Events: What Events I Look Forward to in 2011

It is quite a common practice for TV stations everywhere in the world to show yearend reports during the last week of December for the purpose of reminding the people of what happened the past year, whether boon or bane. And while I agree that looking back at the past and the lessons learned from such experiences will help you in making decisions which could dictate your future, I prefer to look more forward than backward for this coming year, for the simple reason that 2010 was not so much kind to me.

2010 was a tough year for me and my family. From my resignation from an institution which I loved so much, to an unexpected prolonged hiatus from medical practice, and most especially, the demise of my father. I accept what had happened because it was God's way of bringing my feet back to the ground, and I appreciate the lessons learned throughout that rough journey. But I must move on and I like to be happy again. So instead of dwelling more on the past, I prefer looking forward to events which should bring the smile back again on my face, the things which I really appreciate.

5. NBA and NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs 2k11

All those Lebron haters should start shutting their mouths or better yet shove them into their asses. The King, Bosh and D-Wade are starting to play good music together and there's no stopping the Miami Heat. So what if those Celtics beat the Heat twice already. The playoffs is a different picture and LBJ would make those blabbermouths eat their words. The only reason why those Celtics, Knicks, Spurs and even Lakers fans hate LBJ and Co., is because they know what The King and his men can do come playoff time, and yet they deny it at the same time. C'mon try booing and cursing LeBron again so that he can throw away 30 markers or triple-doubles on your team again! This summer, the Heat will be On.

The HEAT is ON

And over at the ice, perennial contenders Detroit Red Wings should redeem their place at the top of the Hockeyworld. Alex Ovechkin's Capitals and Sidney Crosby's Penguins should make way for the big Red Machine as Nick Lidstrom, Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg will try to win back the Stanley Cup they lost two years ago.

REDemption

4. UAAP Season 74

It has become a yearly ritual for the Growling Tigers to hoist the General Championship trophy during the opening ceremonies of the UAAP. UST is the tower of power when it comes to collegiate sports. But admit it or not, Thomasians are also drooling over that basketball championship which was hard to come by the past few years. I just can't understand why UST is losing on the recruitment wars, especially now that the school in Legarda with Rabies is hellbent on luring our homegrown talents with the cash vouchers of their tycoon benefactors. They call it recruitment, but I call it PIRACY. I expect a better finish than last years "overachieving?!" record of 4-10 since most of the rookies and sophomores should have gained that experience and should have developed added skills by the off-season. Honestly, I think Pido Jarencio should be sacked. The Growling Tigers basketball has no established system of play at all, aside from those futile three-point shooting plays. They should start winning basketball games so that those loudmouths from Katipunan, Taft, and Morayta stop mocking and bashing our beloved university despite of our success in other UAAP sports like Volleyball, Taekwondo, etc.

Win "the One" for UST



I also hope the Salinggawi Dance Troupe and the Yellow Jackets bring back the crown to where it rightfully belongs in Espana Blvd. And of course, that 13th straight General Championship at season's end is also expected. Go USTe! Go USTe! Go USTEe! Go Go Go Go!


Bring Back the Crown to Espana!



3. Neurology Residency Training at the City

Like what I've said in a previous post, I have been given a second chance by God to become what I want myself to be. And this time, there is no turning back. This is it. Sure it is work and it could be tougher than what I thought it should be. But with the help of God, my family and my co-workers, I think I'll be in for a fun learning experience. Got to get rid of that pride, got to tame that strict superego, will not make any promises or great expectations and just enjoy the most of what the training can offer.

NEU Life at the City

2. Marikina Semana Santa 2011



En el Calvario

 While most people prefer to go out-of-town on Holy week leaving Metro Manila as a deserted place, Santo enthusiasts like me from Marikina, would not go anywhere but home. Marikina City despite its recent developments, has not lost any of its traditions, especially those associated with religious occasions. We boast of having one of the most colorful yet solemn, constantly-enriched and well-preserved Holy week traditions which you coud not see anywhere else in the Metropolis.

 



Virgen delas Angustias



For starters we have the different Senakulo or Passion plays, the Pabasa in different localities and the Penitensyas where real flagellation and beating happen. It's nice to note that the younger generations have carried on these traditions. The highlight of the Holy Week celebrations here in Marikina City are our processions. I used the term "processions" because we have a lot of them. You can even stand in one strategic area and without moving places, be able to witness three different long processions from three different parishes. The images are life-sized, well-vested and their carrozas well-arranged. Actually, Marikina City has been considered both by local and foreign media to be one of the must-see places during Holy Week because of these processions.

Paglilinis at Paghahanda sa Katawan ni Hesus 

For the past three years, I had taken a vow to engage in these processions. Aside from my vow of diligently taking pictures of each and every santo in the line-up of two different long processions for three procession nights, I also took responsibility in vesting a tableau and a male apostle owned by my cousins in our Parish's own procession during Holy Wednesday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday. These are vows which I do not intend to break for whatever reason. It's my way of giving thanks for God's blessings. And I also plan to own a processional image, a tableau, of my own within the next 4 years.

