The World is Round

Finally, I am back!

2011-03-28T16:05:00.003+08:00

Hi there. This blog has been mothballed for years. I have been so busy I found short shout-outs in facebook and twitter more convenient. But heck, I got loads of thoughts to share and immortalize. And now I am so restless to write again and get drowned in the oceans of my imagination. Just now I am starting to recall why this blog was called 'The World is Round'. Hmmm. This is me, the man with some sort of amnesia. And I don't like the format of my webpage!

I am selling my Toshiba laptop (2008)

2009-12-10T15:05:00.000+08:00

I have been keeping two laptops for months now. As I only use my Toshiba once a week (but the last time I opened it was three weeks back), I finally decided to sell it for whatever price it is worth. I think it is about time to get rid of one white elephant.

Here are the specs:

-Toshiba S L310-S410
-Windows Vista 2007 (with Microsoft Office 2007, Adobe)
-Processor: Intel Core Duo CPU 2.00 GHz
-Memory (RAM): 1.00 GB
-Sound Card: Conexant High Definition Smart Audio 221
-Video Card: Mobile Intel(R) 4 Series Express Chipset Family
-with built-in Camera, microphone, bluetooth, DVD/CD Drive/Burner

Date of Purchase: November 2008
Purchase Price: Php 50,000

Selling Price: Php 25,000 (Negotiable)

If you are interested, just text leave a message, email me at jrwerdna@yahoo.com, or contact me through my mobile phone.

For the love of peanut butter

2009-11-03T16:34:00.000+08:00

For more than a month now I spent at least two hours on the road driving to work. During my first two weeks I was without license (I only had this expired student's license I kept for more than a year already). Lucky I did not get into trouble otherwise I could have ended behind bars. But I did get my license, not after that old lady at the LTO Office failed me in the practical drive test that required me to move the car backward a little bit, then forward. The car was old and crappy anyway, and I am not used to driving an aged manual car... Okay, okay, I was a lame driver.

When I used to take public transport everyday, how I wished I would get a car to save me from the throngs of people in the MRT station. Now that I am driving I always long of times when I can just walk through the traffic and take any mode of transport that brings me to where I want to go ahora mismo. Talk about pros and cons. And oh, I am a strong advocate of LTFRB's plan to reduce the number of jeepneys and buses in our highways. EDSA, Taft, Buendia - everywhere - are just cramped with half-full buses and jeepneys. The government's next steps should be to improve the train system, fix the puddled roads, and regulate and monitor all modes of public transport. Let us put our bus stops and pedestrian lanes into use.

After having watched the anime series called 'The Avatar' (watch out for the movie showing next year), I thought which power I would like to have: earth, fire, water, or air? Becoming the avatar himself is way too powerful - and I am just a plankton. I am not a monk, so wind power is not an option. Fire? Uhh. Earth sounds cool, but I'm more comfortable with water. And so I thought that becoming a water bender is awesome. I could surf, dive, paddle, walk on water, save whale sharks, and clean up Manila Bay by doing those water-bending moves. These are things really I wanted to do. But then again, the real world is not anime.

In 2007, the security personnel at the Sydney airport confiscated six bottles of Vegemite I placed inside my hand-carried bag. Aside from bombs and guns, carrying fluids or anything viscous that is more than 100 grams inside the plane is not allowed. Dang. That was worth 6 months of yeasty (for lack of better word to describe its taste) toasted bread for breakfast. Thank heavens when I got home in Manila, I had one bottle of peanut butter to munch on.
Now, back to my work. Who says making soaps is not rocket science?

Finally, a Silver Lining

2009-10-24T20:43:00.000+08:00

There is a good reason for UPDT to celebrate after SAVA Sprints V: a Silver in the 200m International Freestyle Category, and a Third Place standing in the 200m International Men's Open Plate Finals.

Several international teams participated in the event, including those of expatriates based in Singapore. Five teams were from the Philippines - CamSur (powerhouse!), Philippine National Women's Team (simply unbeatable!), Triton, Drago Pilipinas, and of course the UP Dragonboat Team.

The Malaysians and university-based Singaporean teams were the line-ups to beat. The had all the advantages: experience, training, physique, funding. My team, after a long hiatus from international races, only brought one thing to Singapore - fighting spirit.

And this did not fail us. After the two-day race, we won a Silver in the 200m International Freestyle and was Third Place in the 200m International Men's Open Plate Finals. Overall, we ranked 8th out of the 35 teams competing in the men's open. No doubt, a srong come-back by the UP Dragonboat Team.

The other Filipino teams were winners as well, with CamSur winning the Gold in the men's open and the Philippine National Team topping the Women's Nation Cup. Drago Pilipinas, Triton, and the Singapore-based Filipino Dragons did not go home empty-handed as well. SAVA, I should say, was ruled by Filipinos.

To the UP Dragonboat Team, welcome back to the league!

21-km run in 2:08:27

2009-09-13T05:44:00.000+08:00

Today was my second 21-km run at the Fort for Ayala's Eco Dash. The rains poured heavily, puddles dotted the streets, at one point there was very low visibility, and there were no markers that tell how many more kilometers to go.

The 21-km route started from High Street, then to Ayala Center via Buendia overpass and Paseo de Roxas, then to McKinley Hill and Libingan ng mga Bayani via The Fort and back to High Street for the finish line. It took me 2 hours, 8 minutes, and 27 seconds. This is a 20-minute improvement from my first one last May, and for me a really big one considering I was not truly prepared for the run at all. True enough, it is very helpful to have a running buddy so you set the pace together or outpace each other when needed. This way, mas bibilis ka at nakakahiyang bumagal.

And as always, my legs are hurting big time again. Good thing my knees did not fail me this time lest my training for the dragon boat race in Singapore which happens in four weeks will be hit. Running 21 kilometers is already a big ordeal, how much worse if I run 42 kilometers? I will soon find out.

In a different note, my baby was finally home yesterday. Thanks to Armi, Chester, and Magoo for the all help. Let's go to Tagaytay for dinner when I master my parking skills. Haha.

Two months past mid-year and counting

2009-09-03T18:43:00.000+08:00

It is officially the start of Christmas as the -ber months have arrived. Just this morning on my way to office, I heard that song that goes "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire..." It reminded me of the excitement which, as a child, I used to feel whenever I hanged socks in the Christmas tree and eagerly awaited for 'Santa' to leave his presents. My yaya of course would bring me to bed for afternoon siesta so my mom could put her sweets inside my socks. Those were the days of innocence.

Now that I am working and 20+ years old, Christmas for me means two different things. On the fun side, lots of parties are in line and a long holiday is slated at the end of the year. That's a welcome break to chill-out and go home. On the not-so-fun side are the expenses I will have to incur for presents. Talk about give-and-take relationship with friends. Will a simple Christmas greeting and my prayers suffice? Haha.

Two months past midyear, i got regularized. This means I am now a fully-fledged P&Ger. That was fast! What's ahead of me are months and years of an exciting career. Bring it on!

Next week, I am adopting a baby. He is white and I am yet to name him. Vroooooom!

Tie a yellow ribbon

2009-08-06T04:02:00.000+08:00

I was only two months old when People Power brought down dictatorship and catapulted Mrs. Corazon Aquino as the country's first woman president.

Corazon Aquino was president until I was six years old. All through my younger years I only knew her as the widowed housewife who was protagonist in the Edsa Revolution and mother of the famous Kris Aquino.

But now her contribution to the country has become more and more clear and significant to me. Not only was she the first woman president, Edsa's protagonist, and Kris Aquino's mother. She was a living proof that Filipinos are capable of doing something noble and extraordinary. Simple, Unmarred and honest, she was - and will forever be - respected by Filipinos of all walks of life, and by the entire world.

With her demise, I can only hope that Tita Cory's challenge - and not only memories - will continue to thrive in every Filipino.

You suffered. You worked hard. You were humble. Your ruled well. You were - and will always be - a beacon for young Filipinos to admire and follow.

Paalam Tita Cory.

Be one of us.

2009-08-02T17:13:00.000+08:00

Talk about growing up.

2009-07-19T11:52:00.000+08:00

Resting on a Sunday afternoon (I just woke up actually) before starting another busy week the next day, I couldn't help but think of my simple life when I was younger.

When I was high school in my province, life was just home, school, friends, and the rural setting. I took my meals at home, except for some dinners at my friend's house. Most of my friends were from my small private high school, we were only 35 in a class. We were all rowdy, and behaviors depended on which class and teacher we were in: Filipino was vacant time, T.H.E. was do-whatever-you-want period, Health was rated R, English was the most quiet (no one dared to speak, haha), Math was when everyone got a headache, and Physics was my high-time. We prayed before and after every class, and during flag ceremony in the morning. And we cheat (just a little bit) during quizzes.

After our classes, we used to hanged out outside our school. A soccer game was our favorite afternoon thing. And the girls sat by the field to watch us. At 5pm when the church bells rang, I always hid because my mom from her office often passed by the soccer grounds to look for me and tell me to go home and study. But I always managed to go home late.

There is no Ayala, SM, or even Rob in my old town. So on weekends, my friends and I hit the beaches, the rivers, my town's famous sea wall (hahaha), or just hanged out in one of our houses to spend the rest of the day watching our favorite movies and animated series. Oh how I miss the worry-free life. We also did soccer trainings on early Saturdays, and on basketball matches I always held the bet money as I didn't play. I missed riding my Honda bike to school and around town, and the rough dirt bike ride going to my family's farm.

Life was simple. Now it is different, so different that when I go home all seems a distant past. In fact, I found staying home for three days boring. But I always miss home, the peace of mind it gives is priceless.

When I was younger, I couldn't wait to grow up. Now that I'm a yuppie in my very early 20's, I couldn't help but stop and think of how simple life was when I was younger. Now is a different game, and I am enjoying it even more.

A Rainy Summer

2009-04-05T17:10:00.000+08:00

Life is full of ironies. And one proof is that this year's summer is going to be rainy.

PAG-ASA earlier announced that La Nina will be bringing irregularities this summer season. The weather these days is hot and humid in the morning and rainy and wet in the afternoon. A perfect spoiler for beach-goers.

And on many days when I leave the house at 4:30 in the morning for my dragon boat training, I find the streets soaked and the dark sky drizzling. I feel cold as if it is December. But at mid-day the sun is up and scorching hot.

Life is full of ironies. It is like getting a two-piece chicken joy for a meal, and realizing after that what you want is a mang inasal's pecho. Okay, malabo 'tong example. Or it is like booking a flight to Boracay three months earlier and finding out a day after about a new promo that cuts the fare by 50%. Ouch, my pocket hurts.

Life is a perfect irony. We live in a world that never meets your expectations. Some people tend to expect too much, dream too much, and fall miserably.

Life is an irony, it is hard. And this year's summer is going to be rainy.

Slur vs Hong Kong Pinays sparks outrage

2009-03-29T14:13:00.000+08:00

China doesn't only export pirated dvds and melamine-contaminated milk. It is also known for junk journalism.

A satire if you make call it that. But the article is still plainly blatant and offensive.

Read on.

The War At Home

March 27th, 2009

http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=61084749580&h=y_X_-&u=SjUZL&ref=nf

che Russians sank a Hong Kong freighter last month, killing the seven Chinese seamen on board. We can live with that—Lenin and Stalin were once the ideological mentors of all Chinese people. The Japanese planted a flag on Diàoyú Island. That’s no big problem—we Hong Kong Chinese love Japanese cartoons, Hello Kitty, and shopping in Shinjuku, let alone our round-the-clock obsession with karaoke.

But hold on—even the Filipinos? Manila has just claimed sovereignty over the scattered rocks in the South China Sea called the Spratly Islands, complete with a blatant threat from its congress to send gunboats to the South China Sea to defend the islands from China if necessary. This is beyond reproach. The reason: there are more than 130,000 Filipina maids working as $3,580-a-month cheap labor in Hong Kong. As a nation of servants, you don’t flex your muscles at your master, from whom you earn most of your bread and butter.

As a patriotic Chinese man, the news has made my blood boil. I summoned Louisa, my domestic assistant who holds a degree in international politics from the University of Manila, hung a map on the wall, and gave her a harsh lecture. I sternly warned her that if she wants her wages increased next year, she had better tell every one of her compatriots in Statue Square on Sunday that the entirety of the Spratly Islands belongs to China.

Grimly, I told her that if war breaks out between the Philippines and China, I would have to end her employment and send her straight home, because I would not risk the crime of treason for sponsoring an enemy of the state by paying her to wash my toilet and clean my windows 16 hours a day. With that money, she would pay taxes to her government, and they would fund a navy to invade our motherland and deeply hurt my feelings.

Oh yes. The government of the Philippines would certainly be wrong if they think we Chinese are prepared to swallow their insult and sit back and lose a Falkland Islands War in the Far East. They may have Barack Obama and the hawkish American military behind them, but we have a hostage in each of our homes in the Mid-Levels or higher. Some of my friends told me they have already declared a state of emergency at home. Their maids have been made to shout “China, Madam/Sir” loudly whenever they hear the word “Spratly.” They say the indoctrination is working as wonderfully as when we used to shout, “Long live Chairman Mao!” at the sight of a portrait of our Great Leader during the Cultural Revolution. I’m not sure if that’s going a bit too far, at least for the time being.

Chip Tsao is a best-selling author and columnist. A former reporter for the BBC, his columns have also appeared in Apple Daily, Next Magazine and CUP Magazine, among others.

Enter the Dragon: the rebirth of the UP Dragon Boat Team

2009-03-22T18:52:00.000+08:00

Nakakapagod, pero ang saya!

Finally, three months of dedicated training has paid off. The UP Dragon Boat Team was reborn into a stronger, more energized team that is out to compete with and out-pace the top teams of Manila's dragon boat community. This weekend's race in Subic only showed that UP is once again the team to watch out for.

Nice one UPDT! Boracay is the next race to conquer!

My muscles are all aching right now, but all I have been through this weekend was definitely worth it.

*Pictures will follow soon.

More of my almost two years in Citi in photos

2009-03-08T06:11:00.000+08:00

Before it all started: with my blockmates at UP Diliman's National Institute of Molecualr Biology and Biotechnology.

March-May 2007: My first months in Citi. Trainings, foreign guests, and lots of eating and goofing around

June 2007: Two months after I was hired, I was bound for Sydney, Australia

July 2007: First team-building at Enchanted Kingdom

October 2007: Wizard of Oz, and I played the cowardly lion.

December 2007: CRMS Christmas Dinner at National Sports Grill

March 2008: Beach outing at La Luz

July 2008: Team-building at Canyon Woods, Tagaytay

August 2008: CRMS CoE Training Olympics Awarding

October 2008: Halloween, I played Hansel (and I looked silly).

December 2008: Citi CRMS Christmas Dinner at Dencio's (feeling the pinch of the financial crisis)

January 2009: A week in Mumbai, India

February 2009: Despedida at Red Box

And a lot more regular stuff like...

Eating....

Tambay-tambay (when there's no work which is rare)....

and, most important of all, work.

--------------------------------

A lot of other great things happened, but these photos are as far as I can go.

My 23 months in Citi was a blast!

10 things I will miss at Citi

2009-02-28T14:08:00.000+08:00

Yesterday was my last day at the big Citi where I stayed for a year and 11 months. But before I start my new career in a new industry (on Monday right away), I can't help but list down things I will surely miss at Citi.

1. Overtime. My work, as I always told people, was from 9 a.m. (or 10 a.m.) onwards. 'Citi never sleeps', the company motto goes. Indeed, Citi never lets many of its people get enough sleep, and stress was always inevitable. My friends called me workaholic because whenever they would go out at night, I was still at my computer doing the latest numbers for companies a, b, c, and so on. I first enjoyed doing overtime, but I honestly got tired of it eventually. However, as I look forward to a new work that is more challenging to me but gives more sleeping time, I surely need to get used to seeing sunlight after work. As weird as it may sound, I will definitely miss staying late on a daily basis for work.

2. Meal reimbursements and collecting receipts. The joy at Citi, aside from getting loads of work done, in working until late at night, is the meal and gas allowance. The meal reimbursement is not that big, only enough to get you a decent full meal plus dessert at The Old Spaghetti House or TOSH. This was a stress-reliever. However, to get reimbursed, I needed to collect and keep receipts which I would file monthly. Also, I got relief from having to take public transport on my way home whenever I needed to work beyond 9 p.m. (which was usual) because the company car always drove me straight to my residence. Oh, and in case you are wondering, I was not receiving any overtime pay as I was an officer - a work martyr at that.

3. Work on holidays. This is not something I really liked. I hated working when all other people in the country are on holidays - especially during Christmas. But my department handled corporate portfolios across Asia, hence the need to stay even during the most sacred holidays of the year. I am glad I am over it. But having done this for almost two years, there will surely be a part of me that will think 'what if I were to work today?'.

4. Accents across Asia. Hello, may I speak with Andrew (with head slightly swinging left and right). Okay lah, do you understand lah? Sorry I not understand you, must be due to communication berries (she meant barriers). Indian, Singaporean, and Chinese Citibankers. I have worked with them. I have also dealt with Australians, Kiwis (from New Zealand), and colleagues from HK. Each nationality has its own different work ethics, temperament, and attitudes. I learned a lot from these people, not to mention the Indian accent, the Singaporean lah, and the Manglish (Mandarin English) that brought all the berries, I mean communication barriers. But seriously, working with these people was a worthwhile experience that gave me a global perspective.

