I DREAMT OF JOSE RIZAL

It was so vivid that I can almost taste it. I never knew why I dreamt of him when he was the last person (dead or alive) that's on my mind. All I remember was...

I was sitting at one end of the table and he was at the other end. The seating arrangement was odd, as I wondered why we didn't sit beside each other.

I stared at him and notice how big a man he was. I shut my eyes, not accepting what I was seeing. I knew he was a short man (5'2) and of frail constitution. Not bulky or muscular either.

When I opened my eyes, he was still there --- staring back at me. I inquired, "Sir, aren't you  dead already? What are you doing here?" He smiled, and said, "You called for me and brought me back."

Amazing Photos of Jose Rizal

I got startled by his response, as I said that he was the farthest from my mind as he had been long dead! He laughed heartily, and with a booming voice replied, "You wakened me from my deep slumber! Okay, pray tell me why am I here?"

I answered meekly, "I didn't send for you, Sir. I was reading the papers with the myriad of problems besetting the country and the brouhaha about the Torre de Manila... And then you popped out!"

I heard him laughed out loud, "You got worried about my tomb and the ills of society, so you sent me back?" And he laughed incessantly not minding my confusion and awe.

At that instant, something hit me in the back. Mom's cat must have heard me moaning, so she jumped on my bed to wake me up! Bwahaha! What a funny dream!

Photo credit: wikemedia commons public domain

#jose_rizal
#dreams

Onli in da Pilipins: A Writer's Journal
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PHILIPPINE RURAL LIFE: AN OLD WOMAN IN THE BARRIO

Philippine Rural Life: An Old Woman in the Barrio

I always see her waving at me whenever I was in the farm. She was an old woman who had grown older than her 70 years. She sells several kilos of big head carp, caught at the nearby Laguna de Bay  by her husband.

I am aware that a two kg of fish costing P25 per kilo, would be enough to feed five farmhands for lunch. However, she knew that I seldom eat this specie of fish for health reason. It had too much fat, and it will drive my blood pressure soaring in no time. Nonetheless, I always buy whenever I see her. It made her happy that I buy half of what she carry in that basket ---all the time!

The last time I was there, she decided to back-ride in the motorbike that I was driving. I was reluctant at first, since she looked frail and sickly. But she insisted, and she can save a few pesos by back-riding with me. While coasting along the barrio road, I heard something drop. It was a coin, and she must have dropped it.

I suddenly felt the bike skid to the left, and her falling on the pavement. It was planting season, and many farmers were milling around. They saw her jumped off my bike at that moment. When I asked her why she did that, she showed me the P10 peso coin that she held tightly in her hand.


Photo credit:  Pixabay.com

#Human_Interest
#Farm
#Old_woman


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FIRE DRILL IN METRO MANILA---Alabang, Muntinlupa City

South Station In Alabang, Muntinupa smoking like crazy

FIRE DRILL IN ALABANG

I was on my way to the farm, last Friday, July 24, when I saw the nearby building in Alabang smoking like crazy. I got worried, only to realize that there was a scheduled fire drill in Metro Manila on that day.

It looked like the real thing. But people were not paying any mind to it.

The ordinary Pinoys, like the cigarette vendors on the streets, shouted, "Oh, Ma'am, they are just driving out the mosquitoes--- so we see smoke!"

Smoke increased in intensity after a few seconds

I could only laugh at myself on how we, Filipinos, see humor in every situation --- like a fire drill. There's another one scheduled for an earthquake drill. I wonder how the Pinoys would take it this time.

I hope they don't play dead to mess everything up! This quaint Pinoy attitude is what we call --- "usisero." It is the locals unabated predilection of poking their noses at everything, even if they are not wanted.

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#fire_drill

#Alabang

#Filipinos

#Human_Interest

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Flores de Mayo in Almanza - Kiddie Version

The Flores de Mayo has started in our subdivision
 with kids as Reina Elenas and Sagalas

The Flores de Mayo season has started as I saw a kiddie parade outside of the subdivision this afternoon. The kids were dressed in dainty finery and made to look like little misses. They were accompanied by their mom, dad, kuya, ate, bunso, and friends. I can't help but stop, and take pictures as the little tykes strolled along.

It was a parade where the kids have all the fun, with everybody gawking and cheering at them. I can only look at the small ones, probably enduring the walk and the heat of the midday sun. I saw some mothers fanning their children and wiping the perspiration from their faces. 

This little girl was accompanied by her brothers holding an arc. She saw me with my camera, so she posed to have her picture taken. Such a pretty miss! Her mom would only be too proud to have such a cheeky daughter.

