pErtz·o·phre·ni·a

"Our reforms have earned us P1 billion from the U.S. Millennium
Challenge Account for more investigators, prosecutors, and new
technology to fight corruption. We are matching this with another
billion from our fiscal savings." - SONA 2006

putang ina… di pa ako tapos magbasa ng speech ni madame president pero naiirita na mga mata ko.  korupsyon ba kamo? tapos tinapatan pa ng pondo? di ko naman sinasabi na kukurakutin lang ang pondo laban sa pangungurakot… kayo na lang huhusga.

red tape.  ano ba talaga ang red tape? hindi ito kulay pula na recording ng mga piratang opm kundi isa itong asal o kaugalian ng mga tao na binabagalan ang isang bagay o proseso na parang naghihintay ng pampadulas o makukutong.

tulad ng isang project na ginagawa namin sa isang probinsya, kasimple-simpleng dokumento lang hinihingi namin pero may panahon pa syang ipagmalaki na sa kanila ang dokumentong yung… kaya, gumawa kami ng iba. pero alam ba nyang ang dokumentong yun ay pag-aari ng taong bayan? sa tingin ko nga may bahid ng buwis ko na kinakaltas sa akin tuwing araw ng pasahod e kasama dun. tarantado pala sya eh!simpleng hiling pero ang daming satsat… ano kaya hihingin nya?

o nga pala… nabanggit ko na rin ang buwis. ngayon ko lang namalayan na halos 22% na ang idinadagdag sa resibo ko lalo na pagkumakain ako sa mga restaurant. binubuo raw ito ng service charge at vat! langya… lalo akong nagutom! kaya dapat talagang di na ako maglalagay ng tip sa mesa. mas mapera pa pala ang waiter (o minsan kinukurakot pa ng may-ari) kaysa sa akin. kasali kaya ang buwis na ito sa 1 billion na itatapat sa isa pang 1 billion para puksain ang kurupsyon?

tao ang gumagawa… ang masakpal pa dun, kapwa filipino din ang naaapektuhan. masakit man isipin, mahirap tanggapin pero ang kasanayang ito ay  di dapat  hikayatin  (wow! rhyme!). tama nga si bob ong. disiplina ang kailangan natin. kahit sa maliit na bagay lang ay simula ng malaking pagbabago.

pucha! napaka-nationalistic ko! hanep =P

"Toooooooottttttt"…. argh! parating na naman ang tren.  Nagising ako sa tindi ng ingay.  Dumungaw ako sa bintana at nakitang makulimlim ang kalangitan at umaambon.  Nang lumabas ako ng terrace, nasaksihan ko na bumabaha na pala sa kalye Dela Rosa.  Nag-isip ako (teka, maaga pa para mag-isip ah… dapat pala’y maghanda na ako sa trabaho kaysa mag-isip ako ng walang kwentang bagay.). 

Nang palabas na ako ng building (gusali raw ‘to sa tagalog), nakita ko ang mga taong naglalakad papuntang Buendia.  Tang-ina! Agawan sa sakayan ng jeep.  Buti na lang me isang oras pa ako para makarating sa opisina.  Take note: Maaga ako.  Nung pumunta na ako sa sakayan, Fahken Syet!  Nasa sa kabilang island ang jeep.  Di ako makatawid dahil sa tubig baha.  Mga 3-5 meters lang naman ang layo kaso nagmukha syang isla sa 100 islands at kelangan mo ng bangka para makatawid at yun naman ay ginagampanan ng mga trisikad dun… Wow!  Raket sa tag-ulan ‘to!

