Taking the Cup of Kindness

And on the last day of 2009, Eternal Wanderer bids 2009 a good riddance goodbye, and wishes eveyone a joyful incoming 2010!

Cheers to you, guys and gals!

UST Singers Alumni of America featuring their quintessential soprano, Joan Cano

The Year that is About to Pass

A roller coaster year.

Cagbalete. The Great Flood. Mom's visit. Band of brothers. Binondo. Relatives ahoy. Hello Kitty. Bohol. Blogging. Loss. Generosity of spirit. Learning.  La Union. Blogger friends. Injury. Cebu. Happiness. Vigan. Tampuhan. SF. Spice. Desktop suvives. Bataan.  Teaching. Musa survives. Triumph.

Life.

Now, I welcome 2010 with open arms.

A Christmas Carol

"Look around about and see, 
what a world of wonder this world can be!"

Despite a rough year, this is the perfect time to remember that there are still plenty of things to be grateful for.

With this performance he sang at, Eternal Wanderer wishes all his family, friends, and readers, and his Hello Kitty, a truly meaningful season.

A Merry, Merry Christmas to you all!

Comments on the Comments of a Post

My my my, Ewik, one of my favorite bloggers, seemed to have stirred a hornet's nest with his post on the transaction of some trannie tricks in a coffeshop.  Actually, it was Rudeboy's equally provoking commentary that added (a LOT of) fuel to the fire.  I'll try to avoid the fray in Ewik's comments section and chip in my thoughts on this post instead.

Avatar, or The Amazing Dumb Blondness of Eternal Wanderer

Eternal Wanderer is such a ditzy dumb blond.  He was at Trinoma last Saturday to have his usual movie date with EB.  Actually, EB didn't really want to go out of his house, but all that Eternal Wanderer had to do was flip make wagaway his long flaxen locks at EB, and voila, EB was out of his house in no time.

That always does the trick! teehee

Anyhoo, Eternal Wanderer was pretty much excited to watch the movie.  Come to think of it what was more fun that watching something about the likes of instant chat messaging and the wonderful world of Yahoo?  He thought he could pick up ideas on how to dress up and style his image on the upper right side corner of the YM chat window.

Paskong Walang Hanggang

Tinanong mo sa akin kung ano ang gusto ko
upang mapaligaya ang aking Pasko.
Bakit mo pa kaya kailangan sabihin sa akin 'yan,
para naman kasi hindi mo pa alam.

Ang aking araw-araw ay iyo ng iniba
mula pa nung ikaw ay aking nakilala.
Pinasayaw ang ikot ng aking munting mundo,
binigyan ng dahilan ang bawat oras at minuto.

The Story of My Art 3

The Story of my Art 2

On the day itself, I deliberately refrained from running through the two pieces.  Some of the members were asking expecting a full run.

I said no.

I told them, "We have been practicing for the past five weeks.  What would another run though do except tire you out?  Everything that was needed to be learned was already covered.  I'm not asking you to be perfect, but what I'm asking for is that you give your best shot when you go onstage.  I'm doing this because I have to trust that I taught you well.  I have to trust that you will perform with all honesty and integrity.  I have faith that you will deliver, so you have to have faith in yourselves."

The Story of My Art 2

The Story of my Art 1

It was an uphill battle from the start for the choir and me.  Given the fact that the pool of auditionees was limited to members of the organization, to say that there were scant options is an understatement.  Nonetheless, I personally listened to those who auditioned, and handpicked people who had  sharp ears and good tonal memory.  The rehearsal period was very short, and I'd really rather have a group who  were fast learners rather than singers with beautiful voices.

My gamble paid off.  We finished off the piece of our choice in three days.  I was excited with the fact that I managed to secure the permit of the arranger of the score to have the group do the Philippine premiere.  It was actually a commissioned work for a foreign choir; another Filipino choir had sung it, but only performed it abroad.  Luckily, I was also able to ask the choirmaster of that ensemble to allow us to premiere the work here in the Philippines. With his blessings, he gave the go signal.

The Story of My Art 1

I spent the whole night tossing and turning because of all the mounting tension.  When I finally did,  sleep proved to be fitful and restless.  I was fully expecting to wake up filled with panic and anxiety. However, as I opened my eyes a few hours later, the sun was up and shining bright.  I surprisingly felt serene and composed.

A good omen, perhaps?

I assured myself, "Today is a good day to win."

Eternal Wanderer Lives in Melrose Place

I had a most interesting call yesterday afternoon.  I chatted for prolly a good hour with the former long-time partner of Popsy.  Mom excepted, of all the women in my dad's life, that former partner is the one I'm closest to.  I was actually saddened when Popsy and her broke up because I really, really like her.  Now, Popsy has a new girlfriend, and I think the former partner is also with someone else right now. Just like my mom, former partner and my dad are kewl. She's even kewl with his new girlfriend.

All's well that end's well right?

Enter Madame Claudia Selina Powers.  But call her Glenn Close, for short.

Ang Pangbubukas sa Pangangalakal ni Eternal Wanderer

Si Eternal Wanderer ay nag-moment ng dalawang gabi. Hindi nya alam kung bakit. Nakakalurkey ang ganun.

Pero positive sya na tao. Sabi nya sa sarili nya, "Naku tama na ang emo. Keribelz lang umemo, pero wag aalagaan mashado.  Baka maging babu ni Janice lang yan!"

Kaya hayun.  Pumunta na lang si Eternal Wanderer sa YouuChoob at yumuyog sa tugtuging ito:

E di bonggang bongga ever ang kasiyahan si Eternal Wanderer! At in fairview, production number kung production number si Ate Guy a. Si Fafa Lloyd Samartino, ang wafu wafu naman!

Tara, Hello Kitty, yugyugan na tayo! weeeeeeee

P.S.

Sa mga nag-akala, e hindi ang sagot ni Eternal Wanderer. Hindi sya nalungkot dahil kay Hello Kitty noh.

Kaya John Stan and Xtian, mga echozerang froglette kayo!

hahahhahaha

Untitled 1

It's 3:30 a.m.

And Eternal Wanderer is experiencing.

Profound loneliness.

Random Musings of a Sleep-Deprived Mind

1. Honking you car in unmoving traffic may ease your tension, but does it ultimately get you anywhere? 
2. Sophistication is an art.  It can always be learned.  However, no amount of money can buy breeding.  Ever. 
3. Forcing your own beliefs, standards, and philosophies on others is a splendid way to alienate people.
4. Lovers come and go, but you can always count on genuine friendship. 
5. Advice dished out is but a recommendation.  If followed, well and good.  If not, don't make it your problem. Trust that the person is fully capable of leading his or her own life.
6. Do we really need this much noise in our lives?
   
