A Boo and An Eep for Halloween!

What does Halloween mean to you? For me, it usually entails an overnight party filled with tons of snacks, frightening stories and urban legends, pranks that turn your pikon on, and just a great time laughing out with friends from the village.

I miss our little honimi alowin ithmetnyal every year. I'm not pretty sure if they celebrate it here in the kingdom so I'm sulking badly because of the lack of decorations.

Here's something I just drew on a sticky as I'm remembering the village tradition:

The sticky is currently posted proudly in my board in the office. Seeing it cheers me up with a hearty chuckle. ;-)

October Showered Me with Love

They say that when you give something freely, it comes back to you in ten-folds. I've witnessed this quite a few times this month. My family has been winning these prizes out of nowhere and I have this really strong feeling that it is connected with us giving away things wholeheartedly.

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I'm thankful to still have friends who show me my true worth in their lives. I also felt their sincerity and their unwavering support to still connect with me even if I'm far away. It warms the almost icy heart I have developed for months now.

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I'm also very grateful to have relearned the value of not saying anything during times that requires silence.

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Being the only child of my parents that stays with them here in the kingdom, that automatically makes me the bunso, or the unico hijo if you will. I'm missing my brothers and sisters back home and I'm thankful that I always have an opportunity to be a kuya to my alagas as well as help them become more in tune with their education and some important facets of puberty.

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The waxing and the waning of the moon has always signified changes in a person's life as it can be seen in literature dated centuries before I was even born. It was on the eve of the reddish full moon that I receive a good news regarding my career. It'll certainly be put on hold for now, but I'm still thankful to be part of something more.

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I'm happy that my loyalty to a certain brand of wristwatches payed off.

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I'm very fortunate for having donated something to my favoritest charity--me. It was a long time since I bought something expensive for myself. I have always thought of my family first, but now they're the ones pushing me to taste the fruit of my labours.

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I'm glad that people in my workplace now see me more than just my positions. It's a thrill to know that they know you're more capable than you look like.

Speaking of workplace, I am thankful to have enlighten people that the Philippines is more than poverty, corruption, and the Abu Sayyaf. I am happy to have provided them valuable information that leads to the boost in the tourism of our country. As an OFW, it's one of the intangible contributions we could do for our motherland.

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I'm absolutely grateful for having a friend to have previously introduced me to one of his favorite hobbies--soccer. Fortunately for me, it's a really great ice breaker when you want to socially penetrate this culture.

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I love chocolates, but what I love more than eating them is receiving them. Since I was a kid living in Hufof, I've received boxes and boxes of chocolates from our neighbours. I'm just lucky that things are still the same.

To you, who keeps on surprising me with these wonderful gifts, a big thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I'll be doing this Tenchu (that's my baby talk for 'thank you') posts at the end of every month to chronicle the things I am grateful for. Count those blessings! ;)

Changing "Filipino Time"

Back in college, my barkada and I did a splendid public relations campaign for solving the perennial problem of Pinoys being late during meetings because it was a mutual pet peeve amongst us. (It actually garnered our group the chance to be part of the two teams that entered the first ever PR campaign contest by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines.)

After five years, voila, someone from the government finally had a similar bright idea.

'Standard time' aimed at solving 'Filipino time' by Alexander Villafania in Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines – Convinced that the meaning of “Filipino time” should be changed, Senator Edgardo Angara is pushing for a legislation that will put a Philippine Standard Time (PST) to be followed as official time.

Senate Bill 3479 will have all clocks in all government agencies, private firms, homes and schools to follow the official time set by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

Pagasa will also have large, synchronized time devices in all of their field offices across the country, to be followed by everyone.

But more than just getting Filipinos to follow one clock only, Angara explained that the purpose of the PST is to make Filipinos adapt a culture of punctuality.

“Filipinos have often been accused of tardiness, that anything we do is always delayed and we never follow schedules on time. We should start dispelling that by making the change ourselves and breeding a new culture of promptness,” according to Angara, who also heads the Congressional Committee on Science, Technology and Engineering (COMSTE).

