Has it ever occured to you that what you took inside your body-say, 5 days ago- will someday either contribute or  haunt your physical conditiion?

    2 weeks ago, my aunt underwent an ardous number of physiological tests including a bone marrow count.  We were saddened by the news that she had acquired bone cancer which originated from one of her internal organs.

    My aunt was neither a drinker nor a smoker.  She was pretty much a workhorse around the house once, like my mom.  In fact she used to make their frontyard so clean, you can lie on the pavement.  She practically raised my older sister during her growing up years.  That's until she had a serious nervous breakdown - when all her "medications" started pouring in.

    She underwent dozens of treatment (psychologicaly and physically) after that. Then when she sobered up, another blow hit her. She developed both osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. On top of that, she also have hypertension.

    Her medications were left and right. She's like taking around 7 pills a day including her vitamins. All these medicines in the name of "cure" and relief.

    But what would you do if you knew that the medications that you're buying for your sick mother would later become her "killing agent"? You see, we believe (with a personal note from the doctor) that one of the major contributors to her disease, was her daily intake of streoid based pills for her osteoporosis.  While the pills do guarantee that her bone particles remain intact, the medication on the otherhand- after a few years of constant intake - have also found an organ in her body to destroy (we still don't know which organ drove my aunt's cancer cell to generate fast).

   This recent situation made me think twice of taking any pills. Even ascorbic acid.
My cousin is now practicing her verbiage on how to tell my aunt that she has cancer. I on the otherhand could do nothing except to pray and hope that it could still be curable by chemo.

   


 
 

SHE STAND TALL  AS I WATCH IN SILENCE   
OBLIVIOUS TO THE SCENE OF MY DYING PATIENCE
WALKING ALONG SO ELEGANTLY POISED
LIKE A DELICATE FLAG IN A STURDY HOIST

A VOICE SO SOOTHING AS THE MORNING BREEZE
I TREMBLE AND FALTER, IN HER PRESENCE I FREEZE
SURROUNDED BY A WALL SHE STRONGLY BUILT
REPLACE IT I WOULD, TO EMBRACE HER MY QUILT

WISHING I KNEW HOW TO LURE A DOVE
HOLD HER IN MY HAND AND SHARE THIS LOVE
GIVE ANYTHING I WOULD, TO ACQUIRE SUCH BEAUTY
YET FATE SO ENSURED, I PAY A HIGH BOUNTY

IN HER EYES I SEEM A PAUPER
HER BEAUTY IS SO RARE THAT A MAN MAY SUFFER
OH DIVINITY I PLEA, GRANT ME A CHANCE
THAT I WIN THE HIGHNESS' HEART AND FOREVER HOLD HER HANDS  

SEPTEMBER 8, 2006

8:30pm Manila Time

With a half soaked  pair of khakis (it was raining cats & dogs outside) , I was walking briskly along the aisles of Farmer's Plaza trying to find Puyat Sports where I was suppose to meet someone....a long lost, but certainly not forgotten, someone.

As I entered the bowling alley, I noticed something different..something unusual of a bowling lane......"it was dark"... Hm, apparently there was a power outage in the area, and the only things running in the vicinity were the electronic scoreboards, the mechanical pin racks, and a few flourescent lamps.

A few moments later I heard a familiar voice shouting from a few yards away .."kuya ely"....  It was a shout. But to me its almost an angelic voice......No she's not my younger sister.In fact we're not even related. But definitely, she's special to me.

There she was waving at me with the unique smile I truly missed a lot. It was like a scene in one of those old Gabby Concepcion movies where two lovers meet at the seashore, running towards each other's arms and the guy catches the girl and spins her around. That's kinda how I felt, 'cept that  we're inside a dark bowling alley , and that  she and I are not actually  partners/ lovers in real life (although how I wish we could).   I wanted  to give her a small kiss on the cheek to show how I missed her, but I backdown. I blushed, when I saw all her officemates looking at me.

And to top my blushing off, she introduced me to everyone, thus popping up that most dreaded question I'm terrified to hear.. "Boyfriend mo?"... She answered " Hinde, kaibigan ko sya from NU"....("kaibigan"...yea right)...I always get mixed emotions whenever I hear that question..

This meeting is long overdue. I have been dying to see this lady for quite sometime now, and I can't believe I'm actually standing beside her having a conversation. The reason for the rendezvous that night was because we were suppose to go to an Itchyworms gig at Bigsky Mind. But because of the power interuption (thanks to Farmer's state of the art UPS), their bowling tournament was delayed for an hour. Hence, I / we were suppose to wait until power resumes so they can finish their game.

While we were waiting for the power to resume,  my  "friend" and I, had time for some smalltalk .   The usual kamustahan,  work related problems and issues,  our long lost acquaintances from the  NU 107 batch of volunteers, were among the topics of our conversation.  It maybe as simple as it seems, but deep inside, I was exilirated by merely listening to her voice.  And to top it all off, I heard her infamous laugh once again.

