Wednesday, March 12, 2008

The Problem With Blogging. . .

Tumira na naman si Malu Fernandez! This time, "bloggers" ang pinapatutsadahan n'ya!

Let me back track a little. I wasn't really aware of the brouhaha this certain Malu had created last year over her article in People Asia. I remember seeing reports on TV about it before but I didn't pay much attention to it. I really don't know why. Busy-busihan 'ata ako n'un sa sarili kong mundo. (That was around June-Sept 2007.)

When I read her new article, I felt the need to read through the old controversial article. Aba! Sobrang nakakairita nga! If I was into the issue that time, baka isa rin ako sa mga sumumpa sa babaeng 'yun. (Eto na nga't ginagawa ko na ngayon.) Jusme, who does she think she is? Ni hindi ko nga alam kung Pinoy siya o anumang lahi. Dahil kung hindi siya Pinoy, ano ang karapatan niyang lait-laitin ang ating kapwa-Pinoy na nagpapakahirap sa ibang bansa upang kumita ng pera para sa kanilang pamilya rito sa Pinas? At kung Pinoy naman siya, wala pa rin siyang karapatang manglait ng ganun-ganun na lang!


I mean, faults and all, proud akong maging isang Pinoy! Ang panglalait sa kabuuan ng mga Pinoy ay maituturing na rin na panglalait sa aking sarili, hindi ba?

But that is not my point. We can go on and on about our own strengths and weaknesses as Pinoys yet won't resolve anything by it. Besides, ayoko rin naman buhayin pa ang isyung ito na halos mag-iisang taon na rin naman. I was just bringing it up because I feel that her latest article was the result (and sort of her way of retaliation) of the consequences of her previous article. Kahit pa itanggi niyang hindi siya "gumaganti."

"Before I go any further I must stress the point that this is not about my previous issue, but simply the point of view of someone who has been a victim of vicious blogging and blogging as a new communication medium. To those of you who are mass/volume or dense (that’s the physics formula for density to those who are clueless) again, I repeat this is not a reaction toward my past actions."

Her new article was dated March 10, entitled "The problem with blogging. . ." Mostly, she have talked about "anonymous blogging." Those who makes comments or write their opinion under false names or anonymity. With that point, gets ko siya. Sino nga ba naman ang matutuwa na makatanggap ng panglalait mula sa mga taong hindi man lang nagpapakilala or at least brave enough to stand up by their own convictions. I, too, have been a victim of nasty comments. Pero naman! After getting slightly hurt by them, carry na. Hindi naman nila ako kilala personally para personalin ko 'yung sinasabi nila and vice versa.

However, as you read along, you get the feeling na bloggers in general ang pinapasaringan n'ya.

"So let me continue, first of all I believe in the freedom of speech. By all means say what you need to say. Unfortunately for most of the bloggers without advertising you get paid nothing. If in fact you do get paid then hooray for you. But blogging, aside from Perez Hilton and the other big time bloggers (you know who you are) is for me a slacker job or a medium and pastime for lonely people to connect. Unless you’re in bloody Siberia or in a Gulag prison, try stepping outside your comfort zone and turn off the laptop or pc, you just might find some real live people to talk to instead of typing away in cyber space."

Ano ba talaga ang gusto mong sabihin? Maski ako naguguluhan sa tinatakbo ng article. Maski naman 'yung article mo about "From Boracay to Greece" ay malabo rin. Was it about your trip from Boracay to Greece? Your kakikayan? Your pagiging jetsetter? Or your pure hatred towards "simple" Pinoys? Ano pa nga ang ie-expect namin with this one? O siguro, sadyang hindi mo lang talaga alam ang mga pinagsasasabi mo kaya naman incoherent 'yung writing mo.

The problem with you is that you tend to make unnecessary generalizations. Akala mo may dalawang klase lang ng tao sa mundo: Ikaw at ang iba!

