B-sides

Chris Webber, the most famous and the most talented member of Michigan's Fab Five retired from the NBA last week. The Fab Five - Webber, Jalen Rose, Juwan Howard, Jimmy King and Ray Jackson - played college ball for the Wolverines for two years, and went to two Final Fours and as many championship games (they lost both). They started as freshmen for Michigan during the 1991 NCAA title game - a first in NCAA history. I was on my first semestral break from college when I watched five bald young kids wearing baggy shorts, trash-talk and showboat their way to the championship game on TV. Some say it revolutionized college ball. That year's Final Four got me hooked for life.

This year, the US NCAA Final Four will feature all four No. 1 seeds for the first time ever. North Carolina, Kansas, Memphis and UCLA, will play for the top prize in US college basketball, after disposing of their respective Elite Eight opponents over the weekend. Worth staying up late for: UNC vs. KU - The last time the Jayhawks were in the Final Four, some guy name Roy Williams was coaching the team. He bolted for his Alma Mater, UNC, after KU lost to Syracuse and Carmelo Anthony.

This season, the NBA will possibly feature a 50-win team that will miss the playoffs. As of this writing, Dallas, Denver and Golden State all have 45 wins, with 9 games left to play. One of these teams will miss out on the eighth and last playoff spot in the very strong Western Conference. These three teams are only 5 1/2 games behind the current leader. On the other hand, the East's No. 4 seed, Cleveland, currently has 41 wins.

Later today, the Chicago Cubs will be entering their 100th season without winning a World Series title (If you are really bad at math, the Cubs last won the World Series way back in 1908). This is the longest-running championship drought in all four major leagues in American sports (MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL). If you have a thing for contrasts, the National University Bulldogs last won the UAAP men's title in 1954. It's not even close.

On the local front, Magnolia's Enrico Villanueva was traded for Purefoods' Marc Pingris last week. It should really be that simple, but for the PBA rules prohibiting direct trades between sister teams. So, Purefoods sent Pingris to Coke, who sent second-tier guard Chester Tolomia for Villanueva and Willy Wilson of Magnolia, before shipping them to Purefoods and Barangay Ginebra, respectively. From Coke, Pingris will move to Magnolia for a second round pick, while Wilson will end up in Ginebra for Mark Macapagal. Simple, huh?

Post-Hibernation

I spent my very first Holy Week in Metro Manila, reacquainting myself with Messrs. Regalado and Armstrong. I had to deal with the former if I wanted to have the slightest chance of finishing the enormous backlog that I created during the course of the last two weeks of the academic year. It's not that I had a choice to begin with. The last 200 pages or so were covered in two sessions. The last two sessions. I dealt with the latter, on the other hand, to keep my sanity. Jessica Zafra once wrote, that we are "a generation without closure" - we did not know what happened to Mr. Armstrong and his three kids, namely, Steve, Big Bert, and Little John. Well, GMA-7 delivered closure to those who still needed it over the weekend, by airing Voltes V's The Secret of the Mechanical Eagle, and The Last Saga. I have already seen both several years ago and several years apart. But, who's complaining?

Weng and I spent Easter Sunday watching the PBA's Graduates vs. Dropouts game on TV. It ended in a way only the PBA could have wanted, 90-all. Following FIBA rules on exhibition games, no overtime was played. The PBA and it's players' educational trust fund went home Php 2 million richer. The fund is meant for players’ post-PBA career studies. (A wiseass remarked that this puts our players at a distinct disadvantage since all of them graduated. On the other hand, the only "graduation" the DLRT boys know is on 6 fouls.)

P.S. LA and Larry have been traded to Alaska for Cortez and Bono. As a true-blue Atenista, and an SMB fan since a long, long time ago, I really wanted LA to follow Olsen's footsteps in SMB (calling it Magnolia doesn't sound right after all these years). I wish them luck.

Holy Thursday

Look at all my trials and tribulations
Sinking in a gentle pool of wine.
Don't disturb me now, I can see the answer
Till this evening is this morning, life is fine.

Always thought that I'd be an Apostle.
Knew that I would make it if I tried.
Then when we retire, we can write the Gospels
So they'll still talk about us when we've died.

Look at all my trials and tribulations
Sinking in a gentle pool of wine.
What's that in the bread, it's gone to my head
Till this morning in this evening life is fine.

- The Last Supper, Jesus Christ Superstar*

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* Mga Awit, Papuri, at Panalangin ng Days With the Lord

Advisory

Easter Sunday's charity match at the Araneta Coliseum, between graduates and dropouts, is set at 4 p.m. and will be televised live on Studio 23. Proceeds of the event will go to the PBA Players’ Educational Trust Fund.