So there I was waiting for their game to finish. I didn't mind waiting at all (perhaps it's because it's "her" i'm waiting for).  I  watched her do her throws. Some of them awful, but some of them excellent (I saw her get a strike). 

After the game my "friend" and I headed to Gateway to hail a cab going to  E.Rod. It's a good thing I'm a navigator, otherwise manong tsuper wouldn't know where Broadway avenue is.

We grab a quick bite at KFC before heading to Bigsky mind (it was right accross the corner covered in trees). 

I was surprised when we got to the venue. I mean it's itchyworms for chrissake where's everybody??...I found out later that the gig actually hasn't started yet. It was already  11:00pm.  According to one of my acquaintances familiar in gigskeds, usually, gig at Bigsky starts around 9 -10:00pm. But when we got there, even the first band Silent Sanctuary  hasn't set up gears yet.

BigSky mind is a very small place. It's even smaller than Saguijo. All you'll have is a few couches, and a small corner called "bar". Lucky for me and my sort of "date", we found a nice comfy couch a few inches from the band area.  We made ourselves at home while waiting for the 1st band. We continued with our small talk. She toldme about how she loved the green knitted shoulder bag she received from her boss.

It was already 11:20  still no sign from the first band. I'm starting to worry about my sort of "date / friend". I knew she's leaving for Batangas the following day, so I asked her "Ok ka lang?..Gusto mong beer??". She didn't brought her medication with her so she passed on the beer. I didn't drink either. But  I got more worried when she said she's suppose to leave at "6:00am the following morning".

In an earlier conversation, she told me about how she got hospitalized for stress induced illness. But here I was inviting her into a gig which would last 'till the wee hours of the morning.

In my guilt I told her "Uwi na lang tayo ng 1:00am." Frankly I was reluctant to do this. First is because I wanted to spend more time with her, and secondly I'd love to watch itchyworms in such an intimate setting.

....."When you love someone, you've got to do some sacrifices along the way...."

After a few minutes, Silent Sanctuary finally took the stage and performed around 5-7 songs. My sort of "friend/date" actually knew one of the members (the one who plays cello).  The guy asked her, "Sino kasama mong manuod?"..

She answered "Sya" (points at me sitting beside her).

"Sya lang?"..he said....she nodded.

After that, I believe he asked her that "dreaded BF question" again

Anyways, I was amazed with how this band arrange their songs. With the 2 piece string section sticking out on top of the fluid drumming patterns and guitar and bass riffs, surely I wouldn't think twice of  hiring these guys to play in my wedding (of course, if budget permits).

At that very moment while the band was playing and I was sitting beside the person so dear to me, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. She on the other hand was quiet. I don't know what she's thinking.  (maybe she was swearing to herself to never go out with me again.)

I have mix feelings that night. I was happy because I was with the woman I'm attracted  with (attracted is an understatement), but at the same time, I was sad beacause I know that this night will be over and that we'll get back to our daily routines, and she'll be the same, elusive woman I came to know.

After the set, we immediately stood up and headed for the exit.  We were out of Bigsky before the band could even pack their gear. While walking, I offered to carry her things ( been doin' that from the time we got out of farmers) but she refused. She had that look of a child who's refusing to share candies.

She was quiet but I knew she wanted to rush home. I believe their whole household was already texting her so I told her "Taxi na lang tayo direcho sa inyo para mas mabilis"..She couldn't agree more.

While waiting for a cab, she refused  me to accompany her home. Of course I insisted  (what  does that make me if  I don't even have the guts to take her home?)...."Hay nako parang tanga" ..was her reply(alam mo namang hindi lang ako tanga, martir pa).

In a half smile, I responded..."'Kaw naman, minsan na nga lang tayo magkita"....then she said..."Yuck ang mushy"....I just smiled.


We finally got a cab and drove to her house. God, the ride to her house was fast. I could've wished DPWH  did some road construction along Edsa that night, so she and I could spend a liitle more time.

When we got to her house, she was insisting to pay for the fare. The meter read 120, and she was counting coins. Of course I insisted on paying. I told her, "Pwede ba bumaba ka na?. Ako na bahala dito."

 She said "Hay nako parang sira"....The cab driver  gave us a look  like we're a bunch of teenagers picking on each other. It was fun.

Finally our night was over. I went home cherishing the memory of what ample time we shared together......

On the way home, I received a message from her; "thanks, I had fun....nice to see you again."


Gheeeze,if I could only describe to her what that night means to me........

Mga Aral ng Katipunan sa Kartilya
Emilio Jacinto


1. Ang buhay na hindi ginugugol sa isang malaki at banal na kadahilanan ay kahoy (puno) na walang lilim, kundi (man) damong makamandag. 

2. Ang gawang magaling na nagbubuhat sa paghahambog o papipita sa sarili (paghahangad na makasarili), at hindi talagang nasang gumawa ng kagalingan, ay di kabaitan. 

