Wednesday, October 26, 2005

I Move Away

This is what happens when you close in on me.
I m o v e a w a y .
I m o v e a w a y f r o m t h e l i g h t .
I m o v e a w a y f r o m t h e w a r m t h .
I m o v e a w a y f r o m w h a t ’ s c l e a r .
I m o v e a w a y f r o m w h a t ’ s s u r e .
I m o v e a w a y f r o m h e a v e n .
I m o v e a w a y f r o m b l o o m .
I m o v e a w a y f r o m w h a t ’ s s w e e t .
I m o v e a w a y f r o m w h a t ’ s c o o l .
I m o v e a w a y f r o m y o u .
Don’t take it personal.
I m o v e a w a y f r o m l o v e .
I m o v e a w a y .

Thursday, October 20, 2005

Philippine High School for the Arts: The Arts Haven in Mystic Mount Makiling

Reynaldo Wong shares the reasons why he found a second home at the Philippine High School for the Arts campus in the fringes of Mount Makiling in Los Baños, Laguna. “Yung mga taun-taong mga produksyon, mga showcase, mga sayaw-sayaw, they never fail to disappoint me. Para akong na-rerecharge. Kapiling mo yung mga bata na in a way ay parang mga anak mo na rin. Parang ang saya-saya ko.”

In 1991, Wong answered an anonymous ad for Science and Computer teachers which called on applicants to show up at the Folk Arts Theater. He received a letter after a month congratulating him for getting the job and instructing him to pack up for an in-service training. “Mag-impake ka ng damit for one week kasi mayroong in-service training for new faculty.” He thought all along that the training would be held in a resort or a hotel. He never knew where the school was until they were on the bus going to Mount Makiling. “Susmaryosep! Ano ba itong napuntahan ko,” was all he could say to himself. That was his first time to leave home for an extended period of time. Since then, he has only left PHSA to visit his family and do official business for the school. He has been working there for15 years. He is now PHSA’s Assistant Director I.

His was the face of a satisfied man. And I could tell why from the moment I stepped out of the PHSA shuttle that fetches employees to and from the UPLB main campus.

Located in the middle of the greens in one of the Philippines’ most mysterious and often mystical Mount Makiling, the campus of the Philippine High School for the Arts is a take-off from the usual hustle-and-bustle school campuses in Metro Manila. Before I took the trip, I studied the vicinity map and sort of got the impression that walking from UPLB to the National Arts Center compound in Mount Makiling where PHSA is located would be manageable. Regardless of the drizzle that morning, walking my way up the campus proved to be a bad idea. As one of my co-passengers in the PHSA employee shuttle described to me, going there was more like a mountain hike than a promenade in the park. Although the route was scenic, the road was well-paved, and the air was crisp-clean, the upward incline would be such a struggle for people not used to trekking. The campus is quite a distance from the UPLB main campus where most of the transportation is. The effort of getting there is well worth it though. When you’re there, you might have to think hard of coming back.

History

The Philippine High School for the Arts is a public, secular, and non-profit government agency attached to the Department of Education (DepEd). It was established in 11 June 1977 as a special school for the arts through the efforts of then First Lady Imelda Marcos. In 1990, it was converted to a regular government agency under the DepEd. Its programs are implemented in consultation with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).

The school aims to be a “center for excellence and leadership in arts, research, training, education, and support programs.” It provides an arts-based special secondary curriculum in view of developing the capabilities of artistically-inclined youth and consequently to preserve and promote Philippine arts and culture.

Facilities

According to Cleofe Cabauatan, Administrative Assistant and has been with PHSA for 25 years, the campus can accommodate up to a maximum of 150 students, from first year to fourth year. As of school year 2005-2006, their total student population is 119. PHSA is boarding-school type; 30 cottages serve as residence for students, instructors, and administrative and support staff.

There are also cottages that are used as classrooms, laboratories, the library, computer room, audio-visual room, and practice rooms. The school also has its own theatre where most of the students’ performances are held.

Admissions and Scholarship

Any Filipino student with an outstanding ability in any of the arts, is eligible for graduation from elementary, not older than 13 years, proficient in both English and Filipino, has no communicable disease, and is willing to live in the campus is welcome to apply for scholarship.

