piyon

dalawang taon na sa kapaan ang batabyana. bahagyang malubak ang dinaanang landas nito sa unang taon. karaming isyu. liban daw ng liban. di ok ang kalidad ng awtput at laging huli kung magsumite ng mga laman ng pakuryenteng kwaderno. di raw mapagkakatiwalaan, kesyo mahilig magdahilan at gumawa ng mga kuwento. wala rin daw gulugod kung kaya’t di maaaring pakawalan upang makipagtalastasan sa mga mamimili. ilan lamang ang mga ito sa mga lasong ibinuga ng demonang mandragora. kawawang batabyana. tsk tsk!

sa totoo lang, di naman ganoon kapalpak ang kapangyarihan ng batabyana. tumpak ang marami niyang paynding at metikuloso rin ang paglilinis niya sa kanyang bakuran. sa karamihan ng mga piyon, isa nga siya sa mga may magandang pag-uugali at dedikasyon sa pangangapa. pinipilit niyang maging kachokaran ang lahat ng gumagalaw sa pamilihan kahit pa ilang beses na siyang sininghalan ng ilan. siyempre hindi naman talaga maiiwasan ang ilang minoreng pagkakamali. bahagi ito ng pagiging piyon at ang lahat naman ay mapagsasanayan sa pakikipaglaban. ang mahalaga ay mayroon ang piyon ng mainam na atityud, handang tumanggap ng bagong puwesto o magdagdag ng babantayang pamilihan at dumadausdos sa dumi ng sakahan. aanhin mo naman ang piyon na hanggang pilapil lang kayang daanan, di ba?

pero siyempre, iba ang tingin ng demona. may kung anong ngitngit yata ito sa mga kauri ng batabyana. tulad ng demonikong mata sa loob ng mordor, tila may mga matang nakapagmamasid ang demona sa lahat ng gawi ng batabyana. walang ginawang tama ang pobreng batabyana. istupida at puro mali raw ang pagtataya nito at di niya naiintindihan ang lahat ng bagay. siyempre sinegundahan ito ng magagaling na grima ni mandragora. hindi dahil sa di rin sila bilib sa batabyana kundi upang umikli ang pakikipagtalo sa buhay na dementora. umabot na nga ito sa pag-ukilkil kung sino ang responsable sa pag-arkila sa batabyana.

tulad ng inaasahan, umaapaw ang siphayong galing sa maitim na bulkan ng demona. at saan ito nauwi? pagkatakot ng batabyana. ihagis na raw siya sa kahit anong kaharian, ‘wag lang sa lupang tinubuan ng mandragora. di raw niya ninais na makaharap ang demona sa sarili nitong teritoryo dahil tiyak na malulunod siya sa kumunoy ng lasong inihanda ng mandragora. maski ang presensya lamang ng demona ay parang sapat na upang maging bato ang batabyana! napakalaking halimaw daw nito, sabi ni batab. may mga pangarap pa raw siya sa buhay, nais lamang niyang makisaka at di nito bahagi ang pagkawala ng sariling buhay at kaluluwa.

ilan lamang ang batab sa mahabang listahan ng mga biktima ng buktota. sa susunod, ibang mga piyon naman at ang kanilang natatanging tipan sa mandragora.

bellarocca

since i still haven't had the chance to go to the beach this year... i'll just throw in a throwback wednesday thru this march 2012 bellarocca trip pic. 

bellarocca!

coffee

nothing beats our good old kape't pandesal. 

demona

wala pang isang taon pero tatlo na nga ang napayukod ng maitim na kapangyarihan ng nag-iisang mandragora. matindi talaga ang lasong dala ng mga ugat nito. pupulbusin maging ang pinagtibay ng panahon na kalamnan. lilikidahin nito ang anumang pinagyabong na bilib sa sarili. at lalo’t higit nitong sisimuting gaya ng sa isang dementora ang anumang ligayang nadarama ng sinumang nakapaligid sa kanya.

