A New Sandwich Song

When the band to which my son belongs sang in Hard Rock, two bands later, SANDWICH performed. As I couldn't stand the loudness of it all, I left but my husband stayed on. SANDWICH, according to him, has this new song about a barkada saying let's eat out. Then one asks, "where?" Somebody answers "Anywhere." Then somebody suggests, "McDO." thereafter the one who said anywhere says, "Huwag naman diyan."

This is an awfully common scenario, one my family of 3 is guilty of, mostly me. In fact I'd now tend to say, "Anywhere; but not McDO, Jollibee, Shakey's, or anywhere with a branch in Katipunan." Logical, di ba? We can get food from those restos anytime of the week, but we go to the mall at most twice a week. Sometimes I also draw the line on Fish and CO and CPK. Fish and Co - I can only stand so much of fish and chips, and CPK, Pizza for me isn't a meal. It's merienda. So again, spare me.

Straight from the mouths of babes

We were in SM North City and in the center aisle was a display of wedding "thingies". Suddenly a little girl, possibly 3 or 4 years old gave me a calling card and flyers that read "Are you looking for a wedding reception place" and other wedding-related stuff. Just goes to show how pure of heart children are -- they think a 51 year-old in a wheelchair can still get married. Though why not if she isn't yet? Found that really cute.

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While I was tutoring, the Grade 7 boy answering the reviewer I made was going over a hand-out on Mother Teresa. Then suddenly he blurted out, "Baka ikaw ang sunod na maging Mother Teresa." Wow. That will take some doing and undoing. She is a tough act to follow... But I'm flattered that my tutee even compared me to her. I certainly don't deserve it.

Some quotes/insights from a conversation with a sister

This a.m. I told my sister of the panel discussion involving PAASCU accreditors and some parents/alumni of the school currently undergoing accreditation--how the parents spoke of spiritual growth when the PAASCU accreditors were asking about what improvements they thought the school needed in terms of infrastructure. After my sister heard what I had to say, she mentioned that at mass this morning, there were four priests from the school present, possibly to avoid classes' starting late because the priest who said mass came late (maybe they wanted to ensure the communion would proceed quickly so the start of classes won't be delayed). She said it was window dressing of sorts. I agree. For such evaluations to be reflective of the real state of affairs, they should be spontaneous, unannounced. Otherwise, they draw out results that are contrived, artificial, unreal, fake.

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The guilty need no accusers.

that comment was proffered by my sister yesterday when I told her of a "friend" or someone I had thought all these years was one. Why? After the VALE incident she kept saying "galit ka ba sa akin?" And I've been wondering why she should ask this non-stop. Did she do something behind my back? Why does she keep saying "Sorry if I did or said something"? At first I dismissed her pleas saying "Ano ka ba?" But she wouldn't stop apologizing. One time she texted me and it took time for me to answer her message because the phone she was texting me in had no load. When finally I was able to answer her I told her to text me in the other number and explained the other number's predicament. Then she asked "Baka galit ka sa akin?" Then when she saw my husband she also asked him if I were angry with her. She told him why she thought so. She's getting boring and is making me suspicious. Or does she have a persecution complex? I'm so exhausted hearing her apologize. Makes me paranoid as a result because why is she so hung up on getting me to forgive her? Or is this her perpetual dialogue with everyone? Way back she'd also ask me, "Is there something wrong with me? Why don't I get invited to their party?" "Their" meaning a group of moms in our sons' batch who'd always have parties. I didn't worry about not being invited myself because in the first place I wasn't that close to them so why should I expect to be included in their A-list? Whatever... What do you think? Is she guilty of anything?

Shorts or Bits and Pieces of Nothing and Everything

A day or so ago, I saw a press release in the Inquirer. It was of Dainty Restaurant in Iznart Street, Iloilo City. That made me smile because I remembered Lolo who would lovingly order the best foods for us each time we visited. There was this pork tenderloin served with fried potatoes which had gravy. I don't know exactly whether that was ordered in Dainty Restaurant but Lolo would always get that for us. I felt his love each time he did that. Now I miss Lolo, he who ran with a face towel when while running as my sister and I played "store-store" I broke the glass bottle which had candies in it. In my fear of being scolded, I think I scooped up some of the broken shards of glass and that created a wound in my third finger that has a scar until now. Lolo rushed to wipe off the blood as I cried, okay, bawled loudly. I don't mind the scar. It reminds me of Mama and Lolo who were most concerned that I had hurt myself. I don't think a doctor was called to fix the wound, I don't care. It's enough that they cared. So did my sister who felt guilty about having me get the bottle in the first place.