Nagdesisyon ako na bumalik na lang sa aking pinanggalingan at mag-aabang ng sasakyan.  Doon ko rin nadiskobre na me bus palang papuntang opisina… Oo, aircon po ito at siguradong di ka mangangamoy usok pagpasok mo sa umaga.  Pinara ko ang bus, at di nya ito itinabi (normal po ang sitwasyung ito sa lugar na ‘to).  Bago ka pa makasakay sa bus, ay kailangan mong lundagin ang pinto para makapasok.  Sa malas nga naman, may pilay pa ako kaya imposibleng makayanan ko ang lundag na iyon kaya minabuti kong umapak sa tubig baha.  No choice!  Isang yapak lang naman sabay kapit agad sa pinto ng bus, salamat kay Dr. Martens at di naman pinasukan ng tubig paa ko.

Ang trapik! Anak ng tipaklong, totoo ba ito?  Mahuhuli na naman ako sa trabaho.  Para sa di pa nakakaalam, halos dalawang kilometro lang po ang layo ng bahay at opisina ko.  Sayang naman ng effort ko… sana huli na lang akong nagising.  Sigh… Di nga ako nagkamali, nahuli ako ng 30 minutes.

Buhos pa rin ng buhos ang ulan, humihinto naman ito paminsan-minsan kasabay ng malakas na hagin.  Nabalitaan ko na Typhoon Signal # 2 na raw si Florita (Floring ang tawag ng iba.  Napapansin ko rin ang pangalan ng bagyo sa Pilipinas ay nagtatapos talaga sa "NG").  Wow! Bagyo!  Syet, sa wakas at makakaranas na rin ako ng bagyo!  Sa tuwa ko, napag-isipan kong maglakad pauwi at sasabak sa bagyo.  Sa tingin ko rational thinking ginamit ko (oo, nag-iisip ako nun kasi hapon na at malapit na akong umuwi.) kasi maraming tao na naman nag-aabang sa sakayan at wala rin akong payong tiyak mababasa ako habang nakikipag-agawan ng jeep.

Sinimulan ko nang maglakad.  Sumama naman kaofficemate ko sa kahibangan ko kahit na hanggang Ayala lang sya.  Hindi ko naman sya pinilit pero pinipilit nya akong magbus… pero ayoko!  Desidido na akong maglakad.  Sabi ko baka mauuna pa ako marating sa bahay sa sobrang trapik ng mga panahong iyon.

Ang ganda ng Makati, dahil siguro sa ilaw at sa matataas na gusali na nagmistulang mga payong tuwing umuulan.  "3 blocks away…" sa isip ko (naisip ko na yun kasi wala nang akong kausap sa puntong yun dahil nakasakay na ng bus kaofficemate ko sa Ayala). 

Sa kalyeng Washington (isang kanto na lang yun sa tinitirhan ko), Okinam Syet! BAHA!  Kaliwa’t kanan akong tuningin lahat umaapaw sa baha.  Dalawa lang naman pagpipilian ko, kaliwa (Dela Rosa) at Kanan (Buendia).  Kanan ang napili ko.  Wise decision yun kasi naaalala ko na kaninang umaga pa bumabaha sa Dela Rosa pero ang tindi nito bat di ko pa naisipang umuwi ng maaga.  Tado, ang tanga ko pa rin.  Nilusob ko ang baha sa Buendia.  Nasa harap ko ang babaeng nakahigh heels.  Kung kaya nyang pasukin ang baha, kaya ko rin… "Kaya mo yan kid!" ika nga ni Jollibee.  Siguro naman hanggang talampakan lang yung baha sa boots na suot-suot ko.  Sinusundan ko ang mga yapak ng babaeng nakaheels.  Kahit malalim at nasubsob na sya, ginawa ko na rin.  Patay si Dr. Martens, pinasukan pa rin ng tubig sapatos ko.  Walanghiya nga naman, kada may dumadaang bus, umaalon ang baha para kang nasa seashore.  Minsan, naisip ko (tang-inang pag-iisip ‘to!) na pwede ka na palang magskimboard sa taas ng alon.

