Monday, July 31, 2017

passport stamp

earlier this month, i was in kuala lumpur for a business trip. this almost weeklong trip finished on july 7th and i was on my way back to manila. in KLIA, i went to my usual routine and looked for the philippine airlines checkin counter. not too many passengers on the queue and there was just one line. after just about three minutes or so, it was already my turn.


i handed my passport to the ground crew, her name is ain annuar. she was not the warmest of the bunch but it was ok since you rarely chitchat with them anyway unless you have some little requests. this trip, no such need for me. aside from two boxes of notebooks and my luggage, i didn't buy anything from KL.


ain kept on flipping through my passport and it seemed that she's having some issues. i kept quiet. she then asked if i can show my eticket, which i handed over. she then told me to look for the july 2 KLIA immigration stamp on my passport. i was taken aback. why would i have to do that? i only looked at the stamps on my passport during my earlier days of business trips (because i am excited and that's a normal reaction from a young guy). but now that there are just way too many stamps on it (it will only expire in 2019), i do not look at these passport stamps anymore. what i want is to get through that step the fastest possible time, get my luggage and take the taxi to go to my hotel. it's also not my problem if she cannot find a single july 2 stamp in it.

but this impolite ground crew had the gall to instruct me that i should always look for this, saying that this is my responsibility. with me starting to get fumed and incensed, told ain, as long as i went through the proper way, i don't have to check whether there was a stamp or not. ain countered saying that "you know sir, there are other ways to get in, you know sir!" at that point, i wanted to berate her and make a scene. but i know that i have to keep my composure. in a controlled voice and manner, i told her that i'm not going to justify her insinuations and i knew that i went through the proper immigration process and the stamp is in my passport. she was still talking in her inaudible local english but i waived my hand and said, "no more word from you at this point. you should be polite and more importantly, stop making these ridiculous insinuations." she then went through the motions of giving me my passport and boarding pass, circling the gate number and the rest of usual things to say. i knew that at that point she had already seen the stamp and true to her superiority complex, did not apologize for the ridiculous statements she made just a few moments ago.


through twitter, while still in the immigration queue, i immediately let KLIA and @flyPAL know of this incident. PAL immediately sent a direct message but there was absolutely zero response from KLIA. PAL said that they are going to forward this issue to the parties concerned. i of course got through the immigration counter (the july 2 stamp is in my passport, you irritating ain annuar!!!), and boarded PR526 bound for manila. no problem at all.

before this incident, i was so happy that PAL is not on a codeshare with malaysia airlines anymore. malaysia airlines flights are just way too depressing, especially the food and the service. PAL at least pushes for more, inflight meals are good (ice cream of dessert), newspapers, inflight entertainment via your own device and the crew are always willing to accommodate your little requests (1 more pandesal please!). i'm still happy 'though… but PAL has to review and reassess their ground staff in other airports. in NAIA, i never had a problem. but given what transpired in KLIA, i'm now having some doubts in other airports that a similar incident might happen. ground personnel, like ain annuar, should be sent back for an intensive training camp on how to provide the best customer experience and how to freakin identify KLIA stamp from other immigration marks! or best, transfer her to some tasks which would not require dealing with passengers directly. otherwise, issues like this will hound PAL, especially as KLIA seems not to care at all. such unpleasant incidents dampen the overall experience and put unnecessary stress to passengers who just want to enjoy the flight and come back home safely.


take note of this, PAL. i'm still flying with you, don't worry.

Sunday, July 30, 2017

you are enough, mom

You are enough Mom


“There will be so many times you feel like you’ve failed. But in the eyes, heart and mind of your child you are super mom.” – Stephanie Precourt

To all the MOMs out there, when it all seem overwhelming, know and believe in your heart that you are enough; in fact as Bethany Jacobs shared, “…You are more than enough, mama.”

To the mom hiding in her bathroom, needing peace for just one minute, as the tears roll down her cheeks..

To the mom who is so tired she feels like she can’t function anymore and would do anything to lay down and get the rest she needs…

To the mom sitting in her car, alone, stuffing food in her face because she doesn’t want anyone else to see or know she eats that stuff…

To the mom crying on the couch after she yelled at her kids for something little and is now feeling guilty and like she is unworthy…

There is no way to be a perfect mother, and a million ways to be a good one. – Jill Churchill

To the mom that is trying desperately to put those old jeans on because all she really wants is to look in the mirror and feel good about herself…

To the mom that doesn’t want to leave the house because life is just too much to handle right now…

To the mom that is calling out for pizza again because dinner just didn’t happen the way she wanted it to…

To the mom that feels alone, whether in a room by herself or standing in a crowd…

You are enough.