Angara also said that European countries follow a standard time in all of their areas, thus making them effective in synchronizing their activities together.

The Philippines sits within 13 degrees 00 North, 122 degrees 00 East. It is +8 hours from the coordinated universal time.

Brawn - Dawood Restaurant, Al Khobar

Spotted this while parked somewhere in Prince Miqren bin Abdulaziz Street. I was waiting for my parents who were buying tameez for dinner on the opposite side of the road.

If we Pinoys have this F-and-P elocution disease (for example: you are so foor, here's payb thousand pisos), the people in the Middle East have this notoriety of interchanging their Ps and Bs. Thus, a Brawn is actually a Prawn.

At one point, yes, my name was spelled as Poris. Basaway, no? ;-P

The Yummy Scent of Sakura

Many have been fascinated with sakura, even having it on literature, because it somehow symbolizes life's transition due to its short blooming period.

Watching a lot of anime, I've always wondered how cherry blossoms, or "sakura", smell like. A Japanese friend (from back home) told me the sakuras bloom all over Japan from late March to early May but they patiently wait for it underneath the trees because the blossoms only last for like a week. It's like the exotic flower symbolizes the transience period of life every year, no? Knowing its short life span will fail me from visiting Japan and experience the cherry blossoms myself, I became more interested how beautiful would its floral fragrance be.

So, when I visited the Body Shop sometime last month, I saw their Japanese Cherry Blossom line and immediately tried one. I ended up buying the Puree Body Lotion because it was the cheapest. Tee-hee.

The moisturizer has a whisper of a delicious, sensual and romantic fragrance in decadent pink bottles. (I love the sorta double-spotted bevelled UV gloss done with the illustration on the bottle)

The scent isn't totally of the sakuras though. The whole floral fusion features top notes of Fuji Apple, Chinese Magnolia, and Osmanthus Flower, combined with a heart of Star Jasmine, Japanese Cherry Blossom and Persimmon as its middle notes and a base scents of Sandalwood and Hinoki wood. It's like aromatherapy in a cute bottle! I mainly use it at night to help myself feel good before sleeping. It's also good to note that the Japanese cherry blossom extract is traditionally renowned for its soothing properties.

The lotion is actually light, which is still best since the weather here is just transitioning from hot to cold. It's really a delight having this around your bag so you'd feel refreshed with every pump. Since the yummy scent lingers around for more than a quarter of a day, I think it's best if I'd purchase the whole Sakura range so the decadent smell lasts the whole day. I just hope it's still available by the time I have a budget to buy the whole line because the people of Body Shop told me that their only offering the Japanese Cherry Blossom range for a limited time only.

H.A.T.E.U. by Mariah Carey

I am so liking this song from Mimi's Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel. It's so catchy, soulful and mature. I can't really get it out of my head and it causes my anxiety attacks at night due to flashbacks. The title of the song actually stands for Having A Typical Emotional Upset (love-hate the wordplay) and I have this great working theory that this song is kind of dedicated to her recent ex-boyfie before she wed her current beau right now. Don't you think so? *wink, wink*



In the album, the last part of the song was brutally faded away so you can say that this live performance is the complete version of the song. Live versions are always better in most aspects than the studio recording.

Spotted: B Plate

At Zara Home, I found this cute bowl at the kid's section. Kawaii, no?

I was supposed to take this home but I bought a towels and silverware instead. Right now, I just find the whole situation illogical.

More Sleep Please

Would proudly wear this tee that encapsulates what office workers declare on their IM statuses almost every single working day.

[spotted]

Books Grow on Trees

It's a childhood dream come true! Shawn Soh's Tree Bookshelf is simply lovely, no?

[spotted]

1 Billion = 7: The Advertising of Microsoft's New OS

There are hundreds of article piling up on the interwebs about the release of the new Microsoft OS, Windows 7. Out of all of those, this one makes me smile and be secretly proud of being a Windows user.

