tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-108533002024-03-14T00:46:01.208+08:00jalwyn's journallive to write, write to livejalwynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07610789751228618681noreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10853300.post-47513193879840743532007-05-27T03:48:00.000+08:002007-05-27T03:49:48.304+08:00Dinner with our Aussie friend<div><embed src="http://widget-aa.slide.com/widgets/slideticker.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" quality="high" scale="noscale" salign="l" wmode="transparent" flashvars="cy=bb&il=1&channel=144115188084363690&site=widget-aa.slide.com" style="width:400px;height:300px" name="flashticker" align="middle"></embed><div style="width:400px;text-align:left;"><a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?ad=0&tt=14&sk=0&cy=bb&th=0&id=144115188084363690&map=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-aa.slide.com/p1/144115188084363690/bb_t014_v000_a000_f00/images/xslide1.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?ad=0&tt=14&sk=0&cy=bb&th=0&id=144115188084363690&map=2" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-aa.slide.com/p2/144115188084363690/bb_t014_v000_a000_f00/images/xslide2.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a></div></div>jalwynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07610789751228618681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10853300.post-63214716913050345212007-05-17T04:43:00.000+08:002007-05-17T04:46:27.775+08:00Tasting Vigan at the LCP organic market...<div><embed src="http://widget-06.slide.com/widgets/slideticker.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" quality="high" scale="noscale" salign="l" wmode="transparent" flashvars="cy=bb&il=1&channel=144115188083863814&site=widget-06.slide.com" style="width:400px;height:300px" name="flashticker" align="middle"></embed><div style="width:400px;text-align:left;"><a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?ad=0&tt=3&sk=0&cy=bb&th=0&id=144115188083863814&map=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-06.slide.com/p1/144115188083863814/bb_t003_v000_a000_f00/images/xslide1.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?ad=0&tt=3&sk=0&cy=bb&th=0&id=144115188083863814&map=2" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-06.slide.com/p2/144115188083863814/bb_t003_v000_a000_f00/images/xslide2.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a></div></div>jalwynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07610789751228618681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10853300.post-1875607361337456842007-04-25T17:48:00.000+08:002007-04-26T01:24:24.369+08:00Lessons to learn<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VqLwreov2tQ/Ri-OvKeLucI/AAAAAAAAAA0/E7UG6aGUlc8/s1600-h/Pculogo.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VqLwreov2tQ/Ri-OvKeLucI/AAAAAAAAAA0/E7UG6aGUlc8/s320/Pculogo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5057417847476304322" /></a><br />As a graduate of the Union High School of Manila (Batch 85), my heart is heavy with the revelation that some of its sports officials and student athletes have cheated, resulting in the <strong>one year suspension of the Philippine Christian University or PCU from the NCAA for the coming school year</strong>.<br /><br />The NCAA Policy Board, chaired by this year's president Vincent Fabella of Jose Rizal University, found damning evidence that some PCU high school sports officials orchestrated elaborate schemes for some athletes to take on the identities of other students or people who were ineligible, otherwise to play for the NCAA High School edition. In effect, 4 Baby Dolphins, namely JP <strong>Importante, James and Cesar Degano and Victor Miguel Oliveros </strong> faked their school records to get into the lineup.<br /><br />(According to newspaper accounts, the identity switch was not clearly explained; some sources were saying that the players apparently submitted the school records of either a brother or a cousin to meet the 18-year age limit for high school cagers.)<br /><br />The suspension resulted in having all four players ordered banned from the NCAA. The Baby Dolphins were also asked to return their second-place trophy together with the individual awards and had to forfeit PCU’s third place overall trophy in the high school division. The university was allowed to keep its over-all championship for the seniors division though.<br /><br />PCU President Oscar Suarez apparently did not contest the NCAA's decision, which was announced this Monday, April 23, 2007. Suarez, as quoted from broadcast news sources that day and print sources yesterday Tuesday said that “this is a lesson learned... Just because of some erring personnel and athletes our school was gravely affected.”<br /><br />Suarez had also instructed Fred Olano, PCU’s representative to the management committee to fire the coaching staff of the junior squad headed by Bong Sales.<br /><br />The suspension comes in the wake of the victory of two Lady Dolphin spikers who won a hard fought battle in a beach volleyball tournament just this weekend, a victory that was clearly overshadowed by Monday's announcement.<br /><br />PCU alumni all over are just coming to terms with this shameful and painful event, much like a crash from the exhilirating highs that the school's sports program had taken through the years since its entry into the NCAA less than a decade ago.<br /><br />PCU's erring officials and athletes clearly did not learn anything from the equally painful and shameful experience of DLSU last year as well as the other experiences in the national level.<br /><br />What is sad though is that I know for a fact that Union High School students are taught Christian values and discipline that allows them to be persons for Jesus Christ, as befits the largest Protestant university in Metro Manila.<br /><br />Back in my time, sports victories were few and far between; the high school (now renamed to be the Union Integrated Science High School) pursued and were more successful in academic and spiritual pursuits. <br /><br />Sadly I don't get to hear them excel in academics these days even as they racked up sports victories one after the other. But look where it got itself now - a suspension for the whole university due to corruption at the high school level! It seems to me that corruption is being started early in my beloved alma mater. That really hurts and it makes me angry as hell... <br /><br />I will definitely follow up on this sad story as soon as I get to talk to the right people.jalwynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07610789751228618681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10853300.post-52005743094869214642007-04-23T02:55:00.000+08:002007-04-23T20:53:42.135+08:002007 Earth Day Jam<div><embed src="http://widget-9d.slide.com/widgets/slideticker.