Bad Education

Pedro Almodovar's films are almost always character-driven. His characters are always going through some inner struggles. In the end, redemption is always the key to self-actualization.

La Mala Educacion (Bad Education) is no different. It is about Angel (Gael Garcia Bernal) who suddenly showed up in Enrique Goded's (Fele Martinez) doorsteps. He claimed that he is Enrique's long-time buddy, Ignacio. He wants to be a movie actor because he learned that Enrique has been directing films. He brought with him a story that he wrote that talks about his childhood with Enrique followed by a fictionalized future. Enrique, despite his feelings of uneasiness towards the present Ignacio, adapted the story into film and made Angel his leading actor.

Bad Education comes in two parts. The first part was the romance that happened between Ignacio and Enrique. That being said, homophobes should stay away from this film because of the somewhat graphic sex scenes between the two lead actors. The second part is Almodovar's homage to Hitchcock movies: a thriller. A mystery lies with the present-day Ignacio that would change everything for him and Enrique.

Did the two parts make a good combination? As a whole, the film worked. The suspense was quite gripping in the middle. You couldn't help but feel interested with the mystery that was unfolding right before your eyes. But when all the secrets were revealed, they don't seem to get hold of you anymore. Even as a love story, it doesn't quite hold up. There wasn't much depth in story with what Ignacio and Enrique had felt for each other. In the end, you'd end up wanting for more. But then, you get to take a film as a whole and not by its parts, right?

Almodovar had good actors led by Gael Garcia Bernal. Gael seemed to be a director's actor. He is very good in every movie that he makes. This movie wasn't an exception. He even get to play a transexual that made him look like Julia Roberts! They could pass as sisters in a movie, believe me! Just to see him act his best is worth seeing this film!

Amazon describes this movie as Almodovar's best since All About My Mother. I disagree. As of the moment, no other Almodovar movie would come at par with All About My Mother. It has depth, substance, and heartfelt emotions that would make it one of the bests in World Cinema. Bad Education just falls short in comparison with such classic.

Phone Interview

One reason that alleviated my heavy feeling is the anxiety towards my phone job interview. I sent my resume online in MantoManEnglish.com earlier this week and they sent me a message yesterday. The phone interview was scheduled at 4:30 PM today but was moved to 7:30 PM. Instead them calling me, I decided that I should call them so the situation will be handled in my pace. As usual, bouts of self-pity resurfaced again. I've already rejected two interviews that were also of the same job. The first one was because it was in Parañaque. It is in the far south and I live in the far north. Time and commuting expenses would be my biggest obstacle. The second one was because I feared the so-called "stages" of interview. I don't have any idea about it but somehow, it didn't sound good to me. So I thought to myself, no guts, no glory!

The interview went fine, so I hope. Sarah, the interviewer, just asked me some stuffs about myself. I can't help but feel insecure, though, because I didn't have the American accent that they prefer interviewees have. After about 7 minutes or so of conversation, she asked me to come by their office on Tuesday at 4 PM.

One question that stucked in my head the most is this: "Is there a difference in teaching kids and college students?"

"Yes, there is a big difference," I said. "With children, when given assignments, they would do their best. If they weren't to, usually they didn't get to understand the lesson. But with college students, they won't do it just because they don't feel like to. It is sometimes easy dealing with kids than adults. The level of hard-headedness in adults is difficult to tolerate."

"So you mean that you'd rather teach children than adults?"

"Not exactly. It's easy dealing with kids, yes. But with adults, you get to converse with them easily with things that kids don't normally understand," I answered.

It'd would be really be hard to choose between the two. With kids, you get to be appreciated easily. It is such an amazing feeling that you get to mold these students into better people. It is a difficult task but challenging. With adults (or college studes), you get to be friends with them. You get to speak to them with adult-ish topics. Not only that, stimulating conversation is possible with them than with kids.

I hope that I get to have this job. I don't wanna get my hopes up because the last time I did, I didn't get the job. But this is the closest thing to going to Korea! I get to teach their people the English language! Aside from that, if I choose the 5am-2pm schedule, I... Oh, I'll stop here. I don't wanna think about it anymore. It's better not to jinx anything...

Cry Me A River/So-Called Friends

Forgive me for not posting anything light lately. These past few months were quite tough on me. Remember when I said that I would just bawl out like crazy anytime soon? Well, it happened. I saw this film called When I Turned Nine earlier. This film was really a tearjerker! Anyway, I'd expected to cry because I wanted to. I've been feeling kinda low and I wanted some release. Only that after the movie, I couldn't stopped crying. It was not that long but I did cry buckets. I'm not sure if that was all already or there's more to come.