It is, of course, general knowledge to listen to what their audience or market is telling them; it's great for business. But to have a campaign that ascertains them of being a part of co-creating something great is, albeit nothing new, empowering.

The Billion Designers of Windows 7 by Stuart Elliott in NY Times

“Our customers co-create the product with us,” said David Webster, general manager for brand and marketing strategy at Microsoft in Redmond, Wash. “We’re using the customers’ voice to tell our story.”

Mr. Webster summarized the points the ads make: “You told us you want it simpler, we made it simpler. You told us you want it to boot faster, it boots faster.”

In one poster ad, these words are superimposed over a photograph of a woman: “I asked for it to use less memory. Now it uses less memory. I’m a tech goddess.”

In another poster ad, these words appear over a photo of an older man: “I suggested they make it less complicated. Guess what? Now it’s less complicated. I so rule.”

In commercials, Microsoft engineers say, “Bring it on; what do you got?” PC users fire back with pithy phrases like “Less clutter, just less clutter.” And the engineers reply: “Loud and clear. We’re all over it.”

Why I Need More Than Time

Chop Cup

I was blown away by this video. It's so creepy, my head still hurts.

If you want to see how it was made, head over here.

[spotted]

Trese: The Choir

Reading Pinoy graphic novels or komiks is one of my favorite, uhm, past time activities. It's actually my ahia (brother) and atchi (sister) who introduced me to reading serialized comics when I was in elementary. There was this little shop near Sacred Heart Academy (in Novaliches) where we used to purchase second-hand comic books while munching on hopia (transliteration: good pastry) and sipping on softdrinks placed in plastic ice bags.

Trese, the comic book released by Alamat Comics, is just one of the many that I devour frequently. You'll love Budgette Tan and KaJo Baldisimo's story telling, paneling, and sketchy drawings. I will definitely buy more Trese installments and other graphic novels once I'm back home so I can add more to my growing collection.

Below is one of the tie-in side stories from Alexandra Trese's bar, Diabolical. I chose this as my favorite since the holidays is just around the corner.

TRESE: The Choir by Budgette Tan

“They just kept coming back, night after night. And every night, it seemed like there would be more kids, enough to fill up the front gate of the house; all of them singing `Silent Night` like it was the saddest song in the world. And every night, I’d see her –the girl in the red dress. She’d look at me, as if she wanted to tell me something, but had this great need to sing this song, to finish the song and maybe if she did finish the song she tell me that thing that she wanted to tell me, but she just never gets the chance to do so.

Read the full story here and the rest of the stories here.

How a Sewing Machine Works

At last, another question from my childhood days answered.

I miss pedaling our almost four-decade old (or more!) sewing machine. As a weird kid growing up, It was such a pleasant experience then.

What are your sewing machine memories from childhood?

[spotted]

Putting Sex in the Dictionary Is Like Me Writing Erotica--It's Hard!

High school was, undeniably, the peak time of puberty for most individuals. I somehow contributed to the propagation of eroticism within the classroom by supplementing classmates with reads that can put up tents on their pants or can send them gushing while blushing over the detailed explanation. Sex education in a Catholic academic institution is sort of a blasphemy. I personally think we need sex education, and I think we got it through some smut. And, it was a group effort (and triumph) to not have the materials confiscated by the nuns.

I wasn't interested in the content of the stories (okay, half-interested) but I admit that I've always wanted to be a writer of erotic stories, the ones that are so vulgar you'd immediately have a heart attack by reading a paragraph or two. I like their descriptive style, which I think is lacking with my style then. It just wasn't that flower-y (*chuckles*). I seriously thought being an erotic writer was a good gig during high school (up until now) so I can practice the art of elaborating feeligns and moments, but I couldn't just find the right words to show the promiscuousness that lingers at the tip of my tongue.

And the article below makes me want to say, "There goes my secret dream job."