My "alaga", San Simon Makabayan (the Zealot)

What started out as a mere fascination became a regard for tradition, which eventually evolved into a true devotion. And for these reasons, I have always looked forward to Semana Santa in Marikina every year. For me, it's more important than Christmas.

1. UST Quadricentennial: 400 Years of Unending Grace

2011 is the Year of the Thomasian. I have spent 10 years of my life at the Royal and Pontifical and Catholic University of Santo Tomas. And those 10 years were the happiest and most meaningful, most colorful years of my life. I am proud to be an alumnus of UST, for its rich history, tradition and record of excellence. A great deal of what I am today is because of my stay at my beloved Alma Mater. Alumni of other universities can say what they want and claim what they want to claim. But for me, UST is still one of the best universities and Thomasians are still the greatest breed of graduates in the country. Its excellent record in various fields of expertise is just a testament of how great UST eventhough at times it is overlooked and underrated by others.

Home of the Greatest Breed of Individuals

It should be both an honor and pleasure to witness this quadricentennial celebration in my lifetime. There are a lot of events lined-up for the Quadricentennial celebrations, and I'm looking forward to participating in one of them. "Keep us in beauty and truth and virtues, impassioned embrace. Ever your valiant legions Imbued with UNENDING GRACE."

UST at 400: Unending Grace

 

People: My Top 10 Pinoy Personalities of 2010

Two days ago, GMA News conducted an online survey on Twitter regarding the Top 10 Pinoys Who Made Us Proud. These are people who made the news, brought honor to the country and had an impact on the national scene for the past year. So after that 10 seconds or so of self-gratification after seeing my Tweet on National TV as featured on GMA7's 24 Oras, I decided to put up my own list of the Top 10 personalities for the year 2010.  This is a bit different from GMA's list. One may disagree or agree with this list. These merely reflect my opinion and biases.

10. MANNY VILLAR


Manny Villar: Unfortunate Mudslinging Victim

"Nakaligo ka na ba sa dagat ng basura, nag-Pasko ka na ba sa gitna ng kalsada, yan ang tanong namin, tunay ka bang isa sa amin?" Thus said in his campaign jingle which also became a household tune as it was sung even by the little kids. Everyone was inspired by his rags-to-riches story until the Yellow Army and those no-good, ambitious opportunists at the Liberal party threw mud at him by questioning his poverty and by continuing to pound him with the "C5 at Taga" issue which he denied and was never proven true at all. He could have been our President if not for the baseless and shameless tirades of AbNoyNoy's troops and the conditioning against him by AbNoyNoy's ABS-CBN network. Somewhat, i pity this man because he spent a great deal of money for the past elections, for all those ads and all those supporters from showbiz. I may not have voted for him but he still has my respect.

9. HUBERT WEBB



Hubert Webb: Free at Last

He is the latest newsmaker for 2010. After 15 years of languishing in jail for a crime he apparently did not commit, the wheels of justice turned into his and his co-accused favor by virtue of a 7-4 decision by the Supreme Court citing insufficient evidence for convictiong him beyond reasonable doubt for the Vizconde massacre. Though my heart also fell for Lauro Vizconde. I also found it inappropriate to jail an innocent man for life. Back in 2001, I doubted their conviction because I found Jessica Alfaro as an incredible witness. Now he's free and has enjoyed media and public attention ever since. The day after his release, he went to a popular mall to buy stuff, but for a while he felt oddly at the present items in stock and even ordered an already phased-out donut flavor. Seems he got stuck in the 90s.

8. GILBERTO "GIBO" TEODORO"

 

Gibo: He gave us hope

The 2010 Elections was noted for 2 reasons: because it was the first automated elections and because it was the dirtiest elections in recent years. I have never seen this level of mudslinging among candidates before. But one man stood out, and refrained from joining the charcter assassination spree and instead focused on his platforms and what he can do for the country. Despite being backed by the disdained (not by me!) administartion party Lakas-CMD and forever unpopular President Gloria Arroyo, he never took it personally and went on to campaign the way a civilized campaign should proceed. He could have used large party funds to ameliorate his campaign by loading up on TV ads and getting the services of showbiz people; but because he believed in his principles, he chose to go directly to the voters. Never have we seen a politician like him. And because there were so many proto-humans in the Philippines who were influenced by AbNoyNoy's hordes and ABS-CBN, the former Tarlac lawmaker and Defense secretary lost. He had the most impressive credentials and yet he lost. It was not his loss actually, it was the country's loss. And as loyal Gibo supporters would say "We may have missed the flight, But he gave us Hope."