5. My desk. The corner in the 32nd floor I called my own, my comfort zone, my little kingdom. Last night I vacated all my personal belongings from it, leaving my desk with only my desktop computer and some office supplies which were salvaged by my colleagues. And oh, Death the blue fighting fish (the ultimate survivor among the three) is still there. Friends, please take good care of my pet the way I did.

6. Passwords. I used at least five different systems that were tightly secured and each had a different password changed monthly. I kept a small notebook which I had lost from time to time. I got blocked from my access several times already, but always managed to get reactivated and - usually - get blocked again a few days after.

7. Business travel. During my stay in Citi, I was lucky enough for being sent to two trips abroad. Business class air travel. Five star hotel. Generous meal allowances. The first was to Sydney when I was only two months in the bank, and the next one was to Mumbai last month. These exposures, aside from the perks they brought, were enriching in terms of professional and personal growth. I learned work and made good friends.

8. The splendid city panorama. From the 32nd floor of Citi Tower, one can see the posh Makati skyline and the idyllic Manila Bay. I used to spend some minutes drinking tea in the pantry, looking at tall buildings and wondering how a strong earthquake could devastate the central business district. And in the afternoon, the majestic Manila sunset would unfold right in front of me while sitting on my chair. It looked romantic, but I always needed to wear sunglasses or even open an umbrella as light that would get through the blinds was glaring.

9. People. Honestly, what made me stay for almost two years despite all the stress and other problems Citi was facing, was the people I was working with - my colleagues. I had the best bosses in the world and the perfect teammates I could relate with. My stay in Citi was really a blast because of the great company of young, dynamic people.

10. Makati Business District. My new work at P&G is with product and process research / development / planning / analysis / manufacturing - basically a jack of all trades while I am still getting rigorous management training for the next six months. From being a banker, I am now called an engineer. Well, at least it got a bit closer to my science degree. I will now be based in the company's plant - one of P&G's biggest in the world - in Laguna, with frequent meetings and other appointments in the headquarters in Makati. For this, I will surely miss spending 5 days a week at Makati CBD.

-------------------------

Goodbye Citi.

A fresh new start.

2009-01-28T18:22:00.000+08:00

Making crucial decisions in life gives me the jitters. But as long as I'm sure that I really want to make that move and take full responsibility of my choice, I am confident that I will be happy no matter what. Sounds a bit serious? Haha, just a bit. Being at the crossroads sucks, and surely it's just so timely to be poetic and turn to Robert Frost's best known literary masterpiece...

ROAD LESS TRAVELED

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth

Then took the other as just as fair
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear
Though as for that, the passing there
Had worn them really about the same

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet, knowing how way leads onto way
I doubted if I should ever come back

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence
Two roads diverged in a wood
And I took the one less traveled by
And that has made all the difference

- bow... -

Mumbai in 12 hours

2009-01-10T08:50:00.000+08:00

Manila-Singapore-Mumbai

India here I come...

What's up for 2009

2009-01-04T09:43:00.000+08:00

Year 2009 is another awesome year, something I look forward to as a fresh opportunity to enjoy new experiences, visit new places, meet new people, and learn new things. Right now I couldn't help but think of all the things in line for me this year and of all the stuff I want to do.

What's up for 2009? Here it goes.

My Trip to Mystical Mumbai on Saturday. Let me get this straight. I am not going to Mumbai as a tourist, I am going there for work - heaps of work. My one-week visit to India's financial capital will be a week-long intensive training. When I come back to Manila, expect me to be busier than ever. But of course, all work and no play is bad for the health. I have prepared an itinerary for my own exploration into this unique and diverse urban melting pot that is Mumbai.

Dragonboat races. Aside from the quarterly regattas in Manila Bay, the highlights of this year are the races in Subic on February and in Boracay on April. After the food-filled season of Christmas, I am now getting ready for my team's trainings. I know this is going to be tough, and I am ready for this. Time to go back to the gym and loose the flabs. Go UPDT!

Mt. Pulag and Sagada. To explore the Cordilleras has always been in my to do list for years. This 2009, I really hope I can make it to Luzon's apex and visit the mummies of the mountains.

Anawangin, Caramones, Puerto Galera, Boracay. These are the beaches I want to visit this summer. I hope work permits to get some days off so I can enjoy the summer sun at the beach.

Backpacking in the Indochinese Peninsula. Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos: Southeast Asian countries that each offer a different flavor of adventure. The food in Vietnam, the ancient Angkor Wat in Cambodia, the temples and elephants in Thailand, the tranquil forests in Laos. Awesome.

Getting a license for scuba diving. When I was young I used to spend some afternoons after school by the beach collecting shells, fish, and other critters trapped in puddles during low tide. Now I want to explore the depths of the archipelago's teeming marine ecosystem. Diving the Philippine seas is probably the best way to explore the islands as the country has the richest marine waters in the world.

CFA certification. Now let's talk about career plan. I have set my plan to study for my masters degree in finance or economics in 2010. For the meantime, I would like to try my luck in getting the Chartered Financial Analyst certification this year. It's hard and expensive - double whammy. But if I succeed, it's going to be a boost to my career. I never stop wondering where this graduate in molecular biology and biotechnology ends up in the corporate world.

To get my very first two-week break from work. It's going to be my second year in Citi come April But I haven't yet enjoyed that thing called a mandatory two-week leave. Workload and conflicts in schedule have always pushed it back. I have wasted money in rebooking my flights four times last year. Simply frustrating. I couldn't wait to spend two weeks free of work-related stress.

To go home to the province. Stranger to my own home - this is me. I have lived alone in Manila for six years now, and only got to visit my folks for two weeks - that's 14 days - at the longest every year. The last time I was home last November for two days, I felt like being warped back to the time when I was a younger. My room hardly changed at all. Same old bed. Same old picture frames. Same old school projects displayed on my desk. Same old pillows. My mom said she never changed them because they are the only remaining identity of me at home. I missed my home, I missed my parents. But I am my own man now, and growing up means leaving home.

To remove my wisdom teeth and get braces. It's painful and expensive - another double whammy. I have two impacted wisdom teeth due for operation. It hurts a lot. Now my teeth are all moving. Even my two front teeth of the upper jaw are becoming more visibly misaligned. My dentist is going to be one of my biggest financial beneficiary this year.

To re-enroll in a Spanish class. Te quiero estudiar la lengua español. But I was dropped out of my class in Instituto Cervanteslast November because of my absences. Nonetheless, I'll be taking a diagnostic exam to get accelerated to level III this year. I hope I can make it.

To take a refresher course in driving. I'm not good at driving, the last time I drove was in high school. I can drive people crazy, but I can never drive them safely back home. About buying my own car? Well, I am thinking about it. But I am inclined not to.

There they are. I have loads of other things in mind, but I think tama na muna 'tong mga to. Masyado nang marami. Haha.

Best of luck for me for the next twelve months. By year-end, I would like to go back to these plans to see how far I have gone.

Cheers lifeaholics!

¡Feliz Año Nuevo!

2008-12-31T04:30:00.000+08:00

This year, time really flew fast. It seems like only a few days ago when I was on the last-day-of-the-year mode for 2007. Surreal. All brought about by the workings of the Gregorian calendar that let us live twelve months a year.

In 2008, things came in a blink. But they never left in an instant, they lingered. Impressions, lessons, hobbies, and - best of all - friendships.

This year, I finally felt like I am my own man – or independent so to speak. For years I have been living far away from my parents. And now, starting my own career gives me the sense that I am driving my own brand new car. Planning ahead makes me freak out, but my being ambitious makes it a very exciting game. Career plans. Investments. Future commitments. Yayks.

I’m now a banker, but in the university I was trained to be a scientist. I took MBB – that is, Molecular Biology major in Banking (it’s so funny how it fits). Being a trained scientist, it always thrills me to try new things. This year, I was a fist-timer in a lot of stuff. Surfing, dragonboat racing, swimming in Manila Bay, food tripping in China town, running 10km in a race (sorry I am weak), trekking Pinatubo, drinking almost 7 days in a row, enrolling in a Spanish class and never finishing it (pero intiendo, hablo, escribo un poco español), booking and paying for plane tickets and cancelling it a few days before the flight, birthday by the beach, fish-feeding in Anilao, blah blah blah... and the list goes on.

For 2009, I expect life to be much more exciting. New things to try, new places to go, new people to meet, same old good friends who make such awesome company, career growth, and more money (hahaha).

I initially wanted to write my own comprehensive year-end report like my friends have done. However, it’s now 9:20 a.m. and – guess what – I have work today. C*t* never sleeps.

I’m off to work now, happy new year to all!

Lifeaholism

2008-12-24T19:02:00.000+08:00

First of all I would like to greet everyone a merry, merry Christmas. Before I get started, I would like to make you laugh. Click on the link below and wait for it to load. It’s a surprise Christmas greeting. Thanks to Chester, Lawrence, Flaegil, and Jayson for their unfading support. Clap clap clap!

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/92MPG5NWEFzBOscn

As always, this year’s Christmas is a day away from my family. But I shouldn’t fret as I am used to this, and I need some time alone after some stressful weeks at work and with friends. Anyways, my mom and dad are just a phone call away.

‘Tis the season to be chubby, fa la la la la la la la la la...

Christmas season is a time when people like to eat and drink and hate to exercise. It might be due the colder temperature, or the festive atmosphere, or the plethora of sweets and all types of calorie-loaded goodies given as gifts. Or in my case it is the lure of spending sleepless nights with my lifeaholic circle friends over buckets and buckets of beer, a pitcher of ice, and a glass. Well, when January comes, it’s time to shape up for the hot hot summer!

Being a lifeaholic

Sorry Chester, but I am the first one to write this new word in cyberspace. All future references shall cite me. Just kidding mate. All work and no play make Andrew a dull boy. So, so true. Work is so stressful. My company’s motto goes ‘C*t* never sleeps’ – and I don’t get enough sleep either. But I don’t mind getting my eye bags bigger or my headache more occasional as long as I am learning fast and becoming a better yuppie.

My stress levels are always high, so I always look forward to fun-filled weekends. Good thing I have dragon boat racing to keep my muscles from getting atrophied. Paddling in Manila Bay has never been this exciting, though I really had to make do with the filthy water. But hey, I guess I am already immune to whatever pathological bugs there are in the bay. Next year, the dragon boat races for the first quarter will be in Subic and Boracay. Hooray!

Being a lifeaholic – correct me Mr. Canoy if I am wrong – is striking a balance between work or study and play. And by saying balanced, I mean to study or work hard and play thrice as hard. That’s why my friends and I always exercise, drink, and enjoy our weekends. And we are not the shoddy type of students or yuppies at all.

Isang Pinggang Pansit!

Nakakatawa! This sketch in this year’s Live AIDS of UP Diliman’s Samaskom brought down the house. The delivery of the monologue by three different characters – a loser girl, a diva girl, and a gay kid – made the segment totally hilarious. Watch this in youtube (search ‘isang pinggang pansit’) and for sure you’ll spend the next ten minutes laughing your lungs out.

Happy 2009!

Watch out for those fireworks, and for those resolutions that may never be realized. Some say that the new year is a new life. Come one, we all have heard that big fallacy a gazillion times before. Lifeaholics would say that the new year is another good year to enjoy and be merry. Be positive. Be a lifeaholic!

Merry Christmas to all...

2008-12-24T04:22:00.000+08:00

Something to add up laughter this season... Enjoy!

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/92MPG5NWEFzBOscn

(Just paste the link to your browser.)

Brought to you by Chester, Flaegil, Lawrence, Jayson, and yours truly.

How to set-up a TV anti radiation loop according to my lola

2008-12-03T20:01:00.000+08:00

When I went home to my lola's place in the province last month, I saw another of her inventions: lola's television anti radiation ground loop.

To do this, get an empty cup that is made of plastic which is a perfect insulator. Fill it up with good soil and avoid mixing in too many stones as it will diminish its anti radiation potency. Buy yourself an anti radiation TV filter - make sure it has the wire with a metal rod ending - and install it to your TV set. Place the cup with 3/4 soil beside your machine at a distance of at most one foot. Finally, bury the rod ending in the soil inside the cup. Finally, you are safe from all the radiation that comes out from the TV screen, the soil sucks it all out.

Failed blog material? Quite. Don't get me wrong, I love my lola. It's just that she has her own ways of making sure the family is safe always.

And by the way, she changes the soil once a week. Don't forget to do the same. And never get the soil wet - it's dangerous she says.

badjaos

2008-11-18T05:37:00.000+08:00

When I was a kid, docking to the port of Cebu on a ship has always been a spectacle - the badjaos in small bangkas would swarm the ship begging people for money and food. The best part is when they dive - young and old - into the water to search for a coin thrown by an alms-giver on-board.

Amusing at first glance, but their prolonged presence deserves pity.

I was on vacation last week and I took the same ship from my hometown to Cebu. And on the docks of this Queen City of the South were found the same badjaos on their small bangkas, begging for food and money as they also do.

I Love You, Goodbye

2008-09-21T09:40:00.000+08:00

(My ultimate emo song choice)

Wish i could be the one
The one who could give you love
The kind of love you really need
Wish i could say to you

That i'll always stay with you
But baby that's not me
You need someone willing to give their heart and soul to you
Promise you forever, baby that's something i can't do

Oh i could say that i'll be all you need
But that would be a lie
I know i'd only hurt you
I know i'd only make you cry
I'm not the one you're needing
I love you, goodbye

I hope someday you can find some way to understand i'm only doing this for you
I don't really wanna go
But deep in my heart i know this is the kindest thing to do
You'll find someone who'll be the one that i could never be
Who'll give you something better
Than the love you'll find with me
Oh i could say that i'll be all you need
But that would be a crime
I know i'd only hurt you
I know i'd only make you cry
I'm not the one you're needing
I love you, goodbye

Leaving someone when you love someone
Is the hardest thing to do
When you love someone as much as i love you

Oh i don't wanna leave you
Baby it tears me up inside
But i'll never be the one you're needing
I love you, goodbye

Baby, its never ganna work out
I love you, goodbye

(by Nina)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ol3gE2YQLs

UP Dragon Boat Team

2008-09-17T03:54:00.000+08:00

Join the UP Dragon Boat Team. All UP students and alumni, and even non-UP but are eager and interested to try the sport are welcome. Please reply to this post if interested.

I'm back!

2008-09-10T12:22:00.000+08:00

It has been a long time since my last blog post, and I can say that life has been a blast!

What's with me these days? Well aside from work which is always consuming yet fun (Citi never sleeps... I can attest to this, hahaha), there are some other things I am busy with.

Dragon boat... I am now a member of the UP Dragon Boat Team. I started training a couple of months back in Manila Bay - yes in those filthy waters. But the sport is fun, and the people I am with are awesome as well. We had our first race last Sunday. We didn't win because most of us are newbies - but we shall win in the next leg. Training is tough, but it is all for the good.

Spanish class in Instituto Cervantes... Que tal? Muy bien! Estudio hablar la lengua espanol. Hahaha. I love to learn other languages. It gives me a global perspective and of course prepare me for future career plans.

Food tripping... My latest craving is Chinese food in Binondo. How I miss the street food in UP Diliman. Yum yum.

Studying... Yes, I miss studying. Too much work makes you dumb sometimes. Good thing my department in Citi has this training program that gives you the opportunity to study banking and finance which I needed badly. Too bad I wasn't allowed to take accounting and economics when I was studying molecular biology and biotechnology (huh?).

The Value of UP Experience

2008-07-25T22:36:00.000+08:00

First published 6 June 2008
The Manila
Standard Today
INTEGRATIONS
maya baltazar herrera
Voyage

There are no children here.

This week, I went to a meeting at the UP School of Economics and I came
away with renewed belief in the value of the UP experience.

If you speak to anyone from UP: a student, professor, alumnus - you will get
no Latin slogans or apologies about how the school teaches values in spite
of its outward materialism. This is not a student population that thinks about
basketball games or memorizes school songs. This is not a school that
chooses one statement to drill into the minds of its students.

This is not, of course, to say that UP does not care about values. It is that
UP, in its own inimitable way, believes that values cannot be force-fed.
The statue of the naked man that guards the entrance to the campus in
Diliman best represents UP's approach to all education and the respect for
students that is the center of its educational philosophy. All who come to
this university, regardless of origin, bring themselves naked, carrying nothing
but their thirst; like the proverbial empty teacup, making an offering of self,
waiting to be filled.

Adults

For many students from private schools, the first lesson that is learned
here is that this is a school for adult education. There are no children here,
and that is why no parents are allowed either at freshman orientation or
during enlistment.

The spirit of the oblation lies not in a mother or a father offering up his
child to the world, it is that of the newly adult, freely offering of his self.

I remember quite vividly that moment that drove home how different the
UP education continues to be. It was my daughter's first semester in
university and she had invited a group of her high school friends to our
house. One of them asked a classmate whether she had gotten her parents
permission form approved for that weekend's outreach activity. From the
UP population around the table came the mock horrified responses of:
"Permission? " and "Outreach?"

I thought about it and realized that all of these students were, in fact,
legally adults. I thought it interesting that only the UP students appeared
to appreciate this fact.

Even more interesting was the "outreach" comment. I think back to my own
university years and the last three years that my daughter has been in UP
and am certain there is no lack of civic activity. There are medical
missions, house building projects, tree planting, community work and barrio
work and so on. I realize now that the reaction was not to the activity as
much as it was to the use of the word.