Why it's so hard to put sex in the dictionary by Jesse Sheidlower in Slate Magazine

These days, most dictionaries have broadened their treatment of sexual intercourse. They acknowledge that while the term usually refers to the penetration of the penis into the vagina, it can also be used to describe other genital contact, using expressions like "genital contact," "penetration," and the like to allow for the possibility of acts such as anal sex. But even these definitions are restricted, which is appropriate; oral sex, or masturbation, wouldn't normally be considered "sexual intercourse." The problem arises when these same dictionaries then define the word fuck (and other sexual terms) in relation to "sexual intercourse," because the word fuck is itself much broader than even these broadened definitions.

A Simple Step to Win Brand Loyalty: Provide A Range of Free Services

One of the great things you can do to establish brand loyalty is to provide great free services to your loyal consumers and/or customers.

My Swatch watch broke down on the last work day of the week. Naturally, I'd have to pay for the battery and for the replacement service. I was wrong. Dead wrong.

Over the weekend, I armed myself with some money and my lifeless timekeeper to the Swatch store (in a nearby mall) to have the battery replacement procedure done on it.

I handed over the watch to the store attendant and coyly asked how much is the service to which he replied, "It's free." I thought my ears were deceiving me. While he was busy replacing the battery on my watch, I asked him again, "How much is the battery?"

He then strangely looked at me as if I cannot understand the word "free." And he handed me over my newly adjusted watch and told me, "You don't have to pay us anything," and pointed out to a sign in the store which says that the battery service and polishing is free.

So I deduced that as long as my watch is from their collection, the battery service and polishing (of the glass) is free for life. It's a good deal, right, as long as I buy watch from them.

I'm not sure if this is true for the Swatch stores in the Philippines though. The last time I had a battery replaced, I forked out a huge amount to have it done.

The next thing I'll try (for free, of course) is the polishing service. Maybe I'll go to their newly opened store which is just around the corner from where I live.

Sa Kanyang Pagdating

In the Christiandom, the "-ber" months signal the beginning of a new liturgical year. That means Advent, the season of joyful expectation, is upon us all! It is, so to speak, our spiritual pilgrimage toward the shrine of Jesus' Crib.

As choristers in our respective parishes, we must help our brothers and sisters open their hearts to welcome the Lord Jesus Christ. Hence, the new songbook, Sa Kanyang Pagdating, the Misa Delgado Book III, will fit right to the growing list of songs in any choir's repertoire. It is a compilation of compositions and arrangements of Mass Songs in Filipino for the season of Advent and Christmas.

I think there isn't much Filipino music that coincides to the Advent season so it is best for every choir leaders to get one of these. The official launching of the songbook is on the evening of the 7th of November at the Saint John Bosco Parish Church in Makati. I wish I was could go to the launching but hopefully my choirmates would be kind enough to share their experience of the songbook launch with me.

I wish everyone an advanced spiritually fruitful New Year!

It’s beginning to look a lot like a lonesome Christmas.

While waiting for disaster to happen at the Pinoy Big Brother house (or is it houses?) the other night, mom pulled out a dusty old shoe box from the cupboard in the kitchen. It was apparently filled with beautiful heirloom trimmings for the Christmas tree she traditionally sets up ever since setting foot in the kingdom. My face immediately lit up like a firecracker upon seeing all of it. It was overwhelming. Awed. Really awed. Realizing I went to Christmas tree decor heaven for a second or two, I giddily volunteered to dress up the bare tree lying in the corner of the living room.

After what I thought was a splendid job, mom looked at it and suddenly she was all teary eyed. I asked her if I did a horrible job designing the tree, but she painfully looked at me and said in Filipino, "Because you're going to spend the holidays alone." Then she wept like there's no tomorrow as she turned away to get additional holiday decors.