Tuition at PHSA is totally free. “Wala silang bayad. Apat na taon. Free board and lodging, walang tuition, libre ang paghahatid at pagsundo sa Maynila. Tapos kung meron pa silang out of town performances or out of the country, libre din yun. May allowance silang 500,” says Cabauatan. She says the school spends P 200 000 a year for each student.

The school launches a nationwide search for incoming freshmen students every year which they call the Annual Nationwide Search for Young Scholars (ANSYAS) program. It is virtually a talent search which they conduct in different audition centers all over the Philippines. They start announcing the ANSYAS around April or May through the DepEd division superintendents and city schools, CCP art councils, and NGOs. When the application forms come in, the screenings start. “Auditions muna. Lahat ng makapapasa sa auditions, pinakukuha ng written exam. Pinasusulat namin ng essay at (pinakukuha ng) dalawang aptitude test. Isang nonverbal at isang academic aptitude,” Cabauatan reveals.

To the choice of audition centers, she says, “Nag-iiba-iba kami ng lugar taun-taon. As much as possible gusto naming mapuntahan ang pinakamaraming lugar sa Pilipinas kasi naniniwala kami na di pa rin gasinong kilala sa Pilipinas ang eskwelahan.”

Cabauatan says that in the early years of PHSA, they receive between 200 to 300 applicants, from which they choose only 25 to award the scholarship. Recently though, they have shifted gears and decided to accept 50 freshmen because of the high attrition rate of those who qualify for scholarship. “As much as possible, gusto naming malakihan ang aming population. Last year, ang kinuha namin 50. Pero dun sa 50 na iyon, ang nag-enroll lang 38. Kasi may mga apprehension yung mga magulang ng mga taga-malalayo na papuntahin dito yung mga bata. Meron nga kaming nakuha sa Palawan. First time naming pumunta sa Palawan. Apat ang nakapasa dun. Nag-alanganin yung magulang. Di sila tumuloy. Hinayang na hinayang talaga kami.”

Even relative to Metro Manila, the school is not exactly proximate. This explains the apprehension of parents of would-be scholars. Cabauatan says that in the audition centers, they talk to parents and give them assurances just in case their child passes the ANSYAS. “Binibigyan namin ng assurance talaga ang mga magulang na kahit malayo, aalagaan namin ang mga anak nila. Sa orientation, habang nag-eexam, may mga magulang na nakikipag-usap, may mga tumatawag sa telepono rito, (sinasabing) ang layo naman ho ng eskwelahan nyo eh. Ang sagot naman namin, meron ho kami ditong duktor, meron ho kaming nurse, meron ho kaming house parent, aalagaan ho ng husto ang anak nyo dito.”

Director Wong himself is a witness to the great lengths PHSA had to go to convince and assure the parents of successful scholars. “...ako yung kumukuha sa kanila (sholars) sa mga probinsya, dinadala (sila) dito kasi ako yung chairman ng screening for the past ten years. Ako yung nagbibigay ng orientation, ako yung nagkukumbinsi sa mga nanay (para payagan ang kanilang mga anak).”

Curriculum

The PHSA curriculum is a combination of general secondary education level program and a special program geared toward arts education.

“Sinusunod pa rin naman namin ang Revised Basic Education Curriculum (RBEC). Public school kami. Kaya buong umaga, mula alas-7 hanggang 12:40, andyan na yung basic education nila. Kapag 2 to 6, ayan na yung arts nila,” says Cabauatan about the components of their special secondary curriculum. She elaborates more, saying “Pero dun sa kanilang basic education, na-iincorporate pa rin kung ano yung natutunan nila sa arts. Yung natutunan nila sa Science and Math, nagagamit naman nila sa paggawa ng arts production. Halimbawa, yung isang visual artist, ang tema niya sa kanyang exhibit ay tungkol sa light. Ang consultant niya sa paggawa ng kanyang thesis ay yung kanyang Physics teacher. Nag-cocombine (ang arts at Science). Di lang basta artistic expression, scientific pa yung kanyang exhibit. Naiintindihan niya kasi yung prinsipyo ng kanyang exhibit in terms of Science.”

