Wish you were here

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

MANILA NORTH CEMETERY

posted by Señor Enrique at 8:09 PM | 28 comments

THE EARLY BIRDS OF THE NORTH

posted by Señor Enrique at 5:29 PM | 14 comments

THE CEMETERY'S ENTREPRENEURS

posted by Señor Enrique at 2:59 PM | 12 comments

Monday, October 29, 2007

BARANGAY SK ELECTION 2007

posted by Señor Enrique at 3:03 PM | 22 comments

Sunday, October 28, 2007

AVAILABLE CORPORATE GRANT

One of the world's most valuable technology companies with a presence here in the Philippines may have some grant money to dole out. The company's core competence is information infrastructure, and one of the social responsibility programs it supports is the preservation through digital archiving of historical, culturally-important information in national museums and libraries. Hence the company's global headquarters awards grants of varying amounts to worthy projects endorsed from different countries.

If you know of any local historical institutions or initiatives that might benefit from this kind of assistance, please email me your information and I will forward it to the person in charged of application solicitation.

posted by Señor Enrique at 7:44 AM | 12 comments

Saturday, October 27, 2007

ON BOTTLED SCENTS

posted by Señor Enrique at 7:26 AM | 32 comments

Friday, October 26, 2007

A HEART ENTRAPPED

posted by Señor Enrique at 8:14 AM | 16 comments

Thursday, October 25, 2007

GHOST STORIES

They are nowadays referred to as controversial anomalous phenomenon which is believed by some and shunned by the rest as mere figments of the imagination.

My eldest sister Fraulein could see them. Once during the night of a neighbor's death, she saw the spirit of the dead man outside his house, looking in through one of the windows as if checking on his family. On another occasion, an hour before my brother Junior died in his hospital bed in a Makati hospital, Fraulein saw him sitting on the step of her house as she was coming home from work. Instead of approaching him, she immediately turned around and took a cab to the hospital. Already comatose, Junior was pronounced dead shortly after her arrival.

Personally, I haven't seen any ghostly apparition. I could only sense them.

During the ensuing couple of years after my father's death, whenever I was feeling ill even with something as innocuous as a fever, my father would make his presence felt. At times, I could feel the denting on the side of the bed as if he was sitting on it. I wasn't afraid at all. In fact, his presence had a comforting effect that would lull me sleep.

Even more dramatic was when I was also nursing a slight fever a day or two after my high school graduation. I was tirelessly polishing my brand new Rado wristwatch with my handkerchief while lying in bed when I suddenly heard someone asked, "What time is it." As if by instinct I checked my watch and replied, "It's quarter to nine." Thinking it was my brother Junior, I looked up towards where the door was; it was closed and Junior wasn't anywhere near it. And then suddenly I realized it wasn't his voice but that of my father's. I then put the watch away and turned off the light. I went to sleep thinking that my father was probably happy that I had received that Rado watch -- a much anticipated graduation gift.

In Long Island, New York one summer, my best friend and I went bicycling along the north shore for a few days with Montauk Point as our planned destination. On our first night, we stayed at a youth hostel which was a huge house next to the church. Its ground floor served as a recreation center for the parish kids. That evening, when everyone had gone home, my friend and I decided to play another game of billiards before calling it a night. Towards the middle of the game, we both felt something eerie -- a presence of some malevolent entity. I got goosebumps and so did my friend. We just looked at each other and without saying a single word, we raced upstairs to the bedroom, while neglecting to turn off all the lights downstairs in the process. The caretaker, of course wasn't too pleased to have discovered the costly infraction the next morning.

When I moved back to the Philippines, my cousins would often ask why I wasn't too keen on staying over in their rarely-used houses inside the old naval base in Subic. One of which is a sprawling residence most probably reserved for the exclusive use of high ranking US naval officials. Anyway, the one night I spent in that house provided a good enough reason for me not to return. I didn't see or hear anything, but there was definitely some eerie presence in the bedroom where I slept. The caretaker admitted the following morning that strange things do happen in that house but she had gotten used to them.

Same as in the other cousin's nearby house. There also seemed to be some presence that threatened to show itself at anytime. Once when I stayed there overnight, I had the blanket covered my entire body throughout the entire night. I was scared silly. Subsequently, at some family gathering, my nephew justified my suspicions. He told us of certain apparitions that he had experienced for himself within the house and its premises. He also made mention of a certain stretch of road in the area in which lone motorists would suddenly see in their rear view mirror a ghost at the backseat. My travels to Subic since then became mostly day trips.

Where I live in Metro Manila is somewhat of the same story. Most neighbors claim that their respective dwelling hosts female ghosts dressed in white. Some of our overnight guests claimed to have either heard unusual sounds at night, or had actually seen some ghost-like apparitions.

Personally, except for the sounds of some little feet running around in the hallway and someone sweeping the yard with a broomstick in the middle of the night, I am yet to experience a full contact interaction with a ghost. However, I'm sure they're all aware that I could possibly die of fright. And this may be the reason why they don't make any surprise appearances before me whenever I get up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom.

In the spirit of Halloween, check out this photograph and let me know whether you think it's real or not.

posted by Señor Enrique at 4:41 PM | 40 comments

ATIS, ANYONE?

This was the way my brother Taba loved to eat his atis; painstakingly removing each skin of the fruit's segment until he could just take a big bite. I, on the other hand, would just cut it in half with a knife, and then with a teaspoon just scoop out its sweet white segments.

This was the fruit we would excitedly anticipate every summer. But since our childhood days, atis has been made into ice cream and juice.

It was introduced in the Philippines by the Spanish during the colonial era. The atis tree will grow easily in any tropical setting. After about a year's time, it will begin to bear fruit three times a year; the sweetest are those borne during the summer months.

As for its curative properties, the seed contains a yellow, non-drying oil which is an irritant that can be used against lice. The unripe fruit is astringent and can be used for diarrhea, dysentery and dyspepsia, while the roots can be used as a potent laxative. The bark of its tree is astringent and tonic; whereas, crushing and smelling its fresh leaves help those who suffer from fainting spells.

