friends, let's help tara's family by doing a little effort on keeping this post going.
thank you.
as posted:
August 8, 2008, 12:00 midnight
THERE IS SOMETHING WE CAN DO FOR TARA SANTELICES. PLEASE FORWARD TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW.
Word spreads around fast and almost everyone has already heard about what happened to our dear friend, Tara Santelices (Assumption Antipolo’s Batch 2003 and Ateneo de Manila University’s Class of 2007, AB Political Science).
On the eve of her 23rd birthday, Tara was shot in the head during a hold-up while riding a jeepney along Imelda Avenue, Cainta, Rizal. Joee Mejias, who was with her at that time, rushed her to Amang Rodriguez Memorial Hospital in Marikina City. The parents of Tara and Joee arrived at the hospital shortly thereafter. When morning came, Tara’s parents finally decided to transfer her to the Medical City, Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City. Since 8:00am of August 6, Tara has been in the ICU fighting for her dear life. Her parents have decided not to push through with the operation.
Although it might seem that there is nothing else that we can do but wait for Tara to wake up from this horrific nightmare, we, the friends of Tara, have decided to raise funds for Tara’s hospital bills. This is the least we can do to ease the unbearable pain her family is going through. We have been given the go-signal from Tara’s dad, Tito Larry, and here are the details:
The temporary bank account is under Anne Marie F. Santelices, Banco de Oro, SA 2140-062201. For direct cash donations, please proceed to the ICU Waiting Room of the Medical City (Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City). Please look for Joee Mejias or Lila Santelices.
Any amount will be gratefully accepted. Anonymous donations are also welcome. Please spread the word. Forward this to your family, friends and even to everyone else you know. Please post this on Friendster, Multiply, Facebook and wherever else you can think of. Please send group messages on Yahoo Messenger. This will mean so much to us, her friends.
Please continue praying for Tara, for Joee and for both of their families. If you want to come see Tara, visiting hours at the ICU are at 9:00 am to 11:00 am and 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
Thank you so much for your time and kind consideration.
For inquiries, please contact Joee Mejias (09228154987) for calls and Jac Ledonio (09167243071) or Myka Francisco (09163695148) for text messages.
The Panorama Jam Fest on August 16, 2008 (that's a Saturday!) at the PICC Forum 2&3. Workshops AND a Concert! You can join the workshops+concert, or concert lang.  The event will be hosted by Andi9 & Epi Quizon. JAM Workshop Schedule: 12-2 pm (registration starts 11:15am) Workshop A: Integrating ethnic instruments to modern music by Boy & Budeths of Pinikpikan Workshop B: Demonstrating, Informing, and Jamming session using ethnic instruments by Makiling Ensemble Workshop C: Chanting & Gangsa Playing by Carol of Pinikpikan Workshop D: Do You Want To Put Up a Band? By Pepe Manikan 2:30-4:30 pm (registration starts 1:45pm) Workshop E: Alibata Writing and Drum Making by Govinda of Kadangyan Workshop F: Lecture of Pre-Hispanic Music & the making of Kadangyan Music by Mithra of Kadangyan Workshop G: Hegalong Playing by Sammy of Pinikpikan Workshop H: Music and Communal Awareness by Joey Ayala of Ang Bagong Lumad Concert: 6:15pm. Joey Ayala at Ang Bagong Lumad - Kadangyan - Pinikpikan - Makiling Ensemble - Sruvaleh - Unitiima - etc TICKETS: Package A (Concert Only) - Students PhP 200.00; non-students PhP 300.00 Package B (Workshop, Snacks, and Concert) - Students PhP 400.00; non-students PhP 600.00 Package C (Workshop & Snacks) - Students PhP 250.00; non-students PhP 350.00 *For more info contact KRISTEL at 09063049777. Brought to you by the De La Salle-CSB School of Design and Arts Technical Theater Program.