I've so many thoughts lately. For the past few nights, I've been dreaming about my friends back when we were in school. Because part of my worries were them. For one thing, I'm really bothered with how my close friend who's in US reacted to my favor. If I am in her position, I'd gladly do a favor for her. That's what friends are for, right? I don't wanna think about it but could it be that having a life in US changed her? Does the scent of success somewhat turn her into an airhead? I refuse to think so but what else could it be? Till now, I haven't spoken to her. Neither does she update me re the arrival my stuffs.

Another thing, remember my close friend who's working in Indonesia? The one who came home and left again without telling me? Well, three days after I learned his visit, his wife contacted me and told me that her husband is about to leave. If I want to, I may call him at home. That hurt me the most. All the while, I thought that he left already. I never imagined that he was still here and didn't even bother to send me even just a message! From Sunday to Wednesday, couldn't we have get together for a while? Or at least have a conversation on the phone? Because of that, I didn't bother saying goodbye, as well. I hope he gets my point. If he (and his wife) doesn't, then let it be! Does the scent of success give you partial amnesia?

Then, this former student of mine who was so sweet to me before because he was asking to give him a break with his attendance. He was trying out his luck in being the ultimate winner in Star Circle Quest Batch 2. During the contest, he was kind enough to update me with what's happening. Before the semester ended, he gave a yellow polo as a thank you gift. But when he became part of the Fab 5, communication stopped. His replies to my messages went from seldom to never. Does the scent of success make one incommunicado? Sus, may pasulat-sulat ka pa dati!

People who rarely communicate with friends almost always tell you that they were just busy as an excuse. For me, it is bullshit! For people who really want to keep in touch with friends, nothing is impossible! With new technologies today, a simple "Hi" would reach someone immediately. Would texting "Hi" used an hour or so of someone's time? Besides, how busy is busy? Would being so busy mean that one can't even sleep or eat anymore because of work? Or at least get some rest for a while? "I'm busy" is such a crap!

My best friend, Than-than, has been wanting to come here for two days now but I keep on telling him that I wasn't home. I don't feel like having some company around, except for Biboy, in case he drops by.

That's it for now. My head aches because of the crying I did...

When I Turned Nine

When I Turned Nine is a story about a nine-year old boy, Yeo-min Baek, who is in the third grade. At such a young age, he feels responsible for his family and friends' well-being without them telling him so.

During the summer, he sells ice-cream to earn some cash and save up. He wants to buy a special something for the person he cares the most. Because he knows that selling ice-cream won't be enough, he starts cleaning houses and runs errands for other people.

When school started, he became the designated protector of his friends from bullies. Upon Woo-rim Jang's arrival in school, another so-called trouble started to unfold. He became attracted to her much so to the disliking of his long-time girl friend. She feels that Woo-rim isn't what she seems to be. From that day on, Yeo-min tried to balance his relationship between his long-time friends and Woo-rim.

Before anything else, let me tell that, in recent years, there wasn't any movie like this that made me sob like a baby! It is a tearjerker all the way! Although it wasn't the kind that is quite heavy. There may be a lot of strong emotional scenes, this movie may still be considered as light. It is melodramatic without being cheesy.

When I Turned Nine isn't like any other movie. For one thing, the story revolves around children. And they weren't goofing around as most children movies have. They were acting in an environment as if they were adults. The closest comparable movie that I have in mind is My Girl. But then, with regards to the depth and substance of this, My Girl would fall flat.

Nine is about familial love, puppy love, and friendships. It tackles love at a tender age, jealousy, naivete, honesty, sadness, responsibility, generosity, and sincerity. It is such amazing to see how children act in their world. For them, everything is black and white. Either you do it or you don't. Complicated isn't in their vocabulary. If only adults could remain as pure and innocent as them, then the world would be a better place to live in.

What's bothering, however, is how Korean teachers treat their students. I can't imagine myself hurting my students physically the way they do. Korean teachers still treat themselves as superior and a cut above the rest.

Besides that, Nine is perfect in every way! Great casting led by Suk Kim. At such a young age, he can act with intense passion and pure concentration. The dialogues may be pretty much adult-ish but it may be only because of the translations made. It is well-paced and well-characterized.

When I Turned Nine, a novel-turned-movie, is wonderful!

Verdict: Four and a half rolls of tissue!!!