Atis is now fairly abundant in the city markets; selling price is about 80 pesos per kilo.

posted by Señor Enrique at 7:32 AM | 26 comments

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

SOMETHING FUN ON THIS RAINY DAY

It has been raining in Manila these days and all I can do is stay put since the neighboring areas where I live easily get flooded. Usually, it takes a few hours for the flood water to recede; therefore, driving is not a good idea unless absolutely necessary.

However, if in case you're driving around in some flooded Manila street and your car should suddenly stop and refuse to budge, worry not for there's often a group of young folks willing to help you give it a push for a hundred pesos.

Nonetheless, for now, the least I can do is post a photograph that projects fun. You see, if I can't have the usual sunshine, I could at least fill my mind with images of color, music and joy.

posted by Señor Enrique at 7:05 AM | 30 comments

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

A TWO-CIGARETTE SOCIETY

During the past few days, we've tackled three interesting health topics: 1) the perilous side effects of aspartame; 2) losing weight without the strenuous excercises; and 3) the healing properties, as well as the adverse effects on the male libido, of papayas.

I thank everyone for sharing their views on these matters. I am confident that the personal experiences you shared will help others decide which ideal steps to take when pursuing a healthier lifestyle for themselves.

There is one other significant health issue I'd like to bring up -- cigarette smoking.

However, the intention here is not to shame smokers into quitting. I was once seriously addicted to nicotine and realized that my inability to quit was beyond the seemingly lack of will power. The addiction, for me, was simply a soul thing; a very personal battle.

Moreover, in the blog entry I had written, No Butts No More, I said, " Ask me to talk to someone about kicking his smoking habit and I wouldn’t do it. First of all, I was once in his position — the more people would tell me to stop smoking, the more I would light up a cigarette; not out of defiance, but because just the thought of how tough it is to quit would only make me light up another stick."

I remain steadfast in this personal belief.

Now, for this particular entry, I'd like to put the spotlight, so to speak, on the op-ed article published in yesterday's New York Times -- A Two-Cigarette Society.

Authored by David G. Adams -- lawyer and director of the policy staff at the Food and Drug Administration from 1992 to 1994 -- whose goal is to prevent our children from developing nicotine addiction. He argues that "decades of addiction will mean disease and death for millions of our children."

Adams claims our children begin to smoke cigarettes largely because of peer pressure, and will continue to smoke due to the nicotine's addictive qualities; too powerful for most young people and adults to conquer. Supposedly, about 90 percent of smokers regret having developed a nicotine dependency, and have made attempts to quit.

As a possible solution to this growing problem, Adams suggests a two-cigarette strategy.

As he envisions it, the tobacco industry will produce cigarettes that are nicotine-free (which it is capable of doing) while regulators will develop clear standards for non-addictive cigarettes.

He goes on to suggest, "The age to purchase addictive cigarettes might be set at 21. Better yet, sales of addictive cigarettes could be restricted to individuals born 19 or more years before the two-cigarette strategy was put into effect. Under this approach, 18-year-olds who start smoking non-addictive cigarettes would be prohibited from switching to addictive cigarettes even after they turned 21. In addition, a higher federal excise tax on addictive cigarettes than on non-addictive cigarettes would create a financial incentive for smokers of all ages, including scofflaw adolescents, to select non-addictive cigarettes."

Essentially, If addiction can be prevented at the outset, Adams would not want another day wasted.

Health officials ought to give Adams' recommendations a very serious consideration. Each day, many of our children are getting addicted to nicotine. Personally, I wouldn't wish even on my worst enemy the experiences I had gone through as a nicotine addict.

Incidentally, it is worth noting that in New York, since Starbucks has become very popular for children to hang out at after school, its staff would serve decaffeinated coffee on any of its coffee-based refreshments ordered by minors whether asked for or not. I think this is a very responsible attitude by Starbucks. Last thing we need is to have some of our school children running around strung-out on caffeine.

posted by Señor Enrique at 8:54 AM | 28 comments

Monday, October 22, 2007

A CALL FOR PEACE

This entry is in response to a call for all Pinoy bloggers for prayer and sobriety by Ding of Inkblots - Life Unraveled.

Since I have no decent photograph of a white flower, I have instead posted this prayer and a photograph of our wooden statue of Saint Francis. They are for the bereaved families of the victims of the Glorietta 2 explosion, as well as to all its survivors.

This prayer for peace, is attributed to Saint Francis who was born in Assisi in 1182, although the prayer in its present form can be dated only as far back as 1912, when it was printed in a French magazine, La Clochette (The Little Bell), as an anonymous prayer.

posted by Señor Enrique at 9:18 AM | 22 comments

Sunday, October 21, 2007

LOSING THE POUNDS WITHOUT THE EXERCISE

I was watching the Larry King Show the other day on CNN, guest-hosted by Joy Behar. She had a panel of weight loss and physical fitness experts as guests, including the notable health guru, Dr. Weil.

What grabbed my attention the most was what one of the guests, Gary Taubes, had said -- that contrary to common belief, exercise does not make us thinner. And that it only makes us work up an appetite; thus making us gain weight in the process.

So right after the show, I googled the name Gary Taubes. Being a well-published writer, the results listed a few links. I clicked on his New York Magazine article, "The Scientist and the Stairmaster," in which he discussed with certainty his theory that exercise can be a significant factor in making us gain rather than lose weight. Maybe not immediately, he asserted, but eventually. "Burn more calories and the odds are very good that we’ll consume more as well. And this simple fact alone might explain both the scientific evidence and a nation’s worth of sorely disappointing anecdotal experience."

He went on to say, "It’s difficult to get health authorities to talk about the disconnect between their official recommendations and the scientific evidence that underlies it because they want to encourage us to exercise even if their primary reason for doing so is highly debatable."

