image from bebo I can’t believe it, but this is actually my 100 and first post since I started blogging. Wow! Now, I am hearing throngs of my screaming fans…somewhere. And if I could only twist some arms from blogger.com or I was just plainly a tech genius that could find ways to escape the natural talent of Ms. Janette Toral for nifty details and where to find them of course; I could have given Roy a good fight with his inclusion of my blog to his own set of prestigious nomination. Maybe this blog would simply fit for the Influential Blogs category huh? Oh, now I am hearing once again my screaming fans…somewhere. LOL!
I am therefore already content with the fact that so many great bloggers were actually planning to include my blog on their lists without me begging for it; even the Reynz, Queen of Pinoy Blogosphere focused her eyes on me (blushing), a boylet understudy, only to learn later that I am disqualified. So she has to yield to the authority. See, even the queen follows rules, nut head senators!
So, since this blog fell from the ranks of nominations because of technicality, what a way to spend my 101st post but by making my own list of nominations for the Top Ten Emerging Influential Blogs of 2009.
Beware: all nominees on my list are crazy bloggers! When you get near them, you will get addicted to their blogs and become rabid commenters…just like mine. So better know them. LOL!
Elmot’s Crazy Nominees to the Top Ten Emerging Influential Blogs 2009
1. Jan of Sa Labas ng Mandaluyong – All hands to my Big Bro! And at the same time the LJ of your dreams. No, not LJ Reyes or Moreno on their kinky polka dot bikinis…it’s Lolo Jan! What can I say, the blog name already speaks for itself why he is on top of crazy my list of blogs. LOL!
2. Roy of The Struggling Blogger – If this guy have 13 damn great blogs all working just fine, we are all therefore doing a great disservice to this genius and blogger on steroids if he is not included in our list. Did your mom Idol Roy made you drink steroids instead of infant formula? LOL!
3. Snow of Dear Bloggery – What can I say about her? Cute. What else? Cute. Now, where is my balut dear Snow? Don’t forget the suka and asin ha? Ehehe!
4. Dee of Tales From the Mom Side – Great mom, writer and lawyer! The wife of the one and only “handsome” (according to Dee) Luke Skywalker. For all those who love freebies, this is the place to be. :D
5. Doc Zayden of Zorlone – A full-time poet and part-time doctor. A full-time doctor and a part-time poet. Loves “bukols”and making great sizzling scripts for dear Elmot and his students. That is Z! I nominated him so that he will get his hands off his digicam and his “careless whisper moves”. LOL!
6. Silver of Dare to Speak Out – The Kuya Germs of your dreams! Don’t sue me Roy for plagiarism. Blogger 24/7, she posted one of the most outrageous Storm Trooper having an LBM beside her laptop.
8. Fhedz of Home Buddies – Once called her a “bro” after her tear-jerking comment on my post. What a nut I was, LOL! She will remind you of your own very loving mom on her posts.
9. You!
10. You!
2 More Spots For Us to Work Out!
Though I was totally searching the web to complete my list, unfortunately, I don’t want to have a monopoly on making my list of nominations. So for all of you guys, kindly help me out decide which blogs to include on the last two spots, suggest here blogs (either your own or of someone you know) that are worthy to be included here. A balot would already do, but hey, I will ask some more from you.
This is first. He should qualify for this project; and that would not lead me therefore to making my “tough ten” nominees.
Second. The blogger is one crazy blogger, that whenever you visit his/her blog; you instantly become one screaming fan and a rabid commenter doing your own social climbing 101.
Third. The blogger/blog that you would suggest here is not involved in a sex scandal fronting the You Tube. If you think that they are prone to doing one, then it is time for you to do your divine civic duty: nominate them here and save them from the wrath of Bong Revilla!
Plus,do some convincing here with the other guys (know them too) that you deserve to be nominated. My nomination is not some freebie; earn it dude. That is the way it is.
Give Me Some Lovin!
So for all those nominated here and will be nominated, I would ask you therefore to also give me some lovin (careless whisper playing as background music, turning on the aircon). No, I am not asking you to nominate me and receive Ms. Janette’s edict that I am disqualified. I would be simply asking you to support my blog, this very famous blog, in your own special way. That’s it!
And from my end, since I nominated you, I will do my very best to campaign for all of you…through traditional ways and dirty tricks alike. Ooops…
So, maybe I will just wait for my freshly-baked Garden Gourmet Pizza Doc Z?
image by boblerio Oh, Senator Bong Revilla Jr. from the province of Cavite has abruptly taken the center stage in the last couple of days both on TV interviews (which he consistently does) and a rare privilege speech to lash out immoralities in our society speaking up like some member of the Inquisition of the middle ages. The only difference is Bong does not wear those funny toga and clerical outfits with henchmen on the side, instead have his own version of a long-back hairstyle (looks like mine). His barber should be very lucky to be still walking a free man.
And though his privilege speech was obviously well-written and well-researched by his staff, his delivery nonetheless was very much painted with nervousness and by his familiarity of “where is the camera” looks. These ironies are indicative of two reasons: first, because he delivers privilege speeches lesser than the number of his fingers on his right hand and second because he has perfected the art of acting in front of the camera. Lights, camera, speak honorable senator!
Alec Baldwin’s Bad Joke
“A senator from the Philippines cries foul and seeks an apology from Mr. Baldwin over his deemed derogatory remarks…” was the somewhat the report of Debbie Metanoupolous at E!’s Top Ten Weekend (hey, got tired of the senseless eccentric showbiz reporting of Kris Aquino who only wants to flaunt by the way her freckled back and what else, herself and misadventures!). Then the picture of Mr. Revilla was flashed! Wow! So he could now be leveled side by side with Charice and Arnel Pineda as international stars eh? Hmmm…It would be very interesting if Debbie and her team could also report Mike A’s diarrhea after voraciously consuming Ben Abalo’s “burjer” the last time he went on a presidential trip, or GMA’s infamous “I am sorry, noh”.
