Monday gone awry

Laughter filled Monday morning gone awry.

Carlos and I were doing our regular morning leisurely walks just an hour ago. We do that whenever I have no work and since I am on VL tonight, I am still here in Batangas. Carlos loves to walk; he makes sure he holds my hand while walking and to say “tabi” when there’s a vehicle coming on towards us.

So our last stop was the chapel near our place. He loves to walk there while staring at the flowers and relishing the greetings of our neighbors.

So while I’m letting him roam around it happened. He rushed towards me and just inches away from my hands he tripped.

Hot concrete scratched his plump cheeks; blood trickled down from now dusty upper lip. He looks at me and cried.

Immediately I picked him up and wiped the dust in his face, boy was I terrified he may have damaged his teeth or tongue or whatever it is that can be damaged in his mouth. It’s heart rending seeing your son bloodied and screaming in pain.

After damping a cold wet towel on his wounds (it’s not that serious naman pala but one of his front tooth looked slightly out of place or I just didn’t notice that one before) he won’t look at me. I was feeling a little guilty I wasn’t able to catch him when he fell. A split second and it could have been avoided.

So while he’s being attended to by his grandparents, still screaming and crying (incessantly saying “‘di na, ‘di na” I had a sudden epiphany.

What I can do to prevent my son from experiencing unnecessary pain? How can I protect him from what’s out there? Will he grow unscathed or like me, bruised and scarred but turned out alright (meaning I’m quite ok, just an average working Filipino, whatever that means).

And the answer is a big NO. I won’t be able to do that. I won’t be able to spend all the time guarding him. And should I do that, he won’t turn out like me. He may turn into a weakling, always needing help from the people around him.

So while I was thinking those thoughts and my 20 month old son, who seemed to have forgotten the episode and now gleefully looked forward going with his grandparents downtown for a ride, I was thinking what I should have thought first before those questions.

How will I explain this to my wife tonight?

That should be my thought provoking question right?

FrancisM: Icon

His  Happy Battle is Over. 

At 12 noon yesterday iconic multimedia artist, aka Man from Manila and Master Rapper Francis Magalona passed away. I wasn’t able to hear the statement from Vic Sotto during Eat Bulaga but I received an sms informing me about the terrible news. 

It was shocking. 

I remembered everybody then became a fan of FrancisM when he released his groundbreaking album YO!. When he incorporated rock into his rap style many rock poseurs who don’t know any better criticized him. Remember the hiphop vs metal stage? Hell most of the rockers then thought punk, grunge and anything loud is “Metal” while those who thought they are into hiphop assumed everybody who dances and can do the acrobatic moves of the UMD and Street Boys is hiphop. God forgive their souls. 

Anyway when he released Freeman and jammed with Eraserheads on Superproxy did he cross seamlessly over mainstream rock. Some close minded people thought it was a rip off of Beastie Boys and Rage Against The Machine; they never imagined music is supposed to evolve, that music is universal and will always adapt. 

But his true legacy is that he helped transcend rap and hiphop music from novelty and gangsta staple to something serious. His themes were all about nationalism, racial pride, and love of the country. His songs about the youth, environment, and politics are all social commentaries that elevated him from mere filipino musician to a Filipino poet, a modern day troubadour and hero. 

Francis Magalona is a true Filipino icon. I won’t be surprised if he will be inducted at next years NU Rock Awards. 

His Happy Battle may have been over but wherever he is I’m sure he’s there jamming, a beer in his hand.

Dadi!!!

Yeah, the title is my favorite greeting I hear every weekends. Carlos and I only get to be with each other during these days so I make sure each hour together is spent well (like sleeping)

Weekend mornings are for leisurely walks and counting trucks that go in and out of the Chevron Depot near our place (Carlos goes crazy whenever he sees big vehicles). These walks also serves as exchanging pleasantries with the neighbors (Carlos is very sociable even though he hasn’t mastered any language yet besides autobabygibberishtalk).