It suddenly occurred to me that my dad has been planning his vacation to the Philippines (for the first time in two years) at the end of November and, of course, he'll tag mom along. I have totally forgotten all about it! They'll be gone for more than a 35 days, I believe, and those numbers sent a reeling feeling in my stomach. It's freaky thinking that I'll be spending the most important days of the year alone in a country which does not participate in the Yuletide season (spiritually, at least). Freaky doesn't even match what I'm feeling right now.

I continued to prettify the living room with mom's Christmas-y home furnishings such as poinsettia printed table runners, the newly sewed curtains, and snowflake-print throw pillow covers while the eternal optimist in me internally nagged that their vacation will bring about pleasant things for everyone in the family. For one, I'll know how my dad felt during the Christmases he missed spending with us because he's working to earn a living. Two, my siblings would get to spend time with our parents after a two-year hiatus of not seeing them, particularly my dad. And three, my dad will finally get a much-deserved vacation and enjoy the feeling Christmas brings once again.

If only I'm not in a limbo right now, I'd fill-up the vacation form that I secretly stashed in my bag in a jiffy.

The Importance of Order

Typophile Film Festival 5 Opening Titles

A wonderfully inspiring stop motion video that indulges in visual typographic feast about the five senses, and how they contribute to and enhance our creativity.

What is more stunning is that everything in this video is handcrafted. Yes, that means there are no CG effects applied.

[spotted]

Spotted: Boris, the Teddy Bear

I found these cute bears lined up neatly near the cash register of a nicely lit boutique selling things for those expecting moms and their newborns. I wanted to take one home if only they came dirt cheap.

Surprise, surprise! The name of the musical stuffed toy is *drum rolls*Boris. And it's supposed to be musical, just like me. (I already sharpened the image but my name printed on the tag is still hazy.)

I'll be on the lookout for more things associated with my name (or the letter B) aside from the other things posted for the scrapbook label.

Me Want Google Wave!

Google Wave is the new "it" thing on the interwebs. It's Google's attempt to answer the question: "What will the e-mail look like if it was invented today?" You can say it's the modernized version of email with your regular mashup of documents, and social networking thrown in.

If you're still at lost at what a "wave" is, this great video by Epipheo Studios might help you understand it a bit more.



By the way, if you're one of the lucky ones who scored an invite, please take pity on me.

Crayon Stairs

A little pick-me-upper to lift the stressed spirit of worker bees.

German artist Horst Glasker made this work on the Holsteiner Stairs, called Scala in the town of Wuppertal.

On each of the 112 couloured stairs, there is a stencilled word describing the relationships between human beings, like terror + love, prosecution + trust, despair + hope, revenge + kiss.

It's nice if there are more art installations like this in public places, no?

In the famous words of Tina Fey's character in 30 Rock I say: I want to go to there!

[spotted at Elle Decoration South Africa]

Electric Car by They Might Be Giants

This animated music video, directed by Tiny Inventions, is the awesomest! It's a nice inspiration to be all crafty and artsy-fartsy for the upcoming days.

You'll also definitely groove with the funky song which features vocals by Robin Goldwasser and horn arrangement by Dan "The Machine" Levine. Worth the LSS (last song syndrome) it brings!

[spotted]

Nerdiest, Awww-Inducing Magnet Ever.

You are the CSS to my HTML. Ang cheezy, di ba? But still very cute nonetheless.

Probably the cheeziest line thrown at me is also the lamest: You're the Medium to my Message. Up until today, I honestly didn't get this at all even though most friends swooned over when the story was told.

[spotted]

Start Here: Artwork for Rebuilding

START HERE is a collaborative art project open to artists all over the world who want to help the survivors of Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) in the Philippines (and probably other parts of Asia as well) and inspire the rest of the world through art.

The site is accepting submissions until November 26, 2009. You can check the Start Here homepage for more details on how to submit your artwork.

Let's help rebuild and inspire the Philippines in whatever way we can. Our artwork can be one for starters.