In the Realm of the Senses (Japan 1976)

Speaking of In the Realm of the Senses, a film that I saw a year or two ago, here it is:

Oshima's most debated work in a career marked by controversy, "In the Realm of the Senses" is an unrelenting journey into the world of passion and eroticism. Oblivious to social restraints and public sentiment, a geisha and her lover engage in a torrid sexual spree, losing themselves in the fervor of their lovemaking and their quest for ultimate ecstasy. The ideology of male dominance and female submission is thoroughly undermined as the obsessed lovers create a closed existence of incessant lovemaking and sadomasochistic experiments. This is an eerily beautiful examination of the intensity of physical desire.

That's about summarizes what this movie is all about. If Romance somewhat borders on pornography, this one had already crossed the boundaries! But who's to rightfully judge what is porn and what is art? There is such a thin line separating them.

Dictionary.com defines pornography as "sexually explicit pictures, writing, or other material whose primary purpose is to cause sexual arousal." Meanwhile, one definition of art is a "human effort to imitate, supplement, alter, or counteract the work of nature." If that would be case, wouldn't pornography be considered art in a way because it just tries to imitate realism? What separates them, though, is the intention of its maker. If it is just to elicit sexual arousal, then it is porn! But again, who could say that that was the intention of its maker? Only the maker himself, right? So it is up to the audience to decide whether to treat such work as art or porn. It's gonna be subjective, then? Yes, because art is mostly (or always) subjective. There is no single point of view surrounding it. Anyway, let's not go debating over it. I'm simply trying to make a point re the film.

This is one of those films that truly shocked me and left me at a loss for words. The other one being Salo: 120 Days of Sodom. Oh, I'm no prude! Yes, I've seen countless number of porn movies. But you wouldn't expect such graphic material in legitimate films, right? No wonder it became controversial in the year it was released! These days, directors tend to get more daring by showing bodily fluids, imagine that! In the years to come, what will we see next?

Whether or not you find this movie good or bad, it all depends on whether it has achieved it goals or not. For people who haven't experienced the same sexual passion as the two characters have, then they may dismiss this as trash. But for people who have, then they would know what it is like to be in that same nirvana.

Sex would really make one go crazy! I guess, that is why we were reminded a number of times (by the church, etc.) that sex is mainly used for procreation. Because once it takes hold of you, you'd find it difficult to go back to your senses. So be wary! Be careful...

Note: If you think that I'd wrote a review for " Salo" next just because I mentioned it, no siree! I loathe that film! I could never imagine seeing that film again. There's only so much that I could take!

Romance (France 1999)

Catherine Breillat is a French woman director whose focus on films are that of female sexuality. Her attacks are shocking and rather disturbing to say the least. She has no qualms about nudity on film. When I say nudity, I mean no holds barred nudity! Her sexual acts seem to be the real thing, as well, and not just simulation. That being said, her films may somewhat border on pornograhy. What set them apart is the story she injected behind it.

Romance is about a sexually-deprived woman, Marie. Her boyfriend hasn't been touching her for quite a while. She loves him so much that she only wants him to touch her. But then, her boyfriend seems to be keen on keeping up his "no-sex" rule. He isn't able to keep up with her sexual appetite.

So, Marie decided to get what she wanted from other men without the knowledge of her boyfriend. From those trysts and sexcapades, she discovered a part of her that brought more life to her voracious appetite for sex.

Catherine Breillat should be commended for doing movies that usually are of men's genre: sex. She tells her story like it is on women's point of view. Moreso, with a more daring and bolder take. However, when one starts to take side, one loses the focus on the other and alienates him. In this case, Marie was the focus and all the men around her were mere players to her desires. This may be a good movie for woman kind but men may find it a bore. It wouldn't even be much of a study for men since there was little to study to begin with: Marie's sexual desires.

What may also be a problem here is the fact that Marie might be bordering on being a nymphomaniac. She likes having sex just for the sake of having it and not exactly getting pleasure from it. In that case, some women might not be able to relate on her.

Re the sex scenes, yes, they are daring and bold. There are lots of frontal nudity and close-up shots. But they are neither engaging nor erotic. It doesn't have the passion and depth of Oshima's In the Realm of the Senses. Some scenes are even too graphically detailed which makes them quite uninteresting. Not to mention that the movie failed to give meaning to them.

Do I recommend the film? If you're a fan of Catherine Breillat, it won't hurt you to see this one. If you want to witness the cinematic style (should I say genuis?) of Ms. Breillat and have no access to her other films than this one (like myself), go ahead with this one. Just don't expect magic and brillance. I'm sure that she did better works than this one.

