Impress-A-Vention!

Something Wrong With The Picture

Going Nuts

Tina Fey's Back Book Cover

Speak!

Don't Click The Link!

Micro Shorts

reblogged from Things Could Be Worse

Valuing Something

reblogged from Things Could Be Worse

What To Do When A Meteor Will Strike The Earth

Bawal Yan!

Book Review: Bob Ong Books

Bakit Baliktad Magbasa Ng Libro Ang Mga Pilipino? (mga kuwentong barbero ni bob ong)

Bob Ong has never failed his readers. His fantastic humor entertains and prevents boredom and makes you want to finish his book in one reading, and crave for another one.

Bakit Baliktad Magbasa Ng Libro Ang Mga Pilipino? tackles about the negative traits of Filipinos. His observations are no new to us but he tells it in his traditional humorous way.

Amusing questions will be answered when you read this book such as:

" Ano ang lasa ng Toning Water? Na-dagitab ka na ba? Bakit sa ilalim ng overpass tumatawid ang mga Pilipino? Saan makakabili ng aritificial fresh flowers? Sino sila Ciriaco, Procopio, Espiridiona, Troadie at Maxima? Paano makipagkaibigan sa bangaw? Ano ang nagpapaalat sa itlog na maalat? Kay Jesus ba talaga napupunta ang mga lumipad na lobo? Ano ang alam ni Claire Danes na hindi mo alam? Talaga bang "best buy" ang mga Pinay? Pagod ka na bang maging Pilipino? At bakit ka nga pala baliktad mabgasa ng libr?

ABNKKBSNPLAKo?! (Mga Kwentong Chalk ni Bob Ong)

Bob Ong tackles about his elementary school days in this book. You will laugh at him and you will laugh with him. The book works like a time machine. It will make you reminisce on your own elementary school days. You will realize that your experience is not that unique and you might start to think that you might attended the same school with Bob Ong.

Bob Ong tackles a very common experience, yet very entertaining. Everyone can relate to his stories.

Ang Paboritong Libro Ni Hudas 

What I like about the works of Bob Ong is the variety. He doesn't stay in a single topic. He's not a politics or  social commentator, he's not a religious expert, he's not a psychologist, he just write what's on his mind.

Ang Paboritong Libro Ni Hudas is not about a book. It tackles about an afterlife. The book is a dialogue, a question and answer between a soul, a deceased man, and the keeper of the gate of heaven. The dialogue is entertaining, as usual, and yet mind-opening.

 

Macarthur 

This is one of the fiction books of Bob Ong. And I can say that it is really a mind-opener and makes you realize a lot of things about life. Bob Ong tackles about the poverty and the dark side of law enforcement. It is not one of his funniest books, but still valuable. If Bob Ong was a movie director, I would consider this as an Indie film.

The 2012 August Monsoon Rain in the Philippines

In recent days (August 7, 8, and 9), the Philippines was hit by a monsoon rain that caused flooding in almost entire of Luzon island. This is the second time that the affected people experienced a worst flooding; the first one was caused by the typhoon Ondoy 3 years ago. Our house has never been flooded, ever. But when the typhoon Ondoy hits the country, the water level reached the knee level inside our house. The street just outside our house looked like a river, not just because of the deep flooding, but also with strong current of water. This flooding also gave us the feeling of living at the sea side because of the sound of the moving water. I’m 35 years old and never left this place, but this is the first time that I experienced this. Flood in some areas even reached up to the houses’ second floor. After the flooding, you will see villages that looked like a ghost town; no people or sign of life around, houses, plants and streets filled with mud, you will wonder how people will ever get back again.

This time, the monsoon rain repeated the experience. But luckily (in God’s grace), our place was never flooded. Our neighboring towns were affected. While in my 30 years of living in this town that I haven’t experienced such flooding, the event happened and repeated in just 3 years. In my opinion (and prediction) it will happen again, and again. The flooding this worst will be a normal sight from now on. Of course, there are lots of factors that contribute in this disaster, including climate change and man’s neglect and carelessness towards Mother Nature.

Here are some of the images that I collected from posts around social media.

Weather view from the satellite.

This is the appearance of Manila from above. It somehow appears like Gotham or Mordor.

This is a sight from the province of Rizal. You can see people on their houses' roof. The village came to look like a river.

