Thanks Jac!
Thursday, September 29, 2005
Sunday, September 25, 2005
Obsessed
I'm scared of my aunt. She called my dorm on Saturday morning just to check whether I slept there. She called my cellphone while I was in a cab on my way to Paranaque. I refused to answer her.
When I got home to my parent's house, I unmindfully answered the ringing phone.
"Where did you sleep last night?"
I replied, "Not in my dorm."
She demanded that I tell her where I slept. I kept my mouth shut. I told her, "I was hurt by what you said to me, so I don't think I want to talk to you right now."
War.
"Ano ba, binabastos mo ba ako? (Are you being rude to me?) Just answer the question, where did you sleep last night? Talagang kinakalaban mo ba ako? (Do you really want to fight me?) Ang cheap mo. (You're so cheap.) Ang cheap cheap mooooooooo!"* the last word becoming a shrill note.
She began sobbing.
"Bakit mo ba ako ginaganito, Cathy? After everything I've done for you, ito pa ang gagawin mo sa akin. Ang taas ng tingin ko sa iyo. (Why are you doing this to me? After everything I've done for you, this is how you'd repay me? I think so highly of you.) You just gave up your virginity (?) to a guy who is not worth it."*
My grandmother began to tag-team me, warning me of the risks of pregnancy and HIV. "If anything happens to your aunt, if she dies, it's your fault!"
Calmly, I explained that I am an adult and that they need to let go of me. I am not responsible for her life, as she is not responsible for mine. No dice.
She's blaming Thomas for my "attitude change" and is threatening to fly home for a battle royale. I warned Thomas about it.
Frankly, what's my business is my business.I guess I am partly to blame for this, since I led her to the mistaken belief that I am still a virgin, just because I kept mum about my boyfriends to her. My aunt is the sort of person who only hears what she wants to hear, and has now made it her personal mission to make my life a living hell. She calls my dorm incessantly to check whether I slept there. She threatens and pesters my family so I would obey her.
I understand that all she wants is to ensure that I am in good hands, that I am not being used by Thomas. But even so, whatever happens between us is OUR business, not hers. If I am being used, so what? I know she cares for me, but I am not that stupid to not be able to rise after every fall. Nor to jeopardize anything I worked for. Does the fact that Thomas and I share expenses for everything mean that he doesn't respect me? I'm looking for an equal, not a servant. I will not solely date a man because of his ability to take care of me.
She and my mom are begging me to return back to Paranaque. Hell NO! I was miserable when I lived with my parents! Have they forgotten that?
*sigh* Somebody give me an aspirin. Gosh, I never thought that my aunt was this attached to me. Does anybody have an idea of how I can handle this?
"Think Cathy, think, why I am reacting this way?"
Because you love me too much.
When I got home to my parent's house, I unmindfully answered the ringing phone.
"Where did you sleep last night?"
I replied, "Not in my dorm."
She demanded that I tell her where I slept. I kept my mouth shut. I told her, "I was hurt by what you said to me, so I don't think I want to talk to you right now."
War.
"Ano ba, binabastos mo ba ako? (Are you being rude to me?) Just answer the question, where did you sleep last night? Talagang kinakalaban mo ba ako? (Do you really want to fight me?) Ang cheap mo. (You're so cheap.) Ang cheap cheap mooooooooo!"* the last word becoming a shrill note.
She began sobbing.
"Bakit mo ba ako ginaganito, Cathy? After everything I've done for you, ito pa ang gagawin mo sa akin. Ang taas ng tingin ko sa iyo. (Why are you doing this to me? After everything I've done for you, this is how you'd repay me? I think so highly of you.) You just gave up your virginity (?) to a guy who is not worth it."*
My grandmother began to tag-team me, warning me of the risks of pregnancy and HIV. "If anything happens to your aunt, if she dies, it's your fault!"
Calmly, I explained that I am an adult and that they need to let go of me. I am not responsible for her life, as she is not responsible for mine. No dice.
She's blaming Thomas for my "attitude change" and is threatening to fly home for a battle royale. I warned Thomas about it.
Frankly, what's my business is my business.I guess I am partly to blame for this, since I led her to the mistaken belief that I am still a virgin, just because I kept mum about my boyfriends to her. My aunt is the sort of person who only hears what she wants to hear, and has now made it her personal mission to make my life a living hell. She calls my dorm incessantly to check whether I slept there. She threatens and pesters my family so I would obey her.
I understand that all she wants is to ensure that I am in good hands, that I am not being used by Thomas. But even so, whatever happens between us is OUR business, not hers. If I am being used, so what? I know she cares for me, but I am not that stupid to not be able to rise after every fall. Nor to jeopardize anything I worked for. Does the fact that Thomas and I share expenses for everything mean that he doesn't respect me? I'm looking for an equal, not a servant. I will not solely date a man because of his ability to take care of me.
She and my mom are begging me to return back to Paranaque. Hell NO! I was miserable when I lived with my parents! Have they forgotten that?
*sigh* Somebody give me an aspirin. Gosh, I never thought that my aunt was this attached to me. Does anybody have an idea of how I can handle this?
"Think Cathy, think, why I am reacting this way?"
Because you love me too much.
Life is NOT a Beach: Trip~Marinduque
I am a horrible aunt.
Of all times my sister could give birth, she had to go into labor on Sept. 8, 2005, on the day Thomas and I planned to go to Marinduque, an island a couple of kilometers from Luzon. She was not due until Sept. 15.
