[Square Circles]

The Long Wait is Over

2009-03-30T08:16:00.000+08:00

Yes.

I have always wanted you.

I wasn't sure if I could handle you.

I wasn't sure if it was right to have you.

Now, you are here.

Everything feels right; I feel your weight around my neck and feel your gentle touch above my navel.

You are truly worth the wait.

The Show Must Go On

2009-03-14T16:34:00.001+08:00

It's taken me more than a week to accept and write about FrancisM's death, but even a lifetime will not suffice to bury his legacy.

FrancisM may be gone, but the show must go on. A show juxtaposing creativity and patriotism in a perfect mix through true talent and musicality – a show that can only be initiated by the man from Manila and the true Master of Pinoy Rap, Francis Durango Magalona.

Life goes on. Let us continue with the memory that once there was someone who tried to make a difference. An artist, a musician, a true Pinoy in his heart and soul – let us not forget who he was and who we are. Mabuhay ka Kiko, at mabuhay ang Pilipino.

This next piece was written last 25 February 2009, upon my hearing that our dear president decided to “forget” all about the EDSA revolution. I now dedicate it to our dear friend FrancisM, who I strongly feel shares my sentiments.

Forgive and Forget

What's done is done. Forgive and forget.

Forgive and forget – something Filipinos do too much, and too much of a good thing kills – or so they say. The Filipino people are suffering from a severe case of Alzheimer's disease. Someone kicks our teeth in, smiles at us a few seconds after, and we smile back. Someone says “the Filipino is worth dying for”, eventually does so, and we unbelievably and unforgivably forget all about him and what he stood for and fought for so vehemently.

3 million Filipino people marched and mourned with Ninoy on his burial march; the same people, plus a few million more, marched on the streets of EDSA a few months after and showed the world how democracy is attained without bloodshed.

Where are they now?

Where are YOU now?

While you're busy doing what it is you do in your respective offices, I want you to remember that once upon a time, on this same day, we skipped work for a worthwhile cause.

Once upon a time, on this same day, we were heroes.

Once upon a time, on this same day, we were Filipinos.

Maybe, for once, we can be heroes again.

Maybe, for once, we can be Filipinos again. Now that – that is something I hope we don't ever forget.

Maybe MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando was right; People Power should not be celebrated in the middle of EDSA. Maybe it shouldn't be celebrated at all.

Forgive and forget.

Right?

Photo credit: A Free Mind (francismagalona.multiply.com)

Philippine Actors Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo: Finally Tying the Knot?

2009-02-20T12:22:00.000+08:00

Who.

the fuck.

cares?

No one does.

NO ONE.

Please spare us.

Standing Still

2009-02-11T11:19:00.002+08:00

Sometimes we fail to see the beauty in everyday things; how a gentle breeze shakes off water from the trees after a refreshing drizzle, how the droplets of water fall into undisturbed puddles, how the morning sunlight dances gracefully on my bedroom floor.

Another morning.

Another day.

What's so special about today? What was so special about yesterday? If you can't give me one single reason why every day of your life is special, you're missing out; in fact, you're missing out on a lot of things. One of them being life itself. If your job is your life, if you spend every waking moment thinking about how to earn a living, there is something wrong with you. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing bad about trying to earn a living. If it is at the expense of living life itself, however, it's not worth it. Take my word for it.

People move so fast through life, they miss all the beauty that lies in life's simplicity. We work so hard so we can enjoy life that, in the process, we miss the small things that bring the most joy. Sometimes we fail to see anything at all – except a false sense of happiness and security brought about by our idea of how life should be lived and how every moment of it should be spent.

Stand still.

The world will not stop spinning, time will not slow down, people may or may not stop with you, but you will gain a better perspective of things. You will become aware of yourself amidst all the flurry and realize that you have been moving too fast.

When was the last time you laughed so hard, you cried? When was the last time you cried so hard, you laughed? When was the last time you really did anything that made you happy? If you think your life is at a standstill, you probably need it. Maybe you've been moving too fast for your own good. Take advantage of it and give yourself time to breathe. Everyone deserves a break once in a while – even you.

So take a break, skip the Kitkat and find something to do with your life which involves less of what you think you should be doing and more of what you should ACTUALLY be doing, enjoying life's every precious moment, that is.

I, for one, have found my own outlet in which I seem to see the world more clearly. The art of photography has helped me gain a better appreciation of life's simple yet precious moments. Each time i look through my viewfinder is another attempt to capture them, and what I'm doing now, writing about it, is another outlet of mine which helps me tap my creative side and gives me a way to express and store my thoughts for posterity. Through my writing and my photography, I AM IMMORTAL.

IMMORTAL.

So, take heed. Find your outlet. Seize the day. Live your life. One day, you'll thank me for it.

Sumthin’ Sumthin’

2008-11-26T07:15:00.002+08:00

After a long hiatus, NY-based Neosoul/R&B pioneer Maxwell is now back and ready to melt hearts and make knees buckle once again with his smooth, sexy voice and “almost gay” dancing on stage. I am not in any way saying Maxwell is gay; he’s androgynous to say the least, but he’s far from being gay – at least in my opinion.

It is not unthinkable for a rockstar or chart-topping musician to suddenly disappear from the music scene at the height of his career. Maxwell is unique, however, in that he took a break from the spotlight on his own volition. Why, you might ask? What is the reason behind leaving a multi-platinum music career? No, it wasn’t drugs, sex, or violence. It’s very stereotypical of you to think like that. I can’t blame you, though; most of the musicians who disappeared from the face of the earth, or at least from your TV screens, were either shot, arrested, institutionalized, or currently withering in rehab as you read this. Maxwell decided that he wanted to stop being Maxwell for a while and just be a regular guy. It sounds ridiculous, I know, but you and I haven’t experienced stardom as he did so our opinions don’t really have that much weight.