People improvised a transportation to get through the flooded streets.

The power of water.

Rescue team carrying a woman who's about to give birth.

People stranded or evacuating.

The rescue team rescuing a man that was said to be in the water for 3 hours.

The strong water current made these cabs to pile up.

North Luzon Expressway

The city street was turned public pool.

Zero visibility at 3 pm.

Flooded street. You can see people passing through electric cables.

Mass evacuation? (or just trying to get home)

A man carrying his two daughters.

Uhm... wet chicks.

Manila covered with dark cloud.

Man trying to move his pedicab.

The underpass was filled up with water in Makati. 

Not only the flood created the scenes. There are also landslides.

Heavy rains made the soil soft and collapse in Antipolo.

Landslide in Quezon City.

There are also unique and funny images.

Will there be more unique wedding photos than this one?

Photoshoped or not, it still catches attention.

PNoy (our President) taking a submarine for transportation in the flooded streets of Manila.

Yes, this is Michael Phelps. Taking advantage of the flood in Manila.

Business as usual.

Man using a casket for boat.

A mermaid emerged.

It's more fun in the Philippines, and in the rain!

A Message from Julien Smith

This is a great message from Julien. It was originally posted in his blog In Over Your Head titled I made this with a friend. Its a brief video (2:51) but contains information that you could use for the rest of your life.

Enjoy. And learn.

If I Could Turn Back Time

This is a song title or theme, not a wish (although I'm guilty of having the notion sometimes). There are lots of good songs that has the same theme. Maybe it's because of the lyrics that made it more dramatic. I find these songs very sad however they may sound upbeat. I can also hear lots of regrets and loss in these songs.

One of my favorites is If I Could Turn Back Time by Aqua. It has an upbeat tempo. It always make me feel good whenever I hear the music. But the moment when I listen to the lyrics, the feeling turns heavy. It's a sad song on a happy beat.

By the way, the song is from the movie Sliding Doors.

Here are some of the "turn back time" songs:

1. I'll Go Wherever You Will Go - The Calling
2. Turn Back The Clock - Johnny Hates Jazz
3. If I Could Turn Back Time - Cher
4. If I Could Turn Back The Hands Of Time - R. Kelly

If you know songs with the same theme that is not included, please add through the comment. Let's talk about turning back time. 

Blog Set-up

I just currently set up a blog. A self-hosted blog. I was excited because it's a dream come true. I never thought it was that time consuming and a bit exhausting. Anyway, it was my first time to set up a self-hosted blog. And I was so nervous because I might do  something to mess up the blog or my hosting account. But I tried to do all by myself. And I was successful. The experience is very fulfilling.

I also spent so much time on choosing the theme. I tried to look for free gook-looking themes and tried to customize them. But I ended up in the default theme because it is simple and readable.

The blog will serve as my portfolio for my writing and my skills in website design. And the most important and main reason for the blog is to share the word of God.

I hope you guys support my blog and learn about spiritual life as well. I also encourage you to participate in all of the discussions. In case if you know something that I don't or I committed some mistakes, please let me know. Here is my blog: The Living Bread

Real Transformer by Japanese engineer

Raymart Santiago vs Mon Tulfo

I was surprised to read the newspaper's headline this morning. Actor Raymart Santiago and Media man Mon Tulfo engaged in fistfight. I never thought it was that worst until I saw the video on YouTube.

The story was Raymart's wife, Claudine, has an argument against the stewardess when the travel/plane service left Claudine's baggage on their departure. Mon Tulfo saw the stewardess crying on Claudine's continuous verbal abuse. As a press man, Tulfo took a video on the incident from his mobile phone. Raymart came to Claudine's rescue and confronted Tulfo. Raymart asked for Tulfo's mobile phone and the latter refused. This caused the raged and Raymart and their group began to batter the media man.

From the view through the video, a lot has sympathized on Tulfo. But a small number also took on the couple's side.

If ever it was really Mon Tulfo's fault, and he started the fight, as the couple is saying, is it still right for the group to do such thing on a single person? Does Mon Tulfo did something really nasty to deserve this? Are these the kinds of celebrities that we idolize and follow?