OK, I apologize. I don't think that I'm in any position to tell you what you are since I really don't know you. The fact is, hindi mo rin kilala ang mga bloggers for you to say that they are "slackers." Ilang blogs na ba ang mga nabasa mo para isiping walang kwenta ang kanilang mga sinusulat? Just because they are not "journalists" like yourself, doesn't mean that they are not entitled to write. Aminin mo na kasi, masyado kang nasaktan sa mga "anonymous" opinions re what you did before kaya naman nilalahat mo na kaming mga bloggers. (Actually, she did admit being hurt by the hurtful remarks.) Eh sino ba naman ang may kasalanan nu'n kung hindi ikaw rin, di ba?

"I simply detest people who place vicious comments and slanderous statements in blogs yet sign their messages as ‘anonymous.’ If you have something to say, don’t hide behind a false name. It’s just plain cowardice of you to do so. I have more of a deep sense of respect for those—however unpopular or vicious their statements are—who post their views with their real names and make no bones about it. At least they stand for something; I would rather take it from them than the cowards that hide behind false names."

To somehow enlighten you with what blogging is all about, yes, it another way of connecting to people. Masama ba 'yun? I have met a lot of people through my blogs and I can proudly say that they are good people and non-back stabbing ones like you say they are. Some even became my friends and constant text mates. Hindi lang ang pakikipagsosyalan sa mga mapera ang paraan para makipagkaibigan!

Saka isipin mo naman 'yung statement mo. Kung nasa Gulag prison ka, makakapag-blog ka pa ba? Pwede ba ang lap top at PC ru'n?! Baka gusto mo i-restate 'yung part na 'yun.

Suggestion ko sa 'yo, ikaw ang bumaba sa lupa at makisalamuha sa mga totoong tao. Baka magulat ka pa na ang mga amoy Axe ang siyang tutulong sa 'yo kapag lugmok ka na sa putikan.

So ayun! Linawin mo ang mga gusto mong sabihin. Eto't nga't kung anu-anong pambabatikos na naman sa Pinoy ang nilagay mo sa article mo when your topic is about bloggers. Ano ba talaga, ate? Sadya bang matindi ang pagkamuhi mo sa mga Pinoy at talagang nilalahat mo na sila?

"Just a thought to ponder on... Maybe I should start an anonymous blog and really let go... but then again I don’t want to be responsible for World War Three. . ."

O ayan ka naman! Your giving youself too much credit. Hinay-hinay lang. For sure marami na namang ookray sa 'yo. (Read: Bryanboy's post) Be proud kasi napapansin ka. Mas masakit naman kung deadma ang lahat sa mga pinagsasasabi mo, di ba? Come to think of it, siguro nga mas magandang deadmahin ka na lang para matigil ka na. Kakairita ka, eh. Tulad ng mga lamok na kinakamuhian mo sa Boracay, dapat siguro eh isprayan ka namin ng Baygon para matigil na ang pag-iingay mo.

Monday, March 10, 2008

F*ck You!

When Jimmy f*cks Matt, Matt f*cks back!



But it isn't enough! Matt f*cks more -- through Jimmy's gf, Sarah.



Jimmy won't sit through it, though. He f*cks back -- with Matt's bf (i.e. best friend, silly!) this time, Ben.



Revenge doesn't get f*cking better than this!

Who do you think f*cks better?

Thursday, March 06, 2008

Masakit Sa Dibdib

Yet another lost again. Sobrang sakit sa dibdib knowing that, again, I lost by a dollar. By mere few seconds on the clock, someone outbid me. I have lost the item that got me into eBay in the first place.

I was ahead of my game since last night. After I lost my "first battle
," I have read some techniques on how to win the bidding war. Fortunately, it worked. Until the very last minute, I was on top of my game. Every click of a button, I was a winner. It was truly heart pounding. Nakikisabay ang tibok ng puso ko sa pag-tic tac ng orasan. Until the last few seconds came and someone outbid me by a dollar! When I was about to retaliate, it ended! I lost. "Sorry, you were outbid," so the message says. Record: Didn't win (2). It just reminds you that until you don't have the item with you yet, you haven't "won" anything.