una na ang tagapagsalaysay. wasiwas ng nakalalasong galamay ang umubos sa maliligayang araw nito. dahil sa balighong kapangyarihan ng demonang si mandragora, nanumbalik ang nakapaparalisang sakit ng ulo. kaakibat nito ang matinding bigat ng batok na tila ba sinementuhan gamit ng dinikdik na bunga ng mandragora. bagamat nanindigan ang tagapagsalaysay na umiba na ng tadhana bago pa man tuluyang maubos ang nalalabing bait, siyempre pa ay malaon nang naitakda ang pananalo ng bungang-ugat sa labanang ito. itinaas man ng tagapagsalaysay ang bandilang puti, nanatili naman itong buhay sa gitna ng di gaanong patag na araruhan.

pangalawa ay ang wala sa oras na pagyukod ng kim chiu. inakala ng tagapagsalaysay na may pag-asa ang kim chiu laban sa demona. ngunit hindi. inabot lamang ng halos anim ba buwan pagkaraang lumayas ang bata sa sixth sense bago tuluyang mapasuko ng bungang-ugat si kim. may kung anong mga paraan ang ginamit ni kim gaya ng kanyang mas matatas na pananalita at higit na matagal na karanasan sa pangangapa. di kinaya ng kutis labanos na si kim ang pinagsamang sandaang porsyento ng kapangayarihan ng mandragora at ng mangungulambo. kahit pa nga tila may lakas din ang wasiwas ng tuwid na tuwid na buhok nito, walang sinabi si kim sa salamangka ng mandrake. tunay ngang hawak na sa leeg ng mandragora ang mangungulambo na parang sinukuban na nito ang dambumbay. dagli-dagling binigyan ng dambumbay si kim ng ultimatum na kundi ito papasakop sa kapangyarihan ng mandragora ay kailangan na niyang tumalon sa bangin. wala nang natitirang opsyon para sa kanya, pinili ni kim na umalpas na lang kaysa nga naman tuluyan siyang lunukin ng mandrake. magsinglebel kasi ang dalawa pero mas pinaboran ng dambumbay ang mandragora kaya ang pagpapasakop ni kim sa mandrake ay nangangahulugan ng pagtigil ng kanyang sariling buhay. hayun, nabubuhay na sa kanyang isla ang kim chiu.

pangatlo ay isang kasama mula sa peninsularo na tumawid ng kipot. wala namang tuwirang labanan sa pagitan nito at ng mandragora. isa nga ito sa mga masugid na tagasunod ni demona. pero may kung anong masamang ihip ng hangin ang dulot ng mandragora. hindi ito maipagkakaila maski na nga nahihiwalay pa sila ng isang kipot. sapat na ang anggi ng lason upang magpasya ang peninsularo na umalpas na rin. wala na rin naman kasing dahilan upang magpatuloy sa pakikibaka kung wala rin namang sinasabing maganda ang mandragora sa iyo, lalo na nga’t iisa na ang likaw ng bituka ng mandragora at dambumbay.

may isang nagpahiwatig na rin ng pagsuko – ang cantonera. ngunit ito ay lumaklak ng antidotang tsaa na tila epektibo sa kasalukuyan laban sa kamandag ni mandragora. ang tanong ay kung hanggang kailan mamamaskarahan nito ang nag-uumigting na pakiramdam na isuka na ng tuluyan ang lason ni mandrake. may mga sinasabi rin ang isa pang mangungulambo na inilikas ng mandragora sa dumi ng subkontinente. ngunit ang tiyan nito kasi ay may tatlong kapulungan kaya’t matindi ang pamatay-bisa ng mga asidong pangtiyan na mukhang tumutunaw sa kamandag. para ngang di ito tinatablan ng mga kulam at kamandag ng mandragora dahil na rin siguro sa katotohanang damo’t dahon lang ang kinakain nito. may imbak na halamang gamot ‘ika nga. panghuli, may isa pang galing sa kapuluan – ang kapuluera. ito ang talagang apektado sa kamandag na dulot ng dila’t panulat ng mandragora. karaming kabalasikan ang isinanambulat ng mandragora tungkol sa kapuluera. sa kasalukuyan, di pa gumuguho ang muog nito. nasasalag pa ang mga birada ng mandragora at kung malusutan man ay may pangontra pa ring dala ng mga takong ng kanyang sapatos. pero mukhang buwan na lang din ang bibilangin at magkakaroon na rin ng pagtutuos. ang tanong na lamang ay kung sino ang susuko? mukhang ito ang bagong battle royale – mandragora laban kay kapuluera.

sino kaya ang susunod na madadaig ng kamandag ng demona? sino ang aalpas? may maglalakas kaya ng loob na pukawin mula sa sinalamangkang himbing ang dambumbay upang malaman nito ang maitim na salamangka ang demona? may kokonjur kaya sa demona? abangan ang susunod na kabanata.

ikaw, tatagal ka ba?

bright and beautiful

keeping with emma's #I'mMaybe declamation piece! happy weekend.

