Testing @theperkyshop’s Perfect Selfie Package: Solve your #SelfieProblems!

People, especially Pinoys, love to take photos, selfies in particular.  Maybe to flaunt his outfit for today, to share what makeup/skincare products she used on her face for the day, to let his network know where he’s spending his vacation, or just to share a relevant quotable quote. LOL!  Whatever our purpose is, I believe we were able to take even just a single snapshot of ourselves for others to see.

During my school days, I’m a self professed selfie addict. I admit it!  It was crazy to think that I really got fond of myself taking pictures upon waking up, before going to sleep, or if I’m having a great time outdoors. But now, I take selfies with caution.  I must have a CONCRETE PURPOSE why I posted selfie shots.  I am aware that some people doesn’t want their social network feeds clogged with pictures of my face in different angles.. hehehe! That’s why, just wanted to remind you—hinay hinay lang when taking and posting selfies ok?

Anyway, let me share to you some problems (well they’re not really problems, maybe disadvantages or inconveniences) that you can encounter in taking selfies:

Random Thoughts: Love God. Love Others.

Image from http://time4thinkers.com/11-love-your-neighbor-as-yourself/

Intro:  My random thoughts that you are reading right now are written as I type.  Meaning these are really in my thoughts and in my heart as of this writing.

*****

The past months were, I could say, tough.  Andaming nangyari.  I actually dreamt about it happening few years back but I ignored it.  Now, it’s happening.  Personal attacks are made against each other.  Bashing and fault finding on doctrines that were even embraced for decades.  Broken relationships because of differences in beliefs.  I don’t know.  I admit I’m not a theologian, or an expert in God’s word, but I’m striving to become a kind of Christian that God can be proud of.

I’ve made mistakes.  I knew I’ve hurt people because I talk too much.  Maybe I broke their trust on me.  God is still working on me.  I wanted the best that I can be.  I wanted to avoid doing my weaknesses.  I’m trying to be like Christ.  I’m laying down to Him my flaws and shortcomings.  I wanted God to transform me into a better person, exceedingly glorifying Him in my every thoughts, words, and deeds.

6 Things I Missed About Friendster

Now that we are already in the Facebook age, isn’t it nice to reminisce all those things that we usually do during the Friendster era?

Along with Myspace, High 5, and Multiply; Friendster was the most widely used social networking portal way back early 2000s (I was in college then). 

Missing this?

I wanted to look back to those things that I definitely missed doing with Friendster.  Here’s my list.

My Random Thoughts on the #AMALAYER Incident

I opened my Twitter last night and my feed was flooded with #Amalayer tweets.  At first I have no idea on what was it all about.  I went trhough the hashtagged tweets and saw the video (which I eventually found out went viral on Facebook) of a confrontation from an outraged girl and an LRT lady guard.  Well I don’t have to tell the whole story because I assumed you guys were able to watch the clip.  I went through more of the tweets and people were able to put out jokes out of the incident.  Pinakabumenta sakin yung AMADOVE GIRL and ALABET.  I laughed on it for some time and even reposted it on my Facebook account.  Later I realized that I should’ve kept it to myself.  Gaya ng girl na nasa video, may mga point sa buhay natin na sa height ng emosyon natin, nakakagawa tayo ng mga bagay na later on marerealize natin na pagsisisihan natin sa bandang huli.  In my case, reposting a joke that I found on the internet because I really found it funny, not knowing that I’m making fun out of her expense.

People also made fun of her English grammar.  Well, I think it’s part of our Filipino nature na mang-correct ng grammar ng iba, even others do it like they are proofreaders or editors. 

Let me share to you my thoughts on this incident:

1.       On the part of the uploader

• Iba iba ang motibo ng mga taong nasa social networking sa pagpopost ng mga content sa feed nila.  Some do it out of concern, some out of fun, some out of boredom.  Bear in mind that anything that we post on our feed is within the scope of our responsibility.  I found on a Yahoo article that the uploader did not know the whole story but a bystander told him na sinita ng guard yung babae kasi mali yung way na pinasukan niya na entrance.  But I saw on some other article in Yahoo that the girl did not go through proper security inspection on the station which caused the confrontation.  I learned from the FB video that it was posted because he was a Bayan Patroller.  Bottomline---we should take full assumption of responsibility on everything posted on our social network feed.  We should make sure that we can answer all questions entailed on what we post.  And as much as possible, we should bring up things through the proper and right avenue.  May iba kasing bagay na hindi dapat idinadaan sa social networking.  Let us be responsible and cautious.