7. Affection is always free to give and free to accept.  The giver offers it with with no price tag, and the receiver does not look for any fine print.
8. Politeness and charm unlock doors faster than being loutish and obnoxious.
   
9. Try to ask, "What am I getting out of it?" the moment you're tempted to harbor negative feelings.  You might be surprised with the answer/s that you'll come up with.
   
10. Opening the heart to the wonders of loving and being loved can be scary; choosing to be cold and barren emotionally can be even scarier.
11. I miss my Hello Kitty hihihihihihi
    

What Time is the Last Train Out of Here?

It was the holiday season once again.  Traffic and a multitude of crowds choked the city.  I was pretty hesitant to venture out on the streets to do the obligatory Christmas shopping.  But hey, it only comes once a year, right? I might as well show my appreciation to the folks that matter to me.

I decided to take the MRT instead of the bringing the car.  It was more convenient to do so.  No need to wade through the cars piled up on the streets.  No need to go around in circles in the parking building in hope of finding an empty slot.  All I had to do was hop on a coach, and I'd be on my merry way to the mall.

Mothers and Sons, Redux

Tonight, I brought my mom to the airport.

She spent a good three weeks here at the house where my father and I live.  It was actually a preliminary trip to prepare for her impending retirement come next year.  She went about her business of seeing to whatever things that may be needed when she finally returns for good.

At first, I was hesitant about the idea of her living with my dad and I.  After all, she has been gone for a very long time.  Like I said before, I may have already forgotten how it is to be a son to her, and she might have already forgotten how it is to be a mother to me.

Define Lusaw Ang Utak

There are days you can just write about anything you fancy.

And there are days you just draw a blank.

You stare at the screen. Until your eyes water up. Nothing comes out of of your head.

Brain-melt days. This is one of them.

Dammit. Dammit. Dammit.

Crap.

I prolly need more scratching from Hello Kitty.

HAHAHAHAHAHA

The Lusting of Eternal Wanderer

Si Eternal Wanderer ay tunay na dalisay, busilak, and mayumi.  Sa totoo lang, maraming naiingit sa pagiging ganun nya.  Nangunguna na dito si Yj.  Pero okay lang yun Yj. Libre naman ang mangarap, di ba?

Wahahahaha

Jowk lang Yj a. Peace tayo, sis!

Nung nag-umpisa syang magsulat ng blog, wala kamuang-muang sa mga makamunduhan na pamamalakad si Eternal Wanderer.  Pero ng 'di mag-laon, namulat ang mga kanyang mga mata sa mga samu't-saring kahalayan na umiikot sa blogosphere.  Salamat kay Jay Vee, Lukayo, at Ash, nag-mistulang Eva Fonda Eba si Eternal Wanderer - isang Eba na nakakagat sa mansanas ng gawaing laman na kailanman e di pa nya nararanasan.

Susmariosep! Kapag malaman ang mga gawing ito ng kanyang  Mamá at Papá, e baka tanggalin sya ng mana.  Hindi pa yata handa ang laking kumbentong Eternal Wanderer na maglalalakad sa kalye't maging kalapating mababa ang lipad.

Pero okay lang yun.  Kasi ngayon, tuwang-tuwa si Eternal Wanderer na makaranas ng mga kahindik-hindik na pagnanasa para sa bagay na ito:

Ang light-saber ni Rudeboy

Mainit-init. Nakakapaso. Aw!

A Message to You

As the sun is setting, and the dusk slowly unfolds her cloak upon the dimming firmament, I stop to hearken to what my heart is murmuring.

It is but a simple yearning, whispered in the recces of my soul:

"Sana nandito ka para mayapos kita ng mahigpit sa aking piling."

-----
The time was brief, but I would have not exchanged those moments for anything else in the world.

I miss you.  I really do.

Las Morenas del Caribe 2

One thing that distinguishes the Cuban team is their use of the the 6-2 system.  As opposed to the standard 5-1 system which uses one full-time setter and 5 hitters, the 6-2 employs two setters and 6 hitters.  Both setters are diagonal to each other; whoever is at the back acts as the primary setter, while the one in front acts as a hitter.  Once the setter at the back rotates upfront, he or she becomes the an attacker, and the opposite who has now rotated to the back becomes the primary setter.  What makes up for the stilted setting is the fact that at any given time, there will always be 3 attackers in front of the net.  It is this system that the Cuba has perfected, turning the setters into ferocious hitters at the expense of unimaginative and predictable setting decisions.

Lilian Izquierdo (lower right) and Marlenys Costa (upper right), along with Tanya Ortiz, Raisa O'Farill, were the setter-hitters of Cuba during the early to mid- 90's.  With the arrival of Taimarys Aguero post-Atlanta Olympics, she and Costa became the deadly duo opposite each other until the Sydney Olympics.  In 1997, Cuba experimented with running a 5-1 system with Aguero as the full-time setter. But after a year, it was dropped and they returned to the usual 6-2 formation.

For Anthony

Dear Anton,

Wow, it's been a while hasn't it?  I'd offer a thousand and one excuse for not writing you at all, but hey, better late than never ehehehehe

Las Morenas del Caribe 1

I already introduced to you some of my favorite Cuban players, Mireya Luis and Taimarys Aguero, in this my previous post about volleyball 101.  But allow me to delve deeper into las Cubanas and their team that overwhelmingly dominated the international volleyball scene in the 90's.

Regla Bell, on the right, and Yumilka Ruiz, on the left, were the other starting outside hitters  (OH) for Cuba during the 90's.  Bell is unusual because she is a left-handed OH when most southpaws are assigned as opposite (utility) hitters.  Ruiz took over the starting position of Mireya Luis, and remained with the team until the Beijing Olympics.

Cubao Boy + EB + Eternal Wanderer = Astro Gheys

May ilang buwan nang hindi nakapanood si Eternal Wanderer ng sine.  Ang huli pa yatang napanood nya na sine ay UP. Matagal-tagal na rin iyon.  Kaya nung nagyaya manood ng sine si EB, e sige lang go lang ng go kahit may trabaho.

(hango sa conversation sa YM ni Eternal Wanderer at EB)

Para sa Iyo. Oo, Ikaw!

Alam kong binabasa mo ito. At ito lang ang masasabi ko.

Isa kang malaking ganito:

Sapol sa noo!

AHAHAHAHAHA

Two

A man offered to pay a sum of money to his twelve-year-old daughter if she mowed the lawn. The girl went at the task with great zest and by evening the whole lawn had been beautifully mowed-well, everything except a large uncut patch of grass in one corner.