Hay! Di ko 'ata carry 'to. Di ko 'ata kakayanin ang ganitong pressure. Dog eats dog talaga ng online world ang labanan. Magkakasakit ako sa puso if I keep this up. Ang mahirap pa nito, di mo nakikita ang kalaban mo. You don't know what tricks he would pull at the last second. I guess, I haven't mastered the technique of winning the war. But I'm not sure if I'd still pursue it kahit maraming item pa ang nasa watch list ko. More than the disappointment of losing, the anticipation of winning builds up. Kailangang lagi kang tutok sa prize. Kasehodang wala kang tulog! Fight lang ng fight!
(Pero di bale sana kung libre 'yun prize, eh. Kaso gagastusan mo rin, eh.)

But I am not a gambler (uy, a Madonna song!) neither a risk taker. May pagka-segurista ako. It might not be that good but it isn't that bad either. I just pick which battles to fight. Hindi ako basta-basta sumusugod. If I feel that it is out of my league, deadma na. Anyway, kung destined naman siya mapasakin, mapupunta pa rin siya sa 'kin.

Ay naku, mahirap talaga maging bagito sa ganitong labanan!

P.S.
OK lang ako! I'd survive! ;-)

Wednesday, March 05, 2008

Such a Loser I Am

OK, I admit it. I am a virgin! An eBay virgin, that is! I am a newbie when it comes to searching items from it and especially in bidding for items that I find desirable.

OK, let's go back tracking for awhile and see where it all started.

Of course, I am aware of what eBay is all about and what it has to offer. But it isn't my thing. Bidding for an item ala auction isn't something for me since I don't have enough cash to deal with it. Besides, I'd rather buy something at a specific amount which I know I can afford rather than bidding for it until it reaches a pricey tag. Parang ikaw na mismo naglagay ng sarili mo nu'n sa kamunoy.

I was looking for Madonna's Who's That Girl Tour, Japan in laserdisc on the net when I stumbled upon it on eBay. Du'n lang siya available and since OK pa naman ang price niya (it isn't that much actually), so I decided to wait on it. I haven't bid on it yet kasi ayokong tumaas ang presyo niya. Isa pa lang ang bidder nu'n kaya carry pa. Until two other bidders made their way on it. Sige, carry pa. Di pa naman kataasan ang presyo, eh. As of this writing, it's still on my waiting list (with 7 hours to go on the dot). I'm thinking that I'd just bid on it a few minutes before it ends. That would be my strategy.

As I go through the site, I have found a collectible mug - Breathless Mahoney mug from Dick Tracy. $0.99 pa lang ang nag-iisang bid. With a $4.99 shipping free in the US, carry pa rin. Mura na siya for a collectible even if you convert it to peso. A few minutes before the clock ends, I made a bid. I was outbid. Then I made another bid, outbid again. There was excitement all over the place. I need to get my way through. Even Biboy who was at my side got the thrill of it. Another bid and I lost again. Nakaka-stress siya! 19 seconds into the clock with my $5 bid, I lost once more. I had to give up. I do not want to reach an amount where I'd regretted it. As the time ends, I realized that the last bid was indeed $5. (The bidder had already beat me to it even before I made it.) If I had add another dollar to it, I might've won! Pucha! I was PhP40 away to having that friggin' mug!

So, 'yun! I lost. It was pretty disappointing actually. I have never expected such a feeling but I guess, that is what makes eBay addicting. There's a certain nagging feeling of the need to "win." To add more insult to the injury, eBay will send you an e-mail reminding that "you didn't win." As if that's not enough, it'd go in your eBay record: Didn't Win (1). Ano ito, boxing?! So habang dumadami ang bilang ng pagkabutata mo, ganu'n din ang pagpapaalala sa 'yo na isa kang talunan? Hey, baka pwede ka pa maitanghal na Hall of Famer sa pagiging loser. Ay putek! Di ko pinangarap ito.

Anyway, I wouldn't want this to turn into a habit. Yeah, I still have other items that I'm looking out for but again, pag out of budget, deadma na. Di ko carry na makipagtagisan ng kayamanan sa mga taong maraming kaban ng pera dahil wala ako nu'n. I'm just here for the love of collecting Madonna rare items. Pero kung tipong out of reach naman siya, deadma na. I'll live. It would suck big time, yeah, but I'll manage.