 Baldo: "Get her offa me!!!" (Fitch aka Baldo & Kooky)
His real name's Fitch. He just looks like a Baldo, and the name sort of stuck. He's a lab retriever, and he came with a very colorful certificate that says his lolas and lolos were all (ehem) champs in one way or another. Mayabang ang asong ito. At mahilig siya sa tubig. My dad, who's very good at researching the things he comes across, printed out webpages that said retrievers naturally like to swim (it comes with the breed--"go fetch that trout!" i think). Fitch aka Baldo has been caught swimming in the laundry basin numerous times, and he's very fond of dipping his paws in the water bowl after drinking. Kawkaw. He has a monstrous appetite too, and in the month that he's been with us, he's doubled in size. He's much bigger than the doxies now. Every Sunday he takes a bath. Fur color back to normal, from brownish-gray. Every Sunday I get to hug him without getting mud on me. Such a cute dog. When he grows to his full size I won't be able to carry him anymore; but I'm sure the mud is inevitable.
I had been longing to trace the 'history' and twisted genealogies of our furry friends at home, but unfortunately i haven't gotten around to sitting still. Recently we have 'acquired' new pets; perhaps this blog entry would serve as an outline to help me write something later. So for now, the List. Dogs - Bear (Aspin)
- Hugo Dmitri (Black Dachshund)
- Katya Elizabeth (Brown Dachshund)
- Fitch aka Baldo (Yellow Lab)
- Cookie aka Coochie (Golden Retriever)
Cats - Adolf (mother of all)
- Angel
- Mojofriend
- Cino
- Fuzzie
- PJ
- MJ
- M3
- kitten 1
- kitten 2
- Peewee
Assorted freshwater (aquarium) fish and my newest baby, Gypsy the Siberian Husky Rat The cats and dogs have all grown to live in harmony (make "lambing" to each other too). With the arrival of a rodent, the challenge now is to keep the felines from making a tasty meal out of Gypsy!
 Fuzzie getting acquainted with Gypsy
(What I stumbled upon tonight.) what happens when east meets west? | | On a good day, you have received an impressive cross-posted e-mail and you really want to share with your friends. These graphics are striking for me as they show how well the designer observes, analayses and re-present through her eyes. Some of you may have already seen it, but it is nice to take another look. These are icons designed by Liu Yang, a Chinese born but educated in her teen through adult life in Germany. Her work shows how East meets West. Her work fits so well with globalization of culture, peoeple and places. See whether you agree with her. Blue means the West Read means the East/ Asian/Chinese 
The boss 
me 
child 
eldery in day to day life 
way of life 
three meals a day 
moods and weather 
things that are new 
opinion 
party 
perception of each other 
contacts 
handling of problem 
punctuality 
queue in waiting 
in the restaurant 
shower timing 
transportation 
travelling 
what's trendy Perhaps, it is quite a generalization but it is more or less the way of the West and the East. The two parts of the world are learning from each other while the division into two parts is too crude anyway. My favourite is 'perception of each other'. Here, the West is learning to dreass, drink and eat Asian way, but the East is fond of modern look, sausage and beer. What is your favourite? How do you interpret these graphics? 
Liu Yang's exhibition 
Liu Yang was born in 1979 in Beijing, China. She moved to Germany in 1990 and lives there since. She established Yang Liu Design institute in Berlin in 2004. For more information, please visit her website www.yangliudesign.com |
Oh, super. I want! The Rolleiflex MiniDigi AF5.0 Proudly continues the Rollei Twin Lens Reflex Tradition.
If somewhere deep down you have always hankered after a Rollei, you are not alone. First developed in Germany in the 1920's, the Rollei 6x6cm Twin Lens Reflex Camera has always been a preferred tool for serious photography, especially portraits. There cannot be, for example, a single Hollywood celebrity who has not been photographed with a Rollei. Now, many of the outstanding convenience features and nostalgic design can be yours in a fashionable up-to-date digital with auto focus feature to shoot between 4 inches (10cm) to infinity on 5 mega pixel image. The Rolleiflex MiniDigi AF5.0, a world's first in its class. I got this from the Rollei website: http://www.rollei.jp/e/pd/MiniDigiAF.html It's just a teeny bit larger than the 120 film! 
(Copied this from michelle.) So if you're my "contact", or if you're bored like me, kindly take time to answer this little thingy and tell me stuff about you. hahahaha. doesn't matter if i know you too much already, or if i haven't even personally met you. :) . . . i hope someone does :|
BE HONEST! Answer the questions in a comment, then repost on your own journal!
1) Are you currently in a serious relationship?
2) What was your dream growing up?
3) What talent do you wish you had?
4) If I bought you a drink what would it be?