3. Ang tunay na kabanalan ay ang pagkakawang-gawa, ang pag-ibig sa kapwa at ang isukat ang bawat kilos, gawa't pangungusap sa talagang Katuwiran. 

4. Maitim man o maputi ang kulay ng balat, lahat ng tao'y magkakapantay; mangyayaring ang isa'y hihigitan sa dunong, sa yaman, sa ganda; ngunit di mahihigitan sa pagkatao. 

5. Ang may mataas na kalooban, inuuna ang (dangal o) puri kaysa pagpipita sa sarili; ang may hamak na kalooban, inuuna ang pagpipita sa sarili sa puri. 

6. Sa taong may hiya, salita'y panunumpa. 

7. Huwag mong sayangin ang panahon; ang yamang nawala'y mangyayaring magbalik; ngunit panahong nagdaan nay di na muli pang magdadaan. 

8. Ipagtanggol mo ang inaapi;kabakahin (labanan) ang umaapi. 

9. Ang taong matalino'y ang may pag-iingat sa bawat sasabihin;matutong ipaglihim ang dapat ipaglihim. 

10. Sa daang matinik ng buhay, lalaki ang siyang patnugot ng asawa at mga anak; kung ang umaakay ay tungo sa sama, patutunguhan ng inaakay ay kasamaan din. (Ang simula nito ay obserbasyon sa ugnayan ng babae at lalaki sa panahon ng Katipunan; para sa kasalukuyan, iminumungkahing ipalit ang sumusunod: "Sa daang matinik ng buhay, ang mga magulang ang patnugot ng mag-anak; kung ang umaakay ay tungo sa sama, and patutunguhan ng inaakay ay kasamaan din.) 

11. Ang babae ay huwag mong tingnang isang bagay na libangan lamang, kundi isang katuwang at karamay (ng lalaki) sa mga kahirapan nitong buhay; gamitin mo nang buong pagpipitagan ang kanyang (pisikal na ) kahinaan, alalahanin ang inang pinagbuhatan at nag-iwi sa iyong kasanggulan. 

12. Ang di mo ibig gawin sa asawa mo, anak at kapatid, ay huwag mong gagawin sa asawa, anak at kapatid ng iba. 

13. Ang kamahalan ng tao'y wala sa pagkahari, wala sa tangos ng ilong at puti ng mukha, wala sa pagkaparing kahalili ng Diyos, wala sa mataas na kalagayan sa balat ng lupa: wagas at tunay na mahal na tao, kahit laking gubat at walang nababatid kundi sariling wika, yaong may magandang asal, may isang pangungusap, may dangal at puri, yaong di nagpaaapi't di nakikiapi; yaong marunong magdam-dam at marunong lumingap sa bayang tinubuan. 

14. Paglaganap ng mga aral na ito, at maningning na sisikat ang araw ng mahal na kalayaan dito sa kaaba-abang Sangkapuluan at sabungan ng matamis niyang liwanag ang nangagkaisang magkakalahi't magkakapatid, ng liwanag ng walang katapusan, ang mga ginugol na buhay, pagod, at mga tiniis na kahirapa'y labis nang matutumbasan.



" ang dokumentong ito ay ipinadala ng isang ka-opisina......naisipan ko itong ilagay dahil sa malamang mensahe at malalim na katuturan ng artikulong ito. mahigit isang daang taon na ang mga aral na ito, ngunit hanggang ngayon ay maaari pa rin  itong maging batayan 'di lamang ng ating pagiging makabayan, ngunit pati na rin ng ating pakikipag-kapwa tao. "

"DONG ABAY"

ISANG PANGKARANIWANG PANGALAN SA MATA NG ISANG TAONG MANGMANG SA EKSENA NG MUSIKANG PILIPINO. UNA KONG NARINIG ANG PANGALANG ITO NUNG 1994. KASABAY NG PAGRATSADA NG MGA BANDANG PILIPINO.

HINDING- HINDI KO MAKAKALIMUTAN ANG UNANG BESES NA NARINIG KO ANG "BANAL NA ASO" (PARA ULIT SA MGA MANGMANG ISA ITONG KANTA NG GRUPONG YANO) SA RADYO. 11 TAON LANG AKO NUN PERO DAMANG -DAMA KO ANG DIREKTANG PANUNUYA NG BAWAT LETRA NG KANTA SA MGA KATOLIKONG IPOKRITO.