According to Maxwell, in order to experience real life and grow like a normal human being, one needs to look deep into himself and observe his surroundings – something he found impossible to do while enjoying the limelight. He says it’s difficult to talk about everyday stuff and connect with people on the same level when you have the spotlight on you. So he took some time off. That’s really the long and short of it. He took time off for himself, and for his music. In effect, he took time off for us.

After 7 years, Maxwell is back, more mature and more well-rounded but still with his sexy voice ready to mesmerize fans old and new – and maybe with a little more of that “almost gay” dancing. No new album yet, though. The tentative date of his new album’s release is still 2 months away. The man behind the music is already here, though, and I hope he’s here to stay.

A few parting words from the man himself:

"I'm confident in my intentions and why I'm making music. I'm not making music because I want to be on your TV screen or the cover of your magazine. I want you to make a baby to something I wrote. I want you to clean your kitchen on Sunday to this, ride in your car, go to work. That's my goal."

-Interview excerpt from Nekesa Mumbi Moody of Yahoo News

A Matter Of Courtesy

2008-10-10T06:04:00.001+08:00

I don't think I will, thank you very much.

I will flush for the sake of human decency, though.

It's unbelievable that in this day and age, in this so called “modern world”, you still see signs like this in many restrooms. This just goes to show how many morons there are in our midst. It's like seeing an open door with a sign that reads, “Keep this door closed at all times” or a stopped passenger bus in a “No loading and unloading zone”.

Seriously, if you use a toilet and still need to be reminded to flush or clean after yourself, you're a moron.

Period.

Choices and Consequences

2008-10-08T05:02:00.003+08:00

If my 30 years on this earth has taught me anything, it's that life is all about choices. I know now that if I'm to have any life at all, a life worth living through, I must choose my own path. Throughout my life, several paths have been laid before me. Some of them easy, some not so, but in the end it all boiled down to what path I chose and the kind of decisions I made along the way. I know that I have made some bad decisions in my journey through life, I'm no saint. The important thing is that I learned from them and took responsibility for them. I did not blame anybody – I knew that if there was really anybody to blame, it was me. I always had a choice. Let me tell you one thing about life and I want you to remember this: we can do whatever we want, anything at all, as long as we face the consequences of our actions. Choices and consequences. That's what life is all about.

By choosing to write for a living, I made one of the most important decisions in my life. It might seem like a menial career shift to some, but to me it was akin to deciding whether or not I should get married. Yes, to have someone by your side to share in your joys and pains is a good thing to have, but marrying that someone is an entirely different story altogether. However, at age 27 I found someone that I simply wanted to marry. No doubts, no hesitations – I knew deep inside that she was the one. Just like in late 2007 when I decided to become a writer, I was 29 then, there were no doubts, no hesitations, and my beloved wife supported me all the way. Choices and consequences. As a writer by heart, I was completely prepared to face the consequences of these life-changing decisions.

They say changing the world is no simple task. Few of us have the resources or the power to achieve such a feat. Apathy is our response to everyone's call – their desperate calls for help. We hide behind this apathy and the belief that we are all helpless pawns in this cycle we call life. However, the road to a brave new world is the path I boldly, and maybe blindly, choose to take. The day I was born was the first day I changed the world. You may say I'm talking about an entirely different thing altogether, but if we keep in mind that every little thing we do or say can change the world in one way or another, then we are halfway through our quest. I alone cannot hope to change the entire world in any substantial way, but I will start by changing the world I live in – the world I know. Let us all begin with ourselves and together start changing the world. Choices and consequences. That's where it will all depend on.

We have all, in our own way, made an impact in this world. Whether big or small, our mark will always remain in the timeline of history. The only question now is:

What indelible mark are you willing to leave on this world that will continue on as your legacy

Let's Play It By Ear – And Listen

2008-10-07T04:46:00.002+08:00

Don't tell your girlfriend about me,
'Cause your girlfriend won't like girls like me

If you know Julia Fordham, then you're familiar with her bittersweet style of storytelling through her music. Painfully blunt and yet so reassuringly subtle, her honesty has been met with a variety of responses: I fell in love with her music, others kept their distance not being used to hearing tales of bittersweet relationships, unrequited love, and illicit love affairs.

The excerpt above from one of Julia's songs, I'm quite sure, is just one of the reasons most people shy away from her and her music. From the song Girlfriend, these two lines give a clue on how bittersweet her music can be – but they cannot begin to show the whole experience. Some people are quick to judge artists and their music and, in this case, they are missing the big picture. To some, this song is about cheating on your partner; to me, it's about cheating on your partner AND love in general. Yes, I know cheating on your partner is as good as a punch in the gut just after dinner, but to say that the song is simply about that is to oversimplify it. It's so much more than that it's unfair to give it a bad rap just because you refuse to listen to the whole song.

The problem with most listeners is that they don't really care – and that's what bugs me. I hear lots of people express their “expert opinion” about this and that all the time. The truth is they're just waiting for the next song to be tagalized or to be used in a tagalized or recycled telenovela. What is with Pinoys and their telenovelas anyway? It seems most of us can't get enough of them. Pick any love song and make a telenovela or cinenovela or whatever the hell you call it out of it and you've got the next big hit. Another nail to the coffin of Philippine music and one of the main reasons the music industry itself continues to deteriorate.

People don't really understand what they listen to.

Case in point: The “Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang?” duet that everybody waxes romantic over at every concert and videoke bar. During videoke sessions, it's almost impossible not to sing this song – especially if you're looking for a “couple” song. What we don't realize is that this song is as good an homage to infidelity as any other. In fact, it isn't really the most subtle of songs; it directly refers to the concept of cheating to which, ironically, most of us show an aversion to – and with good reason. Nobody wants deception to be the gear that turns the cog wheels of their relationships, especially romantic ones. Still, we continue to sing “Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang?” as a celebration of our love and devotion.

