Mama Mia

Did you know that the last time a European won the Miss Universe crown was in 2002...? Ten years ago... Miss Russia, Oxana Fedorova, and that she didn't finish her reign, she was dethroned, passing her crown to her 1st runner up then, Panama's Justine Pasek... Before her, before 2002, the last European to win was Miss Norway, Mona Grudt in 1990... So you are actually looking at 22 years drought...

Nothing much, just random thoughts... some things I just know...

I saw "Avengers"... I must say I thoroughly enjoyed it... the film was surprisingly smart and witty... Well, Tony Stark, Iron Man, have always been witty without even trying... I like Scarlet... I have always been a fan of her... her roles have always been nonchalant... the film was well made... well balanced, the character were given equal treatment... no one was less of  hero...

Great script, great special effect... To my opinion it was at par with "Pirates of the Caribbean"...

I also saw "Maron 5 and the Crying Lady"... I did mention in my previous post that I want to see it as it seemed to be a laugh out loud film and really I need something like that... but boy was I disappointed... I thought it was really bad... the punchlines were stale... even the slapstick comedy was old...

For some reason, after my failed attempt on getting a job, I wanted to see a musical... and that "Mama Mia" came to mind... which was odd as I really didn't like it when I first saw it... I love Meryl Streep but she just seemed wrong for the role... and Pierce Brosnan singing and Colin Firt gay... was a bit too much for me... 

But I was craving for it, so after we bought some lottery ticket--hoping that God may have pity on me having enough disappointment for one day and let me win the jackpot instead... no deal... we went to look for it at our friendly neighborhood pirates... they don't have it... try to look for other musical film... but to no avail... we bought instead this DVD that contains a collection of Tagalog movies, among it was "Mother's Story", "No Other Woman" and "Unofficially Yours"...

What?!? I dare you!

But I still want to see Mama Mia, so I went to download it online... illegally... yes... and as I was waiting for it to download, I started on the Tagalog films...

"Mother's Story" was a little bit flimsy... same old story... a story told once to many... not that I am down playing the flight of our OFW... I get how difficult the situation is... a mother being away from her children and the children being away from their mother... I know this, I lived it... my mom is an OFW... 

Well Medy, Pokwang's character, didn't suffer as much as the film tried to imply... she was lonely, sure... she longs for her family, sure... she have a daughter that does not know her, sure... but well, every OFW is... her employers were not as mean as they ought to be... they just keep fighting and arguing with each other... there were scenes that they scold her but mainly it was her fault... they didn't physically abused her, didn't starve her... I don't know...

And then she was able to escape and go home, her daughter was so happy to finally meet her mother, no problem there... her husband was with someone already... her eldest son didn't seem to want her around, well I have been that child... well, I grew up without a mother and all of a sudden, there she is trying to be mother of the year... I needed time to adjust... but I never had ill feelings about my mom, she just get to my nerves... That is one thing that a mother or a father who have worked abroad and goes home should understand about their children... You can not just go home and pretend that you were not away... we children of OFW had learned to live our lives on our own, we had adjusted you not being there... not that we don't appreciate the sacrifice and that we don't understand why you had to sacrifice, but we did sacrifice too... it is just that you were not in our lives for a very long time... it will take time for us to get used to of you being around again...

I have seen "No Other Woman" before... and it is still one of the best local films in recent years... and perhaps the most beautiful cast... Derek Ramsy is sizzling... and I like the contrast of Anne Curtis being so slim and Cristine Reyes having a more full body figure... and the dialogues... very well written...

Now, my brother is a fan of John Lloyd Cruz... and I can see why... watching him in "Unofficially Yours", I thought yah... real men, Filipino macho men, is John Lloyd Cruz... no abs, but charming... he is indeed the boy next door Filipino guy... The film was funny... it made me laugh so much, I don't doubt I was heard even at the next street...  

nice insult

He then tells me that they would re-evaluate my application... They would call me if I was short listed... 

Like, really...?

I knew I didn't make it... I went there thinking it was for a final interview... as I have discussed at my last entry... but I was made to take a series test... technical test... not as difficult, at least for someone who have 3 years experience in computer troubleshooting... I think I did well with the test... because after which, I was sent up for the final interview...

I must admit I was not in my A game... I lack sleep... stressing all night about this interview... and that I think I gave a lot of answers that was not what the interviewer was looking for... 

And so I was told that... it was nice... but I have been around the call center industry for a while already... and I am not that stupid to believe it... it was almost insulting...