7. WILLIE REVILLAME







Willie Revillame: New Home at TV5

Willie's struggles this year started when he chose to support Manny Villar instead of the ABS-CBN backed AbNoyNoy camp. Then he got in a word war with showbiz columnist Jobert Sucaldito and threatened to resign if Jobert would not be removed. But because of his political affiliation, he was given nothing but a cold shoulder by ABS-CBN which made him take a leave of absence from his Wowowee show which he eventually left permanently. Along the way, issues between him and co-hosts Pokwang and Mariel Rodriguez were uncovered which made things a little bit more uncompromising. After few months of rest and legal battles with ABS-CBN, Willie re-surfaced and signed with TV5 to host the now popular Willing-Willie which i think is an exact adaptation of the now-defunct Wowowee show. In the end, Willie Revillame came out as winner because his daily show is giving ABS-CBN's TV Patrol a beating in the ratings game.

6. CARLOS CELDRAN





Carlos Celdran: TNL

Carlos Celdran was a popular Manila Tour Guide, culture vulture, performing artist and Reproductive Health Bill advocate. He is best known for his lively and informative tours in the City of Manila, and also distributes condoms to promote his advocacy. His recent ascent to the national scene happened on September 3, 2010, when he, dressed as Jose Rizel (or Crisostomo Ibarra), attended a mass at the Manila Cathedral which was also attended by no less than the Archbishop and the Mayor of Manila. In the middle of the mass, Carlos Celdran bravely hoisted a placard with the words "Damaso" as reference to the influential friar from Noli Me Tangere, and shouted to the priests "Stop getting involved in politics" before he was escorted away by police. This stunt was a protest on the Church's negative influence on the State on the RH Bill, of which he advocates. While I disagree with this stunt, I still admire and believe in his advocacy. Thus I brand him my "Tunay na Lalake" of the Year.

5. PRESIDENT NOYNOY AQUINO

 As one of the comments on Facebook said "The Yellow Army brought a knife to a gunfight, and yet this knife was not the sharpest they have." Until now I am still wondering why a previous lawmaker who was not able to pass a single bill during his 12-year stint got the vote of more than 10 million Filipinos? Or should I say, are more than 10 million Filipinos dumb enough to elect an inexperienced and indecisive free-rider? Now 6 months into his presidency, he has not achieved anything significant yet. In fact, his Trial And Error (T.A.E) government did nothing but errors and useless proclamations. He is quick to blame the past administration for the current state of the country and yet he is also quick to grab credit for anyhting good GMA had sown. Too many blunders to date, the Quirino hostage crisis, freeing of Morong 43 and the military adventurists like Trillanes, Querubin and Lim, the unconstitutional Truth Commission, incompetent and bickering staff among others. While I still respect Ninoy Aquino, I really don't like Cory Aquino who also did not do anything good during her term as a president. And this AbNoyNoy rose to the presidency because of the popularity of his hero Dad. mediocre Mom, who happened to have an Idiot Son and a Brat daughter. Besides what would I expect from someone who had no credentials and experience at all, and who was only urged by his opportunist allies. Weakest president yet. I hope his presidency is over by Easter Sunday.

NoyNoy: Your Trial And Error (T.A.E) President



4. CHARICE PEMPENGCO

   Though she was no. 1 in the GMA survey, I still don't consider her deserving of a top spot. Sure she has a good voice, but I find it already too common for a Filipino singer to be a Biritera. What should be lauded is her inclusion in the popular TV series Glee. It was quite an achievement for a Filipino to be included in a top-rating US TV show. But that's it. She's not even a regular in that show. However, her single "Pyramid" made it to the top of the charts.  So, there goes another reason to be proud of her.


Charice: Pyramiiid!



3. MARIA VENUS RAJ



Venus Raj: Major, Major gaffe



 The Philippines boasts of a lot of beautiful women but it seems they do not fit to international beauty pageant standards. For the past decade, the only things we can be proud of in this aspect would be Precious Lara Quigaman's winning of the Miss International and a few others who barely made it to the semifinals but eventually lost. There were pre-pageant hype among Filipina candidates and numerous Miss Photogenic awards (due to the Philippine's massive online population), but they never translated to victories. That was until Maria Venus Raj came. She almost did not make it to the pageant because of some citizenship issues. But during the pageant, she was able to prove that she was indeed deserving to represent the country. She impressed the local media in the US, the organizers and also the judges. She became an instant favorite to win the pageant. But like Miriam Quimabao, she had a "Major, Major" gaffe in the contest's final question and answer portion which sealed her fate. She finished only as the 4th runner-up, the best finish for the Philippines since Miriam Quiambao won 1st runner-up in 1999. And she also made the words "Major, Major" popular in local lingo competing with the Jejemons.

2. MANNY "PACMAN" PACQUIAO

Pacquiao: Pound-for-Pound king

 He could have been No. 1 in my list but come to think of it, his recent wins were not as impressive because he faced lackluster bozos. Sure he was able to bring pride to the country for recording the most number of titles a boxer ever had and for being the Pound-for-Pound king of boxing; but he is yet to face his toughest challenge yet, Floyd Mayweather. But not to take away from the Sarangani Congressman, he indeed deserved those titles and his place in boxing. I really hope Pacquiao vs. Mayweather would happen. That is the only fight I care about. I also hope he does well for his constituents in Sarangani where his help is needed.

