

The Injustice Done to Jun Lo*

“Crucify Jesus! Free Barrabas!”

This is what I immediately heard upon watching from the news last night that Jun Lozada, the whistle blower of the NBN-ZTE scandal, was arrested for perjury. I’m not saying that Lozada is Christ-like; he is way too far from that. But his case is quite parallel to that of Christ: You spread the good news; you expose the malady of the system; you inform the people about the official’s lies and scandals, and in return, you get persecuted and imprisoned.

Because of this, I can’t help but think: How many Jews actually voted for Christ’s crucifixion? The Bible did not give us statistics; but from Pontius Pilate’s wordings, we were given the idea that majority voted for Barrabas’s release and Christ’s crucifixion.

“When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but [that] rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed [his] hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye [to it].” Matthew 27:24 (KJV)

However, what we saw in front of the Manila Police District is quite in contrast with what happened to Christ. What we saw are enraged people asking for Jun Lozada’s release and Jovito Palparan’s imprisonment. (Fortunately, the rallyists did not ask for Palparan’s crucifixion. That is too holy for a slaughterer. He should face a firing squad, just as his victims faced the bullets that were purchased using the taxpayers’ money.)

Somehow, I’d like to think that Pilate’s “simplistic” judiciary procedure is a viable solution to put an end to the corruption and human rights cases (among others) of the present administration. I can’t help but suggest: Let’s put these cases to a vote. All those who want to punish GMA and her cronies raise hands… Oh, I’m quite sure that majority of the Filipinos would even raise their feet.

But that’s too far from reality.

If the Magdalo is truly regrouping, then the present administration (and the people) should be ready. Jun Lozada is probably just one of the “stimulators” for another coup; or who knows? Civil war?








*pun intended

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

When Victims become Bitches

I can’t help but react violently in PDI’s headline today: “Nicole recants, clears Smith”

This is a big slap on the face of the Filipino people—especially amidst issues regarding Visiting Forces Agreement. I wonder what has gotten into the mind of Nicole for clearing Daniel Smith of the rape case.

My initial reaction is extremely against Nicole. (My students even got shocked with my reaction upon reading today’s paper—I almost said “bitch” out loud.) Can you blame me? Everybody rallied behind him just to convict the White Devil and his allies, and here she is as if telling the whole world, “Sorry, I lied.” [Did GMA train Nicole?] As a Filipino, will you not feel ashamed? Degraded? For centuries, we have been raped and abused by imperialists, and it is just so annoying and frustrating that it still lingers up to this day. Nicole’s move sends the message: “Rape me now, pay me later.”

However, I don’t want to put all the blame upon Nicole’s shoulders. If she was truly raped, I reckon she has been burdened so badly, so let’s give her the benefit of the doubt.

In the interviews, Nicole’s mom was deeply sorry to Atty. Ursua for dropping the case. She explains that her family has been haunted, and never had the chance to move on with their lives. She blames the slow and pathetic justice system that we have here in the Philippines. Reality check: What are NGO’s and human rights activists against Daniel Smith, a son of Uncle Sam, a señorito of the Philippine government?

Indeed, one of the factors for Nicole’s recant might be the hopeless justice system we have here.

What infuriates me is the fact that a handsome and powerful rapist might be acquitted not because of his innocence but because of the powers that work behind him. Worse, this move might invite more rapists to come over the country.

It’s a good advertisement for sex tourism:

“Come to the Philippines and rape our women…It would just cost a little hassle of earning the ire of the people, but who cares? For only P100,000, you’ll be acquitted in no time! So hurry! Call within the next 10 minutes and you’ll receive a sleeping pill absolutely FREE!”

Now, the world looks at us as Bitches rather than Victims.

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Ang Simpleng Tanong ni Leiah

Kaninang umaga, habang nakikinig sa mensahe ni Mam Evelyn Feliciano sa Sunday worship service, nilapitan ako ng aking inaananak na si Leiah. At gaya ng nakagawian, nagmano sya, humalik sa pisngi, at yumakap.