Aside from Mami, Dadi, Mama, and Tatay, I have listed some of the words Carlos has the pleasure of destructuring every now and then:

Pensing  (Pencil)

Shoosh (Shoes)

Seshi (Sexy)

Jabi (Jollibee)

Bam (Bad)

Babas (Labas)

Piko (Coffee)

Tay (Patay)

Dina (Hindi Na)

Diko (Ayoko)

Joosh (Juice)

Bau (Baho)

Pooshang (Pusyam, a sabungero term) 

And so it goes, usually he can make the last syllable of the words he hears. And true to all kids of today’s generation, Carlos also came to be under influence of the mighty Jollibee empire (he sleeps with his Jollibee stuffed toy). 

Only if I can spend more time with him, but that won’t happen anytime soon; unless I win that goddamn super lotto draw tonight. 

postscript:

Lis finally got her PRC ID after 10 months. Goody.

Man Rules (continuation)

So there are more on the list to what Maxim has initially done, apparently there are more rules to what was previously covered. Now I’m not sure who has more rules; Men or Women?

Anyway check this out I got from this link. Check out also the previous 2 reposts I made. (The Man Rules and The International Council of Manhood, Ltd.)

Enjoy!!!

1.      Fives must be called at all times when getting out of your seat. If not, your seat is up for grabs. However, “house rules” may come into effect, in which case it is left up to the owner of the seat.

2.      Shotgun can be called on anything where a shotgun applies., as long as you are in eyesight of the object, or it is at a reasonable time.

3.      When picking players for sports teams it is permissible to skip over your buddy in favor of better athletes- as long as you don’t let him be the last sorry son of a bitch standing on the sideline.

4.      You can not rat out a friend who show’s up to work or class with a massive hangover, however you may: hide the aspirin, smear his chair with limburger cheese, turn the brightness on his computer way up so he thinks its broken, or have him paged every seven minutes.

5.      If you catch your girl messing around with your best friend, let your states crime of passion laws be your guide.

6.      If your buddy is trying to hook up with a girl, you may sabotage him only in a manner that gives you no chances of getting any either.

7.      Before allowing a drunken friend to cheat on his girl, you must attempt one intervention. If he can get up on his feet, look you in the eye, and deliver a “fuck off” then you are absolved from all responsibility. Later on it is ok that you have no idea what his girlfriend is talking about.

8.      If a buddy has lint, an eyelash, or any other foreign object on his hair or face, under no circumstances are you permitted to remove it. However an appropriate hand gesture may be made to make him aware of it.

9.      An anniversary is recognized on a yearly basis, under no circumstances will anything be celebrated in an interval other than a year.

10.  When using a urinal in a public restroom, a buffer zone of at least one urinal will exist at all times. If the only empty urinal is directly next to an occupied on, then you are still required to wait. (Exception: at a sporting event where a line has formed to use the pisser).

11.  When coming to a room which you know is occupied by your friend and possibly another girl, you must knock and wait for an adequate response. If no response occurs, and the door is locked, a 10 minute period is required before knocking again.

12.  The only time dicking over a buddy for a girl is legal, is when the girl ranks an 8 or above on the 1-10 scale. (exception: a girl may rank from 5-7, as long as there is oral sex involved).

13.  A mans gotta scratch what a mans gotta scratch. This applies to picking as well. Let the man be.

14.  No man shall ever watch any of the following programs on TV:
Figure skating
Men’s gymnastics
Any sport involving women (unless viewed for sexual purposes).

15.  If you accidentally touch or brush against any part of another man below the waist, it is an understood accident, and NO apologies or any reference to the occurrence is necessary.

16.  No man shall spend more than 2 minutes in front of a mirror. If more time is required, a three minute waiting period must be allowed before returning to the mirror.

17.  Any dispute lasting any longer than 3 minutes will and must be settled by rock, paper, scissors. There is no argument too important for this determining method.

18.  No man will ever willingly watch a movie in which the main theme is dancing, and if a man shall happen to view such a movie it is only acceptable if its with a girlfriend.

19.  Only acceptable time when a man is allowed to cry:
when a heroic dog dies to save his master.
after being struck in the testicles with anything moving fast than 7 mph.
When your date is using her teeth.
The day Anna Kornikova chooses a husband.

20.  If a bet is made, and the challenge is completed, then the bettor may recoup his money by immediately completing a more daring challenge. If he refuses the challenge or chooses not to propose one, then and only then, must the money be paid.