1. THE PHL AZKALS

Consistent with my vote in the GMA poll, I still consider them No. 1 for this year. The Philippines was non-existent in the world football map. During the recent FIFA World cup, while the world was wide awake to the tune of Waka Waka and the Vuvuzelas, Filipinos were asleep tight and oblivious. Football was never given attention in this country until this bunch of previously unknown individuals started racking up wins and forcing ties at the AFF Suzuki Cup. And one of the wins came against prevoius champion Vietnam. They entered the semifinals and finally put Philippine football at the pedestal. They may have lost those semifinal games against Indonesia but their achievement was the best yet for the country and better still, they were able to rally a nation behind them. They told our neighbors that we can play Football too. And to think these guys are not your highly-payed, big-egoed brats. Though some of them are half-breeds, it does not matter because they proudly carried the name of the country. I really do hope Football starts to fluorish in the country. It's time to explore another sport aside from basketball, billiards, boxing and bowling where we had tough luck recently.

The PHL Azkals: Filipinos can play Football too







Places: Going to Divisoria is like F*cking a Whore

I was forewarned and I have seen what it is like during this time of the year. But I insisted on going there, and now my shoulders, back and knees are paying for it. But as long as my nephews and nieces are happy and satisfied on Christmas Day, then it would be all worth it. But if you would ask me if I would go there again in the heat of the Christmas rush, my answer would be Hell NO!

Photo taken from allbestofphilippines.blogspot.com



Looking for two football kits stalls amidst all those stalls selling different kinds of stuff were like finding a needle in a haystack. It took me two hours to find the first one then half an hour more to discover the other one. But when I have already compared and decided what to buy. I forgot their respetive locations again and spent about an hour recalling and tracing back where they are. I was like disoriented to three spheres at that point. Only to find out in the end that both stalls were owned by the same person, different stalls but on separate buildings in the same 168 mall. Then I realized that the strategy should be memorizing at leat the "Pasilio" number. Next time I go there, I think I would not have the same problems . But I do recommend that place (Jianwang sportswear at Pasilios 1J and 2E of 168 mall) for football fans. They sell football fan paraphernalia about 30% less than than in Greenhills (P350 versus P550 at the same quality).

168 mall is just one of the them in Divisoria. There is much to explore.

                                                   

Divisoria is not really not new to me. The last time I went there was last March while looking for textiles and trimmings on Ilaya Street, for San Simon Makabayan in preparation for Holy week. Sure there were many people shopping there at that time, but definitely the volume of people during that time was no way near that which I witnessed today. It came to a point when you are literally going with the flow of the crowd and can barely find an open space to rest. This is not for the faint of heart and for those without patience. But going to Divisoria, I think, is already part of Pinoy Christmas.

Despite the crowd and all the chaos and commotion, it is still enjoying to go to Divisoria. Particularly for people who like clothes, bags, textiles and similar stuff, this place is the place to go for cheap bargains. Actually, everything there is cheap from office and school supplies, high and low tech gadgets, toys, houseware etc. Definitely, your 1000 pesos will go a long way here. The goods are mostly from China so don't expect much when it comes to durability especially the electronic ones. But for the other stuff, it is highly recommended to go there for all the price and the variety.

So I compare going to Divisoria during the Christmas rush to having sex with a whore. It satisfies a need at a cheap price, the process may be pleasurable but the endpoints may be short-lived for some, and you risk getting into something (fainting, heat exhaustion, stroke, heart attack or just being a victim of snatching or hold-up). So like in picking up and getting on a whore, just plan ahead and make the necessary precautions.

Everyday Life: Where Are My Toys?!

On Thursday, I will go back to Greenhills to finally buy a toy as a Christmas Gift for my nephew.  For an ordinary individual this may be a bit of hassle, but for me it's a pleasurable thing to do.  I always find delight in searching and even window-shopping for toys because as young kids, we had a lot of them.  And to note that the 80s and early 90s were the era of the kickass toys, so much so that toy companies are having re-issues of the previous toylines we used to enjoy back then.  Everytime I go to buy a toy for my nephew, I am always reminded of that toy collection we had.  I used the term "we had" because my mother hid them away sometime in 1990, and worse she forgot where she hid them.  We've been trying to extract from her where she hid them but all our efforts were futile. She really can't remember. 