PAGKALIPAS NG DALAWANG ALBUM, BIGLANG NAGLAHO ANG GRUPONG YANO. ANG SABI SA'KIN NUNG ISANG KAKILALA KO NUNG COLLEGE, IBINARTOLINA DAW NI DONG ANG SARILI NIYA NG 5 TAON SA LOOB NG KANYANG BAHAY. KUNG TOTOO MAN ITO O HINDI, AY EWAN KO. BASTA NUNG BIGLA SYANG SUMULPOT ULIT, HINDI NA YANO ANG PANGALAN NG GRUPO NIYA, KUNDI "PAN". NAGLABAS SILA NG ISANG ALBUM "PARNASO NG PAYASO ANG PAMAGAT. TUWANG -TUWA AKO SA CARRIER SINGLE NIYA NA "BABOY". PATUNGKOL SA KABUYAN NG MGA PILIPINO SA SARILI NILANG KAPALIGIRAN. SINUNDAN PA YUN NG SINGLE NA "HULA" -NA TUNGKOL SA MGA PAGIGING MAPAMAHIIN NG PINOY, AT YUNG "MABUHAY"-NA ISANG PASASALAMAT NA NAG-EEXIST KA SA MUNDO SA KABILA NG MGA KARUMAL-DUMAL NA KAGANAPAN SA PALIGID MO.

PAGKATAPOS NG TATLONG SINGLE, NAWALA NA NAMAN SA ERE SI DONG.HULI KO SYANG NAKITA NUNG 2004 NU ROCK AWARDS. MEDYO LASING NA YATA, AT NAGTATATAKBO PAPUNTA SA STAGE KASE PAPANUORIN NYA YUNG BANDANG "SUGARFREE". SA TOTOO LANG DI KO KILALA NG PERSONAL SI DONG ABAY. DI KO ALAM KUNG ANUNG KLASENG TAO SYA. DI KO ALAM KUNG ANUNG PABORITO NYANG ULAM. DI KO ALAM KUNG ANUNG KLASENG MUSIKA ANG PINAPAKINGGAN NIYA. PERO MERONG ISANG BAGAY SA KANYA NA LABIS KONG INIRERESPETO.

ISA SYANG MUSIKERO. ISA SYANG MUSIKERO NA HINDI MAHILIG SA KUMPROMISO. ISA SYANG LIRIKO NA HINDI PATUMPIK-TUMPIK. HINDI SYA KASING GALING MAGGITARA NI FRANCIS REYES O NI CHUCK ISIDRO, PERO ANG MGA RITMO NYA AY SIMPLE AT DIRETSO. SAKTONG-SAKTO LANG SA KUNG ANO ANG HINIHINGI NG KANTA. HINDI SYA KASING GWAPO NI BAMBOO AT NI ELY BUENDIA, PERO LAHAT NG TAO, NAKAKA-RELATE SA KINAKANTA NIYA. SIYA'Y ISANG TAO NA HINDI NAKAKALIMOT SA KUNG SINO SIYA, AT HINDI NAGDADALAWANG ISIP SA GUSTO NIYANG ISULAT NA KANTA.. ILALAPAT AT ILALAPAT NIYA ANG ALAM NIYANG TAMANG TUNOG PARA SA KANTA NIYA.

SA PAKIWARI KO'Y HINDI RIN SIYA MAYAMAN. DI TULAD NG MGA KASABAYAN NIYANG TUMUTUGTOG NUON. MINSAN NAKITA KO PA SIYANG PATAWID NG KALSADA SA MAY KALAYAAN SA QUEZON CITY. IBIG SABIHIN HANGGANG NGAYON, NAGCO-COMUTE PA RIN SIYA. DI TULAD NG IBANG MUSIKERONG "SHOWBAND" NA DE-KOTSE. DALA ITO MARAHIL NG HINDI NIYA PAGKUMPROMISO AT PAGSUNOD SA TAKBO NG KASALUKUYANG PANGANGALAKAL NG MUSIKA. NAKIKITA KO SA MGA KANTA NIYA NA ITINUTURING NIYANG SINING ANG MUSIKA. ISANG SINING NA HINDI DAPAT HINAHADLANGAN AT HINDI DAPAT KUMUKOMPORME SA KUNG ANO ANG USO. SA ISANG INTERBYUNG NAPANUOD KO SA KANYA, IPINAHAYAG NYANG MEDYO NAIINIS SIYA KAPAG PINAPAKANTA SYA NG MGA LUMANG KANTA NIYA GALING SA YANO. ANG SABI NIYA "BAKIT KAILANGAN PANG KANTAHIN ANG MGA KANTANG SUMIKAT AT KUMITA NA? BAKIT DI TAYO GUMAWA NG MGA BAGONG KOMPOSISYON?" PARA SA KANYA, ANG PROSESO NG PAGLIKHA NG MUSIKA AY DAPAT PROGRESIBO, AT HINDI LANG UMAAYON SA NAKAKAHILIGAN NG MARAMI. SINASALUDUHAN KO ANG PRINSIPYO NYANG ITO, DAHIL AKO MISMO SA SASARILI KO AY NAGKASALA RIN SA PAGSUNOD SA KUNG ANO ANG POPULAR AT CONVENTIONAL.