She cites more examples, “Halimbawa naman (sa) dance, na-cocombine niya (ito) sa History. Kagaya last year. Ang thesis performance ng mga folk dancers (ay) Ibong Adarna. Nagawan nila ng dance production yung Ibong Adarna. Napag-aralan nila yung literary piece. Naisalin nila sa sayaw. Ganun din yung ginagawa ng ballet dancers namin. Sa History rin nila binabase yung kanilang ballet performance.”

PHSA students major in five different arts: creative writing, dance, music, visual arts, and theater arts. One of the first things that a PHSA freshman does is to determine what arts he or she wants to major in. “Pagpasok pa lang nila rito, (tinatanong na namin kung) ano ang kanilang (gustong) major. Kaya hiwa-hiwalay rin yung audition. Kung saan ka pinakamagaling dun ka mag-audition.”

Cabauatan explains, “Lahat ng pare-parehong majors, sila yung magkakaklase. Pinaghahalo lang sila pag-elective na. Tuwing Thursday, binibigyan namin ng pagkakataon ang lahat ng mga estudyante na ma-experience din nila yung ibang arts. Halimbawa ballet dancer, pwede rin siyang mag-enrol ng music. Halimbawa, (pwede siyang mag-enrol sa) Philippine ethnic music. Kasi yung tugtog sa Philippine ethnic music, pwede niyang gamitin sa kanyang sayaw. Meron namang theater arts (major), nag-vivisual arts siya (as elective). Magagamit niya yun for production design sa kanyang palabas. Pitong electives yung kanyang pwedeng lipat-lipatan. Every semester, puwede siyang pumasok sa isang elective.”

A typical class day starts early for PHSA students. “Siyempre gigising ng maaga. Mga 4:30. Siyempre apat sila sa kwarto kaya hali-halili yan sa paliligo,” Cabauatan says. She also adds that they make it a point to assign students with the same majors in the same room. “Ngayon nakikita naming mas epektibo na ang magkakasama sa kwarto ay magkakapareho ng arts para nakakapag-usap sila tungkol sa arts nila.”

The whole morning is dedicated to all the basic education subjects. “Pagdating ng alas-siyete umpisa na ng klase hanggang 12:40. May break sila ng mga 20 minutes para magmeryenda. Ang time allotment per subject ay 40 minutes.” The only difference of the basic education program in PHSA is the presence of a special art education course which the students take every Tuesdays. Cabauatan says that the course is designed to give the students a theoretical background of the arts. And as a consequence of the school’s thrust toward arts, they do not teach the subject Makabayan which is one of the main innovations in the RBEC. “Kasi ang kinukuha sa Makabayan ay kabuuan na ng kinukuha nila dito sa PHSA. Meron naman silang Social Studies, meron naman silang arts, meron silang Art Studies. Yun din naman ang content ng Makabayan.”

In the afternoons, from 2 to 6, the class breaks up into their different arts majors.

The school has in-house basic education teachers and arts instructors. Aside from them, PHSA has a set of high-profile art consultants to enhance their instruction. “Binibisita rin kami ng mga artists para magbigay ng lectures. Nonoy Froilan, Virgilio Almario, Melissa Atienza. (We have) Around 25 art consultants to enhance (our program). Music ang pinakamarami kasi individualized (instruction) yan eh.”

The 10 Year Development Plan

One of the major concerns of PHSA nowadays is its 10-year development plan, anchored on the theme “Muling Pagtanaw, Bagong Pananaw.”

“First and foremost, the 10-year development plan zeroes in on curriculum reform. We would like our curriculum to be research-based. And all our teaching and learning processes documented, published, and disseminated particularly to other art schools,” explains Director Wong. He explains that by research-based, he means the program aims to equip their students with research skills which they would use in their fourth year in school when they are sent back to the communities where they came from. “We would like them to see for themselves culture, and customs, and traditions, and heritages right where they came from. Because we have students from Pagadian, Bukidnon, Laoag, and we would like to equip them through curriculum reforms with research skills and their outputs research-based therefore. And we would like them to engage in actual community research and search and mingling with people documenting ways of living with a view of enriching all the more their artistic excellence.”