 

We were not rich but my father always tried to give us what we always wanted.  But we got what 

I used to have this G1 Soundwave 

we wanted about 90 percent of the time.  Probably, the most precious toys we had were the Generation 1 issues of the Transformers.  Unlike present issues which are generally composed of mediocre plastic, old Transformers figures were a combination of plastic and die-cast metal.  My favorite was my old Decepticon Soundwave figure.  Next to the Megatron action figure which was actually limited due to its violent gun transformation, this is probably the next best regular action figure.  He transforms into a tape deck and from his chest, he ejects cassete tapes which transform into robotic animals like Lazerbeak(eagle), Ravage(panther), Ratbat(bat) and the robot twins Rumble and Frenzy.  My elder brother used to have a Galvatron figure, all original and imported from the States.  Aside from these two we also had a die-cast Optimus Prime which today could fetch for around 13k pesos, an Ultra Magnus which is very rare to find nowadays, Aerial Bots Silverbolt, Skydive and Fireflight, a small Swerve, and Constructicon Scavenger. All in all these haul could value as much as 30-40K in specialty shops.

We used to have one of these Galvatron figures too

Aside from the Transformers, we had Afterburner and Condor form M.A.S.K and their small action figures, a bunch of G.I. Joe figures which we used to interchange bodyparts to give an illusion that we have so many of them, Ghostbusters (2 editions of Peter Venkman, Ray Stanz, Ghost Popper gun) and some of their monsters, (X-Cop, H20 Ghost, Dracula), Masters of the Universe (He-Man, Prince Adam, Beastman, Merman, RamMan, Hordak) figures, Silverhawk Quicksilver, Rambo characters, Tigershark Mako, a bunch of Ninja Turtles and villains figures, MicroMachines, three of the Voltron lions, two of  Visionaries action figures and my favorite Thundercats figures (all first edition heroes plus Hachiman, Snowman, Vultureman, Monkian and a Berbil).  That is as far as i can remember and that is the inventory of what was hidden and was never found again.

Among the survivors...

It is a bit of a consolation that some still remained intact and are present up to this date.  It is good that we still have all six of our Dino-Riders including the T-Rex and the Diplodocus, plus some loose Torosaurus parts;  and the gang of WWF action figures. That's only what was left of the whole toy collection.  Since 1995, I've been searching every corner, every cabinet , every big drawer and every receptacle possible for these toys but to no avail.  I was thinking that maybe she hid them in our Bodega but I'm hesitant to go there due to fear of snakes and it's also a mess to go there.  That was my only hope. Even my nephews have carried on the search for these long lost toys.

Last week, my mother finally decided to have that bodega cleaned. But as fate would have it, all the mess had been thrown away, all the boxes and sacks had been sorted and still no sight of these toys.  It was really frustrating.  I felt like Lauro Vizconde, losing a long-fought case. Now, where really are those toys?

It looks like I would have to buy my nephew one of the newer editions of Soundwave (not that bastardized Revenge of the Fallen version.....Michael Bay sucks!) and probably raise another 3K pesos later to buy myself the re-issue of that old Soundwave which i saw at GreatToys in Greenhills to put an end to my regression.  But seriously, I would choose that whole toy collection over a naked sexy lady infront of me anytime.  

Politics: Moronic Judgment

I am a supporter of the Reproductive Health Bill.  Despite being a Catholic and educated at the one and only Pontifical University in the country, I can still see the light which the proposed RH bill shines on the issue of Population Control and Family Planning.  As a physician and a responsible, thinking citizen, I strongly believe that the options on Family Planning should be the choice of the couples.  And the government should make all these possible means available to these couples when they need them.  As opposed to what the Catholic Church was wrongfully preaching, RH bill does not touch on dreadful things like abortion.  It does not solely deal about both natural and artificial methods of Family Planning. The RH bill encompasses all things pertinent to Reproductive bill like maternal and child care, STD prevention and screening, fertility and infertility programs, population (or sex) education and also Reproductive tract malignancies.

That is why i was shocked to read from the online news that Sen. Tito Sotto, the comedian that he is, proposed to cut the 880 million fund for Reproductive Health and re-allocate it to funding of State universities and colleges.  I understand that priority should be given to Education, but it should not be expense of Reproductive Health and Population Control, which I think is one of the issues behind the endless poverty in our country.  Why not do a cut on the Pork barrel, the defense or their intelligence (or non-intelligence as you would like) funds instead? This is moronic to say the least. 

Health and Education should be given equitable priorities and one must not compromise one for the other.  How can the average student study effectively when he can't even have three square meals because his parents have to split equally allocate their earnings to their numerous brood? Or what will be the use of school buildings when no one will use it because the eldest son has to go to work instead to feed his younger brothers because his parents can't bear the brunt alone?  Whether you like it our not, the issue of poverty is still tied to the issue of overpopulation.  The issue on corruption is just another issue.

I still can't understand why our lawmakers are still adamant to pass the RH bill when in fact, it is a harmless but efficient measure aimed to promote responsible reproductive health.  Are they still afraid of the Catholic Church?  Separation of State and Church must prevail, and our lawmakers must adhere to that.  The Catholic Church has a fundamental duty to teach its flock, but it must also be stressed that these flock also have brains and are capable of making their own choices.  The parishioners are not robots dictated by a central command, but rather thinking individuals who share a role in the stewardship of what God has given. 