Do people still care about the message a musical piece tries to express?

Are we just waiting for the next “cool” pop beat or the next controversial piece?

I know most artists, the real ones, try very hard to express or evoke a certain kind of emotion from their listeners. Listeners SHOULD care. To get the best out of music, every listener should care to LISTEN. Listen to every word; listen to every note.

Music is the language of the world.

Maybe the world is all fucked up today because we didn't care enough to listen.

Ang Kuwadradong Bilog

2008-10-06T07:55:00.001+08:00

Sabi nila bilog ang mundo. Ang buhay daw ay parang gulong -- gulong na tumitilapon sa gitna ng gabi at tumatama sa harap ng taxi habang bumabagtas sa kahabaan ng isa sa maraming flyover ng EDSA. Ang buhay daw ay puno ng mga di inaasahang pangyayari at sorpresang kung minsan ay puno ng kasiyahan o balot ng kalungkutan. Ngunit may isang katangiang taglay ang lahat ng pangyayari sa ating buhay, inaasahan man o hindi – ang lahat ng ito ay may leksyong nais ipamahagi o ituro sa atin. Maaaring isang panibagong leksyon, o isa sa mga leksyong nabalot sa limot dulot sa haba ng panahon na inilagi natin sa mundo.

Sabi nila bilog ang mundo. Bilog din ang gulong na nagpaalala sa akin na ang buhay sa mundong ito ay mahalaga at ang oras na nakalipas ay di na kailanman pang maibabalik. Sa isang panig, maaaring tayo minsan ay nakararamdam ng hapo sa ating araw-araw na pamumuhay: ang mga araw ay mistulang walang puknat sa pagpalit, ang mundo'y nakahihilo sa kanyang patuloy na pag-ikot, ang oras walang awang lumilipad nang walang pakundangan sa sinuman.

Noong gabi ng Setyembre 11, 2008, isang makahulugang araw para sa Estados Unidos at sa kanilang patuloy na pakikibaka laban sa terorismo, isang gulong ang tumilapon at isang paalala naman ang naipahayag sa Pilipinas.

Ang oras ay mahalaga at ito'y di titigil para sa sinuman.

Ang orasan ay maaariing tumigil ngunit ang panahon ay patuloy na lilipas; ang gulong ay maaaring huminto sa pag-ikot ngunit ang bawat yugto ng buhay ay patuloy na iinog; ang taxi ay may preno, ang buhay wala. Tayo'y kinakailangang maging handa dahil sa anumang oras ay maaaring tumilapon sa atin ang gulong ng buhay – at di laging may taxing sasalo dito.

MENSAHE NG MAY-AKDA:

Para sa mga hindi nakaintindi ng kathang ito: ang buhay ay sadyang ganyan. Minsan nasa baba, minsan nasa taas naman – parang gulong.

Laugh & The World Will Laugh With You

2008-10-02T15:45:00.007+08:00

Yes, I know I promised an update, but I've been really busy these past few weeks. Believe me, if there's something I want to do, it's to write in [square circles]. Anyway, for the time being, please bear and laugh with me with this webfind of mine.

I'm sorry, I just find this very funny. Simple yet funny. I hope you all do, too.

Of Concerts, Sponsors, and Government Bullshit

2008-08-26T09:25:00.000+08:00

If there ever is an event worth the wait and mystery, it is the Eraserheads one-night-only reunion concert on the 30th of August 2008. So vast is the magnitude of this event that to make admission free just by registering in a mysterious "red list" has sprung confusion and controversy among avid fans and the media. Different rumors have surfaced regarding the controversial concert's date and venue. No one knew much about it, and it was even surmised by some that it would not push through with so many rough edges to be smoothed even to this day -- and today's the 26th already.

I was contacted by Marlboro last Friday regarding my being included in their very secretive "red list". You can just imagine how high my spirits were during the weekend because of this. They even called me yesterday to tell me that they have verified my account and that I should check my email. Joy.

Today, I realize some things are too good to be true, like a free Eheads reunion concert, for example. I have the DOH and Republic Act No. 9211 to thank for that.

"If we are able to show and prove that this concert is actually sponsored by you, by Philip Morris, then we will truly train our guns on you for clearly violating the law."

This is what the health undersecretary said to Philip Morris in a press conference a few weeks back. I'm just wondering if our diligent health undersecretary really is trying to enforce the law or did he find a sponsor willing to give him a cut? I don't see him complaining about events sponsored by the "other cigarette brand". If you've been to Boracay, you know what I'm talking about. How many times have you walked along the beach and saw concerts and events sponsored by the "other cigarette brand with a blue label"? Do you have shares in the "other cigarette brand", Mr. health undersecretary? Please, if you can give me a logical explanation for all this hullabaloo, tell me. Show it to me. I really want to know.

To Health Undersecretary Alexander Padilla, thank you very much for giving us the chance to lose an arm and a leg to watch a band we love so much reunite for a grand one-night-only concert, asshole.

Idol Worship

2008-08-02T20:02:00.001+08:00

I tried watching an episode of Pinoy Idol on GMA Channel 7 one boring night and you know what? I actually enjoyed it. Honestly, I was expecting a bad show with no redeeming qualities whatsoever. I watched it expecting non-talented wannabes, incompetent and pretentious judges, plus a boring host in a cheap rip-off of American Idol. Imagine my surprise upon realizing how enjoyable the show can be. I had high expectations, bad ones, but still, not every show can live up to them. In this respect, Pinoy Idol Takes the cake. If you're a fan of the show, you might be enjoying it for completely different reasons. Me, I enjoy it for the sheer comedy it provides.

