Batman rocks! By far surpassing the Iron guy… To be continued… Just got out of the cinema. Not just a cinema, it’s Gold Class

The Apprentice had a special season in which they had celebrities vying for the title The Celebrity Apprentice. Stephen Baldwin, Trace Adkins, Tito Ortiz, Vinny Pastore, Gene Simmons of KISS, and Lennox Lewis among others. It was one hell of a season complete with all the bickering, below the belt comments and stuff. Piers Morgan, judge of America’s Got Talent, won the title beating Trace Adkins in the Final.

So what’s interesting about this?

Episode 6 where Lennox Lewis became the Project Manager of Team Hydra (Guys team name). Oh man, you just have to watch it. I was literally laughing my ass off rolling on the ground (LMAOROTF). It was a hilarious episode! It began when Lennox just want everyone to raise their pointing finger when they want to speak and everything else is decided by a vote. Lennox was a beast on the ring but a mild-mannered giant in this season.

Blame it on my GF as to why i’m watching this TV show. Talk to the hand!

The Philippines, home to 90 million filipinos in 7,107 islands. Where Jose Rizal and Andress Bonifacio sacrificed their lives, where Ninoy fought the dictator, where an actor can become the president and where ZTN deal was the talk of the town.

A year ago I was reading a blog by Jim Paredes, it was about living in another territory to start a new life. I was fascinated by it but somehow had sentiments of my own as to why he should give up on his own country or maybe as to why Filipinos leave the country to the point of no return.

I’ve been working here in Singapore for almost two years and just now that I clearly understand why. While Jim Paredes is not really giving up, I’m like 95%.

Political bickering, endless corruptions, merciless murders, daylight robberies, bombing, militants and rebels. Name it… It happens on a daily basis. I’m not discouraging any tourist, investors or so. It’s just a SAD reality. Should you blame President or would you point to the person who doesn’t understand "Bawal Tumawid Nakakamatay"?

Just a day before my GF returns to Singapore, she went on to relax and watch a movie. Bag and a Laptop with her. With a blink of an eye it’s gone. My God even in a movie house?! Who would have thought, the bastard paid P120 movie and in return he got goodies worth tens of thousands. Some of you might even say or ask as to why she didn’t attend to her things. For crying out loud where else should we feel secure? Why do these guys even exist? You came home to visit your family, to visit your friends, to have some peace of mind and this is what you’ll be getting? Well, they were called ROBinsons for nothing…

Yes, this may be an isolated case and yes I maybe just too disappointed. Hmm but 1,000 isolated case like this all at the same time, several isolated cases? And all you can hear is "Naku ma’am wala na yun!" coming from a security guard that didn’t even looked into the situation.

Is it like every man for himself now in the Philippines? No wonder Filipinos here in Singapore doesn’t want go back. I was laughing my ass off before to those OFW’s who comes back because of their paranoia… Turns out it’s true! Better to be paranoid at all.

There’s still that 5% of chance. Please work it out. We want to feel safe in our own country. Lastly, I don’t wanna brand my country as Hopeless Philippines.

Thinking and wondering what he did wrong. He thought of something that would symbolize a new start… While walking down in this crowded place, he suddenly smell a sweet scent, it was a relaxing aroma. Something that is not just for the satisfaction of your nostrils but it’s also pleasing to look at as well.

It was the ever indestructible beauty of flowers. This was the perfect choice for him. Slowly touching all those beauty of nature, looking for the best one. He found a red-orange flower combination with the carnation standing atop ready to bloom. "This one and that one!" shouted the young man. "The artificial or the fresh one?" the seller asked. Without thinking he grabbed the freshest of them all. "She will definitely forgive you", the seller suddenly whispered. "Will it last long?" i asked… "Yes it will!" was her encouraging answer.

All’s well that ends well. Time goes by, the flowers started to bloom more and more and their relationship went from Iraq to Paris. "I’m glad I did that", he said to himself. Out of the blue he thought of what he asked the lady before if it will last long…

Suddenly the flowers showed signs of aging, even a pail of water wouldn’t help. Time to said goodbye… "I’ll buy another one", he ecstatically replied. She replied with a sweet smile.