Another major facet of their planned curriculum reform is what Wong calls “curriculum differentiation.” “When we say curriculum differentiation, we tailor the curriculum to fit the inclination of a particular student or a group of students with similar abilities or talents.” He says that curriculum differentiation will need a lot of work. “We will have to do a lot of teacher training, module signing and construction, and workshops in order to tailor-fit the things that are supposed to be learned as prescribed by the DepEd for high school students. We are going to decongest (the curriculum) and focus (it) to the real destination and that is to bring the students on their final year here or at least half of their final year to where they came from. Eh saan ba ito? Sa mga probinsya where we got them. Sa Calbayog, from Pagadian, from everywhere. Go back (to your provinces) and come back (here in school) and let us synthesize whatever you have gathered through the research process.” Here, he says, is where the utility of a research-based curriculum lies. “Because only through disciplined research and documentation will we be able to see and pass on to and share with other schools what the Philippine High School for the Arts has been accomplishing and what the actual state of cultural awareness the Filipinos have.”

With regard to streamlining, Wong reveals major curriculum changes. “We plan to integrate those that are related, like Art Studies and Social Studies, like Health and Biology.” As to the required CAT training for graduating high school students: “Biro mo kelangan nilang mag CAT. My god dalawampu’t lima yung fourth year namin. Yung isa dun commander, yung dalawa dun MP. Aanim ang mga magmamartsa. So we are negotiating a community outreach and social immersion program to take the place of the military training for high school.”

Wong cannot help but feel sentimental when talking about the 10-year plan. “Bago mamatay ang direktor namin, he was able to imbibe that [the theme] to the community. Three years before he died (he laid the groundwork already). And so, ang iniwan niya sa amin ay yung 10-year development plan na talagang yung 10 years na yun ang battle cry nun is ‘Muling Pagtanaw, Bagong Pananaw.’ ” He says that 2005 is “human and materials resource gathering” for the 10-year plan. “We want to find out our strengths in terms of resources. Kaya ba natin? Do we have human and material back up to do that? So we have to answer that. We have to make an inventory of our resources and that’s what we’re trying to do this year. Of course coupled with defending that in Congress, on the floor di ba para mapondohan ka.”

Activities

Aside from the programs in their special secondary curriculum, PHSA lines up several academic support programs and extracurricular activities.

PHSA has a curriculum support program to help students cope with their academics. “Kasi naniniwala kami na merong ibang mga bata na napaka-talented pero nagkukulang siya dun sa basic education. Meron kaming tinatawag na academic support program para tulungan ang mga batang ito na mabigyan sila ng tutorial ng mga lessons on basic education. Para maka-cope. Mayroong mga batang nangangailangan talaga. Accepted namin yun. Malakas sila sa arts pero medyo namumroblema sa basic education,” says Cabauatan. According to her, PHSA believes that “Lahat ng mga bata ay may karapatang na mag-develop, kailangan lang ng tamang pag-aasikaso.”

Artistic productions inside and outside the campus are part of PHSA’s regular activities. “Culminating activity ng lahat ng mga arts na natutunan nila sa loob ng apat na taon. Sa Pebrero yun. Yung tinatatawag naming Ibarrang Arts Festival. Pagkatapos meron kaming mga invitations na mag-perform sa ibang lugar. In fact ngayong Enero, dalawa yung naka-schedule na puntahan ng mga musicians. Isa sa Tacloban, isa sa Laoag. Invitational yan. Binibigyan sila ng performance honorarium. Yung pera na iyun ginagamit nila para makapunta naman sila sa ibang lugar. Ini-roroll-over yung pera.”

Part of PHSA’s agenda as well is to reach out to other schools and to develop an audience for the arts. “Meron kaming tinatawag na ‘Lingap Paaralan, Handog Sining.’ Pumupunta kami sa eskwelahan para magturo. Ang natapos namin yung Los Baños National High School. Siyempre sila yung pinakamalapit. Tapos this year mag-aadopt naman kami ng elementary school. Ang purpose naman namin, para mai-prepare na yung mga bata na makapag-apply for scholarship dito sa Los Baños. Para elementary pa lang, teachers na namin ang magtuturo sa kanila,” says Cabauatan.

Like any other high school, PHSA also mounts interschool competitions, outreach programs, sports fests, and educational trips. PHSA students also get the privilege of interacting with visiting artists, cultural leaders, and government officials.