5) Favorite vegetable?
6) What was the last book you read?
7) What zodiac sign are you?
8) Any Tattoos and/or Piercings? Explain where.
9) Worst Habit?
10) If you saw me walking down the street, would you offer me a ride?
11) What is your favorite sport?
12) Do you have a Negative or Optimistic attitude?
13) What would you do if you were stuck in an elevator with me?
14) Worst thing to ever happen to you?
15) Tell me one weird fact about you.
16) Do you have any pets?
17) What if i showed up at your house unexpectedly?
18) What was your first impression of me?
19) Do you think clowns are cute or scary?
20) If you could change one thing about how you look, what would it be?
21) Would you be my crime partner or my conscience?
22) What color eyes do you have?
23) Ever been arrested?
24) Bottle or can soda?
25) If you won $10,000 today, what would you do with it?
27) What's your favorite place to hang at?
28) Do you believe in ghosts?
29) Favorite thing to do in your spare time?
30) Do you swear a lot?
31) Biggest pet peeve?
32) In one word, how would you describe yourself?
33) Do you believe/appreciate romance?
35) Do you believe in God?
36) Will you repost this so I can fill it out and do the same for you?
A new art project! (http://markrams.multiply.com) from Mark Salvatus: i need some water!
The human body is anywhere from 55% to 78% water depending on body size, and the earth itself is composed of 75% water...
And now Water is my new art project' and I need your participation. Please Take a photo (or your stock photos would do!) that involves water and send it to me.
I would like to anonymously exhibit your photos @ International Water Festival on 16 –19 May 2008 in STSI Bandung, Indonesia (GK. Sunan Ambu), presented by the Payung Hitam Foundation.
Your name & contact address are optional
Deadline is on May 5, 2008
send your photos to markrams@yahoo.com
please pass this call to your friends, Blog this post!
thank you!
 PLUG Collecting identities through music (your sound+our speakers) If the earth can hear, what will you say? Ears. Nowadays, they’ve been plugged with all sorts of contraptions that make the noise-polluted world as far away from the music-loving commuter (or disinterested pupil) as possible. It is detachment no one really hears. *** At first it seems atrocious to bring the often noise-laden sounds of humans in the quiet, serene environment of Sambalikhaan. But here, the environment itself takes part in an exchange: the exchange of identities through sound. Sawsawan invites everyone to share a song or two, to take part in this exchange: wind whistling through trees&mp3. Time to unplug those earphones (yes that’s right, here it’s no good keeping your music [identity] to yourself) and plug those players into our ultra-cool hi-tech speakermachinethingies. Then go and say, I AM STEREO. *** (The songs played through the installation will be collected, documented and later uploaded onto a website.) Free the ears! Share what’s on your SighPod! *** Sawsawan unite! (Mark Salvatus, Mark Magistrado, & Lauren Villarama) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- opening night: tutok kargado
tutoK takes on charged works and responses to the gallery collection
Jose Tence Ruiz
Buen Calubayan
Mideo M. Cruz
Noel Soler Cuizon
Boy Dominguez
Alfred Esquillo, Jr.
Egai Talusan Fernandez
Karen Ocampo Flores
Emmanuel Garibay
J Pacena II
Kirby Roxas
Don Salubayba
Mark Ramsel Salvatus III
Curated by Jose Tence Ruiz
Ateneo Art Gallery, Rizal Library, Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola Heights , Quezon City
February 26, 2008, 6:30 p.m.
bull session
Round table discussion on globalization and altered/alternative aesthetics. Featuring local and visiting artists.
