Thursday, August 28, 2008
This day in history from:
A Generation Apart
Rather than post something editorial or an opinion on marriage which I blurted out just a few hours ago, that even I found offensive (and showed how bitter I still am), I'd prefer to post this picture I got from my dad's digicam that was taken during our recent movie trip to Trinoma:
I like to call this picture the title of this blog entry. But a picture is worth a thousand words, as the saying goes. Click on the picture to appreciate it full size. I most certainly did.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
This day in history from:
Who are you kidding?
I feel really sick reading all the "justifications" for the dismal performance of the Philippines in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
"Lack of funds" my foot!
I'm pretty sure there are some countries there (like Afghanistan) that are worse off (they have a war going on there, remember?) that got a medal during the Olympics.
So who are your kidding?
Only yourselves. And your lust for junkets.
(By the way, my dad suggested that we just pool all our money for sports and give it to Michael Phelps to become a Filipino. That's the most cost-effective way we can go to get a medal at last.)
I got addicted to the Civilization series when I was in fourth year law school, with the first of the series for Windows 3.1. I remember starting the game at 8:00 p.m. after I come home from school. Then I got surprised the was already shining when the game ended.
It's that addictive.
I even credit that game for ruining my dean's list streak, because my grades really suffered that first semester.
The game play for this incarnation for the PS3 has the same addictive elements: turn-based strategy (as opposed to real-time strategy games like Starcraft series), technology-based progress (and not resources-based). It's like a chess game. Only longer.
The graphics and the eye candy are, of course, top notch, especially of you compare ithemto the first one to which I was addicted. But what I missed in the PS3 version was the "Let me play a few more turns," feature which made the original (as well as the PC versions) very addictive. In this console version, you have to start a new game when you achieve any type of victory.
Surprisingly, the controls were very good. They managed to pull this one off, without the need for the mouse. Also, I'm greatly satisfied in the way they construct roads. Good thing this does not take too much time.
But all things considered, it's a good game. I'd recommend it to you if you like this kind of game.
In another front, Bea and I watched "Star Wars: Clone Wars" today. I did not like it much since it can't contribute much to a story line that has already been completed. So it was no surprise that this appeared to be a side story.
Of course with the free movies privilege, I'm going to get addicted to watching movies soon enough...
My mom had a hairdresser's appointment but since we only have one car right now, we (by that the three of us and the nanny) took her there. Bea also had a trim so we spent some time there chatting.
Then off to lunch together with law school friends and our families over at Trinoma. We spent a long time chatting about the days we were together and also our present and future concerns and we broke off near 4:00 p.m. I did not enjoy the food and ate only a little because of an upset stomach. Drat!
Finally, my niece and first goddaughter Merphi finally played violin in my choir. I had to break off our lunch together with my friends so I can help her practice the songs.
Choir went well and it was the first (and not the last) time Merphi and I will play together.
And I think I have recovered from my stomach disorder already.
All is well. And I'm very grateful for all the togetherness yesterday and I'm looking forward to more togetherness in the future.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
This day in history from:
New Projects
Apart from a hearing I had in the morning, the main focus yesterday was, of course the weather.
I had an inkling that the weather would become worse really early in the morning. At around 5:00 a.m., there was a gust of wind, then followed by pouring rain. It eased up a bit an hour later, when we left for Bea's school. But then, it picked up again as I returned home.
My hearing went well and finished just in time for me to pick up Nico from his school. But by that time, further classes were already suspended.
I even had time to watch another reason why our Philippine sports officials should just hide out and seek illegal employment in Beijing. But I knew the results early because the official Olympic website offered advanced and live results.
Anyway, I reported to the office and we discussed our next project: our big move to our new office. If it all plays out, we will have an office we can be proud of.
And speaking of projects, our chamber group will embark on a new, ambitious project. We're gunning for "Air on a G string" by Bach. People are familiar with how this goes. I scrounged around in YouTube and there a lot of examples, but this is one of the most faithful, because the violinist actually plays the piece on only the violin's G string, if you will notice. Kyung-Wha Chung plays violin with Itamar Golan as an encore to the concert celebrating the 30th anniversary of her own international debut in 1997:
I don't know if one of our violinist will undertake to play the piece like this, but there's one thing I know: we don't have a cellist yet to pull this off...