On to the main topic. Before, it was Teri Hatcher questioning the medical qualifications of our doctors. Then, Harry & Paul ridiculing a Filipina maid as a sex symbol. And most recently was Chip Tsao calling our country a nation of servants. Adding to the list just days ago is Alec Baldwin of 30 Rock saying at David Letterman’s Show “I think about getting a Filipino mail-order bride at this point or a Russian one, I don’t care, I’m 51," He detonated the bomb, came the protests obviously from all sides.
This is totally a nasty, derogatory comment if to be read at face value. Forgive me Oprah, but hey, I always watch the David Letterman Show. And this is my take on this one.
I personally would rather look at these kinds of statements first, in its context and second on the deeper truth that it tries to point us to.
Gary Lising, one of our A-list comedians in the country (save for his corny green jokes), shared his perspective on this kind of issue when he was interviewed by our campus journalists. He said, being a writer before on shows like that of Letterman in the U.S., one really needs to be intelligent as a viewer in order to decipher the bomb of punch lines and second, intelligent enough as a viewer to realize that those punch lines are pointing to glaring bits of reality that we are into. These kinds of shows are never equal to Wowowee (this is mine). Thus, a nation or a collection of people who are not conscious of these two contexts would easily bark at the wrong tree. Furthermore, satire is something that is not yet accepted in the Philippines. Thus we would not wonder why there are those who would crack jokes during a drinking session and would end up a bloody mess in minutes; or hundreds of our radio commentators who tackles societal issues either in satirical or frank manner ending up on the long death list of Filipino journalists.
I asked myself therefore, if Teri, Harry & Paul, Chip Tsao and Alec Baldwin are saying all these things I think Alec’s remark is not the last one we will ever hear (lest…), then maybe there is really some truth to it? If my father, mother, brother, sister, even my neighbor and officemates are telling me that I have a dark skin, would I cry racial discrimination or will I look in the mirror?
According to one of our local news channel, the Philippines and Russia are the two top countries that advertise in the U.S. mail order brides, quoting from one recent research study (if I could only find that research). Then, Baldwin is certainly pointing to something true, he just forgot the citation.
For me, though diplomatic protests and all these noise being created by politicians on riding with the issue for their own political grand-staging are done and we may get the sincerest apologies of Alec, the question is, since there is some truth in all that these people are saying, “what are we to do next?” So far, what I have only seen from the government is as part of our collective effort on the issue is just to “bark” and wait for another slur.
Another Hilton for Stardom or Behind Bars?
This is not another Paris Hilton, or Kim Kardashian or Edie Chen case on the spot spotlight; with the first two getting famous and a million dollar richer from their sex videos and the last one fleeing away from Hong Kong so as not to suffer from the hands of protesters.
This is Dr. Hayden Kho, a celebrity medical doctor who got the ire and tons of tirade from Sen. Revilla and feminists groups. On his “rare privilege speech” entitled “A Doctor’s Perversity” (wow, this could pass for a good film title and I bet Sen. Bong taking the lead role will surely make him take home the top acting plum, just like his buddy Jinggoy Estrada; Wait are they senators or actors? Darn, I could no longer make any distinction.) after his “sex videos” with different girlfriends leaked out at video sharing sites. The anger of the senator could not be contained that he labeled Kho a “pervert of the highest order” and a “predator” and is seeking from the Professional Regulation Commission the revocation of his medical license.
This is not something new. So many innocent women have already been victimized by crazy perverts and those videos were used to blackmail the victims for either cash or another cheap romance. The lack of specific law that would punish individuals with this kind of perversity passes them to be filled a case with a lower punishment and fine. Therefore, perverts are unfortunately could easily be back roaming the streets hunting for their next victim. Thumbs up to Sen. Revilla on this, only until he does everything he preached especially the passage a specific law to combat this ill. We are watching Kap.
If Hayden has to learn some valuable lessons therefore from the honorable senator and other pablings, these are; First, ask the consent of your partner, use your charm not brute force. Second, don’t make any sex videos all the more leak these stuffs to You Tube; don’t leave any evidence or trail. Gossips are gossips but evidence would kill you man. And third, keep it clean dude, nice and easy. Did I get it right Sir Bong? Now, I am not anymore wondering why he is fondly called Hayden…he likes to put “hayden cameras” during his hot moments. You crap doctor! You deserve and all fellow perverts to languish behind bars.
Senator Revilla is really doing over time eh?
On to you guys. What is your opinion regarding Alec Baldwin’s remarks; should it be taken as a joke or taken seriously offending? Do you think that these incidents from Teri to Alec are serious issues worth introspecting? What can you say about Dr. Hayden Kho’s sexcapades and posting these on video sharing sites? So Senator is really doing some catching up? Let us make this issue more interesting by sharing our thoughts here.
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I haven’t never really appreciated these words only until lately when I would wake up from the middle of the night because of precious some text messages saying I won this or that and they were all for my taking. And I could say that I was like some hyperactive nuts only to look at myself in the mirror in the morning sporting those funny eye bags. You know who you are. LOL!
Manna From Heaven
First thing is that I won Big Bro Jan’s Top Commentator for April after literally braving the raging storm just to hit the mark and take home his secret prize. It is now though no longer a secret. I won John Grisham’s book “The Appeal”. And just after a couple of days, the mail man in the middle of the storm was calling me out from our house. I don’t know if that book has some curse in it. But the mail man was certainly pissed off; he was all wet. I read the book for two days, until the early morn only to get pissed with a nasty ending with the villain laughing to his heart’s content while cruising the Hudson River on his multi-million yacht. And I myself would want to email John to make my own “appeal”.
Second. Together with Fafa Roy, we won Dee’s contest on her blog. And the price is a book “Chicken Soup for the Soul; Moms and Sons”. Don’t worry Reynz, this is not the chicken that Lee took from your palace and let them dive over some boiling water and papaya. :D Actually, this is my first time to own a chicken soup book for I just contented myself in the past of barrowing books from our library and returning them with excessive fines for me to cry over be depressed for it. Thanks Dee! I just hope that the book will be delivered on a sunny day this time.