One of the most important differences of the UP campus from all the other
campuses my children considered going to is that this campus has no walls.
Many parents fear this. They are afraid their precious children will not be
protected from the ills of society in a campus that is so open to the rest of
the world.

But UP is open to the world in more ways than just not having the physical
walls.

Community

Being in UP means much more than being a student. This campus is
enmeshed in a community. This community is made up not only of the
transient population of students who go home each night. It includes the many,
many students who lay their heads on dorm pillows each night, enduring time
away from families in the firm belief that this campus will bring them closer to
their dreams. This community includes the families of faculty and employees
who live on campus. It also includes the many people who work not for the
University, but nevertheless work on campus. This community includes the
lady who remembers the brand of cigarette you smoke and automatically
hands it to you in the morning. It includes the gentleman who remembers you
like pepper on your egg sandwich or the one who knows you will dip your fish
balls into two of his sauces, who patiently waits for you to eat your three
sticks before being paid. It includes the woman who saw all her children
through college by selling peanuts every day on campus.

To a UP student, the daily heartbeat of the school is never far away from
the realities of the country. The word outreach suggests that civic activity is
something outside of the normal, something you do once in a while. It must be
immensely difficult to think of community as a thing apart when your campus
experience brings you face to face with all of the world's realities every day.

Character

All of this probably explains that unmistakable sense of self that you will
find from students who come from this campus.

Here is a campus where all have the same opportunities to learn. But also,
here is a campus that will give all the same opportunities to fail. There are no
guidance counselors who will chase after you because you have been skipping
classes. The attitude this university takes is that you must take the initiative â€“
for learning, for seeking help, for realizing you need help.

That is not to say that no help exists. But it is help that is not forced upon you.

This is a university rich in both introspection and conversation. On this campus,
the student is constantly exposed to people--faculty, administrators, community
members, and other students who care deeply and passionately about the world.
The conversations are almost never purely cerebral. A single graph can provoke
comments about government policy and its effects on people.

As a result, UP is home to a student population that looks at the world and cares.
It is easy to see pictures of protesting students and dismiss it as radicalism. But
there are few campuses in this country where students go beyond a passing curiosity
about what is happening in the world beyond their own lives. There are even fewer
universities where students not only care but also actually believe they have a
responsibility to make a difference not in some hazy future but today.

And that, I believe, is what truly forges character. Character is not molded by
speeches or long classes in ethics or theology. Character grows from within. It
begins by being handed the keys to your own self and being told you are in charge;
you now have power over yourself and your own actions and with that power, you
take on responsibilities.

Each student in this university goes through his own unique voyage of discovery.
On his voyage, as he decides what he cares about, what he will fight for and what
he will sacrifice, he crafts his own personal values. That is what education is truly about.

Dragon Boat 101 in Manila Bay

2008-06-29T05:34:00.000+08:00

The Dragon Boat is a very long and narrow human-powered boat used in team paddling sport called dragon boat racing. Originating in China, racing events using these decorative boats are usually held during the Dragon Boat Festival which is a national holiday in the country.

Here in Manila, the way to ride the dragon is to go to Manila Bay. I tried it last Saturday, and it was a whole lot of fun.

At 5:30 am, my friends and I were already in the bay near Manila Yacht Club along with other rowers and newbies like most of us. There were a lot of rowing teams around. We even saw the Philippine women's team all in pink crocs. Our group of newbies and wannabees was invited by he UP Rowing Team (thanks to Chester). Among the team's members is Manix Abrera, creator of the famous Kiko Machine comics.

We waited an hour until we got our boat, and I was bursting in excitement when I got on it. Such enthusiasm made me disregard how filthy the water was. In our first few rows (and I was only rowing as if I knew how to), the boat glided gracefully along the garbage-laiden water in the Manila Yacht Club docking area, until we got a bit farther and the water became less dirty - but still not clean knowing it is Manila Bay.

We stopped for the basic lessons that included the parts of the paddle, how to row, and some jargons used in the sport. Then we rowed further applying the new lessons learned - and we were so good at it. I felt all my back muscles (we were taught it is wrong to use our arm muscles for force) struggled to keep up with the pace. I was breathing in and exhaling at every row, listening to the caller to say 'at ease' for the next few lessons or reminders. Now my body is aching, but I'm definitely doing it again next Saturday.

Dragon boat racing (or in my case it was just rowing) is much fun. It keeps you fit and takes away all your inhibitions, including your disgust for filthy water. And oh, if you ever ask if dragon boat rowers take a dip in Manila Bay, it is true as an initiation. In fact, I can't believe I did it myself. As an ex-molecular biologist (I'm now a banker), I could imagine all sorts of flora and fauna thriving in the murky water. But it didn't matter, I could do some immunity boost.

But on a different note, if dragon boat racing becomes very popular, it may serve as one of the impetus to clean up Manila Bay and Pasig River. For sure, this will become a more attractive sport with clean waters around.

What's up?

2008-06-01T16:24:00.000+08:00

There were rare moments when, amidst the plethora of things in my head (most of which is work), I got to ask myself 'Dude, what's up?'

That's weird. But I find the question a valid one. In this life in which time has no other direction but to go forward (no time machine, unfortunately life is not science fiction), people really need to take a break and ask themselves what they are up to.

Some people are up for money, some for popularity, some for power, and many for all of the three mentioned - who doesn't want to be rich, popular, and powerful? All of us want to be better in one way or another, and this desire is not in any way bad.

While some people want to catch up with time (they are such stickler to their schedules), some choose to wait. I have chosen to wait several times. God knows how many minutes, hours, and even days I have wasted waiting for plants that did not flower and bear fruit(remember, I used to have a garden when I was young), people that didn't come, and dreams that didn't happen (I confess, I daydream a lot even during my classes in the University).

I'm tired of waiting. Now all I want to do is to ride with time, savor every second of it, make the best out of every ticking of the clock. No distractions. No what if's. No second thoughts.

I'm tired of waiting. I'm eager of what's ahead. I want to dive and make a big splash to the future.

----------

Sounds a bit emo? Well not really. I'm just refraining myself from writing another blog on politics and economics (as if I know anything much about them these days for all I do is work, work, and work... and some gimmick with friends).

Surfing @ Zambales

2008-05-17T18:09:00.000+08:00

One of the greatest things about the sport of surfing is that you need only three things: your body, a surf-board, and a wave.

Lost

2008-05-01T05:59:00.000+08:00

My mom used to tell me that I'm very good at losing things. I couldn't disagree with her on this. Besides, she's my mother and she probably could remember all the instances of me losing things from ballpens, to a pair of pants, to even my entire school bag.

Just this week, barely a month after I called a friend 'burara' for losing his phone, I lost mine - for the third time around. Talk about backfire.

I'm still using the same number, but my phonebook is empty. Too bad my overdependence on phone memory has arrested my brain's ability to memorize phone numbers.

So friends, if you text or call me, please introduce yourselves.

--------

It has been a long time since last I wrote a serious blog. Lost my writing skills lately.

moments by the pond (a.k.a. tabing-ilog moments, haha)

2008-04-26T05:13:00.000+08:00

When was the last time you spent a quiet moment just doing nothing - just sitting and looking at the sea, or watching the wind blowing the tree limbs, or waves rippling on a pond, a flickering candle or children playing in the park? - Ralph Marston

L-R: Paolo, Cielo, myself, Jean, Alana, Josef, Juancho at Canyon Woods (click photo to enlarge)

Summer Teambuilding Jump at Canyon Woods Tagaytay

2008-04-24T19:14:00.000+08:00

If all my friends were to jump off a bridge, I wouldn't follow. I'd be at the bottom to catch them when they fall.

L-R: Josef, Jaja, myself, Alana, Paolo, Jean, Cielo (click photo to enlarge)

Summer Beach Jump

2008-04-13T03:28:00.001+08:00

Summer is the time when one sheds one's tensions with one's clothes, and the right kind of day is jeweled balm for the battered spirit. A few of those days and you can become drunk with the belief that all's right with the world. ~Ada Louise Huxtable

*From L-R: Trisha, Alana, myself, Paolo, Cielo, Jean

Usapang Peyups

2008-03-30T09:58:00.000+08:00

Andrew is such a loser, he's answering this survey. Wahahaha.

Yikes, it has been two years since my graduation. I'm getting old!

1. Student number?

- 2002-36517

2. College?

- College of Science

3. Ano ang course mo?

- BS Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (actuallly, it's BS MBB, which stands for BS Molecular Biology and Banking)

4. Na-kickout ka ba?

- Nope. Ulirang estudyante. Hehe.

5. Saan ka kumuha ng UPCAT?

- Sa probinsya!

6. Favorite GE subject?

- South East Asian Studies. Cool yung topics and the teachers were good. And walang pressure. Uno-able.

7. Favorite PE?

- Skin diving with Sir Mencias! The best! Took it in my second semester when I was first year. Tagal na nun!

8. Saan ka nag-aabang ng hot girls sa UP?

- I have to say most of them are in Econ and BA. Some are in AS. But I don't usually go sight-seeing. Haha.

9. Favorite prof(s):

- Sino pa, di yung thesis adviser ko na si Dr. Cynthia Saloma. She's a terror at sobrang tindi sa class at sa lab. But she's the best mentor one can have in MBB. Sadly I can't apply my molecular biology in Citibank. But at least, I developed the attitude to be competitive and to learn things fast.

10. Pinaka-ayaw na GE subject?

- Geog 1. I was absent more than six times at late. La kong masyading natutunan. Pero uno-able sobra.

11. Kumuha ka ba ng Wed or Sat classes?

- Yep. P.E during my first two years. But di na nung third and fourth year since I was already working on my thesis. Geek.

12. Nakapag-field trip ka ba?

- Once lang, sa South East Asian Studies. Guess where... in Binondo!

13. Naging CS ka na ba or US sa UP?

- Yep.

14. Ano ang Org/Frat/Soro mo?

- PMHS (active at the start lang, second year yun), College of Science Student Council, at iba pang mga bagay-bagay

15. Saan ka tumatambay palagi?

- PMHS tambayan sa Owl's Nest, natutulog sa College of Science Student Council office, CS library para mag-aral at mag-power nap, laboratory sa MBB (geek), sa dorm ng mga kaibigan, sa mouse room ng MBB (ew)

16. Dorm, Boarding house, o Bahay?

- Tried all. I prefer the apartment. Mas may privacy.

17. Kung walang UPCAT test at malaya kang nakapili ng kurso mo sa UP, ano yun?

- Economics or BAA. I was planning to shift but I found my blockmates fun and the things I'm learning in MBB exciting.

18. Sino ang pinaka-una mong nakilala sa UP?

- My roommate. Yikes, I forgot his name na.

19. First play na napanood mo sa UP?

- Not in UP but in CCP with UPSA, it was Spoliarium.

20. Name the 5 most conyo orgs in UP:

- Haha. Baka papatayin ako ng mga kaibigan ko.

21. Name 5 of the coolest orgs/frats/soro in UP:

- Marami.

22. May frat/soro bang nag-recruit sa yo?

- Meron, but joining a frat was never among my priorities.

23. Saan ka madalas mag-lunch?

- Lutong-Bahay nung first year; take out sa CASAA nung second year; FA cafe (closed na ngayon), FA siomai stall, or baon nung third and fourth year. Madalas din ako nakikikain sa lab, dami kasi food sa LMCB. Haha.

24. Masaya ba sa UP?

- Super. Probably the most memorable four years of my life ever.

25. Nakasama ka na ba sa rally?

- Oo, once during my first year and I was staying in Kalayaan. We marched from UST to Mendiola. That was out of curiosity. That was my first and last.

26. Ilang beses ka bumoto sa Student Council?

- Three times. I needed to vote because I was candidate (but I lost nung fourth year, which was just fine).

27. Name at least 5 leftist groups in UP:

- There are some 'left-leaning' groups in UP. But I am never sure if they are truly leftists. Got friends there and they are nice people.

28. Pinangarap mo rin bang mag-laude nung freshman ka?

- Haha. Yep.

29. Kanino ka pinaka-patay sa UP?

- Wala. Haha.

30. Kung di ka UP, anong school ka?

- Ateneo de Manila University

Chasing pavements

2008-03-30T06:17:00.000+08:00

In the few weeks that passed, all my days were in black and white. Well, not that I'm all gloomy and cold. I just felt weird that all I can appreciate is music. Reading, drawing, writing... I've taken a break from all these. Maybe because music - songs - express things one is not brave enough to tell. And music is always there with you no matter what stage in life or mood you are in - sad, happy, heartbroken, in love, struggling, homesick, daydreaming... take your pick.

Chasing Pavements (Adele)

i've up my mind
dont need to think it over
if im wrong i am right
dont need to look no further
this aint lust i know this is love

but if i tell the world
i'll never say enough
cos it was not said to you
and thats exactly what i need to do
if i end up with you

should i give up
or should i just keep chasing pavements
even if it leads no where,
or would it be a waste
even if i knew my place should i leave it there.
should i give up
or should i just keep chasing pavements
even if it leads nowhere

i promised not to talk about poltics...

2008-03-01T05:59:00.000+08:00

The CBCP got it right this time. The bishops’ statement on our country’s looming political crisis upholds the constitution by respecting democracy’s due process and respecting the separation of the Church and the State. With it they did not only fulfill their duty as pastors of the people, but also gave a gentle reminder to everyone involved that they lay aside personal interests and put forward objectivity: to the politicians who, most often than not, are driven by partisan lines rather than principle, to the media which are prone to personal biases and sensationalism, to the people who are easily swayed by calls to put the constitution in their own hands.

I cannot argue enough that the CBCP echoes the sentiments of the silent majority, of the many hardworking employees of Makati alienated and inconvenienced by rallies held in the business district, of ambitious students in our universities learning all they can to become better citizens in the future, and of millions of other Filipinos in the provinces marginalized by Imperial Manila. All of these people want lasting change that will never and can never happen – as the EDSAs teach us – by simply unseating a president. True change happens when people uphold the law and strengthen national institutions. This means that law-breakers are tried in courts, not in the streets.

The challenge for everyone amidst this crisis is to act with common sense; that is, to assume an objective outlook on the issue, to look beyond political biases, and consider some lessons in history before taking things in our own hands. It is worthwhile asking ourselves “Is another EDSA going to change anything?”

Not much really. In the same way as cancer is not successfully treated with one dose of medicine and a weak body, rooting out corruption and promoting transparency require strengthening democratic institutions and call for a change in people's attitudes - especially among our leaders.

One egregious figue in yesterday's rally in Makati is that Erap was there. Wait, was he the president ousted seven years ago by EDSA 2? Talk about politics.

Stop, look, and listen

2008-02-27T17:40:00.000+08:00

Stop, look, and listen. Sounds like the old nursery rhyme I learned when I was four. But in the hustle and bustle of a young adult's life (I can't believe I'm calling myself as one - I was only starting in the University six years ago!), I can't help but stop at some corners and enjoy the momentary pleasure of stillness while the traffic light is red. Once it turns green, life goes on again as it does every single day. And from there I go speeding up or slowing down, until I finally reach and stop again at the next corner.

You see, bad traffic is not at all bad - at least when you talk about it figuratively.

Not again another political circus

2008-02-16T10:39:00.000+08:00

These days, the country is again faced with yet another political turmoil. Year after year, month after month, day after day, what fills the news and keeps politicians busy are their own problems, leaving the very tasks they are elected for in the sidelines. This leads many to ask: What’s new?

The new political hot potato is the alleged graft that occurred in the aborted NBN-ZTE project that was supposed to connect and modernize, through internet broadband, all government offices of the country. While its goal was undoubtedly advantageous for government efficiency and economic growth, the process by which the deal was carried out was purportedly tainted with overpricing by government officials.

Now the issue has compounded to become a crisis, as politicians started pointing fingers, protesters with familiar faces who are always anti-government started agitating their usual sentiments in the streets, and ordinary people – albeit not completely informed – started concluding that it’s again timely to unseat a President extra-judicially.

While I don’t believe that officials implicated in this ‘scandal’ are all innocent, I am neither convinced that those who are pointing their fingers have hands untarnished of any misconduct. This lack of trust has led many to conclude that all this noise is just another political baloney. To put it more bluntly, what’s going on is just another political circus where government personalities are figuratively dressed as clowns, doing their acts, hiding their real skin with stylistic make-up and outlandish costumes – and they make us all laugh, if not frustrated.

Young people like me are starting to ask: Have we not got tired of this? For once in our youth, we are hoping to see change happening in our godforsaken country and leaders worth emulating who are working together to make things better. But our hope appears to falter as whatever progress achieved by the country is always wiped out by never-ending political hurdles – most of them unnecessary.

Young people today are confused who’s telling the truth, what to expect, when to stop hoping. Gloomy it may seem, but we can all learn one good lesson out of it: may we not follow the footsteps of today’s generation of ‘leaders’.

Mission: Tubbataha Reef

2008-02-05T13:37:00.000+08:00

Declared a UNESCO heritage site, the Tubbataha Reef is a marine ecosystem located in the middle of Sulu Sea and south east of Puerto Princesa in Palawan. This isolated sanctuary is a reserved haven for diverse marine life ranging from the smallest plankton to thriving corals, rare marine mammals, sea turtles, sharks, manta rays, and sea birds.