Maybe it's time for Carlos Celdran to bring his acts to the mighty halls of these lawmakers.  If that's the kind of attention these lawmakers want, then so be it.
                                              
                             

Kulturang Pinoy: Simbang Gabi o Simbang "Tabi"

Tuwing sasapit ang panahon ng kapaskuhan ay maraming tradisyon ang isinasabuhay ng mga Pilipino.  Maliban sa mga nagagandahan at makukulay na mga parol at belen sa kapiligiran, ang mga pagkain tulad ng Puto Bumbong at Bibingka at pakikipagsiksikan sa mga mall, Divisoria at Greenhills para bumili ng regalo, may mas matimbang na gawain na hinding-hindi mawawala sa Paskong Pilipino: ito ay ang Simbang Gabi o ang Misa de Gallo.

Ang tradisyong ito ay nagmula pa sa mga sumakop sa atin na mga Kastila. Ang terminolohiyang  "Misa de Gallo" ay nangangahulugang "Misa ng Tandang" sapagkat nung unang panahon at maging hanggang ngayon, ang misang ito ay idinadaos sa madaling araw.  Sa kasalukuyang panahon, sa ibang parokya, ito ay idinadaos sa gabi kaya ito ay nakagawian nag tawagin na Simbang Gabi.  Ang misang ito ay nagsisilbing parang nobena at ipinagpapatuloy siyam na araw bago dumating ang kapaskuhan.

Nung ako ay bata pa ay madalas akong dumalo ng simbang gabi ngunit dahil sa mga pagbabago sa aking pamumuhay ay di ko na nagawang ulitn ito.  May panahon din na nawalan ako ng ganang mag-simbang gabi dahil hindi na kanais-nais ang aking nasisilayan tuwing dumadalo ako ito. Naisip ko tuloy na hindi kaya't nawalan na ng saysay ang tunay na kahulugan ng tradisyong ito. 

 Kahapon ng umaga, ako ay gumising ng maaga upang magsimba ng kinagawian ko nang alas-singko ng umaga tuwing Linggo sa Dambana ng Ina ng Walang Mag-Ampon dito sa Marikina. Ito ang pinipili kong oras ng misa dahil ito ang pinakatahimik, pinakataimtim, mas kaunti ang tao at siyempre dahil mas malamig pa sa mga oras na iyon.  Hindi ko inaasahan na abutan ang dulong bahagi ng Misa de Gallo na nagsimula ng alas-kuwatro ng madaling araw.  Tunay na makulay at maningning ang simbahan, maraming nagsisimba at marami rin ang nagtitinda.  Hindi ganito ang tanawin sa hamak na araw ng Linggo sa simbahang ito.  Ngunit sa kabila ng magandang tanawin na aking nakita ay muling tumambad sa akin ang mga dahilan kung bakit hindi na ako dumadalo sa Simbang Gabi.

Larawan mula sa Facebook site ng Our Lady of the Abandoned Marikina

Sa paligid ng simbahan ay marami ngang nagtitinda ng pagkain tulad ng puto bumbong at bibingka. Wala naman masama dito dahil bahagi na ito ng Paskong Pilipino.  Ngunit hindi ko masikmura na hindi pa tapos ang misa ay abalng-abala na ang ilang kabataan na lumalamon sa tabi at maiingay pa sila.  Pagpasok ng simbahan, tunay ngang maraming tao, mas marami ito kaysa sa hamak na araw ng Linggo, ngunit nakakadismaya na wari ba'y hindi pagsisimba ang ipinunta nila dun at mistulang pag-gimik ang kanilang pakay.  Grupo-grupong kabataan na hindi nakikinig sa misa at walang ginawa kundi maghuntahan, magharutan at magtawanan.  Ang sarap pagsasawayin ngunit masayado silang marami.  At di rin pahuhuli ang ibang magkasintahan na para bang nagda-date sa simbahan at mas masama pa ay di nakapagpigil na nagsisilampungan, nagliligawan, at naglalandian kahit sa piling ng madla. 

Pansinin din ang kanilang mga kasuotan. Oo nga't maginaw at naka-pangginaw ang iba.  Ang hindi o maintindihan, kung talagang naka-pangginaw sila dahil sa ginaw eh bakit sila naka-shorts at tsinelas lang?  Ang iba pa ay nakapamporma na animo'y pupuunta sa mall, sa Eastwood, sa Morato o sa Global City.  Meron din akong nakikitang mga sumbrero sa loob ng simbahan. Marami silang mga pormang Jejemon. May inilabas na panuntunan ang simahan tungkol sa angkop na pagbibihis sa loob ng simbahan, at ang mga ito ay di umaayon sa nasabing panuntunan.