Sa wakas, nasa bahay na ako.  Di naman halatang nakipagsapalaran ako sa baha.  Sa katunayan nga eh habang nakapila ako sa elevator, me isang babaeng parang nagsnorkling sa baha.  Di ko alam kung ako’y nasisisyahan o naiinis sa aking naranasan.  Basta ang alam ko, first time kong naranasan ang Typhoon Signal #2 na si Florita (Floring ang tawag ng iba at sa Pinas nagtatapos ang pangalan ng "NG").  Kaya pala maraming taong nababagot pag may bagyo.  Siguro sa susunod ganito na rin ang mararamdaman ko.  Ang hirap palang ipagsabay ang simangot at tuwa!

sumalangit nawa si Bruno (fat arse cat!)… but his moments are worth remembering:

1. He loves chicken! exactly i know what you are thinking… cats love fish. i even learn it from my pre-school days during matching type quiz… cat and fish. "pilian og sud-an.. yati ra!"
2. Companionship. there was this time that i decided to celebrate new year’s eve in bhaus.  correction: wala ko nag-emote.  naisip ko lang na praktikal sa ako magstay didto.  Great companion kaayo si bruno, giubanan jud ko niya tibuok gabii since nagtunga mi sa liempo and rice na akong gipalit.
3. Garfield attitude. ang katamaran sa animal… pirti jud. he thought he was a superstar, papresyo… ayaw nyang gampanan ang responsibilidad bilang pusa. eat-sleep-eat lang ang daily routine nya.
4. Man’s Best Friend.  i thought para sa aso lang ang saying na ‘to? but he defies its meaning. best friend ka nya lalo na at me pagkain ka.  kung wala, sorry ka na lang… di nya alam pangalan nya.
5. Sweet. ang lambing nya pagnagugutom o pagmatutulog na sya.  hahanapin ka nya at kinoconsider na master basta pagkain na ang hanap.  at pag-inaantok na sya tapos nasa pwesto ka nyo nakaupo, tumabi-tabi ka na kung ayaw mo syang matulog sa kandungan mo.   
6. Highly Respected. Sulayi kalabani si bruno kay ako imong kalaban. hmpf!  yan usually pagsasamahan namin ng pusa ko.take and take lang sya.
7. Entertainer.  Everybody loves him.  Baguhan o Karaan, ginabantayan jud iya every move. dig that chick attitude… grabeh, manyakis kaayo mao daghan sya kittens pero dili jud maliwat sa iya like si buta-on (combination sa buta and muta).  kaya dinidispose na rin namin super happy naman sya kasi la syang kaagaw sa food.

there’s so much to tell about bruno… bloppers nya, nung nalasing sya, pininturahan ang ears, sinipa, tinapon, nahulog,pinakain, kinukulit, umiebak, nung narealize nya na cat sya at hindi tiger, at marami pang kwento pero isa lang ang masasabi ko; love na love sya ng sino mang taong nakapunta at nakatira ng bhaus!  gonna miss you buddy! don’t worry, nakatirik daw lapida mo sa bhaus.  wag ka lang magpapareincarnate into rat, tiyak matatarget ka namin sa airsoft. hehehe.

ohh… i miss frisbee so much!

for newbies, the ultimate sport can be learned at the beginners’ night.  i have so much to explore about the sport and even to myself.

so excited that i barely slept wondering if i can still throw and catch that disc to and from anonther newbie.  but then again, i was recovering from my knee injury or maybe just preparing myself to have it done (surgery) and end my agony.  most importantly, i am eager to acquire more knowledge about the spirit of the game and probably share it to the STDs.

Guess everything is just a figure of my imagination. in just a snap, my excitement past away.  i didn’t made it to the meralco baseball field eventhough i took undertime in the office so that i could be there on time.  a friend of mine didn’t show up due to heavy rain at her place.  luckily, i am a researcher.

what had happened maybe is an opportunity to see myself when i was alone. no hindrances but only an opportunity to know myself better. as i see it, i am not used to be alone but this time, i got no one to turn to except myself. being alone is not always associated with loneliness but a chance to express yourself.  you got all the time you need to make such choices… A and B, True or False, Yes or No, Blue or Red Pill, no matter what it is, it’s up to you to decide…

ohh.. i missed that frisbee, but still glad for the opportunity of knowing me, myself and i.