You are important.

You are worthy.

Because I am a mother, I am capable of being shocked; as I never was when I was not one. – Margaret Atwood

This is a phase of life for us. This is a really really hard, challenging, crazy phase of life.

In the end it will all be worth it. But for now it’s hard. And it’s hard for so many of us in many different ways. We don’t always talk about it, but it’s hard and it’s not just you.

You are enough.

You are doing your best.

Those little eyes that look up at you - they think you are perfect. They think you are more than enough.
 
Those little eyes that look up at you – they think you are perfect

Those little eyes that look up at you – they think you are perfect. They think you are more than enough.

Those little hands that reach out to hold you – they think you are the strongest.

They think you can conquer the world.

Those little mouths eating the food you gave them – they think that you are the best because their bellies are full.

Those little hearts that reach out to touch yours – they don’t want anything more.

They just want you.

Because you are enough. You are more than enough, mama.

You. Are. Amazing.




Reposted from Symphony of Love.

Thursday, July 27, 2017

Calayan Island

A sunset of brilliant colors and patterns played off the few clouds...


Sibang and Nababaan Coves (view from Nagudungan Hills),
Calayan Island, Cagayan.
March 2017.


sikaw

may isang nagpapakilala, may isang nais pumaimbulog, may isang nais maghasik ng dagundong. sa dakong ito ng karagatan, may isang nais humilera sa kalagimang dulot ng ik-ik at ng iba pang malebolenteng mga karakter. tunay ngang di nauubos ang bilyano sa epikong ito.

ok naman ang dugong. madaldal, pakyut, aakalain mong singtingting ito kung gumiri kahit na nga isa itong sikaw sa kahit anupamang anggulo mo sipatin. may kaaya-aya itong disposisyon at palakapwa kumbaga. sabi nga ng iba sa karagatan, iba ito kaysa sa kabatak na atche. hindi pala. mukhang mas matindi ito sa may gusto sa london at jalapeño.  

may itinatago nga itong maitim na tinta. may nag-aalimpuyo palang lagim sa kaloob-looban ng 8 tseymber ng sikmura nito na naghihintay lamang na kumawala kapag may pagbubuhusan na ng lagim. kung anong bigat ng biyas nito kapag nasa eter, siya ring dagan nito sa mga piyong nakapaligid sa kanya. una itong nagpakilala sa pamamagitan ng pakikiayon sa ik-ik. siyempre naman, kailangan niyang umayon sa ik-ik dahil ito ay tila malakas sa matandang hukluban at sa pagsipsip nito sa lakas, umaariba rin ang lagim patungo sa sarat na ilong ng sikaw. kaakibat nito ang di matatawarang pagpapalakol at pagtraydor sa mga tao sa paligid. 

higit pang naramdaman ang dala nitong pait at burak nang ibuhos niya ang kanyang hilakbot na tinta sa ilang kaawa-awang mga purita. ginamit nito ang kapangyarihang mamahiya at manghilakbot sa pamamagitan ng pahatiran upang madama ng lahat na siya ang kanang kamay ng nag-iisang ik-ik. gaya ng isang trak ng simento, buong bigat nitong ibinagsak ang kanyang gawgaw sa walang mga labang paslit.

tila wala namang ganitong mga eksena dati. ngayon lamang, nang magsimulang may piyon na maaari nang utusan. umangat din ng isang baitang ang kanyang limliman kaya piho nitong kailangan na niyang pumaimbulog at makipagbakbakan, tinta sa tinta at pagalawin ang maiikling galamay at nang maramdamang siya ay may lagim ding kayang idulot sa iba.

nakalulungkot na di rin pala ito iba sa ik-ik. sa itinatakbo ng mga pangyayari, tila isa sa mga kapangyarihan ng ik-ik ay humulma ng kanyang kapara. nang sa gayon, mas marami ang maaaring maghasik ng lagim sa ngalan ng kanilang masamang diyos-diyosan.

ating abangan ang sandaling may kumalaban sa mga kampon ng kadiliman at sana'y agad itong masawata. 