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" quality="high" scale="noscale" salign="l" wmode="transparent" flashvars="cy=bb&il=1&channel=144115188082675869&site=widget-9d.slide.com" style="width:400px;height:300px" name="flashticker" align="middle"></embed><div style="width:400px;text-align:left;"><a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?ad=0&tt=1&sk=0&cy=bb&th=0&id=144115188082675869&map=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-9d.slide.com/p1/144115188082675869/bb_t001_v000_a000_f00/images/xslide1.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?ad=0&tt=1&sk=0&cy=bb&th=0&id=144115188082675869&map=2" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-9d.slide.com/p2/144115188082675869/bb_t001_v000_a000_f00/images/xslide2.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a></div></div>jalwynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07610789751228618681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10853300.post-18620306407550109792007-04-21T01:48:00.001+08:002007-04-21T02:19:01.100+08:00At the Earth Day Jam<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> Just split up from my friends Ailyne, Leo and Francis. The Earth Day Jam still rages on a few paces away from where I am blogging now beside Baang Coffee. Such a huge crowd tonight especially at the stage at the junction of Ratsky's, Baang and Chili's.<br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> Orange and Lemons was the band already playing so it was an easy decision to ditch listening to them in favor of making this entry, with apologies to Nancy my friend and PCU classmate who is the band's publicist. Had to ditch meeting up with her and her friend Candy too at Starbucks 6750; just didn't have the energy to take a cab and get all over to the other side of the metro to Makati at this time.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> The Earth Day jam was a cool concept - more than 3 dozen bands playing all night to a closed T. Morato. I just didn't understand the band lineup though or the mix of musical genre's - one moment it was Noel Cabangon and Session Road, the next it was Paolo Santos and then Orange and Lemons. That band Paramata and 6Cycle sounded good though. Oh well, I guess that's diversity for you...</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> Too bad I was too shy in asking to have my photo's taken with the few singers that I admired though. I wanted to run after Noel Cabangon but held back... And right next to our table were Jett Pangan and Buddy Zabala... Oh well, next time???</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> If there were turn-offs in the whole event these were the environmental plugs shown in between the gigs and the inglesera hosts. The VTR plug's were packaged by foreign productions and used foreign hosts and concepts - The organizers could have made new ones and contextualized it in the local milieu. The hosts were simply too snobbish for comfort and didn't seem to connect to the crowd at all.<br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> But the production aspect of the concert was very good - great sound and lights, very good set-up and efficient looking staff, engineers et al. Kudo's to the organizers whom I understand to be from rocker Lou Bonnevie's company. And boy did she sound so good still, after all this years! Lou should keep on rocking and teach those upstart wannabe rocker chicks how it is to really rock and roll. I had to resist the urge to go up to her and ask how her sister Angie was doing; she was my classmate and good friend in Union High School in Manila in the 80's and was also my schoolmate in UST.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> In retrospect, the crowd was well behave and were mostly younger people; a whole slew of punk rockers showed up and camped on Manoling Morato's spacious parking spaces. I noticed that the tables and chairs of established outlets placed on the streets were not patronized though - probably due to their overpriced food and drinks? It was a good thing that some joints sold Pale Pilsen, San Mig Lights and my favorite Red Horse at an affordable range of between 20 to 30 pesos... As usual, over at the media area, reporters covering the event enjoyed free booze and food.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> My first glimpse of the concert at about 8pm was at the stage beside Kopi Roti; I had dinner at Brothers Burgers where I enjoyed my grilled chicken burger and lemonade over a view to a kill of the stage. Cynthia Alexander and Bayang Barrios were kicking up a storm them and that was one priceless moment - good music, good food (I always love Bros. Burgers grilled chicken with its delicious cilantro sauce - it was simply a good healthy food that was value for money; the lemonade was so-so though and terribly overpriced). I left though when some bossa nova chick duo took control of the stage and did some lame music. </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> Too bad that my former producer Hannah was too tired to join me in tonight's activities; she used to be Bayang's first manager and I was just surprised she passed up on attending the Earth Day jam tonight. Also missed were Bombi and Jeng, who used to jam with Session Road and other bands making good music at the concert outside. I only saw Mike and his new lady love with their friends too (which I forget their names; all I remembered was that they used to work for my network too until they resigned to pursue their dreams of becoming indie filmmakers like Mike. Truly admirable people...).<br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> I'll see them next time though. For now, I'm writing this entry for lack of something more creative to do. Later when I get home I'll finish the 2nd season of the compelling Prisonbreak series. This is my 2nd time to log in the Internet tonight. Earlier, I checked my emails at this Internet cafe's rival - Station 168 on top of Starbucks T. Morato where I was surprised to find a reply from Julia Campbell's sister (which I promptly informed my producer and co-editors'; we eventually got an exclusive phone patch interview with the family - more from this in my next post).</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> Meanwhile at the Earth Day Jam, The Dawn just wrapped up their set. Then the crowd just went wild and I just had to leave my station for a while to check out the next band. No wonder, it was the likeable Itchyworms belting out their fave Beer song... Too bad Cathy was not around with me to enjoy the concert...</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> My pictures from the jam will be uploaded tomorrow.</p>jalwynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07610789751228618681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10853300.post-71661641754276334052007-04-18T23:44:00.000+08:002007-04-23T23:45:32.394+08:00Off to Coron, Palawan<div><embed src="http://widget-60.slide.com/widgets/slideticker.