DAHIL KAY DONG, NAPAGTANTO KO NA TAMA LANG MAGPAKA-IBA AT HINDI KASALANAN ANG PAGSUWAY SA POPULARIDAD, LALUNG LALO NA KUNG ISA KANG ALAGAD NG SINING. DAPAT ANG KUMITA NG MALAKI AY SEKUNDARYA LAMANG SA'YONG PRAYORIDAD, AT BAGKUS AY MAS PAGTUUNAN NG PANSIN ANG IYONG KINAKATHA, MUSIKA MAN O HINDI.

    I'M 24 YEARS OLD, QUITE ABOVE THE LEGAL AGE TO OWN A DRIVER'S LICENSE. HOWEVER, BELIEVE IT OR NOT, I HAVEN'T LAID MY HANDS ON A DRIVING WHEEL YET (EXCEPT OF COURSE WHEN I WAS A KID, WHILE PLAYING WITH OUR NEIGHBOR'S STAILESS JEEP). I IMAGINED THAT MOST OF MY FRIENDS / COLLEGE BUDDIES WOULD'VE OWNED THEIR OWN CARS BY NOW. BUT AS FOR ME, I GOT  STUCK INTO COMMUTING. 

    I USED TO WONDER, HOW WOULD IT FEEL LIKE TO OWN A CAR. WHEN I WAS IN HIGHSCHOOL, I USED TO DREAM ABOUT PICKING UP MY PROM DATE USING YOUR MY OWN VEHICLE....OF COURSE, THAT NEVER HAPPENED.  WHILE MOST OF MY CLASSMATES IN SENIOR HIGH ALREADY GOT THEIR  STUDENT PERMITS RIGHT AFTER GRADUATION, I, ON THE OTHERHAND WAS WORRYING ABOUT WHICH COLLEGE I SHOULD GO TO. 

    I HAVE NEVER PAID ATTENTION TO THIS SUBJECT MATTER OF "DRIVING" UNTIL I WAS ALREADY WORKING.  SEEING MY OFFICEMATES DAY IN  AND DAY OUT WITH THEIR RESPECTIVE AUTOMOBILES, MADE ME THOUGHT ABOUT MY SITUATION.  A QUESTION POPS UP IN MY HEAD: " WHY THE HELL DID  I NOT TOOK A DRIVING LESSON???"

    THEN, ON THE WAY HOME ONE NIGHT, WHILE RIDING ON A SPEEDOMANIAC BUS, I HAVE FOUND MY ANSWERS:


1.) SOCIO-ERGONOMIC STATUS

   
    THE COST OF "ACQUIRING" LET ALONE "MAITAINING" A FRIGGIN MOVING BOX IS REALLY NOT THAT FRIENDLY TO ME. ON TOP OF THIS, THE COST  OF "OIL" WHICH IS A DEPLETING RESOURCE, IS SOARING. HENCE, IT IS NOT THAT FINANCIALLY COMFORTABLE FOR ME.
   


2.) SOCIO-ERGONOMIC SECURITY

   
    IF YOU'RE DRIVING YOUR OWN CAR, YOU ARE TAKING CHARGE. YOU ARE PUTTING YOUR OWN SAFETY IN YOUR OWN HANDS. RIGHT?!............WRONG!!
SURE YOUR HOLDING "YOUR" STEERING WHEEL, BUT THEN AGAIN, SOMEONE ELSE HOLDS "HIS / HER OWN" STEERING WHEEL. 

    NOW, DEPENDING ON THE MOOD OF THAT "SOMEONE ELSE", YOU'RE A WAITING STATISTIC TO THE "VEHICULAR ACCIDENTS" CHART.  PRETTY MUCH THE SAME THING AS ME RIDING A BUS OR A JEEP.  ONCE I STEP UP ON A P.U.B, I AM ALREADY ENTRUSTING MY LIFE TO ANOTHER PERSON'S HANDS.   SO WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE? WHETHER I OWN A CAR OR NOT, I COULD BE DEAD ANYWAY RIGHT?




3.) PUKING LOTS

   
    IN THIS  WONDERFUL WORLD OF CONSUMERISM, PEOPLE WOULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF PRACTICALLY ANYTHING THAT WOULD BRING SOME DOUGH, INCLUDING A 300sq/m EMPTY LOT.  THEY WOULD PAVE THIS PATCH OF LAND AND WOULD TURN IT TO WHAT YOU CALL A "PARKING LOT". THEY WOULD CHARGE YOU FROM 5Php UP TO 30Php FOR PARKING YOUR CAR, WHILE YOU GO ABOUT YOUR WORK. CHEAP ISN'T IT?.....WRONG AGAIN!!.. THAT'S HOW MUCH THEY CHARGE FOR JUST AN "HOUR". ONE OF MY OFFICEMATES SPEND AS MUCH AS 200Php A DAY FOR PARKING SPACE. NOW THAT'S ON TOP THE 45Php/LITER OF GASOLINE THAT SHE HAS TO PUT ON HER CAR.

    AT 200Php I COULD ALREADY GO TO AND FROM THE OFFICE, AND HAVE A  VALUE MEAL AT MC DONALDS. IF YOU'RE EARNING AROUND 20-25K A MONTH AND YOU HAVE A FAMILY TO FEED, SURELY YOU WON'T MAKE BOTH ENDS MEET.