I was frankly, torn between my sister and my boyfriend. I sincerely wanted to stay, but I was worried that the German could not hack it on his own in Marinduque.
I tried to justify to myself reasons that I am not necessary in the scheme of things.
One, this is baby number three.
Two, I was also not present during the birth of baby number 2.
On the trip side, I knew the German could survive without me.
So we went to the hospital, and the German asked my sister if she would be mad if I went to Marinduque. He knew that I wanted to stay. My sister gave us her blessing to leave. Off we went.
She was born on a stormy day, Maria Cristina Clarisse Apolinario, at 5:30 p.m.
--------
I received the news via a text message as Thomas and I were racing to the Dalahican port in Quezon. The jeepney dispatcher tried to rip us off by charging us P 290 so we could leave before the last ferry for Marinduque leaves at 7:00 p.m. Of course we said no.
When we got there, we were drenched, miserable, and abandoned. Damned driver.
-------
We stayed at the Roadside Inn for the night. It was not bad for a motel, P 540 for 12 hours. The amenities were acceptable, the room was air-conditioned, and the food was accpetable. Overall, the room was worth the price, especially if compared to the P 400 room we got at the pagsanjan Garden Resort. Thomas was tickled by the idea that we were in a "sex hotel." We dried ourselves off and slept early so we could catch the 4 a.m. fastboat, the first trip to Marinduque for the day.
------
We got to Marinduque at 5:30 am. We were met by the staff of VIce Governor Leandro Palma, our host during the visit. We got to our room, safe and sound. We had a full day ahead of us. No time to rest, as we wanted to survey the island.
We went to the Provincial Capitol before lunch, and we were treated to a Putong ceremony! Thomas and I were crowned as king and queen for a day, I think. Flowers, dancing, and a rattan crown were placed over our heads. It was quite a welcome! I was also overwhelmed. That afternoon, we also went on a tour in the island, especially in the parts heavily affected by heavy metal pollution.
We gathered data from the Provincial Tourism officer and the Provincial Agricultural Office, and photocopieed maps. We ascertained that the southern part of the island was ideal for the project. At the center of the island is a national park, and a mountainous region. Thereby, off limits. The Southern part had extensive grasslands and rice fields. Since the mines were located at the North part of the island, we were assured that the rivers at the south were not polluted by the waste that killed the Mogpog and Boac rivers, both located at the northwest quadrant of the island.
----
We discovered the extent of how badly polluted parts of Marinduque are because of the irresponsible mining of copper in the area. Until now, I am not certain whether only these areas in Marinduque are affected. Maybe the whole island is. Until now, people do not know whether their drinking water has been contaminated by heavy metals. I think they prefer not to know. The Boac river has become a sandly trickle of a tributary, and the Mogpog River has become a reddish muddy field. Green water oozed from both rivers.
We went to Calancan Bay at the north area of the island. where most of the silt from the mines were dumped. There was a guard who suspiciously asked us questions as to why we wanted to enter the beach. He wanted to know if we were the pesky journalists or environmentalists who keep on making trouble for them. Most of the Vice Governor's men were employees of Marcopper. Each camp eyed each other with animosity. Good thing I didn't bring my big-ass camera. We were eventually allowed in. The place looked clean and beautiful. However, we knew otherwise. We saw fishermen hauling in their catch. I wonder if the fish were poisoned as well?
That night, we met with Elmer, the Provincial Agriculturist. Luck smiled on us. Elmer used to be part of the Philippine Dairy Corp., and had extensive experience with cows and dairy farming!
-----
The next day we roved the circumference of the island. We saw in greater detail the southern part of Marinduque, the target of the cow project. We were taken to the white sand beach in Torrijos, the southernmost municipality in the island's six towns. It is also the poorest and least developed part of the island. We frolicked for a bit, and returned to our survey.
Later that night, we met with the Provincial Veterinarian, who was tired after a day of insemnating cows. It was part of the provincial program to improve the local breed of livestock. He was the most pessimistic and defeated man I've ever met. All that came out of his mouth was "it's hard," "it can't be done," and so forth. A good thing came out of our meeting, however: We knew that that we had to focus on educating and prepare the farmers socially for dairy farming.
---------
We woke up for an early Sunday mass at 8 am. We had to leave Marinduque early to catch the 11 am ferry for Manila. The Vice Governor's family was based in Manila, and he was eager to be reunited with them.
We arrived in Manila at 5 p.m., and I got to see my new niece for the first time.
NikkiAlfar
Tobie Abad
Gabby Lee
Andre Mischa Cleofe
Thursday, September 22, 2005
The Anthems of My Youth
Ahh...1996. I was a nerd in high school that hung out with my hopelessly cool sister, who was at the time, with her hip-hop loving posse. Parañaque is hip-hop country, with Andrew E at the helm. I decided to re-visit my musical past after reading Jonas' blog. I felt a bit nostalgic going through the list. I decided to remove some of the songs I didn't know to give way for my comments.
Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix), Los Del Rio- Thomas is annoyed that I compulsively dance to this. I still know the steps.
One Sweet Day, Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men-Luved this. She was still not as skanky as she is. Loved her Honey phase! and her Fantasy video! I still know the steps
Because You Loved Me, Celine Dion- I liked the Rob Redford-MIchelle Pfiffer movie better.
Always Be My Baby, Mariah Carey- "And you wil linger on, because we're still going strong..."
Tha Crossroads, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony-sing with me! "See you at the crossroads!" Damn memories of house parties galore!
8. I Love You Always Forever, Donna Lewis- Just as I was graduating *sniff* I also liked "Baby, now that I've found you I won't let you go, I built my world around you..."