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" quality="high" scale="noscale" salign="l" wmode="transparent" flashvars="cy=bb&il=1&channel=144115188082711648&site=widget-60.slide.com" style="width:400px;height:300px" name="flashticker" align="middle"></embed><div style="width:400px;text-align:left;"><a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?ad=0&tt=5&sk=0&cy=bb&th=0&id=144115188082711648&map=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-60.slide.com/p1/144115188082711648/bb_t005_v000_a000_f00/images/xslide1.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?ad=0&tt=5&sk=0&cy=bb&th=0&id=144115188082711648&map=2" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-60.slide.com/p2/144115188082711648/bb_t005_v000_a000_f00/images/xslide2.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a></div></div>jalwynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07610789751228618681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10853300.post-32893841460421088932007-04-04T02:53:00.000+08:002007-04-04T02:58:48.681+08:00One weekend at the mall...<div><embed src="http://widget-4b.slide.com/widgets/slideticker.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" quality="high" scale="noscale" salign="l" wmode="transparent" flashvars="cy=bb&il=1&channel=144115188081776971&site=widget-4b.slide.com" width="400" height="300" name="flashticker" align="middle"></embed><div style="width:400px;text-align:left;"><a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?ad=0&tt=14&sk=0&cy=bb&th=0&id=144115188081776971&map=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-4b.slide.com/p1/144115188081776971/bb_t014_v000_a000_f00/images/xslide1.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?ad=0&tt=14&sk=0&cy=bb&th=0&id=144115188081776971&map=2" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-4b.slide.com/p2/144115188081776971/bb_t014_v000_a000_f00/images/xslide2.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a></div></div>jalwynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07610789751228618681noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10853300.post-20291954490580938012007-04-02T01:57:00.000+08:002007-04-02T04:14:05.068+08:00Let's do the Pasig...<div><embed src="http://widget-5d.slide.com/widgets/slideticker.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" quality="high" scale="noscale" salign="l" wmode="transparent" flashvars="cy=bb&il=1&channel=144115188081679453&site=widget-5d.slide.com" width="400" height="300" name="flashticker" align="middle"></embed><div style="width:400px;text-align:left;"><a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?ad=0&tt=25&sk=0&cy=bb&th=0&id=144115188081679453&map=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-5d.slide.com/p1/144115188081679453/bb_t025_v000_a000_f00/images/xslide1.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?ad=0&tt=25&sk=0&cy=bb&th=0&id=144115188081679453&map=2" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-5d.slide.com/p2/144115188081679453/bb_t025_v000_a000_f00/images/xslide2.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a></div></div>jalwynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07610789751228618681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10853300.post-9483863156972053662007-03-22T20:38:00.000+08:002007-03-22T23:39:52.676+08:00Of calloused indifference...Since becoming semi-active in this blog, I've vowed to stay apolitical, since for me there are more edifying pursuits, however simple, than politics.<br /><br />But some things really gets one's goat, so to speak. The following story, for me, is the height of the indifference and haughtiness of the nation's top leader, who I believe is an anomaly primarily to her gender and to everything that she stands for. Does she even know how it is to be hungry, just as millions of Filipinos do?:<br /><br /><blockquote><strong> Arroyo:'I'm a hunger victim, too'<br /><br />Article posted March 22, 2007 - 07:25 PM <br />President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Thursday said that if simply missing a meal would qualify a person as having experienced hunger, then she, too, is a victim of hunger.<br /><br />In an interview after a roundtable discussion at Malacañang, Mrs Arroyo said the way the question was posed among respondents could have been a factor why the hunger incidence reached a record high of 19 percent.<br /><br />"Kasi iyun naman ang question ng hunger (It?s because of the way they posed the question), do you miss one meal during the last three months? Pati naman ako (me, too), I?ve missed one meal in the last three months," she said.<br /><br />The nationwide Social Weather Stations survey conducted from February 24 to 27 showed that the hunger figure remained at 19 percent though there had been a recorded worsening in Metro Manila from 17.7 percent in November 2006 to 20.7 percent in February 2007, and in Luzon from 17.7 percent in November to 18.3 percent in February.<br /><br />The President, however, admitted that insufficient income could be one of the factors why some families have missed a meal. She said most of those who missed a meal belong to families of coconut farmers. "That's why we want to spend as much as possible the coco levy on increasing the income of the farmers," she said.<br /><br />The President said there are also cases when one of the parents or a family member has vices, like drinking. She said they spend the money buying liquor instead of food. <br /><br />Mrs Arroyo said this is why her administration will try to educate families by teaching students about the right ?spending habits" to ensure that the family income is spent on basic necessities like food.<br /><br />She said teaching parents about responsible parenthood and family planning methods would help poor families save more money, which they can spend on food.<br /><br />Social Welfare and Development Secretary Esperanza Cabral said a family spends about P2,000 for infant formula every month, which can be used to buy food.<br /><br />The President said aside from saving money, breastfeeding is also a good family planning method.<br /><br />Mrs Arroyo and Cabral also traced the high incidence of hunger to the removal of the ?food for school" program in the supplemental budget sought by the administration in 2006.<br /><br />Cabral said the DSWD food-for-school program, where each daycare school children gets a kilo of rice daily for 120 days, had been scrapped and replaced with milk feeding and hot meals. The same program is offered by the Department of Education for younger elementary pupils. - GMANews.TV </strong></blockquote>jalwynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07610789751228618681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10853300.post-16692249812943796242007-03-21T02:30:00.000+08:002007-03-21T02:40:54.399+08:00The Pirates are back!I just saw the 2 minute plus <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9KytlbAkuc">trailer</a> of Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End and man... I'm hooked! It's simply fantastic and I can't wait. Check this youtube entry. Better yet, here's the <a href="http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/pirates/atworldsend/">official site</a>.