Being part of the world-renowned Coral Triangle, the Philippines occupies a crucial role in marine life conservation, and Tubbataha Reef is one of the country’s most precious natural jewels. This marine park is well-known among conservation scientists and diving enthusiasts because of its rich biodiversity and pristine and untouched beauty. Preserving this natural treasure requires support from everyone, especially from the people blessed by its bounty. Further, international attention will put it in the world map and definitely boost its chances showcase a biodiversity paralleled nowhere else in the tropical world.

The Tubbataha Reef is the sole entry from the Philippines for the search for the seven wonders of nature. Sadly, other unique and beautiful places in the country as Mt. Mayon, Hundred Islands, Chocolate Hills, and Taal Lake that are likewise worthy for nomination are not in the list.

The voting process is ongoing at the New 7 Wonders website (http://www.new7wonders.com/). Your vote is your crucial contribution to conserve and treasure one of nature’s best wonders.

You may also visit Tubbataha Reef Marine Park’s official website.

Philippine economy soars to 7.4 percent GDP growth, highest in 31 years

2008-01-31T19:26:00.000+08:00

One thing to be happy about: the Philippine GDP rose to an unprecedented 7.4 percent last year 2007. Unbelievable, but it deserves some credibility as, personally, I have seen and felt some improvements happening around.

Agriculture, industrial, and service sectors were the star performers. These brought positive gains that brought the entire economic figure upbeat.

Change is happening, and I only hope this will be sustained. And to do so, everyone must do away with self-destructive antagonism and look ahead to a brighter future.

Seemingly herculean - but definitely possible.

-----------------------------------
(from http://www.nscb.gov.ph/sna/2007/4thQ2007/2007hi4.asp)

Philippine economy soars to 7.4 percent GDP growth

In an environment of benign inflation, low interest rates and a strong peso, the Philippine economy sustained its impressive streak of lofty growths that started in the first quarter of the year. Fourth quarter growth of GDP stood at 7.4 percent from 5.5 percent last year, propelled by the robust performances of Trade, Agriculture and Fishery, Private Services, Construction and TCS, with the rest of the sectors posting positive growths.

On the demand side, increased household spending and investment in construction were the main drivers aided by the accelerated growths in government consumption, export of non-factor services and investment in durable equipment. The 3.0 percent contraction in the level of NFIA pulled down GNP to a lower growth of 6.5 percent compared to the GDP growth.

The seasonally adjusted GDP, now on its 27th quarter of positive growths, accelerated to 1.8 percent from 1.0 percent in the previous quarter. Likewise, the seasonally adjusted GNP, which has also been on positive territory since the second quarter of 2003, sped up to 1.4 percent from 0.9 percent in the third quarter.

On the production side, the sustained GDP growth in the fourth quarter was bolstered by the fast expanding Services sector whose growth of 9.0 percent from 8.4 percent in the same quarter last year is the highest since 1982. Likewise, Industry went up too at a higher pace of 5.8 percent from 3.6 percent the previous year, albeit slower than during the first three quarters, mainly because of the deceleration of Manufacturing. With favorable weather conditions during the quarter, Agriculture, Fishery and Forestry (AFF) also accelerated to 5.8 percent from its year ago rate of 1.7 percent.

On a seasonally adjusted basis, AFF contracted by 0.1 percent in the fourth quarter after three quarters of robust growths while Industry rebounded to a 0.5 percent expansion after suffering a 0.4 percent contraction last quarter. The positive growth was attributed to the strong growths of Construction, Mining and Quarrying, and Electricity, Gas and Water. Services sector came in strongest as it posted an all time record growth of 3.3 percent. The phenomenal growth was brought about by the brisk retail trading during the fourth quarter combined with the strong performances of Private Services and Finance.

The economy continued to keep pace with the population growth in the fourth quarter of 2007 as per capita GDP grew by 5.3 percent from 3.4 percent, per capita GNP by 4.4 percent from 4.0 percent, and per capita PCE by 4.2 percent from 3.8 percent.

NFIA in the fourth quarter declined by 3.0 percent from a 12.4 percent gain in the same quarter last year as compensation inflow declined anew by an even higher rate of 3.3 percent from only 0.2 percent in the third quarter. This was aggravated by the deceleration in Property Income from 32.0 percent last year to 18.9 percent, and the growth in Property Expense by 4.4 percent. The fourth quarter recorded the first quarter of negative growth of NFIA since the fourth quarter of 2002.

The Filipino Monkey is finally caught!

2008-01-28T05:05:00.000+08:00

The rogue fugitive that almost started another war of America against another middle-eastern Islamic threat that is Iran is finally caught! The Filipino Monkey, as it is popularly known by seafarers, caused trouble in the busy Strait of Hormuz of the Persian Gulf when it sent malicious radio message to a US Navy warship.

“I am coming to you. You will explode in a few minutes” chattered a voice over Channel 16 in the radio, sending the US navy to an almost offensive mode against Iranian patrol boats.

Lucky for both sides, not a single ammunition was fired.

A day after, the Filipino Monkey was caught eating banana in the White House. He's now behind bars.

-----------------

Now enough of nonsense. I was only amused and at the same time bothered by the term Filipino Monkey. Why call it such? I searched the internet and found nothing much about its etymology. Wkipedia says that a "Filipino Monkey" is a pseudonym used by radio pranksters in maritime radio transmissions since at least the 1980s, especially in the Persian Gulf. These pranksters make odd, confusing, or even threatening calls on VHF marine Channel 16, which is the shipping and maritime International Emergency Distress Frequency.

Nonetheless, at least America got its monkey. But hundreds out there are still in the loose.

Top 400 universities in the world

2008-01-24T15:14:00.000+08:00

UP is bottom-dweller....But I don't think UP, and all other top universities in the Philippines, are that bad. It's just all about funding I suppose, and access to pioneering technologies. Nonetheless, we have better students than other universities out there - and this is true.

383=	Leibniz Universität HANNOVER	Germany
383=	Technische Universität BRAUNSCHWEIG	Germany
383=	CONCORDIA University	Canada
386=	NORTHEASTERN University	United States
386=	KUMAMOTO University	Japan
388=	Università degli Studi di PAVIA	Italy
388=	Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu KIEL	Germany
390=	ISTANBUL Technical University	Turkey
391=	Université PARIS V - Descartes	France
392=	Universität MANNHEIM	Germany
393=	Universitat de VALENCIA	Spain
394=	University of SIENA	Italy
395=	University of INDONESIA	Indonesia
396=	Martin-Luther-Universität HALLE-WITTENBE...	Germany
396=	GEORGIA STATE University	United States
398=	University of the PHILIPPINES	Philippines
398=	SOGANG University	Korea, South
398=	National CENTRAL University	Taiwan

Click here to view the website.

The day the pond turns green

2008-01-21T11:43:00.000+08:00

When I was a kid, I was always fond of plants. Vegetables were my favorite - I planted beans, ampalayas, squash, watermelon, singkamas, talong, sigarilyas... Okay, the last three were a joke, I'm not going to sing Bahay-kubo here.

But anyway, I have a green thumb, so seeds I had sowed (what a term) almost always made it to germination and early planthood (sorry, I hated my Botany classes so pardon the term). However, I never got to reap my harvest because my grandmother, who hated vegetables growing in the backyard garden, would always weed them out like they were worthless weeds. She never appreciated my gardening, so I changed my hobby to collecting spiders, guppies, tadpoles, and crablets. It was fun, until grandma - again - found it cataclysmic to keep bottles with creepy crawling and floating creatures in the living room cabinet.

It almost ended my romance with nature. There was no way I'm going to bring or raise any creature - plants and animals included - in the house, except for cats who are bloody boring for me. Then I started reading books that taught me to imagine.

Daydreaming has always been one of my favorite hobbies. Sometimes I go flying over the Himalayas and stand atop the world's ceiling unfazed. On some days I'm in outer space light years away from earth preparing to set foot on a newly discovered planet suspected of harboring extra-terrestrial intelligence. At times I'm a member of a royal family - a prince - riding on my horse and clad in shining armor. No wonder I love fiction books and movies, and surrealism. Strange sometimes, but these things made my world more colorful.

But I'm no fool. I'm just a dreamer whom some people call hopelessly romantic, thinkers call an idealist, pessimists call a fantasizer. I'm a star-gazer. How I admire the great astronomers who deciphered the intricate puzzles of the universe.

I have grown aloof after all these years of flying. Maybe it's time to go back to gardening and grow vegetables in my backyard. Or start once again collecting creatures of all sorts and put them in small fancy bottles.

But now life is more complicated than pursuing a childhood hobby. I think the way to go is to become a bit less insensitive to the world, to people, to my own self, lest the day arrives when the pond turns green and every beautiful thing in it choked and deprived of oxygen and sunlight.

-------------

Oh you probably won't remember me, it's probably ancient history,
I'm one of the chosen few who went ahead and fell for you.
I'm out of vogue, I'm out of touch, I fell too fast, I feel too much.
I thought that you might have some advice to give ...
On how to be ...
Insensitive.

Announcing the Universitas Youth Conference 2008 in UP Diliman

2008-01-21T03:20:00.000+08:00

This is the third conference of the organization and is open to everyone. For this year, we have corporate bigwigs as speakers. Surely, this will be another worthwhile event.

Hope to see you guys there (",)

Vote for Tibbataha Reef as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World

2008-01-07T18:32:00.000+08:00

When it comes to natural wealth and beauty, Philippines is never wanting.

Vote for Tubbataha Reef in the Global Online voting for the New Seven Wonders of Nature. Currently, it is ranked No. 34, behind Ganges River of Bangladesh (No. 3), Mt Everest of Nepal (#4), Maldives (#12), Niagara Falls of Canada (#18), Bora Bora Island of French Polynesia (#23), Great Barrier Reef of Australia (#28) and Grand Canyon of USA (#31).

Vote thru the http://www.new7wonders.com/nature.

Happy New Year

2007-12-31T16:47:00.000+08:00

Less than three hours more and the first day of 2008 dawns.

But before the year 2007 ends, I can't miss the chance of reminiscing how this exciting year has been.

During the 525,600 minutes that passed, many things happened. I got a job, met long-lost friends and new people, got a job, bought new clothes, traveled overseas, dreamed of new ambitions, climbed mountains, opened this multiply account, blah blah blah. The list goes on (and I don't want to appear too personal in this blog).

Time is terrific. No doubt Einstein was so into it. I tried studying his theory of relativity during my days in the university. It was totally surreal, but very sensible and brilliant. I'm now reading another book of Alan Lightman that talks about Einstein's obsession about time. Einstein's Dreams is a novel that tells of how the Nobel laureate conceptualized time and how he saw it in his dreams. It's fiction of course, but Lightman's knack for prose and poetry made the book at par with the genius's real thoughts. Surreal, but fascinating.

And now comes 2008. An interesting year for everyone: the US Presidential Election, The World Youth Day in Sydney, The Olympics in Beijing. And I am pretty sure more surprises will pop out as we go along the new year.

To everyone, have a blessed new year.

Cheers!

Finding Neverland

2007-12-23T17:24:00.000+08:00

Think of happy thoughts, and you will fly!

Neverland. The land where children never grow older. The place I tried to find amongst the stars in a moon-lit night when I was younger.

Everytime I visit my hometown, I think of how my childhood went, and how I missed being a child. Every corner of my old house bears a memory that still lingers clearly in my mind. There was that wall with my first ABCDs, that small table I used for studying, those stairs I have stepped on since I learned how to walk, that sink which now have become very low for me, and that farm where I spent my best summer days.

I came home before Christmas to visit my parents and relatives. It's overwhelming how many things have changed in a matter of two years. People got older, and new faces in the family arrived. I too am not getting any younger - I'm turning 22 this week!

I thought Neverland is somewhere up above the sky, never to be seen. But I found it! I only have to think of happy thoughts - good memories - to bring me to my own Neverland.

the plight of philippine tourism

2007-12-16T14:00:00.001+08:00

These days, tourism ads of Thailand and Malaysia are read in most major business magazines around like The Economist, Time, and Fortune. While these places are good vacation destinations, I am definitely sure that they pale in comparison to what the Philippines can offer.

I have met foreigners saying that the archipelago has better beaches and more exhilirating dive spots than its neighbors. Why not, when we are at the center of the famed Coral Triangle. Our festivals are definitely as colorful as our neighbors', our malls are among the best and the biggest in the world, and our people are definitely the warmest in Asia.

And why does the Philippines remain travelers' third choice (or even lower) among the ASEAN countries? Sadly, bad news, either political or security-related, always hover over the archipelago, repelling would-be visitors (including investors) and creating a negative impression to the entire world. Also, this plight is exacerbated by poor infrastructure, a lackadaisical tourism campaign, and underdeveloped tourism destinations. I am pretty sure there's more to the Philippines than Boracay.

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-08T18:41:00.000+08:00

I started being a volunteer tutor for kids in a public school when I was a sophomore in the university. It was no ordinary goody-goody task that went like a walk in the park. It was a big commitment - more like a walk in the most unlikely places in the city. Sometimes I would really have to miss hanging out with friends on a Saturday afternoon, or sacrifice some hours of study just to be with the rowdy kids waiting for their kuya to teach them Math and English. And up to now, during weekends, I still find time for these little angels. It's truly tiresome, but all worthwhile.

This is my eye-opener to a world so divided between extremes. As Christmas is just around the corner, I hear my friends talking about how excited they are for shopping, or how eager they are for their party in a five-star hotel, or where their families are spending Christmas eve. But when I go to the slum areas I see kids running around without slippers asking me if my house was also demolished as theirs, I see families living in shanties uncertain of what to eat for their next meal, I see people living in dehumanizing poverty.

It's not my intention to accuse the well-off of moral indifference and blatant selfishness, nor to sound utterly cynical. I only wanted to express how I see society is so full of contradiction. In so many times, how I want to be insensitive so as not to feel distressed. But reality hurts, it slaps me in the face.

---------------

When I was young, how I loved Christmas. Aside from the sound of ubiquitous carols that never failed to lighten my feelings, there are also a lot of food (it's fattening season), rare family reunions, and, between Christmas and New year, is my birthday.

Christmas is truly fun, but there's more to it than this. Each one should not forget why gifts are given, why there a star atop the Christmas tree, why we wake up early and attend misa de gallo (gallo is Spanish for rooster), why we celebrate Christmas at the first place. Besides gifts, food, and fun, Christmas is Christ's birth.

It's sad though how people tend to forget or care much less about this. While the greeting "Happy Holidays" has become a convention, I still prefer the old way that goes "Merry Christmas (and not X-mas)".

Merry Christmas to all!

While I was working

2007-11-29T18:15:00.000+08:00

November for me passed by like barely a week at work. Ooops, am I starting to sound workaholic or like a yuppie version of a university geek? Well not really. I just realized I haven’t written any blog for almost a month now, yet I have burned my all my eyebrows making sure my bank lends its billions to corporations all over the globe and earn heaps from it.

Speaking about Citi, its CEO resigned earlier this month. Truly, the pinch (or punch) of the subprime mortgage crisis in the US is now becoming more and more felt as financial giants have started to become more and more honest about how much they are losing because of it. And Citi is one of the hardest hit. Thank God this world’s largest bank is too colossal a creature to knock out with one blow, otherwise I would be jobless by now.

While I was working this week, two typhoons squeezed Luzon, wrecking havoc in provinces surrounding Metro Manila. It was reminiscent of last year’s Milenyo which came when I was outdoors along Taft Avenue (of all the places). Seeing branches and galvanized iron flying around was terrifying. One lesson learned: never use your the umbrella (ella, ella, ey, ey… okay, enough of this) during typhoons if you don’t want to end up in Manila Bay floating along with branches, roofs, and all sorts of debris.

While I was working yesterday, the earth shook for almost a minute. At 12 noon, I felt a bit weird and shaky and thought it was just my tummy. But I saw my stuff on the table moved, heard my officemate cried “Earthquake!”, and then realized it was indeed the ground shaking, which was later reported of magnitude 4. Earthquakes are nothing new for me - I grew up with them. Back in the days of eruptive Mt. Pinatubo in early 90’s, earthquakes were common in Mindanao. I remembered two of these that woke my family up in the middle of the night. I was crying for I thought it would bring our old house down to the ground. The next day, I was in the library after class studying about earthquakes, tectonic plates, the Ring of Fire, Charles Richter, blah bah blah.

While I was working today, Senator Trillanes and his band of brothers walked out of the courtroom and staged another infamous drama in Makati. While I don’t totally discount his claims as pure lies, I definitely don’t agree with his inconsiderate means of achieving his end. Almost four years ago, he caught the nation’s - and the world's- attention at Oakwood. He was charged (and up to now being tried), became practically a celebrity, elected senator, and just today did another baloney in – wherelse? – the Manila Peninsula Hotel. Five-star hotels, beware!

The Philippine economy this year has been performing its best after twenty years in the doldrums. Surely, issues may linger in the government, but these perennial problems can never be solved by getting a new president each time we feel discontent. Even India and China, with sky-rocketing economic growth rates, have this dishonesty plague. Conditions in Russia are even much worse. And don’t tell me the US is corruption-free.

Yet these countries are able to assure the world of their political stability which serves as framework for economic programs that bring benefits down to the masses, and hence poverty reduction and better quality of life among the people. And, take note, these changes don't happen overnight. They take years - and even decades - of stability and national cooperation. And what about this small noisy group calling for yet another 'change'? My feet! Spare the nation of yet another economic and political turmoil.

