I'm A Star

Leaving this here. I hope I could have the video's copy soon. :)

On Jessica and "Proud To Be Pinoy"

It is just quite pathetic that -most- Filipinos just seem to leech on the success of others even if they have the tiniest speck of actually being Filipino. 


Jasmine Trias, Thia Megia.. those women who are remotely even Filipino nationals are suddenly elevated to women "Pinoys" could associate with.


Indeed, they could be proud, and we could admire. But to be actually proud of them - there's something quite off. Perhaps the word "proud" should be looked into before being used in instances like these. Being proud is used to imply being happy, or being highly honored for having something you own recognized. Filipinos do not own Jessica. Philippines doesn't own her either. 


The line "Proud to be pinoy" is just quite absurd as being Filipino is "given". It is what a person born in the Philippines, or born from parents with a Filipino nationality is. Citizenship is determined by either jus solis or jus sanguinis. It is an occurrence. Being a Filipino is not a privilege. It's not even an achievement.


Jessica's talent is something to be renowned. She's really good. But actually associating Jessica's amazing singing skills to her being a "Pinoy" is just wrong.


It's not in the nationality, it's in the skill and discipline.


Things like these turn the Filipino's mind to somewhere else. Instead of focusing on REAL national or international achievement such as clean politics, good governance, rocket science, invention of nuclear power in the PH, an economic breakthrough, etc., most "youths" focus on pop stars, celebrities, all the good non-significant things. 


Psychologically, perhaps (most) of our youth who find no achievement in their real lives look for something to associate with to get a boost in self-esteem. Now, having a (somehow) Filipino come out worldwide is a thing to own, a thing to claim, a personal ideal to imitate and affiliate with. It's the "damay-damay" principle aka, the success of others is your success even if you did nothing to ensure it. One goes up, you follow, and feel better yourself. 


Currently, our political governance is not something to be proud of. Healthcare for women is something to be ashamed of. Our country's Religious hierarchy is laughable and although we're quite getting better in our Police services and Economic picture, we're still incompetent as compared to our neighboring countries. 
I just think we should focus on those to be REALLY proud of what we, as Filipino people, could be capable of.


Just my two cents.

Commuting Joyce - 1

It's been more than a month since I was assigned in the mid-shift schedule. I really don't feel the change though, as even before, I really do extend hours at work. And yes, it is a bad habit- but I just want to finish everything~

Before I veer away, the mid-shift schedule has given me better waking moments - it's not morning! I absolutely abhor the 7 AM to 11 AM rush hour.

My bus and train moments have been more interesting as of late. So before I forget any of these, let me share it with you.

Let's start with the most recent encounter - that would be a couple of hours ago.

~

******* is a dead zone. I can't ride a bus going to *****, and any other generic bus is hard to find specially if it is past 1 AM. It is as if they just disappear, or bus drivers just don't want to bother to accommodate two or three passengers who usually wait there.

So, I rode to ******, hoping I could pick up another bus from there. It has been thirty minutes and none arrived. Yes, there were plenty, but it's not the one I needed. Then, I heard someone say they are just going to take a cab and share - it's not new to me. I casually invite other commuters to share a cab with me just to divide the costs if circumstances are dire.

Then and there, the dude asked me if I am from ***, my former University. Surprised, I said, yes, I am. He said I looked familiar - and surprisingly, he did to. So I asked him what section he belonged to. He said he was from a scattered group but -- then all of a sudden, the bus I needed arrived.

There was a great rush of boarding people, young, old, male, female, half-and-half... and the conversation stopped there.

Around thirty more minutes, my stop came and I had to board down. It was his stop as well, and co-incidentally, we rode the same jeep. Funny thing happened.

"Miss, di ba ikaw yung nagbabanda dati? Yung nag-Evanescence sa Psych GA?"
(Miss, did you play in a band before? The one who sang Evanescence songs during the Psych meet?)

I admitted to it. It's quite funny that I got remembered that way. Looking back, perhaps, I did make an impression.

"Di mo ako pinapakopya dati sa Humanities eh."
(You don't let me copy your test answers in Humanities.)

I can't remember his name. I don't do names. Not with strangers, or people I vaguely remember.

We share a few small talks, until I reached my last stop. He asked for my name, just so he could further remember - but I said I really don't do names. He gave his anyway - sadly, I really, really, do not recall.

Well, back then, I looked like... this:

*shrugs*

I had a good time, I guess.

Human Relation(ships)

This post came from a passing thought during a light-hearted discussion I had with my UP SOLAIR Classmates. We just can't resist making fun of the terms we frequently use at work... and in relationships.

Here are some:

Sourcing- Determination to find a potential mate. This could be done via referral, headhunting, online portals, or word of mouth.

Shortlisting - Screening for the best "candidates" based on your personal preferences, wants and needs.

Recruiter- A friend / mutual connection who helps you with "sourcing"

Pirating - Being a 3rd Party, being your own headhunter

Headhunter - A friend / connection who matches you with a person who is currently in a (complicated) relationship.

Applicant - Suitor

Referral - Not a suitor, but also a single individual who is open to "opportunities"

Interview - Once a target is spotted, a face-to-face encounter to evaluate possibilities is made. This is also more commonly known as a "date". This usually has three levels - initial, departmental (getting buy in of friends / family, if applicable) & final.

Final Interview - As per TBB, on the third date, at least, you would need to decide if you would want to keep seeing each other ( Pre-Employment Requirements) or you would like to grab it (Hiring)

Job Offer - Regardless of you seal the deal or continue testing, you lay down the offer including the terms and conditions of employment, disclaimers, etc. At this point, the said "applicant" / "Candidate" or "referral" could still refuse - and you could haggle. If the applicant would still refuse... go back to sourcing.