   
4.) WOW PHILIPPINES!

    ACCORDING TO STATISTICS, MORE AND MORE FILIPINOS ARE GETTING POORER. THE P.U.B DRIVERS, 99% OF WHICH BELONG TO THE WORKING CLASS, LIVES AT AROUND 7,000Php/MONTH SALARY.  HOW THE HELL WOULD THEY LEARN SCIENTIFIC DRIVING, IF DRIVING SCHOOLS CHARGES AROUND 7,500PhP FOR 12 DRIVING INSTRUCTIONS / SESSIONS??? 

       IT'S SURPRISING TO KNOW HOW MANY "DRIVER'S FOR HIRE" ARE OUT THERE WHO LEARNED HOW TO DRIVE THROUGH "PASS ON KNOWLEDGE" FROM THEIR FATHERS/GRAND FATHERS/OLDER BROTHERS/UNCLE/COUSIN. I MEAN, WHO KNOWS IF THE DRIVING TECHNIQUE THEY HAVE LEARNED WERE PROBABLY ABOUT 40 YEARS OLD. WAY BEFORE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS WE'RE INVENTED.  IT'S EVEN MORE SURPRISING THAT THESE PEOPLE ARE HOLDING PROFESSIONAL LICENSES, DRIVING 18 WHEELERS!
NO WONDER THIS IS A COMMON SIGHT ALONG PHILIPPINE HIGHWAYS^




    NOW DON'T GET ME WRONG, I STILL DREAM OF OWNING MY OWN CAR.

 

..........................................BUT I DON'T THINK IT WOULD BE SOONER.



   
     



 

         ISANG LINGGO NA SA'KIN ANG "MAXELL" TAPE NI JACKIE (BOKALISTA) NA MAY LAMANG APAT NA KANTA, PERO HANGGANG NGAYON HINDI KO PA RIN NALALAPATAN NAG MATINONG AREGLO SA GITARA LAHAT NG IYON. DI KO ALAM KUNG WALA LANG AKONG GANA, O NABABANO NA NAMAN AKO. DI KO ALAM KUNG BAKIT MAY MGA PAGKAKATAON NA BIGLA NA LANG AKONG NAKAKA-ISIP NG SUNOD-SUNOD NA RIFFS, PERO MAY ARAW NAMAN NA PARANG NABOBOBO AKO.................AT HINDI NAKAKATULONG ANG LIMITADO KONG NALALAMAN SA ISKALA. 

          PAULIT-ULIT KONG PINAPATUGTOG SA ULO KO ANG MGA KANTA, AT PAULIT ULIT KO RING PINIPILIT PAKIRAMDAMAN ANG MGA NOTA KUNG PAANO KO GAGAWING HINDI SILA MAGIGING MAGKAKATUNOG (BIGYAN KA  BA NAMAN ANG NG 2 KANTANG PAREHONG NASA ISKALA NG "C" AT PAREHO PANG TUMATAKBO SA Em-C AT Em-Am). 

        GIG NA SA A-BENTE SINGKO, PERO WALA PA KAMING ENSAYO NG MGA KABANDA KO.  NASA'KIN PA KASI ANG MGA "STUDY TAPES", AT AYOKONG IBARA-BARA ANG AREGLO NG MGA KANTA.  PARA KO NA NAMANG NARIRINIG SI JOLAN (BAHISTA) NA NAGREREKLAMO,.... "PARE PARANG KATUNOG NIYAN
YUNG KANTANG ANO AH!".... O KAYA ......."PARE YUNG CHORUS PARANG SMASHING PUMPKINS AH".

       SA LAHAT NG AYOKO AY YUNG MA-REALIZE KO NA MAY KATONONG KANTA YUNG KANTA NAMIN.......NAIINIS AKO. PAKIRAMDAM KO NAPAKA-BOBO KONG MAG-ISIP NG "MELODY". KAYA AYOKONG MINAMADALI ANG PAGGAWA NAMIN NG KANTA.
   
        SA KASO NG MGA KANTA NI JACKIE, WALA 'KO MAGAGAWA. NASA ISKALA NG "D" AT "C" ANG MGA KANTA NIYA AT YUN ANG HINIHINGI NG BOSES NIYA. ETONG MGA ISAKALANG 'TO ANG DALAWA SA PINAKA-GASGAS NA ISKALA SA INDUSTRYA.........KAHIT SI LITO CAMO HINDI PINAPALAGPAS ITONG DALAWANG ISKALANG 'TO.  KAYA ANG HAMON KO SA SARILI KO AY ANG SUBUKANG ITAGO ANG PAGKAKAPAREHO NG MGA "CHORD PROGRESSIONS".......AT HIGIT SA LAHAT, MAS MALAKING HAMON ANG KUNG PA'NO KO 'TO BIBIGYAN NG "DISTINCTION" ANG KANTA NAMIN, MULA SA IBANG KANTANG HANGO DIN DITO SA MGA ISKALANG ITO.