2.       On the part of the lady guard

             

•      I don’t know the guard personally, so I don’t have the right to judge her.  But what I can say is that, minsan sa trabaho natin, pag matino nating ginagawa ang mga trabaho natin, minsan doon pa tayo napapasama.  Sa totoo lang, pag pumapasok ako sa mga malls at public places na may guard inspection, mas gusto ko na kinakalkal nila ang bag ko at iniinspect talaga kaysa dudutdutan lang nila ng stick yung bag ko tapos ok na.  It’s their duty to ensure the safety of the public.  Pero minsan, naiisip ko din na kung ganun ang gagawin nila the whole day, nakakapagod din.  Tapos hindi naman lahat maiintindihan na kaya nila yun ginagawa para din naman sa kapakanan ng publiko.  Iniisip ko na minsan hindi naman ganun kalakihan ang compensation nila para sa ganung trabaho.  Pero naisip ko na naman, na wala namang trabahong madali.  We should exert effort to earn income.  Mapa negosyo man o bilang empleyado—ganun talaga.  Mahirap kumita ng pera.  Lalo na sa lipunan ng kagaya ng sa atin.  Kaya ang masasabi ko lang, let’s give our best on everything that we are doing. As long as wala tayong nasasagasaang tao, at tama ang ginagawa natin sa trabaho, huwag tayong mag alala.  Everything that we are doing entails a result, either a reward or a consequence.  It all depends on how we do things.

3.       On Paula Salvosa

•      Siya yung tinatawag na Amalayer girl.  Nung nakita ko yung video, sa totoo lang, wala akong masabi.  Andaming pumasok sa isip ko.  Baka naman may pinagdadaanan siya tapos natrigger lang nung ginawa ng guard.  O kaya naman masama ang gising. O mainit ang ulo.  Lahat ng tao may pinagdadaanan, but that should not give us the license to be “out of ourselves” at the peak of what we are going through.  We should learn to control ourselves.  Huwag din nating ibunton sa ibang tao yung nararamdaman nating bad vibes.  Kasi hindi naman nila alam ang pinagdadaanan mo, and who knows, baka mas matindi pa nga yung pinagdadaanan nila kaysa sayo.  I don’t know, what the girl did is just not right.  Maybe may katwiran nga, but it went through the wrong avenue.  Parang hindi appropriate to become like that in a public place.  Such act should have been done privately. Haha, I mean, siguro dapat silang dalawa nalang yung nag usap through the LRT admin office.  I don’t know.  The bottomline—let us not act right away on things in the height of our emotions—either sa sobrang saya, lungkot, or pagkagalit.  Learn to control your emotions.  Rule over it.  Don’t let it rule over you.  Hindi mo pag aari ang mundo.  May iba ka pang kasamang tao ditto na kailangan mo ding pakisamahan.  Just enjoy life.

4.  To us

• I admit, I did something wrong by making fun of it.  Eh sa nakakatawa eh.  But somehow I realized I had my own way of making a fool out of her.  Pero seeing people bashing her and making strongly bad remarks on what she did is just so wrong.  This incident I believe can traumatize her.  We can say she deserves that kasi that’s part of the consequences on what she did in public.  But this should not give us the right to humiliate and judge her.  It’s normal to say, “ay, di dapat ganon, she should’ve act right on the situation”, and go on with our lives.  I believe her experience is a lesson to all of us, that in everything that we do, act or say, we are accountable to it.  At sa pagka high level ng technology ngayon, we are not aware that there is someone watching us.  We are not sure of that.  But above all, there is Someone up there that knows our every move, every thought, every act, every word that we say (even the unspoken ones).  And that is God.

So much with the #AMALAYER trend. Sana makamove on na tayong lahat.

1 Samuel 2:3 (NIV)

“Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the LORD is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed.”

Wala akong maisip na title, basta tungkol sa JEEPNEY.

Transferring this FB note here. :)

*****

Nung nag aaral pa ako, ayaw na ayaw kong sumasakay ng jeep. Marahil kasi maarte ako. Gusto ko lagi aircon. Hindi niyo ako mapapasakay sa jeep kapag ang biyahe ay lagpas sa distansiya ng minimum fare (more than 4 kilometers). Isa ring dahilan kung bakit ayaw kong sasakay ng jeep dahil sa polusyon sa Maynila. Pero may mga extreme cases naman na wala akong choice kundi sumakay ng jeep kahit malayong biyahe. Isang halimbawa nito kapag pupunta sa JIL Campsite sa Norzagaray. Lahat ng inarkilang sasakyan ay jeep. So walang choice. Kailangan lang maghawak ng plastic bag dahil… You know… Yun na yon.

Ngunit simula nang magkatrabaho ako, unti unti kong hinubad ang pagka-maarte ko (tanong para sa mga kapatid ko: Hindi na naman ako maarte, dava?). Dito ko natutunang sumakay ng jeep kahit sa malayong biyahe. Lalo na pag sa probinsiya ako naaassign, dahil kadalasan, wala namang FX o taxi sa mga napuntahan ko. Jeep lang ang meron. Kaya walang choice. Naranasan ko ng araw araw, bumibiyahe ako ng 40 minutes by jeep papunta sa client.
At sa mahabang biyaheng ganito, madami akong naobserbahan at napansin sa paligid—sa loob at labas ng sinasakyan kong jeep. Gaya ng…..