Eto lang masasabi ko sa nag-outbid at mag-a-outbid sa 'kin: @#*& you all!

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

This Is How to Steal a Kiss from Harry Potter!

Be a host! A parasite-sucking leech!

Daniel Radcliffe attended the Theatregoers' Choice Award and wins for Equus! He did not only get a trophy, he received a torrid kiss from the show's host, James Corden! Putek! I am so jealous! Daniel didn't even move away! Grrrr!



That bitch! May pahaplos-haplos pa sa buhok! He totally savored every second of it!

Monday, February 25, 2008

Presenting: The SeX-Files!

Sex and the City movie full trailer is finally out! Yay! Just seeing the teaser trailer already gives me the goose bumps, reminding me of the great times I have spent with these gals. Now, seeing them again makes my heart throb faster!

(What did you do, Steve? How could you? Miranda's my favorite gal!)

So here it is! (Ralph, there's your J-Hud for you!) Can't wait for May 2008! (I'm hoping that it will be shown here in May, as well.)



SexandtheCityMovieBlog.com: Sex and the City Full Trailer
Uploaded by gsantamaria

Oh my! I didn't expect this one! I am not sure if I have learned about the filming of it and just forgot about it or if it was really a surprise for me. But watch! Judging from the audience's reaction, you could tell that they, too, are excited over this one! Pati ako napapapalakpak! Teaser pa lang 'to, ah!

This one's in July! (Sana nga July din ang showing dito.)


That's The X-Files 2! Putek! I have missed Fox and Dana so much. What a treat it will be seeing them on the big screen after ten years.

If it's possible to get a fave overdose, I might get one this year! Imagine, Madonna's new album on April (with a rumored visit here in Pinas this year? Siyet! Pamatay 'yun!). Sharon's Caregiver on May (or August) and SATC. XF2 on July! Whoa! This is starting to be some year for me, eh?

Yay talaga! Ahluvit!

Friday, February 15, 2008

No Mega Moments

Biboy and I just saw Music & Lyrics on DVD. We don't really celebrate Valentine's Day. Kasi naman we celebrate our anniversaries kasabay ng birthday ko. We are in our fifth year now. Happy Feet (Fifth) nga namin! Anyway, I just thought that it'd be nice if we watch a romantic movie together. I decided to see M&L with him since he hasn't seen it. Saka it came in handy 'cause I have a copy of the film.

In one of the scenes in the movie, Drew Barrymore's character, Sophie Fisher, sees her former flame and professor Sloan Cates in a restaurant. She wasn't prepared to see him. She has been harboring ill feelings towards him for he has wronged her; using her as a character in a book he had written and portraying her as a "monster" of some sorts. She had every word that she'd like to say to him written on her head once she they meet, only that when they saw each other face to face, she didn't have the courage the muster the words. Thus, she went home feeling stupid as ever.

Gigil na gigil si Biboy sa scene na 'yun. Halos mura-murahin na niya si Sophie for not doing what she intended to do. She should have smacked Sloan in the face and made him feel the pain that she went through. Halos 'di na nga niya tapusin 'yung panonood ng movie. Then I remember his initial reaction when he saw his ex in a mall. He wanted to asked him about the book he borrowed from him but didn't return. Only that he didn't have the guts to. Oh, that guy has wronged him in every way possible, I'm telling you, so he deserves some smacking, too!

I explained to Biboy that, in life, you really don't get to have winning and defining moments with the people who have hurt you. Walang Dorina moments where you get to pour a glass of wine on Lavinia's face. Walang Myrna moments kung sa'n pwede kang maghamon ng away kay Glacilda with matching tanong kung saan, kailan, at paano ang labanan. At lalong-lalong walang Lupe moments kung sa'n pwede mong hampasin ng latigo ang ama-amahan mong umaapi sa inyong mag-ina. Bihira talaga ang pagkakataong taas-noo tayong haharap sa mga umapi at umaway sa 'tin at hahalakhak na parang wala ng bukas.