Taubes cited Steve Blair as an example. A University of South Carolina exercise scientist and a co-author of the AHA-ACSM guidelines, said he was once short, fat, and bald when he started running in his thirties and he is short, fatter, and balder now, at age 68. In the intervening years, Blair claims, he estimates, he has run close to 80,000 miles and gained about 30 pounds as well.

Originally a science journalist, Taubes was in MIT interviewing an economist about another story, a guy who runs a laboratory of financial engineering. He told Taubes about being on the Atkins diet, and how effective it was. The man was an Asian-American who had lost 40-50 pounds by giving up white rice, in effect.

Taubes later on tried to do the same as an experiment since he was going to write about fat and whether it is a cause of heart disease and weight loss. He lost 20 pounds in six weeks, and stopped exercising. It was a surreal experience for him and in a sense, formed his opinions from there on in. He has since authored two books on the subject of weight loss, The Diet Delusion and Good Calories, Bad Calories.

Incidentally, the Google search results also listed his New York Times op-ed article, "What if it was a big fat lie?" I then remembered having read it when it was first published. Its basic premise was, "what if the American medical community who has been accusing the unrepentant Dr. Atkins of quackery and fraud were to discover that he was right all along?" The article attracted national attention and proved controversial, for in essence, it was sort of perceived as a New York Times nod of approval for the low-carb high-protein diet advocated by a Manhattan doctor, Robert Atkins.

So for those contemplating on shedding some pounds in time for the holidays without doing any of those strenuous exercises. you may want to check out more on what Gary Taubes has to say. After all, he lost 20 pounds in six weeks without it.

*

posted by Señor Enrique at 5:59 AM | 30 comments

Saturday, October 20, 2007

CHILLED PAPAYA

Waverley Root, an American journalist wrote, "The papaya leads a disorderly life. Normally some plants bear female flowers and others male flowers, putting it in the category of 'harem trees' -- male trees are thinned out as soon as their sex can be determined, to leave one male for each eight to fifteen females. The papaya is not normal. Hermaphroditic trees appear, bearing both male and female flowers, while others change their minds in midcareer and shift from male to female or vice versa. Miscegenation is rampant, too"

Be that as it may, papaya, especially when chilled, make a wonderful breakfast treat -- a fine alternative from the usual morning pandesal.

It has curative properties, too, as confirmed by the researches of Russian State Medical University. A papaya-based medication was confirmed to accelerate the healing of burn wounds because of its antiphlogistic and antibacterial action. According to the report, "It was discovered that papaya weakens the action of an enzyme excreted by pathogens in the wound. Pathogens excrete the enzyme to protect themselves from the enemies - phagocyte cells that destroy bacteria. In the presence of papaya, these purifying cells find themselves in an advantageous position, and efficiency of their work increases. Therefore, the wound will depurate and heal up quicker. In addition, the precious fruit does not allow leucocytes to produce too much oxygen and nitrogen, which further hurt the wound."

Emma Dawson of Southern Illinois University, on the other hand, wrote, "Papaya can be used as a diuretic (the roots and leaves), anthelmintic (the Leave and seed) and to treat bilious conditions (the fruit). Parts of the plant are also used to combat dyspepsia and other digestive disorders (papaya contains a proteolytic enzyme which soothes the stomach and aides in digestion) and a liquid potion has been used to reduce enlarged tonsils. In addition, the juice is used for warts, cancers, tumors, corns and skin defects while the root is said to help tumors of the uterus. In African a root infusion is also used for syphilis and the leaf is smoked to relieve asthma attacks. The Javanese believes that eating papaya prevents rheumatism and in Cuba the latex is used for psoriasis, ringworm and the removal of cancerous growth.

There are more information available online regarding the healing properties of papaya, but for now, I plan to simply enjoy it chilled for breakfast.

posted by Señor Enrique at 8:27 AM | 34 comments

Friday, October 19, 2007

UPDATE: WHERE AVENUE THEATER ONCE STOOD

This is the newly-erected structure that now occupies the front part of the property where the Avenue Theater once was. This single-story structure features retail shops offering cellphone accessory merchandise. And right behind it is a vast parking lot.

The Avenue building -- designed by Juan Nakpil and built during the 1930s -- was the tallest in the area and boasted a movie theater, hotel, retail shops and small offices. It was among the few buildings on Avenida Rizal that survived the American bombardment during the Battle of Manila.

posted by Señor Enrique at 7:33 PM | 10 comments

Thursday, October 18, 2007

A SHORT BUT SWEET GOODBYE

It has been almost two years since realizing that I may be addicted to aspartame, the artificial sweetener used in diet sodas. In fact, I had posted a series of entries about its perils, side effects, and about the man who may have been largely influential for lobbying the Food and Drug Administration to declare this dangerous chemical safe for human consumption.

It has been more than two weeks since the last time I had a glass of Coke Light, and haven't craved for it since. I am now confident and secured enough to bid adieu to aspartame, because I have finally kicked my addiction to Coke Light, as well as for any kind of soft drinks.

I thank God's help in this personal battle of mine.

Goodbye, Coke Light!

posted by Señor Enrique at 1:24 PM | 28 comments

SOME INTERESTING TECH NEWS

Now here's something interesting: according to a New York Times article, dot.com start-up companies are once again the hot favorites for many investors.

It's rather interesting, for they seem to have completely forgotten the not so long ago Internet bubble burst. And the bubble we speak of here, of course, was largely comprised of newly-established ventures with funny names, without any proven revenue stream, and attracted a mere trickle of customers. Yet somehow, another similar bubble appears to be emerging with newly-created start-ups that are commanding staggering prices.

Among which is Facebook, a financially unproven but highly popular online social network. It is reportedly being valued by investors at up to $15 billion. Indeed, an outrageous valuation since it's nearly half of what Yahoo is worth, a company with 38 times the number of employees and, based on estimates of Facebook’s income, 32 times the revenue. Unbelievable.