Lenten Thoughts

Cleansing Diet

I am practically done with Specpro. Hooray. I found the answer to my assigned question about two minutes after Mia sent us the assignments last week, and I forwarded it to her posthaste. There were 20 other unassigned questions, which I and two - later four - other likewise lazyass blockmates decided to distribute among ourselves. I have already finished drafting the answers to 3 out of the 4 questions assigned to me, and solved the problem regarding the correction of typographical errors in a person's surname, not by referring to any Specpro textbook, but by calling up my sister, who incidentally, works in a Local Civil Registry office.

After getting the blue books last night, I think most of us can also already cross Labor out of the list of problems we have to worry about. You really have to make an effort to screw this one up to have to take it again.

Civpro, however, is another thing altogether.

Anyway, since Playing for Pizza won't be out in paperback until July, I picked up a copy of Conrado de Quiros' Tongues of Fire earlier today for my SCRA-free summer reading pleasure. Actually, the SCRA-free summer season really won't start until after the second week of April (after Civpro, see above), but really, who cares?

Just for good measure, I also got the latest issue of Time, DVD copies of The Land Before Time (yes, I have seen it before), Mona Lisa Smile, and Coach Carter. If The Land Before Time cannot desensitize your legal gobbledygook-filled brain, I don't know what will.

Looking (Way) Ahead

Peace is a lie, there is only passion.
Through passion, I gain strength.
Through strength, I gain power.
Through power, I gain victory.
Through victory, my chains are broken.
The Force shall free me.

-The Code of the Sith

That will be my write-up for the Memorandum 2010. I can't wait.

In fact, I can't wait for March 18, 2008. Once this month is over and done with, there will be nothing but bliss for the next two months - that is, of course, assuming that everything goes well this month. I don't even want to think about the alternative. Right now, I am hoping and praying that VA will reaffirm my belief in the inherent kindness of human beings.

May God help us all.

Witness

I finally found Toyapi near the steps of the Enterprise Center fronting BPI, after chasing whatever group he's with, from Makati Ave. We tried to find the group from Malcolm, and between the two of us, we figured out how difficult it was to find a group of probably less than a hundred people from a mass of bodies all asking for the head of an evil bitch on a plate. A couple of photographers were angrily asking some people to put their banners down so they can get better shots. I seriously considered throwing a hard, blunt object in their direction, but, I couldn't find a hard, blunt object within my reach. Unfortunately, I didn't see their names, or the organizations they're affiliated with, I could have happily published them here.

There are reportedly around 80,000 people at and near the intersection of Ayala Ave. and Paseo de Roxas right now. It was announced that the PNP prohibited ABC 5's news chopper from flying over the area. Bishop Oscar Cruz, Sr. Mary John Mananzan and Bro. Eddie Villanueva spoke onstage. Notable people in the crowd include Noel Trinidad, Etta Rosales, Manolo Quezon, Butch Abad, and Dinky Soliman. Schools such as Assumption, La Salle, Ateneo, Adamson and UP are well represented (note to mouthpiece Ignacio Bunye: four of these are not SUCs, hence, these have not always been a “source of discontent”). Cory Aquino and Erap Estrada addressed the crowd for about a minute each. Armida delivered a rather weird spiel, which, as we were told later, was apparently a poem. Some guy named "Peter Parker" wearing a Spiderman costume, rapped to the delight of the Bayan Muna crowd.

As I was leaving the area (by following a woman riding some small contraption, much like how drivers follow ambulances at EDSA during rush hour), I heard that Jun Lozada has arrived. He will not be speaking until 6:30, just in time for the networks to cover it live for their news broadcasts.



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Video taken by INQUIRER.net reporter Relly Carpio from the 10th floor ledge of the Philippine First Building in Makati City.

Would Luli Watch?

If you want to (1) express dissent/disgust/pure and unadulterated hatred for all things related to fake presidents and evil bitches, (2) support your alma mater, and (3) watch a basketball game, all at the same time, then this exhibition game is for you.

But on March 16, the two squads and their rabid fans will set aside their history of bitter competition for a friendly match in Araneta Coliseum dubbed “La Salle at Ateneo: Magkasangga Para sa Katotohanan (Team for the Truth)” to raise funds for the legal expenses of broadband whistleblower Rodolfo Noel Lozada, Jr.

I wonder if Araneta would allow Ben's Diner to sell its borjers to the fans. I heard it is to die for.

They Said It

“I was the one who made the recipe. It’s the best borjer. The documents show that you ate here a lot of times. You claimed I threatened you. You’ve been there at Wack Wack, having my borjer.”

- former Commission on Elections Chair Benjamin Abalos Sr., in a futile attempt to convince the Filipino people - on national television - that he did not threaten Jun Lozada.