I’m not trying to condone any misdoings here. I believe what should people remember is that there is due process for everything, and that personal interests should be set aside to attain what’s good for everyone. As I have always told my friends in UP, enough of going out to the streets, and start reading your books and doing your homeworks and experiments. And to our statesmen, enough of throwing mud amongst yourselves and start fulfilling what you are ought to be doing in the halls of congress, senate, or Malacañan.

While I was working in Citi’s GK village one Saturday of this month, I remembered the little boy I have been teaching catechism in another slum area in Manila. When I arrived one afternoon for a session on prayer and loving one’s family, this four-year-old asked me if I still have a house. That morning, his family’s shanty was demolished. Now he is living in a makeshift abode together with others in what used to be a basketball court. Living conditions have become much worse for him, his family, and his entire neighborhood.

I felt very sorry for him. He thought that my world was like his. This, however, gave me the impression - and the realization - that I am living in two worlds.

Trekking Mt. Maculot

2007-11-04T10:26:00.000+08:00

It was my sixth time to trek Mt. Maculot in Cuenca, Batangas yesterday, but it was my first time to camp out at the peak and take photos of the spectacular views. I was with two buddies (and former MBB blockmates in UP) Jan and Flaegil.

After setting up our tent, we had some chit-chat with Manong, the owner of Maculot's "7-11", who told us about the mountain's best-known legend: the woman who jumped off the Rockies, which is part of Maculot that overlooks Taal lake. Her name by the way is Maricris (I'm not sure with the spelling) and she left a suicide note saying "I love Maculot". How moving. Her body was recovered in the thick forest beneath the Rockies nine days after the incident.

Another interesting story about Maculot is that many people have already got lost along the trail. Count me in. Late last year, I, together with three others, almost spent a night in the thick, dark forest. Thank God we were lucky enough to make our way back to civilization, but only after obtaining a lot of scratches, bruises, mosquito bites, and mud all over our clothes.

At any rate, trekking Maculot is a worthwhile experience. Mountain hiking can be a very good hobby.

Flattened

2007-10-28T14:31:00.000+08:00

I just finished Thomas Friedman's The World is Flat. It's a great book - it taught me a lot about how the world is being shaped by globalization, which is not at all bad contrary to what I have been told since gradeschool. Nowadays as the world gets flatter and flatter, almost everyone is basically competing on the same playing field regardless of where one is - be it in America, or China, or India, or Bulgaria, or the Philippines. Business, politics, and science have never been as exciting as before. The only way to take advantage of the opportunities in Planet Flat is to get proper education, proper attitude, and proper ambition.

----

My department got the third prize in Citibank's Halloween costume and design competition. That was enough consolation for working until 2 a.m. in setting up our decorations. Pictures will be posted next week.

----

Meanwhile, I'll be taking a week off from the hustle and bustle of Planet Flat to take care of more important stuff. After this retreat, it's business as usual - but with a bit more zest.

Adieu!

Blasted!

2007-10-20T07:08:00.000+08:00

Yesterday, another blast came that may send us back to the doldrums of fear and mistrust.

Just when our economy has gotten its break from the backwaters of the global market, and just when yet another political hot potato came out straight from the hellish halls of our dear politicians, another element of reality came with a blast.

The perpetrators proved themselves as barbarians who don't deserve any place in a society that is humane, progress-oriented, and peace-loving. Their empty ideologies and feeble motives are their own burdens with which they have not an iota of right to afflict others, much less end other people's lives and cause sabotage to the entire country.

Amidst all these chaos, I guess what all want is peace - and change!

Life in a Bookshelf

2007-10-14T07:23:00.000+08:00

There is one research that reckons a person can read, on the average, around 500 books in his lifetime. If one were to live for 70 years, it translates to roughly seven books every year. I failed to clarify though if this includes academic books; and if this does, I'm well within (or above?) the average. But for geeks and bookworms - count me out! - this may seem an underrated estimate. But in any case, reading books is one of the best hobbies one can delve into. Every page of a book tells you more about the real world, and every flip of a page may bring you to realms unimaginable.

I started reading when I was four. Okay, I could only read words pausing at every syllable and not understanding most that I uttered (except for no, not , and, the, and other two- to three-letter words). After lunch, I would rather grab the newspaper and read as if I could add any knowledge to myself than take the siesta which I really hated (of course, escaping from my yaya to play in the the rice fields - my playground - was another fun alternative).

Then I started writing on walls using the white chalk-like marker my grandfather used for carpentry. In most parts of the house, especially the living room, were scribbles of a-b-c-d-to-z and dog, cat, map and whatever three-letter word I could to spell. To me they looked like masterpieces for, back then, I didn't know the difference between the alphabet and hieroglyphs. To my folks, it was vandalism. But my grandmother, who was a school teacher, appreciated my murals and asked to preserve them. They all stayed there until I was about 11. Until now when I pay a visit to my old house, I can still see some artifacts of my earliest "essays" on the walls.

My first reading books (not coloring books of which I also had a number, my favorite being Batman and Robin) were The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams, Catwings by Ursula Le Guin, and The Ghost Army whose author I can't recall. They were real treasures. They made me imagine a world of my own with dancing fairies, villain ghosts, crying and talking toys, and flying cats. Of course, all these images I got from TV, but reading opened a different horizon and created a lasting experience.

Now when I look at my shelves (and I don't mean library), I see books of different sorts. In the bottom shelf are books I burned my eyebrows with during my years in the university: Immunology, Molecular Cloning, Moelcular Biology of the Cell, Developmental Biology, etc. They now seem like white elephants, but still remain very good reminders of the years that passed nonetheless. Right beside them are my new finance books and manuals I now read - I'm just so into them. I also got a number of other books on the upper shelf - science fiction, history, business (the World is Flat among others, a must-read), style guide (The Economist Style Guide and Strunk and White's The Elements of Style, another must-reads), philosophy, humanities, all sorts of stuff.

Reading is fun. In some moments it may become another I-do-it-tomorrow pasttime. But like any other hobby, one needs to develop the love affair. I had mine started when I began writing on walls. But I'm no bookworm.

In the Interim

2007-09-17T18:42:00.000+08:00

Exhausted, too preoccupied, stressed out, tired. These are the days when I can think of so many things to write yet don't have the luxury of time to do so, or much less the effort and the enthusiasm to get my ideas flowing when I'm at my desk. This is what I call writer's block, or isn't this?

Hmmm, maybe I'm just stressed out. Or maybe I'm better off imagining stuff than writing them, translating them to words, and sentences, and to essays, stories, and books. Surely, I'll never be a T.S. Elliot, or a JRR Tolkien, or a Thomas Friedman.

Or maybe I just missed the way I get my thoughts flowing when I draw, using my charcoal or pencil and my six-year-old notebook which I still keep and use until now. Doing this makes use not words and grammar, but plain strokes and shades that go spontaneously with the spur of imagination and dexterity. I do abstract drawing. Many, many people find it hard to appreciate my black and gray artwork. I object for I find them all better than the those expensive works hanged in exhibits and museums. But again, I'm no artist.

Or maybe this is, among other possibilities, the aftermath of my adrenaline rush this weekend when I was pursued by an ugly rabid dog, my most dreaded creature in the planet. In my best effort to burn some fats and chill out in the open air, I went out to jog but, unfortunately, ended up sprinting for my life. I hate rabid dogs.

Or maybe, just maybe, I only need to keep on smiling, for the world has had enough troubles to bear.

Lunch at Antonio's

2007-08-27T14:56:00.000+08:00

Simply a gastric treat with style and elegance. Truly a fine dining. Nothing beats the food, the ambiance, the service, and the price!

One funny anecdote though, I met Antonio - the man himself. He introduced himself to me, we shook hands, and I asked him in utter stupidity "Where's the washroom?"

That was one of the biggest boboos I ever did in my life; to ask the chef about where the washroom is simply unimaginable.

At any rate, fine dining at Antonio's is the best!

Law of the Heart

2007-08-18T17:35:00.000+08:00

While reading Alan Lightman's book entitled The Discoveries, Great Breakthroughs in the 20th-Century Science, I went accross Ernest Starling's "Law of the Heart", which states that the force of the muscular contraction is proportional to the extent to which the heart muscle is stretched.

This sounds very scientific. But come to think of it: it can mean something relevant to any person... if you know what I mean.

Meanwhile, I'm now engrossed at reading the book right now. It showcases 24 monumental scientific works that shaped modern science. It tickles the scientist in me, though I have already turned my back on molecular biology to pursue a totally different career path. Still, the book is worthwhile reading. Truly for geeks and non-geeks (who are comfortable with calculus, physics, molecular biology, and a bit of physiology) alike.

Amazing India

2007-08-12T12:37:00.000+08:00

This week’s Time Magazine again features India. Undoubtedly, this subcontinent is a charging elephant. In 50 years, The Economist predicts it will become an economic superpower surpassed only by China (the US being only the third). In fact, China is now wary about its southern neighbor as it poses a potential threat to usurp its niche in manufacturing, IT, and research.

A booming economy of over a billion people (GDP growth of over 8%!), a world-class skilled workforce composed of brilliant and dynamic young professionals, and a vast, rich territory. All these helped India recover from the doldrums despite its seemingly chaotic politics, multi-layered bureaucracy, and unabated graft and corruption by public officials. It is amazing to note that the subcontinent has been through a lot of troubles after its independence 60 years ago. The division of the subcontinent into a Muslim state, which is Pakistan, and Hindu India left wounds in its history and among its people. Wars that followed further widened the gap between peoples who once lived together in one empire under the Mughal rule and under the British colonial rule that followed. Then came another painful partition that gave birth to Bangladesh.

In the early 90s, lackluster India almost defaulted its international debt after years of economic downturns. But rational political will, a rare incidence in India, turned the subcontinent’s predicament 180°. It served as momentum for economic reforms and propelled India’s amazing recovery.

Reading about India made me think about the Philippines. Both countries experienced the same economic boom during the early 90s, and were even dubbed economic tigers. India made it – and is now even called an economic elephant (not a white elephant) – but the Philippines still remains a promise unfulfilled.

Nevertheless, it is not always just to compare Philippines with India. The former has a long history as a civilization. Its ancient cities first rose alongside those in other parts of Asia and Africa. Its merchants started trading across the seas long before the West stumbled upon the New World. The Philippines, on the other hand, was composed of fragmented autonomous barangays when the Spaniards came in 1516 and started founding towns. The islands never had a concept of a single nation until 1898 when the Philippine Republic was proclaimed. But this proclamation still remains, until now, a project. The Philippines is not yet a nation, but a nation still being built.

So when you think about the troubles our country is in, think of them as birth pangs of nation-building. India has learned a lot from its centuries of existence. The Philippines still has to learn its lessons. And maybe one day (I hope this will come soon), the country will see the same growth that made India undoubtedly amazing.

If given the chance, I would like to go to India to see personally how this future super power prepares to take the world’s center stage.

goodbye toenail...

2007-08-09T18:04:00.000+08:00

My lesson for the day:

Take care of your toenails if you don't want to have one of them removed in the OR. Ingrown nail avulsion really hurts, and I'll be limping for the next five days.

Thriller!

2007-08-04T07:07:00.000+08:00

Nope, not by Michael Jackson, but by a hundreds of orange-clad gentlemen from a prison in Cebu! Truly awesome! Everyone should take a look at the clip to realize that prisoners are capable of doing something more than riots and all those unlikely stuff. And what's more amazing is that the clip is taken in - of all places - the Philippines. That should say something good about the country. The prisoners really rock!

Check it out at http://youtube.com/watch?v=hMnk7lh9M3o

Up Dharma Down in this week's Time Magazine

2007-07-26T17:55:00.000+08:00

It's about time Up Dharma Down gets international renown for its superb music. Their electronic neo-soul genre puts them above all other local artists whose music are all but unique. Try listening to the songs in their album 'Fragmented' and you'll be soothed by music and rhythm that tickle not only emotion, but also appeal to sophisticated taste and appreciation - not pop, not rock, just perfect.My personal favorite is Oo (which I thought at first as titled 'Di mo lang alam') and Lazy Daisy.

Yosi Break

2007-07-19T18:31:00.000+08:00

When I was fourth year in the University, teacher in PI 100 challenged me to write in Filipino the essays he was requiring each one to submit. It was torment for me because writing in Filipino is not my cup of coffee.

But funny things do happen. Just today while having my yosi break from work, I was able to knit some Filipino phrases which - lo and behold - became my first Filipino poem. Clumsy and cheesy though, but these ideas I got from looking at people who burn their stress away with a stick of nicotene.

Ang sarap magyosi, mag-isip, nakatunganga kaharap ang malahiganteng building sa 'sang sulok ng makati.
Tadtad sa trabaho, sawi sa pag-ibig, magulo and isip; lahat nadadaan sa lason ng nicotine.
Naninibago, nahihirapan, naguguluhan, parang ewan.

Pero masaya pa rin, lumalaban, natututo, nakakaraos kahit papaano.

Tama na ang pagkukunwari, tama na sobra-sobrang pag-iisip.
Napapanahon na para mapalaya ang sarili, at lumipad, lumanghap ng preskong hangin na nagtatanggal ng lason ng yosi.

Minsan ay naiisip, bakit magulo ang buhay? Pero kung tutuusin, kaya nga magulo, para maging maayos.

Reading through the lines, what do I mean to say? I don't know. Maybe those yosi breakers do.

Murphy's Law

2007-06-12T09:14:00.000+08:00

Two years ago on the deadline of my thesis manuscript submission, everything went from bad to worst. That is a long story to tell --- a series of unfortunate events --- which eventually ended to my ONLY final manuscript file being corrupted by a computer shop in UP Shopping Center where I planned to have everything printed (a day ago my printer went berserk).

And now, Murphy's Law is again at work. I'm now in the airline lounge awaiting my flight. Just this morning I had headache. Then the camera I'm bringing is not working at all. The memory card I bought is of different type. I discarded my toothpaste and other stuff in the inspection counter. I took an expensive lunch in the duty free shop not knowing there's an airline lounge with free lunch, internet, etc. What's next? Hmmm. I'm certainly not hoping for anything much worse.

Tonight I'll be in Singapore, and tomorrow I'm arriving in Sydney. It's winter Down Under, so I bought my winter clothes with me (c/o Citibank, hehehe). And it pours there, so I still have no escape from the rain. Oh, have I brought my umbrella?

I hope my cam works tomorrow. I can't wait to take a photo of kangaroos, emus, dingos, koala bears, funnel spider, black widow, great white shark. hehehe.

Do's and Dont's in Riding the MRT: 7 Habits of an Effective MRT Commuter

2007-04-05T21:07:00.001+08:00

As a commuter, I am among the hundreds - or should I say thousands - of people crowding the MRT stations of EDSA, Metro Manila's main thoroughfare, everyday. And of course, this weekday, if not daily, routine could have been a tremendous challenge for me if not for some do's and dont's which I learned after a year or so of faithfully patronizing one of Metro Manila's popular, albeit second only to the ubiquitous jeepneys, public transport.

Here are my 7 Habits of an Effective MRT Commuter:

1. Always keep a stored value card with you, or better yet, always keep a spare card. Otherwise, you might spend half of your travel time cuing by the counter amidst a sea of people, especially during rush hours. Stored value card saves your time and money (bonus rides are truly a delight!), and spares you from the sweat and inconvenience met by rushing commuters once they step inside the MRT station.

2. Be patient. Taking public transportation is always about being patient. When I was in Cologne, Germany, one of the guys I befriended while waiting for my train in the station told me that in his country, patience is very much needed if you take public transport. There, trains arrive in some stations in 20-minute -- or even 30-minute -- intervals. So one should always be prompt to catch his train lest he should wait for another half an hour the most. Dilly-dallying is a no-no. But here in the Philippines, you find jeepneys, buses, tricycles, and padyaks everywhere, so much so that people have enough excuses to slack off and waste time in the morning because, anyway, they can always ride the noisy tricycles that pass by their houses or hail the jeepneys or buses at any given corner of the street. No wonder why the streets here in Manila are all clogged by these public transports that are poorly regulated and so notorious in disobeying simple traffic rules!

3. Once inside the train, don't stay between the doors if you want to have a peaceful ride. People coming and going in each station are very eager to do so, so much so that they are ready to topple anyone along their way: so keep out of their way! Go straight inside the train and look for a vacant seat (you're lucky if there still are) or grab a hand rail which you shall hold on the rest of your ride. One reminder though: don't forget to wash your hands or apply an alcohol or hand sanitizer after if you don't want to get the latest disease-causing microorganism in town.

4. Beware of opened windows. To cut costs, the MRT Authority might have decided to turn off the air conditioners of the coaches at some hours of the day. Sometimes, they are put it off in the morning. Commuters on their way to work sweat like pigs inside the coaches, notwithstanding the throng of people that makes things much worse. Or sometimes, they are turned off in the afternoon. People going back home after a day's toil at work will find their plight even more toilsome jam-packed inside coaches, deprived of much needed oxygen (this is a serious threat!), space, and comfort. So the next time you take the MRT, beware of opened windows for they bode a hellish ride. And one last tip: think twice of taking the second or middle coach; it's the one whose air conditioners are always turned off.

5. Beware of snatchers. Snatchers in the train, as any other snatchers you find in every corner of the city, are very crafty and dexterous. They can actually slip their hands into your pocket without you feeling it. The next thing you know is that your wallet is already in somebody else's pocket or your cellphone is already being sold in Greenhills. So as much as possible, keep everything in your bag and guard it with your life.