1. May mga jeep na kahit nasa malayo ka pa, hihintayin kang makalapit papunta sa kanya (I’m referring to the jeep), umaasang sa kanya ka sasakay. Tapos pag nakalapit ka na sa naghihintay na jeep, pipilitin kang sumakay. Tapos pag hindi ka sumakay, bibigyan ka niya ng instant steam facial dahil magbubuga yan ng usok mula sa tambutso at sisiguraduhin niyang mabubugahan ka non. Pang asar lang. Pinaghintay mo kasi eh. Minsan naisip ko pag may mga ganyang jeep, dapat may nakahanda kang signboard na may nakalagay na “SORRY MANONG, HINDI PO AKO SASAKAY SA INYO. BIYAHENG CEBU YANG JEEP NIYO EH. PAPUNTA AKONG DAVAO. SORRY PO TALAGA.” Siguraduhin mo lang na sa malayo pa lang basa na niya yan para di na siya umasa.

2. Kahit nakatayo ka lang sa may bangketa dahil tinignan mo lang kung madumi yung kuko mo sa paa, may titigil na jeep sa harapan mo at magsusumamong sumakay ka na sa kanya. Applicable din dito ang effect pag di ka sumakay sa kanya, pati din ang suggestion kong “CEBU-ka-DAVAO-ako-scenario”.

3. Pagsakay mo ng jeep, kahit di ka pa nakakaupo, umaandar na agad. Nakakawalang poise. Matapos mong sakyan yung jeep, masasaktan ka pa. kaya ang suggestion ko diyan, humawak sa safety hand rails para di sumubsob at mapahiya sa mga kapwa pasahero (o sa driver kung ikaw lang ang sakay).

4. As much as possible, dapat EXACT FARE ang ibabayad mo sa jeep. Kadalasan kasi, hindi ka na sinusuklian. Nakakalungkot. Sabi ko KARAMIHAN ha. Mga 9 out of 10. Osige 8 na nga lang.

5. Kadalasan ang mga pasahero gusto maupo malapit sa entrance/exit ng jeep. Mga ayaw kasing mag abot ng bayad sa driver. Hehehe. Minsan naman may mga tao, kapag wala nang choice kundi dun sa malapit sa driver uupo, pag may magpapa abot ng bayad, biglang makakatulog, magtetext, magbabasa, o magbibingi bingihan. Madalas ako sa may bukana nakaupo.

6. May mga pasahero naman na pasaway. Sinabi nang No Smoking eh, naninigarilyo pa din.

7. May mga pasahero talagang nagwa-WANTUTRI.

8. May mga sumasabit pa din sa jeep kahit sinasaway na ng driver. Mga pasaway. Hindi ba nila alam na delikado yon?

9. May mga pasahero nagfifeeling model ng shampoo commercial, pinapahanginan ang buhok habang nakatanaw sa may bintana ng jeep. Samantalang ang katabi niya, alam ang brand ng shampoo niya dahil nalalasahan niya. Humahampas kasi sa mukha ng katabi niya yung buhok niya dahil sa hangin eh.

10.Meron din naman feeling model sa video ng videoke dahil nakatingin sa kawalan, tulala, tapos bigla na lang ngingiti. Ngiii.

11. Meron din naman na sa sobrang layo ng biyahe nakakatulog. Minsan sinasandalan ka pa.

12. Meron din naman na parang magpipicnic. Panay kasi ang kain habang nasa biyahe. Hindi man lang mag-share.

13. May pasahero din na sa wari ko, laging nananalong Mr./ms. Friendship o darling of the crowd sa lugar nila. Kasi bigla ka na lang kakausapin about anything under the sun.

14. Tapos meron ding kung makipag daldalan sa kasama niya sa lakas ng boses niya parang wala ng bukas. Alam na ng ibang pasahero yung pinaguusapan dahil sa sobrang lakas ng boses. Guilty ako dito. Pero hindi naman ganung kalakas yung boses ko eh.

15. Meron din naman na ginagawang library at study area ang jeep. Siguro hindi nakapag aral kagabi kaya sa jeep nagrereview at nagbabasa. Masakit kaya sa ulo yung nagbabasa ka habang nasa biyahe. Kayo ba hindi sumasakit ang ulo pag ganon?

16. Kadalasan, kaya nagtatagal ang biyahe kasi yung driver tinitigilan ang bawat taong nakikita niyang nakatayo sa sidewalk. At bawat kanto, nagsstop over para maghintay ng pasahero.