1. All things bright and beautiful,

All creatures great and small,

All things wise and wonderful,

The Lord God made them all.

2. Each little flower that opens,

Each little bird that sings,

He made their glowing colours,

He made their tiny wings.

All things bright ...

3. The rich man in his castle,

The poor man at his gate,

God made them high and lowly,

And ordered their estate.

All things bright ...

4. The purple headed mountain,

The river running by,

The sunset and the morning,

That brightens up the sky;−

All things bright ...

5. The cold wind in the winter,

The pleasant summer sun,

The ripe fruits in the garden,−

He made them every one:

All things bright ...

6. The tall trees in the greenwood,

The meadows where we play,

The rushes by the water,

We gather every day;−

All things bright ...

7. He gave us eyes to see them,

And lips that we might tell,

How great is God Almighty,

Who has made all things well.

All things bright ...

(Amen)

shophouse hostel

destination: shophouse hostel singapore (48 arab street, bugis area, singapore)

plus points: very nice and friendly staff; homey feel; clean bathrooms; accessible and near shopping areas and bugis station; good value for money; and that overall feeling of being safe.

minus points: no elevator. i had to carry my heavy luggage all the way to the 4th floor. 

will go back? yes.

aloft bangkok

contrary to what i experienced in amara hotel in tanjong pagar, singapore, aloft bangkok was a really nice stay. as in super duper nice. i already stayed here in june 2012 and it was a good one and this time, it was even better. 

first, i really felt welcomed. they gave me the feeling that they wanted me to stay in their hotel. unlike in amara singapore, where the feeling is almost as if you're just one of those passersby in the amara mall next to the hotel. second, aloft upgraded me to the urban room from the originally booked chic room. third, all amenities worked out quite ok. the coffee was not pedestrian like amara's. fourth, all staff were nice and always smiling. unlike in amara where everyone seems just waiting for their shifts to actually come to an end. finally, aloft allowed me to stay until 4 pm since my flight back to manila is at 6:05 pm. i went for a quick traditional thai massage and was stuck in traffic on my way back to soi 11 so i called aloft. and again, they gave me another 30 minutes so that i could check out properly. that's what you call service and care. unlike in amara singapore, where every minute seems to be a lost business for them when they're business is not of a contact center. 

till next time, aloft! 

amara

second time in amara singapore was a disaster. well, it was really the checkin but of course it more than negated whatever positive points this hotel had. like i always say, i'm not really after any freebie or welcome drinks whatsoever. my basic criteria when it comes to hotels is make me feel welcome and wanted. if the hotel staff recognizes you, it would be a plus point. unfortunately, amara wasn't welcoming nor warm at all. 

i requested for an early checkin but was not granted. probably because i was wearing t-shirt and this goddamn aleysha checkin staff was thinking that their precious room should go to other more professional looking guests. she was of course speaking with another checkin staff in a different language and thereafter, i was informed that i could not checkin yet because my room would only be ready after an hour.

it would have been a no problemo situation had the checkin staff was a tiny bit apologetic but she wasn't. it was just a matter of fact thing for her. of course, you probably are asking why am i after an early checkin, right? well, i had a 1 pm meeting and of course, i needed to change into my long sleeves and slacks and wear formal shoes. all of these things would be a big hassle when you're not properly checked in. since aleysha did not budge at all, i had to open my luggage right in the lobby, empty it of its contents and dig my shoes from underneath. then i went to their restroom to change into my office attire. sira ang buong araw! what a major buwisit moment!

not that i was demanding for heavens. i just needed the hotel staff to be more considerate, welcoming and at the very least, understand the situation. for me, the welcoming and willing to address certain needs would be the utmost care a hotel can extend to any guest. not those welcome drinks which you don't really need in lunchtime, right? 