Si Leiah ay limang taong gulang at natural na malambing (kahit nga si Kay, na unang beses nya palang nakita ay kinaibigan na nya…at tinawag na “ninang”—at dahil don nakatipid ako sa regalo nung pasko…hehehe…)

Anyway, sa gitna ng kanyang paglalambing ay bigla nya akong tinanong, “Ninong, ano’ng gusto mo paglaki ko?” Dahil nakapokus ako sa pakikinog, ang unang pumasok sa isip ko e kung ano ang gusto ko para sa kanya: guro, nars, doktor, etc.

Di pa ako sumasagot ng dugtungan nya ang tanong, “Kase si Daddy laptop, si mommy naman t-shirt, sampu daw, si Eunice [nakababatang kapatid nya] pangcolor, tapos ako siguro…ahmmm.. spaghetti…e ikaw ninong?”

Napangiti ako. Maraming bagay ang dagling pumasok sa isip ko.

“Ahmm… ako siguro…Piano” Pangiti kong sagot sa kanya.

“Piano? Ah..sige!” Masaya n’yang sagot, sabay yakap.

Sa kanyang pag-alis, bigla kong naalala ang minsang sinabi sakin ni Mama na noong bata daw ako ay para akong si Leiah…madaming gustong gawin sa buhay. Pag tinanong mo daw ako noon, ang sasabihin ko gusto ko maging astronaut; kinabukasan, piloto ng eroplano; sa isang linggo; scientist naman. Pero never ko daw nabanggit na gusto ko maging guro.

Naisip ko tuloy, may naipangako din kaya ako kay mama? Sampung t-shirt? Daster? Typewriter? Radyo? Ref? Oven? TV? Nabigay ko kaya?

Tinext ko agad si Kay para sabihin ang saloobin ko, at ang agad nyang sagot ay, “hindi pa naman huli ang lahat para tuparin kung ano man ang pangako mo…”

Sa isang simpleng tanong ni Leiah, napagmuni-muni ako; nagiisip-isip hinggil sa mga bagay na hindi na gaanong napapansin sa gitna ng kabisihan.

Ngayong panahon ng graduation, naibalik kaya natin sa ating mga magulang ung mga “pangako” na binitiwan natin sa kanila? Natupad kaya natin ang mga pangarap nila para sa atin? Nasagot kaya natin ang mga katanunang na bumabalot sa kanilang isipan, habang umiikot ang pwit sa pag-iisip kung saan kukuha ng pang-matrikula at pambaon natin sa isang panibagong linggo?

Sa totoo lang, hindi lang naman ito ang ekslusibong panahon para magpasalamat at tumupad sa mga pangako. Araw-araw, dapat ay may katuparan: kung nagawa mo ung nasa “To-Do List” mo; kung naipasa mo ang requirements sa subject; kung na-beat mo ang deadline mo sa boss mo; at marami pang iba.

Ikaw? Anon’ng gusto mo paglaki mo?

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Much Bragging about Nothing

While reading the newspaper this morning, I can’t help but marvel with my new crush, Jovie Ann Decoyna, who topped the 36, 455 passers of the November 2008 Nursing Board Exam. Nothing much is supposed to be marvelous in her exemplary performance in the board exam, except for the fact that she is an Ibaloi, and a daughter of a farmer and OFW. Just like what I felt during my undergraduate years in PNU, I was once again challenged. If this girl did, yes we can! (Obama are you in?)

However, a more intriguing issue regarding the latest Nursing Board exam is the roster of top performing schools. It appears that the not-so-advertised schools like Xavier University and Silliman University are among the top ten. Ironically, the self-proclaimed “best” schools were not included. The list provided by PDI involves schools with “100 or more examinees” and I’d like to give the nursing (business) schools the benefit of the doubt. [But is it really possible that these schools have more than 341 examinees—the number of takers from Xavier?]

