Random Thoughts... The World...

The number of deaths from the Earthquake and Tsunami that hit Asia continues to rise now numbering around 33,000. The disaster affected Thailand, Indonesia, India, and Sri Lanka the hardest. This makes the recent typhoons look like a nice Sunday afternoon. Luck still seems to smile on us.





Viktor Yushchenko appears to be leading Ukraine's elections. This is the third round of runoff elections after Yushchenko won a legal battle after the fraud tainted second round. What sets this electoral contest apart from others, is the apparent poisoning of Victor Yushchenko, allegedly by his opponents. It was found that he was poisoned with Dioxin, a substance that could be found in such things as agent orange. Dioxin is known to cause severe facial disfigurement and other side effects. It transformed Yushchenko from a guy with dashing, almost movie star like looks to someone who looked like an aged, disfigured, cheap horror flick monster. And to think that we thought that Philippine politics was bad.







Does God manifest himself through his creation? A picture was taken by the Hubble Space Telescope, and it was quickly nicknamed The Eye of the Universe or The Eye of God. Metaphysical questions not withstanding, this is a cool picture.

Lines in Gray

I think it’s complicated but it shouldn’t be
Everybody thinks they’re extraordinary
Maybe ill just hide in anonymity
Just one out of the many
Finding comfort in not being heard nor seen
If it seems like I talk nonsense
It doesn’t matter
If all I do amounts to nothing
And it’s never enough
So be it
You say I am a fool to believe
That all the signs lead nowhere
Still I have hope
If my thoughts are incoherent
And my ideas outright insane
Call me a jester as I yell and profess blasphemy
I point an accusing finger at the mirror
Seeing not only myself
I want to make you see
Welcome you to my world
Walk this journey with me
It will take time
Perhaps a life time or more
But we will get there
Or at least die knowing we did our part
If what I say strikes a cord
Feel free to lash out and hit back
I’ll take it in stride
Reply with gladness
Thankful for your time
I’ll light a match in the darkness
Come and rage with me in silence

Saying Merry Christmas via SMS

About a week before Christmas I sent this out to my friends via SMS…

In this season of frenzied commercialism masked as a religious celebration, let us take a moment to reflect on its real meaning… Moments over, regalo ko ha!

And this afternoon, Christmas day, I sent this out to all my friends…

Everything that needs to be said can be summed up in two words: MERRY CHRISTMAS! Any questions?

Someone reacted that it was so typical of me saying that it was my “own version of a humbug Christmas.”

I disagree… It is simply my statement against the utter lack of creativity and imagination when sending holiday greetings. How many times did you get this one?

In this joyous season of merrymaking and endless parties, remember this: “Thou shall not weigh more than the refrigerator!”

Are we so busy that we cant even come up with a simple message or are we simply too lazy to even bother thinking of the words to express our sentiments. Somehow the message is lost in this frenzy of forwarding the cutest, funniest, and nicest, messages that we get. In the end it is just the telecoms service providers who end up having a laugh... HoHoHo!

Maybe it would be better if we keep it short and simple…

Merry Christmas to one and all…

Firefox 1.0

I am now using the full version of the new Fire Fox Browser from Mozilla. I’ve been using the beta versions before but didn’t really use it that much since I preferred to wait for the final release. It has all of the features that you would need in a browser like pop up blocker and an imbedded Google search bar. I’m using it now at home and occasionally at work. I’d use more than IE but since I work for an account that serves the Evil Empire that may not be such a good idea.

Check out the Mozilla website to get the Firefox 1.0 browser and a lot of other great software all for free.

Bagong Umaga

words: Bayang Barrios

music: Mike Villegas

May bagong umagang parating

May bagong umagang parating

Bagong umaga, bagong umagang

Parating...

Gaano man kabigat ang dinadala

Gaano man ang hirap na nadarama

Sa buhay mo, kaibigan ko

Walang pasanin na hindi gumagaan

Walang pagsubok na hindi nalalampasan

Bawat buhay ay may patutunguhan

Bawat pangarap ay may katiyakan

Sa puso mo, huwag mabibigo

Nasa iyo ang kapangyarihan

Nasa iyo ang pagkakataon at tagumpay

Halina kayo't gumising salubungin ang bagong silang

Halina kayo't tumulong lipulin ang dililm

Bayang Barrios

I went to UP to watch the Lantern Parade yesterday. I caught the tail end, saw the much-awaited Fine Art’s lanterns and then I found my self with nothing to do. I met up with some people at Mc do, and I lobbied for something else to do instead of going to that over rated perya called Pasiklab along common wealth. I suggested that we go to Conspiracy bar, along Visayas ave. instead. I read about it in the Inquirer. It was curious that artists and even Conrado de Quiros owned that establishment. The bar it self is a whole different story.

Anyway, Bayang Barrios was playing that night. I’ve known about her since my college days but I wasn’t really a fan, since I’m really not into world music. I recently saw her story in the Probe Team in a report by Howie Severino. It was a story of a homecoming. It told her story, including how she hated being a Manobo because the other kids teased her about it, and how music helped her rediscover and embrace her roots. She found healing in her music.



Well the gig was a welcome change of pace, a different sound, and an all-together different experience. All her songs were in Filipino / Tagalog, and it seemed like they emanated from her soul. Definitely not the usual fare you find in other bars. The night was capped by a more mainstream song, "Bilanggo" sung by Bayang's husband Mike Villegas (From Rizal Underground and Color it Red).

Her story is interesting. It shows that there are still people here, who loves this country and its people. You can see that in her music. Her life, struggles, and achievements, is very inspiring. If you have some time I suggest you drop by her website. You can download some of her songs, get the lyrics, and read her story.

Bayang Barrios official website

Picture of a Girl

We had a Team Building Activity last week. Seven of my agents and I went to La Luz resort in Batangas. We had our fill of the beach, beer, and bonding.

Anyway, I took some picture using one of those disposable underwater cameras. I took a lot of pictures under water but most of it was wasted because there wasn’t enough light. I however managed to get at least one picture I actually like. This is it...

This proves that you can sometimes find a diamond amidst a pile of garbage.

Click here for more pics