The Best And The Rest 203

Being on radio, we often forget that there are many people listening. So we end up sharing too much info, regret later that we gave up a little too much details.  when we were just starting, it was taboo to talk about our families, our personal beliefs, etc.  I remember we once fought because I was so upset because Delle said on air that I didn’t know how to play basketball!  Haha what a loser!  But nowadays, we have to stop ourselves from divulging too much.  We are just too willing to spill the proverbial beans.

March 2, 3009 → The Top Ten TMI Quotes – Deja Vu

1. SC- I once overheard a woman making a comment on the bite size hotdogs in a grocery store: “Ay, ang cute nung hotdog, parang pototoy ng mister ko pag namamaga.”
2. Toshimi – During biology class, when we were discussing cell division, one classmate asked: “Ma’am, pag ang sp*rm cell ba nalulon nakakabuntis?” Our teahcer answered: “Siyempre hindi!”  Our classmate sighed: “Whew, buti nalang…”
3. Skimmer – “Kayo bang mga babae umuutot din habang umiihi?”
4. Popoy – When we asked an officemate (who is married to a seaman) why she was resigning, she said: “Para gumawa ng baby. Kasi mas madalas pa niya sampahan ang barko kesa sa akin.”
5. Ralph Waldo – I was trying to call an officemate but he wasn’t answering. Finally he answered, and when I asked what took him so long, he said: “Nakabaon pa eh…”
6. Boknoi – At the office, a girl was breating her boyfriend: “Puro ka trabaho! Buti pa yang keyboard mo, napipindot mo!”
7. Sid – “Asawa ko once a week lang mag-pupu. Kaya kailangang kutsilyohin muna bago ma-flush!”
8. Dejhavu – My friend who just gave birth, was changing the diaper of her son. When I saw how well-endowed her son was, I joked: “Wow, ang laki ng pututoy!” She said: “Manang-mana sa daddy!” What made it awkward was the fact that her husband was right there with us.
9. Yñaki – My nephew blurted out after exiting the toilet: “Wow, ganun pala itsura ng roundworm!”
10. RC and Cess – While at a car service center, I saw a really nice car. So I asked the guy who was driving it: “Kotse mo?” He answered: “Hindi, kotse ng kabit ko.”
11. Astroboy – From a trannie wearing a mini-skirt: “Hindi na baleng makita ang legs, wag lang ang eggs!”
12. Echosero – During lunch, an officemate blurted out of nowhere: “Pag umiihi ba kayo, nagsi-split din into two yung wiwi niyo?”
13. Coachdanny – A friend once said: “Nagpa-wax na ko kasi nabibilaukan na boyfriend ko…”
14. Ang Manunusok – During a talk on nutrition, somebody said: “Maganda ang pineapple juice! Ang husband ko laging umiinom niyan, kaya matamis ang sp*rm niya!”
15. Edric – At a market, a woman said to her kumare: “Tignan mo yung patatas, parang ganyan ang itlog ng ister ko.” The kumare said: “Ganyan kalaki?” The woman said: “Hindi, ganyan kadumi.”
16. Potpot – When my tita got home she angrily asked my tito if he was getting her texts because he wasn’t answering. My tito said: “Oo, vibrate nga ng vibrate ang cellphone ko eh! Nakikiliti na nga ang bird ko!”
17. Maximo – When the wife said: “Hon ang taba nung tilapia!” Her husband replied: “Oo nga, sintaba nung iyo…”
18. Sandstorm – During our alumni homecoming, our classmate introduced the short guy she was with: “My little husband with a big d*ck.” (CHICO: big duck?)
19. Rod – When we asked a gym-mate why one arm was more muscular than the other, he said: “Mahilig kasi ako mag-vitamin ‘J’.”
20. Echosero – When I saw my professor whose wife just gave birth, I said: “Sir, tumataba yata tayo!” He answered: “Alangan namang si baby lang ang dumedede…”