START HERE is a collection of artwork inspired by Typhoon Ondoy relief efforts that aims, in turn, to inspire others to help in rebuilding the Philippines. The hope is that we can eventually set up an exhibit where we can sell the artworks with the proceeds donated to Ondoy relief efforts, rebuilding programs and calamity risk management programs.

Why art? It is our belief that art is made because we have something to say and this is the perfect time to say something meaningful and in our own special ways. Art moves, not just our hearts but also towards a positive direction that we can choose for ourselves.

Say something. Move with us. Share your art visions of creation and rebuilding.

Birds on the Wires

Inspiration is everywhere! We just have to open our eyes and look at everyday things and events in a different light or with a slight change of perspective.



That's what Jarbas Agnelli did. While reading the newspaper, he saw a photo of birds sitting on electric wires and composed a score using the birds as notes. Marvelous idea!

We need more music with beaks, I say!

[spotted]

Make Reading More Comfortable

The Thumbthing and Bookmark II are two cleverly designed book accessories for bookworms at heart.

Personally, I think having these items will help me expedite my goal of reducing my reading list. I still have many books to go through, and I just have to kick my habit of buying books whenever I'm in a bookstore and to read super faster (I kinda am a slow reader because I want to make namnam of the pages) if I ever want to reach that goal.

Thumbthing allows book lovers to do one-hand reading. (Imagine the possibilities!) It's basically a thumb ring with two wings on both sides that hold the pages open when placed on the spine of the book. It comes in different sizes (and colors too) so I'm sure I'm going to get a fit for my overly large thumb.

What I like the most about this invention is that it reduces the pain on the wrist and most especially the thumb when reading in one-hand aside from preventing the spine of the book from being broken.

Did I mention that Thumbthing also serves as a bookmark? You can just place it on the topside of the spine for easy bookmarking reference.

Speaking of bookmarks, Bookmark II is a colorful rubber band (love the color orange!) from the folks of Propaganda, who brought kawaii products like Mr. P and the previously mentioned StapMan, the Pac Man-like stapler.

It has this stubby indicator arrow that points you to the last line you were reading and a "bookmark" tab to open that helps you open the part of the book you last visited. I'm not sure though if the pages might tear up whenever you "suit" this rubber band on and off the book, but I hope it doesn't.

[spotted]
[spotted]

Take Me to the Philippines - Apl.de.Ap

We need a break from all the news once in a while so we should all just marvel at this one.



Catchy song + stunning vector graphics = one proud music video for Pinoys.

You got to love Apl.de.Ap for pushing Pinoy pride. Woot!

Fight Boobie Cancer Poster

The hand-drawn typography done on the copy for this breast cancer awareness poster (and maybe a nsfw image at that) by Pink Ribbon Magazine is perky adorable. Me likey everything! (^_~)

Oh, and please support Breast Cancer Awareness Month today!

[spotted]

Combo: A Collaborative Animation

COMBO is a collaborative animation work by Blu and David Ellis. The stop motion film (which has been swooshing around the net these past few weeks) was shot for over 10 days and the end result is stunning.

[spotted]

The Night a Midget Kissed Our Arses

Ms. Arroyo, the reigning president of the Republic of the Philippine Islands, paid a brief visit to the OFWs working here in the Middle East after visiting London. I was one of the unlucky few who was given a torture an opportunity to be meet and greet the Prez once again. (I've met her a lot of times, but it's somehow different being an OFW.)

The day before the event, while getting the program details and the "restricted access" IDs (shown above) at the Carlton Hotel, the Labor Office told us not to bring cameras and phones so as to not "disturb" the ceremonies (having us Filipinos convene is, in fact, already a huge disturbance). Having strict parents, we obliged to the plight of the Labor Office and went there bearing only ourselves. And since I didn't have any means to document the chaos via camera, here are some of the highlights of what happened on September 20:

• We went to the International Philippine School in Al-Khobar (IPSA) around 4pm-ish. The place was already packed with fellow kababayans touting cameras and phones. WTH?! Being Pinoys, the motto generally adhered to by most when told not to bring anything is this: masarap ang bawal. The irony nga naman.