If you want to know more about this yet another impending madness, read Silicon Valley Start-Ups Awash in Dollars, Again

On a lighter note, Shutter Box Philippines announces an interesting free event -- Freedom of Expression Digital Photography Workshop by Patrick Uy. It is sponsored by Acer Philippines to be held on October 20, 2007 at the AIM Conference Center Manila in Benavidez corner Trasierra Streets, Legaspi Village, Makati City. Two (2) sessions will be conducted for the said workshop: morning session is at 9am to 12nn and afternoon session at 2pm to 6pm.

Another free event is the Basic Orientation Seminar on Copyright conducted by IP Philippines. There are other month-long activities that are open to the public such as IPR seminars, art competition, exhibitions, and storytelling sessions; international seminars on patent; training programs under the Intellectual Property Rights Protection (IPROTECT) Training and other activities.

Full details for both events are available at Shutter Box Philippines

By the way, the above photo is not the much dreaded "blue screen of death." Can anyone guess the material I used in creating this photograph besides the laptop keyboard protector at the bottom? A clue is in the title.

Give up? Click here.

posted by Señor Enrique at 6:34 AM | 12 comments

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

ON NATURE AND ART

posted by Señor Enrique at 7:08 AM | 18 comments

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

REGARDING LUISA

No one could figure out exactly who she was riding alone in a chauffeured Mercedez-Benz sedan that unexpectedly joined the convoy of vehicles at my father's funeral. She was immaculately dressed in an elegant black outfit with a pair of matching stilettos. A similarly black wide-brimmed straw hat obscured the shape of her head, while its veil covered her face entirely.

There were those who later admitted that they couldn't help but speculate if she were, perhaps, the other younger woman kept secret by my father.

However, at the end of the interment ceremony, the mysterious woman walked towards my mother, dramatically removed the veil off her face, and kissed my mother on the cheek. Unfortunately, my mother was too grief-stricken to properly acknowledge her presence. But the astonished Tia Victoria, upon seeing this woman's face, immediately gasped and made the sign of the cross.

My face revealed a quick smile -- a welcomed, though temporary, respite from the sorrow that permeated the funeral -- for I, too, was caught unaware yet amused by this woman's seemingly theatrical appearance.

It was Luisa. She flew in to Manila for the day just to attend my father's funeral.

She has got to be at least 60 nowadays. I wonder if she has retained any of her good looks. I remember her back then as being attractively tall with an elegant figure, a pretty elongated face jeweled with alluring eyes, and her flowing jet black hair seemed to shimmer and sway with the breeze. Her dark skin tone complimented her enchanting exotic features which could have easily made either Michael Cain or Marlon Brando fall head over heels for her.

She grew up in our neighborhood in Santa Cruz, Manila in an apartment in the eskinita (or alley) owned by my father's cousin. She lived with her parents and two brothers, but when she was about 14 or so, she moved in next door with another of my father's cousins, Tia Victoria, a spinster. I wasn't fond of her on account of that folding fan that she menacingly wielded. I thought of her as someone left behind by a lover who had boarded one of the Galleon ships with the intention to never return to her choking arms. You see, Tia Victoria seemed as old as the weathered walls of Intramuros, with a mentality as archaic as the days of the inquiistion.

Anyway, as Tia Victoria's trusted companion and helper when not in school, Luisa was soon indoctrinated on the rudimentary virtues of a true Catholic woman. Her lessons included a visit to the church every afternoon and the recitation of the rosary before bedtime. And whenever Tia Victoria dropped by our house, Luisa would always be in tow. Eventually, Luisa became close to my older siblings due to the range in age they shared; hence becoming a frequent fixture in our house, either with or without my aunt.

During her second year at the University of the East, Luisa's family had fallen on hard times due to the death of one of her brothers. She had to quit her schooling. She also moved out of Tia Victoria's apartment and returned to live with her aging parents next door. She sought employment where she could to help the other brother whose income as a technician in an optical shop in Quiapo was insufficient to meet their living expenses.

The ensuing months proved challenging. Luisa was unable to get a regular job other than the usual odds and ends at the nearby university belt area that didn't pay much at all. Consequently, much to Tia Victoria's horror, Luisa accepted a good paying job offer from a schoolmate's friend -- as a hostess (or now commonly referred to as a GRO - guest relations officer) at one of Dewey Boulevard's exclusive night clubs. Her unusual career move defied all that which Tia Victoria labored to instill in her; taking it as a personal affront.

"Ipagtitirik kita ng kandila!" she screamed at poor Luisa.

Tia Victoria then launched a vicious crusade to have Luisa ostracized by the entire clan. But my father would hear none of her spurious, self-righteous rhetoric. He refused to abide by what he deemed a cruel judgment. My father opted to keep the door of our house remained open for Luisa; the only one among the whole clan's nearby dwellings. Tia Victoria's glaring stare and quivering lips revealed her indignation; totally unable to utter a single word to change my father's opinion on the matter. After all, it was my father's house.

So, for the next couple of years, Luisa continued her regular visits at the house. Her appearance, however, changed; influenced perhaps, by the kind of work she did. She was becoming more glamorous with each passing day.

Luisa favored the bouffant hairdo which, in retrospect, a fashion trend that might have started the depletion of the ozone layer. Her eyes sported those thick long eyelashes, while her stylish mini skirts made her long shapely legs even more apparent to the adoring eyes of many men.

She married an Australian she met at her club. They waited after their baby was born in Manila before they all moved to Sydney. I was already in high school by then, and the most memorable conversation we had just before she left was when I had a huge zit on my nose on the eve of a school dance. Her advice was for me to focus all my attention on the girl, not on my gargantuan pimple, and that everything else would fall into place. I wished the zit would fall off my face.

"Remember, Eric," she told me, "it's the romance that counts the most."

It was at my father's funeral when I saw Luisa again since she and the baby moved to Sydney. And although she only had a few minutes to spare before heading back to the airport, she did find time to put an arm around me as she took the vacant seat next to where I was sitting.