<br /><br /><br /><object width="600" height="500"><param name="movie" value="http://adisney.go.com/disneypictures/pirates/atworldsend/pirates3.swf?eclipid=b10000"><embed src="http://adisney.go.com/disneypictures/pirates/atworldsend/pirates3.swf?eclipid=b10000" width="600" height="500"></embed></object>jalwynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07610789751228618681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10853300.post-65599182511569667372007-03-07T01:53:00.000+08:002007-03-07T02:32:36.880+08:00Intimations of Mortality reduxWithout dwelling too much on the what should be and might be's, I hopped on a decrepit bus off to Baguio, right after attending a media conference in Holiday Inn @ Clark Pampanga. The bus left Dau around 930pm that Saturday night. Five hours later, I arrived in Baguio and I was simply the happiest person on earth. <br /><br />The air was as fresh and as cold as I wanted it to be and the city was just as... well, sleepy and quiet as I expected it to be. I just didn't expect many people to still mill around Session Road at that hour, mostly the young ones. <br /><br />Without any sense of urgency, I spent the next two hours in finding a suitable lodging. But being the height of the festival, naturally all the rooms were booked, even the sleazy ones in the City's nooks and crannies (don't ask me how I knew that). But nothing daunted me --- I was even prepared to sleep on Session Road, like the many I saw that dawn, never mind the cold.<br /><br />A kindly taxi driver, among Baguio's truly gentle souls, helped me find some place to stay but in the end I contented myself in bunking on a 5-in-a-room dormitory at Baden Powell. Before managing to sleep around 430am, I made a mental note to wake up a few hours later to catch the Flower Festival parade... <br /><br />Unfortunately, the flesh was weak (and tired from all the travelling) --- I woke up late at 1030am, hurriedly dressed, ate the Baden Powell's free but uninspired breakfast and hurried off to Session Road a few meters away to catch the parade.<br /><br />I did manage to catch its last 30 minutes though, but the best parts were all gone already. Still, this did not stop me from sporting a crazy grin while walking around my favorite Session road, which just disappeared in a sea of people.<br /><br />I managed to find a suitable transient room (with my own bathroom and cable tv at that) within walking distance to the city center. I savored the cold water of my first Baguio bath and soon after was off to hang out and pound away on my trusty laptop and finish my writing backlogs. <br /><br />In Baguio, there are several places for me to stay while working on my stories, articles or simply just pouring out my mind --- the Figaro @ the Filling Station @ the Camp John Hay's entrance, the Starbucks at the Camp's Baguio Country Club end, the Figaro at SM Baguio's 4th level, @ the Tamawan Village, @ the Zola Cafe @ Session Road and my old time favorite, @ Cafe by the Ruins. <br /><br />But hanging out in the places I mentioned do not come cheap though... But then again, no place is cheap anymore these days, especially in Baguio during Panagbenga.<br /><br />Still I had a good time, was able to write a lot of stuff and caught up on my cable viewing too. I was extremely happy to catch Hotel Rwanda on HBO and watch the underrated but superb Don Cheadle. <br /><br />So I just spent my time in Baguio doing simple things --- I wrote a lot, walked a lot, slept a lot and watched cable tv a lot. Surprisingly, I had a mild appetite --- I contented myself in eating street fare I would normally shun in Metro Manila, like my favorite one day old chick (3 pieces for 18 pesos, deep-fried with their bile taken out) at the Burnham Park area. I also attempted to check out the Mabuhay wag-wagan area but simply gave up after an hour --- I never did have the patience to do ukay-ukay shopping.<br /><br />What I did not fail to do while in Baguio though was to have coffee at every imaginable cafe and surf the internet at ridiculously low rates --- part of the city's discount giving spree due to the festival.<br /><br />I especially tried to cram a lot of mundane activities as the time for me to leave the city came near. Eventually, I reluctantly left at a very late 230am on Tuesday morning, with my class obligations to start 8 hours away, with a 6hour trip to make and two more to get to school.<br /><br />Oh well, what's the use in living if you can't feel you're alive, right?jalwynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07610789751228618681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10853300.post-31149480149820124922007-03-06T13:40:00.000+08:002007-03-07T01:55:40.963+08:00Intimations of MortalityIf you were given only one day more to live, what will you do?<br /><br />Me? I would simply roam the streets of my favorite mountain city --- Baguio.<br /><br />I did just that, as if it was my last day on Earth. And yes, I was alone at a time when the Panagbenga or Flower Festival was in full bloom. What better way to hide my isolation in a sea of people?jalwynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07610789751228618681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10853300.post-9090478718615745542007-03-02T20:49:00.000+08:002007-03-02T20:57:49.928+08:00Retreat to Mountain City<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VqLwreov2tQ/RegfQGw_RNI/AAAAAAAAAAc/dqPFg9bctL8/s1600-h/DSC02674.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VqLwreov2tQ/RegfQGw_RNI/AAAAAAAAAAc/dqPFg9bctL8/s320/DSC02674.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5037310544768353490" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VqLwreov2tQ/RegfC2w_RMI/AAAAAAAAAAU/i404MWETZmE/s1600-h/DSC02727.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VqLwreov2tQ/RegfC2w_RMI/AAAAAAAAAAU/i404MWETZmE/s320/DSC02727.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5037310317135086786" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VqLwreov2tQ/Rege1Gw_RLI/AAAAAAAAAAM/NJZuKxjlwWs/s1600-h/DSC02679.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VqLwreov2tQ/Rege1Gw_RLI/AAAAAAAAAAM/NJZuKxjlwWs/s320/DSC02679.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5037310080911885490" border="0" /></a><br />Just when I thought my sanity would leave me, I went up to my favorite retreat place, the mountain city of Baguio. And what good timing it was as the Panagbenga or Flower Festival was in progress. I still had two days remaining for last year's VL so I cashed it in by going up after my two day media conference in Clark Pampanga.