When the man said he couldn’t pay the sum agreed upon because the whole lawn hadn’t been mowed, the girl said she was ready to forego the money, but would not cut the grass in the patch.

Spices, Star Treks, and Sanrios

In his never-ending quest for his Prince Charming, Eternal Wanderer has had a good share of home runs, near hits, and awful misses.  However, this year, he has managed to break a personal record of sorts.  He actually found two people he really, really liked.  Of course, whether they really, really liked Eternal Wanderer back is another matter altogether.  Teehee :P

For those who have been reading the blog of Eternal Wanderer since about the start of the year, Spice is some sort of motif that crops up again and again in his writings.  They sort of got together early this year, and that made Eternal Wanderer extremely happy.  But alas, some good things come with an expiry date.  But nonetheless, he's fond of Spice.  He honestly is.  He's fond of Spice so much that he still meets up with him whenever Spice is in town.  They hang out and do lotsa fun stuff.  And Eternal Wanderer will resist the urge to elaborate what the fun stuff is because it's gonna be too TMI-ing again hahaha

Philippines, My Philippines

Remember my uncle who visited sometime last month?

He's a columnist for an online newspaper, and wrote about his recent trip to the Philippines here, here, and here.

I understand where he's coming from. He's been staying in the States for almost a good four decades or so. Chances are, his memories of the Philippines are frozen in time. And I don't blame him if he sees what he left all those years ago radically changed. That's putting it mildly.

It is true that many places in the Philippines, especially in the highly urbanized centers, may not be pleasing to the eyesight. It is also equally true that the socio-political system in the country is skewed to favor those who have the money and those who have the power. Everywhere, there is graft and corruption. Everywhere, there is filth, squalor, and poverty.

That is the life for most people living here in the Philippines, and may take several generations to undo the damage we ourselves have brought upon the country. For if we have not remained apathetic and indifferent to the system, then we might have not found ourselves in the mess that we are in. If each and one of us asked, "What can I do for my motherland?", perhaps we would not find ourselves being apologetic for the ills and conditions of our society.

-----

My Tito was here for a scant two weeks or so, and most of the time, he was staying in Metro Manila. But Manila is not the Philippines, and the Philippines is definitely not Manila. Sure, Manila is just like any other big city in the world,: fast, rude, noisy, and polluted. However, if he only ventured out further than the city and its surrounding environs, he would've had a better grasp of what the country is all about. He would've experienced the serene white beaches, the breath-taking vistas of mountains and plains, and most especially the genuine character of the Filipino people. Tell me, who would not be charmed by generous hospitality offered to you in the countryside? Who would not be touched with if they share with you the meager resources they have? Who would not be charmed by the warm reception and the casual conversations you encounter in the provinces?

-----

I am lucky to have been around the world. I, too, am lucky to have gone around the Philippines.  My mom always said, "Wag maging dayuhan sa sariling bayan." She made sure I familiarized myself with my own country even before I stepped foot on foreign soil.  Too bad my Tito, in many instances, experienced the bad part of the proverbial two-sided coin.

So at the risk of sounding defiant, I will say it out say it aloud.

There is no place like the Philippines. I am proud to call it home.

My Favorite Comic Storylines: Kingdom Come

Totalitarian vision of a dystopic future

Imagine a future where a new generation of super-heroes conduct themselves no better than super-villains. Imagine a future where the line between good and evil is blurred beyond distinction. Imagine a future where the old guard is pushed aside, and chaos reigns supreme. Imagine a future where an aging preacher's prophetic visions can lead to the world's apocalyptic destruction or its ultimate salvation.

Mark Waid and Alex Ross' chef-d'oeuvre moves forward 20 years from the present, into the time where Superman and his colleagues have either turned their backs at the world or operate under the cloak of subterfuge. In their stead, a new generation of super-heroes emerge, more violent and heavy-handed than their predecessors ever were. Wonder Woman coaxes a tragedy-laden Superman out of retirement to lead the restoration of peace and order throughout the world. Slowly, with the help of their now-aged colleagues and protegees, they keep the new batch of super-heroes and super villains in line by literally muscling their way through.

Unfortunately, their totalitarian approach is viewed with much suspicion by both non-powered colleagues and villains. The faction led by Batman insists that the methodology of Superman's Justice League is no different than what he is battling against. Luthor and his cohorts, on the other hand, prepare to counter the Justice League with their most formidable weapon: a Mr. Mind-controlled Captain Marvel.

The great battle meets head-on as Luthor unleashes Captain Marvel on the Gulag, the fort where the Justice League has incarcerated the super-villains. In the escalating melee, the head of the United Nations decides to aim a nuclear warhead to obliterate the meta-humans --- heroes and villains alike --- once and for all. It is only through the valiant self-sacrifice of Captain Marvel that some meta-humans survive the outcome of the great holocaust.

An enraged Superman returns to the United Nations, followed the surviving meta-humans. He is then made to realize the complex situation of masked crusading: that they cannot live in the world and live above and apart from it. In the ensuing epilogue, poignant scenes are depicted on how they fully integrate themselves as members of a kinder and better human/meta-human society.

The Kingdom Come whole saga  is complex, rich, and multi-layered in its approach to narration. Waid frames it within the perspective of Norman McCay, an aging minister plagued with prophetic visions of a catastrophic future. He is guided through the story by the Specter, who acts both as a commentator and judge to the unfolding events. But the Biblical allusions do not stop with the avenging angel imagery. The entire narrative is replete with Biblical references, specifically to those of the Book of Revelations. It's hard press to miss the symbolism of Superman as the militant Messiah, the savior who shall bring war in order to make peace.

Equally stupendous is Ross' contribution to the series.  His painted artwork gives a stunning feel to the series' visual design. Each panel was of photo-realistic quality; reading through series is akin to viewing a very gorgeous album.  It was my first encounter with Alex Ross' work, and I've been a fan ever since.

All in all, the series is certainly a worthwhile read, both  as a comic book series and as a literary work of fiction.  It most surely will stand the test of time because of the relevant themes and situations presented.  Perhaps this what really classic comic story lines are: they still remain pertinent to the reader's experience years after they were written.

Ang Aking Marikit na Bituin

Wala akong maisip na mai-alay sa iyo kundi itong kundiman na kinanta ko sa isang konsyerto.

At binibigay ko ito dahil ikaw yata ang gustong gawing himig ng aking puso.

P.S. Tulad ko, hindi sya perfect, pero I'm giving it to you in all my honesty and sincerity :)

My Favorite Comic Storylines: Crisis on Infinite Earths

 

Iconoclastic image: the death of Supergirl

 "Worlds live! Worlds die!"