At isa pa pala, bakit ka dadalo sa Simbang Gabi kung tutulugan mo lang ito? Hindi ba't kasama sa sakripisyo ang paggising sa umaga at pananatiling gising sa misa.  Makikita mo ito sa bata man o sa mga mas nakakatanda.  Hindi kaya't sila'y napipilitan lamang o di kaya'y mga nagpapakitang-tao lamang. Hindi ko na natiis ang aking mga nakita, napailing-iling at umuwi na lamang ako.  Sabagay, naiurong na rin naman ang nakagawian kong alas-singko na misa na dapat ay sisimbahan ko at alas-sais y medya na ang sususnod na misa.

Hindi na ulit ako  mangangahas na dumalo ng Simbang Gabi.  Wala pa rin nagbago sa kapaligiran. Bagaman ang aking layunin ay pagsisimba at maaari ko namang huwag nang pansinin ang mga ito, nakakadismaya lang kasi talagang nakaka-aagaw pansin ang mga di kanais-nais na tanawin na ito.  Sa halip na makapag-simba ay baka makagawa pa ako ng sala sa tindi ng pagkainis ko sa mga ito.  Doon na lang ako kung saan, ang aking pagsisimba ay talagang magiging mataimtim at mas maitutuon ko ang aking atensyon sa Diyos.

Sana ay di tuluyang mawala ang tunay na kahulugan ng Simbang Gabi sa kabataang Pilipino at di ito maging isang "Simbang Tabi" (Simba sa Tabi ng kasintahan, Simbang Kain sa Tabi, Simbang Tabi-tabing Maghaharutan)



Sports: The Azkals and Philippine Football

About 5 months ago, I got hooked to the FIFA World cup being a first-time fan of this sport.  What I initially thought was a slow and boring 90-minute sport, turned out to be one of the most thrilling and intense sport much like NHL Hockey which I also love watching.  I just wondered how in the hell the Philippine nation care less about this event when the whole world stay wide awake to root for their teams? When everybody else in the world were singing Wavin Flag, dancing to the tune of Waka Waka and being irritated by the vuvuzelas; the Philippine nation was sleeping.  A better question would be: Why does the Philippines not figure out well in international competitions? I thought football in the Philippines would not get attention.......until the Azkals showed their teeth.

We were previously regarded as a non-football nation, which is quite a pity since all those countries previously colonized by Mother Spain developed football as their sport. However, during the past few weeks, the Philippine national football team which is also called the Azkals caught the attention of Philippine multimedia after surprisingly winning games and eventually entering the semifinals of the AFF Suzuki Cup.  One of those victories were at the expense of no less than the defending champions Vietnam infront of their 40,000 something hostile fans. 

With that good news also came a bad news.  We entered the semifinals and were supposedly entitled to host one of the semifinals against mighty Indonesia.  But apparently the PFF bungled the opportunity for the sick reason that we don't have a decent football stadium to play on.  Well, this is not new, and it reflects the sad state of Philippine sports as a whole. Too little support from the government, too inadequate facilities and too scant support from the private sector also. Politics has also invaded a field which is supposed to promote fair play and equity. 

Zeroing on Philippine football.  I think it is high time for this sport to gain popularity in the Philippines.  Though I concede that Filipinos are really passionate about basketball, I still believe that we should explore our capabilities in football.  For one thing, football does not require much height.  For another thing, I also believe we can learn football skills as readily as our neighbors.  What is needed is support either from the government or the private sector, and even the creation of interest and hype from media.  It is quite ironic that we've been putting too much money and resources in basketball but the most decent finish we can get from the squad is a 6th place finish in the Asian Games. 

A lot of things have to be done.  Football must start from the grassroots level. Why not make it part of Physical Ed curriculum in our schools.  We can always improvise by tapping our numerous basketball courts to a Futsal type of court.  If we can add volleyball lines to basketball courts, why not add Futsal lines also? i know its not the ideal but it will be a good alternative.  The private sector could also help sponsor small football tournaments (like the former Coke Go for Goal).  In the end, we wouls also need a decent football stadium so that we can host significant international football events.  All of these would help spread the language of football.



Stadiums like this just would not do



Football should be for everyone.  And those legit football fans should not bash overnight football fans.  If they really love the game and if they regard the sport they love as the international sport, then instead of discriminating against these new football fans, they should make efforts to promote the sport.  Enough of this football is for the elite, Starbucks-sipping, DSLR, iPhone-iPad population only.  Even the Jejemons and the Jologs should be taught football!!!  And there are those hardcore basketball fanatics who bash the Azkals for being composed of mostly Fil-foreigners. Duh?!!! Your PBA and the Philippine national basketball team also have Fil-ams, Fil-shams, and even naturalized players, and they are being paid large sums of money.  But these Azkals never got the same amount of money these huge-egoed bozos get and yet they proudly carry the name of the Philippines.

Go PHL Azkals!

                                                               

Tonight, the Azkals would need at least a 2-goal advantage against Indonesia (after bowing out 1-0 to the Indons in Game 1), to advance to the finals against Malaysia.  But win or lose, the Azkals have already shown that Filipinos can play football also.  And it's a good start for Philippine football.  Who knows someday we will be playing at the World Cup?