17. Nga pala, hindi ko maintindihan minsan ang mga barker. Sinasabing maluwag pa yung jeep eh ang sikip sikip na nga. Baka maluwag para makaupo yung langgam. Tapos kakalampagin yung gilid ng jeep kapag ayaw daw umayos ng upo yung mga pasahero.

18. Bakit pag sasakay ka ng jeep, walang bawal bawal? Pero pag bababa ka na, ayaw ka agad ibaba, kasi bawal daw magbaba sa hindi tamang babaan?

19. Ang mga pasahero, laging nag uunahang sumakay o bumaba ng jeep. Kahit lima lang silang sasakay at bakante naman yung jeep na kasya sa 20 na tao.

20. Dapat alam mo yung pwesto sa jeep kung saan walang direct sunlight na tatama sa yo. Para dun ka maupo sa walang araw.

So far, yan pa lang ang naobserbahan ko. Sanay na akong mag jeep ngayon.

In Random Mode Again!

Hello guys! It's been a while. Yes. A while.  August last year pa ako huling nagpost ng entry ko dito.  And admittedly, I missed blogging!  I became more focused on photography, on work, on the music ministry, and now on my wedding preparation, and diet.

This October will definitely be a jam-packed one!  Here are the reasons:

1.  October 5 is our 34th JIL Anniversary.  Ano yung JIL?  Church po namin yun. Jesus Is Lord Church.  Ang simbahang kinalakihan ko na.  Dito nabuo ang pananampalataya ko sa Lord, and I'm happy to say dito din ito nadevelop, at patuloy na dinedevelop pa.  Naniniwala ako na ang church na ito ay tunay na pinanganak mula sa puso ng Diyos.  Alam ko din na kahit kailan, hindi iniwan ng Diyos ang JIL.  Maraming umalis, at may mga dumating din naman.  Madaming nag iba. Pero ang proteksyon at pagsama ng Diyos sa simbahang ito, hindi naiba. Actually, mas tumindi pa nga.  Anyway!  Excited ako sa gagawin ng Diyos sa araw na ito.  Bukod sa matinding walkathon at stand-a-thon (may ganung word ba) na aming pagdadaanan sa photo team, excited din ako dahil magiging way ang event na ito para madami pang makakilala sa Diyos. Yan naman ang isa sa mga misyon natin dito sa earth--ang mag evangelize, and mang encourage ng ibang tao, para mas makilala pa nila si Lord through  us.  Sorry sa taglish ha.  I'm just typing as I think of what I should share. :)

2.  October 6 and 9 - PROJECT MIRACLE Batch 4 Photoshoot! Pang apat na salvo na ito mga bro at sis! This time, ang iCare Compassion Ministries naman ang aming beneficiary.  We are anticipating a lot of participants for this shoot.  I pray na isa ka sa mga iyon. For more details, please e-mail me at karen@kkbmovement.org :).  What's even more exciting about this is that mas pinatindi ang manpower for this shoot--we were able to invite more Hair and Make Up artists, and more support from our apprentices in photography.  Exciting na nakaka kaba.  But I know everything about this will never be in vain kasi for sure may patutunguhan itong project shoot na ito.  Thanks to JIL, ZOE Light TV and iCare.

3.  October 7 - Lead worshiper sa Sunday service after the anniv.  So why did I mention this?  Para mag brag? Hehehehe, noooo... Memorable po ito kasi last year, the sunday after the 33rd anniv, yun yung una kong lead worship assignment.  This year, ganun ulit.  Thrilling kasi nga kakatapos lang nga ng anniversary.  Nakaka kaba na nakaka "pressure" (well I always feel this pag naaassign magpakanta sa church) in a sense na you, together with the whole team, should be able to usher the congregation in another level of worship.  I thank the Lord kasi hindi ako makapaniwalang ilalagay Niya ako sa team na ito.  Madami Siyang tinuro sa akin through this team, and masasabi ko na nag grow talaga ako not only as a worshiper, but as a Christian.  Ang iniisip ko ngayon, I have to give my best and excellent offering of worship to Him, I need to be equipped and prepared.  After all, He is the God of excellence.  He deserves the best.

4.  October 10-13 - Out of town.  I'll write about this pero not here. Sa JIL website. Watch out. :D

5.  October 15 - Prenup shoot. No, hindi kami ang ishushoot ni Zham (name po ng mapapangasawa ko). Kami po ang magshushoot.  We've been doing this kind of shoots recently lang.  It's a great feeling na maging part ng mga ganitong klaseng shoots.  Especially if you were able to capture their perfect moment, worth na itreasure for a lifetime.  I thank God kasi He's been using these talents to make other people happy. And on our part, a sense of fulfillment; knowing that through your lens someone will have a souvenir to look back on someday and remember that special moment.