Twisted, Keith Sweat-you know you wanna dance this with me
Missing, Everything But The Girl
Ironic, Alanis Morissette
Exhale (Shoop Shoop), Whitney Houston- Ergh.
Sittin' Up In My Room, Brandy
How Do U Want It / California Love, 2Pac- They played this non-stop at the clubs at the time. Do the Westside hands for be 'brutha! WS4lyf!
It's All Coming Back To Me Now, Celine Dion-I wanted to cry--in AGONY
Change The World, Eric Clapton
Hey Lover, LL Cool J
Loungin, LL Cool J
Insensitive, Jann Arden
Be My Lover, La Bouche
Name, Goo Goo Dolls
Who Will Save Your Soul, Jewel - I liked Paula Cole better, even when she went disco
Where Do You Go, No Mercy
I Can't Sleep Baby (If I), R. Kelly
Counting Blue Cars, Dishwalla
You Learn / You Oughta Know, Alanis Morissette - Ay! anthem ng mga sawi!
One Of Us, Joan Osborne
Wonder, Natalie Merchant - I recently saw the video for this again, and couldn't help but think how long ago that has been already.
Not Gon' Cry, Mary J. Blige
Gangsta's Paradise, Coolio -Hoooo yea!
Only You, 112 Featuring The Notorious B.I.G.
Down Low (Nobody Has To Know), R. Kelly
1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin' New), Coolio
The World I Know, Collective Soul
No Diggity, BLACKstreet (Featuring Dr. Dre) - and sing now! Heyo-heyo-heyo-heyooo!!!
Anything, 3t
1979, The Smashing Pumpkins - poignaant, since I was 16 at the time
Diggin' On You, TLC
Why I Love You So Much / Ain't Nobody, Monica
Fantasy, Mariah Carey - I still know the steps!
You'll See, Madonna
Mouth, Merril Bainbridge - this song made me want to make out., since I hadn't been kissed yet, I made out with my hand.
The Earth, The Sun, The Rain, Color Me Badd
All The Things (Your Man Won't Do), Joe
Wonderwall, Oasis
Woo-hah!! Got You All In Check / Everything Remains Raw, Busta Rhymes
Tell Me, Groove Theory
Elevators (Me and You), Outkast -D pa sila sikat.
Theme From Mission: Impossible, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen
Just A Girl, No Doubt
Lady, D'angelo -whatever happened to him?
73. Nobody, Keith Sweat
If It Makes You Happy, Sheryl Crow
As I Lay Me Down, Sophie B. Hawkins
Un-Break My Heart, Toni Braxton
This Is Your Night, Amber
Runaway, Janet Jackson
My Boo, Ghost Town Dj's- I still know the steps
That Girl, Maxi Priest Featuring Shaggy
Beautiful Life, Ace Of Base
Back For Good, Take That -great video
Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix), Los Del Rio- Thomas is annoyed that I compulsively dance to this. I still know the steps.
One Sweet Day, Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men-Luved this. She was still not as skanky as she is. Loved her Honey phase! and her Fantasy video! I still know the steps
Because You Loved Me, Celine Dion- I liked the Rob Redford-MIchelle Pfiffer movie better.
Always Be My Baby, Mariah Carey- "And you wil linger on, because we're still going strong..."
Tha Crossroads, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony-sing with me! "See you at the crossroads!" Damn memories of house parties galore!
8. I Love You Always Forever, Donna Lewis- Just as I was graduating *sniff* I also liked "Baby, now that I've found you I won't let you go, I built my world around you..."
Twisted, Keith Sweat-you know you wanna dance this with me
Missing, Everything But The Girl
Ironic, Alanis Morissette
Exhale (Shoop Shoop), Whitney Houston- Ergh.
Sittin' Up In My Room, Brandy
How Do U Want It / California Love, 2Pac- They played this non-stop at the clubs at the time. Do the Westside hands for be 'brutha! WS4lyf!
It's All Coming Back To Me Now, Celine Dion-I wanted to cry--in AGONY
Change The World, Eric Clapton
Hey Lover, LL Cool J
Loungin, LL Cool J
Insensitive, Jann Arden
Be My Lover, La Bouche
Name, Goo Goo Dolls
Who Will Save Your Soul, Jewel - I liked Paula Cole better, even when she went disco
Where Do You Go, No Mercy
I Can't Sleep Baby (If I), R. Kelly
Counting Blue Cars, Dishwalla
You Learn / You Oughta Know, Alanis Morissette - Ay! anthem ng mga sawi!
One Of Us, Joan Osborne
Wonder, Natalie Merchant - I recently saw the video for this again, and couldn't help but think how long ago that has been already.
Not Gon' Cry, Mary J. Blige
Gangsta's Paradise, Coolio -Hoooo yea!
Only You, 112 Featuring The Notorious B.I.G.
Down Low (Nobody Has To Know), R. Kelly
1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin' New), Coolio
The World I Know, Collective Soul
No Diggity, BLACKstreet (Featuring Dr. Dre) - and sing now! Heyo-heyo-heyo-heyooo!!!
Anything, 3t
1979, The Smashing Pumpkins - poignaant, since I was 16 at the time
Diggin' On You, TLC
Why I Love You So Much / Ain't Nobody, Monica
Fantasy, Mariah Carey - I still know the steps!
You'll See, Madonna
Mouth, Merril Bainbridge - this song made me want to make out., since I hadn't been kissed yet, I made out with my hand.