• We arrived at the banquet hall of the Movenpick Hotel before 6pm. The hall was huge. There were 11 seats per row and there were 20 rows per column and there are four columns all in all. Therefore, there are 880 seats in place and more were being added. There are reports telling us that there were over a thousand participants for this event.

• The food, drinks, and condiment area were placed on both side ends of the hall. I got overwhelmed with the numerous selection of viands and pastries that I returned three times just to enjoy all of them while wondering how much the Philippine government (or the taxpayers rather) paid for the lavish meals.

• PGMA arrived past 9pm-ish from her flight from London looking refreshed by the help of cosmetics. My dad strategically placed ourselves near the entrance of where Ms. Arroyo is going to initially pass by. Then the people created another path away from us where she was rumored to enter. Well, the lucky (sure?) me together with my parents, titos and titas, didn't go with the throng. PGMA did enter where we were situated and the fellow event goers went berserk and pushed their way into our places. We were slightly displaced, but still in the zone.

• People who shook hands with PGMA was so shocked because her hands were really soft, and you know what that means, right? It means she doesn't lift a finger to do household chores. I'm never ever going to vote for someone who doesn't know what it's like to do things inside the house.

• Another surprising revelation and this time it's from the katutubos who were in charged of the hotel: How come someone as small as a schoolgirl be president of a country? Ha! You tell us! I immediately went LOL upon hearing this.

• Ms. Arroyo told us that the OFWs in the Eastern Region send the most number of remittances (in both volume and amount) to the Philippines which helped the country waver the recession and that's one of the reasons why she wanted to visit us. She continued by saying that she wanted to protect us, and help those displaced OFWs go back to our country.

• After the pleasantries of her speech, PGMA elaborated that there was this article in The Economist (I can't find it anywhere, swear!) that there is like this "pageantry" where countries vie for. I think it was all about being a viable place for investment. She then told everyone that this trip will help us solidify our place in that pageant among different countries with emerging and developing economies. Economist much?

• As the trip helps the country boost its image as a viable country for investments, she spelled out that more investments mean more work and that this is beneficial to OFWs because once we go home, there's no more need daw to go out of the country to find a stable job that brings food (and much more) to the table.

• Like any other Filipino gathering, the whole event was packed with numerous song and dance numbers by children of various OFW communities and organizations. IMHO, only a few of the performances were praise-worthy while some are so ho-hum. But, Pinoys, having the sense of pakikipagkapwa, gave thunderous rounds of applause for the performers, whether they liked it or not.

• When we went out of the hall, all participants were flabbergasted with the security thrown in to the entire place. There were more men in military uniforms (the katutubos) than all the Filipinos who went to see Ms. Arroyo that night. It's unbelievable! Pinays summed the feeling in one word: Kakalurkei!

• Almost all participants, before boarding the buses, talked and said they believe that PGMA tanked a lot of money (as in limpak-limpak) for this visit to the Middle East. I just hope she gives it to the public and not end up in her and her alipores' pockets.

• The traffic on the way home was heavy but bearable. What took the most time before returning from IPSA to our respective homes is finding where we parked our vehicles outside the school grounds.

The verdict on the whole visit thing? She kissed our arses because she believes to never bite the hand that feeds you. (Then again, history proves her otherwise.) She made us wait for too long only to deliver empty promises. (I could've done more with my time, no.) More so, if you think you're nauseated with hearing PGMA's speech defect on television and radio, you have the power to see the truth. By all means, it's best for you to do other things than think you're helpless with the cringes you're going to get.

Okay, enough of the bickering because any Pinoy can go on and on ridiculing the midget. So, I'm going to let you in on an open-secret. Did you know that Ms. Arroyo is kabisote? With every meeting she has with her cabinet, she remembers facts and figures so well that they are secretly agitated and aroused at the same time. It's the only thing I truly I admire about her from the stories that were told to me during college days.

I just hope it's all true.