RX Xmas Party 2009

Last night we had our RX Christmas party and it’s the best one we’ve had in a looong time, perhaps even of all time.  For some strange reason, everyone really prepared for the xmas presentation, which we usually just do for the sake of complying, with very little preparation and even less inspiration.  But this year, each team really put their hearts and minds into it, without even knowing that the others were also stepping up their game.  So the presentations, which are usually comprised of a parade of embarrassments, all turned out better than what anyone ever expected.  Even the bosses were shocked at how much everyone prepared.  The jocks were divided into two teams: Prod1 headed by Rico Robles, with Delamar, Francesca, Danielle, Gelli, and Sandy, and Prod2 headed by Christi, with Gino, Tom, Hazel, Cerah, and myself.  They had such a hard time awarding the best presentation, that for the first time, they decided to give a cash prize instead!  Our team lost, but we made it as a finalist.  Plus, for the first time in my many years in RX, I won as best male performer, ehem, ehem.  But as Jude Rocha tweeted earlier, we can’t really give details or post the more revealing photos because it involved some “cross-dressing” and “nudity”.  If there’s anything RX people know how to do is to party hard!

Plus, our bosses gave us some really nice surprises which got everyone jumping up and down for joy!  Let’s just say, everyone felt so blessed for having such a good year despite the economic crunch.  It’s been a while since we got so excited and deliriously happy, like kids who got what they wanted from Santa on Christmas morning.  So to our bosses: THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts!

It was just a feel-good night for us, something we all really needed.  Management appreciated the team, and the team appreciated the bosses.  There was a lot of love going around.  I guess I don’t say it often enough, but I love my job and I feel great that I’m part of a GREAT radio team!

P.S. The day after, we had a stick-on at Bonifacio High Street and we were all either hungover, sleep-deprived, or both, but we trooped to work, like the happy soldiers that we are.  To give you a sneak peek of our team’s performance, here’s a video @cherrythegreat took while we were monkeying around.

Against The Odds

These 2 videos really got me all affected.  Two stories of women who had to face seemingly insurmountable odds.  For one, the struggle goes on as we speak, but for the other, the road had unfortunately come to an end.

Dangerous Flu Shot?

And to think I just got my first flu shot this year!  But according to doctors I’ve spoken with, hers is a very rare condition that most regular folks like us needn’t lose sleep over.  But nevertheless, the debates rage on in the medical world about the safety/hazards of vaccination and inoculation.  Even Jenny McCarthy has made it her personal battle to rail against vaccinating infants.

The Little Mermaid

For Shiloh, unfortunately the story didn’t end with a happy ending. Just this year, she passed away.  I’ve been trying to find a copy of this film since I learned of her story.  Watching even just the trailer already breaks my heart.

The Best And The Rest 202

Old Maid was my favorite card game when I was young. I never really understood what it meant until I was much older.  The stereotypical spinster is usually described as a cranky, unpleasant, old crone who hates life and everything in it.  But in this day and age, the era of the independent women, there are those who stay unmarried by choice.  Maybe out of an objective objection to the marital set-up, to a simple lack of potential candidates.  I don’t see anything wrong with staying unmarried.  Committing to a life together with someone only works if you find the right person to do it with.  They should make the term more politically correct.  Maybe instead of old maid, we should call them, “unmarried persons”, since men grow old alone too.