The Earth, The Sun, The Rain, Color Me Badd
All The Things (Your Man Won't Do), Joe
Wonderwall, Oasis
Woo-hah!! Got You All In Check / Everything Remains Raw, Busta Rhymes
Tell Me, Groove Theory
Elevators (Me and You), Outkast -D pa sila sikat.
Theme From Mission: Impossible, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen
Just A Girl, No Doubt
Lady, D'angelo -whatever happened to him?
73. Nobody, Keith Sweat
If It Makes You Happy, Sheryl Crow
As I Lay Me Down, Sophie B. Hawkins
Un-Break My Heart, Toni Braxton
This Is Your Night, Amber
Runaway, Janet Jackson
My Boo, Ghost Town Dj's- I still know the steps
That Girl, Maxi Priest Featuring Shaggy
Beautiful Life, Ace Of Base
Back For Good, Take That -great video
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Belly of the Beast
As regular readers of my blog know, my favorite aunt has not been a fan of the Cathy-Thom pairing since day 1. I love her to bits, I really do, and she has been very supportive of my endeavors. However, I only lately have realized how much she thinks of me as an extension of herself, and how highly she thinks of me.
You see, she married her on-off boyfriend of 20 years (with 7 years of separation, with 2 marriages on his part) when she was 40. She prides herself for having 'high moral values.' She has pushed unto me many of my present activities like Toastmasters, living alone, and voice lessons, all which I agreed upon because I thought these endeavors are in my best interest. She doesn't appprove of my cosplaying, and so I keep her in the dark about my hobby, and other extra-curriculars, specifically those mentioned in this blog.
Like with all my endeavors, my family is tolerant of my relationship with Thom. My brother and sister are especially cool with it, while my parents have adopted a wait and see attitude. My aunt's opinion on anything is a constant specter that haunts our family life. Though she is in the US, she still has a tight reign over family affairs, and she has the ability to sway people with her opinion, mostly due to her deep American pockets.
She has disapproved of my going on trips with Thomas, and let me have it last Sunday. Gosh, the things she said were so hurtful that I started crying. Worse, Thom was beside me to witness it.
We were in my home in Paranaque for a visit. My aunt's husband is home for a week-long vacation. After a heavy lunch, we were lying down side by side in my sister's bedroom.
Since I started going out with Thom, I had avoided conversations with my aunt, because I knew she disapproved of us. Thom and I were also in Paranaque on Saturday, and he had a Yahoo conversation with my aunt in the States. I thought everything was settled. Our phone conversation the next day proved otherwise.
"Ano, sanay na kayo matulog ng magkatabi, ano? Tarantada ka! Siguro mag-katabi na kayo matulog. Narinig mo ba yung sinabi niya kahapon? Ni hindi man lang niya sinabi na mahal ka niya! Ni wala man lang siyang sinabi na 'Oh, Cathy is so great and amazing!' Ang sinabi lang niya, pumunta ka sa Germany para magtrabaho. Gusto ka niya gawing sugar mommy. Masyado yang bata, wala pa sa isip nyan mag-asawa. Ikaw pa ang lalabas na susuporta sa kanya. Ang swerte naman niyan, may maid na siya, may ka-sex pa! Ni hindi ka yata niligawan niyan! Ipakita mo naman na may dignidad ka, na may values ka, na hindi basta-basta ang Pinay!"
(You're probably so used to sleeping together. You bitch! You heard what he said yesterday? He didn't even tell me that he loved you, that 'Oh, Cathy is so amazing!' All he said that is you need to go to Germany to work. He wants to make you his sugar mommy. He's so young, that marriage is not on his mind yet. You will end up supporting him . He's so lucky, he has a maid and somebody to fuck! I don't think he even courted you! Show him that you have dignity, that you have values, that a Filipina isn't easy to get!)
Thom was so mad. He never experienced being discriminated against. He said that from someone who claims to be Christian, that was the most un-Christian display of behavior he has seen.
I do understand where she is coming from. I know that she has a point. The thing is, this is my life and even if she says that she doesn't want me to end up crying in the end, her shrill speech showed that she doesn't trust me as someone who is capable of running her own life.
I have had a good life so far. I, too, have reservations about moving to Germany. It means that I will start over again, at a time my career here is booming. But we will see. All I know is, I want to ride this out. Screw her. I don't think I want to talk to my aunt ever again. Thank you for being my guiding light, but sorry, Tita, you have pushed me too far. Just because you helped me through some tough times doesn't mean that you have a grip over me.
I think Thom and I have a chance together. Over dinner last night, I told him that I was going to attend a press conference in the American Embassy today, in "the belly of the beast." I thought that he would get this idiom, since he has been outspoken about President Bush's policies. However, he asked me to explain. I told him that this means, I will go to the house of the devil.
Wide-eyed, he goes, "Oh, you mean your house in Paranaque?"
And I laughed at the face of the devil.
NikkiAlfar
Tobie Abad
Gabby Lee
Andre Mischa Cleofe
You see, she married her on-off boyfriend of 20 years (with 7 years of separation, with 2 marriages on his part) when she was 40. She prides herself for having 'high moral values.' She has pushed unto me many of my present activities like Toastmasters, living alone, and voice lessons, all which I agreed upon because I thought these endeavors are in my best interest. She doesn't appprove of my cosplaying, and so I keep her in the dark about my hobby, and other extra-curriculars, specifically those mentioned in this blog.