6. Be a gentleman. In so many instances while in the train, I have seen seated men pretending to be asleep or taking no notice whenever an old lady enters the cramped coach and stands in front of them while trying to balance herself as the train moves and grip the hand rail which dangle too high for her arm's reach. These were such poignant scenes, but nonetheless disappointing as it shows how unmanly these men are.

7. Enjoy the ride. Taking the MRT can be a worthwhile experience. My weekday trips to Makati have made me familiar with the sights of the Metropolis (at least those that are within my eyes' reach). The elevated railway offers commuters a good view of EDSA that is almost always cramped with vehicles, a quick glimpse of the busy areas of Cubao and Magallanes, an impressive panorama of the Makati and Ortigas skylines, and - to the lucky ones - some picturesque moments with the beautiful Manila Bay sunset which, at one instance, cast its reflection on the polluted Pasig river, creating a very romantic scene that made me think that Manila might be, after all, not as ugly as I thought.

Post-grad adventures

2007-03-26T23:26:00.001+08:00

Andrew Agunod Jr.
Youngblood
Philippine Daily Inquirer

March 22, 2007

MANILA, Philippines -- Now that graduation is near and a new batch of fresh graduates is about to try its luck in the country’s job market, let me share my almost-yearlong, post-graduation experience looking for a job.

My last months in the University of the Philippines (UP) were very tense: all kinds of final reports, a thesis, org activities, not to mention the series of exams that I had to go through before acquiring that precious UP diploma -- my passport to the professional world. I survived all of those and even graduated with honors -- something I was really proud of and which gave me the belief that I was among the “highly in demand” graduates in the country. But I was wrong!

Job offers didn’t come on silver platters. My "kayabangan" -- which, by the way, is typical of some students of the premiere state university -- got the better of me. I didn’t go “prospecting” for a job months before graduation. I held on to the belief and confidence that companies would be competing among themselves to hire me once they knew I was a UP graduate. But to my dismay, I found out that the State University seemed to ring a bell no more.

In fairness -- to me and to my alma mater -- my unemployment is more of a “product” of circumstances than of incompetence. (Here goes the kayabangan again.) The one and only job I applied for (way back in April last year yet) was in a research institute in UP Manila. I expected to be immediately hired because I thought my prospective bosses would have no reason to doubt about my competence, plus “potentials.” After all, I was a UP graduate.

But UP, as any other government institution, is a multi-layered bureaucracy. I was summoned to a first interview in June. The second took place the following month. But then my appointment had to be approved by the UP president, but it was not expected to come soon. Months later, maybe. When exactly, even the people processing my documents could not be certain. Applicants accepted in May get to start working only in the following December, I found out.

So in July, I considered another job elsewhere, albeit alien to the course I finished. Molecular biology and biotechnology graduates in the Philippines (there are only around 30 graduates each year and only from UP) usually end up in the academe (either teaching or doing research), or in medical schools and graduate schools here and abroad. Since I didn’t like to teach and didn’t have plans of studying again (still got to earn!) and I did not want to go to medical school either (I have had enough of headaches!), my only option was to go into research. But pursuing such a career in a Third World country is not at all financially rewarding—not to mention the perpetual process of applying for the job (certificate of eligibility, medical exams, computer exams, two month-long interviews; by the time you start working, your first salary is not even enough to cover all that you spent for all these and your bills!). Thus, I didn’t have any choice but to Â“cross into another field” and see what was in store for me in the corporate world.

No, it’s not that I’m leaving science mainly because of money. Molecular biology was very exciting for me. I never thought that I would be doing the same stuff scientists did in TV shows I watched when I was a kid. Biotechnology, cloning and immunology, PCR and other interesting topics: Only a privileged few -- in a country like ours -- are given the chance to learn these in lectures and experiments that often involve very expensive gadgets and reagents. I also had excellent company around: the best professors and the brightest “block mates” (we have four summa cum laude awardees in our batch!). Taking the course taught me discipline.

But back in high school, economics was my most favorite subject; science came only second. But my nerdy habit of watching Discovery Channel and National Geographic, enhanced my penchant for science -- specifically molecular biology and medicine -- while my interest in things that had to do with business and economics eventually fizzled out in the face of an exciting scientific revolution that sees no end until now.

Hence, my decision to abandon my dream of becoming a scientist somehow seeks to fulfill a “long-lost” wish. Nevertheless, I still highly admire Filipino scientists sacrificing so much to advance science and research in the country despite tremendous odds. Indeed, to be competitive, the Philippines needs a robust R & D program. Yet, Filipino scientists and researchers, many of whom are known for their significant contribution to science, remain the most underpaid professionals in the country. I met many of them in UP but, aware as I am of the fact that they are given so little recognition, if at all, by a society too preoccupied with other concerns (valid or not), I can’t help feeling sorry for them. I hope that the government and the Filipino people will soon realize their value and importance, otherwise more and more Filipino talents, ingenuity, resources, (including opportunities to excel in the international arena) will be lost.

My decision to “change course” brought me to an entirely different world. After several interviews, I finally was accepted as a “management trainee” for a bank. The job was great! It was like getting paid high for studying accounting (how I love this subject!), general banking laws, personnel supervision and bank products and services. However, in the middle of my training, I realized that the kind of tasks I was being groomed for -- operations and branch work -- was not to my liking. So I quit. My decision did not mean that I didn’t like banking or that I hated routine tasks. I resigned because I believed that something else out there is the right job for me.

Hence, I’m now actively looking for a new job. Every week, I get a call from different companies for an interview. And because of this my friends have taken to calling me a professional interviewee. Indeed, at this point, with all the good and bad experiences I have had, I could, perhaps, write a long essay on the “do’s and dont’s in job interviews -- for applicants, of course.

Looking back at these experiences is quite stressful. While my batch mates are already working, I’m still going through interviews. But I have not despaired, I believe that I will have my job very soon. For now, at least, I’m learning how to be patient, optimistic and to make good use of my time.

Congratulations to the graduates of 2007 and I wish you all the best!

Andrew Agunod Jr., 21, is a graduate of molecular biology and biotechnology from University of the Philippines, Diliman.

Summer Kick-off: Conquering Pico de Loro

2007-03-20T12:29:00.000+08:00

Standing 664 meters above sea level, Pico de Loro is the highest mountain in Cavite. It may not be as mighty as Mt. Apo, as mystical as Mt. Banahaw, or as legendary as Mt. Makiling, but Pico de Loro harbors an adventure that truly delights seasoned mountaineers and first-timers alike.

Pico de Loro means Parrot's Peak. It got its name from the peculiar rock structure found very near its summit. Commonly called the rock, the beak, the head, or the totem, the four- to five-storey high structure offers an exhilarating experience for those who dare conquer their fears by climbing its top. And I'm proud to say that I'm among those few who made it to the top.

Of course I must admit that it wasn't a breeze for me, especially that I have fear of heights and am not at all an expert rock climber. Well, I wanted to take sports climbing as my PE in UP but, unfortunately, I always ran out of slots. Nonetheless, climbing an actual rock without prior training proved to be a more exciting experience.

It was a sunny Sunday morning when I, together with some friends, drove towards the mountainous region of Ternate in Cavite where the Pico de Loro is located. Along the way and very near the starting point of the trek, we passed by the famed and utterly mysterious Magnetic Road, which is part of the highway that traverses the hilly terrain of Ternate. Motorists are greeted by the dilapidated road sign saying "Magnetic Road: Accident Prone Area" or something to that effect. Exactly why or how the phenomenon occurs I don't know, but I'm critical about it's being magnetic. Maybe it's just some kind of illusion. But interestingly enough, while on the downhill portion of the magnetic road, we stopped our engine and found our vehicle moving uphill. It was weird, and totally violated the law of gravity. But I still doubt the existing rumors unless I'll hear scientists explaining to me the cause of such a phenomenon.

Trekking Pico de Loro lasts for about, on the average, three hours. We started hiking at 10 a.m. after parking our vehicle just beside the mothballed and deserted DENR office. The area is a national park and is thus a protected environment. But the sorry state of the office tells visitors that the government might not be at all serious with the implementation. Worse, I even heard sounds of chain saws echoing in the forest when I was at the mountain's peak.

The beginning of the trail led the group to a patch of land under a reforestation project. It was nice to know that some groups, including students from La Salle, are aiming to plant a million trees in the area. My concern though is that they should plant trees endemic to the area like the narra, apitong, and yakal for doing so would restore the original forest and thus make it conducive for the original flora and fauna.

During the first hour we skirted the mountain, passing through sloping hills, patches of farm lands, dirt roads, horses that got in the way (beware of getting behind them: their kicks are fatal), dogs that bark so loud (but don't bite at all), and the base camp where we were suppose to pay our registration (I was asking, What for? I suppose it's for the trail upkeep. I do hope they use the contribution justly) and which signaled the start of the uphill trail.

As the group went along, we encountered familiar sightings common to other mountains that we've climbed before. There were long, thin, crawling bamboo branches (or twigs? I'm not sure though with the term since bamboos are grasses) that dangles along the path reminescent of the forest of Mt. Maculot where I was lost last year. Then there where towering yet surprisingly slim trees trying to compete with other trees for sunlight, hence forming a green canopy that leave the forest floor cool and dark. Butterflies abound, though not the brightly colored ones excellent for butterfly farm business. We also saw beautiful and unique flowers which, to science-oriented people like me, may definitely find delight.

The mountain's peak is covered by knee-high grass that turns golden brown during summer. Hence, our final ascent was like walking through an aisle - albeit abruptly inclining - laid out with a golden carpet. Along the way we encountered fellow mountaineers on their way down and sliding - and I mean literally - on the grass-covered slope. And that, I realized, proved a real treat after and hour or so marveling at nature's beauty at the peak.

Upon reaching the peak, we were rewarded with a marvelous 360-degree panorama of the surrounding terrain, including a breath-taking view of the mouth of Manila Bay and that of the fine beaches of the protruding peninsulas of the Cavite coast line (Puerto Azul looked like stones throw away from the peak).

But that was not all for the peak was but mere appetizer for the utterly adventurous trekker. The rock totem, standing at the edge of the ravine a few meters down the peak on the other side of the mountain, was the ultimate prize. At first, most of us harbored hesitation and fears of climbing it for one wrong step was enough to send us hundreds of meters down the thick forest - and that would definitely be a disaster!

However, courage conquered our fear and teamwork brought us all to the top. For my part, the thought that others could make it propelled me to muster all the strength and daring I had to climb as well.

Luckily, we didn't have to go straight up the totem as seen from the peak for there was an easier way to get on top through its other side - and I mean easy by the standards of an experienced climber. I will no longer talk further about how I got to the top; all I can say is that it took me some time and some patience on the part of my companions.

But what's worth telling is that I made it to the top!

Lovely Lucban

2007-03-14T11:18:00.001+08:00

The Trip to Lucban

It was the 11th of March 2006 at around 3:45 in the morning. I, together with a friend, was set and very excited to start our adventure trip to Lucban, a beautiful town in the province of Quezon. We sleepily clambered up a bus at one of the bus terminals in Cubao. Since it was still wee hours of the morning and that the travel was a bit long, we decided to sleep all throughout the travel and recover many lost hours of sleep (the day was after my final finals week in UP).

After a two-hour travel, we were finally in Lucban. Climbing down the bus, we were welcomed by the cool fresh breeze that I rarely, or never, experienced in Manila. Lucban is quietly settled at the foot of the grand Mt. Banahaw which is towering 1, 875 meters above sea level. Lucban is situated at the northwestern border of Quezon Province with geographical coordinates of 12º33' East longitude and 14º7' North latitude. Lying on a slope Northeast of Mt. Banahaw, the town stands at an elevation of 1, 500 feet above sea level.

Lucban is 160 kilometers from Metro Manila via Lucena, the provincial capital of Quezon and 133 kilometers or roughly three-and-a-half hour bus ride via Sta. Cruz-Pagsanjan route and can easily be reached by public transportation.

Lucban, Pahiyas, Longganisa, and the Buntal Hat

Lucban is very famous for its annual Pahiyas festival in honor of their patron Saint Isidore the farmer. It is also well known for the tasty Lucban longganisa which is sold at almost every street in the town. Little did i know that the known has more to boast for. It's people are exceptionally warm, the environment is extraordinarily clean, and another particular tradition continues to thrive: the buntal hat weaving. And with that I marveled at how these people preserve their tradition inspite the problems the modern world poses.

Tracking buntal hat weavers in Lucban was not difficult. There were many traditional shops in the town where one could ask for information. I went to a shop near the church where I met Nanay Lorena, the shopkeeper, whom I asked about buntal hats. She replied with words I could hardly say, much more understand: sambalilo and maglalala. Strange they may seem, the former is the local word for sombrero, and the latter is local for buntal hat weaving. She gave me the address of a lady who she personally knew.

Meeting the Traditional Artists

Nanay Tita lives in A. dela Cruz Street, one of Lucban's narrow streets that are outlined by closely built houses which look more like facades in city alleys and very unusual for a provincial town. Upon my arrival, I was greeted by her warm smile and delightful hospitality. She just came from a neighbor's house for her usual Sunday morning chats with her kumares. One of them was Nanay Letty who also came with her to meet the unexpected visitor.

A continuing heritage

Nanay Tita Elloso is 61 years old and is married to a farmer. She has four children, all of whom are already married. The oldest daughter now lives in Manila where she works as a midwife in a hospital. Her other married children and her granddaughters live with her.

Nanay Tita started weaving buntal hats when she was 12 years old. As far as she could remember, her great grandmother was also a buntal hat weaver. The skill was eventually passed on to her through her mother who learned it from the grandmother. Buntal weaving in the family is like a legacy bequeathed from one generation to the next, from mother to daughter. She has not finished any degree in college but is somehow content with her job as a full time weaver like her mother. But the present generation of the family - her daughters and granddaughters - are not keen on pursuing the tradition. What they desire is to finish a degree and get a job in Manila. The handicraft, for her, is becoming a family heritage abandoned, with she being the last in line. How much often she recounted to me her disappointment.

Nanay Letty Iglesia, Nanay Tita's long-time neighbor, kumare, and fellow buntal weaver, is 48 years old, also married to a farmer, and has 4 sons. She started weaving when she was in grade school, though she can no longer remember her exact age then. What she remembers is that she used to observe her mother do buntal hats at home as a child, until she finally became interested and decided to learn and continue her mother's trade. But unlike Nanay Tita, she works as a laundry woman aside from being a weaver. That she jokingly told me that she's a labandera by day, and a buntal weaver by night. Unfortunately, she has no one to teach in her children as she doesn't have daughters. Her granddaughters, despite her desire to teach them, are in no way interested to weave. What they want is to study. This gave her the same disappointment as Nanay Tita.

My arrival in Nanay Tita's house (by the way, I am with a friend whom I pestered to accompany me), spurred the attention of other neighbors who were taking their usual Sunday morning siesta. Little did I know that when I was talking to the two women, several others came in - children from the streets, some men who just wanted to get involved, and, to my delight, other women who are weavers and kiping makers or matikikiping as the locals would call. These women were present the entire time I was there and also shared their ideas.

Buntal hat weaving is a very common activity among women - mothers and grandmothers- in Lucban. These women do the weaving at home alone or with their kumares in the neighborhood during their usual chikahan sessions, as Nanay Tita confessed. These women, like my generous respondents, also learned the skill from their mothers. They do it as their primary job, or as a supplementary money-earning activity.

The buntal fiber as raw material

The main material used for the handicraft is the buntal fiber derived from the buri palm. Endemic to the Philippines, the buri (Corypha elata roxb) is considered as the largest palm in the islands and can grow to up to 20 to 40 meters in height. It has a characteristic large, fan-shaped leaves and stout petioles ranging from two to three meters in length. Its trunk can grow up to 1.5 meters in girth.

Buntal fibers are cylindrical in shape and are extracted from the petioles or palaya of the palm by retting or pulling. These fibers are exported from the nearby town of Siriaya, a known buri fiber production center, and sold in Lucban at P30 per bundle, a quantity enough to make one hat. The buntal fiber is also used for as the raw material for baskets, loom weaving, and in various items as shoes, slippers, coin purses, pen holders, window blinds, wall papers, screen dividers, desk organizers, etc.

Other types of fibers obtained from the buri palm are the raffia, which composes about 90% of fibers derived from the palm and is extracted from the young shoot or leaf, and the buri, which is from the matured leaf. The buri type of fiber is used for making hats, placemats, and bags. Raffia fibers are perfect for upholstery, shoes, slippers, tying materials, portfolio, and a lot more.
Fibers from buri palm are durable, amenable, and long-lasting, making them as one of the most important fibers in handicraft industries. And interestingly enough, not a single part of the palm, much like the closely related coconut tree, is laid to waste. Elegant furniture can be made from the midribs of the palm, fermented toddy from the sap, edible starch from the trunk, "ubud" from the bud, and rosary beads or buttons from hard seeds. The palm is also cultivated in other countries as Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Madagascar.

The buntal fiber bought in Lucban are already extracted and bundled by producers in Siriaya. The process of extraction, as the women recounted, is tedious and manual. Some machines are available, but according to them those done through the traditional means are a lot better. The fibers are pulled (hinuhugit) from the petioles of the palm, dried, and bleached. These then sorted out according to fiber size, bundled, and delivered to other towns.