Facilitated by Eileen Legaspi-Ramirez
Sambalikhaan, Asian Institute for Liturgy and Music (AILM)
275 E. Rodriguez Avenue, Quezon City
February 27, 2008, 3:00 to 6:00pm
surfacing
tarps and photos: essaying our decaperacidos
Estan Cabigas
Enrimand "Manman" Dejeto
Kenneth Guda
Diana Moraleda
Sandino Nartea
Judy Pasimio
Joseph Purugganan
Ilang-Ilang Quijano
Candice Anne Reyes
Leonard Reyes
Dennis Rito
Marc Talampas
Jenny Tañedo
Alanah Torralba
Curated by Nino Tagaro and Jes Aznar
Sambalikhaan Grounds
February 27-29, 2008
environmental state
installation projects on mental/ecological states
Clint Catalan
Rainer Cruz
Don Dalmacio
Dondi Fernandez
Enteng and Dessa Laput
Leeroy New
Leobensant Marquez
Marlon And Kelly Paraganas
Niel Pasilan
Alma Quinto
Oliver Ramos
Sawsawan
Paul Sena
Angelo Suarez
Wire Tuazon
Ugat-LAHI
Costantino Zicarelli
Curated by Buen Calubayan
Sambalikhaan Grounds
February 27-28, 2008
visual pollution
an infestation of (de)synthesized video installations
Anino Shadow Play Collective
Artist Arrest Movement
Elvert de la Cruz Bañares
Sigfried Barros-Sanchez
Ramon Bautista
Herbert Commendador
Khavn Dela Cruz
Ivan Despi
Tad Ermitaño
Ging Flores
Lea Lim
Treb Monteras II
Jet Pascua
RA Rivera
Jemina Rodriguez
Jun Sabayton
Rights
Southern Tagalog Exposure
Syke Dolero
Curated by J Pacena II
Sambalikhaan Grounds
February 28-29, 2008 , 2:00 to 4:00pm
common spot
spot-on urban graffiti invades idyllic setting
Pilipinas Street Plan (Philippines)
Killer Gerbil (Singapore)
Gene Pendon (Canada)
Ebliss (Malaysia)
BCBrutta (Spain)
Curated by Mark Ramsel Salvatus III
Sambalikhaan Grounds
February 28-29, 2008
surf plus shop
artists’ knickknacks on parade: art, food, books, etc.
Just bring ur stuff!
Sambalikhaan Grounds
February 28-29, 2008
authorize extremist
live art presentations by local and visiting artists
Buen Calubayan (Manila Philippines)
Nick Aca (Cagayan de Oro Philippines)
Ioana Gergescu (Quebec Canada)
Jef Carnay (Manila Philippines)
Noel Cuizon (Manila Philippines)
Soni Kum (Seoul Korea)
Shannon Cochrane (Ontario Canada)
Arai Shin-ichi (Tokyo Japan)
Mideo M Cruz (Manila Philippines)
Curated by Racquel de Loyola
Sambalikhaan grounds
February 28, 2008 4:00 to 9:00 pm
impromptus
open mike for all sorts of live and livid actions
Curated by Jef Carnay
Sambalikhaan grounds
February 29, 2008, 4:00 to 6:00pm
pasakalye
musicians feting all artists in an acoustic ensemble
Cynthia Alexander
Bobby Balingit
Lolita Carbon
Jess Santiago
Skarlet
Syke
Aya Yuson
Curated by JL Burgos and Mavi Deocampo
Sambalikhaan Amphitheatre
February 29, 2008 7:00 to 9:00pm
Festival Director: MIDEO M. CRUZ. Marketing/Media/Secretariat: EMMANUEL GARIBAY, KAREN OCAMPO FLORES, MARIKA B. CONSTANTINO, JEF CARNAY, JL BURGOS, IGGY RODRIGUEZ Coordinators: KIRBY ROXAS, CRISANTO DE LEON , LOTSU MANES, MAX SANTIAGO , MAEL DE GUZMAN, ART SANCHEZ, MERVIN PIMENTEL, RAI CRUZ Graphics: WESLEY VALENZUELA
tutoKarapatan@gmail.com
monitor the philippine human rights situation
Send a blank mail to tutoK-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
support artists initiatives !
 for three++ years, i gots the long hair. grew tired of it, finally, and so yesterday headed off to the you-know-what.
[i have to get a new ID pic taken--for the past three years i've been using the same one] hello and happy holidays. at least i'll be starting the new year right with less consumption of water and shampoo. yeah, savings!!!