I can only laugh when I saw this little lady arranging her gown for a better fit. Her over solicitous escort was only too willing to assist. I looked at her clunky footwear and wondered on how she can walk with that. Well...

I waved at this pretty little miss to stop awhile so I can take her picture. She was too gracious to look back and give me that pretty smile. Meanwhile, her brothers were shouting with each other so they don't drop the fancy arc while walking.

I looked at this cute sagala and wondered why my kid wasn't able to join in parades like this one. Well...well...I can just imagine the little tot asking me to carry her. She doesn't like to take long walks. I could only imagine fanning her as she doesn't like the heat, either. I would have loved to see her in this flowery dress, though.

#Flores_de_Mayo

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Rabindranath Tagore: The Great Son of India

Rabindranath Tagore
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons

India could never be mentioned, without touching on one of its spiritual leaders and son, Rabrindranath Tagore. He was born on May 7, 1861 with Brahmo bloodlines running in his veins. His descendants were founders of the Adi Dharm faith. He was India's greatest literary, having reshaped the country's literature, poetry and music.

He authored several poetries, short stories, major plays, musical dramas, essays, travel diaries, autobiographies, paintings and songs; legacies, which are now stored and collated in the school that he founded, the Visva Bharati University in West Bengal. 

One of Rabindranath Tagore's greatest achievement was of having been bestowed the Nobel Prize laureate for Literature in 1913 - the first non-European to have received the honor. His best known work is "Gintanjali" or Song Offering in 1910 which was hailed for its lyricism, elegance and naturalism. He was oftentimes referred to as the spark that kindled the Bengali Renaissance in the arts and literature.

Travel to India would not be complete without a visit to the said university. The name Visva Bharati means --- the communion of the world with India. It is said to follow the late master’s precept and belief that - "A proper Teacher does not explain things; Proper teaching stokes curiosity.":


Note from the author:

My parents took their postgraduate studies at the Visva  Bharati University in West Bengal, India as government scholars in the 1950’s. The institution was made famous by Nobel Laureate, Rabindranath Tagore, whose vision inspired the creation of the famous university. While having my cup of coffee this morning, I saw the mural of this great man encased in my late father’s cabinet. I did some research and came up with this piece. 

#Rabindranath_Tagore
#India

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Technology and the Changing Society

Technology and Changing Society affects the Elderly
Photo credit: Pixabay.com by 667037

With the advent of technology, we now see changes in society that can sometimes be discomforting. My daughter once asked me if I like to buy an IPad. She said, that I can be comfortable browsing around even when I am in bed. I said no. I have a laptop, netbook, a high end cell phone, and a cheap/basic unit that I use every day.

Besides, I keep on babbling around if I find anything interesting --- hence, the need for a bigger instrument. She laughingly told me a story about her friend who have parents, both retired, who stays in the province.

The parents have nothing much to do, except putting around the garden and do their daily task: household chores, cooking, talking with the neighbors, and watching television. The children who, by then, were all working, decided to give them both an IPad. They became ecstatic with their new play thing and toyed with them instantly---like ducks into water!

Old couple sitting in the park
Photo credit: Pixabay.com by Public Domain Pictures

To the children's amazement, their oldies became techie-savvy in just a short span of time. They saw them once in bed with their IPads, happily posting away, and  liking/commenting to each other! They looked for friends in the neighborhood, adding them, and likewise posts and comment to everybody, including themselves, all day long!

What used to be a couple who were gregarious and neighborly, have suddenly become Facebook freaks --- hammering away with neighbors who lives just a few meters from them. It looked so laughable, that my daughter's friend prayed, that their units get destroyed soon, so the old folks can go back to their usual ways. That has not happened yet.

Now, the daughter tells me that I need an IPad? No way! I have my netbook that is less bulky to carry around when I travel. No, thank you!  I have enough technology to last me a lifetime. :)

#technology
#changing society

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Steve Farzam, CEO of Shore Hotel: Santa Monica, California

Steve Farzam
Photo credit: vimeo.com

The California Attorney General's E-Crime Unit in cooperation with the United States Bureau of Tobacco, Alcohol & Firearms, the FBI, State Vehicles Agency of California, arrested Steve Farzam, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Santa Monica's Shore Hotel on June 27, 2014 on various charges of felony, misdemeanor, theft and grand larceny. He posted bail the same night. Steve Farzam was charged on 77 counts of mostly felonies: 18 counts of identity theft, 19 counts of impersonating police officers, and the manufacture and attempt to sell assault rifles.

Among the alleged crimes constitute:

Misdemeanor, involving identity theft and assault of several people;

Falsified license plates, official seals of the State of California, and gun permit at the day of his arrest;

Illegal possession of police properties: police official colored bars, radio, and siren, that were apparently taken from the County Sheriff of Los Angeles.