Puso, Pare, Puso

XVII

I do not love you as if you were salt-rose, or topaz,
or the arrow of carnations the fire shoots off.
I love you as certain dark things are to be loved,
in secret, between the shadow and the soul.

I love you as the plant that never blooms
but carries in itself the light of hidden flowers;
thanks to your love a certain solid fragrance,
risen from the earth, lives darkly in my body.

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.
I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride;
so I love you because I know no other way

than this: where I does not exist, nor you,
so close that your hand on my chest is my hand,
so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep.

Ang pag-ibig ko'y di tulad ng sa anumang bato tulad ng topasyo,
O kahit ng sa bulaklak na napupuno ng bango.
Mahal kita gaya ng mga bagay na madidilim,
Sa pagitan ng anino't kaluluwang kimkim.

Mahal kita tulad ng halamang di namumukadkad
Ngunit taglay ang sinag ng tagong rikit ng mga bulaklak.
Salamat sa iyong pag-ibig, 'sang laksang halimuyak
Ang umuusbong at nabubuhay sa aking katauhan.

Mahal kita, kung paano o kailan o saan ay hindi ko alam.
Mahal kita, walang bahid ng kabuktutan o pag-aalinlangan.
Datapwa't mahal nga kita dahil wala na akong alam pang iba

Maliban dito... na maging ang ako at ang ikaw ay di umiiral:
Na ang bisig mo sa dibdib ko ang aking sandalan;
Na sa iyong pagpikit, ako ang nahihimlay.

- Pablo Neruda

When You Have Eliminated the Impossible

Assuming, for the sake of argument, that Sen. Francis Escudero is wrong, and that the government does not, as a matter of policy, engage in "kidnapping, coercion, violation of anti-wiretapping law, obstruction of justice and other violations of Article 143 [Act tending to prevent the meeting of the Assembly and similar bodies] and 144 [Disturbance of proceedings] of the Revised Penal Code," then I guess we should all be thankful for being blessed with a government that, as enumerated by Inquirer columnist Rina Jimenez-David, gives it citizens (1) free trips to Hong Kong, (2) planeside welcome, (3) protection, (4) joy ride, (5) free legal advice, (6) steak dinner, and (7) P50,000 cash ‘panggastos’ [spending money].

O ha. Saan ka pa?

Wag the Dog

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strip from INQ7.net.

Life After DRP*

A law student from Diliman recently shared with all the readers of the Inquirer, his rather unfortunate experience of getting a 5.0 in Nego - something he apparently shared with 29 other souls. He mentioned that it was his first failing mark ever, and confessed to all who cared to read, what every single soul with a Form 5 in Malcolm knows - resistance is futile. In his words, "he is still the professor and [...] that is the same as god."

Recently, an entire block was held hostage to the resentful and vindictive musings and posturings of a closet drama queen. The hairless wonder was apparently upset (I am being generous here) at the evaluation that that block gave him three semesters ago (which proves that not only don't elephants forget, they don't forgive either). From what the block saw and heard during the make-up classes (he was out for a month on official business), between the 5s that he generously distributed like pancakes to the class, one cannot help but surmise that somebody probably made a lewd comment about his momma in one of those evaluation forms.

He also made insinuations that members of the block provided the fodder to some other professor's weblog. Nevermind the fact that the block has never had the blogger for a professor, in any subject, before. He was sure the blogger was referring to him. He was sure that the information came from this ungrateful pack of recit cards oh-so-screaming for more 5s.

So, after one 15-minute class session, two make-up classes cum ranting and raving sessions, and 11 5s on most recit cards, all the members of the block - with the exception of five or so people - decided to drop the good professor. While a DRP doesn't look as bad as a 5.0 in the transcript, I can only hope that these people, suffer the same fate that the Inquirer contributor referred to above did - get a 1.75 from Professor Avena.

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* with apologies to Jobert Navallo

Failure to Communicate

This silly war really has to stop now. Not only does it get more stupid and more annoying, you also get to hear about it more and more, every single day, whether you like it or not. The level of animosity between the two protagonists is already threatening to reach the Ang Dating Daan vs. Iglesia ni Cristo proportions. Unlike the latter, though, it is not even half as entertaining.

I am writing, of course, about this silly tit-for-tat mudslinging between the two largest TV networks in the country today. Mind you, the case is already in court - you know, that place where a supposedly impartial judge sits to hear both sides' arguments, and render judgment according to law - and they still won't stop babbling. Obviously, both networks are loathe to lose in the court of public opinion, and are leaving absolutely nothing to chance. But, most of the viewers cannot intelligently decide who's right or wrong in this stupid and protracted conflict. Most of the viewers don't even know why the show is called "Big Brother." Are you fucking kidding me?