Pretty different this year. A more "modern" look, with colored lights on the trees (not just yellow-white, we have blue, red and purple now!), giant icicles (or so I think), big cubes by the Benavides monument (resembling gifts?), and laser lights from the Main Building like a Pink Floyd show. Catch the initials "UST" it's lasered down Plaza Mayor. The Quadricentennial Square fountain looks more glorious with all the lights. Students not wanting to go home, kodakan muna to da max. I don't have photos...yet.  They filmed a Christmas Concert last night at the chapel. It's going to be aired on the 24th on ABC 5 in the evening. Oh, and the annual Paskuhan's on the 19th (coinciding with UP's Lantern Parade, but later in the evening). I'm hoping there will still be fireworks. Kung wala naman, we could just replay the fireworks videos from the last Paskuhans, para tipid. Hahaha. I hope it doesn't rain that day. Weather's been moody lately. I wrote down "Fuji Superia and Kodak Max Film Rolls" in my Christmas wishlist at the office, adding "preferably expired". I wished whoever would pick my name lots of luck. Hmm, I should've wrote down the numbers of my film Santas. Hahaha. But hey, anything from the heart is enough  thanks in advance, kung sino ka man :) Now, I wonder if I'll be getting myself a Lomo Ringflash this year? My fisheye wants it badly. Hehehe. Hmm...decisions, decisions! Merry Christmas to all! We deserve a good one after all we've been through this year. As for me, think positive pa rin, there have been hell times surely this 2007, but well, shrug off na lang. Give thanks for the good stuff, right? Ayun. Happy, Happy Holdidays everyone!
...taken the community kids' photos yesterday. i had my fisheye with me, and when i found out about this photography contest this morning, i knew i should've. i didn't because we were talking very seriously with someone and i didn't want to be rude by leaving the conversation. still, i should've. ...finished writing all those articles for the university journal last week. now i'm cramming. ...allotted time for my readings for today's class. i should stop thinking i should've and let all pass, since there's not much i can do about things that have already happened. i should keep a positive outlook and think there's always a next time, i can still do some things just to say at least i tried, at least i did. i shouldn't be so hard on myself, like a control freak oc. but dang, i know i should've! ************************************************************************** IN other news, my dad found my lolo's old old old Argus C3 Rangefinder (it was actually just in my lola's room all this time). When my mom texted me about it (I was doing fieldwork in Mabalacat), I quickly responded with a "Mine!" My dad said it didn't work anymore that's why lolo bought the ohmygoodness-heavy SLR Canon FTQL (which I, four years ago, declared to be my mana). [Still pride myself in using the FTQL for a friend's poetry book photoshoot. That book won a National Book Award, plusplus,--but that's another pagmamayabang story, for another time when I don't feel so bad about myself, hahaha.] I haven't gotten around to tinkering with the Argus but I might take it to Hidalgo one of these days for a checkup (or a resurrection, for that matter). I'm thinking the old Argus deserves its own blog entry. So stay tuned.
 Expand your lomographic family, feed your cameras, play vinyls and meet lomoheads at the Bili na Mga Suki! Lomomanila Bazaar at Cubao X this Saturday (Nov. 17) from 2PM to 7PM. See you there! Lomography has taken the country by storm! Thanks to LomoManila, a local photography group advocating a new form of photography rooted in individuality and freedom of expression, Lomography has recently captured the imagination of Filipinos from all walks of life. This November 10 to December 1, LomoManila celebrates this triumph with LomoLove Too!, a repeat of last year's successful exhibit LomoLove at the BlackSoup Projects Artspace in Cubao Expo. This time, the exhibit is bigger, noisier, crazier and filled with anything and everything lomo. This Saturday, November 17, lomographers and curious newbies can come to the Bili Na Mga Suki LomoManila Bazaar, Analog Afternoon and The Newbie Sessions at 2pm. Lomo cameras, film and other special lomo-inspired merchandise made by LomoManilans and their friends will be available. Vinyl collectors can also bring their favorite vinyl records for an old-school playlist party. Share tips and tricks and learn secrets from the lomo masters with The Newbie Sessions. Poster Illustration: Patrick Jamora Art Direction: Edgar Alan Zeta-Yap
Because I found it funny, I therefore tag myself by the power of Martin. He says, Go to Google and type in quotation marks your name and then "likes to" (ex. "Tom likes to"). Type in the first ten things that come up and repost in your own blog. [I modified this. Put in the top FIFTEEN :) ]
1. Lauren likes to joke that it was the roommate that scared him into getting married so quickly (a male Lauren, wow.) 2. Lauren likes to read books. Lots and lots of books. She likes to cook for her husband when he least expects it, and she also enjoys total body exfoliations. (yes, i like to read books. but not lots and lots. haha. and cooking? hmm...mebbe in the future eh? but this is the best: total body exfoliations!!! wheee!!!) 3. Lauren likes to holler at the officials. (do i not?) 4. Lauren likes to do lots of things, like be a communication major and play the tuba in the UDMB. (the tuba...now, that's a grand instrument to learn!) 5. Lauren likes to hurt people. Really. In a recent mugging incident in downtown Houston, the mugger ran away screaming while she remained unscathed. (hahahaha) 6. Lauren likes to yell boobies! (BOOBIEEEES!!!) 7. Lauren likes to get drunk and make out with EVERYBODY. (not really) 8. Lauren likes to read. Her choices mirror her career aspirations. "I like to read murder mysteries," she says. (Reading again? murder mysteries? eh, close enuf) 7. Lauren likes to travel. (yes, very very much!!!) 8. Lauren likes to listen to the music of Counting Crows, Dave Matthews Band, Phish, John Mayer, Dispatch, Tragically Hip, Bob Dylan, N'Sync and Britney Spears ... (I liked the first part, and then...N'Sync & Britney Spears? is this lauren sick or what?)