As regards charges of identity theft, Steve Farzam allegedly impersonated a police officer and committed the following crimes:

Arresting, detaining and made threats of arresting and detaining a person;

Intimidating another;

Made unlawful searches of people and their personal properties, and;

Theft and grand larceny.

According to the company website, its CEO was a police officer,  having graduated from the Academy for Police Officers at Santa Barbara at age 19. His activities include flying aircrafts and doing restoration of his 51' fire truck, and volunteering as tactical officer of a charitable organization that deals with "at risk" youth.

Shore Hotel, Santa Monica

Photo credit:  inhabitat.com

Shore Hotel is ideally located in the central area of the city, a mere six minute walk from Santa Monica Pier. It boasts of eco-friendly rooms, state-of-the-art gym that is open for 24 hours, and a business center. Each room has its own balcony and room massage service, among other amenities. It opened its doors to the public in 2011 and room rates are from $279 upwards per night. The Pacific Amusement Park is a mere six minute walk away from the hotel.

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Scum of the Earth

What do you consider as scum of the earth?

The word represents the most offensive and demeaning that any person can be called. What it means, is you are judged as one of the lowest life form that walks this earth. It is an insult which says---you amount to nothing.

What we normally do with scum, is throw them out like garbage. I threw out a pile of twigs, leaves, and various bric-a-brac this morning. I have to pay a little extra for the garbage truck doesn't usually accept this stuff. Only household garbage, they say.

50 sacks were thrown

After doing away with them, I went out on an errand and rode a jeepney. While seated cozily, I noticed this young boy who sat on the stairs sniffing a bottle of rugby. I stared at him--- helpless, and unable to do anything.

How can somebody so young, act so brazenly, as if "getting high" in public is normal? He sat there, sniffing, and holding on to the rails for about half a kilometer. The passengers sat there stupefied, and unable to do anything. They looked at him with disdain as if, he was a total scum of the earth.

Garbage collection  every Saturday of the week 

I remember the garbage that I threw away a couple of hours before, and I would have liked to do the same thing for this young boy. But, I can't. So, I just stared there---helpless,   until he took off in an alley, where he can probably get another fill.

What a pity! A sheer waste of humanity for somebody so young.


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Collegiate Education and Opportunities: Social Inequity

photo credit: en.wikipedia.org

I bumped into a "kakanin" vendor outside of the subdivision a few days ago. She inquired about collegiate opportunities for her child. I say to her that there are several choices ---DFCAMCLP, PLMun, UP, and TESDA.

She told me that her kid doesn't stand a chance in UP. She frowned on TESDA and wanted proper collegiate education for her child. She looks forward though, of trying their luck on either DFCAMCLP or PLMun.

Local public colleges are a boon to impoverished families who can ill-afford a college education. Students from these schools are considered intellectually superior; hence, are given access to free college education by either the local or national government.

I know that the parents of these gifted kids try hard to eke out a living by doing menial jobs like the
vendor above. They work rain and shine just to be able to send their children to school. Much sacrifice is given by parents just to give their children opportunities to have a better life.

Nonetheless, some parents may be more financially able than the others. But kids from these families should show sensitivity to the plight of their less fortunate schoolmates.Meaning, that ostentatious display of 'high living' should be avoided at all times --- like expensive gadgets and high-end lifestyle.

photo credit: pixabay.com

When I was still in the academe, I know of several students who did not have the luxury of having breakfast before attending school.Some walked from one to two kilometers to and fro, since they can't afford a jeepney fare. Many can hardly afford to fund school projects and activities.

Such is the plight of these students whose only dream is to finish a college education. Now, comes the social network like FB, where we get to see some students posting about their meals in fast food centers, almost on a daily basis, as if money is not a problem to them. 

I also see some of them in malls watching movies or attending expensive shows of local and foreign artists at prices that I can even ill-afford.This would be alright if you're out of school and are already working. But it is so out of place if you're still in college and supported by your parents.

Had you been well-off in the first place, you would not have attended public school.I should know, since my only kid attends a public university. There is no ostentatious display on her part since she is aware that her schooling comes from the largesse of the national government.

So please, have an even keel --- don't show off. It doesn't make you a bigger person than what you really are. You only succeed in making a mockery of yourself by looking so pathetic.

A dreary outlook on a dreary day this 9th of December 2014.

My one cent...

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The View From My Side of the Earth: December 8, 2014

 As Typhoon Ruby batters the country,

My side of the earth looks dire and gloomy,

 The view from my window

Only my plants look so happy and carefree,

As I watched the pattering of rains with my cup of coffee.