I've had Scarlett, my trusty MacBook (ICD 2.0 GHz) for almost two years now.
And it was the one of the best investments I ever had. Let's just say that as of now, she has paid for herself more than ten times over.
I'm so grateful for that, to that point I have made a lot of upgrades to her over time. I've upgraded her memory from her original 512 Mb to 1Gb then to 2Gb and I still have the working RAM modules with me. I've also upgraded her hard drive from her original 60Gb to 120Gb. I almost upgraded her again recently to 250Gb, but I missed the drive during the Ynzal Red Tag sale. And finally, I upgraded her OS from her original 10.4 Tiger to 10.5 Leopard.
But I feel time has run her course and it's the beginning of her end.
She's starting to not shut down properly. I get stuck with the wallpaper and I have to manually shut her down by pressing the power button.
I know it's a minor thing but knowing computers for about three-fourths of my life, I know that these minor problems will begin to snowball. And this early, I have to think about her replacement already.
I have been set on acquiring a MacBook Pro as a logical upgrade to Scarlett. And that's what I'll probably buy to replace her.
But don't worry, I won't sell off Scarlett unless I really, really have to. She has served me so well she deserves my loyalty at the very least and I will keep her until she still works. She will just be relegated to the background once her replacement is here. And this replacement will not come immediately, of course. I'm still reeling from acquiring my new flute. But again, I must already think of her replacement this early. Bea will probably be the beneficiary of this future switch.
Also, I already picked out a future name for this new computer more than a few months ago. But I'm going to disclose that name once she's already here.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
This day in history from:
Working (and Playing) Holiday
Yesterday was supposed to be a holiday for people who lived (and worked) in Quezon City.
But not for me.
I had to report to the office for some administrative matters, but primarily to prepare for a hearing I will have today. It's still that big case I was talking about for this year. And the work there may not stop until the end of the year.
But before that, I played for a funeral mass for the husband of a choirmate. I don't know if I have mentioned this but the members of my primary choir are all old enough to be my parents. Actually, all of them are friends of my parents and my mom and dad should be the members of the choir (and not me). I'm a member of that choir by proxy (or in their place).
Anyway, it has been a long time since I played in a funeral mass. I almost played in one last February for the dear friend we lost to leukemia, but my guitarist stood me up, but that's beside the point.
There is something about a funeral mass that inspires me to play better. It's probably the emotional connection the choir and the songs can have with those left behind. We chose uplifting songs that dealt with resurrection.
This funeral mass let me discover a new capability of my flute and my developing flute skills. I'm beginning to add expression to my flute playing. This is more than the ability fluctuate the volume of the flute. I mean actual emotion into the playing. And I'm excited I beginning to develop this.
And of course, this showed because we wanted to play (and sing) well to comfort our choirmate and her family somehow. And I truly hope we did.
And it was all downhill from there after that mass.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
This day in history from:
Jealous
I put this video of Nina's "Jealous" because of two things:
1. Even if Nina has been exposed to death these past few years, I still think this is an excellent song and she, and excellent and soulful singer, back when she was still starting out (before she became a Regine Velasquez wannabe). Now, I think Juris of MYMP is the better singer because she has perfect diction and pronunciation. I can actually understand the lyrics of what she is singing (unlike other singers, actually most of them, who mumble their words, sacrificing clarity with "vocal gymnastics")
2. I'm sincerely feeling jealous right now. No, I'm not in a relationship (like some people who wish I was in, with anybody). I'm feeling jealous of Pakistan right now. You know the reason.
Anyway, getting ready to play at a funeral mass this morning. Then off to work.
Jealous of the girl who caught your eye One of my darker days When you looked at her where was I? Shoulda been in her place Here I am All alone imagining what might have been What could have been If I had been there
[Chorus:] Jealous of the one who'se arms are around you If she's keeping you satisfied Jealous of the one who finally found you Made your sun and your stars collide La la la la la la la She's a very very lucky girl La la la la la la la
Jealous of the one who won your heart They say it's a perfect match She's gonna get to be where you are And I don't get better than that She'll say you're fine Whisper words I wish were mine And they might have been If I had been there
[Repeat Chorus]
You know I'd fight the good fight If I thought I'd change your mind But if she makes you happy I would leave that dream behind Man, she better treat you right And give you everything Cause at the moment she doesn't I'll be waiting in the wings
We could blame the insurgents themselves for actually attacking civilians.