When I asked how life was in Australia for her and the baby, she confided that her husband landed in jail for some major scam he had concocted. However, the baby was doing fine, she claimed. When I asked how they were both getting along without him, she replied, "You know, I'm in India today and may be Hong Kong the next," ending her remark with a shrug of her shoulders.

"Like those James Bond women?" I asked teasingly. "Sort of, but none of that spying business." She was smiling when she said it but her eyes weren't. She then quickly kissed my forehead as she got up to head over to her waiting car.

Sadly, that was the last time I saw Luisa.

Labels: Growing up memoirs, life in Manila

posted by Señor Enrique at 10:14 AM | 34 comments

Monday, October 15, 2007

ON MORAL INDIGNATION

posted by Señor Enrique at 9:27 AM | 22 comments

Sunday, October 14, 2007

MANILA CENTER FOR THE ARTS

An author and freelance writer based in Hawaii, Patricia Laurel was crestfallen by what she sees as the obliteration of our nation's soul -- culture, traditions, the arts. So along with a group of artists and writers, she decided to do something about it by envisioning the Manila Center for the Arts.

Its intention is to provide a platform for established and emerging Filipino artists, students, and untapped talents, educators and arts enthusiasts. It will be "a convening venue to serve as a cooperative for Filipino visual and performing artists, musicians and writers whose work is pushing boundaries in content and form, and whose passion involves challenging the status quo."

The third floor of the landmark Army and Navy Club near the Quirino Grandstand at Luneta Park is the planned site for the center, while funding for which will be generated through grants and private contributions.

To jump-start the project, a quarterly magazine, Art-in-Site, will be published in January of 2008; to be distributed both here and the United States.

Serving as the official voice of the center, Art-in-Site magazine is designed with four main sections: arts, literature, culture and youth forum (to encourage the active participation of our young talents and educators). Moreover, a website is also being designed to compliment the magazine.

For more information or questions regarding submissions, you may contact Patricia Laurel by email at: ptrclaurel@yahoo.com

posted by Señor Enrique at 2:00 PM | 22 comments

Saturday, October 13, 2007

ON PAIN AND PLEASURE

In Zen, it is advised that one ought to regard both exuberant and horrific moments with the same degree of equanimity so as to retain a dignified, placid composure when dealing with either circumstance. A fine virtue to embody, indeed, but may be easier said than done.

As kids enjoying a summer vacation in Subic, we couldn't help but express our delirious happiness with screams of joy and laughter. It was the same as when frightened, especially at night when older cousins would suddenly lunge at us from the darkness like wicked phantoms -- we'd scream our lungs out, too, then.

But come to think of it, during one summer in Subic, I must admit there was a time when I'd react with stillness and silence. It wasn't because I was trying to project an inner composure. I was simply frozen out of fright; my siblings and cousins displayed the very same reaction.

Such frightful episode was caused by a regular occurrence not under the cover of darkness, but in broad daylight. It was when our Tia Kikay, one of my father's sisters, would yell for us kids to stop our play and get ready for our morning bath in her usual thunderous roar; prompting the nearby animals to run away as if sensing an incoming cataclysmic act of God.

Tia Kikay always tried to hide it from us, but we all knew that her right hand held that nasty piece of stone that we all dreaded.

As we marched to heed her call, the ever loyal maid Ojang, with her trademark sneer etched on her sinister face, would vigorously pumped the water out of the ground like some brawny stevedore. And once the metal basin was filled with water, the awful ritual would then commence.

No longer able to cope with such agony, one Saturday when my father came to Subic with my mother, I told on Tia Kikay. I was never one to rat on anybody, but in this particular case, I had no other choice.

At first my father didn't believe me because I couldn't show him any evidence such as a blister, an open wound, or any sign of physical damage on any part of my body. Nonetheless, I knew how to get to my father's heart -- with my teary doleful eyes.

Finally, he relented and assured me he'd speak to Tia Kikay about it. And when I told my sister Inday and cousins that our misery was about to come to an end, everyone started screaming and jumping, buoyed by unadulterated bliss.

My father did talk to Tia Kikay about it, and from that moment on, whenever giving us a bath, she never used that piece of stone on us ever again. You see, the way she applied it, our skin felt as if it were being scraped off our tender bodies. We just had to prove to her, though, that we could do it ourselves, and do a good job of it!

And so the rest of that summer in Subic was once again simply grand.

Labels: Growing up memoirs, Local culture

posted by Señor Enrique at 10:15 AM | 20 comments

Friday, October 12, 2007

ON LIGHT AND SOUND

I've always been intrigued by science. Every now and then, watching a Discovery Channel program or a sci-fi movie would inspire me to dig into some books or online resources to review some of what I've learned in the past. A healthy mental exercise, indeed, but it can also be unsettling. You see, it also jolts me into realizing just how forgetful I am fast becoming. Goodness, what is one to do with this toll of getting on with the years?

Anyway, one of the books I bought in New York and haven't read at all is "The Power of Sound" by Joshua Leeds. Last night, unable to fall asleep, I decided to get up and pick a book from the shelf hoping it would lull me into the arms of Morpheus. I chose this one, but it turned out to be a big mistake. It kept me up because I got engrossed by it.

Anyway, here's the part from the book I'd like to share with you:

According to the author, although it's a great concept, it isn't true that only speed and perception distinguish light from sound just because they're both by-products of frequency. He argues that the only similarities of light and sound are:

- They both move swiftly through space as waves,
- They both can be perceived by the sensory organs in our head,
- They both emanate from vibrations and measured in Hz,
- All humans love both of them.

Now, here's what makes them different from one another:

In terms of speed, light moves at the astonishing rate of 186,000 miles per second, while sound travels at a mere 770 miles per hour. Hence in only five seconds, sound has only traveled a single mile; whereas, light has already traveled thirty-seven times around the globe (930,000 miles). This explains why we hear the thunder long after its accompanying lightning has come and gone.

In terms of waves, light moves transversely (crossing side to side) in direct lines, while sound move spherically on longitudinal waves.