***

Every time I roam around the metro, I would see gigantic billboards parading their graduates who “topped” the board, which is then followed by a highly fallacious statement: “We are no. 1.” Among the fallacy-stricken schools are the OLFU (Our Lady of Fatima University)—which has advertisements along the Novalichez area—and UERM (University of the East Ramon Magsaysay, I’m not sure if the acronym is correct)—which has an advertisement along E. Rodriguez.

Let me clarify that I have nothing against these schools, nor the graduates of these schools. I have friends who graduated from these schools who are now applying the nursing skills that they have acquired from these schools.

At the end of the day, my message is simple.

As students and future parents, let us be vigilant on choosing the school that would educate us and our children. Be cynical, if possible. Ask yourself, “Will this school really help me in bringing out the best in me? Will this school provide me with the competencies that I need when I go out in the field and work? Or will this school just profit from my tuition and other fees?”

The school is a place for exploring the world and oneself, and one thing’s for sure: If the “school” prioritizes profit over learning, that is not a school. That is a company. I know one in Laguna. Beware.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Why Evil Men Live Long

The Filipino cliché “Masamang damo, matagal mamatay” is aptly used in today’s pressing situation—most especially in relation to Gloria Arroyo’s administration and family. Indeed, Mrs. Arroyo and her minions’ evilness seethe through the marrow to the point of controlling death to work its way. Is it possible that Hades is bribable?

I just can’t help but ask, “Why in the world does FG Mike Arroyo suddenly become ‘unhealthy’ during exposés of his crimes?” Moreover, I ask myself, “Why is he still alive anyway?” Yeah, when the issue “dies down” he resurrects and plays golf.

Malacañang appears to have lost its creativity in making alibis. Their scriptwriters probably thought that since the “health reasons” alibi “worked” during the NBN-ZTE scandal (in reality, it did not), then it would more likely work again the Nth time around.

But the Filipino people stopped from being ignorant long ago (unfortunately, Filipinos begin to be indifferent). No one in his/her right mind would believe such poorly written stories coming out of the Liars’ Den.

Speaking of liars, it is very important to note the infuriating statements made by the executive liar Eduardo Ermita. Assuming that every accused has his/her rights, don’t we have to? Shouldn’t we hear the explanations regarding FG’s involvement in these corruption cases straight from him? Why does he continue to deny the allegations when documents tell of his involvement? The constitution clearly states that the people have the right to know. Obviously, these braggarts don’t have any plans to respect the rule of law.

Ermita is even too arrogant to say that FG should not face the senate inquiry because this might “stress” him, and that FG should play golf instead. Ah, a man truly worthy to be clubbed down. If Ermita would just act human, even for a very short time, he will know how “stressed” Filipinos are. No, “stressed” is too soft a term. “Pissed off” is more appropriate.

The Arroyo administration is dead wrong if they think that the “resilience” of their government is due to the people’s support. This evil people live long, because they have established a strong relationship with the forces of darkness.

Saturday, January 31, 2009

SERYENG EMOLASLAS: Tomo 1, Blg. 4: Ang Correlation-Coefficient bilang Panukat kung ikaw at ang Jowa mo ay para sa isa’t-isa

Sa panahong ito na usong-uso ang mga Emolaslas kids (mostly dahil sa pagkabigo sa pag-ibig), mahalagang malaman natin kung anu-ano ang mga posibleng hakbang upang maiwasan ang mga extreme cases ng ka-EMOhan.

Una sa lahat, i-identify naten ang mga usual na rason, at sa partikular na seryeng ito, magpopokus tayo sa isang rason “daw” ng mga break-ups: INCOMPATIBILITY.