Note: The poster above is the original artwork of the movie. So does the title.

::: Breillat's Filmography :::

Children Will Listen

Last Thursday, on Desperate Housewives, Lynette broke down. She hasn't been sleeping well. Her body system was trashed when she took her children's ADD pills. Another mother from her children's school adviced her to do so to be able to cope with the demands of being a wife and a mother. But then, she had enough. She was very tired yet she couldn't sleep. One time, when her kids were noisily playing in the house, she sat for awhile not knowing she dozed-off. She dreamt of killing herself with the gun that Mary Alice gave her. That was the time she realized that she really had enough! She gave her kids for a while to Susan and took off.

Anxious about their friend's condition, Susan and Bree went after her. When asked about what's bothering her, Lynette just cried. She feels inadequate as a wife and a mother. She thinks that she is a failure. She could not control her kids and she feels that she isn't giving them enough.

Susan and Bree related their experiences to her. They told her that it was just normal to feel those things. But it doesn't mean that she is a bad mother. Every mother goes through a situation wherein she wants to give up her children. There were times that one would feel so full of the things around her and may want to just surrender.

"Why didn't you tell me those before?" Lynette asked.

"Because no one wants other people to know that they can't handle things," Bree answered. "No one wants people to know that they need help."

"Well, we should talk about these things," Lynette said while crying her eyes out. She finally had the release she needed all along.

***

How do you say to your child in the night
Nothing is all black but then nothing is all white?
How do you say it will all be alright
When you know that it mightn’t be true?
What do you do?

Sometimes, I do get to ask the same question to myself. Am I being a good parent to Angel? Am I giving her all the love and attention that she needs to grow up as a good child? Would all my faults turn against me once she grows old? Would I be able to give her the good future she truly deserves?

Careful the things you say,
Children will listen.
Careful the things you do,
Children will see.
And learn.
Children may not obey,
But children will listen.
Children will look to you
For which way to turn,
To learn what to be.
Careful before you say,
Listen to me.
Children will listen.

If one would really think about it, being a parent is the hardest job in the world! One little screw up could turn into a disaster in the child's future. A simple drink of aspirin while pregnant could mean physical defects. A simple anger experienced may mean temper for the child. A simple blurted curse word could be the child's first uttered word.

Careful the wish you make,
Wishes are children.
Careful the path they take,
Wishes come true,
Not free.
Careful the spell you cast,
Not just on children.
Sometimes the spell may last
Past what you can see
And turn against you...

When I was in high school, I told my friends that there should be a seminar for would-be parents. All the basics and the Psychology of rearing a child should be taught there. It should be intensive and not just a week or two event. If one would fail the seminar, then they wouldn't be allow to bear any children. Unless they'd take the seminar again and pass it.

Careful the tale you tell.
That is the spell.
Children will listen...

Was it an absurb thought? It may not be in the best interest of the people taking the seminar but it is in the best interest of the children that are about to be born! Having children may be someone's right and privilege but it is also a huge responsibility that entails enough attention and carefulness! It may sound unfair to say this but really, whatever children become as they grow up depends on how they were raised by their parents!

How can you say to a child who’s in flight,
Don’t slip away and I won’t hold so tight?
What can you say that no matter how slight won’t be misunderstood?
What do you leave to your child when you’re dead
Only what ever you put in it’s head
Things that your mother and father had said
Which were left to them too.
Careful what you say, children will listen
Careful you do it too, children will see and learn.
Oh!

Guide them but step away,
Children will glisten.
Temper with what is true
And children will turn,
If just to be free.
Careful before you say,
Listen to me.
Children will listen...
Children will listen!
Children, children will listen.

More Upset

I wrote an e-mail to my best friends Elma and Than-than re the topic below. The more I read the e-mail (or the post), the more I feel upset. It's been a while since I haven't cried hard due to the circumstances in my life. I know that anytime now, I'd just break down and sob really hard. Bigat ng dibdib ko, e. I really need a good cry so I'd feel well again. I have to take this out of my system so could function well and see things clearly.