In terms of material, light depends on an electrical exchange of energy, independent from any physical matter, and can travel through the vacuum of space. Sound, on the other hand, depends on the displacement of molecules of physical matter. And for its waveform to exist, sound requires solids, gas, liquids, and so on; otherwise it won't play.

In terms of constancy, the speed of light rarely changes. The speed of sound absolutely changes based on the environment.

In terms of consistency, light is an electromagnetic force. From the slowest frequencies to the fastest, its frequencies are: radio waves, microwaves, infrared, and ultraviolet. Sound totally relies on physical matter.

Although humans are composed of the same basic components of light and sound, light is electromagnetic and sound is physical matter (atoms and molecules); hence we are tuned to handle the vibrations of sound more easily than those of light. We are able to vibrate with sound simply because we all have the capacity to hear and produce sound. On the other hand, it requires a fairly advanced art form for humans to create light from their minds and bodies.

And since we are gifted with the ability to create sounds from our bodies, therefore, we have a tool to tap into the greater sonic stream and at the same time be resonated by it. In other words, sound can be our access to higher realms previously closed to us without our conscious awareness.

Furthermore, as opposed to light, sound is available for us to play with, manipulate, mold, and get lost in space with (such as while in a sheer state of ecstasy or simply daydreaming while listening to a favorite tune). At a mere speed of 1,100 feet per second, sound is, indeed, very much within our human conceptual and practical reach.

No wonder, our entire planet vibrates to the rhythms and sounds of music; striking a chord within each and everyone of us in such a way that cannot be expressed easily in words. And for centuries, sound has been used by man to either inflict mental anguish or heal an ailing body, including soothing a troubled soul.

posted by Señor Enrique at 9:03 AM | 16 comments

Thursday, October 11, 2007

KAMOTE

Believe it or not, this is one of my favorite meriendas -- simply boiled and sprinkled with sugar. The yellow ones can be purchased in Quiapo for as low as 20 pesos a kilo; whereas, in the streets of Binondo's Chinatown, a kilo can cost as much as 35 pesos.

Kamote or sweet potato supposedly has its origins in Central America. It is a widely cultivated plant that is consumed throughout the world. It is the world's sixth largest food crop and considered to be important for the growing populations of Asia and Africa.

It also contains certain healing properties. The American Indians used it for treating thirst and weight loss attributed to diabetes, while in Japan, it has been used medicinally for treating diabetes and other diseases. Some nutrients of kamotes are Vitamin C, iron and potassium.

posted by Señor Enrique at 10:12 AM | 41 comments

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

MANG MARIO

He's chubby with a jovial demeanor and stands no more than three feet tall. He favors wearing a beige barong tagalog, brown dress slacks and a pair of black leather shoes. His name is Mang Mario. He is not of this world as most of us know it; he is known in local folklore as a dwende, or as some culture would define it, a member of the middle earth people.

For those who may get offended by this kind of discussion due to their religious or conventional school of thought, I suggest not reading beyond this point and just move on to browse my other previously posted entries, or visit another site altogether. On the other hand, for those curious enough and willing to keep an open mind, read on.

Mang Mario and the numerous members of his clan used to live within the grounds where our ancestral home in Subic stands to this day. However, through the years, since other modest dwellings were built in the various parts of the property for some nieces and nephews, Mang Mario and his clan had eventually moved on to another location, but would, from time to time, visit my sister Inday wherever she may be.

Mang Mario first took notice of Inday when she was in fourth grade while spending a weekend in Subic. Though somewhat aloof, her inner sense of kindness was what attracted Mang Mario the most to act as Inday's protector. However, it wasn't until Inday had reached adulthood when she began to sense Mang Mario's presence. And as fate would have it, Inday met a faith healer, Ate Aning, who become the medium between her and Mang Mario. In essence, through Ate Aning, while in trance, Inday was able to communicate with Mang Mario.

I was practicing a particular golf swing with my brother Napoleon in San Diego one spring afternoon back in 2001 when he suggested that I should ask about Inday's protector, Mang Mario, once I arrived in Manila that following August (my planned very first visit back home after having lived in New York for many years). His suggestion came about right after he had told me about his golf buddy who was practicing certain golf swings on the very same spot of the golf course that Napoleon and I were on.

For his golf buddy, the incident took place one evening about twilight time -- a couple of balls he hit that landed behind the nearby bushes were hurled back at him by some invisible force. Startled, the guy just grabbed his gear and ran right out of the place in a jiffy.

Essentially, Napoleon claimed that some unexplainable phenomenon do occur in certain parts of San Diego. He suspects that perhaps, it was because most of San Diego was practically nothing more than forests before it got fully developed during the '80s and '90s.

Anyway, I did ask Inday about Mang Mario as soon as the opportunity presented itself when I finally arrived in Manila. She said it was all true although she hasn't actually seen Mang Mario physically. Nonetheless, one time, she made an offering of some bread and soda pop under a tree one evening. She put those items on a table with a lit candle. This was to demonstrate her appreciation for having Mang Mario as a protector for her and kids through the years. At around 10 pm that night, it became quite windy and then suddenly, a sparkling glow of light emanated from the tree. The swirling colorful lights made the tree look like a giant animated Christmas tree. It lasted for a couple of minutes.

There were many others who witnessed the light show along with Inday -- her three children, my three aunts, the household help, and various cousins and their children. All those I have asked confirmed that they had in fact seen that magical display of lights with their own eyes.

Inday only asked that Mang Mario protect her and her three children from evil spirits, nothing more. However, it was only recently when Inday finally accepted the gift that Mang Mario had wanted to give her all along -- the power to help others through faith healing.

posted by Señor Enrique at 9:40 AM | 26 comments

Tuesday, October 09, 2007

INDAY'S PETS

According to the Chinese zodiac, people born during the year of the rooster are, for the most part, self-assured, resourceful, determined, intrepid and talented. Moreover, they can be very accurate observers as if gifted with a keen sixth sense. But my sister Inday wasn't born under this sign, she just comes to mind whenever I see a rooster or anything that resembles it. You see, Inday had a pet fighting cock once when we were kids.