<br /><br />The full story of my retreat and adventures on my next post. Meanwhile, here are some pictures of that memorable time.jalwynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07610789751228618681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10853300.post-11578929979904039912007-03-02T20:34:00.000+08:002007-03-02T20:38:57.192+08:00Crunch timeIt seems like I am always catching up on something whose deadline was like ages ago. And now I've run out of excuses not to do the things I've put off for so long. And so slowly but surely, I'm reclaiming my life by finishing important tasks, personal and professional. I only hope that it's not too late for me though. But in case I get penalized for defaulting on my deadlines, I guess it only serves me right...jalwynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07610789751228618681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10853300.post-11382527570451750602007-02-14T15:57:00.000+08:002007-02-14T16:23:43.335+08:00Movin' onServing as inspiration lately for me is this simple <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1I9wIKvNHUw&mode=related&search=">song</a> by who for me should have been last year's American Idol - the incomparable <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elliott_Yamin">Elliot Yamin</a> (watch out for his first CD soon to come out next month - this is the awesome first single, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NkEgi6WxcM">Movin' On</a>).<br /><br />Since the New Year kicked in, I've spent more time dealing with things that have weighed me down. Then there was the medical scare of my life - thank God it turned out to be only a warning. But I'm taking heed now of the warnings and prescriptions of Dr. O (my cardiologist from St. Luke's) and Dr. E (Letran College's resident physician).<br /><br />There's nothing like a medical scare to make you sit up and take stock of what's important or not in one's life. But now I've made my choices. And I'm doing moves to achieve them.<br /><br />I've given myself until the end of the month to get rid of all my 2006 backlog so that before the start of the end of the year's 3rd quarter, I'll be off and running to fulfill my hopes for the year.<br /><br /><em>"I don't want anything other than me..."</em>jalwynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07610789751228618681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10853300.post-4134607772905105872007-01-01T23:57:00.000+08:002007-01-02T00:57:55.417+08:00New YearDecember went by in a blur. November too. Now its January. Yesterday was New Year. And now I feel so old.<br /><br />Its really impossible to keep up with doing this blog. I have a renewed sense of purpose though for this year with this. Me and Chingbee are even planning to launch our Project Apollo on the web soon.<br /><br />I look forward to the New Year. So many possibilities and exciting challenges ahead. The question is, how to deal with them in ways beneficial to one's interests and well-being...<br /><br />Welcome 2007!!!jalwynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07610789751228618681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10853300.post-29476102655032517162006-11-02T23:38:00.000+08:002006-11-03T01:48:34.803+08:00Tagaytay SeminarI was among the 52 young professionals invited for the U.S. Embassy’s 2006 Tagaytay Seminar held at the Taal Vista Hotel last weekend.<br /><br />The seminar, with the theme, “It Starts With Me: Civic Action and the Fight Against Corruption”, was the embassy’s latest gathering of the country’s emerging leaders, representing eight sectors – the academe, business, civil society, church, government, media, professionals and the youth.<br /><br />The seminar kicked off with a digital videoconference at the embassy’s Public Affairs audio-visual room, with Indian national Arvind Kejriwal, the 2006 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee for Emergent Leadership talking from Texas, USA (where he was for a study leave), on how they were able to fight corruption in his country.<br /><br />After a brief lunch, U.S. Embassy Public Affairs officials herded all the delegates to a big bus and van for the 1 ½ hour trip to Tagaytay.<br /><br />Friday ended with a preview of “Kubrador”/The Bet Collector, the award-winning digital independent film by Jeffrey Jeturian, starring Gina Pareño. The presence of the film’s scriptwriter and supervising writer, Ralston Jover and Armando Lao, respectively, ensured a lively and stimulating open forum after the showing (more about this in another post).<br /><br />Saturday’s sessions kicked off with an inspiring keynote address by Ms. Pura Sumangil, the chairperson of the Concerned Citizens of Abra for Good Government or CCAGG, a non-governmental organization that monitors government projects in the Abra region of the country. The rest of the day saw all 52 delegates divided into 5 breakout groups for specific discussions on how such sectors can fight corruption through civic action: academe/youth, business/professionals, civil society/church, government and media.<br /><br />Sunday saw the resource persons for each breakout group presenting the results of the discussions. Presenting for the Media group was award-winning journalist, ex-PCIJ member and my ACFJ classmate Luz Rimban. Columnist/TV Host Rudy Romero moderated the wrap-up session before the seminar closed.<br /><br />We left Tagaytay City just after lunch with inspired spirits from the seminar’s proceedings. But what really made the whole experience truly unforgettable was the delegates and the social activities that happened right after the seminar sessions. More about these in my next posts.jalwynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07610789751228618681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10853300.post-31783778331032916812006-10-31T23:43:00.000+08:002006-10-31T23:51:39.891+08:00New beginningsLove the new look for blogger. Hope to post more these coming days.<br /><br />I am thanking the Lord of the following blessings: the A that Sharon S. gave me for our Reporting on Conflict and Peace class, for finishing my MP draft on time, for being able to attend the US Embassy's Tagaytay Seminar and meeting a lot of wonderful new friends there.<br /><br />Twin goals that I'm praying really hard for the coming days: to be able to find a suitable new home and have a new lease in my career.<br /><br />I hope the last two months will be better; I had to postpone taking the Diploma in Photojournalism at the ACFJ, to concentrate on my twin goals for now.<br /><br />It feels like I'm on a crossroads again, having officially finished my MA. New look, new hope, new beginning... I'm leaving it all up to the Big Guy up there to give His blessings and pray for the best.jalwynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07610789751228618681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10853300.post-1162308846654104862006-10-31T23:06:00.000+08:002006-10-31T23:32:05.012+08:00Sudoku crazyFinally, I've caught on the sudoku craze. I tried to solve my first number place puzzle last Friday while at my hotel room in Tagaytay City (I was attending a seminar on anti-corruption sponsored by the US Embassy - details in my next post).