Surely, dear momma is so proud of me.
Thank you guys Jan and Dee!
Water Springing from the Rock
I was so surprised that Roy featured me on his blog through Bloggers Connection. Roy’s impassionate description of me and my blog was so well crafted that one commenter said that I could pass as a toothpaste commercial model? Photoshop really makes miracles, ehehe! While the other one could not stop from describing me as a “cutie” from the start of her comment till the end, right Lee? That she would have ignored the featured blogger if not for being a “cutie”. Nice! I guess if I posted the picture of Golum, she would have just cut her throat and blame Roy for the tragedy.
It was a post and a project that was well accepted by his readers and friends that he could already pass for an A-list showbiz insider, ala- Boy Abunda; I can’t imagine Roy move and dress up like Boy, even more like Krissy, LOL! In short, he made me real handsome on his post. I could only grin from where I am (actually even into my sleep) with the “boy-next-door” packaging. Thanks Roy!
But another unexpected miracle that Roy did to me is when he included my blog on his list of his Top Ten Emerging Influential Bloggers. This is a shocker for me. I thought I could only content myself on being the secret PR operative carrying with me a bag full of tricks (which is now no longer a secret) of all my blogging buddies who were already nominated. Here is Roy’s list.
Don’t worry, I am not mistaken. It is really 7 as of this writing. Roy has only 7 yet, and the edict from the Palace of the Queen has gotten his attention already to fill in the last three lest he suffer the consequences of not joining the free raffle and take home a “lapad” or a “gin-bilog”. Guys, could recommend to Roy some blogs that you think are worthy to be included on his hot list.
Thanks Roy! You owned yourself a good spot on my list. So watch out also on my own Top Ten Emerging Influential Bloggers.
The Feast at the Queen's Palace
One meaningful definition that I could give to blogging is relationships. While others blog just for the sake of labeling other bloggers some Neanderthal “jologs’ term as one publicity stunt disguised as somewhat an authoritative understanding of the whole universe of blogging and pull a party after getting some cheap massive traffic (no links, it is not worth another traffic believe me); I choose to understand my blogging experience as a web of relationships. It may not be always happy nonetheless I know that somewhere out there, there are friends and buddies who make me always excited to show my best and worst on blog and their blogs too.
Part of this happy experience is getting myself acquainted at the Palace of the Queen of Pinoy Blogosphere. At first I was just standing by the lobby and eavesdropping on the conversations of her counts and countess, dukes and duchess, and of course her serfs and some spies. Now, I am actively engaging myself on the ladder of social climbing 101. Let us go Fafa Roy and let us chorva the “bukol-loving” Doc Z and the “kapa-master” Jan! LOL!
Thank you guys and to all my blogging buddies for making blogging this fun! To Jan, Jaypee, Roy, Snow, Gem, Bingskee, Holly, Doc Z, diTesco, Yatot, Luke, Lee, Reyna, Silver, Dee, Ceblogger and Roel...Thanks alot!
UPDATE:
I am sorry to say this to all my screaming fans out there, wherever you are (hey, scream! there you go), but this blog of mine is "disqualified" to being nominated to the Top Ten Emerging Influential Blogger, for as Ms. Janette Toral commented on Roy's blog, I started Ani-Mo!!! way before May 2008. I really appreciate your support especially for Roy. Hey, Z, hope I could still get even just a slice of your pizza! Maybe this blog of mine will pass for the "Influential Blogger" category? ehehehe! What do you think?
And kindly help me also guys on making my own Top Ten List of Emerging Influential Bloggers. Any blog that you deem worthy to be included on my own list?
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I am not joining the caravan of Star Treck fever despite shattering the box office record of the Knight on its first day. Hey, what could Batman do against all these aliens and semi-humans (Are they? Whatever.) speeding their way from one galaxy to another on their gigantic cockroach-like space ships sporting their very funny shining bangs? And I thought that those bangs were already funny enough only until I stumbled upon this Manny Pacquiao picture.
Wow! This picture made me almost bite my toe nails and may have ooze out from my nose those unimaginable fluids for laughing out loud. Thanks Jen, and to whoever is the genius behind this picture. He certainly got good genes from dear mom and pop. I don’t know if this news is plainly a joke, purely stupidity or an affirmative indication for Manny to totally don that Star Wars outfit for his new "shady post." and put tons of pomade for a new bangs For shutting the daylight out of Ricky Hatton, the Peoples Champ is given not only, one, not two, but three special government posts. When it rains, it pours, eh?
Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales just recently appointed Manny Pacquiao as his Special Assistant on Intelligence Matters. The position he said is plainly honorary and the government will not spend a single centavo to compensate Pacquiao for his service (I bet if there will even be) and furthered:
"No salary. It is an honorary position in honor of his achievement. He can help the Department of Justice in any manner he can, I can ask him for information as well,"
Wow, so after knocking out Mexicans and a Briton, one was appointed as easy as 1-2-3to become one of Gonzales' version of James Bond? What will Manny do; wire to the Justice Department the boxing styles, weaknesses and tactics of his opponents and be classified as a confidential? will he spook on Clinton that he recently met, or know the diet of the new dog in the White House? or how much the politicians raked in from frequenting the MGM Grand? or how may sparring sessions Mike Arroyo had with crispy pata? or the Benjamin Abalos' secret recipe for his yummy "burjer"? or the political oppositions' whereabouts? and pass of all these as "valuable infos" to the President, all for the nation's safety and interest?
I don't say that Manny is a nuts, I admire this guy -- as a boxer. But I don't know either if the Justice Department is really mocking Manny on this instance making him a "confidential agent"; and Manny by accepting this post making a clown out of himself and his achievements as an A-list athlete. What is so confidential now with Manny Pacquiao?, his life is an open book. It is like saying, "Hey, I appointed Le Bron James to be my top spook, and its a totally confidential!"
Raul Gonzales found an ally in Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile confidently saying “With all the people adulating him, he can get information.” By what, doing monkey business? So maybe, Manny should also better join Boy Abunda and Kris Aquino's fray to get more information from the people who adulates him. Now, I need some pill.