9. Lauren likes to hang out with her friends and watch Chinese television series. (ahhh...that's the life!) 10. Lauren likes to point out my terrible choice in girls over the last year, and she is 100% correct. ... Lauren likes to call them "Ho bags". (i'm not that bad) 11. Lauren likes to pose for pictures. (but of course!) 12. Lauren likes to eat BLT sandwiches, her favorite movie is “50 First Dates” and her favorite athlete is Mia Hamm. (erm, not close) 13. Lauren likes to put others down to make up for her own shortcomings and lack of self-esteem. (shame!!!) 14. Lauren likes to tell very cheesy jokes and once caught her skirt on fire while standing too close to a BBQ grill. (i'd like to think i tell funny jokes, and for the record, i very rarely wear skirts at a barbecue.) 15. Lauren Likes To Show Some Leg. (what the--? either laurens of the world are bookworms or true-blue party animals and murderers.)
Now, I tag everybody who reads this and finds it funny.
 November 10 - Lomolove Too Exhibit Opening - Opening Concert featuring The Dawn, Taken By Cars, Cambio, Pasok Mga Bwitre, The Ronnies and Corporate Lofi November 17
- Bili na mga Suki! Lomomanila Flea Market & Bazaar - Analog Day Afternoon - Newbie and Mod Sessions at Cubao X November 24 - Cinemalomo - Rock the X (With Rock Ed) December 1 - Lomopalooza (Lomo pa Loser!) Concert - Special participation of Bitaw! Open Mic performers - Lomomanila Christmas Party Special thanks to Francis Inton for the poster :)
Friend of a friend (oh yes). Acquaintance's relative (just three years older!). Next-street neighbor (plays really good street soccer). Kindergarten classmate (didn't laugh when you wet your pants). Frequent busmate (she pays exactly twenty-three pesos). College ex's brother's teammate (gained weight). You know how it goes. Six degrees of separation? Sometimes, just three. Or two. Enough of Friendster and all those online networks. That's too easy. This is the real thing. Oh, you know how it feels. That weird tingle. The excitement of simply knowing, like it's something to be proud of. Soon, you begin to brag about it. Then you realize you're the only one who cares. It's a small world, after all. You've said it so many times, you've wondered how it all happened. But the world is big, with six+ billion people asking the same thing. What's your story?