Vegetable patch in my backyard

Though the typhoon is wreaking havoc along its path,

I pray to the heavens and the angels above,

Welcome plant bought in Alabang Market

Families with little children now suffer from God's wrath,

Oh Dear Lord, have mercy! Heed our calls for the rains to stop.

Veggies needing trellis

Pechay reaching cooking stage

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THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY TO KEEP WATCH OF YOUR MAN

Tricycle driver with a tablet on his dashboard

I often hear both young and old women complain about the roving eye of their better halves or significant other. Filipino males of whatever persuasion, have the tendency to pursue anybody who catch their fancy.

This specie, with even an iota of rugged handsomeness in them, would have the spunk to believe that they are God's gift to women. Mind you, I say women --- in plural form. So, for a hunk of a husband, what has the missus got to do?

The answer is, technology!

On my way to the fruit stall outside of the subdivision, I came across a tricycle with a middle aged man driving it. As most of these drivers know the residents of the place,it was not unusual for me to strike a conversation with them.

However, this particular gigolo, suddenly made cooing sounds to somebody when there was only an old woman around --- me! Lol! I was petrified, and asked him indignantly, "To whom are you talking to? There is no one around!"

He smiled at me bemused and pointed at the gadget in front of him. It was a tablet that was snugly placed in his dashboard, and he replied, 

"It is my wife Ma'am. We are on Skype."

I laughed out loud that the wife had found a way of keeping track on the whereabouts of this "handsome" fellow. Believe me, I could not have thought of that in a million years!

Lol!

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ON THE PSYCHOLOGICAL NEED FOR FOOD

Food Cravings of the Elderly

I often wonder why my 79 year old mother always craves for food. But if you give her food, she would just nibble on it. She is a picky eater, so I often wonder why this incessant craving for food.

I am not big on food either, as I eat whatever is within my reach. If hungry, I drink coffee, eat a banana, or any food that's just nearby.

I don't have cravings nor do I go out of my way  to eat a particular kind of  food. My mom's incessant food demands that she won't even eat, makes me go crazy. I can't understand it, and it makes me go ballistic --- just like what happened this morning.

I say to her, that we buy biscuits and fruits and put them in a table near her. If she gets hungry, she can just grab anything she likes and munch on it as much as she wants.

I don't think that she is even hungry, and these demands are just her psychological need for attention.  I think, that as you get older, food becomes unimportant. It  simply becomes a means to drive  the hunger pangs away.

POSTSCRIPT:
 
It finally dawned on me that my mom's urgent need for food early in the morning, is so she can feed her cats! Whoa! I now realized that taking care of an elderly parent, would also include feeding her pets of three cats and a dog!

Now, go tell that to the birds! :D


Photo credit: pixabay.com by Surfeliper/Public Domain CCO




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Supermoon and Heavenly Apparitions

The Supermoon Phenomenon

The Supermoon was coined in 1979 by Richard Nolte, an astrologer which describes the occurrence when the Moon is at its nearest point to the earth. What results is a phenomenon that is seldom seen --- an eerily large moon whose brilliance is about 30 percent more than the ordinary full moon. 

There are strange beliefs that scares some people--- that since man and other living things are mostly made up water, the gravitational pull of the moon may cause the body to react negatively. They fear that it may exacerbate the lunacy and weird behavior in people and other living creatures. Hence, the occurrence of the Supermoon, which happens from four to six times in a year makes people extremely scared. 

The last extreme occurrence happened in March 19, 2011 and the supermoon in 2014 is not expected to be as brilliant as this last known occurrence. 

Supermoon Photos by a Neophyte Photographer

I woke up early --- at around 1 to 2am on August 10 to take pictures of the Supermoon. When I focused my Nikon S100 camera on the bright moon, I got amazed by its brilliance in the dark sky. The moon was brighter than anything that I ever saw.  There were dark spots, that was seen through the naked eye and it looked very eerie.

When I took my first shot, I got surprised that what came out was the number “7.” I must have moved the camera at an angle, but seeing a brightly lighted number seven in the sky was a most humbling experience. Being God-fearing, I felt that the Lord Almighty must be giving me a sign.

Many friends said that it was God’s number which meant --- perfection or completion. I tried to understand what it really meant, fearing that it may be something ominous. Maybe, God was telling me that I have to do another endeavor or that my work on earth is already complete. Oh, how morbid!

Holy Almighty One! I am far from the finish line and I still have lots of things to do. I hope, that what it really means is another line of work that I have to concentrate on.

What happened on that day?

In the Philippines, one city suspended operations in the locality because of the high tide. Nonetheless, no other incidents like volcanic eruptions or of lunatics prowling the countryside or the city were reported. It was business as usual. 

Well, I hope it stays that way!

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