Contract signing - Sealing the deal. As in truly sealing it. In short, it's time to change your status from Single to In A Relationship.

Probationary Period - Months or days before you raise the white flag or in Wolowitz' and Stinson's terms, "sacking it".

Regular - Enjoying the full benefits... *Insert If You Know What I Mean meme*

Performance Appraisal - Evaluation on how things went, usually during monthsarries, anniversaries, or every time the employer & employee ponder on how things have been.

Performance Bonus - That special anniversary/monthsarry thrill. Could be applicable every month (Commission-based). Or everyday, if possible.

Organizational Development - In line with  "Change Management", the pair should start improving on strategies & ways to preserve the relationship due to an upcoming change or due to its tenure.

Policies & Procedures - Relationship Basics - no infidelity, all-truth basis, what's yours is mine, transparency & clear communication, no conflicts in interest, and the likes.

Non-Disclosure - A special agreement (usually broken by women!) wherein you make sure that you don't talk about your fights/ intimate moments with others so they won't have an eye on your private window.

Progressive Discipline- The "talk" and "game plan" which happens every other (repeated) fight happens. This serves as a recurrent review in the event that the Policies & Procedures are being taken for granted. May impact Performance Bonus.

Warning - obviously...  don't wait for the nth strike.

Suspension - Cool off.

Termination - Break Up initiated by only one side.

Resignation - Mutual break up / Gwen Stefani's "Cool"would be a great soundtrack.

Counter Offer - In cases of "I'd just go and find myself" or "Pirating" (3rd party) issues, this will be the last resort.

Exit Interview - The "Break Up Talk" wherein both will discover what lacked, what went wrong, and who to blame (lol).  Also the final Evaluation - usually irrevocable, but at times, followed by a nasty bout of bitterness and rage.

Clearance Process - Both parties are required to return things that were given, if it is in their agreement based on the Exit Interview.

AWOL - In verbatim, Iniwan ka na, ninakawan/tinakasan ka pa.

Rehire - Ex, who became your gf/bf again.

Other terms:

Contractual - Short-term Relationships which expire every 5 months or less wherein no sure agreement of renewal exists and benefits are limited.

Seasonal - Date every valentine's day only. Or every time there's an upcoming movie. Those people you get when you need to present someone in a party which requires you to bring a +1.

Boss - The woman, obviously.

Tenure - Long term relationship, going to engagement - or even marriage.

Retirement - When you can't perform all functions, but still get benefits due to long term service. This includes sitting together and just cuddling while letting your dentures soak. Early retirement may be at around 45, while regular retirement starts at 60. If you know what we mean.

--

And with this, I would like to give a shout-out to some of my Classmates - Anne Richily Ticyado Sampaga, Clark Dizon, John Yang, Maine Ocampo, Regine Tan, and of course ate Candice Sumandrino, for the fun times. I (will, and really do) miss you all.

Pondering on Scott Pilgrim

It is more than just a movie based on a graphic novel revolving around games, booze, and rock and roll.

Scott Pilgrim teaches its viewers that the past, no matter how non-excusable nor inescapable, could be conquered.

It shows us that sometimes, we have to die inside, for us to live again.

It points out that vegans aren’t superior at all.

And no matter how many times you change yourself, if it is not from the heart, it is nothing.

It explains the importance of an honest love. That love, at its most bizarre and unkempt state, could still be a beautiful experience. But love is not always enough.

Scott Pilgrim educates us about the power of self-respect. That above all, above anything else, it is of utmost importance.

He learned it the hard way, but he went through it and won his battles.

We all learn it the hard way at times. Many people, even the ones we love, will not respect us and will deny us. But we should never - ever- lose respect for ourselves. Save something for your pride. Save something for your dignity. Even a bit will do.

It is our HP.  It is our weapon. It is our shield. It must not be taken away.

Without it, we all die in the end. 

Automatic Writing - Google Asked Me : What Was Your Experience with Envelopes?

As a child of about eight, I was able to smuggle a few international stamps from my mother's office table. Those were neatly cut stamps, from which country, I forgot.

I knew what stamps are for. I knew where they came from and where they are supposed to go. And so, as a kid, I wrote my first letter filled with  wishes and candies and rainbow poops and many more.

He would like it, I thought, as the stamps are quite rare - or so I imagined. He would read it, I hoped, as I plan to stealthily place it inside his stroller bag, or perhaps, inside his lunchbox. He would NOT know that it was  from me. In that letter, I intend to tell him that I love the way he smells - like grass, like moist ground after a fresh, calming rain... I'd tell him I like the way he speaks. It is as if he knows what to say.

And so I continued scribbling, over and over, though I am sure more than half of it wouldn't make any sense. Grabbing the nearest unused envelope I could find, I tucked in the letter, feeling hopeful. Beaming happily. I licked the entire length of the flap -- mm, it tastes good --  licked, until my tongue went dry, licked, until perhaps paper cuts started to incise me. Yet I felt lucky. I am overjoyed.

It felt overwhelming, knowing, that you would have your first love letter sent. It is beyond explainable...

I ran out of spit. Only globs of blood came out of my mouth. I tried to lick for the last time, yet a sharp pain seemingly sliced me, in half, in fourths, in eighths.

The stamp went on last. I know it used to be green, and yellow, and perhaps a tad of blue was there... but all I could see now is red. Though red has a lot of degrees. Hot red. Dark red. Brownish-red. Copper... Red Orange... It was beautiful. And at this very time, I dare say, it is still very beautiful.

The stamp won't stick. The envelope won't dry. The letter got stained, and I have nothing left but hopes, and warm happy heart filled with pouring thoughts. The bleeding won't stop so I had to gobble it. It tasted weird, yet it felt really, really warm as it slid down my throat.

This is what puppy love tastes like.


It is... vivifying!