We could blame our soldiers for not defending us hard enough.
We could blame our leaders, both military and civilian, for their hidden agendas in the present peace and order (or even belligerent) situation we have right now.
But all the blame falls on us. Because we allowed such leaders with hidden agendas to lead us.
If you have been reading my previous personal posts, you know I have been practicing a small number called "Intermezzo" from Cavalleria Rusticana by Pietro Mascagni to build up my skills on my new flute.
It seems to be a simple piece (with some tricky measures). But this video of the Evergreen Symphony Orchestra (under the baton of Lim Kek-tjiang) playing that piece reinforced the truth that the most simple is the most beautiful:
Pietro Mascagni: "Intermezzo" from Cavalleria Rusticana Lim Kek-tjiang conducts Evergreen Symphony Orchestra
Enjoy the rest of your long weekend (or long, long weekend, if you live in the city where I live).
Because of the holiday economics policy of the present government, we will have a long weekend.
And if you work where I am, that long weekend gets extended by a day.
I plan to spend it judiciously. Sleep will be a priority but I would like to spend a lot of time with my kids. That's because I have been suffering from what I suspect to be gout and it has been bugging me these past three days.
Of course, there will be my chamber session tomorrow morning and an extended choir practice and service tomorrow.
And hopefully, I can avail of my free movie privilege during the long weekend.
So if you are similarly situated, enjoy this long weekend. But spend it wisely.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
This day in history from:
Service Contracts
Over the course of the "discussions" in the "Iskolar ng Bayan" issue, there was a comment that caught my eye. And according to Twitterland, Jester's interest was likewise piqued by this comment:
Just out of curiosity, aren't graduates of UP subject to service contracts (meaning, they have to serve in the government a certain number of years for every year they are in UP)?
If they are not, then they should be.
The concept of service contracts is not new.
I was offered a full scholarship for the Geodetic Engineering course in the University of the Philippines, Diliman Campus myself. The catch was a service contract, meaning, I had to serve two years in government for every year I availed of the scholarship, as far I can remember. Otherwise, I had to pay back the tuition I availed of in full.
AFAIK, I think admission to the Philippine Science High School is under the condition that the PSHS graduate will pursue a science-related degree in college, if anyone can confirm this. That could be considered a service contract, in a sense.
This service contract is likewise the condition for government employees who wish to study abroad for graduate studies, even if the scholarship came from somewhere else. They had to serve a fixed amount of years for every year they studied. But this is because the study leave it entails is a paid leave, meaning, the government employee studying abroad will still collect his/her salary while he/she is away.
That comment raises a valid issue that can be ripe for debate and discussion:
Should UP (or any other state university) graduates be subject to a service contract as a condition for admission henceforth?
Just to get the ball rolling, let me discuss the pros and cons.
On the one hand, it will ensure that the State will benefit from the education it has subsidized for talented students. Likewise, people will say this is only fair for the State which has allocated resources for selected students. Also (especially in the case of UP), it will "weed out" those who can actually afford to pay their way for a good education, because a government stint (with its low salaries) is supposedly a natural "turn-off" for these people.
On the other hand, and as the discussion over there suggests, graduates of state universities should not be subjected to service contracts because it is the State's obligation to provide all people education in the first place. It's supposed to be free in the first place, so the availment of state-subsidized education should be unconditional.
This issue, I think, is a better issue that could be discussed intelligently and objectively.
Got really frustrated (disgusted is the more accurate word but it's harsher, I know) watching our lone boxer in the Olympics lose in the first round of his medal quest.
If that's the best we got, I suggest we don't field a team anywhere anymore and just abandon our sports program. It's just a waste of time and energy that could be diverted to more basic needs of the country.
If it's not our lack of ability, it's the inefficiency of our programs. I don't know but I guess in our contingent to the Olympics, sports officials (and their companions) outnumber actual athletes by at least two to one.
And if it's not either, it will be poor officiating against us. And as docile people, they know we won't complain about it for the sake of smooth personal relations.