Contact details

I was there three or four hours and I felt attached to the place. I couldn’t help but feel a little regretful not knowing about the existence of Philippine High School for the Arts back in the day when I was about to enter secondary school. If I did, I would’ve taken my chance and applied for scholarship. Studying Science and Math and being able to harness my artistic inclinations in the middle of nature, far from the honking of horns, the smoke, with only the tweeting of birds and the sweet smell of mountain air, is so enviable.

To get in touch with PHSA, you can visit their Website at http://www.ncca.gov.ph/PHSA/home.html, call them at telefax (049) 536.5971 or (049) 536.2862, or send them mail at phsa@laguna.net and this address: Philippine High School for the Arts, National Arts Center, Mount Makiling, College 4031, Los Baños, Laguna.

Wednesday, October 12, 2005

Ginaw!

naligo ako kanina
di ko alam napakalamig pala ng tubig
nanginig ako pagkabuhos ko
napatalon grabe
nasanay rin balat ko
sa haplos ng tubig
na maginaw pa sa yelo

Tuesday, October 11, 2005

Pulis na Matulis

Dear Kuya,

Di mo paniniwalaan ang kwento kong ito. Muntik na akong makulong kagabi! Nakakahiyang aminin ang dahilan. Nahuli akong nag-cruise kagabi sa Starmall. Teka Kuya baka di ka pamilyar sa terminong cruise. Alam ko namang si Tom Cruise lang ang kilala mong Cruise. Yun ay bukod pa kay Sheryl Cruz, Sunshine Cruz, Donna Cruz, at isama mo pa si Tirso Cruz. Ang cruise Kuya ay terminolohiyang nangangahulugan ng paglibot at paghahanap ng makakaniig na panandalian o quickie.

Ganito ang nangyari Kuya. Pauwi na ako galing sa restawran kagabi. Sinadya kong di sumabay sa mga kasamahan ko dahil umaga pa lang eh libog na libog na ako. Pasensya na Kuya sa lengwahe ko. Libog lang kasi ang pinaka-epektibong salita na naaapuhap ko ngayon na sumasaklaw sa naramdaman ko kahapon. Ewan ko ba Kuya. Ilang araw nang mainit ang dugo ko. Siguro kung naging straight ako, ang dami ko ng babaeng naanakan. Dumaan ako sa Starmall na kilalang tambayan ng mga lalaking tulad ko ang pangangailangan. Dumiretso ako sa palikuran sa ikatlong palapag. Pagpasok ko pa lang ay may natipuhan na ako. Matangkad siya ng kaunti sa akin. Kulay tsokolate ang kanyang balat, maigsi ang buhok, makinis ang mukha, at mukha namang matino. Yun ang akala ko.

Sa salamin ng palikuran, napansin kong ninakawa niya ako ng sulyap. Itinuring ko itong palatandaan na siya ay interesado rin sa akin. Sa kasamaang palad, may daluyong ng mga taong nagsipasukan sa palikuran kaya’t di natuloy ang aming maitim na balak. Sinundan ko siya paglabas niya.

Ang mga mata niya’y nangungusap sa akin. Sinundan ko siya. Lubha akong nasiyahan ng pumasok siya sa palikuran sa ikalawang palapag. Sabi ko sa sarili ko, di ako nagkamali sa basa sa kanya. Pareho kami ng hanap. Sa masamang palad, dahil sa oras marahil ng labasan, napakaraming tao ang labas-masok sa palikuran. Sa mga pagkakataong naiiwan kaming dalawa sa loob, sige ang haplusan ng aming mga paningin. Kung may mga kamay nga lamang ang mga mata, marahil nahawakan na namin ang isa’t isa kanina pa. Kung may mga labi nga lang siguro sila, marahil kanina pa magkakuyumos ang mga ito. Subalit mukhang isang pwersa ang kanina pa nagbabadya ng masamang pangitain.

Lumabas siya muli at tumungo sa isa pang palikuran sa kabilang panig ng ikatlong palapag. “Naku swerte at walang tao,” nasabi ko pa sa sarili ko. Masosolo kako namin ang isa’t isa sa wakas. Sa harap ng malaking salamin, nagkunwa akong naghuhugas ng kamay at nagpupunas ng mukha gamit ang aking puting panyo. Sampung minutong titigan, pagkagat-kagat sa mga labing namumula na, at pagpupunas ng panyong halos bumura na sa aking mukha ang lumipas.