I admit the show initially turned me off; I was expecting the best of the best in Philippine amateur entertainment. I got amateur entertainment, but not from the contestants. I watched the so-called judges as they expressed amateurish and biased opinions regarding each performance. What I got from the contestants was desperate groveling which, in a real talent show, wouldn't have made the cut. The final 12 they got right now shouldn't have made it that far in the first place. Are they really the best Pinoy talents out there? No wonder Philippine show business is deteriorating, mediocrity is the name of the game nowadays. Just take a look at the new blood we keep initiating into the business and you'll see what I mean. Everybody should enjoy a good laugh once in a while but if this is the future of Pinoy entertainment, we're screwed.

I do not have anything against talent shows, but being the one forced to stomach their products I may have something against their criteria and manner of judging. For example, I would like real talent to play a major role in deciding which contestants go home or not. I would like for the judges to give objective opinions as opposed to the pretentious banter that either patronized or insulted the contestants. By lying to these spotlight seekers, the judges are as guilty themselves for the contestants' deficiencies as artists. What do they know about talent and superstardom, if there is such a thing? That's like asking a plumber if justified true belief is real knowledge. Everybody seems or claims to know what philosophy is – even your ordinary bum in the street corner can philosophize. They're no Wittgensteins, though. This is why we leave philosophy to the philosophers. Talent show contestants have no choice but to leave all the talent show judging to “qualified” talent show judges because they're supposed to know what makes a star shine. How are non-talented-wannabes supposed to learn from washed-up-has-beens?

I'd very much like to give the Pinoy Idol judges the benefit of the doubt, but how can I? Have you seen their “final 12”? Am I supposed to believe that these are the best in the Philippines today? Are these nitwits supposed to be our idols? If that's the case then I refuse to be a part of this “show” in any way. I will not succumb to its standards of mediocre showmanship foolishly dubbed the crème de la crème of Pinoy new artists. I would rather turn the TV off and listen to the rhythm of my feeble mind as it churns out reminiscences of the not so distant past. A past made sweet and memorable by real and inspired artists like Gary V. and Raymond Lauchengco. A time where music was taken seriously, where music was an end in itself. A time where “Ang Bagong Kampyon” was the ultimate talent show. A time where “tatlong bentesingko lang ang aking kailangan para makausap siya kahit sandali”. A time where Pinoy Idol, even American Idol, ceased to exist.

This Is A Call

2008-08-01T18:05:00.001+08:00

After just spending P200,000,000 on the renovation of the Batasan Building for her State of the Nation Address, you would think our dear president would have something exciting to say. You'd think wrong, however, as the SONA was nothing more but the same old song and dance. At least text messaging is cheaper now, but only until October 2008. Maybe this will be enough to make us forget about the country's more pressing and relevant problems like poverty, unemployment, graft, and corruption, maybe not. Still, this is what we have courtesy of our dear president, at least until October, that is. Maybe it's important. She had to say it in her SONA so it must have some relevance, right? Maybe text messaging will save the country. Maybe text messaging is the future of a brave new world. Maybe not.

It makes you kind of wonder; why do we bother? Why do thousands of people still come to listen to her speech? We know it's gonna be the same damn thing every single year. What makes us believe next year's SONA is gonna be different? Are we stupid? Are Filipinos stupid? Am I stupid? I would like to believe otherwise, believe me, and I think stupidity is not the main reason for our holding on to Ms. Arroyo's every word. Nobody's perfect; we all have our flaws. Our quintessential flaw is the source of our greatest strength and our greatest weakness – HOPE. I'm sure most of you still here in the Philippines know exactly what I'm talking about. Deep in your hearts you know, you still believe in what we stand for and in what we can do as a country. You know if we put our hearts and minds to it, we can achieve anything – something.

The Philippines is dying and everybody knows it. All our dear president is doing is putting on a show; applying excessive amounts of makeup to the dying body we know as our beloved country hoping that at the time of its wake people will come and say, "Oh, look how peaceful she rests -- it's as if she's only sleeping. I remember how beautiful she once was. What a shame." Can our country not be beautiful now when it counts? Now when it would really make a difference? Can we not resuscitate her and let her continue on? Ever since 1986, I have had my own idea of what the Philippines stood for. I always thought the Philippines was a country that will not go gentle into that good night. A country that will rise up no matter what the odds. A country whose citizens are willing and ready to fight back -- inch by inch, day by day, until this country, our country, returns to its former glory. Either we heal now as a country, or we will die as citizens; a country can only be as good as us, its citizens. Let us show the world how great the Philippines can be. Some of us already did so in the past. It's our turn now.

What better place than here, what better time than now?

The First Step

2008-07-11T09:00:00.003+08:00

Good day everybody. My name is Alex and I am a tweak-a-holic

Ever since I got my Eee PC, I have been tweaking it to bits. Every single day I have been googling what more I can do with it; I've checked local and international fora, checked the official Eee website, and toured various linux websites just to see what updates they have for the Eee – it's an addiction, I admit. However, while I was waiting for my wife at the mall, taking advantage of the free wifi, the trusty Eee gave up on me. Trying to solve the problem of retaining my desktop icons upon reboot, I inadvertently put the Eee in a reset loop.

I have been warned.

I've read on various websites that the solution offered for my problem was not stable, but I decided to try it anyway. How bad can it be, right? Well, I had to format my Eee and restore it to factory settings – that's how bad it was for me. All my installed software, all tweaks and updates, all my files were gone. Just like that. It's a good thing I had backups of most of the files i lost. The installed software were gone though; I didn't really have a list of those. Then I realized I really didn't need them. That's why I couldn't even remember them. The few useful and important ones, I did remember. It dawned on me that my “slipup” wasn't really that bad. It was, in fact, a blessing in disguise. Now I had a fresh Eee. I reinstalled some software that I did use and then I stopped tweaking.