February 27, 2009 → The Top Ten Signs That You’ve Become An Old Maid – Shotz

1. Langgam – Whe you find yourself praying: “Sige na Lord, kahit sino na, basta mabait…”
2. Maomao – Before you used to get a massage to relax your muscles, now you get a massage because it’s the only chance you get to have a man’s hands on your body.
3. RC and Cess – Kapag kinukupkop ka na ng kapatid mo na tumira na lang sa kanila at alagaan ang mga pamangkin mo.
4. Tonsky – If your idea of a busy weekend is Tai Chi in Luneta then taking care of your nephews after.
5. DontCurseMe – If you live with your 3 old maid aunts.
6. Lonely Seagirl – When you say, “I have a date tonight”, you actually mean you’re watching a movie with relatives.
7. No name – When you say, “my kids”, you’re referring to your potted plants.
8. Ms. Vain – Pag mahilig ka na sa ube. (CHICO: Hey! Ube happens to be my favorite ice cream flavor! Hmph.)
9. Jonathan - If you’re on the MRT and you start shouting: “Manghihipo! Manghihipo!” And when the guys says: “Hindi naman kita hinihipuan ah!” You say: “Eto naman, para nagsu-suggest lang!”
10. Eylek – If for Christmas you get the following gifts: cross stitch, rocking chair, balabal.
11. No name – Kung may nahanap kang expiry date sa poocheech mo.
12. Myuki – If you tell yourself: “Meron naman vibra mode…”
13. Maomao – If you plan for the future with only yourself in mind.
14. Abernathy – If people start asking: “Are you sure you’re not lesbian?”
15. Urduja – If you say stuff like: “I like children, as long as they’re not mine.”
16. Incognito/Lolo Ben – If you graduate from Singles For Christ, to Handmaids of the Lord.
17. Hopeless Jec – Kapag ang mga pinapa-date sa iyo ng mga kaibigan mo, kundi biyudo, hiwalay sa asawa.
18. Astroboy – When kisses from men start feeling like charity.
19. PC Konek – If the only person who tells you to, “spread ‘em”, is your OB-GYN.
20. Jockaz – Pag niyayaya ka na ng mga amiga ng nanay mo na sumali sa ballroom dancing nila.
21. Tinidor de Libro – If the beneficiaries of all your insurance policies are always your nieces and nephews.
22. Draco’s Biatch – Pag nagi-ipon ka na ng tupperware at bedsheet.
23. Javipot – You’re single but they stop calling you during the bouquet toss.
24. Gooey Kablooey – If all your dates say: “Kumusta na PO kayo…”
25. Garfield – You say stuff like: “I don’t need a man to make me happy.”
26. Loi Pogi – After a date, yung guy imbes na nagki-kiss, nagma-mano!
27. No name – If your sister gets you as her “Old Maid of Honor” on her wedding.
28. Billie – You start naming your cats the names you were reserving for your future kids.

Strange Fruit (Year 3)

I can’t believe I completely forgot the 2nd anniversary of my own blog!  Two years ago, November 25, 2007, I started my blog and what began as a simple experiment became an almost inseparable aspect of my life.  I get stressed whenever I miss a day without posting at least something.  Some days, even when I’m really pooped and just ready to collapse in bed, I find myself in front of my computer, hammering away on the keyboard, just so I get to post something.  It’s become some sort of inner sanctum, where I get to air some of my joys and yes, even my grievances, if you’ll have it.  It’s nice having this little community of people who view, who comment, who lurk, and yes, even the occasional antagonizer, who make the whole process more dynamic.  I joke a lot about how my blog was awarded “The Best Blog In The History Of Blogs Award”, but seriously, whether thousands of people visited or just a handful who’ll hear me out, I’d still do it, even for just one person who enjoys reading my posts, as much as I enjoy writing them.  Writing is much like cooking.  It’s really rewarding to know if people enjoyed what you prepared for them.

So I’m so upset that I didn’t get to post this on the day itself, November 25, 2009.  I even checked what I posted on that day and it was blank!  Sigh.  It would’ve been nice if I remembered this specific anniversary.  Oh well, I just feel like I’ve come a long way.  From bugging Karen Pamintuan (my blog guru), who patiently taught me how to put pictures and stuff, to actually knowing some html myself (naks!).

I hope I get to maintain the blog this year as conscientiously as I did last year.  I tried to target having an entire month where I got to post something, every single day, but my sked was just too hectic to succeed.  Besides, I didn’t want a month of half-baked posts just to fill up the dates, I owe you guys better than that.  Even if I have crappy posts some days, just know that it was the best I could churn out, given the circumstances.  On that note, allow me to thank everyone who’s kept this blog alive by visiting, by sending comments, by suggesting posts, sending links, posting links to my blog, suggesting it to friends, especially to those who come over regularly, some even on a daily basis.  I really thank you for fueling the inspiration to keep writing and posting and sharing whatever it is I experience under the sun.

So again, Happy 2nd Anniversary to Strange Fruit, I hope we have many stranger and more fruitful years together!