          SA PANAHON NGAYON, HALOS LAHAT NA YATA NG CHORD PATTERN NAGASGAS NA...... A-C#m-D,  G-Am-Bm-C,  A-D,  Em-C-D,   Am- Em, G-D-C-D,  G-Bm-Em-C.......KAYA ANG MGA KATULAD NAMING, NAG UUMPISA PA LANG SA INDUSTRYA NG MUSIKA, AT GUSTONG MAGING ORIHINAL, AY PATULOY NA NAHIHIRAPAN MAGKAROON NG SARILI NAMING TUNOG.

"GOOD LUCK" TALAGA SA'KIN AT SA BANDA NAMIN.

THE FOLLOWING IS AN INCIDENT THAT HAPPENED AT AN E-GROUP CALLED "PINOY DRUMS"


THE THING THAT STARTED THE BLAZE
Tue May 30, 2006 11:17 am

Mga kapatid kwento ko lang sa inyo itong nanyari sa akin nung last Saturday.
Nag-back up ako for Ara Mina sa Ratsky Morato.Guest nya yung CUESHE. May 3-4
song number sila in the middle of our set. Para mabilis ang set up, iniwan
ko na yung snare, hhats, ride at pedal ko. Eto na pasok na ang crew ng
cueshe, kinalas lahat ang cymbal stands at naglagay ng sangkatutak na boom
arms at multi-clamps. Ginamit pa din nya yung ride, hhats at snare ko
nagdagdag lang sya ng cymbals nya. After nila tumogs, kinalas na nung crew
nila yung gamit, eto yung badtrip, DI NILA BINALIK YUNG MGA KINALAS NILA
BAGO SILA TUMUGTOG. Naiwan naka kalat yung mga stands nakinalas nila. ginawa
ko kinausap ko yung PA sabi ko, "pre baka naman pwede nyo ibalik yung mga
kinalas nyo." Ok naman yung PA binalik naman nya. Mga brad di ba pag may mga
tinanggal ka na gamit sa drums ng venue ikaw na magkukusa isoli sa set-up
kung paano mo inabutan bago mo ilagay ang mga gamit mo. Respeto lang sa
drummer na susunod sa iyo at respeto na din sa gamit ng venue. Pagtingin ko
sa snare ko puro DENTS yung head. Eh bagong palit pa naman. Nilapitan ko
yung drummer sabi ko, tsong bakit mo naman nilagyan ng dents yung heads
ko.bagong lagay pa lang ito sinira mo na." sumagot sya na papalitan nya.
Nagpalitan kami ng number ng road manager nila at sabi Sunday or Monday
papadala nila yung replacement. Nakakainis dito di naman nya gamit yun
hahatawin nya. At ako more than a year ako kung magpalit ng heads di ako
nagkakadent ng heads. Again respeto lang sa gamit ng iba.kung hindi sa iyo
wag mong WARAKIN. EASY KA LANG DI BA? Galling din ako sa rock na tugtugan
and I consider myself a heavy hitter din. Baka may mali sa pagpalo nya kaya
nagkakadent ang heads sa kanya.



I called the road manager Monday afternoon to ask when will I get my
replacement head, sagot nya dadalhin daw niya sa Ratsky ng gabi. Sabi ko sa
Off the Grill ako that night. So sabi nya dun na lang daw.matatapos na yung
gig ko di pa din dumating, tinext ko pero di sumagot tinawagan ko di rin
sinasagot. Hanggang ngayon wala pa rin akong nakukuhang reply sa kanila. DI
KO NA HAHABULIN YUN.SA KANYA NA YUNG 600 PESOS NA PAMBILI NG HEADS, basta sa
akin nakatatak na KUPAL sya at yung road manager nya. head lang yun. Baka
nga bigyan ko pa sya para magpraktis sya kung paano pumalo ng tama!



Eto pa kwela, may nakausap ako na events organizer nung SMB Octoberfest, may
sinira din daw na drums yan nung octoberfest.kaya ingat kayo kung
makaka-alternate nyo yung drummer ng CUESHE, baka wasakin pa gamit nyo nyan.
Kung may nakakakilala sa inyo dun sa drummer na yun paki-forward itong
e-mail sa kanya. hehehehe. Mga kapatid tandaan lang natin RESPETO lang sa
kapwa nating drummers.