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

olenna

"I've known a great many clever men. 
I've outlived them all. 
You know why? 
I've ignored them. 
The lords of Westeros are sheep. 
Are you a sheep? 
No. 
You're a dragon. 
Be a dragon."

- Lady Olenna Tyrell to Daenerys Stormborn, Game of Thrones (season 7, episode 2)



varys

"Incompetence should not be rewarded with blind loyalty."

- Varys to Daenerys Stormborn, Game of Thrones (season 7, episode 2).

Monday, July 24, 2017

Bimmapor

Brilliant blue sky.


Bimmapor Rock Formation, 
Nagtipunan, Quirino Province.
sometime last year. 

Sunday, July 23, 2017

Saturday, July 22, 2017

Fort Santiago

Power resides where men believe it resides; it's a trick, a shadown on the wall.. 
- Varys, Game of Thrones


Fort Santiago, Intramuros, Manila.
July 2017

geisha

Of bamboo forest and would-be geishas. 

Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Kyoto, Japan.
June 2017.


Wednesday, July 12, 2017

Tuesday, July 11, 2017

Friday, July 7, 2017

comedies

top 10 comedy movies that will be future classics!

10. Crazy Stupid Love
9. Macgruber
8. What We Do in the Shadows
7. Deadpool
6. The Grand Budapest Hotel
5. 22 Jump Street
4. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
3. The Nice Guys
2. Bridesmaids
1. This is the End


cinefix

top 10 performances on film, according to cinefix. 

10 & 9: Steve Martin in The Jerk and Meryl Streep in Sophie's Choice.
8 & 7: Denzel Washington & Viola Davis in Fences and Casey Affleck & Michelle Williams in Manchester by the Sea.
6 & 5: Brenda Blethyn in Secrets and Lies and Elizabeth Taylor in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf.
4 & 3: Robert de Niro in Raging Bull and Ellen Burstyn in Requiem for a Dream.
2 & 1: Laurence Olivier in Richard III and Marlon Brando in A Streetcar Named Desire.

Saturday, July 1, 2017

fontana

fontana. de trevi. bumabalong sa kaligayahan. bumenta ng todo. ika-27 ng hulyo, 2014. nawala sumaglit at bumalik noong hulyo ng sumunod na taon.

fontaine. joan. tuloy-tuloy na. bawat piraso ng pilak ay ibayo ang halaga sa loob ng 35 kaban. minsan ay dalawang beses pero naging isa na lamang. abala rin sa ibang mga bagay.

fântână. pizza. sabaw, may sabaw. o kaya ay club sandwich. o di naman ay inihaw na manok. o kaya ay pancit. maaari rin ang anumang ginulay. di mahilig sa inumin. lomi o kaya hototay pero unang naispatan ang sotanghon.  

fontein. curacao. malapit sa tulay. pero malayo rin kung lalakarin. nasa banda ng bagong bayan, pero malapit sa nagdudugtong sa bago at lumang bayan. may nagbebenta ng squid ball sa baba at madalas ay dumadaan muna sa 7-11 para sa laklakin.

fontän. up there. matindi noong humagupit ang habagat. walang masakyan. halos 3 oras bago makarating sa paroroonan. sumuong sa ulan, lumusong sa baha, naghintay ng masasakyan, lumakad, tumakbo, tumayo nang matagal, nakipagsiksikan sa dyip, tumawid sa tulay at lumakad nang pagkahaba-haba.

fonte. alla fiorentina. hanggang magtagpo sa panulukan. sa gitna ng mahabang kalsada. kakatagpuin daw kasi dahil nga sa pinagdaaanan. ayun, naparami ang asukal, dumagdag ang panutsa, pati na ang honey, arnibal at gatas na kondensada.

fuente. la fama. ispiking ang tikid sa kada sulakan. matayog, avermelhado, kaputian, at lalong kaputian ang mleko. lagpas-leeg ito sa bawat buga at umaatikabo rin ang nipnip at hugpungan ng mga kanipisan.

fontanna. musika. larawang hindi kupas. ay matindi ito! malinaw pa sa sikat ng araw. di na mabilang ang kaptura ng tikid at kabuuan.

fontene. agos. katatawanan. usapan sa mga pelikula, sa buhay, sa mga buwanang bayarin at sa kung anu-ano pa.

fons. latin. hindi… tila hindi ito matutulad sa latin. mukhang magpapatuloy pa ito. maigi pa naman. marami pang saya ang idinudulot. may aabangan pa.