Back in my undergrad days (not too long ago) a friend of mine who did his OJT in the MMDA office in Manadaluyong commented, as we were going home to "Fairview" (we actually live right before entering Fairview), that according to the MMDA database, Commonwealth Avenue is regarded the deadliest street-avenue-highway in the Philippines, with the most number of auto accidents. A prime example of what could happen to you of you are not careful enough is put on a "pedestal" right on the island across Jollibee Philcoa. It used to be a small Pajero, I think, or a Vitara. Ha ha ha, the other drivers would say, di kasi marunong mag-defensive driving. I know personally of someone who had an auto accident right there--he was u-turning at Philcoa (back then it was still possible) when a jeepney coming from the opposite direction slammed into his car. Didn't even slow down. BAM, but nothing deadly, which was a good thing. Just had to spend some fat cash to have the car repaired. Nowadays, it's not just the auto accidents that put Comonwealth Avenue at the top of the hell highway chart. One of the news on TV Patrol this evening was about the avenue and how much the crime rate has increased over the years. According to the data gathered from the police reports, this year has so far been the worst. From August to September this year, an average of two to three crimes and accidents happen in a week. Not included are the 'smaller' accidents and crimes that don't get reported, including over-speeding. No matter how careful you are, if you happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time... Call center agents make very good holdup targets. This I learned when the news spread that an agent gets held up almost every night at the overpass by the Convergys Commonwealth branch. QC (or perhaps it was just the Convergys management) got smart this time and installed a night guard right on the overpass. I've been commuting through Commonwealth Avenue on my own since freshman year in high school in UST. I am thankful that nothing bad has happened to me, except of course the occasional minor collisions that made me late. At that time, getting to class on time was what I mostly worried about, because I still had Quezon Avenue and Espana to traverse. This August, I boarded an FX going to UST from Delta, because I dropped by the BIR office first. When I got in, I thought I was being caught on cam, one of those shows where they joke around and say they'll be heading off to the beach instead, and wait for your reaction. Turns out that the FX had just been held up. The passengers didn't really know each other; they just shared a common experience. This I gathered from hearing their conversation: the two men who held up the FX got in at Batasan--one at the back, the other at the middle. "Malikot ang mga mata nila," one lady who lost her cellphone recalled. These guys locked the doors and refused to let one passenger alight at the Wildlife Center, his destination. They also refused to let the driver take the Edsa "ibabaw," forcing him to take the underpass. They had a gun. At the underpass, they collected all they could from the passengers. And there you go. They got out immediately. One of the passengers seated at the front was able to hide his cellphone in his sock under his pants. He boasted around about his move even as I got off. I wanted to sock him and make him eat his 'saved' phone just to shut him up. When my mom was held up in an FX (took her cellphone) some two years ago, those at the front (who usually have the chance to keep their belongings) offered to give some cash to the other passengers, since they were spared from giving up anything. Nice people, unlike Mr. Cellphone-in-his-sock-I'll-sock-you-one-if-you-don't-shut-up. Right now, demolitions are being done, to make way for another road widening project. Gone are the vulcanizing shops, the auto shops, the barbers and salons, the goats doomed to be pinapaitan, the palochina furniture makers, the videoke bars and carinderias. The signs of life I eagerly watch in the morning going to work, and at night coming home. They will be replaced by asphalt and concrete, cars, jeeps, trucks, buses, road kill. Maybe it is a good thing after all, with the number of people living in Novaliches, Bulacan, Montalban, Fairview, and the environs, who take Commonwealth everyday going to school, to their means of livelihood. They are more important. They pay their taxes. Which make road widening possible. If you ask me, they should put more good cops over (t)here instead. No sense getting to work early if your pockets are empty and you're dead anyway.
Fourplay: A Multi-lens Exhibit
featuring the works of 14 lomographers
cameras with 4 lenses
the Supersampler and the Actionsampler
on October 4 - November 4 2007
at Fili Deli 5911A Matilde Street Makati City
(along Kalayaan Ave. near Rockwell) Thanks to Patrick for the poster!!!
 lapitap stickertop because time IS running out and i have to finish some schoolwork (and office work, for that matter, but that's another story), i decided to (whack myself in the ass) do things one at a time--finish off the ones closest to the deadline. of course everyone knows this is how things should be done. any good student would already have done it. and i should have already learned, with twenty years' experience going to educational institutions, but i just can't for the life of me be serious about it. there. i've printed all i have to read, i've composed myself mentally that today is good student day, by friday i should have that 5-page review i would report on this saturday. so there. then the rest of the papers. easy-peasy. SO, to further stimulate myself, i (took a lot of photos with my viv, ate scandalous amounts of chocolate, watched Becoming Jane on dvd, slept til ten am, decorated my laptop with fun-tastic stickers) got out my pen. and now i'm starting. wish. me. luck. and patience. lots of patience. with myself.
i'm terribly sick. i just got my vivitar ultra wide & slim from ponch and now i'm itching for a fisheye#2. i hope things work out financially for me for this month, and so the cam will be a sembreak present to myself. or early christmas. damn lomo's so addictive. and i don't wanna be cured! hahaha.
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