I started to remember why I decided to get an Eee in the first place. I chose the Eee because of the simplicity that came with it. I chose the Eee because I knew it would serve me well and not the other way around. I chose the Eee simply because it worked for me. No need to tweak.

Good day everybody. My name is Alex and I am a tweak-a-holic. It has been 3 days, 6 hours, and 10 minutes since my last tweak.

Maxim Mag Philippines: A Sham?

2008-06-17T04:58:00.001+08:00

To all Angel Locsin fans out there, the May 2008 issue may be the best so far – a hot cover with a hot Angel in a hot photo shoot.

Don't be fooled.

The cover girl section inside isn't as hot as we would all like it to be; far from it. Sure the issue had the “Maxim Hot 100” minimag insert plus a poster of the cover girl, but it doesn't quite make up for the deceit inherent in their parading a sexy swimsuit-clad Angel Locsin on the cover only for us to realize later on, after we have already paid for the magazine, that we have been bamboozled out of our hard-earned cash. I thought I was looking at a goddamn fashion feature in Cosmopolitan magazine, for crying out loud. Don't get me wrong, I read Cosmo – even the fashion features. The magazine has some of the best articles and writers in the business, at least here in the Philippines. Now let me ask you, did I buy Cosmo or Maxim? Do you really think I bought an issue of Maxim to drink from their bountiful fountain of knowledge and browse through their profound meanderings?

No, I do not expect to be blown away by thought-provoking articles and editorials from Maxim magazine.

I do expect to get what I pay for, and I usually pay for what's on the cover. If I wanted a good read I'd buy Cosmo or Playboy. How hard is it to just give your readers what they expect? I'm telling you Maxim, NOBODY BUYS YOUR MAGAZINE FOR ITS ARTICLES. Take my word for it. Whoever says otherwise is a pretentious pervert.

Just so you can somehow come to know how I felt when I opened the May 2008 issue of Maxim, here's one of the best shots of Angel I saw inside:

Now, tell me that was what you all expected to see. I rest my case.

The "Outside" World

2008-06-12T14:58:00.004+08:00

When was the last time you enjoyed a walk outside while feeling the warmth of the sun on your face? When was the last time you went outside and looked at the sky to check if it was gonna rain? When was the last time you went outside?

I remember a time when kids played outside as I walked by; you'd have to show 'em hell before the games were over. Come tomorrow, the games would have resumed. Nowadays, games are played in a small airconditioned with flashing boxes controlled by mice with no feet – played by children who neither look, talk, nor have any kind of social interaction with each other. Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but where is the fun and learning in that?

The outside world has literally become an “outside world”; we have become so alienated with it that most of us are uncomfortable once we step outside. Can we survive in a world without mobile phones, computers or the internet? Our forefathers survived without them so I know we can, too. However, the internet has become a vital tool for businesses that some feel that it is a vital tool for every aspect of their life as well. There are very few tasks that can't be done online these days, and most people would rather click a mouse than walk to the nearest store. If someone can come up with a gadget that can do all the thinking for us, people would embrace that without so much as a second thought; and they say freedom is important.

Is technology enabling us or is it limiting and shrinking our world?

It's a double-edged sword. It would be hypocritical of me to say that technology has not helped us in any way. However, to say that online interaction is “real” social interaction, would be ignorant of you. Too much of a good thing will kill you. Technology is not exempt from this adage. Too much of it will kill your social skills and eventually your social life – maybe even you. We should all drink from the bountiful cup of technology in moderation.

If you don't like what you're reading so far, TAKE A HIKE. Seriously. It will do you a lot of good. Even just a 10-minute walk will do wonders for your well-being. I won't take it against anyone if they'd rather take their dog for a walk than continue reading. In fact, I dare you to. Go ahead. Get out – and leave your laptop, mobile phone, PDA, or whatnot at home.

The NON-subnotebook

2008-06-10T14:01:00.004+08:00

Why do they call the Eee a subnotebook? It's not really smaller than the traditional notebook (the paper one) in size and in features. In fact, its even better – its a more versatile tool for even the most discerning of writers. The Eee is more of a notebook than the traditional laptops before its time. I don't know who coined the term “notebook” for those huge laptops, but I think he or she miscalculated. I have never, in my life, seen a paper notebook that measured a gigantic 13 inches and weighed more than a kilogram. Notebooks were made for portability and convenience; carrying a laptop measuring more than a foot in length and weighing almost 2 kg is not really something I would call portable and convenient. Compare that with the svelte Eee and answer me this: what is more useful; the ultraportable and lightweight Eee notebook that comes with all the basics straight out of the box, or the ultrapowerful, power-hungry, and heavy burden of a laptop that you decided to leave at home? Yes, I know it's unfair to compare something that you brought with you with something that you didn't – the point is, compared to the Eee, you'd rather leave a traditional laptop at home than suffer the scoliotic burden. I know I would.

I would like to point out that what sold the Eee, at least to me, was its size. SIZE DOES MATTER – I believe this now. I compromised power and performance just to get the ultraportability the Eee offers. Before I got one, though, I asked myself a lot of questions about my mobile computing needs; what do I really need in a notebook? What will I use it for? Do I really need all that power? It turns out I don't. It turns out what I really needed was a notebook that I would like to bring with me everyday; a notebook that can surf the web; a notebook that can be my mini-office; a notebook that will keep everything simple; a notebook called the Eee PC – a notebook in its own right.

I took the plunge and recently bought an Eee. I held out on it for quite some time because I thought it was underpowered and may be a little impractical in real-world use. So far, I'm very happy with it and, for me, it was money very well spent.

A message to all the Eee naysayers out there: try eeet, you just might like eeet.