By 1985, the continuity of DC was a convoluted mess. Multiple and alternative earths were established to explain continuity lapses, but even then, editorial feared that the whole multiverse concept was already too complicated. Therefore, they decreed that a major revision of some sort had to be made.  This monumental task of house-cleaning was handed over to then-hot New Teen Titans creative team of Marv Wolfman and George Perez. Thus, the complex saga spanning over 12 issues was born.

The whole narrative hinges on intrinsic duality of nature: for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. The Monitor has his own antithesis blatantly and unimaginatively named the Anti-Monitor, and their machinations causes catastrophic repercussions across the multiverse. The Monitor is killed in the middle of the series, but the superheroes from the remaining 5 Earths take up the cudgels against the Anti-Monitor. In one clean sweep, the battle between the Specter and the Anti-Monitor at the dawn of time unleashes unimaginable energies that cause the remaining Earths to be recreated into a single Earth. On this new Earth, various histories, locations, and elements were incorporated from the previously surviving Earths. Fittingly, Superman of the now non-existent Earth-2 then delivers the coup de grâce on the Anti-Monitor. Kal-L (emphasis on the L, not El), along with his wife Lois Lane and the Superboy of Earth-Prime, go off to live happily ever after in the paradise provided by Alexander Luthor of Earth-3.

Muddy mess all tidied up, ey?

Not quite.

The resulting cannon-fodder notwithstanding (including major characters from Earth-1 such as Supergirl, the Flash, and Wonder Woman), the aftermath of the Crisis provided a fresh start for DC. They cashed on heavily on the opportunity to launch new titles and to update various storylines.

In some aspects, they were very successful. Case in point was with the character of Wonder Woman. She didn't die after all, but was de-evolved into clay, and the time table re-set on her along with the Amazons. George Perez headed the creative team that launched her into the new (and single) DC-verse, strengthened the ties of her Greek mythological origins, and provided a very plausible insight into her ironic characterization as the warrior-princess seeking peace in a man's world.

On the other hand, while John Byrne's re-imagining of the Man of Steel was initially received with unanimous praise, it spawned massive continuity glitches in its wake. This time, there are no Kryptonian survivors from the barren and sterile planet save for a lone baby space-warped to Earth in a birthing matrix. He grows up with the Kents somewhere in Middle America as a normal kid and teenager. No superheroic capers for Clark Kent, and he only dons the Superman costume in his adulthood.

That would've worked out fine, except for one, not so-slight problem: the Legion of Superheroes. A huge fan-favorite title enjoying brisk sales, the whole concept hinged on the idea of teenagers, 1,000 years in the future, forming a band of heroes with the exploits of Superboy as their inspiration. But wait, Byrne said that there was no Boy of Steel anymore, right? The resultant explanation of Byrne involving pocket Earths and dimension hopping proved too much of a headache to handle for both the editorial staff and the readers. Sales quickly plummeted, and several years later the title had to completely re-booted from scratch to provide new origins for the group.

But taking the opus as it is, Crisis on Infinite Earths stands the test of time in its majestic breadth of story-telling. True, Wolfman's dialogue may sound awkward and clunky at times, but that can be attributed to the writing style of the period. The George Perez look may also be anachronistic from the modern point of view, but for my money's worth, no artist approaches him in terms of detailing something even as minute as the background. And with literally cast of thousands, he makes a breath-taking and magnificent job in each panel and spread of the comic book. His artwork is even more spruced up by the inks of the veterans Dick Giordano, Jerry Ordway, and Mike DeCarlo, formidable artists on their own right.

Hell Hath No Fury Like an Eternal Wanderer Scorned

Two words, two syllables.

Fuck.

You! 

P.S. I wasn't suppose to bring this post out, but an early morning text that reminded about the whole snafu.  To say it made my blood curdle again is an understatement.

Grrrr >:(

Scatch My Itch

Eternal Wanderer is having an itch lately. It bothers him so much that he keeps on tossing and turning at night. He's seeking a way to relieve himself because the insatiable craving is building up big, big time. He fears he might lose control any moment.

You see, Eternal Wanderer is having a severe case of techie gadget itch.

hahahahahaha

He's thinking of junking his white Macbook for a new 15 inch Macbook Pro. He's actually been salivating at the thought of acquiring the unibody model ever since it came out last year. The battery life longer, about 7 hrs or so compared to the paltry 2.5 hours of the older Macbooks. Plus the new Macbooks have a dvd writer and SD card-reader already built in, as opposed to the older model.

The downside? It's gonna set him back by roughly 113 grand. Throw in about 40K, and he can already buy a decent second-hand car. Or at 113K, he can get a cool Windows-based laptop, and rig up 3 powerful desktops, as well.

Speaking of desktops, Eternal Wanderer is also thinking of doing an upgrade with his desktop. He loves his desktop since he works it like there's no tomorrow. He learned the hard (and expensive) way of not abusing a laptop by leaving it powered-on for weeks at a time. A year and P14,ooo bucks later, he realized that desktops are still the way to go for everyday, heavy duty usage. His current, more than two years old desktop is respectable enough: a 2.66 Core2Duo with 2 GB RAM and a 500 GB HD running on an XP SP3 operating system. But now, he's down to prolly the last 15 GB of HD space, so a new 1.5 TB HD is in order (am I a hard dicks disk slut or what?). And since Eternal Wanderer is a coke-sniffing, speed-lovin' junkie, he's thinking of jacking off up his RAM to 3 GB, maybe even 4 GB if he shifts into a 64-bit o.s. He might also change processors to either a Core i5 or i7, so he can have a good, if not unnecessary, reason to shift into the new Windows 7 o.s.

Of course, that's roughly gonna cost him 25K.

Crap.

Maybe EB is right. Eternal Wanderer, at the very least, should change the battery of his trusty old N73. For just a thousand bucks , he can enjoy hours of talking dirty and nasteeh pleasure with his friends without having to plug in the cell in EW's Grand Canyon the charger every time lolz!

P.S. Eternal Wanderer wants to strangle the love spear of Cubao Boy for buying the new Snow Leopard o.s. of Mac. Grrrrrr!

How the Sun Shines

Five Minutes

The light from the sun was gently streaming through the windows while I was having a leisure brunch around ten in the morning.  My phone rang all of a sudden, so I took a peek at who was calling.

I was in for a nice surprise.

It was Spice.

He asked if I was doing anything. I teasingly replied that he only calls me if he needs something. He laughed boisterously.

(I can picture how his laugh brings out his dimples.)