I am pretty sure that Lady Justice must have been so pissed off wanting to tear that cover on her eyes and throw the scale at Gonzales. But to this he would only shrugged off his shoulders, spit on all his detractors and reply "There is nothing wrong with that,". Another pill please.
Earlier that day Manny was also appointed by the President as head of the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources' (DENR) Task Force Kalikasan (nature) and as an "ambassador of peace and understanding." As the palace lapdogs would exhort it with no indication of shame, the Pacman is “the symbol of national unity and peace”. Maybe for making everything stop even the bandits every time he slug it out in the ring; a country with zero crime rate for a couple of hours?
His main job? “There will be events and activities that will be organized that will center on him as a focal person,” Remonde said in a media briefing here. “He will be useful as a symbol, as a rallying point for events, which in the process, would involve national unity.”
And to start things up for our dear Pacman, his first task: join the basketball games between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front contingents. I just hope that there will be no flagrant fouls lest there will be the flying of grenades and mortars from each camp. Oooops, i totally forgot, Manny is there to save the day, with his bangs, LOL!
This is payback time. As I said on my last post about Manny's forming of his own political party, I would not wonder if everyone would be crossing fences. Manny would be the saving grace of this administration known for its nasty human rights record, corruption and lies. Now, I can pass for a modern-day Nostradamus.
But what these bogus government officials haven't realized is that they are only showing that they cannot do the job. They need some superhero to do the cleaning of the sink. Are we really in need of a superhero? The answer is quite obvious.
He surely needs tons of pomade though for that shinny immovable bangs. Oh, goodness, another pill please!
What is reaction to all these three appointments given to Pacquiao by the present administration? Is Manny Pacquiao the answer to all the ills that this country is experiencing? Be heard, Manny is gathering all needed information from all those who adulates him. Yipee! Clap, clap. clap.
Milosevic has been judged and now dead. And so is Pol Pot, Hitler and all those faces of death and torture of the 20th century.
But there are still many others on the loose, enjoying their retirements on their ranch, and posh abodes; walking past camera men with glee and pride; powerful and renowned who could still twist the arms of those in the Hill; and walking a free man in Washington and Manhattan.
These are pictures of torture at Abu Ghraib jail in Iraq after the Bush’s orchestrated invasion founded on hate and sheer anger, which to make things clearer, up to this day has not found any nuclear arsenal, chemical and biological weapons of some sort to justify the one-sided attack.
And her dear Condeleeza Rice has this to say about the very serious violations against human rights laws and international treaties pointed against these barbaric acts:
"By definition, if it was authorized by the President, it didn't violate our obligations under the Convention against Torture."
What the hell is she talking here?! President Nixon is all gone forever and had been judge by history as the insane man on the White House who poignantly said these most stupid words “If the president does it, it's not illegal.” And so Watergate screwed you Nix. And for you Condi, you need to dig yourself a foxhole now, Stanford guys are already running after your throat.
I think Americans are not stupid enough to elect Bush to be like Zeus on his Olympus commanding all his henchmen to strike lightning and torture to all suspected terrorists to confess the location of the nuclear bombs of Sadam and Bin Laden, without getting punished nicely in court. Confession through torture? Nice try guys! Maybe you may want to use Twitter instead? I am following Obama on Twitter.
Dick Cheney, former vice-president on the other hand has these crisp words justifying the obvious barbarism:
"Remember what happened here," he said. "We had captured these people. We had pursued interrogation in a normal way. We decided that we needed some enhanced techniques. So we went to the Justice Department and the controversy has arisen over the opinions written by the Justice Department. The reason we went to the Justice Department wasn't because we felt we were going to take some kind of freehand assault on these people, that we were in the torture business. We weren't. ... if we had been about torture we wouldn't have wasted our time going to the Justice Department."
Another roach! I could therefore understand the anger and lashing out of Marjorie Cohn and Craig Murray to these two stupid people. And for the grand salvo, Cheney, detonated the big bomb right under Bush’s nose:
"I certainly have every reason to believe that he knew a great deal about the program," he said. "He basically authorized it. I mean, this was a presidential level decision. And the decision went to the president. He signed off on it."
There it goes, nailed the big man! And Bush should dig his hole too, deep, very deep down his ranch for the arm of justice is certainly long enough to pull you out of hole. All of these rotten guys should face their day in court.
Obama has better roll up his sleeves now for the International Court of Justice is very much eager to cut the Bush down to its roots and throw him in a burning pit.; of course together with all his mob of war-fanatics. They espoused to be those people who will bring to justice all terrorists, but these guys pretending to be as snow-white as sheep are no saints either.
On to you guys now. Do think that Bush and all those responsible for this torture should be punished for their crime against existing laws and international treaties on torture? What do you think should Barack Obama do in this very delicate and serious issue? Be heard.
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imnage by writingfix I was so darn excited of going through my expensive routine of making my post on an internet shop a few blocks away from our house that gives me all the freedom in the world on exploring the sites that I am addicted to without the irritating constant warning on the screen screaming to my handsome face: “The site you are trying to access is blocked!”
Of course, though I’m still a couple of meters away from the internet cubicle I would be burrowing myself to, the main man of the shop is already all smiles, for he is sure to heap a good amount from me as soon as I leave his counter.
Despite of feeling blue when I opened my blog, I want to keep my self upbeat and make a post here.
After receiving my price of a John Grisham book “The Appeal” a couple of days ago from Big Bro Jan after winning his April Top Commentator contest (I braved all odds even the typhoon for this one!), it is now time for my weekend round up here. Here are the events, odd news and comic relief from all over the blogosphere for us this weekend to feast on and satisfy some of our cravings. • TIME Magazine’s 2009 100 Most Influential People And what is Rush Limbaugh doing on the top spot after rallying the war-freaked policies of Bush in his radio program that eby the way ended in a disaster and became a nest of human rights violations? This big-mouthed man should move on. Stop cursing Barack man; you, Bill O’Reilly, Bush and all his henchmen should face your day in the international court.