21.  Masturbate often. (exception: if your roommate is due back within the hour).

22.  If a hot girl shall happen to pass by while you are in an arms reach of your buddy, you must, and will, tap him on the shoulder to make him aware of the babe.

23.  A man’s shoes may not intentionally match any other article of clothing on his body.

24.  No comment shall ever be made to a man about how much he is sweating. In fact, there is no need bring notice to any body part which he may be sweating from.

25.  No man shall ever allow anyone to speak ill of The Simpsons or any Rocky movie. (Exception: Rocky V).

26.  You have not made any mistake if you find that there are extra pieces after reassembling or assembling an object. In fact, you have just found a way to make that object more efficient.

27.  There is never an occasion in which any shirt without buttons may be tucked in. (Exception: when you are participating in an organized sporting event).

28.  Unless you are under the age of 11 or wearing a bathing suit, DON’T wear whitey tighty’s. It still escapes all reasoning as to why they even make them in adult sizes.

29.  Any object thrown with reasonable speed and accuracy, MUST be caught.

30.  No man shall ever keep track of, or count, the amount of beers he has had in a night.

31.  Under no circumstances may two non-related men share a bed or anything which can be perceived as a mattress.

32.  In an empty room, car, etc., a man can not ask another man if he is mad because he isn’t talking.

33.  If you jiggle more than twice, you’re playing with it.

34.  A man shall never help another man apply sun tan oil.

35.  The guy who wants something the most is responsible for getting it.

36.  If your friend says “Lick my nuts” as a way to put you down, don’t try to be funny by saying “OK” and moving your head towards his crotch, two homosexual references in a row are just plain scary…

37.  If you say ouch, you are a pussy!

38.  It is the God given duty of every man to assist any other man that may be in need of assistance in obtaining every guys dream (threesome with two girls).

* with every set of laws, there are appropriate punishments. If any man shall happen to break any one of these codes, he will be found guilty, and will, for 24 hours from the time of the violation, be considered NOT A MAN. During this time he will not be referred to in any masculine way, and he shall bear the name Princess.  

(Un)Professional Regulation (C)ommission

Professional Regulation Commission — They regulate the country’s professionals; that’s their work in a nutshell. So it should be a given that they would be professional too in dealing with the professionals that they are serving, or managing, or for whatever reason(s) for their existence. 

My wife (un)fortunately is a professional license holder who unfortunately, lost her PRC ID. She also had to change her name because of marriage. So off we went then to a PRC branch in Lucena thinking that they could facilitate ID renewal / issuance and change of name faster than their Main branch in Manila, or wherever it is. 

We were shocked to learn that it would take about 3-5 months for them to change her name and issue her a renewed PRC ID. So she thought well it’s ok, we have made the trip anyway and would be further waste of time and bus fare not to go with the arrangement. 

After 4 months I followed it up; nothing yet he said. It was 3-5 months processing time somebody who sounded important told me. Ok, he has a point there (really). 

After another month, now armed with POA and claim slip I went to Lucena. ID not yet there, somebody in polo barong told me. Apparently he said change of name and marital status takes a longer time. He wasn’t sure though how looong it would be. Better to call first their office he said just to be sure. Well it said in the claim slip it would be 3-5 months after filing date the PRC ID would be ready for claiming. It was written in the claim slip and it’s not my fault I can read. 

By the way the filing date was March 24 2008. 

It’s January 2009 now. And in the next 60 days or so it would be the filing date anniversary. 

My wife recently called that office and another somebody said all of the requests in that particular batch were processed except my wife’s, apparently he didn’t know what went wrong and could she (my wife) fax the claim slip so they can check it against their system (of ineptness I quipped after she told me). I mean, goodness couldn’t they have thought of that months ago? I mean come on PRC, the word ineptitude looks like a high virtue comparing to your disservice to the word Professional in your name.

Is there any single office in our bureaucrazy country working? And I mean working in the sense that it has people working and not just filling out Daily Time Records and waiting for paycheck every 15^th and 30^th.

**We weren’t able to get the names of those we spoke with in our seething rage.