6.  October 20 - Another prenup studio shoot sa paborito naming studio:  sa Camera Cart in Maginhawa St., Quezon City.  I'll post some of the shots after the shoot.

7.  October 27 - Wedding shoot.  I will also keep you posted. :)

So yeah, this blog is just about anything.  Hopefully I can update this regularly and I also hope you won't get tired of reading my entries! :)

Cheers,
Karen

**You may want to check our FB Page.  Zham + Karen Photography

Vol. 2, Post # 2: Warning to my girl friends. Beware. (Halaw sa Tunay na Pangyayari)

Posted on July 21, 2010.
***

I believe this will serve as a reminder for my fellow women friends.

My current schedule at work is at 9pm to 6am. Whenever I work night shift, and I don't want to work for early overtime, I used to leave the house at 8pm. I also take 3 rides to work: Tricycle to Pasig Market, Jeep to Bagong Ilog, and FX to Ayala. Though it's 3 rides, there's no hassle on my part because there's no traffic jam during this time at night.

Last night, I took the tricycle ride to Palengke. Check. Next, sumakay na ako sa nakaabang na jeep sa kanto. I sat at my favorite place - sa bukana. Para madaling bumaba at para di ako ang mag abot ng bayad sa driver. Pero I had this sudden feeling of selflessness, I asked the woman sitting in front of me kung magbabayad na siya... Pwede niyang iabot sa akin at ako na ang mag aabot sa driver. I felt good.

I'm an observer whenever I'm travelling anywhere. My sight caught this man, looking at me. Malagkit ang tingin. I felt weird.

I looked the other way, towards the driver. Since walang laman masyado ang jeep, I sat sideways, like sitting on a couch, pero not that "feel-at-home" way. Sakto lang. Then I was surprised the man that's looking weirdly at me went on the jeep and sat beside me. Sa kaliwa ko. Since I was sitting sideways, nakaharap ko siya all of a sudden. I was surprised, I immediately looked the other way. Sa bukana na ako nakatingin ngayon.

He sat beside me for a few minutes. I felt something touched my shoulder, but I ignored it. I cluctched my shoulder bag close to me. I kept on looking at my right side until he left the jeep. It was weird because he get off even before the jeep left the terminal. Pagkababa niya, he gave me this "maniac-ish" grin, and he never took his eyes off me until the jeep was far from him... until he was off my sight. I shivered.

Pagdating sa Bagong Ilog, I prepared myself to get off the jeep. Then there is this man who sits infront of me. He's looking at me weirdly. Then parang hindi na siya makatiis, he pointed at my left shoulder. And the woman in front of me (yung nagpasuyo ng bayad) is also looking at me, like she knew something "bad" has happened to me. She said, "yung lalaki kanina..." Hindi na niya matuloy yung gusto niyang sabihin.

I froze. Akala ko ipis. Magffreak out na sana ako. But I slowly looked at my left shoulder, and I was devastated. Something whitish, sticky and slightly bubbly is on my left shoulder. I was rattled. Nanginginig ako na hinawakan yung left shoulder ko, and the smell was weird, I could say terrible. I almost burst into tears when I said, "Para po". While I was walking, I got my tissue and hand sanitizer to clean up. I don't want to think about "what is that". But I was really devastated. However, I was thankful because nothing bad has happened to me. God is great, and good.

To my friends, specially the girls, take care of yourself, lalo na pag bumibiyahe kayo sa gabi. As much as possible, go in groups, or dapat may kasama kayo lagi. Most of all, pray. It's the strongest and ultimate protection you can get.

Now I am planning to not to take my usual travel routine.

Vol. 1, Post # 6: An Encounter With Ondoy.

Posted on September 30, 2009.
***
September 26, 2009. A sorta-kinda-typical Saturday for me. Since malapit na akong magresign sa work, hindi na ako masyadong nirerequire pumasok ng weekends, kaya these past Saturdays and Sundays, nasa bahay lang ako. I woke up 11 in the morning. Sarap! I checked at the window in my room, it’s raining hard. And it was sooooo cold. I ate my breakfast/lunch while i was planning to go to Market Market for my pre-employment check up. Yes, pre-employment. I got a new job, but it will start 11 days after my effectivity of resignation in my work now.

I was about to prepare when the rain poured harder than usual. Together with my mom and sisters, I peeked at our glass window of our living room and we were surprised at what we saw. Bahang baha na sa labas! And in a matter of few hours papasukin na yung bahay namin!

Daddy is at work in Bulacan ng mga oras na to. In other words, puro babae lang kami sa bahay. And I looked around our house. 2 sofa, 1 couch, 1 large component, ref, tables, chairs, computer set, and 3 tv sets. Imagine (tonong Vilma Santos/Eugene Domingo)! But we had no time to imagine. Ang bilis ng pagtaas ng tubig baha. Right there and then, nag kanya kanya na kami ng buhat. At first nakukuha pa naming tumawa sa mga pinag gagawa naming pagbuhat. Parang instant Hercules/Incredible Hulk kami that time. Buti na lang malalaking bulas kami. Hahaha! And thanks to the adrenaline rush.