good thing, i had nice dinner at one fullerton and saw an entertaining movie, pee mak, with momi ruth. all of the buwisit amara brought me were kind of diminished. 

next time in singapore, i really would have to think twice before staying in amara. boutique hotels would probably be the next best option. 

gardens mid-valley

my second time in gardens mid valley was an easy breezy affair. while the haze was wreaking havoc in KL, gardens mid valley hotel provided a comfortable refuge for me. what was better this time is they upgraded me to the suite. while it was a longer walk to the breakfast area, it actually made feel welcome and that the staff were willing to provide upgrade when they run out of regular rooms. thanks!

fried chicken

according to paula deen, “you don't want to make a steady diet of just lettuce. you want to make a steady diet of fried chicken.” everybody loves fried chicken. i don’t know anyone who will be able to resist a good time with fried chicken. even from just the smell of it, you would want to have 2 piece at a time.

i’ve read in one of those travel magazines that bobby chinn, a famous restaurateur and chef, has found his favorite fried chicken in the whole world in bangkok. and he wasn’t even talking about any food joints in the city of smiles. rather, he was pointing at your everyday fried chicken right at the smack of bangkok’s sois. so naturally, thai style fried chicken is always on my list when i’m in bangkok. my favorite would be at soi sukhumvit 11 and opposite siam paragon. sivatel’s chicken wings are not too bad either.

during last week’s biz trip, i was able to sample nasi penyet or smashed chicken with sambal somewhere near tanjong pagar.

bird

ray bradbury said, “stuff your eyes with wonder, live as if you'd drop dead in ten seconds. see the world. it's more fantastic than any dream made or paid for in factories.” and talk about fantastic. it was fantastic. an out of this world happening.

a creature of habit if you may. on one hand, you want something new. on the other hand, you opt for what you’re used to. the trusted one could deliver and it did. it did deliver the bird to that bigger predator, the higher being in the pecking order.

sylvester stallone said, “if i was at school and saw a bird outside the window i wanted to follow it. i was adventurous.” so follow it was. didn’t need any coaxing. everything flowed smoothly. precise move. easy and natural, not forced or mechanical. positive vibes all throughout. superb.

  

superlatives? perhaps yes. as oliver wendell holmes puts it, “people talk fundamentals and superlatives and then make some changes of detail.” all the fundamentals were there and haven’t even went into details. so yeah, super duper it was.

aesop said that “it is not only fine feathers that make a fine bird.” agree. it is also in their wingspan, flying power and the overall aim of doing good and being good at what you’re at. wow.

lucky me, bird. and lucky you, bird. some more time in the near future.

pad thai

pad thai, baby! aroi mak!

Royal Silk

i'd normally be very upset when my flight gets delayed. it'd mean a lot of waiting time and practically doing nothing. but not this recent trip in bangkok, on my way back to manila! PAL's scheduled 6:05 flight got delayed due to the traffic in NAIA. we were moved to 7:10 departure from suvarnabhumi airport. to my lucky surprise, PAL booked us to thai airways' royal silk lounge. yehey! i got to relax, try out some pica-pica, had drinks and basically lounge around. it was great and more than made up for the ruckus brought on by amara hotel (another story) in singapore.

magic number

numericals as of now:

60
29
30
15

what kind of combination do you have?

househusband

while i didn’t have any choice when it came to the movie since the poor malaysia airlines already chose this one, i did have a choice between watching this movie or reading a book or sleeping. i opted to sit thru its 1 plus hour or so. since i’ve seen kasal, kasali, kasalo, the first judy ann santos – ryan agonocillo/joey javier reyes outing, i thought my househusband shouldn’t be bad since that movie actually had enough depth and fun to entertain me. unfortunately for me, i was wrong with this one. definitely wrong.

the premise actually had some promise. a light movie about how traditional roles could be changed by losing a high paying job and the issues this would bring. after a bank merger, rod (ryan agoncillo) was offered a not-so interesting package and because of pride, resigned from his post. he then found it harder to find a job since he’s already in his mid-30s. his wife mia (judy ann santos), who happens to be a part-time insurance agent then decided to take a full-time role in the firm to support the family. rod had to take over the domestic chores and this was where the conflict and comedy should have come from. reyes and his co-writers added nosy neighbours and super-friendly character, aida (eugene domingo).