But then again it was too late. By the night falls, it went bitter again. The flowers saved him just for a couple of weeks. It’s the time for regret once again. He didn’t know that the reconciliation would last the same as of the flowers he gave.

If only he knew he would have chosen the artificial one, it would have gone longer.

—
Disappointed? well maybe next time i’ll try to make it a happy ending. Long time no blog. just sharing one of my old photo in my collection and making a story out of it. You see, a photographer needs a deep inspiration to capture a good photograph. Well, maybe it’s a bad crop but the story behind it…. Can’t take that away.

Flowers, how beautiful they are… They will still die. But with proper caring they can last long. Consistent love…. It will be forever.

Just sharing you this photo of mine which won the Singapore Flyer Photography Contest. My entry was selected one of five day scene winners for the month of August, Singapore Flyer Photography Contest Results.

Not really a big competition but hell yeah this is an on-going island-wide photography contest where everyone including professional photographers can join. For this, I got myself a new Nikon Coolpix L10 Digicam and tickets to Singapore Symphonic Orchestra concert. oh yeah Canon user winning Nikon stuff!

I would also like to congratulate Lester Arcega, fellow PinoyCSers (Pinoy Cool ShootERS) member, for winning the night scene category. PinoyCSers rocks! Go Pinoy!

It’s spreading! At least within our office.

We usually try out each and every restaurant / food stalls surrounding our office, Chinese specialties, Indian delicacies, Malay’s halal food… These stuffs are practically everywhere and the fact that they have common denominators (for most)… Spicy! How ’bout Pinoy food?

Surprisingly there are some stalls that sells authentic Filipino food here in Singapore (at least outside LP). Two of which are situated in what used to be a popular marketplace here in Singapore called Lau Pa Sat. Behold! "Ka Roger" and "Panyeros" are found in this food court. You will feel at home whenever you approach these stores. "Ano sa’yo? (What do you want?)", "Kain ka? (Want to eat?)", those are usually preceeded with a mabuhay (welcome) smile. How can you ever resist?

I got tired of eating most of the foods here (maybe because, it’s an everyday thingy). So whenever we decide to go in that place, I always made a point to go and get my lunch there. And again to my surprise, the people who queue up are not always Filipinos… Business must be good then! So the first time I ordered food there, officemates were asking where did you get that, what’s that, and all sorts of questions. Basically they haven’t tried it. Hmmm interesting, i didn’t even invite them to try it out. Maybe of fear that they won’t like it. You know… Pinoy foods are sinful, pork, fats, cholesterol, you name it! But just the other day, three of my officemates tried it and wah liao (is that right?)! They kinda like it! Even highlighting Bicol Express’ taste and that of Bagoong and Mang Tomas… "Can just mixed with rice lah!". That quote made me smile somehow for I’m doing that before . I can say they did enjoy it. Hopefully they didn’t just finished it because I was around =).

Will they come back? Maybe. For as long as they offer different variations and continue live up to the authenticity of it. A good thing for most Pinoys here though as they can now enjoy authentic Pinoy foods here everyday. Can also invite their officemates to try it out…. leh (I just have to say that!).

So if you’re here in Singapore and is working somewhere in CBD (Central Business District) area, you might wanna visit them. They are nice and friendly as always. Lau Pa Sat is located in Robinsons Road corner Cross St.

So do I get a free lunch on my next visit?

I don’t know how someone manages to escape whatever he’s saying. He’s a disgrace to all filipinos. We are really trying hard overseas to save the diminishing reputation of the Philippine government by saying positive things about them. And then this…

"(Julia) Campbell might have become careless and could have courted trouble when she decided to take a walk in a remote mountain area all alone. “She was a little irresponsible"  - referring to American Julia Campbell’s recent death.

This came out straight from the stinking mouth of this stinking man. Are you trying to test American’s patience? They have none I tell you and it would be a good thing for them to drop gazillion patriot missiles straight into your senseless brain. Dude what’s wrong with you!

She (Julia) came in the Philippines whole-heartedly to help the filipinos, to teach them good things, to share fun and laughter, to learn our culture. She was more like a citizen to me than you stinky (will call you this). She’s a hero to many. You should have suffered instead. We don’t need you in our islands. You should be in Poso (oh yeah!) and let them give you the proper justice.