But it came to the point na pumasok na talaga yung baha sa loob ng bahay. Since its reconstruction on 2006, and after more than a decade since the last flood, ngayon lang ulit nakatikim ng tubig baha ang mala doll house naming bahay. This time, we were not laughing. Concentrated na kami sa pagbubuhat ng mga gamit. It came to the point din na nagkakasigawan na kami. Nabagsakan pa ng kahoy yung paa ko nung nagdedetach kami ni ate ng cabinet doors. The electricity was already cut off. Wala nang internet, wala nang Facebook, wala nang YM. Wala na ding signal ang mga phone namin. And lalo pang lumakas ang ulan. Wala na kaming contact sa mundo that time. My last message in Facebook was (if my memory serves me right), “Sige, out na muna ako, papatayin na yung main switch ng kuryente namin. God bless!” After that, wala na. 

Up to waist deep ang tubig sa labas ng bahay, while up to almost knee deep ang sa loob. But there’s no way out for us that time, kasi mas malalim pa daw ang tubig sa kalsada sa labas ng subdivision namin. My mom turned her radio na 702 DZAS lang ang station and we listened to any updates. Oo nga pala, wala pala kaming pagkain na stock when this happened (aside sa sandamukal na itlog na nasa ref). But truly God is a providing God. Yung kapitbahay namin na mas naunang lumikas na sa amin (kalahati ng bahay nila was submerged in flood), pinatabi nila kay mommy yung food na napamalengke nila before the flood happened, and eventually gave it to us. Ang cool nga ni mommy kasi she even took time to go house to house to check our neighbors’ condition (Mabuhay ang VP ng Homeowners Association!!!!).
The flood water at first is okay, tubig ulan lang talaga na may halong konting putik at lumulutang na basura, but as time passed by, madami na akong nakikitang di kanais nais na lumulutang (e.g., bonggang bonggang putik at ipis!!!!). Kaya as much as possible we stayed on the second floor at di na kami bumaba. Kaya naman pag may tumatawag sa landline (nasa sala siya sa baba), nagtuturuan kami kung sinong sasagot. 

Pagsapit ng gabi, my mom and ate and I stayed at the master’s bedroom, while Karmi is practicing for her recital. Mom turned on her favorite radio (yung isang radio kasi wala nang signal yung 702 DZAS). We looked for some biscuits, ate it and listened carefully to the news updates. This time, it was really heartbreaking. Almost, if not all of Pasig was greatly affected by the flood. Same goes to Marikina and Rizal. It was very unusual because hindi naman kami masyadong binabaha pag may mga ganitong ulan. And what breaks my heart most is the fact that many people are trapped and stucked on the roofs of their homes, waiting for rescue to come. Mapabata, matanda, buntis, artista; walang pinili ang trahedyang ito. Another heartbreaking fact is hindi enough ang assets and resources ng mga LGUs and the government itself to rescue the victims. Hindi ko man gustong isipin, ngunit biglang pumasok ang mga government advertisement expenses, Le Cirque dinner, at yung mga perang naigastos sa walang katuturan. Imagine (tonong Vilma/Eugene again), maipangbibili sana ito ng mga kagamitang pwedeng magamit sa mga ganitong biglaang sitwasyon. Well, naisip ko lang naman. Wala naman may gusto ng nangyaring ito. Pero, come to think of it, kung may reserved resources tayong naitabi for unexpected situations like this, siguro mas marami ang narescue at napakain agad. Siguro, nabawasan ang mga namatay bunga ng kapabayaan ng iba.

Sabi nga ng status message ng isa kong college classmate, “It’s payback time! – Mother Earth”. The message is, I guess, right. Masyado nating inabuso ang kapaligiran natin. And sabi ng isang environmentalist sa radio, expect the worse/t in the coming days. I just don’t know if he’s just saying the truth or nang aasar lang siya at gusto lang niyang matakot ang lahat ng tao sa mga nangyayari. But I hope his motive is just to tell the truth. Siguro nga ganun.

When we heard na maraming tao talaga ang naapektuhan ng pangyayaring ito, we cried. We realized, mapalad pa din kami, dahil except for a few things na nabasa ng baha dahil nakalimutan naming isalba, the four of us are spared from any danger. We took that opportunity to pray and thank God for saving us, and we prayed for those people who need Him at that very point in time. After praying, I felt the effect of what we did a while ago. Masakit na ang buong katawan ko. And before I knew it, nakatulog na ako.