The Best And The Rest 201

Love is so different the way I see now, as I thought it would be when I was in my 20’s.  Not better, not worse, just different.  I guess the years have a way of changing your mind about things.  And I’m sure I’d see love even more differently 20 years from now, if I’m even still alive to opine about these things.  So to channel my arch-enemy, Mariah Carey, “I wanna know what love is…”

February 26, 2009 → The Top Ten Ways To Answer The Question: “When Does Love Become A Bad Thing?” – Geyp/Gracia

1. Astroboy – If your relati0nship has become like an empty decorated heart-shaped box…beautiful but hollow.
2. RC and Cess – When loving becomes synonymous with possessing.
3. Iceage – When doubt and distrust creep into the relationship.
4. Farrah/Blanko/The Wanderer – When you lose who you are, trying to be who your loved one wants you to be.
5. Echosero – When my friend found out that her boyfriend cheated on her, you know what she did? She bought him a PSP.
6. Iceage – When it reaches the point where for her, sex = shopping.
7. Leirolf – Pag binubutas mo yung condom niya para mapikot mo siya.
8. Gracia – When it messes up both your happy homes.
9. Urduja – Whe you start embroidering your name on all of his underwear.
10. Loi Pogi – Pag ang text niya sa iyo araw-araw is iisa lang: “I love you babe, pa-load naman ng 100.”
11. Jaeda – When you put your boyfriend on a pedestal as he puts you down every chance he gets.
12. Lolong Hinugot Sa Tadyang Ng Seksing Aktress – Kapag wala ka nang ginawa araw-araw kundi tumawag sa psychic hotline para itanong ang kapalaran ng relationship niyo.
13. Noodle Boy – If evertime you want sex, she asks you: “Do you have an appointment?”
14. RC and Cess – If you find yourself apologizing, even for the things you’re not guilty of, just to keep the peace.
15. Abernathy – If you THINK you love someone, instead of FEELING it.
16. Ehn Rand – If your relationship is starting to play out like a poorly-scripted soap opera.
17. Kopikoto – When she keeps asking you to prove your love to her.
18. No name – When you magnify the good things, in order to justify the hurtful things he’s done.
19. Rodel – Pag bumabaon na yung mga kalmot niya sa likod mo.
20. Loi Pogi – Pag napapadalas ang tulog niya sa kuwarto ng kuya mong bi-curious.

I’m Yours (Ukelele)

Ayayay, this is just TOO cute!  Jason Mraz, watch your back!  I swear, he can’t even talk yet, and already he can play the ukelele!  Amazing kid.  I hope Ellen watches this gets that kid on her show.  I was supposed to post something else today, but when I saw this, it was just urgent that I post this. Too cute, I tell you!

Anyway, as long as we’re into this song, here’s another version you might enjoy:

Boracay, Aklan (The Experience)

The last time I was in Boracay was years ago.  I don’t even remember when.  Because in general, because I’ve been there 4 other times, it’s not really a travel priority for us.  I believe there are just so many other wonderful places in the Philippines that we haven’t visited, so why revisit a place we’ve been to so many times before?  Plus, I prefer to go to non-crowded places.  I go to the beach, to soak in the ocean, not really to party.  But since my credit card offered a 3-day stay as part of their rewards, I couldn’t resist the offer.  This is the first time I stayed in a resort that wasn’t on the famed 4-kilometer beach.  Plus, since it was a spa resort, it had a totally different feel.

Surprisingly, I was still amazed at how beautiful the actual beach is.  Many people describe Boracay as “destroyed” or “paradise lost”.  The development I must say is really poorly planned, but the actual beach, just talking about the sand and the water, it was still stunning.

They say it’s because November isn’t really as crowded as the peak months.  But many people we spoke with said Boracay really isn’t the hot spot it used to be.  Many resorts are in the red because of low turnouts, many close to shutting down soon if the downturn doesn’t change course.  Locals attribute it to many things, the droopy economy, typhoons, swine flu, less foreigners, security issues, etc.  Many resort owners fear that the Pinoys’ honeymoon with Boracay is close to over.

But I must say, even if we went during a low season, Boracay still has 2 faces.  One moment it’s eerily empty and tranquil:

And the next it’s like Divisoria on a busy day:

I noticed Pinoy tourists don’t like the sun.  When we swam, only foreigners were in the water with us.  But the moment the sun went down, the Pinoys started swarming out from their resorts.  Don’t they want a nice tan?  Are they afraid of the damaging effects of the sun?  Will it counteract their whitening lotions?

Checking out the stores and restos that lined the beach, I hardly recognized the place.  Boracay now has Yellow Cab and Starbucks!  It’s a bit unnerving though.  Besides, my only rule when it comes to food, is that we shouldn’t eat in a restaurant that has a branch in Manila.  Unfortunately, one of my favorites, True Food, was renovating, so boo-hoo.  But we discovered D’ Talipapa, which is like dampa, and it was dee-lishus!  We had fried fish, halaan soup with kamote tops and a huge plate of my favorite, prawns!