•Pacman? So effin what, man? Who is the real Filipino? What have you done for your country? One who stays behind despite all the poverty and corruption, speaking his mind to condemned all of this non-sense and hullabaloo? Or those who worked as OFWs on foreign lands just to support their family? Actually this is not what Jeni’s post is all about. But when FilAmboy, Marcelle, Jeni, Manuel Buencamino and all the gang were called up by Michael Buffer to speak their mind on the ring, then all hell broke loose. Caution: this post is freaking hot. LOL
• Martin Nievera’s Philippine National Anthem Fiasco Angela Stuart-Santiago’sAnthem Angst Dear Bloggery’sMartin Nievera and the Lupang Hinirang The Struggling Blogger’s Aside From Manny Pacquiao I thought it will be Leah Salonga, geee. But it was Martin who sung tall and proud our National Anthem with all the props, in a “pop” rendition pushing the button for his loud screech in the last line of the anthem as a last dying hurray. And now, he is facing the tongue-lashing from all corners for singing “inappropriately”. This one big-mouthed guy who never learnt to listen and has not gotten over “Pops” (singing the anthem the pop way), has this to say to all detractors, “I didn’t ask to sing it, Manny ask me to”.Air-head! Pops is surely relieved of having a PA system in her life.
• The Great Book Blockade by MLQ III These taxmen are surely out of their mind! Taxing imported books? Wow, it will raise book prices by 10-20% and even cause the scarcity of book supply in the market. Come on guys, you really want me to always scrounge for good books and sweat it out at Booksale huh? This is not about protecting local book authors and publishers, this about raising government revenues for the election. So, maybe you want us to use all those error-filled books from the Department of Education? You needed lots of spanking.
Surely, angry big bro Jan would run after you! But for free books, just show your commenting prowess at Jan’s blog, and give the most rational reason why you deserve to have one great book at Dee’s. :D
“What I think is dangerous about campaigning for this is that it neutralizes a person’s capacity to do more than what one is supposed to do in the first place. It’s like, fine, just pay your taxes, smile at people, sweep your backyard, do things within your comfort zone and that’s enough to change society. It’s not. Let us not justify the laziness or the inability of the middle class to get out of their comfort zone to change society.
These are the types of campaigns, believe it or not, that people in power or in government and big businesses employ to maintain the status quo, simply because doing ’simple everyday good things’ do just that and nothing more. It effectively cloaks their part in the equation as to why we are where we sadly are. It makes you forget their role in sustaining the rotten order of society. It makes you think of questioning their policies or their authority as simple pagrereklamo. And worse, it demonizes those who do that. “Forget about the corruption and the repression we commit, just do your own little nice things!” And even worse, it blames the individual Filipino for all the problems he is experiencing! Its always about the individual. It’s never about the collective. It’s never the “We”. Collective action is too dangerous for the status quo. It’s all about pacifying the individual to be content with the things he already does and to buy a dog tag, a t-shirt, or a bracelet to show it off. “
And for the last salvo guys. Forgive me if this news has to be this long, but it will surely make you laugh out loud like a madman. Hold your breath. Here is the bomb!
I don’t want to make any comment anymore coz like Jeni, I am also totally confused!!! Read the order yourself, and be the “judge” of this comic judge. LOL!
ORDER Accused having been arrested, his arraignment is set to May 7, 2009 at 8:30 in the morning.
In view of the pendency of a motion filed by a priest and a nun involving the custody of accused, and in view of news reports that the Senators would also be filing a motion praying for the custody of accused in the Senate, the resolution of the request for commitment order filed by the police is held in abeyance. All these request/motions shall be heard by this Court on Friday, May 8, 2009, at 8:30 a.m. Catholic priests and nuns as well as the members/leaders of other religious groups are welcome on said date to participate in the court’s morning prayer before the start of court session. The Supreme Court encourages Judges to start court sessions with a prayer.
As I have said during the hearing of accused’s motion for release on recognizance which, by the way, I promptly denied, Mike Defensor should have been there so that I could help him and accused settle their differences. After all, the Supreme Court encourages trial judges to help parties arrive at an amicable settlement. My words designed to penetrate Defensor’s mind and heart will be many. If I say it orally on May 7, 2009, it will consume too much time to the detriment of the other parties whose cases are also set for said date.
Hence, I have decided to include those words in this order for Defensor to ponder on. I hope that Defensor would be able to clearly so that on May 7, 2009 (accused’s arraignment), there could already be peace between him and Lozada.
Why is it safer for Defensor to settle the case— Defensor has admitted on TV that this perjury case he is pursuing against Lozada is very bad for his political career. I fully agree with him. Furthermore, I say that it may be very bad for his health and his family as well. If he gets sick like Mike Arroyo, would not that be bad for him and his family? The Presidents that I have known are only Presidents Marcos, Aquino, Ramos, Estrada and Arroyo.
My observation is that of all the presidential spouses, Atty. Mike Arroyo is the one who is very sickly. He has a serious heart disease. He even tries to make us believe that he is in no condition to attend Senate probes.
Imelda was strong during Marcos’ incumbency. Aquino, of course, was a widow during her term. Ming was so healthy and strong during Fidel’s time; and even after Fidel’s term, she was even the president of the Philippine Badminton Association. Dra. Loi was also very strong during Erap’s rather abruptly ended service.
There are those who say that the serious heart disease is some kind of punishment for Atty. Mike Arroyo. I do not know if this is true, for I do not really know how our Lord works, for He does works in mysterious ways. But what I do know is that Lozada is being protected by the Church, by the priests and nuns. That must mean something. Defensor, take note: that must mean something.
I invite Defensor to look closely at the faces of the priests and nuns protecting Lozada; at the faces of the other people openly voicing their support for Lozada. They are guarding Lozada so closely for they feel that what he says is the truth and they fear that the Arroyo administration might harm him because of his expose. That is why his custody during this trial in my court is such a big issue for those who support him.