Sa araw-araw kong pakikisalamuha sa ibat-ibang uri ng tao (at sa araw-araw kong pag-uusi sa mga usapan ng mga studyante sa dyip, ng mag yuppies sa coffee shop, mga mababantot na naggiGym sa labas ng Boarding House ko, at maging ng mga bakla na nakatambay sa labas ng parlor (na katabi ng suki kong karinderya), madalas kong marinig ang terminong Incompatibility.

“Siguro di talaga kame swak sa isa’t-isa…gusto ko to, pero yun ang gusto n’ya…”

At dahil nagkataon na sa araw-araw na pakikisalamuha ko sa kanila nitong mga nakaraang araw ay nagrereview ako ng mga posibleng statistical treatments sa kamoteng tisis ko, heto’t nakaisip ako ng pamamaraan upang ma-“measure” ang compatibility mo sa jowa mo.

(DISCLAIMER: Walang scientific proof ang sumusunod. Pawang kagunggungan lamang.)

So ganto ang gawin natin, hanapin naten ang mga trip mong gawin, at trip n’yang gawin. Tapos i-tabulate naten, at subukan nating hanapin ang level of significance ninyong dalawa. Heto ang pormulang gagamitin natin:

r= [∑xy- (∑x) (∑y)/n]
√ [∑x2- (∑x) (∑x)/n] [∑y2- (∑y) (∑y)/n]



Let:

x= Boy

y= Girl

xy= minultiply na boy at girl

∑xy= summation ng minultiply na Boy at Girl

x2= Dinobleng Boy

y2= Dinobleng Girl

∑x2= summation ng dinobleng boy

∑y2= summation ng dinobleng girl

n= bilang ng mga trip nyong gawin

Ngayon, ang gagawin natin ay itabulate ang mga trip nyong gawin.
Halimbawa:
1. magmall
2. manood ng sine
3. manood ng basketball game
4. magkape
5. maglibrary
6. magusap ng mga pilosopikal na bagay
7. mag-usap tungkol sa kabulukan ng gubyernong Arroyo
8. mag-usap ng mga debate motions (dahil isa sa inyo ay alagad ni Sir Ali)
9. kumain ng Jolly Spaghetti
10. Manlait ng mga nakakasalubong.

Ito ngayon ang magko-constitute ng n.

Tapos, iskoran mo at ng jowa mo ang n. 1-10 ang rating scale; 10 being the highest (meaning super trip mo) at 1 being the lowest (meaning super badtrip ka)

Halimbawa: MAGMALL-- x=5; y=10

Tapos isquare mo ang x at y, para makuha ang x2 at y2. (x2=25; y2=100)

Tapos imultiply mo ang x at y, para makuha ang xy.

Tapos, itable mo.

Kunin ang ∑ by simply adding all x's, y's, x2's, y2's, at xy's

Tapos, ayun, iderive mo na ung formula. Malaki ka na. Alam mo na yan, at tinatamad na ko magtype.

Ito dapat ang sagot mo (kung hindi ito ang sagot mo, ulitin; kung di pa rin pareho, wag ka mangealam, blog ko to; absolute ang sagot ko.)

r= 0.39

Ngayon tatanungin mo ako kung ano ang interpretation nyan. Well, eto ang interpretation ng mga sagot sa Coefficient-Correlation:

0.7-0.99= High positive correlation
0.3-0.69= Moderate positive correlation
0.1-0.29= Low positive correlation
Lower than 0.1= Negligible correlation

In short, kung kayong magjowa ang naexample sa taas ay moderate ang inyong konek. May mga bagay na ok kayo, na halos katumbas din ng mga bagay na magkaiba ang trip n’yo.

So ano ngayon ang implikasyon? Aba ewan ko sa inyo, either gustuhin mo ang gusto nya o gustuhin nya ang gusto mo. Ngayon kung di nyo magustuhan ang isa’t-isa, edi ayaw nyo sa isa’t-isa. Ergo, magbreak nalang kayo. (But don’t laslas yourself.)