Our parents were quite lenient when it came to allowing us to have any pets that we wanted, except for reptiles, especially those slithering ones, which gave our mother the creeps. But I was totally astonished one day when Inday's wish for a pet rooster was granted by my father. To make a long story short, when she did get one to keep as a pet, I must admit that she cared for it extremely well. She wasn't one to get shy when asking for tips from seasoned breeders who were guests of my father on some occasions.

Inday even had an older cousin blow cigarette smoke into that rooster's face every morning. And that same cousin would help her arrange in staging mock fights that would pit her pet rooster against the older, more experienced fighting cocks in the neighborhood. It soon became evident that Inday was truly grooming her pet to become a ferocious contender. Unfortunately, our eldest sister Fraulein frowned upon the idea of Inday having a fighting cock for a pet that the poor rooster ended up as stew for our Sunday lunch.

Inday wasn't upset by the early demise of her beloved pet rooster, for there were other pets to be had she reasoned. Most noteworthy of which were the duck and rabbit that grew healthy and surprisingly large under her care. Inday had no need for "invisible friends" like other kids do because she would tirelessly talk to her pets as if it were the most natural thing to do. Nonetheless, I teased Inday that both pets willed themselves to get grotesquely large so they'd be shipped off to my aunt's house in Subic; thus, no longer had to listen to her incessant chatter.

To this day, Inday still has pets -- love birds, this time. And she talks to them just the same. The single pair that she started with became so many that she soon she had to start selling off some to make room for the newly born ones. Those love birds certainly proved not only their amorous nature, but their astounding prolificacy as well.

And besides these colorful love birds, there is another pet in which Inday is pretty much preoccupied with as of late. However, it isn't a pet of an animal kind but rather an endeavor, which I believe to be a significant aspect of her purpose in life; this I will relate in my next entry.

posted by Señor Enrique at 6:56 AM | 20 comments

Monday, October 08, 2007

YTRIP'S COFFEE MUG DESIGN CONTEST

Now here's your chance to win a three-day stay in Banaue, including gift certificates from Club Intramuros, Kape Isla, and Pinoymade.Biz and My Philippines shirts!

Youth Tourism Response - Philippines (YTRiP) in preparation for the upcoming Philippine Coffee Festival, has launched Pilipinas: Biyahe at Kape - a coffee mug design competition in search of that Pinoy coffee mug design that best reflects Pinoy sites and culture, as well as promotes the enrichment of Pinoy taste.

All coffee afficionados and travellers are invited to submit designs for coffee mugs. The winning design will be reproduced into real mugs, with the designer’s name. Submissions end on October 20th and winners will be announced on the 25th.

The list of prizes are as follows:

First Place:
Board and Lodging at the Banaue Hotel for 3 days/2 nights
Gift Certificates from Kape Isla, Pinoymade.Biz
My Philippines shirt

Second place :
Php 2, 000 worth Gift Certicate at Club Intramuros
Gift Certificates from Kape Isla, Pinoymade.Biz
My Philippines shirt

Three finalists:
Gift Certificates from Kape Isla, Pinoymade.Biz
My Philippines shirt


For more information, visit YTRP's Pilipinas: Biyahe at Kape.

By the way, I've had the coffee mug in the above photo for many years. I might soon replace it with a new one -- the coffee mug with the winning design from this competition.

posted by Señor Enrique at 7:46 AM | 14 comments

Sunday, October 07, 2007

ON SOLID FOUNDATION

posted by Señor Enrique at 6:52 AM | 6 comments

Thursday, October 04, 2007

USELESS GIFTS HALL OF FAME

Caswell-Massey, America's oldest apothecary, offers luxurious scents, skin smoothing toiletries, hard to find accessories and great gifts. It has been around for 250 years. It's store on Lexington Avenue in midtown Manhattan was a favorite stop of mine when shopping for Christmas gifts. Every now and then, I'd pick up some obscure product from their inventory for the annual exchange gift ritual at work. I thought I'd rather be unique than stand guilty of perpetuating the traditional fruit cake.

And one of those unusual items I selected one holiday season was this Lavender Water in which according to a Caswell-Massey salesperson is a natural scented water; and that a few drops of which add a touch of scent for bath water, bed linens, and lingerie. He also claimed it as an ideal final hair rinse or facial tonic, especially for those with troubled skin. Furthermore, some people supposedly also use this lavender water for cooking. Whoa!

Be that as it may, those who received one from me didn't know what to do with it other than use it as a bathroom adornment. I kept one for myself anyway for its deep blue bottle, but just like the others, I do not know what to do with its content.

Now, I wonder what was the most useless gift you've ever received?

By the way, I couldn't figure out what got to my brother's head one time when he gave his wife a power tool as anniversary gift. What made matters worse was that he charged it on her credit account. He claimed it was a joke. However, to this day, it remains a sensitive issue that my sister-in-law prefers not to ever discuss.

posted by Señor Enrique at 7:23 PM | 18 comments

Wednesday, October 03, 2007

END OF THE DAY LOOSE CHANGE

I have noticed recently how some popular fast food establishments tend to dump their excess coins at their customers. Just the other day, with a change of 49 pesos coming to me, the girl behind the counter gave me one 20 peso bill and the rest in loose change. Chow King is worse with handing me five pesos in 25-centavo coins.

What an arduous task it must be to manually count all those coins at the end of each business day; however, there is a machine that automatically does that. Now, why can't these establishments get one? This way, all those coins can be neatly bagged when deposited later on to their bank; no longer would their customers have to receive these coins in bulk as their change.

In another incident also at Jolibee's, though in a different branch, with 69 pesos due to me, I was given six ten-peso coins and the rest in single peso coins. When I voiced out my displeasure, the girl behind the counter claimed they ran out of twenty peso bills. At ten in the morning?