Now, why are all these so important for Defensor to ponder on. Simple: if it is true that Mike Arroyo is being punished, Defensor may also be punished with some serious disease. I am sure his loved ones do not want that to happen to him.
But has Defensor not already been punished in some ways? He lost in the last senatorial race because he was perceived to be protecting the first couple during the NBN ZTE deal hearings; because he was perceived to be trying his best to make Lozada stop talking. He used to be presidential chief of staff, now he just has old, dilapidated, rusty trains to play with. At least some of the trains still run. Is Defensor suffering from some kind of political suicidal tendency that he is seeing to it that he will forever be hated by he people and not win in any election at all? Defensor, on May 7, 2009, when I arraign your enemy, Lozada, you shall have the unique opportunity for cleansing, for healing, for regaining public sympathy. The Court suggests that you do what is right for your sake, for your kids’ sake, for your wife’s sake. I have not talked to Mrs. Defensor, but as an experienced trial judge who deals with human emotions and passions everyday in my courtroom, I am sure that Mrs. Defensor wants peace and good health for you.
Why this case is not to the best interest of the first couple— Since Defensor is not a trial lawyer, he apparently has not seen the very explosive potential of this case: the first couple (Gloria and Mike Arroyo) may validly and legally be dragged into the proceedings by Lozada’s defense team. All that the defense team has to do is invoke certain provisions of the Rules of Court. As a fair and impartial judge, I shall have no reason not to grant such request. It is true that evil, cruel and vindictive regimes can use the law to make their enemies suffer, but it is that very same set of laws that can enable the oppressed (to) fight back. Such is the beauty of the law: that is why many have fallen in love with the law and have become lawyers or judges. As a child, I have dreamed of one day becoming a judge, to apply the law not to destroy lives, but to make lives better. Now, I am in that position, with the help of God. I dispense justice everyday with the aid and guidance I always seek from our Lord.
When this case goes to trial, I will of course allow the prosecution every opportunity to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.
When it is the turn of the defense to present evidence, I will also allow the defense every opportunity to raise reasonable doubt or to destroy each and every element of the felony of perjury.
And if there is a motion to present president Gloria or first gentleman Mike Arroyo as hostile witnesses in order for accused Lozada to establish, I will not hesitate to issue the corresponding subpoena compelling the first couple to testify as hostile witness for the defense.
If Gloria and Mike refuse to obey the subpoena, I will not hesitate to issue the warrants of arrest against them because it is the constitutional right of Lozada to have the best possible defense. And it is my duty as trial judge to see to it that there is due process in my court.
If the police officers refuse to serve the arrest warrants because Gloria is their boss, then I will be forced to deputize other public officers to serve and implement the arrest warrants.
I need not search hard nor should I wait long, for Manila Mayor Lim and the many senators who wish to take Lozada into their custody may move that they be deputized. Some of these people are lawyers, some of them have extensive police experience, like Mayor Fred Lim and Senator Ping Lacson. They can arrest, handcuff and put behind bars any fugitive.
They are no match against the PSG, the Presidential Security Group? What if Sen. Trillanes and his comrades join the mission to arrest? Get the picture, Mr. Railroadman Defensor?
Defensor, just imagine how powerful a message that would (be) for our people and for the whole world. And just imagine how that would affect the first couple. I now suggest to Mike Defensor not to think only of himself in his perjury case. The welfare of the first couple is also involved, as discussed above. I invite everyone who may come across this order to pray for both Defensor and Lozada, so there may be peace between them.
Please pray also for me, so that I may always be a good, humble, God fearing and very wise Judge to those who seek justice in my courtroom; and so that I may be elevated from a Judge to a Justice (even though I do not have any political backers) for that would surely make my late father, Jorge Lorredo, Jr. (who is now with Jesus in heaven watching me with a smile on his face) and my mother, Mary Lorredo, very proud of their only child.
So ordered. May 4, 2009.
JORGE EMMANUEL M. LORREDO Presiding Judge
Any violent reaction guys? On to you now. I just can’t still stop myself from laughing and scratching my head with Judge Lorredos’ order. Don’t worry, I will not file a perjury case against you, so you are all spared to receive this kind of court order, ehhehe LOL!
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This post is a continuation of the active discussion on my post entitled "The Grand Engagement of Romance and Politics", with special attention to the issue of the Eastern views of the Western's valuing of the family, more specifically on the American Family.
I don't presume to judge other cultures' ideas of family. It irks me when people outside the U.S. suggest that we Americans don't care about family.
The U.S. is huge, geographically, and we are free to travel, live, work, and move within its borders. Naturally, that leads to widely scattered families as children grow up and leave to attend school or to find jobs, and parents retire to their dream homes. Travel within the U.S. is relatively cheap and easy; we keep in touch, and we visit. It's never often enough to suit our parents, but we don't move across the country just to avoid each other. We keep in touch by mail, by phone, by email, chat, and Web cams.
How many people come to the U.S. on student visas - and stay? Maybe they're just trying to get as far away from their families as possible! How many people leave their homeland to work in the U.S.? Perhaps they don't value family.
Here's the reality I grew up with: My great-grandmother moved in with my grandparents before my mom was born, and lived with them until she required skilled nursing care - more than twenty years later. My parents and I lived with my grandparents for the first four years or so of my life, while my mom and dad attended college. Years later, we moved back in to help my grandmother take care of my grandfather following his heart attack. This wasn't extraordinary, to my way of thinking; this was what "family" was about, taking care of our own.
My husband is not from the U.S., originally. People have asked me, "Are there major cultural differences? Big adjustments?" Not really. Family comes first. While we were dating, my husband never asked me choose between him and my family; he never once asked me to break the rules and rebel, or put a date with him before a commitment to some family event. He treated my parents and grandparents with kindness and respect, and they had no difficulty seeing what I saw in him.
Trust and mutual respect are crucial. The rest just falls into place. I grew up an only child, so you might say that acquiring two brothers and a sister by marriage was a big "adjustment," but it has enriched my life immeasurably.