Marahil dahil sa init ng aking pakiramdam, sinunggaban ko ang bahagi ng kanyang katawang kanina ko pa pinagnanasaan. Wala akong madama. Kakaiba sapagkat inaasahan kong sa haba ng paglalandian, dapat ay may epekto na ito sa kanya ng tulad ng epekto nito sa aking nabubuhay na bahagi.

“Gago ka ah. Bakit mo hinahawakan titi ko? Security ako dito,” sabay labas sa ID niya sa bulsa. “Halika sa security office.” Ang mga sumunod na sandali na yata ang pinaka-nakakahiyang pangyayaring aking naranasan. Mas malala pa Kuya dun sa pagbibitin sa akin dati ni Tatang sa punong mangga sa bakuran nang nalaman nyang bakla ako. Mas nakakahiya pa kesa nung hubaran ako ng karsunsilyo ng mga gago kong kaklase nung Grade 6 ako dahil sa bakla ako.

Hawak nya ako sa kwelyo ng aking t-shirt, parang kuting na sapilitang hiniwalay ng maharot na bata mula sa kanyang pusang nanay. Nagpumalag pa ako nung una pero naisip kong mas makabubuting sumama na lang ako ng matiwasay para wag na akong maeskandalo pa ng lubusang.

Sa security office, inilahad ng lalaki ang kwento nya ng nangyari. Pinalabas niyang walang nangyaring landian sa salamin, na bigla ko na lamang sinunggaban ang kanyang maselang bahagi na walang pagbubuyo mula sa kanya. Pinigilan ko ang aking sarili. Tinawagan ko ang kaibigang kong abogado para tulungan akong ayusin ang gulong pinasok ko.


Sa presinto, kalmado lamang akong inintay ang kaibigan kong abogado. Sinabi ko Kuya sa pulis na di muna ako magbibigay ng kung anumang pahayag habang di dumarating ang kaibigan ko.

Salamat sa diyos Kuya at mahusay ang kaibigan kong abogado. Sa presinto na niya ako naabutan. Nakahinga lang ako ng malalim nang dumating siya. Laking pasalamat ko sa kanya. Sa totoo lang, siya ang pinakahuling taong iisipin kong lalapitan ko. Ex ko kasi siya Kuya eh. Ibang kwento naman yun Kuya. Isusulat ko sa iyo sa susunod.

Nag-usap ang kaibigan kong abogado at ang namputsang complainant ng sarilinan. Inilahad na lamang sa akin ng kaibigan ko ang napagkasunduan nila. Nanghingi raw ng tatlong libo ang mokong Kuya para di na ituloy sa kung saan pa ang kaso. Buti na lang at natawaran ng kaibigan ko ng isang libo ang danyos. Di pa masyadong nabutas ang bulsa ko. Syempre may kaunti ring abot sa pulis na tila kalakaran na ata sa mga ganitong sitwasyon.

Napakahaba ng gabi ko kagabi Kuya. Isa sa di ko makalilimutan at pinakamakabuluhang gabi sa buhay ko. Umulan ng malakas Kuya pagbaba ko ng bus pauwi. Sa loob-loob ko, sana’y mahugasan ng ulan ang katarantaduhang pinagbayaran ko ng ilang oras ngayong gabi. Pero sa kabilang banda, nararapat ko atang isuot na parang chapa ng katapangan ang karanasang ito. Naging matapang din naman ako. Nabuksan din ang isip ko sa mga bagay na dati ko pang alam ngunit madalas ay di binibigyan ng pansin. Tulad ng halaga ng puspusang pag-iingat sa sarili, ng pagrespeto sa pampublikong lugar, ng pagbibigay halaga sa mga kaibigang tunay na maaasahan. Paalalaa sa akin ng kaibigan kong abogado na, magpasalamat daw ako sa Kanya bago ako matulog kagabi upang pasalamatan Siya sa lahat ng nangyari. Ginawa ko yun Kuya. Bukod dun, nangako rin ako sa aking sarili na ibabaon ko sa puso ko ang lahat ng mga leksyong natutunan ko. Ayokong sayangin ang gabing muntik ng tumapos sa mga masasayang araw ng pagiging malayang bakla ko.