***
September 27. A ray of sunshine touched my face (meganon!) and made me wake up. Magtatanghali na pala. Gising na lahat ng mga kasama ko sa bahay. Breakfast/lunch is ready. Dun kami sa terrace kumain (that’s what I call now “kakain sa labas”). Wala nang ulan and the sky is clear. Pero it seems mas tumaas ang tubig baha. At mas lalong pumutik at dumumi. I took snapshots ng mga bahay at sasakyan na lubog sa baha, and I also took shots ng sala namin and dining area. Just for documentation.

After eating, I went sleepy and took a nap. Pagkagising ko, Dad was at home with my cousin. Nagdala sila ng Savory Chicken, my favorite! =) While I was eating again, they said babalik na sila ng Bulacan bago mag gabi. I immediately made a decision to go with them. I hurriedly packed up my things and after several hours, we went off.

My dad, cousin and I took a boat ride from our house to the end of Sandoval Avenue, which is about a three-minute car ride. The boat is only improvised, astig nga kasi kinaya kaming tatlo eh ang bibigat namin. Humihinga lang ako every 30 seconds kasi natatakot akong baka mahulog kami. Each time na nagssway yung boat and seems like we will fall off, I was gasping and screaming. The only time I stopped doing so is when dad sternly told me, “ano ka ba, pag nahulog ka naman di ka naman malulunod, hanggang hita mo lang yan noh.” Kahit na, yuck pa din.

Finally bumaba na kami sa bangka-bangkaan. The second phase of our “journey”: A long walk along the muddy, thigh/knee/binti/knee/binti deep flood from Sandoval Avenue to C. Raymundo Ave. It took us 30 to 45 minutes. I was dizzy and about to collapse when I changed my mind, kasi baha ang babagsakan ko, ayoko nga. Kaya I focused and prayed to God to sustain me. As I walked along, I was taking pictures of the place and people were waving and smiling at me when I was taking pictures. Ang Pilipino talaga, kahit ganito na ang sitwasyon, picture picture pa din.

At last, narating na namin ang Arlington, kung saan nakapark yung service vehicle ni dad. I sighed in relief. We went off first to buy pandesal, and afterwards sa gasoline station na maganda na madaming restaurant at Starbucks to eat dinner at Jollibee. Gusto ko kasi ng Chicken Joy. I thought it will make me happier if I eat it for dinner, after all of what happened. My cellphone signal went back to normal, and I texted my friends that I’m fine, thank you. Afterwards I checked my Facebook and received several how are you’s and ok ka lang ba’s and HINDI KA NAMIN MAKONTAK’S. I replied to all of them and I realized madami palang nag alala sa akin, at sa family ko. Yihee!

When I went down to sleep, I began to thank God again for all the things He did and provided to us, to me, to my family. Though I was also worried for some of my friends who were reportedly stuck at their home for almost two days without food (eventually they were rescued, thank God). Then again, before I knew it, nakatulog na ako.

***
September 28. Lumuwas ako to visit my friend in Quezon Avenue because her mom passed away. As I travelled back to Manila, it seems things are back to normal, as compared to last weekend. Lesser traffic. Maybe because classes are all suspended. I was dropped off to the MRT station and took a ride to Quezon Avenue. When I got off the station, one thing caught my attention. A “good” man carelessly threw off his food wrapper on the sidewalk. Mukha mang OA, but I was furious, outraged. I wanted to come to him and demand him to pick off his trash and eat it, or if he can’t, dispose of it properly. Wala kasing disiplina. Kaya tayo sinisingil ng ganitong katindi dahil sa kapabayaan natin.

Let me share to you a thought that I always believe in since when I was in elementary. Pag tayong lahat, nagtapon ng isang pirasong candy wrapper sa daan, at pare pareho tayong nagiisip na, “it’s just a small candy wrapper, wala namang effect kung itatapon ko lang, maliit lang naman kasi”, pag pinagsama sama natin yang mga tinapon nating maliit na candy wrapper na yan, at isang milyon tayong nag isip ng ganyan, isang milyong candy wrapper yan. At pag bumara ang isang milyong pinagsama samang candy wrapper na yan sa mga canal, estero, atbp., may effect na din yan.

In our own little ways, we should be a good steward of the environment. Paano tayo mapagkakatiwalaan sa mas malaking bagay kung sa ganito pa lang pabaya na tayo?

Just a thought.

sala. in a span of a few minutes my sisters and i were able to lift all of these. adrenaline rush.

muddy, yucky, waistline-deep baha.

taken from our house's terrace.

Mercedez avenue

Vol. 1, Post # 3: Sa Isang Episode ng Wowowee's Willie of Fortune...