My father-in-law was surprised that I "let" him live with us over the past eleven years. To do otherwise would be unthinkable in his culture, but like so many people outside the U.S., he seemed to think it was some anomalous and extraordinary thing that I would want him to live with us. I say we really need to be more careful what TV shows we export. When people overseas get their notions of "American culture" from a mix of Fox News, American Idol, and reruns of Little House on the Prairie and Three's Company...there's a problem. Our "reality shows" are not real at all.
So, needless to say, my father-in-law was stunned. But most of the people I know - friends, coworkers, and folks down the street - would do the same for their families. Being a "tight-knit family" doesn't require cramming everyone into a single home; being dependable doesn't mean fostering dependence - quite the opposite. The only people I know of to be "kicked out" and made to fend for themselves are those who are under a "tough love" edict - people who do drugs or can't function for themselves because they're so content to take advantage of others. There, it may be fair to turn them out, at least for a while, but that's more of a "teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime" kind of thing, rather than a lack of caring or a sense of family. And there are sad cases of mental illness or physical disability requiring specialized care that a family simply isn't equipped to provide - personally or financially. I see that as a failure of the social services and healthcare systems we've set up, and something that should be a shared community burden.
Here, in the U.S., we have the families we are born into, and the families we choose. We have traditional married-with-children families, couples who are childless by choice, single parents, gay couples, adoptive families - and these ties are strong.
Then again...there are families like these. It isn't the homelessness that hurts the worst, but the abandonment by family. I can't deny that there are selfish, thoughtless people who turn their backs on their own parents or children, and I won't even pretend to understand how or why they do it. They have their reasons, and to judge them without knowing their side of the story may be as wrong as it is to condemn Americans for having no appreciation of family. All I know is this: So long as I have a roof over my head, family in need can sleep under it and share my food - provided they don't put other family members' health or safety at risk through their behavior. I doubt that selfish people are unique to the U.S., and maybe it's better to be cut adrift from people who could turn their backs so easily than to be taken in, resentfully, or abused.
"Family" puts pressure on people - makes them want to do more, to be better. When someone can't provide for their family, their family is a daily reminder of their failures and shortcomings. Sometimes, the pressure is too much, and people seek to escape. Financial troubles break up too many marriages, and broken marriages too often lead to broken families. Perhaps it stems from a lack of hope and the feeling that nothing in life is in your control. My husband would point out that poverty and lack of education are usually to blame - no matter where in the world you look, it comes down to resources and opportunities. I think it isn't that we place little importance on family; it's that we place so much importance on it. No one wants to fail at the thing they care about most; when we let our families down, frustration and powerlessness turn to self-loathing.
From the media, people get unrealistic ideas about sex and what constitutes love and happiness. They mistake infatuation and "hot sex" for a real relationship, and marry too young or too hastily. Nagging dissatisfaction and the notion that life is passing them by sometimes that leads to divorce. This is part of the price of freedom - freedom to choose who we marry, and freedom to make mistakes. The consequences can be tragic, but it isn't that we don't value family - just that sometimes, the people we choose to include in it might better have remained friends or strangers.
I'm no expert on Eastern vs. Western culture and "family values," just someone who thinks we're all too quick to judge one another and to over-generalize about the people "elsewhere." That doesn't lead to empathy and world peace.
On to you now guys. Do think that there is a misunderstanding from the east of the western's way of valuing the family primarily because of the media? What are the things that we could still do to promote peace and understanding in present world mired with barriers and divisions?
About the Author: Holly Jahangiri is a professional writer who claims, tongue-in-cheek, to channel the spirits of Edgar Allan Poe, Erma Bombeck, and O. Henry. Her books are available through 4RV Publishing at http://www.4rvpublishingllc.com/Store and Amazon.com.
For more of Holly's writing, be sure to visit her blog, "Do I Have to Spell It Out?" at http://www.blog.jahangiri.us Copyright 2009 Holly Jahangiri.
After Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao sent Ricky Hatton into sleep on his back on the canvass from a solid left hook; gained the admiration of many by being the greatest Filipino boxer and if not the greatest boxer of his generation; made the pockets of politicians swell with cash after winning big time with their bets in Vegas; and uniting once again the Filipino nation for a couple of hours resulting to a crime-free streets and alleys, he is still insatiable. Bob Arum’s pronouncement of Pacquiao being “the greatest fighter that ever lived” (of course Old Bob is expected to sing hallelujah with the Pacman as his most prized fighter) and a hefty payday does not suffice to the People’s Champ. Despite conquering the boxing ring, sending home all his opponents without their belts, and earning millions of dollars to his heart’s content, Manny’s eye is still very much fixed on one thing as if he has not learned his lesson yet: politics. And so if there is one thing that Manny brings from the four corners of the boxing ring into the dirty table of politics, that would be his sheer determination of not giving up. Why give up? He has all the cash, the admiration of the masses, the backing of dirty old men of politics like Chavit, Atienza, FG and gang, and a new district to raise his flag of candidacy. Right Congresswoman Darlene?
Manny Pacquiao is seeking to conquer the treacherous sea of politics by rowing his boat full of cash to the first pit stop: filing for the recognition of his newly-formed political party at the Commission on Election. His party is set to field candidates for local positions in General Santos City and the Saranggani Province where he is said to be running for a congressional post. His political party with a very personalistic touch, like that of freebies during baptisms is aptly called “People’s Champ Movement”.
I am still feeling elated by his recent feat that from the tiny nation of abundant of corruption, lies and human rights violations there lives a man who can be put side by side Muhammad Ali; but hearing this news from the grapevine is something that irritates me like those thousands of commercials that ate up hours before and in between Manny’s fight.
In this case, Manny is set to gain more friends, compadres and what else, more friends and more friends from different political stables to join his new camp. And I would not be surprised if he is to sport another set to irritating antics with his new cadres bowing like poor Fatton to his each and every move.