If we do have to compete, it better be in sports that we are good at. I suggest we come back to the Olympics when bowling and billiards become Olympic sports. Those two, we are good at. And they cannot be influenced by poor officiating.
So that opening ceremony showcased everything that is China. It even showcased is propensity for pirated things. Even the fireworks and singers are pirated.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
This day in history from:
Clearer
Now it's all becoming clearer to me now:
1. Stir up trouble in Mindanao by placing a warrior to negotiate peace there (which makes him totally unqualified for the job).
2. Negotiate peace with paper promises that do not carry any weight.
3. This, in turn, will cause more unrest and all parties will feel they were all had.
4. With emotions stirred and heated, the parties will be in the brink of, if not already in full scale conflict.
5. Then, at the right time, suggest federalism and the step needed to achieve it, namely a constitutional change.
6. With the constitutional change for federalism already on the table, other amendments such as the form of government (from presidential to parliamentary) and deal with that pesky term limits barrier once and for all.
Oh, now I get it!
Does not take a genius to figure that one out.
The only problem is, ordinary Filipinos will pay for that grand master plan with their blood...
This plan has been described as "sinister" by some. I tend to agree.
I had somewhat of a reprieve today from my car-less days.
I actually had the car on some of my errands.
But tomorrow will be different. My dad is bringing the remaining car out of town early morning for the whole day. So I'm deciding on whether I should stay at home and work from here or go out and just commute.
I guess I'll find out tomorrow, as I brought a lot of stuff home with me tonight.
So we had our partner's meeting today and our move in December is already settled. It's just a matter of making an offer to the owner of the space we intend to rent and raise enough money for the deposits and the interior decoration.
Other than that, nothing much happened today.
Oh, except I got my MTRCB deputy ID today (Yay! Free movies!). That gives me the capacity to date again, if (and only if) I want to.
I took the car yesterday to the shop for some much needed repairs.
The front and rear bumpers have to be repaired and/or replaced because of the mishap I had with it last February. And yes, it took all that time to get the insurance paperwork done and I just put the car in just yesterday.
Also, the doors were showing signs of rust, too early for a two-year old car. But that's covered by warranty.
The service crew promised me a 15 day return on the bumper repairs.
Unfortunately, the repair and/or replacement of the doors will take about a month.
So how will I survive a month with one car less than usual and my dad using the other car more often? Tune in to further posts.
As a matter of fact, I have been experiencing being car-less for the past two days. I had to commute come from some point in the city from Tagaytay because I did not make arrangements (on purpose) to be picked up from my government consultancy.
And of course, I had to commute home from the car shop when I took the car in.
Mind you, this is a familiar experience. I had been commuting during my school days and I only started driving extensively when I started to work.
There is a feeling of freedom in commuting that I don't get when I have a car. I don't have to worry about the car and all the hassles that go with it, from the parking to the fear of getting towed, scratched, bumped into or worse...
The only problem I have with commuting at present is the current levels of pollution. And I find myself more fatigued when I get back home. But that could be a blessing since that would be less sedentary than having a car. I get to walk a lot more.
Anyway, I got back yesterday in time for choir as I used this new-found freedom to move around the city on some "errands" after I left the car on the shop. It was then that I appreciated "not" having the car.
Choir went well. Nothing significant or spectacular, though.
For today, Bea's egging me to go to the mall. I want to oblige since it was the end of her periodicals and she needed the break. But there may be a problem. My dad will use the other car today.
Perhaps Bea is up to commuting today as well? She might as well learn how to this early.
In case you are wondering why there was no post yesterday, I went up to Tagaytay City yesterday from a mandatory "values formation" seminar in my government consultancy.
I came in late simply because I had a hearing that morning.
And I did not bring a computer to the venue.
It was an interesting seminar. I thought it will be a recollection or a semi-retreat, which may be offensive to non-Catholics in the office (and most certainly unconstitutional).
But surprisingly, it was very interesting. And very helpful. It was a chance to recharge, reflect and refocus.
But I played selfish there because I did not really contribute and just absorbed what everyone had to say.
I just got back home from it right now. The only problem I had was the accommodation. I particularly got a soggy bed and I could not find a good sleeping position.