Back in college, when I feel blue, I just listened to Sarah McLachlan's Mirrorball CD. Then, I'd just cry like a baby. One of the songs that still breaks my heart is this one:

Do What You Have To Do
Sarah McLachlan

What ravages of spirit
Conjured this temptuous rage
Created you a monster
Broken by the rules of love
And fate has led you through it
You do what you have to do
And fate has led you through it
You do what you have to do ...
And I have the sense to recognize that
I don’t know how to let you go
Every moment marked
With apparitions of your soul
I’m ever swiftly moving
Trying to escape this desire
The yearning to be near you
I do what I have to do
The yearning to be near you
I do what I have to do
But I have the sense to recognize
That I don’t know how
To let you go
I don’t know how
To let you go
A glowing ember
Burning hot
Burning slow
Deep within I’m shaken by the violence
Of existing for only you
I know I can’t be with you
I do what I have to do
I know I can’t be with you
I do what I have to do
And I have sense to recognize but
I don’t know how to let you go
I don’t know how to let you go
I don’t know how to let you go.

:: All the while, I thought that the said song was the theme song of Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 3. It was Full of Grace pala. But if you listen to the lyrics, this song is really appropriate for the time when Angel became a monster. ::

And this one became a personal anthem:

That I Would Be Good
Alanis Morissette

That I would be good even if I did nothing
That I would be good even if I got the thumbs down
That I would be good if I got and stayed sick
That I would be good even if I gained ten pounds
That I would be good fine even if I went bankrupt
That I would be good if I lost my hair and my youth
That I would be great i if was no longer queen
That I would be grand if I was not all knowing
That I would be loved even when I numb myself
That I would be good even when I am overwhelmed
That I would be loved even when I was fuming
That I would be good even if I was clingy
That I would be good even if I lost sanity
That I would be good
whether with or without you.

I'm thankful that I have stayed good despite all the troubles that I went through...

Upset

I shed tears while I was in church today. I sincerely asked God to help us with the turmoil that I feel are coming to us. I know that we need not fear the future because He will surely take care of it. But I just couldn't help but feel concern about it. It's mid-2005 and me and my family need to find ways to survive the year and the coming years. What stressed me out, though, was when dad told me that mom is starting express her anxiety about what's coming ahead.

With that, I felt upset during the rest of the day. Further, a close friend of mine who is in Indonesia working came home recently and didn't tell me. His wife apologized that they weren't able to contact me. She only did so when I sent her a message asking when her husband would be coming home. I have wondered, if I didn't ask, would I receive any apologies? Did they ever think of meeting me while he was here and just forgot about it? Or they really have forgotten me?

I thought that was the end of it. I received an e-mail from another close friend of mine saying that I should have told her about my plans before going through it. She added that they were having problems lately. Okay, I understand it. However, it was the way she said it. As if my request was really too much of a burden for them. Considering that this was the second time that I've asked a favor from them. Aside from that, couldn't she understand that they are my only means to get those stuffs? If I have other ways, I wouldn't bother asking them for help. But what are friends for, right?

Don't worry, this is the last time I would ask something from you. And as what I told you, I'd pay for any excess baggage on your part because of my stuffs. If you are having problems because of the taxes you need to pay, then put yourself in our shoes! You have the money, we don't!

Mmm-bap!

:Yay!:
I finally had a taste of the Korean dish called Bibimbap! Biboy and I ate at K.I.M.C.H.I., SM Megamall food court. Bibimbap is what I used to see Korean actors eat in movies, aside from Kimbap. It tastes good! It is a mixture of beef and vegetable combined with rice, sauce, and fried egg. One whole meal, I should say. I searched the net for its recipe and there seems to be quite a variation with the vegetable. It's up to one's taste on what vegetable he prefers to add. What we had earlier had bean sprouts (togue), onion, and cabbages. I'd try to make it some time. I'd also do Kimbap only that I wouldn't know where to buy the bamboo mat for it. Anyway, I'll ask around.

:Yes!:
My loan application in AIG was granted and I pick-up the check earlier. I'd be paying my other credit cards so that I'd just be paying AIG. Then, we'll buy some new parts for my computer. It has been giving up since time immemorial! I realized that it has been seven years old now and I couldn't blame it if it crashes down every now and then. Besides, I'm really getting pissed off with its mood swings! So I'd better give it its much needed rest! :-p

:Whoa!:
Saw Fantastic Four today! My oh my! That damn Chris Evans was so freaking hot!!! Literally and metaphorically speaking!

So You Think Life is Unfair?

Imagine this: receiving PhP80,000 as a bonus from your company's anniversary! That's apart from your mid-year bonus and the 13th-14th month pay! Whatta life, right? Well, it isn't you! It isn't us! But some lucky people who are working for the company who makes and manages all the money in the Philippines!!!!

Don't you just want to kill yourself?