one major issue is that rod and mia rarely spoke with each other, contrary to what the movie was trying to show. instead of making deeper realization of this modern phenomenon called househusband, the movie opted to concentrate on trivial matters like doing household chores. after some quick ticktacks on him being househusband, the movie pans away to eugene domingo’s aida, your typical loud mouth neighbour who’s actually a kept woman. sitcom type was done, obviously wanting to make each scene as crisp as possible. it didn’t do its magic as it only became like a hodgepodge of several un-memorable scenes. one would definitely labor their way thru the movie, throwing very few intelligent lines, mainly courtesy of aida.

after all these serious issues, it was just a matter of time before the movie ended on a happy note. after all, this is light family drama – there should not be any negative vibe on it. rod finally landed a new job, mia will keep her career as well and aida is now on her way to become a successful trader. if only real life issues can easily be resolved, we won’t have much troubles!

making ryan agoncillo the typical macho pinoy husband supposedly not doing wifey chores was a stretch. he just doesn’t come off that way. it could have been successful had another actor played the part. while eugene domingo did quite well, it was a bit hard to believe that she really is a kept woman. reyes probably didn’t want to have the stereotypical pinay kept woman (slim, faux blonde, with southern accent), that’s why they’ve put eugene domingo in the role. judy ann santos is her usual dependable self, having that right click with her lines and was effective in the role of a strong but family oriented wife.

i’d have to skip any future joey javier reyes fare.

commotion

sabi ni freedictionary, ang commotion ay, "an agitated disturbance". komosyon ay may kinalaman sa di kailangang ingay at nakabubulahaw na mga pagkilos o anumang dagliang aktibidades. mukhang napapadalas ang mga komosyon sa kabilang ibayo at ito ay hindi indikasyon ng malusog na pakikitrabaho sa pagitan ng mga taong bumubuo ng kanilang pangkat. maaaring dulot ng simpleng di pagkakasundo sa walang kapararakang bagay o di kaya dahil sa malalimang salungatan ng mga personalidad at iba pang mga isyu. sa magkaparehong bagay, dapat itong tingnan nang maigi habang maaga upang magawaan ng paraan bago pa man mauwi sa pagkabalam ng mga trabaho o tuluyang pagkabigo ng eksperimentong ito. mabigat sa pakiramdam ang maging saksi sa mga komosyong tulad ng naganap kaninang umaga. ang mas nakalulungkot, maaari namang hindi ito naganap kung may harmoniya sa pagitan ng mga nag-uumpugang paksyon.

sa isang tanggapan o anumang organisasyon, di maiiwasan ang anumang pagtatalo o mainitang deliberasyon. ngunit dapat pa ring mamayani ang pagka-propesyunal. hindi dapat itapon palabas ng bintana ang anumang buti ng pag-aasal na itinuro noong unang pumasok sa paaralan. kaakibat nito ang paggalang sa bawat miyembro ng iyong pangkat, pagpapakumbaba, pagkakaroon ng mahabang pang-unawa at higit sa lahat, hindi pabalang na pananalita at matalinong pagpili ng mga salita. alam ng lahat na anumang buti ng balakin ninuman, kapag ito ay sinabi sa balahurang paraan, naglalaho ang anumang sustansya nito at nauuwi lamang sa walang wawang baliktaktakan. 

sana ay masumpungan nila ang harmoniya, masaya at maiging pagsasamahan sa lalong madaling panahon.

chef tony's

the best popcorn out there! gotta have some more. happy sunday!

busy

ah excuse me, aren't you busy?

dedma

dedma sa mga walang kapararakang ingay ng pang-araw-araw na buhay. dedma sa mga taong walang inatupag kundi ang mainggit, manira ng kapwa at mabuhay sa ngitngit. dedma sa mga patutsada sa imeyl at mga sabi-sabi. dedma sa lahat ng negatibo, kasama ang mga may pag-iisip na pang-iskwater. dedma.

macopa

food, food and food. thank heavens for these and the chance to sample old faves like kesong puti, new faves like candy cupcake, new fares like crispy peanut crepe from KLIA and fruits that remind you of your childhood like macopa. :)