Well, I need a job...

I don't know if I can do the job... I don't know if I can handle a job... but I know, I need a job...

So, I was hoping...

I was disappointed... demoralized... and for a moment there, I was lost...

hardcore-eat-my-cum-technical-person

Have I mentioned that I am dyslexic...?

Well, I can't spell... spell check is a must for me... like really, I can't spell, I have bad grammar, I actually have no business blogging... hahahahahahahaha...

I am able to spell things now because I remember how it was written, not as normal people would do, spell a word by listening on how it sounds...

Anyhow, the first test was spelling... there were 30 words... you put on the head set, you press a key and you would hear the word being ask to spell... and the words are those really confusing one to spell... common... but confusing... like if it is spelled double C or double M... something like that... and that I just was not able to help but laugh because I knew I'm screwed... I won't hear the end of it from my brother if I fail on this...

But God is good... I actually pass... sure, there were five segments of the test... but you have to pass all the segments, it was not you fail one and pass the other four, your good... if you fail one, you fail... so really... like really... Good thing I read a lot...

Trying to remember, I don't think I really insist that I should be put on a hardcore technical account... I was offered AT&T... to which I asked if it is for customer care... I was told that it was customer care/technical support... So, I told my interviewer that if she would look into my resume that she would find that I didn't do well in customer care, I am no stranger to telecom company customer care, though not AT&T... but I didn't last there... but when I was put in technical support, alas, I lasted for 3 years... simply put, I think I would be utilize more if I am to be put on technical support rather than customer service... because that was what I was doing for the last three years... 

And I am not talking about technical support lets power cycle and if that didn't work, create ticket technical support... I was instructing customer to open their computer tower or the bottom of their laptop here... I do virus troubleshooting...

I'm just saying... but if that was the only one available or they really think that I would be right for AT&T... Okay, fine...

But then, the job would be at the Makati site... they have a site in Ortigas, where I went and another in Eastwood which is ten minutes away from me... so I told them, if I was to be ask, I prefer to be assigned at the Eastwood Site or if not, my second choice would be Ortigas Site... and that Makati would really be impractical for me... 

So, my interviewer, seeing my point and was really convinced with my argument, decided she would forward my application to the Eastwood Site, which incidentally houses hardcore technical accounts...

 

I did ask though, what if I fail in the account specific test or interview or whatnot... and my interviewer said that they would try to reprofile me for another account...

Because I was thinking, maybe I should just have accepted AT&T even if it was in Makati... I might be pushing my luck too much... I know I barely pass the spelling test... and the AT&T account was in the bag already... Now, I am still up there, have to wait until Friday for an interview at the Eastwood Site... prolonging the agony if I would make the cut or not... maybe, I should have not been picky, and just take the job I am being offered...

And really, I am not a hardcore-eat-my-cum-technical-guy... given that I have been doing computer troubleshooting for 3 years, first hardware then software... but half the time I didn't know what I was doing and that I just happened to know how to utilize google...

Argh...

lost sight

What happened was that, RITM (Research Institute for Tropical Medicine) have a policy that a patient should have a companion... someone to watch over them and run errands like getting medicine... When I got confined, I was alone, so they were hesitant in admitting me, but neither would they want to turn me out because I was burning with fever... The people from ARG tried to arrange for someone to be with me for a fee... and it was not cheap... I did agree on it but they were not able to find someone then... and I still end up spending my first night in the hospital alone...

I have this shooting pain from my right buttocks all the way to my legs whenever I move... I am having a hard time standing up and walking... I don't know what happened... It's as if something hit it... it started just a few days after we got back from Davao... and I have tried applying ointments but to no avail... My brother suggest we go to a hilot... 

I don't know...

I have asked a friend and former colleague who now is with Convergys to  refer me... the first time, I think I missed it... I asked him again... this time I intentionally missed it...

I don't know... yeah, major face palm!!!

So, the plan... 

There is trying to win the lottery and doing full time social work for HIV patient... like well, I am to make myself on call if a patient needs someone to be with them when they get admitted... I am to tour the 3 hubs in Metro Manila, a hub a day... say Monday be at RITM, Tuesday be at PGH and Wednesday be at SLH, and so on and so fort, offering assistance, counseling and financial perhaps... 

That is if I win the lottery, to which I don't buy a ticket to...

Or, I get myself a call center job and do social work on my week day off... I have always forego weekends off, I don't like going on weekends... too much people anywhere... I give that to those who have family already... being single, I am fine with week days off...