Introduction:

Lunchbreak. Matapos ang first half ng nosebleed na work load sa isang Sales Office ng isang sikat na inuming serbesa, minarapat ko at ng mga kamanggagawa ko na magpunta sa aming bahay kubo sa Bulacan (dito kami inassign mag audit) upang managhalian.

Hitch: Ang inaaudit naming Sales Office ay malapit lang sa bahay namin sa Bulacan. Sa kadahilanang mahirap maghanap ng kakainan sa paligid ng opisina, sa bahay na lang kami kumakain. Sa halagang P60 bawat katao, pinagluluto kami ng pinsan ko ng bonggang bonggang pagkain na aming pinagsasaluhan.

Sa nagdaang tatlong araw, naging kasama namin sa pananghalian ang programang Wowowee. Sa totoo lang, maka Balitanghali ako. Hindi ako nanonood ng Wowowee kasi nawiweirduhan ako sa palabas na yon. Pero ang tibay din nito, kasi madami ding pinagdaanang kontrobersiya ang palabas na ito (I assume alam niyo kung ano ang mga yon). Pero tignan niyo naman, nasa ere pa din ang programa hanggang ngayon!

Pero hindi yan ang gusto kong ikwento dito. Kundi ito...

***

Matapos ang Hep Hep Hooray (naging instant favorite ko ito kasi nakakatuwa ang larong ito. Kailangan ng alertness at presence of mind upang manalo ng gift pack mula sa Biogesic at may chance na manalo ng P50,000!), Willie of Fortune na. Ang featured players: Mga Inang Nanganak nung December. Isa isa na silang tinawag.

Bago maglaro, kinakausap muna ni Willie ang mga kalahok. Pinapakwento niya sa kanila ang latest sa buhay buhay nila. May mga instances na may special participation ang mahal sa buhay ng kalahok (e.g., asawa, nanay, tatay o anak) at maghahatid ng espesiyal na mensahe sa isa't isa (e.g. uli, I love you hon, dito lang me for you, hello lang!). Tapos, ipapakita ang kanilang talent (kadalasan ang mga talent nila ay kumanta o sumayaw o kumanta/sumayaw). Pagkatapos nito, maglalaro na, name that tune ang drama. Pag nahulaan mo ang title ng kanta, kakantahin mo ang kantang yon, at pag tama ka, pasok ka na! Hanggang sa umabot ka sa jackpot round.

Ang isang contestant sa larong ito ang nakakuha ng aking atensiyon. Mukha pa siyang bata. May anak na siya (nanganak nga nung December diba?). Heto ang mga nangyari (rephrased na yung ibang statements pero nandiyan pa din yung ideya ng gusto kong ibahagi sa inyo.):

Babae: Iniwan ako ng asawa ko, hindi ko alam ngayon kung nasan na siya, hindi na siya nagpakita, hindi ko alam ngayon ang gagawin ko, paano na kami ng anak ko... (Habang sinasabi niya ito finofocus sa camera ang cute na cute niyang baby girl)...

Willie: etc, etc, etc (Hindi ko naintindihan yung sinabi niya). Sige maglaro na tayo...

B: May isa pa po akong problema...

W: Andami mo naman problema, sige...

B: Nay, Tay, patawarin niyo ako... *nagbisya siya, di ko na naman naintindihan... sabi ng officemate ko sabi daw niya pag nagkapera siya uuwi na siya sa kanila...*

Matapos ng tagpong ito, isa isa nang naglapitan ang mga nasa audience sa kanya at binigyan siya ng pera... umabot yata ng 10-20 ang nagpunta sa set ng Wowowee at inabutan ang babae ng pera. Ang iba, niyakap siya, hinalikan siya (beso beso lang), at kinamayan siya. Tanda ng pakikiramay at simpatiya sa nagaganap sa buhay niya. Natuwa ako sa napanood ko, nakita ko kasi na likas na talaga sa Pinoy ang nagdadamayan.

W: Anong talent ang ipapakita mo sa amin...

B: Kakanta po...

W: Sige, palakpakan natin si ______ (nakalimutan ko ang pangalan nung babae), kakanta siya, para sa kanyang anak...

*** den, den den, den den, den den den den...****

nung narinig ko yung intro nung kanta, gusto kong tumambling...

B: Nagsimula sa patikim-tikim, pinilit kong gustuhin, bisyo'y nagsimulang lumalim, kaya ngayon ang hirap tanggalin...!

***

Pagkarinig namin sa kanta niya, nagtawanan kaming lahat. Pambihira!!! Kung isa siguro ako sa audience na nagbigay ng pera sa kanya bago siya kumanta, malamang binawian ko siya ng pera, baka ipambili lang niya ng serbesa eh.

Matapos non, hindi na namin inalam ang reaksiyon nila Willie at ng audience matapos niyang kumanta. Umalis na kami at bumalik na kami sa Sales Office ng isang sikat na inuming serbesa na inaaudit namin.