Like with all my endeavors, my family is tolerant of my relationship with Thom. My brother and sister are especially cool with it, while my parents have adopted a wait and see attitude. My aunt's opinion on anything is a constant specter that haunts our family life. Though she is in the US, she still has a tight reign over family affairs, and she has the ability to sway people with her opinion, mostly due to her deep American pockets.
She has disapproved of my going on trips with Thomas, and let me have it last Sunday. Gosh, the things she said were so hurtful that I started crying. Worse, Thom was beside me to witness it.
We were in my home in Paranaque for a visit. My aunt's husband is home for a week-long vacation. After a heavy lunch, we were lying down side by side in my sister's bedroom.
Since I started going out with Thom, I had avoided conversations with my aunt, because I knew she disapproved of us. Thom and I were also in Paranaque on Saturday, and he had a Yahoo conversation with my aunt in the States. I thought everything was settled. Our phone conversation the next day proved otherwise.
"Ano, sanay na kayo matulog ng magkatabi, ano? Tarantada ka! Siguro mag-katabi na kayo matulog. Narinig mo ba yung sinabi niya kahapon? Ni hindi man lang niya sinabi na mahal ka niya! Ni wala man lang siyang sinabi na 'Oh, Cathy is so great and amazing!' Ang sinabi lang niya, pumunta ka sa Germany para magtrabaho. Gusto ka niya gawing sugar mommy. Masyado yang bata, wala pa sa isip nyan mag-asawa. Ikaw pa ang lalabas na susuporta sa kanya. Ang swerte naman niyan, may maid na siya, may ka-sex pa! Ni hindi ka yata niligawan niyan! Ipakita mo naman na may dignidad ka, na may values ka, na hindi basta-basta ang Pinay!"
(You're probably so used to sleeping together. You bitch! You heard what he said yesterday? He didn't even tell me that he loved you, that 'Oh, Cathy is so amazing!' All he said that is you need to go to Germany to work. He wants to make you his sugar mommy. He's so young, that marriage is not on his mind yet. You will end up supporting him . He's so lucky, he has a maid and somebody to fuck! I don't think he even courted you! Show him that you have dignity, that you have values, that a Filipina isn't easy to get!)
Thom was so mad. He never experienced being discriminated against. He said that from someone who claims to be Christian, that was the most un-Christian display of behavior he has seen.
I do understand where she is coming from. I know that she has a point. The thing is, this is my life and even if she says that she doesn't want me to end up crying in the end, her shrill speech showed that she doesn't trust me as someone who is capable of running her own life.
I have had a good life so far. I, too, have reservations about moving to Germany. It means that I will start over again, at a time my career here is booming. But we will see. All I know is, I want to ride this out. Screw her. I don't think I want to talk to my aunt ever again. Thank you for being my guiding light, but sorry, Tita, you have pushed me too far. Just because you helped me through some tough times doesn't mean that you have a grip over me.
I think Thom and I have a chance together. Over dinner last night, I told him that I was going to attend a press conference in the American Embassy today, in "the belly of the beast." I thought that he would get this idiom, since he has been outspoken about President Bush's policies. However, he asked me to explain. I told him that this means, I will go to the house of the devil.
Wide-eyed, he goes, "Oh, you mean your house in Paranaque?"
And I laughed at the face of the devil.
NikkiAlfar
Tobie Abad
Gabby Lee
Andre Mischa Cleofe
Saturday, September 17, 2005
Giving a Cow
It all started with fresh milk.
Thomas was frustrated that he couldn't buy fresh milk in the Philippines. He is used to drinking 3.5 percent fat fresh milk, and all the "fresh milk" sold in the country are really full cream milk, ultra heat-treated milk, and evaporated milk. Being a typical occasional-dairy drinking Pinoy, I could not really tell or taste the difference. For me, milk is milk.
In the various conferences he has attended because of work, he found out that Philippine importation of dairy is one of the biggest sources of budget drain in the country.
I also found out that Filipino farmers can supply only one percent of the local demand for dairy! Lack of government support has doomed efforts to establish dairy farming in the country.
We are now in the initial phases of the COW PROJECT. We are group of people who want to change all this. We are in the process of trying to establish a mid-scale organic dairy farming community in Marinduque. This would also address the employment problem in Marinduque, which was devastated by the Marcopper mining accident years ago. The loss of the mining industry in the town has dealt a harsh blow to the provincial economy. We hope that we could establish a profitable exterprise that would be owned by the people of Marinduque, and keep them from falling prey to abusive companies.
Its all very heady, these talks about how to secure grant funding from the ADB, the German government. We are still kind of clueless on how to go about it, so we are talking to several NGO experts on how to go about it.
I am also inspired by the success of Dr. Justino Arboleda, the inventor of coconet. I feel that his struggles to push for his coconut husk products to the world and his desire to help coconut farmers should be a lesson in never giving up. It took international recognition for our government to finally fund his endeavors, after 20 years of rejecting his entreaties for funding.
It took a German for me to see that I, too, can do great things for our country, and shake me out of my apathy by "looking at the big picture." It took a German for me to shake my feeling that the country is a hopeless case. Can you imagine how great our country would be if more Filipinos care for our country as much as he does? And can you imagine, he's only 20!
Thomas was frustrated that he couldn't buy fresh milk in the Philippines. He is used to drinking 3.5 percent fat fresh milk, and all the "fresh milk" sold in the country are really full cream milk, ultra heat-treated milk, and evaporated milk. Being a typical occasional-dairy drinking Pinoy, I could not really tell or taste the difference. For me, milk is milk.
In the various conferences he has attended because of work, he found out that Philippine importation of dairy is one of the biggest sources of budget drain in the country.