A (Modern) Writer's Search For A Sidekick

2008-06-03T11:09:00.007+08:00

As a professional writer, I long for the ability to write anywhere and anytime I please. Having that ability requires a tool -- a "sidekick", if you will. These past few weeks have seen me trying to find a trusty sidekick that can give what I need when I want it, where I want it. My deliberation has left me with 3 choices:

The ASUS Eee PC

Small, lightweight, and practical, my first choice is the ASUS favorite that came from out of nowhere. This is the pragmatic choice; documents, internet, email, plus a bag of chips – all in one ultraportable package. When I first saw the size of this thing I couldn't believe it. The damn thing could fit in a medium-sized clutch bag; not that powerful but can definitely live up to a writer's tasks.

A budget laptop

Notebooks come cheap nowadays; you can now own a decent one for a mere 30k. The reason I'm considering one is because I want to get every bang for my every buck (or peso, for that matter). I'm still undecided as to whether I should spend a little more for a full- featured notebook or just go ahead and get the cheaper Eee PC.

A Macbook

Frankly, I am sick and tired of Windows. They say OSX is a more reliable OS; getting a Macbook will either prove or disprove this theory. Now, if only I had the money...

I don't need bells and whistles; I need something that works. Right now, the Eee PC is looking more and more tempting the more I consider it.

EDIT: Rejoice! The modern writer has been blessed with a pearl white companion – an Eee PC 701 4gig.

Quote for the Day

2007-10-26T11:28:00.000+08:00

Ah, sweet pity! Where would my lovelife be without it?

-Homer J. Simpson

Quote for the Day

2007-04-24T17:33:00.000+08:00

"Marge, it takes two to lie: one to lie and one to listen."

-Homer J. Simpson

Back To The Real World

2007-04-10T15:18:00.000+08:00

Well, I'm back from my trip, and I have to say it was a really rejuvenating experience. Sitting on the beach watching the sunset, feeling the cold wind on your face while riding on the back of a pickup truck on the way to the market, not needing any air conditioning to feel cool even in the afternoons, being with your beloved and not thinking about anything but enjoying the time with each other -- now that's the life. I thought I'd never come back; but we all have to come back to the real world at some time.

The real world.

I refer to this as the real world because the time we spent away from here had this surreal character to it that made it that much more appealing. It felt like paradise, and believe me when you feel like that you almost always wake up at the end of it. Not this time. This time it ended with us taking the trip home and me staying awake the entire 14 hours of it. I stayed awake because I did not want to feel that it was all just a dream; I did not want to sleep and wake up at home asking myself "Was it all just a dream?". I wanted to make sure so I guarded the moment.

No one was going to take this away from me. Ever.

When we got home, I slept like a baby knowing deep inside that our experience there will always be in my heart. Please do not ask me to provide reasons for what I did and the way I acted on this trip. Suffice it to say we had a good time.

Prepare for Glory!

2007-03-30T15:43:00.000+08:00

When I first saw the posters for this movie, I was dubious of the quality of its plot and cinematography; and, boy, was I wrong. Ignorant of the subject matter of "300", I typecasted it as one of those empty action flicks with all the unbelievable fight scenes and cheesy dialogues.

I heard from friends that it was one good movie and when I saw the teasers and trailers, I almost instantly changed my mind about it. To cut the long story short, I watched the movie -- it is one of the best movies I have watched in a long time. My wife liked it, too. This led me to believe that 300 is not a movie to be enjoyed only by men but by everybody. I asked one of my female colleagues to watch it and when she did, we ended up talking about the movie for one whole day.

I am, therefore, recommending the movie "300" to everybody. Watch it. It will be worth your while.

Time Flies

2007-03-02T17:20:00.000+08:00

...and then you're dead.

You know you don't really realize how time passes by unless you stop and look back. Take this blog, for example -- I realize now that I have been unable to update it for the last 3 months.

Since I changed jobs, I have had less time for [Square Circles] than ever before. Maybe it's my job -- maybe it's taking too much of my time and energy. I think I need time off to look back at my life and see what my real priorities are; what I really want in life. Me and my wife are going out of town this coming Holy Week; maybe this is just the break I need. Hopefully, when I get back we'll be seeing each other again -- and a lot more often.

Everyday is a New Day

2006-11-07T08:43:00.000+08:00

Update

2006-06-29T17:56:00.000+08:00

A very fitting title...

Yeah, I know it's been quite a long time; but hey, I've been busy. Anyway, I just wanted to drop a line and say "I'm alive".

Damn.

I missed [square circles]...

7 Days

2006-04-28T08:23:00.000+08:00

That's how long it takes to complete a week.

That's also how long it takes before the day I have been waiting for and have dreaded at the same time -- a day of changes both positive and negative. I am leaving. No, I am not leaving this blog but something else; something that has been a part of me for quite a long time that I am beginning to feel that I am, in fact, going to miss it.

When the idea of leaving first came to me, I welcomed it. In fact, I embraced it. At the time, I felt the need for it and felt that I needed it immediately. Now everything has changed. Well, maybe not everything; I am still leaving, and, in some ways, I still welcome the idea. However, I am having second thoughts now.

Great.

At the point of no return and I am having second thoughts. When I was first struck with the reality of leaving I immediately felt like not leaving at all; it felt like something that I did not want, something that I was completely unprepared for, something... bad. Thinking of what I am leaving, I felt glad and regretful at the same time -- I am leaving everything I did not like but, at the same time, I am also leaving things I liked and loved.

Graduation day.

What I am feeling now takes me back in time to this day -- eager and ready to face the challenges ahead but, somehow, looking ahead with a heavy heart. Maybe this experience is a 2nd graduation for me, a second chance at a new start, something to which I should be looking forward. Maybe this is a second chance for us all.