<br /><br />Soon after the delegation arrived at Taal Vista Hotel, we repaired to our own rooms to prepare for dinner and the evening session. While trying to catch a quick nap, I browsed the day's paper and chanced upon the Sudoku puzzle.<br /><br />Since I was not feeling sleepy anyway, I simply plunged into solving it, not minding its level 5 difficulty rating. Naturally I failed to solve it. My MA classmate Jude, a co-delegate and who is a Mensa member who writes sudoku puzzles for fun, commiserated with my fortune. He did not fail to give me the lowdown on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sudoku">sudoku</a>'s origins either, being the genuis that he is.<br /><br />Anyway, I solved my next attempt - a level 1. The feeling of accomplishment was quite zen-like. Now I'm hooked and on a roll already. Aside from my favorite newspaper, I get my daily fix from this <a href="http://www.dailysudoku.com/sudoku/index.shtml">generous site.</a>jalwynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07610789751228618681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10853300.post-1159890773501251282006-10-03T23:22:00.000+08:002006-10-31T23:32:04.820+08:00Some things hurt more...than Cars and Girls... or so Paddy wrote and sang in "Cars and Girls".<br /><br />Paddy is Paddy McAloon of the superb 80's British band Prefab Sprout and thanks to YouTube.com, I've been seeing a lot of them lately these days. And like all honest to goodness music, which PS plays superbly (which is something greatly missed these days), it is healing and lifting my spirit. <br /><br />Hearing Paddy sing again and seeing their rare videos brought good memories of growing up in a music-filled atmosphere. I discovered Prefab Sprout at about the same time I joined two choirs in the 80's - one in high school and the other in church. Suffice it to say I had a bit of formal training as a tenor in both choirs; I learned how to read notes, blend voices as well as sing solo. I remember having good times with my fellow choir members going as far as Baguio City to sing for churches there. We also took part in church Cantatas and university music festivals.<br /><br />It's no wonder that music is among my passions. If there was one arena I would have wanted to succeed, it would have been in it; deep inside, I've always been a frustrated musician or rockstar if you will. Now, I only get to sing in the occassional videoke sessions either with my ACFJ classmates or with other good friends (because only good friends tolerate one's less than professional singing hahaha).<br /><br />But I digress now - see how Prefab Sprout brought up good memories through their music? There is really nothing like to listening to good music - it just triggers a flood of good memories. In this case, I was in double heaven, for I was seeing music videos of again this little known band; I remembered complaining before that their videos rarely received considerable play on MTV.<br /><br />Now, lo and behold, there they were in YouTube.com in all their 80's glory...<br /><br />In my book, Prefab Sprout is one of the greatest yet underrated British bands to come out that from glorious musical decade of the 80's (many say THE musical decade and I agree). But while PS was critically acclaimed they only received moderate commercial success. But as Paddy sang, some things hurt more than cars and girls, like too much fame and fortune. Just look at Boy George and George Michael - all 80's icons too (what's with the name George and the slide from fame?).<br /><br />I couldn't forget the band's line-up. While frontman Paddy McAloon wrote puzzling lyrics, for me he is a great songwriter, singer and guitar and keyboard player. His brother Marty McAloon played bass while childhood buddy Nick Conti played drums. Another friend Wendy Smith provided backup and I must say, hauntingly ephemeral vocals. In some of these YouTube videos, only Paddy and Marty sing, especially in the music festival that they joined in Ireland in 2000; I learned later that Wendy was giving birth hence her absence. Nick reportedly plays with them from time to time. Paddy looked a far cry from his movie star looks these days but his voice remains absolutely youthful and powerful.<br /><br />The good news is, PS is still performing; I heard they have a new reunion album in the works. Judging from the comments in the youTube videos, I am not alone in wanting the group to come back to perform regularly again and I hope they do.<br /><br />My all time favorite song by the band, which I consider to be their greatest song is <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hub86qiROjs&mode=related&search=">When Love Breaks Down</a> ; this was also their highest rating song which went to number two in the US charts. Paddy's lyrics in this song really hit a homer for me when I first heard it way back:<br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">"...When love breaks down<br /><br />The lies we tell,<br />They only serve to fool ourselves,<br />When love breaks down<br />The things you do<br />To stop the truth from hurting you<br />When love breaks down<br />You join the wrecks<br />Who leave their hearts for easy sex</span>..."<br /><br />There are several other immortal Prefab Sound songs; the following are my favorites: <br />- <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbcdQDjr93w&NR">The Sound of Crying</a> (haunting and gets better each time you hear it)<br />- <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHKL01vA0Ig&NR">The King of Rock and Roll (</a>with PS' scarcely seen video)<br />- <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1qBQYFEpHE&mode=related&search=">Appetite</a> (the first PS song that got me hooked to the group)<br />- <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJMLB3GaUs0&NR">Cars and Girls</a> (featuring Wendy's haunting back-up vocals)<br />- <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G22NusJ4oNs&mode=related&search=">Goodbye Lucille</a> (with Paddy's signature singing)<br />- <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQCOpPRSj1A&mode=related&search=">Life of Surprises</a> (great video; even greater lyrics = ..."never let your conscience be harmful to your health...")<br /><br />Actually, all PS songs are classics. Rediscovering Prefab Sprout this time was absolutely providential. Now I'm consumed by the need to store these immortal songs in my walkman phone soon. You know, when the blues hits you, you just tune in to Prefab Sprout and everything turns out fine somehow.<br /><br />For now, thank you YouTube for having these music videos, I am truly grateful.