I also found out that Filipino farmers can supply only one percent of the local demand for dairy! Lack of government support has doomed efforts to establish dairy farming in the country.
We are now in the initial phases of the COW PROJECT. We are group of people who want to change all this. We are in the process of trying to establish a mid-scale organic dairy farming community in Marinduque. This would also address the employment problem in Marinduque, which was devastated by the Marcopper mining accident years ago. The loss of the mining industry in the town has dealt a harsh blow to the provincial economy. We hope that we could establish a profitable exterprise that would be owned by the people of Marinduque, and keep them from falling prey to abusive companies.
Its all very heady, these talks about how to secure grant funding from the ADB, the German government. We are still kind of clueless on how to go about it, so we are talking to several NGO experts on how to go about it.
I am also inspired by the success of Dr. Justino Arboleda, the inventor of coconet. I feel that his struggles to push for his coconut husk products to the world and his desire to help coconut farmers should be a lesson in never giving up. It took international recognition for our government to finally fund his endeavors, after 20 years of rejecting his entreaties for funding.
It took a German for me to see that I, too, can do great things for our country, and shake me out of my apathy by "looking at the big picture." It took a German for me to shake my feeling that the country is a hopeless case. Can you imagine how great our country would be if more Filipinos care for our country as much as he does? And can you imagine, he's only 20!
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Trip Part 3-San Pablo
After the incident at the falls, we headed to San Pablo, a two-hour jeep ride away. We were smashed. Thom promptly fell asleep. while I remained awake for the rest of the trip. We actually wanted to go to San Pablo on Sunday, but our bout with the boatman and substandard room forced us to leave Pagsanjan earlier than expected.
I tried making arrangements with people from San Pablo to find a place to stay there. Alas, it seems that the people of San Pablo were, citing a resident of the place, "tourists in our own city"!
Most of the information we have, we got from our travel book. The book, and our friend, Jac, who unfortunately could not meet us in San Pablo that Saturday, all pointed us to Coco Palace, reputedly the best hotel in town. I was hesitant to enter into any other hotels, as they sounded like sleazy 12-hour hires for illicit affairs, if the descriptions in the travel guide were to be believed.
Though we were weary, Thom was adamant that we had to be in a place that overlooked the lake, a feature that the Coco Palace didn't have. I just wanted to get into a nice, comfortable hotel, with a nice, comfortable bed. We wandered by the lakeshore, where we hoped a place for travelers would be open. We were pretty sure something of the sort had to be open.
Remember those movies and short stories where people are lost in the woods, then suddenly a bright, spanking new house appears in the horizon, like an oasis or a mirage with the promise of food and shelter, and hints at either good or sinister things to come? That's what we felt like when we saw Tahanan ni Aling Meding, a newly-opened 11-room hotel that feels more like a bed-and-breakfast. With reasonably rated rooms, Thom picked out P 2,000 de luxe room with a view of the lake. Perhaps as an apology, but he said that he was really tired and wanted a nice, comfortable bed.
Plopping down our bed, Thomas said, "See sweetie? As long as the place is worth the money, I am willing to pay big."
We woke up early the next morning to catch the sunrise. It was glorious. The vista from our balcony was worth much more than what we paid for.
The next day, Thom and I met Jac, Raipo and Gerry for a Komikero meeting. We had a very interesting discussion with Raipo on the COW PROJECT. We stayed a while because it was the Komikero's anniversary after all. Gerry introduced Thom to Google Earth, marking the beginnning of Thom's current obsession with it.
We were met with the pouring rain when we got home. Exhausted, we promptly slept a deep sleep, as we dreamed of future travels.
Next stop: Marinduque
NikkiAlfar
Tobie Abad
Gabby Lee
Andre Mischa Cleofe
I tried making arrangements with people from San Pablo to find a place to stay there. Alas, it seems that the people of San Pablo were, citing a resident of the place, "tourists in our own city"!
Most of the information we have, we got from our travel book. The book, and our friend, Jac, who unfortunately could not meet us in San Pablo that Saturday, all pointed us to Coco Palace, reputedly the best hotel in town. I was hesitant to enter into any other hotels, as they sounded like sleazy 12-hour hires for illicit affairs, if the descriptions in the travel guide were to be believed.
Though we were weary, Thom was adamant that we had to be in a place that overlooked the lake, a feature that the Coco Palace didn't have. I just wanted to get into a nice, comfortable hotel, with a nice, comfortable bed. We wandered by the lakeshore, where we hoped a place for travelers would be open. We were pretty sure something of the sort had to be open.
Remember those movies and short stories where people are lost in the woods, then suddenly a bright, spanking new house appears in the horizon, like an oasis or a mirage with the promise of food and shelter, and hints at either good or sinister things to come? That's what we felt like when we saw Tahanan ni Aling Meding, a newly-opened 11-room hotel that feels more like a bed-and-breakfast. With reasonably rated rooms, Thom picked out P 2,000 de luxe room with a view of the lake. Perhaps as an apology, but he said that he was really tired and wanted a nice, comfortable bed.
Plopping down our bed, Thomas said, "See sweetie? As long as the place is worth the money, I am willing to pay big."
We woke up early the next morning to catch the sunrise. It was glorious. The vista from our balcony was worth much more than what we paid for.
The next day, Thom and I met Jac, Raipo and Gerry for a Komikero meeting. We had a very interesting discussion with Raipo on the COW PROJECT. We stayed a while because it was the Komikero's anniversary after all. Gerry introduced Thom to Google Earth, marking the beginnning of Thom's current obsession with it.