I told him, "Nandito ka sa Manila ano?"

"Oo. Eternal Wanderer, kung wala kang ginagawa, gala naman tayo," he sheepishly said.

It has been a while since I last saw him. I heard he was working out. I was curious how he looked like now. I was also looking for a reason to get out of the house.

I probably could have come up with a thousand and one more excuses to justify my meeting up with Spice. Perhaps, if I just acknowledged one thing, just one thing, then I would not have gone through all the trouble rationalizing my decision.

And that one thing was that I did want to meet up with Spice.

So I said yes.

-----

It was a bright afternoon while I was waiting in the car for Spice to arrive; a far cry from the dismal weather the city has been experiencing of late.

Then I saw him. He was down the street, walking towards the car from a short distance. The sun  was basking him in the light, making his dark blue jeans and light blue shirt take on a fair hue.

"He still cuts a dapper figure. And yes, he is still manages to take my breath away," I mused to myself.

The mellowness of a memory past rippled through the surface of my thoughts.  At first, I couldn't articulate the dim reflections in my mind.  My brows gathered as I tried to grab at the meanderings. All I knew that the scene playing right before me had a tone that was amicably familiar.

At that instant, I relaxed and smiled.

I smiled because I remembered.

I remembered as only one can when sun gently shines on the heart; as only one can when the mind's skies are overcast no more.

(I couldn't help but smile.  For it was a good memory after all.)

-----

We spent most part of the afternoon in a mall doing nothing and everything.  He needed a haircut. I needed to run some errands for my father. He also badgered me for some driving lessons, and I obliged willingly.  We wound up in U.P.; and soon enough, he was able to master the intricate balance of clutch and gas in the first gear.

I had a good time.  I really did.  And before sleep overtook me in bed that night, I realized why I enjoyed every moment of it.

It is because the day is beautiful when the skies are already clear and the rains are no more.

It is because now, I can truly see how the sun shines, warm and bright in my life.

My Favorite Comic Storylines: Dark Phoenix Saga

 Jean Grey: redemption through ultimate sacrifice

The story is simple enough: Jean Grey, a young telepathic/telekenetic mutant, literally rises from the ashes and finds her psionic abilities magnified beyond belief. Though her powers are held back by a series of psychic circuit-breakers, the dam is slowly being chipped away at. She is manipulated and pushed over the edge by the Hellfire Club, until she finally bursts in raptor-shaped flames to become a dark god-like being, voracious in thirst for raw energy.

In order to satiate her quench, she consumes a far-flung star system populated with inhabited worlds. Consequently, the Shi-Ar empire seeks retribution and hounds her futilely through the vast expanse of space. She returns to Earth, and in a battle of the highest psychic order, Professor Xavier manages to re-bind the mental circuit breakers. She is eventually put on trial by the Shi-Ar, to which Xavier counters with a rebuttal via a battle-challenge.

On the moon, Jean Grey and the X-men make their last stand. When she sees Cyclops struck down, the rebound psychic barriers crumble apart, and she slowly transforms into the dark godling once again. But she realizes that the duality of her persona would haunt her for all eternity, and riddled with the guilt of having taken billions of lives, she chooses to annihilate herself while still in a vulnerable phase of transition.

The theme of redemption through self-sacrifice and the idea that absolute power corrupts were huge concepts for me as a kid. It held, and still holds, a fascinating sway over me. I can remember buying the trade paperback when I was around 11 or 12 yrs old, and patiently reading it through in one sitting. Revisiting it as an adult, the dialogue seems to be a tad bit stilted and dated in style and flow. However, the basic narrative remains intact, and ultimately, powerfully moving. Whatever his writing faults are, Chris Claremont remains the definitive writer of the X-men for me. John Byrne, inked over by Terry Austin, is at his classic best. I will always associate his artwork with his early impressive runs on the Avengers, X-Men, Fantastic Four, and Alpha Flight.

Si Varsity Boy at Ako: Pers Lab 7 (Engel, Last na 'To. Promise!)

Si Varsity Boy at Ako: Pers Lab 6

Natapos ang aming pag-inom ng kape. Nagsindi ako ng sigarilyo. Ganun din si Varsity Boy. May moment of silence. Hindi ko alam kung maitatawag ko yun na awkward silence, pero naisipan ko na ito na ang perfect time na sabihin ko na kung ano ang bumabalabag sa isip ko.

"Veebee...I...I have something to tell you...I hope you..you won't get mad. I'm...sorry talaga."

Kumunot ang noo nya.

"Sorry? Sorry for what?"

"You know...for what happened all those years ago...the..the quad thingie?"

65 million years ang lumipas bago sya mag-react.

Then nakita ko ang kanyang pag-relax. Ngumiti pa.

"Naaah...ano ka ba? It's ok. Jeez, that was like forever ago kaya. We were still kids then. What were we thinking of? What were YOU thinking of?"

Natawa ako. Natawa din sya.

"But for what it was worth, you do know I really, really loved you, right?"

Napa-bugtong hininga si Varsity Boy. May ilang segundong nakalipas bago sumagot.

"Yes... I know. I've always wanted to say thank you for that. I just never got around to say it in front of you. And you know what, I'm sorry, too. I know I could've handled the whole thing in a better way, but like I said, we were kids back then."

Ako naman ang napangiti.

"But we did alright back then, didn't we?"

"Yes, Ternie. We did. We did alright."

Natapos ang mahabang gabing yun sa tawanan at ngintian. Ginunita namin ang nakaraan. Naghagikhikan kami sa ala-ala ng mga stolen kisses sa classroom pag walang nakatingin. Napangiti sya ng husto nung pinaalala ko sa kanya yung aming first date sa McDo, at ako naman ay napahalakhak sa kanyang pag-papaalala nung muntikan na kami mahuli ng aking tatay kasi nakalimutan kong i-lock yung pintuan ng kwarto.

Nagsasara na ang kapihan nung hinatid ko si Varsity Boy sa kanyang kotse. Bago nya buksan ang pinto, humarap sya sa akin at yinakap akong mahigpit. Ang sarap-sarap ng feeling. Napakasaya at napakagaan. Yinakap ko rin sya ng mahigpit in return.

Gusto ko sanang mag-freeze ang time para ma-capture ang pakiramdam ng moment na yun. Sana pwedeng i-slow motion, i-pause, at ulit-ulitin forever. Pero alam naman nating lahat na hindi ito posible. Sa pelikula lang yun nangyayari. Hindi naman ito eksena sa pelikula. e Ang buong gabi ay eksena sa real life - isang eksena ni Eternal Wanderer at Varsity Boy na matagal na dapat naganap.