Everyday, every time you watch the news, you have to tolerate hearing all about each side's claims and defenses, as if you have a say in whatever damages one side to bound to pay, and the other is bound to receive, if any. For the sake of everyone's sanity, I do hope that the court hearing the case decide this soon, with finality, and with prejudice.

(Of course, the loser will appeal, but at least, the RTC will not hear it again.)

Otherwise, we all won't hear the end of it. In the meantime, thank God for RPN/CS.

Institutionalized

"I believe in two things: discipline and the Bible. Here you'll receive both. Put your trust in the Lord; your ass belongs to me. Welcome to Shawshank."

- Warden Samuel Norton, The Shawshank Redemption

The past three months has been, so far, a piece of cake.

To be more precise, a piece of cake, dropped, in a cesspool of organic fertilizer, teeming with a seething mass of slimy, healthy annelids.

Lovely.

Brotherhood

Imagining Sisyphus Happy

"All Sisyphus' silent joy is contained therein. His fate belongs to him. His rock is a thing. Likewise, the absurd man, when he contemplates his torment, silences all the idols. In the universe suddenly restored to its silence, the myriad wondering little voices of the earth rise up. Unconscious, secret calls, invitations from all the faces, they are the necessary reverse and price of victory. There is no sun without shadow, and it is essential to know the night. The absurd man says yes and his efforts will henceforth be unceasing. If there is a personal fate, there is no higher destiny, or at least there is, but one which he concludes is inevitable and despicable. For the rest, he knows himself to be the master of his days. At that subtle moment when man glances backward over his life, Sisyphus returning toward his rock, in that slight pivoting he contemplates that series of unrelated actions which become his fate, created by him, combined under his memory's eye and soon sealed by his death. Thus, convinced of the wholly human origin of all that is human, a blind man eager to see who knows that the night has no end, he is still on the go. The rock is still rolling."

- Albert Camus, The Myth of Sisyphus

Baker's Dozen

Here's twelve things I learned during the holidays:

1. Takezo Kensei?! Takezo Kensei?!!!
2. A lateral patellar dislocation really looks awful. (Apparently, it also hurts like hell.)
3. It is not that easy to look for an orthopedic surgeon on Christmas Day. It also pays to personally know the hospital owner.
4. The Olongapo City government has spent my taxes wisely. Either that, or I just never had the opportunity to really appreciate public property before.
5. Sedatives have interesting effects.
6. Spending Christmas Day within the confines of a private hospital room is not as nice as it is made out to be.
7. Emergency medical care is freaking expensive.
8. When driving on the South Luzon expressway, time and space are distorted, and the Calamba exit will be farther than it appears on the map.
9. You can overtake slow vehicles at Bitukang Manok (otherwise known to locals as Zigzag Road, or Eme Road; otherwise known to me, as the scariest highway ever created or imagined by man). It is not advisable. It is not wise. It does not even make any sense. But, it can be done.
10. Welcoming the New Year is not the same when it is raining. Hard.
11. You can (a) get an unlicensed copy of NBA Live 08 for PS2, (b) get a DVD copy of Enchanted, (c) buy toasted siopao from Naga Restaurant, (d) get a copy of the Inquirer, and (e) buy Tenderloin Tips, Cordon Bleu, and Pork Kebabs from Bigg's to go, and be back home in less than an hour.
12. Isarog Lines can traverse the distance from Naga to Manila in less than seven hours.

* * *

[13.] HB, D(+).

They Said It

"Now I have come to the cross-roads in my life. I always knew what the right path was. Without exception, I knew, but I never took it. You know why? It was too damn hard. Now here's Charlie. He's come to the cross-roads. He has chosen a path. It's the right path. It's a path made of principle that leads to character. Let him continue on his journey."

- Lt. Col. Frank Slade, speaking in defense of Charlie Simms at a meeting at the Baird School, Scent of a Woman

* * *

"We joined the Marines because we wanted to live our lives by a certain code, and we found it in the Corps. Now you're asking us to sign a piece of paper that says we have no honor. You're asking us to say we're not Marines. If a court decides that what we did was wrong, then I'll accept whatever punishment they give. But I believe I was right sir, I believe I did my job, and I will not dishonor myself, my unit, or the Corps so I can go home in six months... Sir."

- Dawson, A Few Good Men

* * *

Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice
‘Coz now you have a choice
You’re free as a bird on a tree
Are you happy as me?
Now it’s time to leave
All cares and worries behind
Elevate your mind
Rise and shine

- Eraserheads, Rise and Shine

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Isang maligaya at mapagpalayang Pasko sa ating lahat!