We were met with the pouring rain when we got home. Exhausted, we promptly slept a deep sleep, as we dreamed of future travels.
Next stop: Marinduque
NikkiAlfar
Tobie Abad
Gabby Lee
Andre Mischa Cleofe
Monday, September 12, 2005
A Public Service Announcement
The hypocondriac in me would like to express my profound sense of relief for getting a negative reading in my Hepatitis B, Syphilis, and HIV tests. Hooray me!
It may sound a bit distasteful, but I would still like to urge each and everyone who is entering a relationship or who engages in risky sexual behavior to get yourself tested. That goes to you, all single Filipino men who read my blog. Yes you, who don't like to wear condoms, who refuse to wear condoms at the point of no return.
I would like to stress that I am aware of the consequences all of the sexual activities I mention in my blog, and therefore, I take regular pap smears and gum stain tests from my gynecologist. I took a Pap Smear test last March, and a Gum staining test last August. They also came back negative, again to my relief. I would also urge all the women who read my blog to take responsibility for their sexual behavior. Please, please, it is for your own good.
For the longest time, I postponed getting an HIV test because I was afraid that I would be HIV positive. Now I feel that I have the peace of mind to go on with my life with Thom, who has tested HIV negative as well. God bless them foreigners, who refuse to take sexually risky behavior!
My medical technician/gyno intern friend encouraged me to take the test. He said that in his line of work, he has learned that HIV is not the big problem in the Philippines, but Hepatitis B! Apparently, Hepa-B is endemic in the Philippines. Syphilis is next in the list of top STDs in the Philippines. I decided not to take the Hepa-C test, since the probability of my acquiring it is low.
For all those who want to get tested, Here's everything you need to know: I had myself tested in Makati Medical Center. If you want to take the cheap route, donate blood at the second floor of the building, where the blood donation center is. I think the minimum donor amount is 600 cc of blood, and you get the results of your lab test and a blood donor card if you test negative for malaria, HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis B and C after 12 hours. If you are not able to donate blood because you smoke, weigh less than 110 pounds like me, drank alcohol 12 hours prior to bloodletting, or are menstruating, then get yourself tested at the Laboratory on the First Floor. Results for the HIV and Syphilis tests come out after a week, while the Hepa B tests will be released at the Nuclear Medicine department at the second floor after three working days.
The TPHA test for syphilis costs P 860, HIV Elisa test is only P 600. HBSAg test for hepa B and the test for Hepa-C is P 900 each.
Tomorrow, details of our San Pablo trip. Ta-ta!
It may sound a bit distasteful, but I would still like to urge each and everyone who is entering a relationship or who engages in risky sexual behavior to get yourself tested. That goes to you, all single Filipino men who read my blog. Yes you, who don't like to wear condoms, who refuse to wear condoms at the point of no return.
I would like to stress that I am aware of the consequences all of the sexual activities I mention in my blog, and therefore, I take regular pap smears and gum stain tests from my gynecologist. I took a Pap Smear test last March, and a Gum staining test last August. They also came back negative, again to my relief. I would also urge all the women who read my blog to take responsibility for their sexual behavior. Please, please, it is for your own good.
For the longest time, I postponed getting an HIV test because I was afraid that I would be HIV positive. Now I feel that I have the peace of mind to go on with my life with Thom, who has tested HIV negative as well. God bless them foreigners, who refuse to take sexually risky behavior!
My medical technician/gyno intern friend encouraged me to take the test. He said that in his line of work, he has learned that HIV is not the big problem in the Philippines, but Hepatitis B! Apparently, Hepa-B is endemic in the Philippines. Syphilis is next in the list of top STDs in the Philippines. I decided not to take the Hepa-C test, since the probability of my acquiring it is low.
For all those who want to get tested, Here's everything you need to know: I had myself tested in Makati Medical Center. If you want to take the cheap route, donate blood at the second floor of the building, where the blood donation center is. I think the minimum donor amount is 600 cc of blood, and you get the results of your lab test and a blood donor card if you test negative for malaria, HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis B and C after 12 hours. If you are not able to donate blood because you smoke, weigh less than 110 pounds like me, drank alcohol 12 hours prior to bloodletting, or are menstruating, then get yourself tested at the Laboratory on the First Floor. Results for the HIV and Syphilis tests come out after a week, while the Hepa B tests will be released at the Nuclear Medicine department at the second floor after three working days.
The TPHA test for syphilis costs P 860, HIV Elisa test is only P 600. HBSAg test for hepa B and the test for Hepa-C is P 900 each.
Tomorrow, details of our San Pablo trip. Ta-ta!
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Updates+Trip Part 2-Pagsanjan
Welcome to my blog! Yes, I've done some re-decorating, in commemoration of my first year in blogging. Thanks to Nikki Alfar, the interior decorator who executed my vision, and gave me some more features! Talented, beautiful and famous, what can I say? She rocks!
Doppleganger update
My elusive double has re-appeared again! She's eel-slippery I tell you, escaping from the grasp of my friend Leslie. read all about it in her blog
Please, please people. Everytime you run into her, y'all are so stunned speechless that you couldn't work up the gumption to approach her even if she's staring at you in the face! Get over yourselves. Slap yourself. Splash water over your face. No it's not me and you know it! Unless I had the the ability to either teleport or the gift of bilocation (I wish), or suddenly had the personality of a mouse, then it couldn't be me! Please help me solve this mystery!