Nakatayo ako sa kalye habang sinundan ng aking mga mata ang paalis na kotse ni Varsity Boy. Papalayo ng papalayo ito; at sa paghayo ng kotse, tangay nito ang aking ngayo'y mga matatamis na ala-ala ng aking Pers Lab.

-----

Si Maida Chiminiaa ay nakapag-asawa ng isang mang-aawit, at nasa Estados Unidos na sila.

Si Varsity Boy ay kasalukuyang may girlfriend na approve na approve si Eternal Wanderer.

Si Eternal Wanderer naman ay single ngayon at kasalukuyang naghahanap ng booking.

-----

Masarap na masakit isipin ang unang mong minahal. Kahit matagal na panahon na ang nagdaan, sariwa pa rin ang mga nakaukit na gunita sa puso't damdamin.

Kaya sa lahat ng mga nakaka-alala ng kanilang Pers Lab, tara na, magpaka-Joey Albert na nga lang tayo't at mag-videoke nito:

Yes, Believe It or Not, I Actually Read Books

Eternal Wanderer loves to read. He loves to read newspapers. He loves to read comics. He loves to read books. He loves to read so much that he can't even poop without bringing a reading material.

Oooops. TMI.

Here's some of the books Eternal Wanderer has recently tried out:

A friend of his in college was gushing about Ayn Rand. She told Eternal Wanderer to check out Rand's novels. Being the dumb blond that he is, he innocently asked if it had anything to do with beautiful parks and fountains. She gave him what-an-airhead stare and walked out on him.

Years later, Eternal Wanderer is still a dumb blond. But now, he thanks to the book reader Stanza, he's been downloading e-books like crazy. One of the books he downloaded was Fountainhead. He picked up to courage to read it, and found himself thoroughly enjoying the novel. It practically read like good soap-opera stuff, albeit of the wordy kind. But in the last 1/3 of the book, he was got a migraine. The courtroom monologue of Howard Roark, the main character, was a little bit too much for Eternal Wanderer. It was major word puke. Eternal Wanderer wondered, "Why didn't Howard Roark simply say 'Fuck y'all. I'm an individual, so stuff it!'"

Of course, that line of reasoning would've put Howard Roark in jail for the rest of his life.

Eternal Wanderer is tickled pink at his own dumb blondness.

Eternal Wanderer is a sword slut. He goes into ecstatic throes whenever swords are concerned. He considers himself an expert handling swords of all lengths, widths, thicknesses, and sizes. He opines the bigger swords are, the better to play with. Nothing would please Eternal Wanderer more than if somebody dangles a sword before him.

With an enticing title "Dark Sword," how could Eternal Wanderer refuse to read such a book?

It was an enjoyable romp in the hay. Joram's sword very much delighted Eternal Wanderer. He even spent nights of torrid fantasy with the thoughts of caressing Joram's long and turgid sword. But it was the idea of the Technomancers (people who derived their magic through death) that gave him pause. He thought, "If I kill all roaches in the house, can it make my lashes magically curl up permanently? Do I have to do it myself, or can I just call in pest control? No, wait, if I call in pest control, it's their lashes that might be magically curled up permanently! We wouldn't want that, would we?"

Eternal Wanderer is amazed with the dumb blond ideas he can think of.

Eternal Wanderer digs magic realism. He has devoured a lot of those South American novelists which features interactive ghosts, seductive cooking, love potions, and their ilk. He thinks that the idea of magic treated as an everyday occurrence is such a fascinating idea.

Since he really adored the lush narrative of Gabriel Garcia-Marquez's Love in Time of Cholera, he decided to give 100 Years of Solitude a go. It was going on fine maybe until about the fourth generation. By that time, he almost completely lost it. The characters' names were all the same, and it was confusing the heck out of him. Eternal Wanderer even had to whip out a paper and write down who was who just so that he could keep track with all the characters.

It was then he realized that Garcia-Marquez was trying to emphasize the cyclical nature of of life. The flaws and sins of the (fore)fathers continue to haunt the children, generation after generation. Because of this, the past, present, and future are bound with one another in an inevitable spiraling towards an uncertain fate.

Whoa.

Eternal Wanderer just had a verbal and philosophical fart!

My, my, my. There may still be hope for the dumb blond Eternal Wanderer, after all.

Heehee

Si Varsity Boy at Ako: Pers Lab 6

Si Varsity Boy at Ako: Pers Lab 5

Kakagaling ko lang sa abroad nung tinext ko si Varsity Boy kung gusto nya mag-kape. Labing-isang taon na rin ang nakalipas simula nung naghiwalay kami. Naka-tatlong gf na yata si Varsity Boy mula kay Maida Chimini-aa. Ako naka... ahmm next topic! Pero pakiramdam ko, naiilang pa rin sya tuwing magkikita kami ng barkada namin. After all this time, napaisip-isip ako na baka kailangan ng some sort of proper closure.

Proper closure daw o.

"Ternie, ur bak!", sagot nya sa text ko.

"Yah. So kofi tayo 2nyt? Wer do u wnt?"

"Cge ba. U want SBC e. rod? Arnd 8:30pm"

"Okies! Cya"

Habang papalapit ang 8:30 ay naghahalong Cabanatuan City at Mariah Scarey ang pakiramdam ko. Ang daming thoughts na umaandar sa utak ko sa oras na iyon. Alam kong nananahimik na ang buhay nya. Eto naman ako, kakalampugin sya. Kailangan ko pa bang guluhin si Varsity Boy dahil sa pag-uungkat ng nakaraan? Baka magalit pa sya sa akin.

Pero hindi. Ako ang hindi matahimik. Siguro para mas sa akin talaga ang pagkikita naming ito. Hindi kasi maganda ang paghihiwalay namin. Kahit sa pangyayari na yun e makapag-apologize man lang ako. Gusto ko rin sabihin na tunay na minahal ko sya. Alam kong suntok sa buwan, pero sana, sana lang marinig ko rin sa kanya na minahal din nya ako.

-----

"Hey Ternie, you're looking good!", ang bati nya sa akin sabay shake hands.

Shet.

E ano na lang ang tawag sa kanya?

Grabe. Ang gwapo pa rin nya after all these years.

Oo, kahit nagkikita naman kami ng madalas, e usually kasama namin ang barkada. Ngayon lang yata kami lumabas na kaming dalawa lang since nagkahiwalay kami. Ngayon ko lang syang napagmasdan ng mabuti na hindi kinakabahan kung may makakapansin ba sa amin. Ngayon ko lang na-realize na nasa harapan ko na ang aking pers lab. At ngayon ko lang napagtanto na ang physical type ko e naka-base pala sa kaya: tisoy, balbunin, at chunky.