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Yesterday a teacher from the school where my son graduated asked him to come to a PAASCU interview today. I snickered when I found out about her request. She was one of those who largely ignored my son and his org's achievements while he was in high school. Suddenly she made this request. where were her favored ones? Why didn't she call them? Well two are in the US studying -- the school's college isn't good enough for them, I guess, while the third of her favorites is in the state college. Another boy she invited over was someone whom she and her ilk didn't give an award to years back even if he deserved it. He also came from the org where my son belonged. An org that produces good people largely taken for granted but relied upon when push comes to shove. Because they deliver...

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Kyla was impressive when she sang Lupang Hinirang before the Pacquiao Barrera fight yesterday. Weeks before the event, when she was interviewed, she was reassuring all and sundry that she had no plans to belt it out nor to sing it R&B style (she is known as the R&B princess), etc. She said she knew it was composed as a march and wanted people to hear it as such. She said she'd call attention to the song rather than herself. She kept her word and it was one of the best ever renditions of the Philippine National Anthem that I have ever heard. No frills, just straightforward singing from the heart. Kyla was worthy of having been chosen to represent the country. She was decently dressed and yes, she delivered. Check out the following link if you missed it yesterday: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=kyla+pacquiao&search=Search

Mi Piace 2

The other day, my son's 18th birthday, we had lunch at Mi Piace in Manila Pen. While previous to this our meal in Mi Piace was stunning, the one last Sunday paled considerably. I am not sure if the disappointment lay in what we ordered or whether they might have a new chef, I don't really know. My son ordered Trentina pizza which had leaves galore. The ham was so thinly sliced it could hardly be tasted. Sad. We ordered a pasta dish with ham and cream. It wasn't superb, though it wasn't that bad. The piece de resistance or so I thought had yet to come. I ordered osso bucco because of my elating experience with it in Amici. The menu said it came with saffron rice so definitely it had to be special. But I was sadly disappointed. It had a funny taste to it, possibly my uneducated taste buds didn't like the alcohol (brandy, wine, marsala) or whatever it was that laced the dish. The meat was way to dark too. Perhaps that's how osso buco should go, but even then, I didn't like it. What made us happy where the different kinds of bread they laid on the table. we had a second serving of those and what we didn't finish in the basket they smilingly packed in yellow paper bags. At least the staff was most cordial...

The next birthday will be mine. Will it be Mi Piace again? I doubt very much. Myron's maybe or somewhere else...

Do it anyway

Some blogs ago, I wrote of a priest from whom I asked for a copy of his homily. He titled it "Do it anyway". He never responded to my request.

Today in my email I got a copy of the same, it having been one of those forwarded emails one incessantly receives. It struck me then, it still struck me a few minutes ago. Below is something I found in the Internet, detailing its origin. The first one I put in was supposedly found on the wall of Mother Teresa's room, but its original form was allegedly written by Kent Keith.

1. The following version is credited to Mother Teresa:
"People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.



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2. The Original Version:

The Paradoxical Commandments

by Dr. Kent M. Keith

1. People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.
2. If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.
3. If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.
4. The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.
5. Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.
6. The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway.
7. People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
Fight for a few underdogs anyway.
8. What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.
9. People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.
Help people anyway.
10. Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway.

© 1968, 2001 Kent M. Keith

"The Paradoxical Commandments" were written by Kent M. Keith in 1968 as part of a booklet for student leaders.

Places and Sites Forever Etched in My Memory Bank

We were in fourth year high school then, up in the Lacson ranch in Mount Kanlaon. It was raining and there was a mist. We were in the enclosed gazebo having our retreat. We had our windbreakers/sweaters on. It was beautiful.

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flowers -- there's this kind of flower whose name I don't know: it has leaves that resemble a banana plant's but smaller. They grow tall and come in very striking colors. The first time I noticed them was outside the house along the corner of our street. They came in bright hues of yellow and red. Lately they have become more prevalent. Along White Plains Road I always see them and swoon. I got a few but as the saying goes, one is never satisfied with what one has. The colors I got were a dull pink and a dull yellow orange. I prefer the bright yellow hibiscus I have (okay, gumamela) though they are not the same shade as the bright yellow I had years back. But they make me happy because they are bright colored. I think flowers should have bright hues. One of these days I'll yet buy those brightly colored flowers I so like. But first I have to convince my husband to stop by the gardens in White Plains. Before my birthday, I hinted several times that he could just get me two of those at P250 each so I'd have them in the garden. But my hints fell on deaf ears. Oh well...