I plan to put my name and contact information encase someone at RITM who would be in the same situation as I was... alone... I won't ask for money, not even for transportation or food... provided that I am on off that night... I would also need to make myself a counselor... I'm a bitch, I would have to learn not to be...

I need to give back...

Binibini

As I have mentioned in my previous post, I like beauty pageants... bordering enthusiast... But I didn't see Binibing Pilipinas... not this year, not last year nor the year before... I don't actually remember watching any edition through and through... well, I am not really a TV person... maybe if I have a TV in my room...? I watched Miss Universe and Miss World 2011 online... I checked the winners of this year's Binibining Pilipinas online, watching the videos on YouTube...

I guess, we are all excited with this years Binibining Pilipinas as we feel we are back in the International beauty pageant map... after our candidates making it to the top five for two consecutive year... Venus and Shamcey might not have worn the crown but it took 10 years before we made it again as a semifinalist in the Miss Universe (Meriam Quiambao, Miss Universe 1st runner up 1999)... we want to see... know... who would represent us in the next Miss Universe and try to access if we are again to make it as far or better than for the last two edition of the pageant...

I have a theory... not to discredit Venus and Shamcey... I find Venus Raj so divine, with her height, her physique and her skin tone... and Shamcey have that walk and intelligence... but my theory is that, the Miss Universe Organization, with its owner Donald Trump, realizing that we, Filipinos is one of the greatest beauty pageant fans... close to we are to die for our candidates... we are among the Latin countries who takes beauty pageant seriously (one would actually argue that the Philippines is a Latin country in Asia)... and that this means higher ratings... I think they know this already, so they noticed Miss Philippines again, keeps her until the last segment or leg of the competition to keep us watching, rather than when they announced the semifinalist and our candidates don't make it, we turn off the TV or change channels... 

Just a theory...

I think they would eventually give us the crown on 2013, next year, in hopes that despite our economy, our government would agree to host the pageant again, for the third time, on 2014, making the 20 year cycle (we hosted the pageant twice 1974 and 1994).

Janine Tugonon was crowned Miss Universe Philippines (noticed the change on the title, no longer Bb. Pilipinas Universe, hmmmmmmm...? I wonder or do I wonder too much?). She was the 1st runner up last year... a Pharmacy graduate at the University of Sto. Thomas, she graduated with honors... Well, her features are very Filipino... something very consistent with past winners... if you would note, almost all our representative to the Miss Universe are brown skinned... mestisas and foreign looking are usually sent to Miss World or Miss International... 

I am not quite sure about her chances in the international pageant... I am bothered by her nose though... but then what do I know... I didn't have high hopes with Venus and Shamcey then but there they were... But then again, regardless, I won't bet against my compatriot... (kahit dehado sa laban, di ako pupusta sa kalaban, di bale ng matalo, basta sa Pilipino pa rin ako!)

During the pageant, one of the host said, Miss Universe this year would be on October, in the US... as per google, it would be in December, and no venue yet... ample time to prepare... to train... and I hope they do train her well...

dead tree format

It refers to media printed on paper as oppose to digital format such as on webpages... 

It does give a negative connotation,doesn't it...? Being that we cut trees to produce this paper... not so environmental friendly...

Hmmmmmm...

The Sy-led Philippine supermalls SM plans to cut down pine trees, about 182 of them, in Bagiuo to expand there mall there... the company said they have plan to relocate this trees, displaced them somewhere else, and in addition, they are to plant fifty sampling for every tree they are to transfer... 

I thought... people should moderate their greed... haven't they had enough fortune already...? 

Okay, so you want to expand your mall, sure, do it under the banner of progress... but can't you just hire architects and engineers who can incorporate the trees in the design of your structure...? I have always criticize SM for that... they simple just put up a box of a structure and that's it... aesthetics is the least of their concern...

Dumbfounded... I shouldn't really and so does you... we shouldn't give a shit about it... but I do like beauty pageants, bordering to being an enthusiast... not that I have any notion of it being relevant other than for entertainment... and I am not one of those who dreams of joining and winning one... I know there are a lot of you out there... I do dream about organizing one... but not as a participant...

Miss Universe is to allow transgender women into the competition starting 2013... 

Like, really?

This decision came in light with the Miss Universe Canada disqualifying a transgender candidate... I guess you had heard and read all of this already... she protested, getting LGBT groups on her back... and she won her case and have been reinstated as a candidate... and the Miss Universe Organization deciding they are to allow non-true born women a chance to wear the crown as the most beautiful woman in the universe... victory!!!