Awed by The Avengers

My wife Cherry and I watched the movie The Avengers last night. I was so excited to watch this movie because there's nothing beats seeing several superheroes with blockbuster movies each in a single movie. To make my excitement worst, my friend Marc posted The Avengers movie poster that he took on a movie theater showing that he already saw the movie at the opening day. But I patiently wait for the weekend to watch the movie because it is the perfect time for me and Cherry.

When I discovered that The Avengers will be showing, I watched the movie Captain America and Thor so I could have an idea of what they are like in the modern film. Both actors gave their characters justice.

We almost missed the scheduled time in our ticket because of unexpected event but we managed to catch on time.

Another reason what makes me excited to watch the movie was that, most of the reviews I read has expressed gratification. And they were right. The movie was awesome! I was wondering if there are characters that will be given less importance or significance because the of the full-load of big characters and actors that will compete for main spot. But I was impressed because each characters has given highlights in the movie and they ended up equal. Maybe Tony Stark has acted to be affiliated or known with the agency S.H.I.E.L.D. but they acknowledge Hulk as the strongest. Captain America was giving strategy orders to the team. Black Widow proved to be a great asset to the agency as a spy as well as the Hawkeye. Hawkeye also showed his contribution to the team. Thor has been burdened by his brother villain, Loki.

Along with the movies special computer CGI effects, dialogues, and Black Widow, another thing that prevents you from boredom is the humor. The movie has humor all over it.

The movie also showed conflicts between the main characters which demonstrated their powers to one another. I was surprised how strong Captain America's shield when it was not shattered by Thor's hammer. I was also marveled how Thor's hammer was loyal to its owner when Hulk himself cannot lift it.

All in all, the movie was great. I'll be waiting for the part 2.

I also hope Justice League would assemble themselves and make their own movie.

Great Performances on Binibining Pilipinas 2012

Last night, we watched the coronation of Binibining Pilipinas, the Miss Philippines beauty pageant. There are lots of pretty candidates this year. Although my bets went to the final set, the newly crowned Miss Philippines was a surprise.

I really like watching beauty pageants because I appreciate beauties. I also enjoy the Evening Gown competition even more than the Swimsuit competition, believe it or not. Because I think, in the outfit, especially gowns, the beauty of women flourishes more, compares to the swimsuit outfit, in which women are understandably attractive to men.

On the Evening Gown competition, there are two guests who performed during the ramp; Arnel Pineda and Bamboo.

I really admire Arnel Pineda for his high-pitched voice and he sing the song very similar to that of the original. He was discovered on YouTube and now a lead singer of the band Journey (Open Arms, Anyway You Want It). Every time this guy sings, I listen.

He sang one of my favorite song from one of my favorite band U2; Pride. I really stick to the tube when I heard the intro. I thought the song was really high pitched. Although Arnel reached the pitch, I saw that it really gave him a challenge. All in all, it was a great performance.

Another great singer in this event was Bamboo, a former lead vocalist of Rivermaya and Bamboo. In this number, I can say that he really is a singer. He sings well, unlike other band frontmen who's main goal in performing is to growl.

Now, going back to the winner, the winning candidate was candidate no. 18, Janine Tugonon. A pharmacy graduate, this is her second time to compete in the pageant. She was the first runner-up last year. This proves that winners don’t quit.

I think Janine deserves it. She got looks and brain. She answered the question very well. Her winning answer made me convinced that she deserves to wear the crown and be the Philippines’ representative to the upcoming Miss Universe pageant.

When asked about women choosing a successful career over a happy family life;

“I believe women have the right to choose between what they want. Just go for what God wants you to do. Between the two, whatever it is, you must do your purpose in this world. Just have faith and mature obedience, and everything will go smooth,”

image by Yahoo!

List of winners

Best in Evening Gown: Anelee delos Reyes (No. 26)

Nestle’s Best in Swimsuit: Nicole Schmitz (No. 8)

Bb. Photogenic: Karen Gallman (No. 1)

Best in National Costume: Nicole Schmitz (No. 8)

Bb. Friendship: Chloe Zanardi (No. 25)

Manila Bulletin’s Reader’s Choice Award: Roxanne Tadique (No. 20)

People’s Binibini (Choice): Giselle Munoz (No. 21)

Bb. Talent: Katrina Dimaranan (No. 13)

Ms. PAL: Mary Jean Lastimosa (9)