General Santos City has given Manny a great answer to his political ambition by not letting him win the congressional post against the little woman with a big heart Darlene Custodio. Thus, it has raised the points to ponder for the champ and the affirmation of the sentiments of people that politics is just too dirty for him; that he may be used, abused and his sincerity may be misused by those who already mastered and undignified the craft of public service. His penchant desire to enter politics is still raising the question and the wide space for debate if he is fit to be a public official, either as a national or local servant of his people.
Manny’s forming of his own political party will change a little tone and cause little ripples in the local political environment of Saranggani for sure if not in the national level too. I will not wonder if in the coming days before this year ends, or maybe after shutting the daylight out of the big-mouthed Pretty Boy Mayweather Jr. , he will take his own party to new heights and put it side by side Nationalista, Liberal or Lakas-CMD-Kampi, and advertise his own political ads steering a “padyak” on Cleto Reyes boxing gloves.
And I will not wonder if GMA’s lapdogs and cohorts will be jumping off her boat despite the boat-loads of people’s money and diminishing public trust and join Manny’s party. I will not wonder if Chavit, Gilbert Teodoro, Cerge Remonde and even Raul Gonzales will be up on the campaign stage dressed on flaming trunks and Nike boxing shoes complete in full boxing regalia.
And I will even wonder if GMA may ask House Speaker Nograles and Cong. Luis Villafuerte to steer their parties into a coalition with the People’s Champ Movement.
And I will not wonder if GMA too will join Pacman’s political fray and get the ire out of Jinkee Pacquiao.
Micheal Buffer:On the red corner weighing 200 lbs and 3’2 feet tall with the outstanding record of being the most corrupt president and with the most human rights abuses during her term…from Pampanga, the reigning and defending illegitimate president of the Philippines, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo! (Garci then raises the ballot boxes at the background)
On the blue corner weighing 130 lbs and 5’5 feet tall with the outstanding record of being a good wife of the People’s Champ and sending Ara Mina into the canvass…from General Santos City, Saranggani, Laguna, California because of their so many residences, the reigning and defending legitimate wife of the People’s Champ, Jinkee Pacquiao! (She then stares at GMA with bulging eyes ready to fire her laser rays)
Let’s get it on!!!
I will not wonder, for in politics especially here on our dear country, there are no permanent friends and enemies except permanent political interests.
Do you think Manny Pacquiao’s filling for the recognition of his own political party signals a more aggressive move from him to get a government post come May 2010? Do you agree that he is capable of becoming a “good government official” whether on a local or national position?
What do you think are the effects of this new development to the becoming sensitive political climate in our country? Be heard here, nothing to worry, Pacman is not going unleash his power punches on us nor Jinkee's laser rays, LOL!
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image by hypertextlondon For all those who may not have catch the news but are watching the American Idol faithfully in last few days, and for all my avid fans, faithful readers and commenters (which is actually only a handful of them, hurray! ehehe!), here are the headlines from blog posts about news and politics for the past week that certainly deserves a second-look and short commentary from yours truly.
And what the hell are Abalos, Defensor, Atienza, Neri, GMA, Mike Arroyo and all cohorts and lapdogs doing? I would not mind if they share with Jun Lozada the same cell at Muntinlupa. Lapdogs with rabies are deadly when on the loose.
Ahh....they are all enjoying the one and only grilled "burjer" of Benjamin Abalos at Wack-Wack Gold Club, stuffed with especial ingredients and a patty made from all the tampered election returns of 2004. Right Garci? Hmmmm... Bona petite!
And the "butcher" is in the Congress? Ah, I will still give him the benefit of the doubt, if he can live up to the moniker student activists and lives he guillotined, by butchering down to nothingness the over-inflated "pork" barrel our most beloved and respected Congressmen are squandering. Understood Sir? Aye, aye Sir!
Wow! What a way to celebrate the Day of our Beloved Laborers but by waking up carrying your things before the day even sees the light, lining up for hours and looking for an elusive job? Hmmmm....Crisis since last year? Well, our beloved workers have been asking for an across the board wage increase and better protection of jobs since 2002. I think it should be called now as the "Soon-to-be Laborers Day"?
Ok, mea culpa. This is a bias, I watch Sex and the City, LOL! But what are Hollywood couples up to? Are they on to a twin-siblings spree or she-has-a-twin-I-want-to-have-one-too attitude and antics? Is it from the food they eat or are they all actually aliens from Universal Studios?! Heeelllpppp!
The news that broke the hearts of Judaism. But I like their taste and sheer love for solemnity. Unlike so many actors and actresses getting married qwho are trying to make some extra million pesos out of their wedding from media outfits; even their own pregnancy and giving birth. Way to go though Ryan and Juday!
You are totally right! Oh my gosh, there is really a blogger out there making this great post about values? Hurray!
I confess, I am not actually voting Manny Villar for this grave mistake he made. Having all those ducks on a pen is something that I could still swallow, but a lady crying over a "buwa" and sp much bleeding while I am eating my favorite chips in front of the TV is just too much. I am always nauseated and vomiting whenever this commercial is shown. And I hate you for that Manny boy! Kadiri ka talaga! Yuck! Arrggg...oh, and now I feel like vomiting just by making this comment. Arrrgghhh...
The post title may be short but I obviously enjoyed the simple picture of Daniel Smith there with the "before" and "after" thing just like what we are seeing on a slimming pill commercial on Home Shopping Network. Hahaha! The Embassy really fed him well eh? Will he therefore become a "swine" flu carrier? Hahha! Just a thought...but you may want to answer.
At last, the day of reckoning will come to a close inside the four corners of the ring. And I am so damned excited to watch who are all those politicians (including our mayor in Bacolod City) who will be cruising past security personnel just to be with Pacman on the boxing ring, and be marked as those who left their desks with dust and mites and spent thousands of pesos for travel, accommodation, girls, booze and bets. "Epal"!!! I just hope that all those politicians will have "swine" flu in the U.S. because of using their "pork" barrel irresponsibly despite the glaring picture of poverty in our nation...and may they infect all other corrupt officials. I will not apologize. That is my power punch.
Any links that you would still want to add? Additional comments regarding all these news? Be heard here.
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