We enjoyed our rediscovery of Boracay so much that we decided to extend a day.  We did a no-show on our flight (total waste of money), and bought new tickets for an extra day.  We booked in a real cheap resort, and extended whatever we could of what was left of our vacation.

What was really disturbing though is the current state of Station 1.  I used to stay at Cocomangas all the time.  Now, that whole area is flooded whenever it’s high tide.  The restos there had to build higher areas because the sandy part that used to not be reached by waves, are now inundated.  People had many theories.  Some say it’s proof of global warming.  Some say, all the cumulative sand that is lost through tourists bringing home bottles of sand, lost through the drain when we drag it into the showers, etc., have depleted the sand supply.  Some say a construction in another part of the island changed the shape of the shoreline, thereby changing the way the direction of the water flows, sweeping the white sand elsewhere.  Whichever the case may be, it merits further study.  It’s just not normal.  What if in 10 years the water goes even higher, reaching the resorts’ doorsteps?

I really fear for Boracay.  I really think the place in trouble.  What a shame because the beach is truly spectacular.  Even after all the abuse we’ve dumped on it, it’s still stunningly awesome.  Hopefully it’s not too late to save it, somehow.  Baby steps?  One ray of hope, I discovered one morning that a troop of teeners, numbering in the hundreds (?) went from one end of the beach to another, with sacks in hand, picking up garbage that they see.  After the kids, all wearing uniform shirts, sweep through an area, the sand is immaculately clean.  Of course by midday you’ll see it littered again with cigarette butts and plastic bottles, but at least someone’s doing something.  I don’t know if that was a one-time thing or a daily routine.

In general, I’m glad we went back to Boracay, if only to see it’s current state.  It seems to me an ecological disaster, but I must say, the beach aged gracefully, despite the unkind years.  Boracay is like a pretty woman who has a fatal disease.  You see how beautiful she is, but there’s a time bomb ticking inside of her, a disease that will eventually claim her if untreated.  Visiting left me a little sad, mainly because I’ve been to lesser known places in the Philippines that I could only describe as “paradise”, and I fear for those places turning into future Boracays, raped mercilessly by man.  I wish all the resorts in the country would be more like the Palawan resorts.  They really drill eco-tourism into the heads of visitors before they unleash them onto their shores.  They educate the tourists as much as they can without turning them off.  Some tourists are really bullheaded and will do what they want regardless of how much you implore them to shape up.  But many, just need to be enlightened, and will gladly pitch in to keep our wonders of nature in tiptop shape for future generations.

The Best And The Rest 200

I basically had 2 major yayas in my life: the good yaya, Dibe, who nurtured me for as early as I can remember, kind as Mother Earth, but had to leave when she had lung problems, and the evil yaya, Lourdes, a cross-eyed dragoness who made my later childhood life miserable.  Eventually she went on to marry some hapless dude, so I was quite happy to be rid of her.  I remember even asking my mom to choose between me or her.