Vinci Rodriguez


THE COMMUNITY COMMENTS

sori to hear that naman. sabi ko na nga ba e! samurai yung drummer
ng CUESHE, sa mukha niya pa lang, mukha na siyang descendant ng
samurai nung mga nakaraan. siguro sa samurai skills niya kinuha yung
lakas para madent yung head. hehe. pero seriously, oo tama, respeto
to one and all. =)

***************

Sa pagkakaalam ko, most of the drummers na kilala ko, marunong
magbalik ng set-ups ng venue. Marunong din mag-alaga ng gamit pag-
alam nilang di sa kanila. Bakit kaya sya ganun? dapat nirerespeto
nya gamit ng iba kasi drummer din sya. Kapal naman ng mukha nya.
Kakahiya sya. I'm a heavy hitter but I haven't made any dents to my
snare or other drummers stuff. Ano ba hawak nya, bakal na sticks o
wala lang talaga syang modo. Kakahiya talaga... Sir Vinci, ipaubaya
mo na lang yan sa "KARMA", matindi bumawi yun... See you sa EB Sir
Vinci...

*************************

Dapat maging member ng pinoydrums yung drummer ng cueshet este cueshe
para matuto siya ng REXPECT, naks! Invite natin sa EB, what do you
think? Kagigil talaga mga ganun!





THE RETALIATION

http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines/metro/view_article.php?article_id=12798

Rock band drummer files P1M libel suit vs musician By DJ Yap Inquirer Last updated 06:14am (Mla time) 08/01/2006 Published on Page A18 of the August 1, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer THE drummer for the rock band Cueshe has filed a P1-million libel suit against a fellow drummer for writing an e-mail that allegedly said he was disrespectful of other musicians and also called for a boycott of his band. Michael Manuel Manaloto charged with libel Vinci Rodriguez, who introduced himself as a back-up drummer of actress Ara Mina, in the Quezon City prosecutor’s office. In his complaint, Manaloto accused Rodriguez of writing an e-mail circulating in the Pinoydrums e-group, an online community of Filipino drummers, and ABS-CBN Interactive, which allegedly depicted him in a bad light. The e-mail was Rodriguez’s account of an incident on May 27, in which he accused Manaloto of wrecking his drum parts, including the skin of his snare drum which became dented. Manaloto’s band had been invited by Mina to perform in her show at Ratsky’s bar on Tomas Morato Avenue. After the band performed their number, Rodriguez confronted Manaloto about the damage to his equipment which the latter had used. Manaloto and his manager later offered to have the parts replaced, but Rodriguez, in his e-mail, said nothing came out of the offer. He added that he no longer intended to make Manaloto pay for the damage to his drum set which he placed at P600. He stressed, however, that he would never forget Manaloto’s rudeness. In his version of the events, Manaloto said his offer to replace Rodriguez’s drum parts was made not as an admission of liability but only to avoid trouble. He also denied that he was responsible for the damage to the instrument.

Copyright 2006 Inquirer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

COMMUNITY RETALIATES

flam sa ulo? mahina yan. kabitan natin ng double pedal between the
legs. tapos tirahin natin ng 180bpm yung ano nya. hehehehe. ayos!!!

*****
pansinin niyo, Drummer Vs MUSICIAN yung title nung
press release este article pala!!!!! hindi pa niya
kayang tawagin kapwa DRUMMER si vinci. sige vinci keep
quiet muna, as your lawyer advices. pero kami
magiingay!!

***************

Vinci -
  
You got 1476 PinoyDrums members behind you on this one. (1475 if that Cueshe drummer is a member here.) 
  
Seriously - this lawsuit will deinitely backfire at him (and I think it's already happening now).  Grave mistake talaga.
  
If you need help - daming lawyers sa batch natin and other musicians who are lawyers too who can help.


MY POSITION IN THIS CONFLICT

* I am a member of the "Pinoy Drums" forum, and I understand where Mr. Rodriguez was coming from. It wasn't about the friggin 600Php drumskin. It was about someone who failed to recognize his fault and forgot to be a "man" about it. You would not address a person as "kupal" if he/she did not do something nasty to you. I am not one of the best drummers in this country, but I know a heck about respecting a fellow musicians equipment. And the fact that Mr Rodriguez is a session drummer, it goes to show that this (playing) is one of his bread and butter and thus, he would be mindful of his equipment.

* A drumhead ranges from 400-600Php. A Libel Suit costs...............well that depends on how far and how long your counsel wants to drag the case. An apology coupled with some goodwill costs nothing, except of course for some bruised ego if one is such a jerk about it. This should've been thought about by Mr Manaloto....unless of course the "manager" is the one doing the thinking.

* Cueshe may be dear to their fans and supporters, but certainly they are not so dear to their fellow musicians. Surely they have won numerous awards, but those awards/trophies are nothing but mere proof of their popularity. Popularity which were obtained through countless radio bombardments of their ripped off songs. What is fame if your very own colleagues don't respect you? Sooner or later, Cueshe's fame will burn out, and I wonder, where would Mr. Manaloto end up when that time comes?
I wonder if another band would take him into their wings if they knew he was from cueshe, and that he once wreck the drumhead of a fellow drummer and then sue him afterwards?


* Lastly,I hate Cueshe. Their "music" I mean. They may be good persons in real life, but I really hate their music. Its pretentious, pathetic, and a downright rip off. And this issue involving their drummer , has contributed to my disgust. I need not say more.