The fibers that are bought in Lucban are yet to be subjected to a selection process before they are woven. The women themselves, using a certain crude implement, further segregate the fibers, a process called pag-iilo. The fine fibers, called pino, are used for the initial phases of weaving that will from the simula, while the coarser fibers, called the bastos, are used to weave the remaining part of the hat or the dahon.

The process of buntal weaving

Paglalala, or buntal hat weaving, is a home-based industry, transmitted from generation to generation, and labor intensive as it requires simple and crude tools. Only women weave, while men are involved mainly in making the implements and in the upstream process of fiber extraction and preparation.

The women describe the weaving process as salin-salin. Using the pino or fine fibers, the tuktok of the hat is made. In order to create a round, flat layer of weaved fiber, a wooden implement called ipitan is used that clips and holds steady the fibers while the first layers of the tucktok are being weaved. After weaving a disc with a diameter of more than 5 '/2 inches, the woven fibers are then transferred into a hulmahan or mold, a cylindrical wooden implement that forms the ulo of hat. Weaving then proceeds by following the shape of the mold until the height of 4 1/2 inches. Then the dahon is weaved using the coarse fibers. It is about 5 '/4 inches in length. These measurements are standard and followed by all the weavers in the area.

An essential part of making the buntal hat is the creation of the butas. These are designs applied to the ulo of the hat. Weavers have their own original designs and these can be outlines of different shapes created by particular patterns of weaving. Nanay Tita, for instance, applies small round designs which she learned from her mother. Nanay Letty, on the other hand, makes use of larger round designs. The finished product is ironed to flatten the dahon and trimmed to remove any excess fiber.

An essential part of making the buntal hat is the creation of the butas. I was amazed by the skill of Nanay Tita and Nanay Letty who both demonstrated the weaving process while I was interviewing them. Interestingly, their fingers have acquired the dexterity which made the weaving seem a second nature for them. With their distinctive Southern Tagalong accent, they spoke and laughed with me as they did the handicraft to which their fingers have accustomed. But Nanay Tita, complaining that she was old already, committed a single mistake that deformed the hat she was doing. Patiently, she unweaved the fiber and repeated the process from the point she made the mistake.

The buntal hat is sold in traditional shops found at almost every street in the town. Buntal hats delivered to these shops are painted with various colors and added with different designs. These hats are also exported.

Buntal weaving as business

Traditional art forms are created for the service of life. However, the buntal hats in Lucban may not seem to qualify as such since these hats are made mainly for business nowadays.

Buntal hat production involves contract labor arrangements or subcontracting arrangements where women weavers are provided with fibers for production and paid for each hat that they produced. The investors, called namumuhunan, pay them P120 for each hat the produce. Nanay Letty can finish one hat in 3 to 4 days, while Nanay Tita, who weaves full-time, can finish one in two days.

Still, the money they earn is not enough to make their daily ends meet. Nanay Tita relied heavily on his husband's farm produce to finance the education of their children while her wages from buntal weaving are only supplementary. Nanay Letty works full time as a laundry woman and weaves only during the night. His husband is also a farmer.

The buntal hat as a traditional art form

Buntal weaving started in Baliuag, Bulacan before World War II. In Lucban, the people claim their sambalilo as their very own and, along with the famous Pahiyas, is a symbol of their town's identity.

Today, buntal hat weaving continues to thrive as a traditional activity in the town, though most women, if not all, do it mainly for motives of wages. In a contractual arrangement where each one is paid according to the number of hats produced, women are left with no opportunities for creativity as what the system resembles is an assembly line were productivity is measured in terms of quantity, not quality.

Nanay Tita and Nanay Letty have each been producing identical hats far a long time, and have not changed the design of the butas which would create uniqueness of the product. It is in the shops where their woven hats are painted and adorned with ribbons and laces.

But personally, I still like the plain buntal hat that truly reveals the ingenuity and intricateness of the handicraft and its creators.

Coda

Buntal hat weaving remains as a traditional activity among some women in Lucban. However, it faces a formidable danger of being forgotten as the younger generation chooses not to learn the craft and as commercialization of the product prevents the women from exercising creativity in their work.

***
I wrote this paper last year for my Fine Arts 28 class which is on Philippine Art Appreciation under Sir Dodo Defeo.

The benefits of leisure

2007-03-09T19:07:00.000+08:00

Politicians also have no leisure, because they are always aiming at something beyond political life itself - Power and glory, or happiness.

-Aristotle

Interesting! This morning, while cleaning the shells on display at home (they have turned dusty gray), I learned something new about how they actually grow. Most shells (if not all) grow their shells clockwise. That is why you can see distinctive clockwise patterns in them. Interestingly enough, you can also note, especially in some species (e.g. gastropods), their sizes before they assumed their present size. Try observing your shells on display at home, you'll be amazed. That's something new I learned today! Truly, leisure time (too much of it) brings a lot of learning.

Risk management, anyone?

2007-02-26T21:39:00.000+08:00

The secret of life? The secret's in the sauce.

- tagline of Fried Green Tomatoes (1991)

I'm excited. I'm just days away from employment in another - and far better - bank. I have one final interview left before finally saying goodbye to the unemployed sector of which I have been a desperate member for more than two months.

And the job? Risk management. Alright, it's the same job as Ben Stiller's in the movie Along Came Polly. Well, I just hope everythings goes well in my interview next week with the American group head for risk management in South East Asia who is based in Singapore.

Right now I'm reading about - guess what? - Financial Risk Management. Wikipedia really comes in handy, especially for totally ignoramus people like me.

MRT moments

2007-02-23T12:33:00.000+08:00

Pasahero 1: Padaan ho.
Pasahero 2: Wala nang lugar. Ang sikip sikip na!
Pasahero 1: Eh, galaw-galaw nang kunit para hindi ma-stroke!

*******

Pasahero1: Galaw ka naman dyan pare, ang sikip-sikip na dito.
Pasahero2: Gago ka pala eh, and sikip na nga!
Pasahero2: Eh gago ka rin!
Ako: (Silently) Mga gago pala tong dalawa...

*******

Pasahero 1: Ang sikip-sikip talaga sa MRT. Ang init!
Pasahero2: Di magtaxi ka na lang kung magrereklamo ka.
Pasahero3: Oo nga, magtaxi ka na lang!
Ako: (Silently) Ang sikip na nga, nakikisawsaw pa sa usapan 'tong isa dito...

Unhappy Meals!

2007-02-22T10:17:00.000+08:00

A Chicken McNugget is corn upon corn upon corn, beginning with corn-fed chicken all the way through the obscure food additives and the corn starch that holds it together.

-Michael Pollan, science journalist

I just finished reading an interesting article written by Michael Pollan and published in the New York Times about the prevailing dietary trends of Americans. Entitled Unhappy Meals, the article is fun to read as the author's wit and superb knowledge about the subject will never bore you as you go along the long essay.

You can read it here. It's quite long do, so take your time and grab your favorite vitamin fortified, low salt, low cholesterol, omega3-rich, and preservative-free chips -- and find yourself guilty of what Pollan calls Nutritionism.

the previous weeks

2007-02-21T11:27:00.001+08:00

The previous weeks have been quite stressful for me. Not that I underwent extreme physical labor. What I experienced were more of disappointments and upturn of unexpected events that made my life more difficult and complicated, at least in this job hunting phase I'm in right now.

While in an interview in Ortigas:

"Is the company earning?" asked the General Manager of a multinational company who gave me a quantitative graph for analysis. I immediately said yes, noticing that the graph showed an increasing trend. That was the start of the booby which until now leaves me clueless as to why it happened to me.

It was as if a total black out closed down the entire circuitry of my brain. I was totally incapable of analysis, much less doing simple arithmetic operations. Imagine, I couldn't even arrive at the answer of - guess what - 5.3/1.06. It took me five minutes (or even more) to compute it. It was really a shame - a big shame on me. I spent four years in the university solving calculus problems and analyzing more complex graphs and just end up clueless as to how to determine simple ratios using arithmetic.

Later on when asked to explain the graph and still clueless, I went on stating the most stupid analysis I have ever made in my entire life. I watched in horror as my interviewee changed his facial expression, as if wondering if I ever am a UP graduate. Nevertheless, I got back on my senses towards the end of the interview and, to my consolation, I did answer correctly some of the questions. But it was too late already to undo what happened earlier. I went home wondering why it all happened. My important lesson: at least I learned that 5.3/1.06 is equal to 5!

During the PAASE international scientific conference in Century Park Hotel:

Being chosen as one of the presentors, I was supposed to speak about my undergraduate thesis. Hours before my presentation, GMA dropped by to deliver her keynote address to the scientific community whom she impressed with promises and financial support (well I do hope that at least half of them will be realized). She also took lunch there. Upon leaving, I was one of those who shook her hands (talk about being shtar shtruck! Hehehe).

When it was my turn to present, I was really very nervous. I thought that a three-day preparation was not enough, especially that I was going to talk in front of scientists from here and abroad. But thank God, everything went well. During the Q&A portion, the question asked by Dr. Baldomero Olivera (who, by the way, is this year's Harvard Scientist Awardee) was the one I expected the most: What is semidominant mutation? Thus, I gave the perfect answer (modesty aside, ahemm).

But the thing is that because of my trying too look and speak excellently in the conference, I’m now offered a job by Dr. Olivera and Dr. Concepcion in the Marine Science Institute of UP Diliman. They wanted me to join their group on their research on Conus and Turrid snails. Undoubtedly, these creatures are among the very amazing invertebrates on earth. They are very venomous (and many people don’t know about this) and live all throughout the archipelago (shallow or deep sea water). There have been reported incidents of people dying or injured because of these snails. More importantly, these snails hold a lot of promise for drug discovery – their venom is rich with a plethora of pharmacologically active peptides.

Surely, research work is very noble, intellectual, and, in the Philippine setting, very patriotic. However, I can’t see myself doing it. Though I finished molecular biology, I am now more inclined to pursue a career in the corporate world. And honestly, finding one is very difficult provided my background in science and my lack of technical knowledge in accounting and business. But I’m really trying hard to get a good job. Hopefully I’ll start working again in two weeks’ time.

Hence, I might not accept the job offer though I admire the efforts of Filipino scientists to advance science and research in the country amidst tremendous challenges. Indeed, what the Philippines needs is a robust scientific and research background to make it competitive. Yet, Filipino scientists and researchers, in spite their international fame and significant contribution to science, remain the most underpaid professionals in the country. How I look with utmost respect many scientists I meet in UP, but can’t resist feeling sorry over how their intellectual value is deemed insignificant by a society too preoccupied with other concerns, valid or not. They should also be called bagong bayani. I hope the government and the Filipino people will realize this soon, lest more and more Filipino talent, ingenuity, resource, and opportunity to excel in the international arena will be lost.

Presently:

Today is Ash Wednesday so I already heard Mass this morning. Earlier this morning I was observing the bird couple nesting in our garden. They're now teaching their fledglings how to fly! I’m now on my way to an interview in Makati in a company involved in mass media. Wish me luck!

IDENTIFICATION OF A TRUNCATING MUTATION IN THE HOMEODOMAIN (HD) OF PAX3 IN THREE GENERATIONS OF A FILIPINO FAMILY WITH WAARDENBURG SYNDROME TYPE 1

2007-02-13T12:22:00.000+08:00

Part of a scientist's duty is to inform people - in layman's terms -
scientific breakthroughs that are relevant to society and to each one.
Thus, while preparing for an oral presentation this week for an international
scientific and engineering conference (PAASE), I thought it's good to post
the abstract of my undergraduate thesis.

Enjoy reading!

**********

IDENTIFICATION OF A TRUNCATING MUTATION IN THE HOMEODOMAIN (HD)
OF PAX3 IN THREE GENERATIONS OF A FILIPINO FAMILY
WITH WAARDENBURG SYNDROME TYPE 1

Andrew Agunod, Jr. and Cynthia Palmes-Saloma, Ph.D.
Laboratory of Molecular and Cell Biology, National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City

ABSTRACT

Waardenburg Syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant genetic disease characterized by defects of neural crest (NC) origin arising from mutations in genes associated with NC cell migration, differentiation, and survival during embryogenesis. We present three generations of a Filipino family with eight (8) Waardenburg Syndrome type 1 (WS1) affected members showing congenital unilateral or bilateral hearing loss, eye pigmentation defects, patchy hypopigmentation of the skin, white forelock, and dystopia canthorum. Mutations in the PAX3 gene which encodes a trancsription factor have been implicated in WS1. In this study, we screened for mutations in the DNA-binding paired domain (PD) and homoeodomain (HD) of Pax3 in all affected members. The paired domain which is frequently involved in WS1 cases and is encoded by exons 2 and 3 contained no mutations. However, in all affected members, there was a C→T transition in nucleic acid 1033 (C1033T) resulting to a nonsense mutation in codon 233 (R223X) affecting the homeodomain region, thus indicating that a mutation in one of the alleles of PAX3 is sufficient to cause the repertoire of neural crest abnormalities in WS1-affected individuals.

INTRODUCTION

Waardenburg Syndrome (WS) is an autosomal dominant neural crest abnormality associated with most common cases of congenital deafness. It has an incidence rate of 1 in 40,000 individuals and is known to exhibit wide genetic and clinical heterogeneity [1]. One of the four types of the disease is Waardenburg Syndrome 1 (WS1) which is characterized by dystopia canthorum (lateral displacement of the inner canthi of the eyes), congenital unilateral or bilateral sensorineural deafness, heterochromia irides (defect in eye pigmentation), white forelock, and patchy hypopigmentation of the skin.

The only causative gene associated with WS1 is the PAX-3 gene, coding for a transcription factor expressed by developing cells during embryogenesis. The neural crest cells that originate from the dorsal region of the neural tube actively express Pax3 which is required for their survival and differentiation into various tissues including the neurons in the peripheral nervous system, ganglia in the gut, pigment cells in the skin and eyes, and facial cartilage. PAX-3 is a member of the paired type gene family conserved among different species. It contains a paired box domain, an octapeptide, a homeodomain, and a Ser-Thre-Pro-rich COOH terminus. The paired box domain and homeodomain are conserved regions that bind to DNA and are essential for proper functioning of the Pax3 transcription factor which directly activates, in synergy with Sox10, the MITF gene that encodes another transcription factor critically involved in melanocyte differentiation through its action on tyrosinase gene expression [2]. Mutations in the Splotch locus of chromosome 1 in mice generate an animal model for WS1.

Sequence analysis of more than 90% of individuals with WS1 showed mutations in the PAX3 gene varying from simple single point mutations to large deletions. Mutations are numerous in the conserved regions of the paired box and homeobox regions found in exons 2-4 and 5-6 respectively. Knowledge on how these mutations caused the phenotypic characteristics seen in WS1 as well as the epistatic relationship between MITF and PAX3 have provided new insights on the role of genetic factors in the emergence of a disease phenotype that could help in the prognosis and management of the disorder.

In this study, we show that WS1 in three generations of a Filipino family is due to a C → Ttransition mutation in nucleic acid 1033 (C1033T) in the homeodomain region of one of the alleles of PAX3 resulting to a stop codon TGA in amino acid 233 of the transcription factor.

METHODOLOGY

Identification of a WS1 family. A three generation family with WS1-affected members was diagnosed by physicians studying pigmentary defects and was referred to us for further genetic workup. Affected individuals exhibited dystopia canthourm, a defining feature for WS1. Blood samples were collected from eight (8) available members of the WS1 family. A written consent was signed by the family members granting the researchers permission to use pertinent data and photographs for research publication purposes.

Genotyping and sequence analysis. Total genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood using Wang’s method. Primers were designed to amplify exons 2, 3 and 4, coding for the paired box, and exons 5 and 6 for the homeodomain of Pax3. Primers were designed to anneal at the intron-exon boundaries. Large scale PCR amplification was performed and the resulting products were gel-purified using Wizard® Minicolumn (Promega). Direct DNA sequencing using ABI-PRISM™ 377 DNA sequencer was then performed for all the samples. Sequences obtained were analyzed using Chromas™, Sequencher™ version 4.0.5 (Gene Codes Corporation, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA) and Multalin™ (Corpet, 1988; http://prodes.toulouse.inra.fr/multalin/multalin.html). The PAX3 reference sequence was obtained from the Ensembl (www.ensembl.org) database.

RESULTS and DISCUSSION

Waardenburg Syndrome Type 1 is a genetic disease characterized by defects in neural crest cells during embryogenesis and has an occurrence of 1 in 40,000 individuals worldwide [3]. The pedigree of the three-generation family in this study exhibits an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance, confirming early investigations. There are 8 WS1-affected members in the family. The proband (II-5) has an affected father (II-1) and 3 of her siblings (II-1, II-10, and II-12), including herself, are also affected. Two (2) out of her 4 children (III-4 and III-6) inherited the disease while all the children of her normal siblings did not show any signs of WS1 (Figure 1 A). This pattern of inheritance where 50% of the children of an affected parent inherits the disease is characteristic of an autosomal dominant disorder.