Hence, I'm tired and sleepy as of now. And I'll miss my lawyers meeting today. Hopefully I can still join them through teleconferencing. But as my partner said, you cannot send a been through the internet.
Does not matter anyway. I'm that tired and sleepy.
I have to go, I have to tutor Bea in her math periodical exam later.
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
This day in history from:
UP Spat and Spelling...
For today, let me direct you to a hot (and I mean this in all senses) blog entry from Pierre, aka "The Guy with the Floppy Hat," or "The Jester In Exile" and the subsequent comments that come after it.
The original blog entry that sparked this already has more than 100 comments, some of them very vicious.
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
This day in history from:
Kids' Update
I'm sorry, I've been so engaged in my work that I forgot to keep an update on how my kids are doing.
Bea is already in the thick of Grade 4 as she turned ten last April. She's growing up pretty fast and pretty soon, she'll be an adolescent. To think, in two years, she will be in Grade 6, in three, in high school.
Nico's going to turn five in October. He's on his second year attending pre-school and I'm in the middle of applying for admission in the big Catholic schools in the area. He'll have his admission test in 23 September 2008 in Ateneo and I'm going to make inquiries in Claret School soon. If we move to the Ortigas area, I may consider having Nico attend the nearby schools, like Lourdes School (my grade school alma mater). Knowing me, La Salle will be a long shot, as in close to nil.
Whew! Time moves so fast. Pretty soon, my kids will all be grown up.
The worst is over for one of the busiest two-week periods I had this year.
The most crucial day was Monday. And all went well. Too well, if you ask me. But we'll take it. A win as a win, as people say.
While we have ditched our hopes of transferring to Tektite, we found a suitable replacement nearby. It has a fantastic view all around and enough room for expanding our firm.
And now, to raise funds for the transfer...
I'm not worried, though. If we are grateful we found a suitable replacement for our Tektite dream, know and visualize we will transfer to our new office and expect and feel good about it, it will surely come.
I can't wait to blog about this in my other blog when we are already there...
Grace Padaca, from the Philippines, for Government Service. She is being recognized for "her empowering voters in the Philippines' Isabela province to reclaim their democratic right to elect leaders of their own choosing, and to contribute as full partners in their own development."
As she pursues her ambitious agenda today, Governor Grace stays in close touch with her constituents. She challenges them to reach beyond their political comfort zones and to "defend what is good in society." She reminds them that the people of Isabela are no longer "the victims of cheaters and opportunists." Her victory is their victory, she says. "I will work everyday to prove that democracy is the better choice."
In electing Grace Padaca to receive the 2008 Ramon Magsaysay Award for Government Service, the board of trustees recognizes her empowering voters in the Philippines' Isabela Province to reclaim their democratic right to elect leaders of their own choosing and to contribute as full partners in their own development.
PRAYER FOR GENEROSITY
Lord Jesus,
Teach me to be generous,
Teach me to serve You as You deserve
To give and not to count the cost,
To fight and not to heed the wounds,
To toil and not to seek for rest,
To labor and not to ask for reward,
except that of knowing
That I do Your Holy Will. Amen
THE LAWYER'S PRAYER
May every word I speak be from Your Truth...
I ask come from Your Wisdom...
May every case I handle receive Your Guidance...
May every heart, every life I touch, feel Your Love.
THE JABEZ PRAYER
And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying,
"Oh, that You would bless me indeed,
and enlarge my territory,
that Your Hand be with me,
that You would keep me from evil,
that I may not cause pain."
So God granted him what he requested.
Side Oath
The Lawyer's Oath
I do solemnly swear that
I will maintain allegiance to
the Republic of the Philippines,
I will support its Constitution
and obey the laws as well as
the legal orders of the
duly constituted authorities therein;
I will do no falsehood,
nor consent to the doing of any in court;
I will not wittingly or willingly
promote or sue any groundless,
false or unlawful suit,
nor give aid nor consent to the same;
I will delay no man for money or malice,
and will conduct myself as a lawyer
according to the best of my knowledge
and discretion with all good fidelity
as well to the courts as to my clients;
and I impose upon myself this voluntary obligation
without any mental reservation
or purpose of evasion. So help me God.