<br /><br />To Prefab Sprout - thank you for the music. I am indebted forever.jalwynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07610789751228618681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10853300.post-1159796934143085832006-10-02T21:36:00.000+08:002006-10-31T23:32:04.751+08:00Win or loseCongratulations are in order to UST for winning the 69th UAAP Basketball championships tonight. It has been 10 years since they've last won... The university will surely go all out in celebrating their hard-earned victory. I've yet to confirm whether the UST Tigresses also won the women's basketball crown; if it's true it could be a double celebration for UST, who is considered an athletic powerhouse in the country.<br /><br />Two of my sisters were athletes here; C used to be with the athletis varsity team while M is now a reserve for the volleyball varsity. M is probably going home late tonight what with the university's celebrations.<br /><br />Too bad for Ateneo though; this makes it the 2nd or 3rd time for it to be the bridesmaid, with an absent DLSU at that. At any rate, the Blue Eagles will have to console with celebrating the win of the Juniors basketball team last week.<br /><br />I'm just happy that the UAAP is providing such good sportsmanship for students; the cloud over the cheating scandal last year is slowly being eased out like a bad memory or a disastrous oil slick.<br /><br />My 2 year stint in college in UST before plus a semester of teaching at the Faculty of Arts and Letters for a semester in 2000 and my current 2 year MA studies in Ateneo make me a proud product of both universities. So win or lose, I still come out privileged for having been associated with either institution. In my book, both schools are winners in their own right.<br /><br />(It's just too bad that the <a href="http://www.uaapgames.com/home.php">UAAP</a> site is not updated for people like me who were not able to watch the game live or on TV. Although the site indeed looked very promising).jalwynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07610789751228618681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10853300.post-1159490348280818532006-09-29T08:20:00.000+08:002006-10-31T23:32:04.593+08:00Pedestrian Photos<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1760/857/1600/DSC01297.0.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1760/857/320/DSC01297.0.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1760/857/1600/DSC01298.2.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1760/857/320/DSC01298.2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1760/857/1600/DSC01299.2.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1760/857/320/DSC01299.2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1760/857/1600/DSC01300.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1760/857/320/DSC01300.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1760/857/1600/DSC01301.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1760/857/320/DSC01301.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1760/857/1600/DSC01302.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1760/857/320/DSC01302.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1760/857/1600/DSC01303.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1760/857/320/DSC01303.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1760/857/1600/DSC01304.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1760/857/320/DSC01304.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1760/857/1600/DSC01306.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1760/857/320/DSC01306.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1760/857/1600/DSC01307.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1760/857/320/DSC01307.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1760/857/1600/DSC01308.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1760/857/320/DSC01308.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1760/857/1600/DSC01310.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1760/857/320/DSC01310.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1760/857/1600/DSC01312.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1760/857/320/DSC01312.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1760/857/1600/DSC01313.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1760/857/320/DSC01313.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1760/857/1600/DSC01320.1.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1760/857/320/DSC01320.1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1760/857/1600/DSC01316.1.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1760/857/320/DSC01316.1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1760/857/1600/DSC01314.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1760/857/320/DSC01314.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1760/857/1600/DSC01315.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1760/857/320/DSC01315.jpg" border="0" /></a>jalwynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07610789751228618681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10853300.post-1159485263390501372006-09-29T03:52:00.000+08:002006-10-31T23:32:04.514+08:00Pedestrian<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1760/857/1600/DSC01299.0.jpg"></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1760/857/1600/DSC01299.jpg"></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1760/857/1600/DSC01298.0.jpg"></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1760/857/1600/DSC01298.jpg"></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1760/857/1600/DSC01297.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1760/857/320/DSC01297.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />More than two years after it was constructed in time for the 2004 elections, the pedestrian overpass in Commonwealth corner Tandang Sora Avenues, was finally finished sometime last month.<br /><br />Surprisingly, unlike usual government projects, no billboard plastered with a politician's face is proudly claiming credit for the long-overdue project. So knowing how much it actually cost will be daunting...<br /><br />The project is a blight in the eye no matter what perspective you look at it; it has added to the aesthetic degradation of the area - I still remember seeing the mountains of Bulacan upon the descent from the INC area into the intersection - I was already traversing the highway in the early 80's when I lived with my grandmother in Fairview and went to school in Pasay City.<br /><br />I've been living in the area for ten years now eversince I was employed in a tv network in the area. I've been witness since then to the area's metamorphosis from being ugly to now being very ugly...