Life's sweet revenge is subtle at times. Fate has its own way of dealing with bad people. Karma, 'ika nga, na subtly dinaanan ng pelikulang M&L. Sophie got her revenge when Sloan's movie which was based on the book was lambasted by critics and failed at the box-office.

Besides, in my opinion, while it may feel good to have your "revenge," one does not need it. What is important is to let go of the past and let it be a reminder of what you were (and not what you are). Yes, people may have hurt you yet the pains should made you grow stronger and wiser. It is those who can't let go that suffer in the end. 'Di naman 'ata masarap sa pakiramdam ang magbuhat ng kabigat-bigat na bagahe habang tinatahak mo ang daan ng buhay. Not only it won't get you far, it limits your ability to deal with other people who have good intentions for you.

So stand proud despite the pains and humiliations! 'Ika nga sa Bibliya, mapalad ang mga inaapi dahil kakamtan nila ang biyaya ng langit. Like what Sophie did, by casting away her shadows overhead, she was able to go her way back into love! Di ba ang galeng?

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Palabas Na: Endo!

Inaanyayahan ko po kayong manood ng isang maliit na pelikulang pinamagatang Endo. Maliit man po siyang maituturing ay malaki naman ang kanyang puso at marami siyang sinasabi tungkol sa estado ng kabuhayan at pakikipagrelasyon ng mga kabataan sa ngayon. Isa itong pelikulang naglalaman ng komentong panlipunan na nababalot sa isang kakilig-kilig na romansa mula sa mga pangunahin nitong mga karakter. Maari rin sabihing isa itong romantikong pelikula na nagtatago sa isang makabuluhang salaysay tungkol sa maliliit nating kababayan na kadalasan ay hindi natin pinapansin. (Minsan ko na ngang nabanggit sa blog kong ito na makakasama ba kung batiin mo sila matapos ka nilang batiin sa iyong pagpasok sa kanilang tindahan? Masyado bang mahirap sa 'yo ang kahit tumango o ngumiti lamang sa kanila?)

Sinisiguro ko pong hindi n'yo pagsisisihan ang panonood nito. Inirerekomenda ko ito sa mga Pinoy na hanggang ngayo'y nabubuhay sa kinang ng pelikula ng dekada '70. Sila na kadalasan ay humihingi ng matinong pelikula sa industriya gayong kay tagal-tagal na silang hindi tumutungtong sa loob ng sinehan na may pelikulang Pinoy na panoorin. Kaya naman paano nila nasabing puro latak ang inilalabas ng industriya sa ngayon? Kapag may kapuri-puri namang pelikulang inilalabas ay hindi sila mahagilap. Ito na po ang pagkakataon para magbayad ng isang daang piso para sa isang pelikulang Pilipino. Magbahagi naman kayo ng inyong kaperahan sa industriya at 'wag puro suporta sa mga naglalakihang Hollywood na pelikula. Maipagmamalaki po natin ito! Pramis!

Kaya naman kapag dumating ang panahon na ako'y may pelikula na, suportahan n'yo rin sana. *wink wink*

Ang Endo ay palabas sa mga sumusunod na sinehan: SM (Megamall, North Edsa, Manila, Southmall, Fairview, Centerpoint), Ayala (Glorietta 4), at Gateway.




This Is Supposed to Be Devil's Food!

Biboy baked me a cake. It is supposed to look like the one from the left but the end product turned out on the right!

Well, yeah yeah! Say it with me! It looked like a big pile of shit! Jenny even commented nicely that it looked like the one from "Blue Magic," not really mentioning the "Blue Magic ebak" na usong-uso noon sa 'min nung high school. Sabi ko nga, this isn't Devil's Food but rather Devil's Shit!

Pero 'wag ka! Don't be deceive by its looks. Don't judge the book by its cover, ika nga. It actually tastes good! Masarap 'yung icing and malambot 'yung cake mismo. Hit siya actually sa mga bisita! At nang maubos, hinahanap-hanap pa ni sis!

This is actually Biboy's first baking outing so keri na. (Na-inspire kasi bago 'yung microwave namin kung sa'n pwedeng mag-grill at mag-bake, aside from reheating chuvas.) Panalo naman ang lasa, eh!