I damn well hope so...

The Instant Photographer

2006-04-17T15:36:00.000+08:00

I got a Sonyericsson k750i last 08 April 2006 and I am simply loving it. It's quite handy and has all I need: an mp3 player, FM radio, and a 2MP camera. The design is great, too. Above you will see what I was so busy doing during the Holy Week break; and these are just some of them, mind you. No need to worry, however, I have no intention of transforming [square circles] into a photoblog. Maybe, just maybe, it will be a mixture of both. Photography has always been a keen interest of mine, and my new (well, not so new now) k750i has inspired me to pursue it. Writing and Photography -- I like the sound of that.

Responsibility

2006-04-06T13:10:00.000+08:00

You know I found an ingenious way to propagate my seed, wait, that didn't sound right; let me rephrase -- I found a way to publicize my blog, in the office at least. No, I did not hire a publicist; I can't afford one. I spent a morning going around the office and configuring workstations to show my blog as their homepage. I admit, it's in a small scale but, hey, it worked so get off my back about it. I try to do this periodically now, every time I update my blog or whenever there's a chance or whenever it's convenient or whenever I feel like it. It is effective, you know -- my so-called publicity stunt. My officemates read my blog now, which brings me to the real topic of the day:

Blog Responsibilities

'What the hell is that?' you might say, and before the "[Square Circles] Publicity Stunt" I would have said the same thing. What responsibilities come with a blog package? I used to think there were none -- responsible blogging? Give me a break. I thought blogging was for the blogger, not the reader. Now I tend to think differently. I think about the people reading my blog more than before. This new line of thinking lays on my shoulder the responsibility of regularly updating my blog so as to keep my readers reading, saving their doomed souls from the eternal damnation of boredom -- well, maybe not eternal damnation but damnation none the less.

'Di mo naman inu-update blog mo eh...'

This is what started it all. One of my colleagues told me this after a few days with no updates or anything new in my blog. So I recently added an entry with just a video of one of my favorite persons in the whole wide world.

'Yan lang?'

Thinking what a valiant effort I made with my previous entry, this is what I got.

'Is that all?'

Yes. For the time being.

Good Morning

2006-03-24T08:47:00.000+08:00

No, I am not greeting you...

News Flash: Taxi driver comes to the rescue of jeepney holdup victim

As I turned on the tv this morning around 05:15 this is what greeted me; a news flash that solicited mixed emotions. It reaffirmed my belief in the natural goodness of man and, at the same time, it also reminded me to be vigilant and careful of trusting other people. At any rate, the reaffirmation was what stuck in my mind since I am a very optimistic person by nature -- maybe a little bit cynical and sarcastic, but, still, very optimistic. I say to myself: "This is going to be a lovely day." Then suddenly...

News Flash: Charter change process gets going Saturday

What will they think of next? Anyway, it's a brilliant idea -- if you can't uphold the law or abide by it yourself, change it. Bravo.

I knew we elected a smart president...

Good morning. (Now I AM greeting you)

Quote for the Day

2006-03-16T13:48:00.000+08:00

"To alcohol! The cause of - and solution to - all of life's problems!"

--Homer J. Simpson

Influenceza

2006-03-13T15:06:00.000+08:00

"Influenceza" by shadoweaver

If you want to make your own work of art, visit www.mrpicassohead.com

Quote for the Day

2006-03-13T09:11:00.000+08:00

[Praying heavenward]
I'm not normally a religious man, but if you're up there, save me, Superman!

--Homer J. Simpson

Superman

2006-03-08T15:23:00.000+08:00

"What I do is based on powers we all have inside us; the ability to endure; the ability to love, to carry on, to make the best of what we have – and you don’t have to be a ‘Superman’ to do it."

--Christopher Reeve

I heard on the radio this morning that Dana Reeve just passed away succumbing to lung cancer. I am not, in any way, related to the Reeves, but this is not really something I wanted to hear early on in the day. I have always seen Christopher and Dana Reeve as a perfect example of love, faith, and devotion -- and it is truly a sad thought that after dedicating your life to the one you love, your dedication is abruptly stopped at the early age of 44. Christopher Reeve was paralyzed by a spinal cord injury last May 27, 1995 and has been the number one advocate for the physically challenged ever since. He passed away at the age of 52 last October 10, 2004; he did not leave without a fight, however, as a result of his courage, determination, international renown, and his conviction that 'nothing is impossible' the Christopher Reeve Foundation (CRF) was born -- re-shaping the world of spinal repair research.

Mr. and Mrs. Superman, you will be remembered.

If you want to donate or have a look at the CRF, please visit http://www.christopherreeve.org/

Quote for the day

2006-03-08T13:36:00.000+08:00

Oh look at me!!! I'm making people happy! I'm the magical man from happy land, with a gumdrop house on lollipop lane! Oh by the way...I was being sarcastic.

--Homer Simpson

My Mobile History

2006-03-02T15:17:00.000+08:00

Alcatel One Touch View DB - my 1st mobile phone. My parents bought me this one.

Nokia 3210 - the first mobile I bought myself. I bought this one on my own salary from my 1st job; installment basis from a friend of my mother's.

Nokia 3310 - I bought this when it was first out. It was expensive! My dad helped me out on this one. I believe he shouldered half the price.

Nokia 6210 - I bought this one from a friend of my father's.

Nokia 3510 - I bought this because the 6210's lcd was broken.

Nokia 7650 - My first "malupet", colored, MMS, camera mobile phone. I loved this one. Very cool.

Sony Ericcson t610 - I bought this because of the design. I like the understated elegance, plus it was smaller and more compact.

Smart Amazing Phone - I swapped my t610 with this one because I wanted to try a Windows-powered mobile. Also, one of my office mates bought a t610; the thought of the 2 of us having the same mobile turned me off.