"Tara, let's order coffee na.", ang tanging nasabi ko na lang.

"Nah, coffee's on me. Just like the old times.", sabay ngiti.

Ay.

May ganun talaga?

Pwes, ilabas ang Knorr Sinigang Mix with Taro Bits. May asim pa pala si Eternal Wanderer!

Si Varsity Boy at Ako: Pers Lab 7 (Engel, Last na 'To. Promise!)

Some Tenents That Eternal Wanderer Lives By 2

"Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection."

Being pretentious doesn't cut it. I am what I am. I don't have to be apologetic about it.

"Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass."

Genuine love, however precious, still exists. When it comes into my life, whether in the form of family, friends, or lovers, I embrace it wholeheartedly.

"Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth."

I have already done a lot of things in my life. My dues are paid and my worth proven. Now, it's time to sit back and relax.

"Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune."

I build and strengthen myself up because at the end of the day, I can be the only one who I can truly rely own.

"But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness."

Worries and anxieties are floating cobwebs in the mind. They hinder me in seeing what really needs to be done. Everything is temporal in in life. They will all pass. Problems included.

"Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself."

Being harsh and overly critical with one's self is chips away at self-esteem. Gentle always does the trick.

"You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here."

I am assured that no matter what, I have a place under the sun. The thought give me immense comfort.

"And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should."

Things have a funny way of falling into place. Whether I like it or not, it is as it should be.

"Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be."

Credo in unum Deum, Patrem omnipoténtem.

"And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul. "

Peace with myself, peace with others, are always oases in times of turbulence. That is why I put much value in it.

"With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world."

I know. I only have to truly clear my sight to appreciate life and be grateful for it.

"Be cheerful. Strive to be happy."

Amen.

Desiderata

Max Ehrmann

-----

for HB

Kaba

Si Eternal Wanderer ay nagmimistulang Tootsie Guevarra.

Hindi sya makatulog.

Palaging laman ng isip nya ay si...ermmm...hihihi

Kaya si Eternal Wanderer ay napakanta na lang nito:

Juskoday. Nababaliw na yata si Eternal Wanderer.

hahahaha

Some Tenents that Eternal Wanderer Lives By 1

"Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence."

In a world that is full of noise and distraction, it is always good to have some downtime for myself. Silence is telling me something, and I have to listen to it.

"As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons."

Keeping good relations with as much people as possible is always a wise thing to do.

"Speak your truth quietly and clearly;"

I have my own story to tell, and I tell my story without forcing it upon others.

"and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story."

There is always something to learn from others by listening. The moment I stop listening to them is the moment I cease to grow as a person.

"Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit."

If it is not my story to tell, then I do not share it. Rumor mongering and gossiping are the best ways not to earn other people's trust.

"If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself."

I measure myself not against what others possess or have achieved, but with my own personal goals and accomplishments in life. It is my own life to live, after all.

"Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans."

What I have done in my field is something I wouldn't have traded for anything in the world. It was a good run, and now it's time to move on to other endeavors.

"Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time."

I define my work. It does not define me. I can be content with whatever I am in because I know I am the master of my own ship.

"Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery."

Trust has to be earned. Always.

"But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism."

I believe in the inherent goodness in people unless proven otherwise.

Si Varsity Boy at Ako: Pers Lab 5

Si Varsity Boy at Ako: Pers Lab 4

Halos buong 3rd year at 4th year kami naging mag-jowa ni Varsity Boy. Sa kanya kong unang naranasan mabigyan ng bouquet of roses on my birthday. Sa kanya ko rin naranasan makatanggap ng mga love letters na may kasamang chocolate at stuffed toys. Sa kanya ko rin naranasan ang makipag-date kung saan-saan. Meron sa restaurant, meron sa ridge sa school namin overlooking Marikina Valley, meron sa sinehan. At sa kanya ko rin maranasan makipagmake-out at kung anu-ano pa sa sinehan din.

Exciting pala yun ahihihihi

Pero hindi lahat ng faggy fairytales e nagtatapos sa happily ever after, the end. 1st year college na kami nun. Pumasa ako sa tanging dalawang paaralan na pinagkuhanan ko ng college entrance exam. Pero pinili ko pumunta sa paaralan kung saan nandoon yung mga straight na barkada ko. It just so happened na kasama si Varsity Boy sa barkada kong yun hehehe

"Ternie, we have to talk.", sabi nya sa akin.

Sa puntong yun, nararamdaman ko na medyo ilap na sya sa akin. Hindi na sya masyadong tumatawag sa telepono. Hindi na rin kami masyadong nagde-date. Wala na rin ang flowers, stuffed toys, at chocolate.

Kung ano-ano ang excuses nya. Kesyo may quiz o long test. Kesyo may paper silang kailangan i-pass. Kesyo may lakad sila ng pamilya. Kesyo ganito, kesyo ganyan.

"You'reseeingsomeoneelseano?Howcouldyoudothistome?!Howdareyou!HOWDAREYOU!!

Tellme,whoisit?!!!WHOISIT?!!!!", ang dire-diretso at halos pasigaw kong sabi.

Aba, kulang na lang mag-eskandalo ako. Hindi ko yata idol si Jacklyn Jose. Mashadong deadma ang emote, mashadong under-acting. Gusto ko hysterical. Gusto ko with emapathic and flaying arms. Gusto ko may mahabang monologue with matching hagulgol at ngawa. Kaya ayun, nag-mistulang Maricel Soriano ako sa gitna ng school quadrangle namin.

Natameme si Varsity Boy sa award-winning moment ko. Di yata nakayanan ng powers nya. Ang tanging nasambit nya ay isang tahimik na "I'm sorry...I'm kinda seeing this girl. Si...si Maida Chimini-aa. You know her, right?"

Ay punyeta. Know her? Of all the people, si Maida Chimini-aa pa! Of course kilala ko sya! E paano ko ba naman di makikila yun e kung magbihis, mas matino pa ang kasambahay namin. Pero kung bumalandra sa corridors at sa quadrangle e akala mo nanalo ng Ms. Purok Beyntesiko-International. Pwede baaaaa?!

Fine, mean na kung mean, pero nung first week of classes namin, di ko talaga matiis taasan ang boses ko nung dumaan sya sa harap ko habang tumatambay ako sa isang corridor.

"Ay, how rich naman the amo of this girl! Dito pa in our school pinapaaral o."