Saturday

i woke up late and as far as i could remember, i took 3 slices of bread and a glass of orange juice. Gonna meet Tish at 4pm in UP Diliman to pick up something for Pussycat Dolls Tickets.  Anyway, its still 12nn so i played (again) the only DVD i had… Little Manhattan. Okey, there are 5 DVDs in here but this is the only Hollywood movie available.  In the movie, Gabe said that two and half weeks seems like eternity and guess what, 6 days of being alone is like living in hell.

it was 4pm and was standing in line to purchase a MRT pass… a train passed by (what the F@#*K?!), I was still in line! great, I’m so late ( i was thinking then…)! Think, think, think… ahhh my turn now, dropped a peso coin in a charity can for Red Cross, then i said:

"boss, Guadalupe po." 

The cashier answered back, "San?"

"Sa Guadalupe… isa lang." i replied in a louder voice.

"Saan ba punta mo?" with a grouchy face of the cashier.

"Ay, sa Quezon Ave. pala!"

The hell… what was i thinking, i’m in guadalupe station purchasing Guadalupe pass??? The shame, the horror!

i dropped off in Quezon Ave. Still reminishing what had just happened a while ago at the Guadalupe station. Anyway, its 430pm and Tish texted me already that she’ll be waiting at the UP grandstand.  Grrr… I might be late in the office, but not during lakwatsa! i can feel the rush now… i decided to take a cab. Damn! those cabs weren’t available, making excuses that they’re going home already. "yati! nagtorno pa ang mga amaw, mamili man diay og pasahero!" i miss Holiday taxi…

I finally met Tish and felt sorry for the tardiness.  To my luck, it’s the Devils vs. the RP Team Ultimate Match (Frisbee Baby!).  Tish told me that i already missed the drills but i can observed how they play in the field.  Hmm.. is that Derek Ramsey? I can sense that Loohann was drooling while i texted her. Haha! Anyway, i eventually understand what Tish really meant when she talked about strategies and game plans about Ultimate in Davao: the cuts, the fakes, stacks, swings, high jumps and low passes. Damn! a live demo! They’re good! Wish i had a cam to show it to the STD, maybe next time…

Off to Aunt’s house in Sta. Mesa. i took LRT 2 from Katipunan and still i could remember the terror in Guadalupe. I called my aunt if she’s available for a movie in SM centerpoint. She said yes, and we’re going to watch Superman Returns (my second time). Just my luck, i’d seen it already… the theater sucked! i can only see tiny Superman and Lois Lane whispering to each other while the children were screaming and crying because the place was so dark! Far out! Why the hell these parents bring their 3 year old children that can hardly understand what Superman was trying to say. Why can’t they just stay at home and buy DVD… Pirate Rules!

Sunday

As usual, i do not have mornings at weekends (exemptions to lakwatsas! hehehe). No plans, I wondered where people gone.  Ahh… church! They didn’t bother to invite me anymore since they already knew that i’m a non-practicing catholic. Takot lang nila baka tatanungin ko na naman kung ano ang Homily ng pari at ala na naman silang masagot. Hahaha.

Anyway, i was bored again. i tried to weigh myself and whoa… i’m 8 kilos heavier in a span of 7 days. my hands are still itching for a toss.  i badly need a practice, but instead, i asked christine and girard for a coffee talk.  Only christine replied and suggested a better idea… movie marathon!  Amazed, i asked her where to buy pirated dvds (captain jack is back!).  She told me i could buy some pirated dvds at Shaw Boulevard which is nearer to her pad.