Google Sharon/Google Me

Even Google recognizes how big a Sharonian fan I am! Key in Sharon Cuneta on Google images and you'll find me on page 21 (of page 39)! Ang tindi!

Isa na sa mga pinapanga-pangarap ko sa buhay ay natupad. Last Thursday, I went to Our Lord's Grace Montessori to visit Mega on the set of Caregiver. We were supposed to watch the shooting but we ended waiting for her during breaks in her "dressing room." So habang wala pa siya, mega-chikahan lang kami nina Cynthia, Lorie, and Gigi (of Sharonians Online). During her breaks, she would just sit and watch LOTR on DVD then share stories every once in a while (about the film or anything that comes to her mind). When she was finally done at around 1:30 AM and about to go, I handed her a letter and a DVD copy of My Only Love (thanks to the gorgeous Acy - of My Only Love series - for this one!). Ayun, pinakilala na ko ni Gigi and Mega told me that she'd be reading the letter once she gets home. Konting beso and off she went.

The next day, Ren (another onliner) told me that Shawie asked about me, sorta hinahanap 'ata ako. O, di ba? Natatandaan na niya ko. That was February 8, two days before my birthday. Parang advance birthday gift ko na from her.

During the Sharon taping last Tuesday, she thanked me for the letter onstage (nasa tuktok kasi kami holding a "We Are Sharonians Online" banner) then again when we met with her at the dressing room. Touched daw siya. (Ow, di ba!) Tinanong pa nga ako kung ano raw ba spelling ng pangalan ko. 'Di niya ata naintindihan 'yung pagsulat ko ng (nick)name ko sa letter.

Ayun lang, happy na ko! I just want her to know that I exist and at least be recognized as one of her admirers. I don't ask much. 'Yun lang talaga. Pramis. Well. . . Ibang usapan na if I'd really get to work with her in the future. Heaven na 'yun! Di ba, Cynth?!

Siguro you might find it cheesy and OA and corny (and kadiri even for those snobs out there!) but I know that you admire someone, too, and you just feel that you have to meet the person. Eh parte na siya ng buhay mo di ba?

I know naman na wala pa ko sa kalingkingan ng mga matagal ng sumusuporta kay Shawie. Kaya naman mataas ang paghanga ko sa kanila. Hindi matatawaran ang loyalty at devotion nila kay Mega. Umula't umaraw, literally & figuratively - sa buhay man nila o ni Mega, and'yan sila para sumuporta sa kanya. (Balang araw, masusulat ko rin ang script na para sa kanila at hopefully ma-produce onscreen.) Hindi biro ang maging isang super (in this case, mega) fan! Kinakarir talaga. So sa lahat ng natsi-tsipan sa kanila, nek-nek n'yo! Ano ba naman ang pagkakaiba nila sa mga taong humahabol-habol sa mga nilalagawan?! Ang halos nag-ii-stalk ng exes?! Ang halos magpatayo ng shrine para sa minamahal?! Wala! Mas matindi pa nga ang mga 'yun. May pagnanasa factor! Eewness talaga! Eh ang paghanga sa isang idolo, basta ma-recognize lang, keri na. Wala naman silang hinahanap na kapalit.


(L) Sharonians Online waiting for Mega after the show; (R) Gigi (in pink), Racquel, Lorie


(R) Cynthia, still getting starstruck after all these years

Next project ko: Madonna & Barbra! (Mangarap lang ng mangarap hangga't kaya!)

Saturday, February 09, 2008

Celebrity Birthdays: February 10

Feb. 10: Actor Robert Wagner is 78. Singer Roberta Flack is 71. Singer Jimmy Merchant of Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers is 68. Country singer Lionel Cartwright is 48. Actress Laura Dern is 41. Country singer Dude Mowrey is 36. Actress Elizabeth Banks ("Scrubs") is 34. Writer/Educator/Critic Jerrick David is 31. Actress Emma Roberts ("Unfabulous," "Nancy Drew") is 17.

*Cake given by best friend, Elma! Thanks, gurl! Love you!