Ang bad, bad talaga ni Lindsay Lohan aka Maricel Soriano aka the Diamond Star. Kaya ayun na-Luz Valdez sya. Kinarmi Martin ng husto. Napunta ang kanyang Varsity Boy sa piling ng nilait nyang si Maida Chimini-aa. Come to think of it, ano ba naman ilalaban nya sa flower ni Maida Chimini-aa? E straight from Dangwa pa ito.

Ichura ni Maida Chinini-aa. Tseeeeh!

Si Varsity Boy at Ako: Pers Lab 6

In the Jungle of Words

A good friend of mine took her basic Philosophy class with the legendary Fr. Roque Ferriols. He was already old and slow then (heck, he's always been ancient as far as I can recall). But one lazy afternoon, their class was suddenly jolted into attention when he slammed his fist on the table while a student was incoherently rambling in an oral recitation.

"Bakit ka ba nagtatago sa gubat ng salita?!", he shouted.

Ouch.

I have to admit, I'm guilty of this. Words are enchanting to look at, even more enchanting when it's read out aloud (I just love having Ting Ting Cojuangco reading out stuff aloud. Especially the "gorgeously" written stuff). But sometimes in my desire to write "gorgeously", the very basic message that I want to communicate gets lost. It simply ends up in an orgy of words, a paean to written and auditory pleasures. In other words, I end up indulging in what I term "verbal masturbation" (which I think is a far more exquisite term compared to what another friend of mine calls as "word vomit alert").

I think there is a very fine line between eloquent writing and being downright verbose. Writing in a so-called elegant manner can easily snowball into big, big words strung together in meaningless sentences. In this case, the saying holds true: "Ang daming sinasabi, wala namang sinasabi." It becomes a pretty confection: nice to look at, sweet to the taste, but ultimately devoid of substance and meaning.

I should probably always remind myself: back to the basics. The more direct it is, the less energy you expend on writing; the more efficient you get in getting the message across.

After all, why make things complicated when you can make it simple, right?

We are Back on Air!

So that ends the Ondoy saga. Time to move on.

And Eternal Wanderer is back to regular programming ;)

The Homecoming, an Epilogue

At one point, I was taking a yosi break after clearing out the things that could still be saved. Most of the furniture were intact, but almost all the appliances had to go. Sure, the refrigerator, the t.v.'s, and all the other appliances could always be replaced. However, there were certain objects that were painful to lose. The old pictures and albums of my family were glued together in a wet, sticky mess. The comics that I had kept from my childhood were in tatters. My mom's old letters, which I carefully kept under my aparador, were gone. The extensive classical cds I collected from all the travels I did through the years were in a large black trash bag.

I was heartbroken. It was hard to let go.

All I could do was find a dark corner where no one could see me, sit down, and tear up silently.

-----

A poignant scene from the movie "Up" crossed my mind. The old man had a treasured scrapbook his late wife put together. In it contained the pictures and memorabilia of their life they shared. Until that moment, he never saw that there was still space at the end the album. Written there was a note from his wife saying that they had the most wonderful memories together. It was now up to him to fill up the proceeding space with new memories of his own.

Then I thought, alright, these nostalgic things of mine are ruined and have to be thrown out. But they can never be lost because they are just mere physical representations of my past. They are in here, indelibly etched in my mind and heart. They will be always remembered for as long as I live.

I felt comforted with these thoughts. I reminded myself, just like the character in "Up", I now have a blank space - literally. It is the perfect opportunity to add new memories and experiences to fill out the remaining pages of my life.

And besides, Musa, my beloved Rhodesian ridgeback, was still able to leap at me with joy when he saw me come home. Yes, he survived the great deluge. He entered our helpers' quarters, the only area that wasn't reached by the flood waters. If he is still able to be happy after what happened, who am I not to be overjoyed? My family and I came through this trying chapter in our lives hale and whole.

Yes, we are safe.

Yes, we still have a roof over our heads.

Truly, there are things to be grateful for.

-----
A shoutout of thanks to all my friends who texted, called, ym'd, fb'd, twitted, and commented their concern and support. But my most special thanks goes to Jay Vee and Ting Ting Cojuangco (who chose to celebrate his birthday by being there at my house to provide manpower), both of whom helped me lift the old and heavy furniture around the house, and hosed down and scrubbed away the muck. To my school girl-friends, my special thanks, too, for washing the dishes and knick knacks that need to be cleaned (it was a sight to see PKF sitting down on a small plastic timba washing the dishes in a metal palanggana. Wearing a bolero skirt with matching boots. Leather high-heeled boots, mind you. Tell me, how bonnga can that get pa? lolz). And for those whose rooms and beds provided me respite at the end of the tiring days of cleaning up, my heartfelt thanks, too. Mapa-kama man o mapasahig, ang importante nakatulog ako ng mabuti. To all of you, you gave meaning to the phrase "walking the talk." May your tribe increase a hundredfold!

The Homecoming

"Eternal Wanderer, asan ka na?", our helper texted me at around 12:30 p.m. I was still safely ensconced in Cubao Boy's room after the previous day's harrowing experience. Truth be told, I was loathe to go home. I just wanted to stay in the room, cocooned from all the cares and troubles that I just went through. The thought of the house ruined was too much to bear. After all, it was more than a roof over my head and a place I go to at the end of a weary day. The house was my home. It was where I grew up, and bar-none future disasters, will be the place where I would live out the rest of my life. My heart was wrenching at the thought of having to face the reality of the disaster.

The skies were still overcast as I trudged my way home. Then it started to drizzle slightly. I couldn't help but think that the heavens were gently weeping for what it was seeing. On the streets, I saw the lives of the people out for the whole world to witness: ruined furniture, wet books and papers, dirtied pieces of clothes, slippers, and shoes. It was painful to look at; much more torturous to think that the same scene would greet me when I would get back home.

-----

"Ingat ka. Madulas ang sahig.", I was warned by our helper as I went through the gate.

The aluminum door was propped open, and I entered the house with breath abated.

I almost choked at the sight. It was worse than I imagined it to be.

The old, solid wooden furniture were overturned. Everywhere, the various knick knacks my Dad, Mom, and I collected through the years were strewn about. All the things that we weren't able to put above the water-line were clogged with flood water. Silted mud was on the floor, and there was a reek of stagnating dampness all over.

I carefully tried going around to examine the water damage.

It was pretty much extensive.

For a moment, I was overwhelmed. I didn't know where to start cleaning. Faced with the thought that I only had our helper, her husband, and her nephew for manpower, I almost wanted to give up right there and then. But of course I knew I couldn't.

I looked at my feet. There was a torn comic book lying in the mud. I sighed and slowly picked it up.

One at a time, I told myself.

One at a time.