Aired Today

Aired Today: The "C" Show
I was never a fan of underwear fashion shows here in the Philippines. I mean, do people really wanted to see the latest styles in underwear or the stars/models wearing them? Do people sigh the oohs and the aahs because they witnessed the new colors and designs of the underwear or because of the bulges and boobs being displayed on stage. Bench started it all (as far as I know) and Carter underwear followed. Dubbed as The "C" Show, Carter boasted Paolo Bediones as their main endorser. Frankly, I believe that he was the one they are selling mostly than their underwears. Unlike Bench, they don't have much variety to speak of. They're plain and boring! So does Paolo! Gay and boring, I should say! (Oops, did I say that out loud?!)

I wonder, though, are we the only country who does underwear only fashion shows? Does Milan do it, as well? Of course, Victoria's Secret is a different thing. But does this events showcase how Filipinos can still be reserved when it comes to their sexual freedom? That they'd rather be a mere peeping-tom than be an active participant?

***
Aired Today: Tom Cruise on Oprah
This is the infamous Tom Cruise interview where he stood on Oprah's couch to express his feelings for Katie Holmes. Katie Holmes?! My gawd! Couldn't you go any lower than her?!

I admit that I am a huge Tom Cruise fan! I've loved him eversince Top Gun! Maybe because I was getting older, I somehow outgrew him. I still admire him, though. Of course, no more drooling every time I see him on screen. But eversince this TomKat brouhaha, I'm losing respect for him. I could stomach him dating Katie but all these PDA's just make me sick! All these kilig expressions he has been showing. Oh, c'mon! You're not in your teens anymore! Yeah yeah yeah! I got it. You're in love! (So as you say!) You're happy! (So as you say!) But act your age! I don't know about the other fans, but he is embarrasing me!

I just couldn't put my foot on it but I feel that there is something fishy about TomKat. Imagine, after a few months (or was it just weeks?) of dating and they're getting married already?! Could it be mid-life crisis, as Jen had suggested? Probably! But I feel that there's something more. Could it be publicity stunt since they both had summer movies? Maybe. But why choose Katie for a publicity gimmick? Why not a bigger star like Angelina Jolie (Oh, yeah, Brad got her already! Brad, isa ka pa! Grrr!) or Jennifer Connelly? I think there's something bigger than that. Could it be true that Tom and Rob Thomas was caught in bed? Hmmm.... Sounds... naughty! But there was a story behind it, really! Is it true or not? Well, no one could say.

Here's the story...

Apparently, Rob's wife caught the two in bed. Threaten to expose them in public, the Scientology group steps in and did some damage-control. Marisol, Rob's wife, was paid a hefty amount of money to shut her mouth while Katie was asked to pretend as Tom's gf. Aside from the august payment she is getting, she was also told to imagine how this so-called relationship would do to her so-called career. However, Marisol is still threatening to expose them now that all eyes were set on TomKat and she is annoyed about it. (Read it all here.)

Could it be true? I dunno. Do I care? I dunno. I just hope that TomKat would stop their lovey-dovey antics in public! Are they that publicity-hungry?

BUT if you asked me if I care that Rob is gay (or bisexual), well, that's a different story altogether! *wink wink*

***
Aired Today: The Congress Listening to the Wiretapped Conversation
The Congress had proven that it wasn't just PGMA who had spoken to some Comelec officials. There were also other officials who are part of the opposition. So if the CD includes conversations between the Comelec and the opposition, we couldn't blame the wiretapping now to the opposition themselves. As days go by, pagulo lang nang pagulo ang kwentong ito!

I have several thoughts, however. PGMA, in her apology speech, said that it was a lapse in judgment when she called Garci during the votes-counting. I'd say that it wasn't. It was stupidity! How could she have made the calls herself? Couldn't she asked a "trusted" official/friend to do the dirty work? Or she already thought that she was doing something not right and didn't want to involve anybody else? Or was she that super perfectionist who'd want to make sure for herself that things would be done? Hah! Perfectionist, pala, ah!

During these times, I'm feeling ambivalence towards both groups: the administration and the opposition. I don't feel like taking sides. All I feel is if the opposition wanted to oust PGMA, who would they elect? Susan Roces? Sino ba ang nakapaligid sa kanya? Same people who were with Estrada, right? So bubuti ba ang kalagayan ng Pilipinas sa kanya?

Another People Power won't solve anything! My gawd! We are becoming a laughing stock of other nations because every time we want to change the government, we ought for People Power. Nawalan na ng saysay ang tunay na kabuluhan ng People Power!