When i arrived at Shaw, i tried asking some stalls on where i could buy pirated dvds.  Asking questions around are common in the city like this, whether you live here or not.  Tell you more about it later. Buying DVD especially when it is pirated is pretty much scary in this place.  Vendors are so careful not bump in with the Optical Media Board (OMB) or perhaps anti-piracy agents.  Take this example, In a stall, only 4 or 8 dvd posters can be seen.  I asked if they have "The Davinci Code."  The saleslady whispered to me that she had one at the back and she went out to pick it out, if only i am willing to wait.  Eagerly i said if i could go with her so that i can choose other movies, but instead with a frown look at her face, she insisted and went back to her place and left me all alone.  Wow! do i look like 007? If only i introduced myself as Captain Jack Sparrow and i think there will be no problem with that.  Anyway, i looked around (again) and found a guy with a Dead Man’s Chest (pirated goods).  I purchased 3 videos and asked for a discount, although i know they are cheap already, just to test my marketing skills, yet still it didn’t work! Pirates’ Code… lousy me!

At christine’s pad with her friend joy, we watched The Davinci Code, despite the fact that only christine haven’t seen the movie. Lucky for her she haven’t read my review about it.  After the movie, they offered me to stay for dinner with the condition to help them cook the shrimps! Hmm… i missed cooking but i just don’t remember how to cook the shrimps, but still i said YES! It’s shrimps for Christ sake! Well, CSI supreme sunday was on and my lab rats are pretty much cooperative but i guess they haven’t enjoy it (I think i miss something, sorry!).  I will make up to you guys some other time.  Oppsss… it’s late and i have to leave since Manic Monday is fast approaching. We said our goodbyes and i gave thanks for their warm welcome.

I decided to take a bus at Shaw Boulevard.  Two ladies approached me for directions.  See? i can tell from the tone of their voice that they are Manileñas and the proud Dabawenyo gave them one, "Ahm, sakay na lang po kayo ng Bus papuntang LRT-Ayala-Leveriza, tapos baba kayo sa kantong Makati Avenue. Aircon bus lang ata bumabyahe dun."  What a relief?!  I can now tell directions in Makati City.  Then suddenly, one of the ladies asked, "Magkano po ba pamasahe ng Bus?"  What a freak??? I can tell directions but i am not a bus conductor!  Eventually we took the same bus but i stayed away from them to avoid furthermore questions.

It is known in this metro that buses have sound system or television to ease the boredom during trips.  But hell is always on my side.  A passenger beside me competes with the broken radio speakers.  Damn stations who used to play music that you could find in the videoke machines.  Songs like My Love Will See You Through (Marco Sison) and Only You (Sam Milby).  Imagine he sang with feelings and high tunes… Far Out!  When the bus took right to Ayala Avenue, He asked me if the bus would go to Baclaran, I nodded.  I know he’s lost (evil grin) but still no pressure with him (i lost the battle, fahk!).  The bus stopped at Paseo street and i remember the two ladies, still didn’t drop off. In short "Lumampas!"  If only they asked the bus conductor to drop them off then maybe i can volunteer to kick their arse out!

At home (or maybe my pseudo home), Tatay was already asleep, unfortunately in the living room. Therefore i can’t watch my pirated dvds (*sigh*).  I locked myself again in my six corner room.  I grabbed a cigarette and smoked the hell out of me in the terrace.  To my surprised… a flying cockroach! Ahhh!!! i hate flying cockroaches.  But i was able to defend myself, smash that bitch up (wow, techno soundtrack yun ah!) and let it fall in 11th floor building!

It’s already Monday, 2am.. wish i have better days to come.

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thanks to Loohann, Bing, Jenny, Mark, Pyk, Mishi, Biankix, Greta, Anj, Rhia, Tatitz, and everyone sa mga updates nyo sa STD! Grabeh Miss ko na kayo!  Hope to see you soon guys! =P