What?! You are our justice secretary? Oh my God! then all the criminals under your leadership should be freed. You have done nothing but to defend and add fungus to our already rotten government. What’s your religion again? As far as I know, it shouldn’t be like that. Disgrace man. Is there any good things left in you that your siblings, grandsons, niece and all should be proud of?

Don’t ask me as to why he’s still in the office… No no no. It may take me years to write all the reasons and maybe add some more unjust personalities like you. Nah! You’re the star now…

You see, whatever we do, however we try, still if the people leading us is like stinky we will never move on. You blame the rallies, you blame all the activist, you blame the righteous rebels, you blame the idealistic soldiers, you blame the opposition and my God you blame the defenceless Julia Campbell! What were you thinking?

Nothing is wrong with the form of government, nothing is wrong with the system. Nothing is wrong with us filipinos… But definitely something is wrong with stinky. Whatever changes you made… Stinky will always be there to put shame to us.

By the way, we have extradition agreement right? You can take stinky by all means. if you plan to take him by plane, please reserve a seat in the turbine. If by cruise in the propeler and if by space shuttle, in the ignition.

I apologized to the family of Ms. Julia Campbell in behalf of all the filipinos (except stinky), sorry for your loss, She’s a good samaritan, you should be proud!

And oh two words Gonzales… You Suck!

——-
More Rants: Patricia Evangelista’s Article / Howie Severino’s Sidetrip (Idol ko to!)

Disclaimer: This is just my humble opinion. Anyone is free to express their feelings and anyone is free to apologized as well, hope you do. Picture used in this article is a sole-property of Sam Pasquini and he is in no way connected to whatever comments i’ve made. The screen just fits stinky here. Thanks dude!

I have it in my hands… Finally!

Starbucks! It’s just a few steps away from where I’m staying. Not really the best coffee around (Mr. Teh Tarik is King) but hell yeah It’s like winter-cold inside.

Anyway, while I was there, there was this commercial shoot (or drama series, I guess) and I was staying near the glass door, camera’s pointing towards my direction. I’m just scared for now if somebody calls me. Hey it’s hard to handle 2 jobs at the same time!

Armi, birthday mo ata ngayon. This coffee is for you! Happy Birthday! Kung mali, advance muna.

Linksys WRT54G Wireless-G Router / Linksys AM300 Modem   Finally, had the chance to replace my crappy SingNet provided SpeedTouch Modem/Router. It turned out separating modem and router is way better in terms of reliability and speed. Perfect combination!

Dicota Soft-Skin 13.3"   It was a perfect fit for my MacBook! Was actually thinking of buying the Speck Hard Shell but I prefer this one. Maybe in the future if it will fit on Soft-Skin with it on. Again, perfect combination with MacBook!

 

120GB 2.5 USB Hard Disk    The longest line you can find on the upper level of the exhibition (Computer Peripherals) belongs to Best Bargain. They really sell cheap portable storage of all kinds, memory cards, RAM, Hard Drives and more. 1GB thumb-drive for just S$20 whoa! Anyway, I got this 120GB portable hard drive which i can carry anywhere I go.

These all were just the highlight of what I got, unfortunately. Also did got some cheap stuff like Ipod USB cable, USB 4-port hub and others. When the next PC Expo comes, I’d probably locked myself inside my room… I hope.

Microsoft have a life of their own outside the exhibition halls.

Nevertheless still had some not-so-great deals after all (S$129 for an external 2.5 120GB hard drive is not bad at all). Had the chance to take some snapshots while waiting for the long lines to diminish.

They are practically everywhere!

Items in mind: 100GB or more external laptop drive, laptop bag for my Macbook. I really hope it’ll stop in that period.