<br /><br />Aside for marring the horizon, the pedestrian project's steel structure is flawed in every aspect. The ladder from the Old Balara side, which is on the right side going to Fairview from Philcoa, was constructed in front of the KFC entrance and runs directly into power and phone lines. The lines even cut the center aisle while other wires dangle just beside the railings. On the Culiat side, two transformers dangle right beside the railings too.<br /><br /><br />What is even worse, the ladder for the Culiat side, the one beside the 7-11 branch which is also constructed in front of another foodmart, goes down precariously to a narrow step just beside a deep trench that is a driveway of a private property.<br /><br />When I took these pictures, the whole pedestrian overpass was very slippery because puddles of water were collecting all over the elevated walkway since the whole project has simply no roof. You have to build a project like this, you have to complete it as it is only logical to do so.<br /><br />But then again, that may be too much of a stretch for the honorable politician who sponsored the project. Considering how long it took to get done, most of the funds would have been used up then, leaving insufficient money for building the roof as well as the proper ladder landings for the pedestrians.<br /><br />It only goes to show how the MMDA gives importance to the plight of Filipino pedestrians. Surprisingly, the MMDA has expended more time, money and effort for the hideous wire fences along portions of Commonwealth and Tandang Sora Avenues, rather than completing or putting finishing touches to the equally hideous pedestrian overpass.<br /><br />I admit though that using it beats having to play the deadly dodge game everyday with the murderous buses and jeepneys who ply the busy intersection. But a host of accidents waiting to happen also awaits the hapless pedestrian who uses the pedestrian overpass.<br /><br />I can only shake my head in disbelief at the turn of events in this area I've called my home for the last ten years, ever since I got employed in Broadcast City.<br /><br />In the past decade, I've seen the area go through countless changes in terms of road-related projects. This area is a politician's paradise - I've lost count how many times the pedestrian islands here have been shaped and reshaped (now they're all gone) and how the narrow two-lane avenue connecting Tandang Sora up until Katipunan Avenue has been dug up and reworked etc...<br /><br />But the typical pedestrian's basic needs here are not even met. Sidewalks are barely navigable; what's left are eaten up as parking space by waiting tricycles or are obstructed by unscrupulous homeowners or business establishments. There are no decent waiting sheds; pedestrians waiting for transport on either side of Commonwealth Avenue or Tandang Sora get soaked especially during bad weather. As Tandang Sora Avenue is a conduit to C5 via Katipunan Avenue, deadly trucks lord over the narrow street posing a danger to pedestrians here (many have met gruesome accidents here courtesy of these killer trucks).<br /><br />The glaring lack of the government's attention to these little details only mean the welfare of pedestrians are not important to those running the country. Just imagine that this situation is replicated in varying degrees in countless other intersections all over the country. Until when do we hapless pedestrians suffer from this cursed fate only time can tell. Such is our lot for being proletariats in this banana republic earning third world rates with first world aspirations.jalwynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07610789751228618681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10853300.post-1159289516464031162006-09-26T21:22:00.000+08:002006-10-31T23:32:04.451+08:00Bruno and Me<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1760/857/1600/Alwyn%20with%20Bruno.1.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1760/857/320/Alwyn%20with%20Bruno.1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />If you happen to be at the Manila Diamond Hotel, check out on Bruno at the front lobby security area. He is one of the hotel’s resident K9 and while he looks menacing, he is as tame as, well, a pet dog. Just make sure to ask his handler’s permission first before petting him.<br /><br />I didn’t have much time to dig into Bruno’s past or circumstances when I met him that May 1 night last summer. I was in a party mode that night, being at the hotel to take part in the ceremony that changed the name of the <a href="http://cfj.ateneo.edu/">Konrad Adenauer Center for Journalism at the Ateneo de Manila University, into the Konrad Adenauer ASIAN Center for Journalism</a>.<br /><br />It was just after the ceremony when my group of ACFJ Fellows were about to step out the hotel to cross Roxas Boulevard over to the Baywalk that I spotted Bruno. I couldn’t resist petting the forlorn looking animal, who looked tired and plain sad. I wondered then how long he had been working already that day as it was close to 9 o’clock when I saw him. Do dogs have minimum hours too when they work? Are they fed and rested well enough too? I wonder what PAWS would say on these matters, which struck me as thoroughly very First World concerns.<br /><br />At any rate, it seemed a topic worthy of a story someday. At least me and Bruno had a picture as souvenir. What a pair of handsome fellows don't you agree?jalwynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07610789751228618681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10853300.post-1159030946522442262006-09-24T00:14:00.000+08:002006-10-31T23:32:04.318+08:00Back for goodI'm back to blogging here, which was where I started maintaining one since early last year. I've since experimented with other sites but the first proved to be more effective because it was the simplest. So I've turn full circle and come back to Blogger.<br /><br />But I will still maintain my paid site, <a href="http://www.jalwynalburo.com">www.jalwynalburo.com</a> , which I'll try to develop into a more professional blog. I have another, which is more multimedia in nature - <a href="http://www.jalwynsjournal.multiply.com">www.jalwynsjournal.multiply.com</a>.<br /><br />I'll be uploading posts I've made offline and never uploaded yet in my other blogs. For the a long time, I've had this writer's block which kept me from active blogging. But I've already ran out of excuses not to do this anymore. As my tagline says it, I simply "live to write (and) write to live."<br />I'm particularly proud of the flickr badge which I was able to make, finally, with some help from <a href="crimsonpage.blogspot.com">TPP</a> (thanks Tina)! By the way, almost all of the pictures there were taken from my new toy, the just awesome W810i Walkman Phone from Sony Ericcson; however, it is still at the shop these days (more on this in another post) :(<br /><br />So much to say, so little time... At any rate, its good to be back.jalwynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07610789751228618681noreply@blogger.com0