80s Retro: Payaso

I went to sleep early last night while watching the story of Prince Richard's and Saladdin's Holy War documentary on History channel. Woke up very early and can't sleep no more so I turned on the TV again. A few clicks on the remote lead me to Cinema One and it showed this 80s film "Payaso" which starred the Master Showman himself, German Moreno.  It also featured Gene Palomo, Strawberry, Cris Castillo, Mon Alvir, Strawberry and Monique Castillo among others.  Honestly, I don't know where all of them are now.

The plot is very simple.  Payaso is a clown portrayed by German Moreno who was sent by God to touch the lives of people, particularly the little children, on earth and to help them discern what is good and evil.  Along his journey, he met his nemesis, Red Devil, played by Gene Palomo, who tries to dissuade Payaso from doing his mission. An angel, played by comedian-host Jograd dela Torre keep Payaso on track.  While Red devil deceives the children to commit evil by finding the key to his carnival, Payaso on the other hand tries to lead them to his own "Carnival of Happiness." Payaso succeeded in the end but as the final scene suggested, Red Devil still got the better of him, as he was fooled to peep through a "Butas ng Kapalaran" where a cannon was waiting to fire.  A bit depressing movie but with a lot of lessons to be learned despite the surreal sequences.

I know that this movie was a big flop back then, and some even considered it one of the worst films ever produced.  But it is a welcome delight for 80s nostalgia fanboys like me.  It simply brought back tidbits of memories of the people, places and events in that spectacular decade.  I honestly think that this was the most star-studded of the films produced in the 80s with the likes of now veteran stars Gloria Romero, Susan Roces, Eddie Garcia, Nora Aunor, Vilma Santos, Maricel Soriano, Rickie Davao;  the late showbiz personalities Helen Vela, Rudy Fernandez, Miguel Rodriguez, Inday Badiday and Ike Lozada;  Zsa Zsa Padilla, Gary Valenciano, Gabby Concepcion, Aga Muhlach, Richard Gomez, Bong Revilla, Ronnie Rickets, Martin Nievera, Cristina Gonzales, Gretchen Barretto;  then 80s matinee idols Nino Muhlach, William Martinez, Janice de Belen, Nadia Montenegro, Sheryl Cruz, Tina Paner, Manilyn Reynes, Ronnel Victor, Ramon Christopher, Michael Locsin and Jojo Alejar; all of them playing cameo roles.  I have to laud Sialina Films for being able to tap their services for this film.

But aside from the star-studded cast, what really made me continue to watch this film were the scenes shot at places which used to define the decade like the old Fiesta Carnival and Araneta Center Complex, the old Ayala Center, SM City and Circus Circus restaurant, the SM Cubao and Ali Mall foodcourts, Manila COD and its XMas live display, Greenhills Shopping Center during its glory days, and Shakeys when it used to be the favorite hangout of the teens. Plus I also saw "Marcos pa rin" posters, Winchell's Donut Store, the original Jollibee Mascots, the still existing Wendy's store in Cubao and the now rare to see Cindy's foodstore.

This movie, much like Bagets, Hotshots, all those Herbert Bautista movies, really took me back to the 80s which I am very much ready to re-experience anytime.  And while most find "Payaso" shallow and "bakya," I still find it one of the defining movies of that decade.  That is in the viewpoint who love everything 80s.

New Home...New Life...New Hope

Not everyone is given a second chance.  I thought I was well on my way to glory during my first try until destiny intervened and pulled me back to the ground.  But I guess it was God's way of letting me realize things and spending time with people which I have forgotten and disregarded in my pursuit of success.  It was a life-changing and humbling experience, and for that no regrets whatsoever for what has transpired during the past year.

From what I initially perceived as "One step forward, two steps backward," I built on some positivity to turn it into "Fall once, stand up twice."  It became my motivation to move on.  Although the odds may have been against me, I still pursued what I like myself to be for the rest of my life.  I was thinking that nothing will be lost if I try again.  If ever I succeeded,maybe it was really destiny;  if i failed again, then maybe God wants me to be anywhere else. 

But I guess Neurology is my destiny and to be a Neurologist is what God wanted of me.   After battling it out in a crop with 9 other heavily-credentialled and exceptionally-talented individuals, I was fortunate to make the cut.  And so starting January 2011, I'll be a Neuro resident once again, now in one of the best institutions in the country. My new home is a place I never thought would be this great. Like what I've said not everyone is given a second chance, and I will make it sure that this time it won't slip away. 

The Capital of Health and Where Pateients are Partners

                         

I have to thank my senior residents and the consultants for trusting my talents. I look forward to working with these superb bunch of excellent,free-spirited individuals who proved that work need not be so much of a stress.  I also have to bow to my former mentors and colleagues for without them, I would not have made it through.  A great deal of the knowledge and skills which I armed myself and used in this process came from them.  Though I may now be in a new institution and loyalties may shift in the days to come, my respect, gratitude and admiration to my old mentors will never change.

Time to move on now.........