I guess...

I don't know... well, scientifically enhanced beauty have been accepted already... it's almost a norm now... how is a nose lift or a breast enhancement any different from castrating and taking hormonal pills...?

At least, they won't get pregnant while on their reign...?

I'm really not sure about the decision... but it come to mind the final question in the 1994 edition of Miss Universe... "What is the essence of being a woman?"

Not that I totally agreed that giving birth is the essence of being a woman as the 3 finalist implied... a woman being barren does not make her less of a woman... 

Perhaps I should look at it as not only would our daughters have the valid dream of being the most beautiful in the universe... our sons too would no longer be disqualified on the dream mainly because they are born that way...

Let me convince myself on that...

 

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I think I want to see "Moron 5 and the Crying Lady"... wala lang, I just thought it would be fun... it is supposedly a laugh out loud movie... but I'm worried about money... so, I'm just thinking of it...

I had messaged my friend and former colleague... hoping he would refer me to the call center company he is with now... I need to go back working... I'm out of work for a year already... so even if I am not entirely sure I can handle going back to work... the demands and stress of the call center industry... I have to try... it is a gamble I have to take...

I'm still into "The Song of Ice and Fire" by George R.R. Martin... still listening to it... the audio book... I am currently on the fifth book: A Dance With Dragon"...and I can't wait for "Games of Thrones Season 2" to premier on HBO Asia... I almost hate HBO Asia having us wait 3 weeks after the US premier... almost, as if I guess it premiered on the 1st I would have not seen it as we had no cable TV in Davao...

I am also looking forward to Lady Gaga's return in Manila... May 21st at Mall of Asia Arena... hoping I could score tickets... free tickets... I have a friend... hopefully he still think of me fondly... we had not seen each other for a while... his father works for a concert promoter company or something and gets free tickets... so I'm crossing my fingers...

I'm about 108 lb... at least, I have gained... my last weigh in was 22nd of March... I was 105 lb... 3lb may not be much... but I guess it would do...

Marang Season

Just got back from ten day vacation in Davao... arrived the evening of Black Saturday... no Durian... my brother bought durian twice while we were there, didn't give it a second chance... I had durian when I was there last year and I didn't like it for one bit... we were told that the 2 durian was of inferior quality... they think it was because it was not in season... what was in season was Marang... and we saw lots of mangosteen... I'm not much into fruits but I did like Marang... it taste like lanka (jackfruit) only more settle and it was white...

  

My dad and his family was from Davao... we, my brother and I stayed with my grandmother's... we didn't want to intrude at my dad's house as he was with someone else, not our mother, already... although we get along with our half brothers wonderfully... I still have issues about the other woman... I am not even comfortable referring to her as step mother... not that I was rude when we met her... I just didn't talk to her... I don't think we have business knowing her...

I don't know... it was not like I am still hoping my mom and dad will be together again... neither was it because of my mom... although I think that would be a valid argument... understandable, I owe it to my mom to hate the woman... 

I don't know what my father was thinking... he should have not...  knowing was different from actually personifying... I knew of her existence... but she was then just an abstract idea to me which I could shun out and not acknowledge... not feeling anything... now that she have become concrete... I have a target...

My grandmother's house was just a couple of blocks from the beach... there was a resort there, Vales Beach Resort... nothing fancy... not white sand but the water was crystal clear, it was nice... and very cheap... we went there the very next day we arrived in Davao... 

And then we were in Samal Garden Island, 2 days later... my dad was hoping we would do Samal Island later on our stay but then because of the long holiday the resort were fully booked already... so we went... 

We stayed at Paradise Island Resort, in Samal Island... it was nice... not a party island as Boracay and Puerto Galera... powder white sand... and crystal clear water...

And then we went to Philippine Eagle Center... I was a little disappointed... I was hoping to see the famed Eagles up close but it was not possible as aside from the cages are huge, they are perched way up... and that you have to understand, I am not exactly a nature guy... so not enjoyed it much... if you are... you would love it...

After Philippine Eagle Center we went to this resort which my dad had fond memories of... unfortunately, everything would just be a fond memory... the resort had deteriorated... it was Campo Agua... it was supposed to be a crocodile farm and a fishing resort... still had the best tinolang manok and inihaw na liempo... and my brother said the deep fried hito was also wonderful...

Now, if you really like nature and nature trekking is your thing, Eden Nature Park is a must... we were there... it was nice... but as I mentioned above, not really a nature person here...