Waardenburg syndrome is known to exhibit wide clinical heterogeneity due to differences in disease penetrance [1]. Affected members shows variable degrees of skin hypopigmentation, hearing loss, and eye and hair pigmentation abnormalities (Figure 1B). All were diagnosed with dystopia canthorum which is the defining feature for WS1. The full blown WS1 phenotype was observed in the sister and daughter (middle photo, Fig 1B) of the proband, who are both deaf-mute due to profound bilateral deafness, and have blue eyes and distinctive white forelocks. These symptoms were completely absent in normal members. The phenomenon of WS1 disease penetrance remains highly unclear. Moreover, while it was observed that some individuals with the same PAX3 mutation have varied phenotypes, there are those with a single base mutation and whole gene deletion that have similar features [4]. Nevertheless, genetic background and nonrandom environmental factors are pointed out to influence disease etiology [5].

The paired domain region is a critical binding domain of PAX3. Since the paired domain is upstream of the homeodomain, an abrogation at exon 2, 3 or 4 can lead to the abrogation of the homeodomain as well. Though mutations are numerous in both areas, mutations in the paired domain seemed more critical and more frequent in studies of WS1 families. PCR amplification of exons 2, 3 and 4 from the proband yielded fragments of 330, 312 and 382 bps, respectively. Products from exons 2 and 3 were gel-purified and sequenced. DNA sequences were visualized and edited using Chromas™ and sequence alignment was performed using Multalin™. The two exons subjected to direct sequencing revealed clean chromatograms with no indication of any sequence variations from the control. This result indicates that the paired domain of the proband is unaffected and suggests the existence of mutation(s) in some other part of the gene.

Primers FP and RP designed to amplify exon 5 showed products 240 bp in size. Products of the same size and intensity were amplified for all samples (Fig. 2A), eliminating the possibility of a large-scale deletion in the gene. Direct sequencing of Pax3 exon 5 DNA from the proband revealed a double peak for C and T as shown in Fig. 2B. The wild type C is located at nucleic acid 1033 and is part of codon 233 coding for arginine. Substitution by a mutant T (C1033T) in the sequence results to a stop codon (R223X) truncating the protein. PCR products were also sequenced indirectly by cloning in TOPO® vector. Sequencing revealed two alleles: a wild-type exon 5 with a C at nucleic acid 1033, and a mutant allele with a T at the same location (Fig. 2C). The same non-sense mutation was first described by Baldwin et al. [4] and is documented in the Human Gene Mutation Database (HGMD CM984205 www.hgmd.cf.ac.uk) as one of the causative mutations of WS1. This truncating mutation is detrimental to the proper functioning of Pax3 as it produces a protein without a DNA-binding homeodomain. Fortin et al [6] showed that the paired domain and homeodomain regions of Pax3, though individually possessing different sequence preference and high affinity as modular units, function interdependently and cooperatively in binding DNA in vivo. This implies that a mutation in either domain can lead to an impaired or dysfunctional transcription factor.

Direct sequencing of samples from other members of the family showed the presence of the same transition mutation C1003T in all WS1 individuals. The father, sister, son2, and daughter are heterozygous at the same region in the chromatogram while the unaffected husband, son1, and son3 demonstrated normal peaks (Fig. 3). This showed that the heterozygous allele C1033T was inherited by the proband from the father and was passed on to the third generation of her family.

One of the known functions of Pax3 is to transactivate the expression of MITF which is known as the master gene for melanogenesis (OMIM 156845). An impaired Pax3 affects the development of neural crest cell-derived melanocytes due to deficient levels of expression of the MITF gene that codes for a transcription factor which directs the expression of genes indispensable for melanocyte development such as the tyrosinase gene, TRP1, and TRP2 [2]. Melanocytes are responsible for pigmentation in the skin, eyes, and hair. They also form part of the cochlea of the inner ear. This explains the disease phenotype of WS1 patients where patients suffer from pigmentary anomalies in the skin, hair, and eyes and partial or bilateral hearing loss. Dystopia canthorum is present in almost all cases of WS1 and is considered as the defining feature for the genetic disorder. The phenotype is a direct consequence of mutations in Pax3 which is involved in the proper formation of facial structures.

In mice, a homozygous mutation in PAX3 is embryonic lethal due to an impaired development of the central nervous system. In humans, heterozygous PAX3 mutations lead to WS3, a more severe type with limb abnormalities. In another study, Pax3 was revealed to act in synergy with Sox10 in transactivating MITF expression [7].This provided an explanation for the molecular basis of WS4, another WS variant with additional feature similar to Hirschsprung Disease, implicating SOX10.

Primers designed to amplify the paired and homeodomains have been demonstrated to successfully amplify the desired regions from both wildtype and affected individuals. These primers can be excellent tools for screening for mutations in the Pax3 gene of WS1 patients.

CONCLUSION

Waardenbrug Syndrome Type 1 (WS1), a rare autosomal dominant disease, is known to be caused by mutations in the PAX3 gene. Pax3, a transcription factor, important for the development of neural crest cells, contains two DNA binding domains, namely the paired box and the homeodomain. Mutations in both regions have been known to cause WS1. The WS1 phenotype was observed in a three-generation family exhibiting defects in neural crest cell development such as eye pigmentation abnormality, skin hypopigmentation, whit forelock, dystopia canthorum, and sensorineural defects. Sequence analysis successfully established that exons 2 and 3 of the preoband was similar to the wildtype control. Direct and indirect sequencing of the homeodomain region of PAX3 revealed a heterozygous transition mutation in nucleic acid 1033 (C1033T) that resulted to a nonsense mutation R223X. This point mutation resulted to a truncated protein responsible for the characteristic WS1 phenotype in the three-generation family.

REFERENCES
(1) Waardenburg PJ. 1951. A new syndrome combining developmental anomalies of the eyelids, eyebrows and nose with pigmentary defects of the iris and head hair and with congenital deafness. Am Jorn of Hum Genetics 3:195-253.
(2) Bondurand N, Pingault v et al. 2000. Interaction among Sox10, Pax3, and MITF, three genes altered in Waardenburg syndrome. Hum Nolec genet. 9:1907-1917.
(3) Read AP and Newton VE. 1997. Waardenburg syndrome. J. Med. Genet. 34: 656-665. Retrieved March 21, 2006 from http://jmg.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/abstract/34/8/656
(4) Baldwin C, Hoth C, Macina R and Milunsky A.1995. Mutations in PAX3 that cause Waardenburg syndrome type 1: ten new mutations and review of the literature. Am J of med genet 58:115-122.
(5) Morell R, Friedman, TB, Asher JH, Robbins LG. 1997. The incidence of deafness is non-randomly distributed among families segregating for Waardenburg Synsrome type 1 (WS1). J. Med. Genet 34:447-452.
(6) Fortin A, Underhill D and Gruss P. 1997. Reciprocal effectof Waardenburg syndrome mutations on DNA binding by the Pax 3 paired domain and homeodomain. Hum Molec Genet 6:1781-1790.
(7) Potterf SB, Furumura M, Dunn KJ, Arnheiter H, Pavan WJ. 2000. Transcription factor hierarchy in Waardenburg syndrome: regulation of MITF expression by SOX10 and PAX3. Hum. Genet. 107:1-6. Abstract retrieved March 20, 2006 from Pubmed database at http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov

THE CALL

2007-02-08T17:48:00.000+08:00

"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius -- and a lot of courage -- to move in the opposite direction." -Albert Eistein

I was about to break down in utter hopelessness when suddenly a call came... Yes the call I have been expecting weeks before. I couldn't believe it, but that was the call, the call that would save me from the oceans of uncertainty.

Now what I have to do is to nurture optimism and get rid of this trifling pessimism that has clouded me for weeks. Andrew, wake up! You got a lot of things to do. Work! Work! Nunc!

JOBLESS BLUES I

2007-02-05T11:44:00.001+08:00

Five months have passed since my graduation and I still linger on the nostalgia of my life as a student. Why? Simply because I still don’t know how it feels to be a professional. I still don’t have work!

My last months in the University were very tense: papers, thesis, org activities, and not to mention, a litany of exams which I have to go through before the UP grants me the diploma as passport to the professional world. I survived all of those and even graduated with honors – something which I became really proud of and gave me the impression that I was among the highly in demand graduates of the country. But I was wrong all the while!

Job offers didn’t arrive on a silver platter. My kayabangan, which by the way is typical to some students of the premiere state university, got the better of me when I didn’t start looking for a prospective job months before graduation. I held the impression that companies will compete against one another in hiring me once they know I’m from UP. But it seems that the State University no longer rings a bell. Until now, only a few of the companies I applied to responded.

But in fairness on my part and to my alma mater, my case is more circumstantial rather than due to my incompetence (here goes the kayabangan again). The one and only job I applied to last April was in the National Institutes of Health in UP Manila. I expected immediate hiring because I believed they would not have any doubts on me since I’m UP graduate myself. But UP, as any other government institutions, is a multi-layered bureaucracy. My first interview was on June, my second on July, and my appointment approval by the UP president is still unknown (even the personnel processing my documents are themselves uncertain of how long it will take). For one, applicants accepted last May aren’t yet working up to press time.

So on July I started to look for a job elsewhere and outside the course I finished. Molecular biology and biotechnology graduates in the Philippines (there are only around 30 graduates each year and only from UP) end up in the academe teaching or doing research, medical schools, or graduate schools abroad. Since I didn’t like to teach, didn’t have plans of studying again (still got to earn!), and no longer intend to go to med school (enough of headaches!), my only option was to do research. But pursuing such a career in a Third World country is not at all financially rewarding, not to mention the perpetual process of applying for the job (certificate of eligibility, medical exams, computer exams, two month-long interviews: by the time you start working, your first salary is not even enough to pay what you spent for all these!) Thus, I didn’t have any choice but to cross boundaries and see what’s in store for me in the corporate world.

Thanks to the internet, job seekers now have their best friends: jobstreet.com, jobsDB.com, and a lot other job websites seeking to help desperate job hunters in this country of around two million people unemployed (count me in!). These sites are where major companies (except for a select few) advertise their job vacancies and accept applications from job seekers who create and deposit their resumes online.

Through these websites I applied in top companies as Nestle, Unilever, Abbott Laboratories, San Miguel Corporation, Procter&Gamble, and so on. But I only received replies from a few companies because most of the job vacancies are in finance and marketing totally unrelated to my course in college, but not at all alien to me.

Since high school, business and economics have been among my interests along with science. But thanks to Discovery Channel and The National Geographic, my penchant for science – specifically molecular biology and medicine – flourished while my liking for anything that has to do with money drowned into the depths of today’s scientific revolution.

Have I got any regrets then? None at all! Molecular biology has been very exciting for me. I never thought that I will be doing the same stuff as the scientists I saw in TV when I was a kid. The DNA, immunology, cloning, molecular genetics, PCR, ELISA: only a privileged few – at least in a country like ours – are given the chance to learn these in lectures and experiments that often involve very expensive gadgets and reagents. I also had excellent company around; the best professors and the brightest blockmates (we have four summa cum laudes in the batch!). Taking the course taught me discipline in my studies and making good use of my time.

During these days, how much I long for the day when I start working. As each day passes, I get more and more desperate; but something inside tells me that the right job for me is coming. This leaves me thinking when that job is coming, and what a lot of stress it gives me!

*Written sometime August of last year. Watch out for Part II.

DILEMMAS AND DECISIONS

2007-02-05T11:31:00.000+08:00

Call it a dilemma, the feeling as if the world is full of choices and yet you can’t decide. Call it a deadlock, the final moment when you have to decide but failed to do so. Call it a tragedy, a decision wrongly made. It is horrible.

Today’s world is an avenue of choices. Every stop is a matter decision. Every corner is another road that takes you to another route, another destination which you should take but failed to do so or should never but did so because you are not sure. You are lost. The world is full of possibilities, yet not all are good. For teenagers like me, these are realities which we have to face and live with everyday. Every moment of our lives is a matter of choice, and a wrong decision may mean a lot.

I remembered one summer when I was about 5 years old. In our province, like any other province in the country during hot seasons, rice paddies are dry. What were left in the fields were withered knee-high rice stalks on the scorched earth, making the plains an attractive and excellent playground for barrio kids like me. The dried paddies are perfect for kite flying, hide and seek, taya, and even for bullying around with my amigos. Playing under the sun during those days was like heaven for me, until one day I was not permitted by my mom to go out and play because of my asthma. My mom was not my problem though – for it was my aunt who was so strict.

One afternoon before sending me to sleep (I really hated sleeping during afternoons), my aunt told me to never set foot outside the house. I hesitantly said yes and forced myself to bed, knowing that she was sitting beside me and observing. After minutes of pretending to be asleep, I felt her left my side and heard her footsteps going upstairs. Alas! She went to her room to take a nap thinking I was already in dreamland. An opportunity came to me to escape to my ‘playground’, but that moment turned out to be a dilemma.

I was caught between obedience and the desire for fun. If I obey my aunt, I would be stuck in the house the entire afternoon in boredom; but if disobey, I would have fun the entire afternoon in the fields. I chose the latter. I did have a great time, but when I went home, I was severely punished. Imagine a child crying his lungs out, kneeling on salt. That was a lesson still vivid in my mind, and so was the horror of making a wrong decision.

During another summer when I was 10, a basketball clinic was held in our city. I haven’t yet learned playing basketball then, so I asked my mom if I could join – and she said no because I had asthma and I was fat. Helpless for she was never convinced, I obeyed. All my friends joined and learned how to play basketball very well. Until now, I still haven’t learned how to play the game. All I can do is dribble and shoot, and that’s all.

Looking back through these memories makes me realize that I was once punished for I disobeyed and lost an opportunity to learn for I obeyed. It compels me to think of how many decisions I have wrongly made and how much I have learned from them. It gives me fear thinking that I still have not learned; and now that I’m older, wrong decisions may spell disaster to my life.

Life now for me is more demanding and choices that I am faced with are more profound than whether to have fun or get bored alone. It is now more of whether you do what you ought to do or not. It is now more of a responsibility. Now obedience is no longer a matter of punishment and permissions, but a matter of will and generosity.

Now is the time when I have to make decisions that will change my life in a way that they will become my life. I have to decide on things fast and quickly, for my days are already counted before facing the ultimate end of everything. And when that very moment comes, I hope that I will never account to God for not living a life He wanted me to live.

As for my aunt, she now has her own family, happily living a life she willfully chose. And my mom, because of her love and self-giving, has taught me to give my best in whatever I aspire to do and in things I need to do – and it’s a whole lot better than learning basketball.

And now, it’s my turn to decide on important things – quickly and surely!

* Written on January 2004 at about 11 pm. The following day was a major exam and I was cramming. Thank God I still got a high mark.

NAZARENO

2007-01-09T15:09:00.000+08:00

Just a while ago I took the LRT going to La Salle. Sitting in front of me was an old woman of around 70 years of age, wearing a loose white shirt, a faded pair of jeans, and an almost worn-out bakya. She tucked her black bag close to her left shoulder as more people from the next station came in. In her right hand, I noticed a white towel which she folded such that I could only read a single word printed on it: Nazareno. Then I knew where she was heading - to Quiapo where, today, thousands of devotees pay homage to the miraculous image of Jesus the Nazarene.

Seeing these people risk their safety in a sea of devotees in order to touch the image is very edifying. Lola's courage, with her advanced age and deteriorating physical health, is even more moving.

THAI COUP

2006-09-21T11:01:00.000+08:00

The coup that happened in Thailand yesterday was rather swift and peaceful, breaking the reputation of the country that suffered bloody coups in the past.

Will the same thing happen in the Philippines? Observers say that it is unlikely since GMA is in control with the military, for the moment.

But what I do hope is that our politicians will stop bickering among themselves and start doing things relevant to the country.

BENEDETTO XVI

2006-09-20T13:35:00.000+08:00

The lecture of Pope Benedict that he gave in Regensburg (Germany) sparked anger among Muslims all over the world. They cried foul when the Pope quoted a Byzantine emperor who labeled Islam as a religion born out of violence. But the Pope's intention of doing so is far from denigrating Islam, which I am sure he holds with high regard, but to show that religion should embrace logos or reason. His motive was never to exalt a religion at the expense of another, but to build bridges for healthy dialogue between cultures so varied yet united in their principles of human nature and dignity.

For those critics, Muslims and none-Muslims alike, and Catholics who went as far as doubting the credibility and intention of the Holy Father, I invite you to read his lecture in its entirety in order to grasp the fulness of his message that seeks to embrace all people of all cultures by lauding reason as among man's most important gift from God.

You can access his speech here.

GOT A BLOG!

2006-09-19T11:46:00.000+08:00

Got a blog!

Finally, I got a blog!

While researching in the net for some info about the corn industry in the Philippines, I can across this picture which scientists (like me, ahemm) would really find stupid and at the same time frustrating...

Greenpeace volunteers uprooted Bt corns planted in a farm in Mindoro. The problem is that they're too overdressed for the job, possibly due to ignorance of what Bt corn is, or maybe because they want to put up a show which, in the end, they would turn out as funny.

Bt corn is a genetically modified crop that is resistant to insect pests. Scientists created this crop by integrating the gene of a certain harmless soil bacteria named Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) into the corn genome. This gene produces a toxin that specifically kills insects, but is harmless to mammals and most other creatures. Thus, contrary to claims loudly voiced out by some people who heed not the scientific facts behing Bt corn, the crop is not at all toxic for consumption.

What makes them look stupid is that the volunteers are dressed as if they were going to handle a highly infectious pathogen. Truly, they are an epitome of ignorance (sorry for the term) that miseducates the people. What makes it frustrating is that their misconducts are hampering the technology that may make the lives of millions of people better.