Susulat ulit ako sa iyo Kuya. Inaantok na ako.

Nagmamahal,

Jojoboy

Monday, October 10, 2005

A View from the Top



This a view of a portion of the Manila skyline from the Manila Diamond Hotel Skylounge at the 27th floor. I took this last Friday while taking a lunch break from a salescon I was attending. I got more pictures in my flickr. Click on the link on the right side of this page.

Saturday, October 08, 2005

Putangina! Karma!

Leche! I'm in this stupid cafe at Kalentong writing my blog entry after weeks of drought and then when I'm all inspired and halfway through my blog the computer dies on me! Putangina! hahahahahahah Lesson learned: when you're using somebody else's computer, save whatever you're doing every minute or else run the risk of collecting back your thoughts and redoing everything.

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I was writing about karma and how i don't believe it before this damn computer died on me. i guess computers are very much like men. When you're all engrossed in them, they walk away. Computers are easier to deal with. You can just restart them if they die on you. Men, you can't just push a button to keep them.

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I don't believe in karma. It is such a sneaky way to make people to do good. Good that is borne out of fear of karma is so phony. But sometimes things happen that make me rethink how i feel about it.

I was going around the mall looking for a place to lunch when i noticed this guy following me around. He's around my height, wearing a light purple oversized polo, fair-skinned, clean-cut, with a pudgy stomach. The little slut in me decided to flirt with the poor guy who I ended up pushing over in the end (how i told the story before this stupid computer died on me was lot more interesting. Can't get the groove back. sorry. hahahaha) So ok nothing happened because I was such an ass.

Now after i took my lunch, I was so stuffed i had to take a walk. On my way down the escalator, there's this looker of a guy who was staring at me. He had the greatest chinito eyes. I'm not one to fall for oriental looks but the way he ogled at me sent half of Metro Manila's electricity down my spine. In other words, little miss slutty me had to follow him. Now the tables were turned, i was the one who was played at. It turned out he was behaving like i did with the poor purple polo guy I played with a few hours ago. That's why before I sleep tonight, I'd expect myself to have some serious talk with little miss slutty. i think we have a lesson or two to learn about karma.

Karma
Alicia Keys

Weren't you the one that said, that you don't want me anymore.
And how you need your space, and give the keys back to your door.
And how I cried and tried and tried to make you stay with me.
But still you said that love was gone, and that I had to leave.
Now you, talkin bout a family
Now you, sayin I complete your dream
Now you, sayin I'm your everything
You confusin me
What you say to me
Don't play with me
Don't play with me.
Cause what goes around, comes around.
What goes up, must come down.
Now who's cryin, desirin to come back to me
What goes around, comes around.
What goes up, must come down.
Now who's cryin, desirin to come back
I remember when
I was sittin home alone
Waitin for you
Til 3 o'clock in the morn
And when you came home, you'd always have some sorry excuse.
And explainin to me, like I'm just some kinda fool
I sacrifice the things I want to and do things for you
But when it's time to do for me, you never come through
Now you, wanna be a bond of me (eyyy)
Now you, have so much to say to me (heyy)
Now you, wanna make time for me
What you do to me.
You confusin me
Don't play with me
Don't play with me.
Cause what goes around, comes around.
What goes up, must come down.
Now who's cryin, desirin to come back to me
What goes around, comes around.
What goes up, must come down.
Now who's cryin, desirin to come back
I remember when
I was sittin home alone
Waitin for you
Til 3 o'clock in the morn
Night after night
Knowin sumthing goin on
Wasn't home befo me
You was,you was gone
Lord knows it wasn't easy, but believe me.
Never thought you'd be the one that would deceived me.
And never do wha u was supposed to do
No need to hose me fool, cause I'm ova you
Cause what goes around, comes around.
What goes up, must come down.
Now who's cryin, desirin to come back to me
What goes around, comes around.
What goes up, must come down.
Gotta stop tryin, to come back to me
What goes around, comes around.
What goes up, must come down.
It's called Karma baby.
And it goes around.
What goes around, comes around,
What goes up, must comes down,
Now who's cryin, desirin to come back to me