Back to our story
---------
I woke up at 8 am, ready to face the day. I took several photos of the lake, and woke Thom up for breakfast. After a lackluster meal and a bath, we checked out of our stinky room and booked us a rapids ride.
The ride itself was uneventful, as our boatmen skillfully navigated our way through the river. We had many stops along the way, and Thom and I rolled our eyes at the noisy Korean and Japanese honeymooners that constantly streamed from the opposite direction. He was impressed by the foliage and scenery, which miraculously remained intact.
We got to the falls, and I was honestly less than impressed. Commercialism was everywhere. Locals did everything to milk a few bucks from the tourists, selling food and even altering the landscape, at the expense of the pristine beauty of the place. The boatmen even charged 90 pesos for an overloaded raft ride through the falls, into a cave behind it. Koreans apparently had to be "decently dressed" even while soaking wet. The women still had their jewelry and high heels on, while the men wore slacks! Thom decided to take a dip. I was not confident enough to do the same, because the current seemed too strong.
What we really wanted was to swim, not a view of the falls. Our boatman took us aside and said that we could swim at a spot off to the side of the falls. The path there was extremely rocky and unpredictable, and the waters were a little too deep, so we had to leave our equipment behind as we went to the direction he pointed.
What we discovered was a small pool, a trickle of a waterfall, and two or three rapids that led into a small dipping pool. It was perfect.
The best pictures I took were the ones not captured by my camera.
-------
The trip downstream was faster than the way to the falls. Upon disembarking, the boatmen demanded that we give them extra money.
Thom felt that the money we spent for the trip was enough, and that they didn't deserve a tip. He said that he had a policy of not tipping anybody who asked for it.
At this point we had an argument, because I felt bad for not tipping the men. I could hear them again make snide comments.
The boatmen heckled us on our way out of the resort, up until we reached the road, waiting for a ride out of Pagsanjan. All that time, I tried to convince Thom to give the boatmen money. He stubbornly argued that the money could be better spent somewhere else, as we could have unforseen expenses in the trip.
In a wounded voice, I told Thom "We should have just given a tip, even if it was just a hundered pesos. It is better to give them money that have them harass us like this!"
I let the boatman take a jeep ahead of us, so we could be rid of them.
With a sigh, He admitted that he may be wrong. We agreed to bring separate wallets in future trips.
I know that I will now avoid going to commercialized "nature" destinations.
Next Stop: San Pablo, Laguna
some of the pretty pictures
NikkiAlfar
Tobie Abad
Gabby Lee
Andre Mischa Cleofe
Doppleganger update
My elusive double has re-appeared again! She's eel-slippery I tell you, escaping from the grasp of my friend Leslie. read all about it in her blog
Please, please people. Everytime you run into her, y'all are so stunned speechless that you couldn't work up the gumption to approach her even if she's staring at you in the face! Get over yourselves. Slap yourself. Splash water over your face. No it's not me and you know it! Unless I had the the ability to either teleport or the gift of bilocation (I wish), or suddenly had the personality of a mouse, then it couldn't be me! Please help me solve this mystery!
Back to our story
---------
I woke up at 8 am, ready to face the day. I took several photos of the lake, and woke Thom up for breakfast. After a lackluster meal and a bath, we checked out of our stinky room and booked us a rapids ride.
The ride itself was uneventful, as our boatmen skillfully navigated our way through the river. We had many stops along the way, and Thom and I rolled our eyes at the noisy Korean and Japanese honeymooners that constantly streamed from the opposite direction. He was impressed by the foliage and scenery, which miraculously remained intact.
We got to the falls, and I was honestly less than impressed. Commercialism was everywhere. Locals did everything to milk a few bucks from the tourists, selling food and even altering the landscape, at the expense of the pristine beauty of the place. The boatmen even charged 90 pesos for an overloaded raft ride through the falls, into a cave behind it. Koreans apparently had to be "decently dressed" even while soaking wet. The women still had their jewelry and high heels on, while the men wore slacks! Thom decided to take a dip. I was not confident enough to do the same, because the current seemed too strong.
What we really wanted was to swim, not a view of the falls. Our boatman took us aside and said that we could swim at a spot off to the side of the falls. The path there was extremely rocky and unpredictable, and the waters were a little too deep, so we had to leave our equipment behind as we went to the direction he pointed.
What we discovered was a small pool, a trickle of a waterfall, and two or three rapids that led into a small dipping pool. It was perfect.
The best pictures I took were the ones not captured by my camera.
-------
The trip downstream was faster than the way to the falls. Upon disembarking, the boatmen demanded that we give them extra money.
Thom felt that the money we spent for the trip was enough, and that they didn't deserve a tip. He said that he had a policy of not tipping anybody who asked for it.
At this point we had an argument, because I felt bad for not tipping the men. I could hear them again make snide comments.
The boatmen heckled us on our way out of the resort, up until we reached the road, waiting for a ride out of Pagsanjan. All that time, I tried to convince Thom to give the boatmen money. He stubbornly argued that the money could be better spent somewhere else, as we could have unforseen expenses in the trip.
In a wounded voice, I told Thom "We should have just given a tip, even if it was just a hundered pesos. It is better to give them money that have them harass us like this!"
I let the boatman take a jeep ahead of us, so we could be rid of them.
With a sigh, He admitted that he may be wrong. We agreed to bring separate wallets in future trips.
I know that I will now avoid going to commercialized "nature" destinations.
Next Stop: San Pablo, Laguna
some of the pretty pictures
NikkiAlfar
Tobie Abad
Gabby Lee
Andre Mischa Cleofe
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