Nokia 7650 (again) - I just got tired of the Smart Amazing phone and went back to my first "malupet" mobile, the 7650. At this point, I think I kind of figured out I was a mobile junkie.

Nokia 3300 - I wanted a mobile phone and music player in one. I recommend this mobile to all music lovers. It takes some getting used to but, all in all, a great gadget.

Nokia 3200 - I missed the camera on my previous mobiles so I swapped my 3300 with this. It has a CIF camera and FM radio. Nice features and fun design, but not so durable in the long run.

Samsung E715 - I wanted to try out Samsung. Great mobile but lacks connectivity -- no IR, no bluetooth, and the data cable was very hard to come by. I couldn't download pictures taken with the VGA camera.

Siemens CX65 - I loved this phone. Great looks, great features, and a large enough memory.
Nokia 7200 - I swapped my CX65 for this because I kind of missed the FM radio. I also liked the color and the retro design.

Nokia 9210 – I swapped my phone yet again because I wanted a feature-packed phone. Something I could use in the office.

TungstenW – I wanted a PDA! But I didn’t want a PDA and a mobile phone, I wanted a PDA and a mobile phone in one. Feature-packed and very useful, it had its share of annoyances, too. It wasn’t really very convenient to use as a mobile phone.

Nokia 6260 – Someone offered to swap her 6260 with my tw. I accepted.

Sony Ericsson K300i – I didn’t like the 6260 very much. Some problem with the camera, apparently a hardware glitch. Very annoying. So I got this cute, feature-packed mobile phone that now belongs to my wife.

Nokia 7650 – Back to my Nokia 7650…

Nokia 6510 – It’s back to basics for me. Very compact, useful mobile phone with FM radio.

No Brainer

2006-03-02T08:26:00.000+08:00

Tyra Banks will be wearing a wig, dentures, a prosthetic nose, and lots of makeup in her show "The Tyra Banks Show". She will be posing as a stripper at local strip clubs for a night to discover once and for all the answer to the lifelong question: Why do men go to strip clubs? Why do strippers strip? Why is water wet?

She's doing this all in the name of science, right?

Tyra, after your experiment is done, please do tell me why men go to strip clubs. Thank you for putting your time and effort for scientific endeavors such as this.

Casualties of War

2006-03-01T14:14:00.000+08:00

February 4, 2006. I woke up to a morning news flash about a stampede at the PhilSports Arena, formerly Ultra, in Pasig City. Having no idea what the ruckus was all about, I turned to another channel and there it was. More than 30,000 people trying to squeeze themselves in a building with ample space for only 17,000 people -- a noontime show first anniversary celebration gone horribly wrong.

Tens of thousands crowded the PhilSports Arena for the first year anniversary of the ABS-CBN noontime show "Wowowee" aired on ABS-CBN Mondays to Fridays at 12 noon. Why, you ask, were the people all so eager to watch the show? Is it the "show of shows"? Does watching the show live qualify as a fulfilling, once in a lifetime experience?

Not quite.

Almost every one who was there waiting only wanted one thing -- a solution to their own poverty. A chance to alleviate themselves of their misery through sheer luck. As it were, on the day of February 4, 2006 luck was not quite on their side.

Now everybody's blaming everybody. People are blaming the show's host and the network. The network is blaming the PhilSports Arena security. The PhilSports Arena security personnel are blaming the organizers of the show etcetera etcetera ad infinitum ad absurdum. I believe we should stop pointing fingers and start joining hands. It is truly a sad event that lives must be sacrificed to serve the interests of a network war; the incident is merely a demonstration of two networks trying to outdo each other, and one stepping over an invisible line. An invisible line that says "enough is enough".

I will not say who's fault this all is; hell, I'm not even going to say what should have and what shouldn't have been. I am going to say this, though: I hope we will all be prepared for something like this in the future. I hope this does not happen again.

2006

2006-01-03T14:43:00.000+08:00

Another year has ended, and a new one begins...

I think I'll make writing here more often one of my new year's resolutions; I always liked writing, in fact I believe I always had a passion for it. I really do not know why I got lazy writing. Maybe because I got lazy in everything. Well, all that's about to change -- from this day on, I will find, no, I will make time to write in this god-forsaken blog which I willingly put up in the first place. This will be my first step to an "unlazy" way of life.

But before everything else, I think I'm gonna get myself some shut-eye. See you in 5 minutes, er, maybe longer...

as the music plays...

2005-07-27T16:27:00.000+08:00

i've been asked dozens of times why the music in my mp3 players are of different genres. i've been asked why my cds and even my cassette tapes do not cater to a single type of music.

classical, jazz, rock, rock & roll, blues, rhythm & blues, the list goes on...

Actually, I do cater to a single type of music; there is only one type of music -- the music that touches your heart and moves your soul. My playlists are diverse because music itself is diverse.

Music is music.

To classify is to corrupt. I have nothing against people and their musical classifications -- if it heightens their pleasure in music, then i do not see anything wrong with that. Music should indeed be pleasurable. However, to impose these classifications on others and on music itself is to clip music's wings and put a noose around its neck.

Stop classifying. Start listening.

Music can be heard through the ears, but only the heart sees and understands it.

My First Time

2005-02-24T10:00:00.000+08:00

This is my first time to "blog" so please bear with my meanderings. I have nothing to write about, actually, but here I am writing so there must be something; unless I'm writing about nothing.

How does one go about writing about nothing?

I cannot say; however, faced with the question, 'What am I writing about?' I can only say 'nothing' as my honest answer. What do you think? If I am writing about something, then what is it? If not, then what is all this that you're reading?

Anyway, thanks very much to all of you who have read this far; to all of you who took the time to read this in the first place. Whatever this is...