February 24, 2009 → The Top Ten Signs That Your Yaya Is A Major Loser – Geyp

1. Kyle – One day our yaya said: “Ayoko na, aalis na ko!” So my mom said: “Bakit, may nagawa ba kami sa iyo na hindi mo nagustuhan?” Our yaya calmly replied: “Hindi naman po, kaya lang yung sampayan di ko na maabot, masyadong mataas.”
2. No name – My mom quizzed our new yaya: “Paano magluto ng nilagang baka?” The yaya answered: “Una…uhm…lulunurin muna yung baka…”
3. Greg/L&L – I asked our yaya to buy green peas. She came back with a tube of Colgate and said: “Wala pong grimpis, ang meron lang tutpis.”
4. No name – I asked our yaya how much a kilo of pork costs nowadays.  She answered: “Ay, ewan ate, kasi laging kalahating kilo lang ang binibili ko.”
5. KeyArena – I instructed our yaya to press my blouse. After an hour, she came back with the blouse frozen, complete with icicles. When I asked what she did, she said: “Diba sabi mo i-press?  Eh di nilagay so sa presser (freezer)!”
6. Chupachups – One time our yaya was struggling to get something on a high shelf. So I gave her a chair and said: “Eto, gamitin mo.” Annoyed, she said: “Ate, mas lalo kong di maaabot yan pag umupo ako!”
7. Puff daddy – One day I saw our yaya cooking fish. I asked: “Yaya, tuna yan?” She answered: “Kuya, hindi pa.” She thought I asked, “Luto na yan?”
8. Meatball – I asked our yaya how many LPG tanks we had. She said 2. But then I saw a third one, so I asked: “Eh ano yun?” She answered: “Basyo.”
9. BluePalito – I called up our house and our yaya answered: “Hello, sino ‘to?” So I said: “Manang, si Potpot ‘to.” She replied: “Ay sori, wala siya eh.” Sabay baba ng telepono.
10. Sayuri – While making sandwiches, our yaya was singing this to the tune of Hagibis’ song, “Katawan”: “Palaman, palaman, palaman, palaman…ooooo palaman!”
11. Janers – I asked our neighbor’s yaya what their dog’s name was, and she answered: “Francis.” Seconds later, her amo called out to her: “Yaya, ipasok mo na si Princess, paliliguan ko!”
12. SC – My mom instructed our yaya to call Malabanan to drain our poso negro. Yaya: “Sumisipsip kayo ng ebak?” Malabanan: “Opo.” Yaya: “Ano lasa?”
13. No name – Having multiple yayas, I asked when I called up the house: “Sino ‘to?” Our yaya answered: “Eh di ako!”
14. Kat – Our yaya has no letter S. “Britney Spear”, “Tom Hank”, “Backstreet Boy”, and “Wat dat?”
15. Cynch – We tasked our yaya to cook lumpiang shanghai. She did, pero sing-laki ng lumpiang sariwa.
16. No name – During a party, I instructed our yaya: “Ilabas mo yung lechon…pero may apple sa bibig ha!” She came out with the lechon…with an apple in her mouth.
17. Mu_Langot – Our yaya complained: “Hindi maganda yung sabon sa banyo. Mabango pero di bumubula.” When we checked, she was using the albatross deodorizer.
18. Botchok – When we applied for a visa to the U.S., my husband was denied but our yaya was granted one! (actually this makes her a winner, more than a loser)
19. Boknoi – Our uncle couldn’t make it to a wedding, so he was asking us: “Ano tawag dun, yung may papalit nalang sa yo?” Of course the word was “proxy”. Our yaya excitedly offered: “Alam ko yun, prosti!”
20. Boknoi – One time, a pigeon pooped on me, so told our yaya: “Pengeng toilet paper!” She answered: “Kuya, paano mo pa pupunasan ang puwet nun, eh nakalipad na!”
21. Toned26 – My mom instructed our yaya to buy a chicken, remove all the feathers, then put it in the freezer.  When my mom arrived home, she opened the freezer and found a live featherless chicken shivering inside our freezer.
22. Sephulturero – On our way out of town, my mom screamed: “Naku balik tayo, naiwan kong bukas ang kalan!” Our yaya calmly assured her: “Wag kayng mag-alala ma’am, hindi tayo masusunugan, kasi naiwan ko ring nakabukas ang gripo…”

Funny Cat Stuff

This is the cutest video EVER.  Oh my goodness, I’m getting a cuteness overload.  It’s getting me in the mood to get a another kitty cat.  I need to remind myself that I already have 3 cats (not to mention 4 dogs), so… NO. MORE. CATS.

Lordy, I was LOLing my head off watching this.  Mainly because if I’m not mistaken (which I could very well be) these are 2 males fighting for alpha position.  So it’s funny for me that they should subtitle this as a male-female couple arguing (sorry, nerd alert).  We have these “scenarios” playing out on a regular basis at our house.  My room is on the 2nd floor, so I have ringside seats whenever the males do this dominance thing.  It’s quite noisy though.  It’s quite different from say, a male-female courtship where the sounds are different.  But what do I know?  All my cats are spayed, so I don’t really see the mating thing going on.

Hehehe…I just wish the sound was better so we could appreciate just how good these boys are, even humor aside.  They’re actually very good.  Typically attributed to Gioachino Rossini, the song entitled, “Duetto buffo di due gatti”, or humorous duet for two cats, many say he didn’t actually write it.  Anyhoo, it’s really just a cute number, often sung as an encore for sopranos.