Welcome to Apple Fanboy blog! Whatever. Probably it’s the "i" thing. I’m like an apple spokesman these days encouraging everyone to switch, forcing all to buy, engaging in debates and all. I just refuse to lose. Anyway, i had this for a couple of months now and again this thing is the bomb! White was already past until this came out. They are carrying all the gadgets with them. It became so popular that suddenly all computer and audio peripherals needs to have an apple version… I mean white. Okay, so Apple is the king… What about iPod?

iPod Video 30GB 5G 

Hmm… The best music device ever invented? Maybe too much. It is simply the top of the line MP3 device of today. I say the only MP3 device. My blog, remember? Was actually planning on buying Sony PSP, they almost have the same price, but I guess I’ll be spending most of my money buying games or maybe I would spend most of my time trying the downgrade to 1.5 then I can no longer play new games, then upgrading to 3 something then to 1.5 again, then hacking this hacking that. It’s just too complicated. As for iPod… Plug, Download, Listen, Watch. Why would I compare it to PSP (while it is not really a music device) instead of the other competitors? Because it is simply incomparable. Don’t you just get it?? Anyway they are both entertainment devices… Can?

Transferring from Mac to iPod is easy, fire up iTunes and sync. That’s it. Oh yes! Transferring from iPod to Mac is even easier now. Load Senuti and copy it back. Amazing! What’s even more interesting is that I can also sync not just music but my entire collection of photos (from iPhoto) and movies as well. So while at the bus, listen to your loneliest music, play some slideshow of your love ones’ photos and be in the state of melancholy in an instant. Suddenly you will feel like you’re all alone in the other world. It’s just a scenario, but admit it, you fall for it right?

That’s what it can do. Further more, watch "Bulagaan" (which I downloaded straight from youtube website to my ipod, good huh, PodTube!) and start rolling on the floor laughing (for internet geeks, ROFL). But I suggest you don’t combine the two.

Sennheiser CX-300 

Feels like my sentences doesn’t end with a period. Blah! Blah! Blah! And (breath hard)… Btw, for those looking for inexpensive earphones that equals the quality. Sennheiser CX-300 is the leader. The quality surpasses it’s own price by a mile. It’s an in-ear type so you can say that your ear is safe. But then again don’t illegally cross EDSA with this on, as you will never hear anything aside from your deep bass, perfect mids and excellent highs music.

Two words. Perfect Combination! 

Anyway, you can’t just switched because of that… Let me add some juice. Heard of Bootcamp, Crossover, and Parallel? They all emulate MS Windows. Now why the hell would I still use windows again? No I won’t. Surprisingly, all apps i’m using are available on Mac, some are far better, iLife alone is unbeatable, then there’s iWork, then Aperture, then iCal/iSync combination, then… Oh believe me there’s a lot more! But I was curious on how these emulators work. I tried Parallels Desktop and tell you I was amazed of what it can do.

Parallels Desktop

Not just because it runs Windows on the fly but the way it was built. Probably one of the best Mac software out there. Imagine a window in your Mac running Windows! Now if you happen to have a software which is compatible only for Bill Gates, you might wanna try this software. It costs some dollars but believe me it’s really worth it. Network/Internet connects smoothly (Somehow useful to me when i want to try website compatibility with browsers). IE sucks but it’s still being used by 80% of internet users. You can even keep your windows apps on the dock (screen previews appear as well, just great!). Drag and drop files from XP to Mac is a breeze, you can even change resolution by just dragging the main window. The best thing, you can install and run your Windows apps easily as you would in a PC (autorun on CD insert… Mac windows does that too!). Overall it’s a great Mac eXPerience. Try it out . As for BootCamp and Crossover … I think for now they can be the alternatives.

Now, who needs a PC? (yeah, Mac is a PC too, but I rather call them simply as Mac).

Yan si Maryan at ang mahal kong ate… They just returned back home from a week’s vacation here at the lion city. And the very minute they departed, we already miss them. It was really wonderful having to spend time with them again but it’s not enough this time as we might see them again one year from now.

This makes me cry more than anything else… We miss you… We love you! 

Let the New Year come, it is indeed a painful year for all of us.

Paalam auntie mommy…

iLove iStumble iFall iRise iRealize iKnow iLose iBeg iPromise iCry iQuit iPray iMove iStand iDid iGot iBuy iMac iHope iEnjoy… iYan! 

To my sister Malou… Happy Birthday! Miss ka namin dito kaya nag celebrate kami! Sana next year dito na kayo mag celebrate! Same with my cousin (Ate Susan aka che-che), maligayang kaarawan din po!