Just to test out my hunch that she was being untruthful -- plus I didn't want to walk out of that place like the boy who grabbed the most coins at a house blessing party -- I asked her to just cancel my order. She appeared astonished yet remained polite when she asked to be excused for a minute. After a brief huddle near the kitchen entryway with her manager and another store employee, she came back to the register and pulled out three twenty peso bills, a five peso coin, and four single peso coins to hand over to me along with her trademark Jolibee smile.

I am not one who despise carrying loose change; in fact, I don't leave the house without at least 30 pesos in five, ten and single peso coins. You see, out of courtesy, I wouldn't want to burden anyone with breaking my large bill for a small purchase -- like some jeepney passengers who'd nonchalantly pay a seven peso fare with a hundred peso bill.

However, on the other hand, I've come across some taxi drivers who would quickly claim to have no change at all, which would leave passengers, especially those with hurried schedule, without any other choice but to simply leave everything to the cab driver.

What's just as shabby are the management of establishments who would price their items without rounding off to the nearest peso -- P44.79 instead of simply P45.00, for example. Yet, at the checkout counter, their cashier wouldn't even blink an eye when announcing that she can only give you a five peso change for your fifty peso bill, because they have no 21 centavos in exact change. Most customers would just shrug off their shoulders, not minding being short-changed, but I thought short-changing customers is considered illegal.

Nonetheless, many times I'd come home with a handful of coins in my pocket without remembering how I've managed to accumulate so much loose change to begin with -- making me feel just like the kid who grabbed the most coins at a house blessing party.

posted by Señor Enrique at 6:44 AM | 38 comments

Tuesday, October 02, 2007

ON BOOTS, SNEAKERS AND RED STILLETTOS

It was during my first vacation in Manila after living in New York for quite some time when I returned to Baclaran with my sister Inday. We were looking for those brightly-colored floral sundresses to bring back to New York for my mother and her friends.

As we passed by the seemingly endless row of shoe stores, I couldn't help but notice the abundant displays of high-heeled, knee-high leather boots for women. I know they're popular in New York, especially during the winter months when the temperature drops unmercifully, but I couldn't figure out who would wear them in tropical Manila? Nonetheless, I solved the puzzle a couple of nights later. This moment of intense insight happened while enjoying some chilled brew in a club along Pasay City's Airport Road, invited by my niece's husband.

Incidentally, did you know that the local humidity can sometimes ruin the heels of those shoes from the States if kept for too long in the closet?

And that goes for both leather dress shoes and athletic footwear. Thank God for Mr. Quickie and those other local neighborhood shoe repair shops. However, there are instances in which the heels, especially the rubber kind, would simply disintegrate even with a slight rubbing.

In another incident that happened recently, as I stepped off the LRT train one afternoon, the bottom layer of the sole of my rarely used Adidas waterproof sneakers (which I paid a hundred dollars for back in New York) got unglued from the rest of the shoe. When I finally realized what had happened, the doors had closed and the train sped off with a piece of my shoe aboard. You can imagine how suddenly awkward my gait became.

However, it wasn't all that bad compared to my sister's friend's experience many years back. One of the heels of her red stillettos got caught in the grill step of a jeepney; it snapped right off her shoe. How she managed to walk the rest of the way to her office, as if everything was fine and dandy, was tough to imagine.

Anyway, the guys at Mr. Quickie were unable to repair my Adidas sneakers because the now missing part was specifically created for that particular model; hence no way for them to replace or fix it. Perhaps, I should try Joseph Shoe Repair Shop in Quiapo or any of the sapateros on Rizal Avenue.

posted by Señor Enrique at 7:13 AM | 22 comments

Monday, October 01, 2007

THE CITY THAT IS MANILA

This was once the bone of contention that fueled many Filipinos' growing frustration and resentment. You see, during the turn of the century, although the Filipinos had taken over most of the archipelago from the Spanish, declared their independence, organized a national army and convened a legislative assembly, Manila remained under the control of Washington.

As if to rub salt to an open wound, instead of detente, the Americans opted to withhold diplomatic relations with the Filipinos, as well as bar them in the city, while the numbers of troops deployed in the area were significantly increased. The restless natives, on the other hand, could only continue their taunting and silly yet menacing behavior aimed at these American troops. Unfortunately, on the fateful night of February 4, 1899 at about 8:45 p.m., no longer able to sustain a stoic reaction, Pvt. William Grayson fired the first shot that eventually sparked the Filipino-American War.

About a hundred years later, whenever some ageing senators realize their chances for getting reelected appear predictably nil, or are about to fully exhaust their allowable number of terms as legislators, somehow the idea of becoming the next mayor of Manila suddenly becomes enticing.

What's the motivating factor at play here? After all, Manila is supposedly nothing more than a cacophony of images depicting chaos, stink, litter, corruption, and apathetic blight. In short, a has been. A city that lived its better days eons ago.

Yet, Ernie Maceda made a run for it only to lose pathetically. Ping Lacson launched a similar intention with great media fanfare but soon withdrew (after God supposedly told him to remain in the Senate). The current mayor, Alfredo Lim, already served as Manila's mayor prior to winning a senatorial post.

But after years as a prestigious legislator, why did Lim come back to run as mayor? Why not eye the Palace, or earnestly seek the benevolence of the higher powers of the land, and thereby get appointed as ambassador if not to the Maldives, Myanmar?

Why go for Manila? Why not the glitzy and trendy City of Makati, or the upcoming glamour town, Taguig, with its sparkling The Fort? How about the vast and seemingly borderless Quezon City?

Speaking of which, when Manolo Quezon asked his viewers for suggested topics for his ANC TV show, The Explainer, I immediately requested for him to feature Manila. I really wanted to know what makes this city so alluringly seductive that some of our former senators would thrust themselves into it without any prophylactic, or viable urban plan to safeguard the city's economic health and progress.

I was really confident Manolo could best enlighten his viewers on this issue; however, with much disappointment, he never followed up on his initial interest to do so. Perhaps, as sometimes the case, another fellow blogger or group of bloggers will somehow provide the light.

posted by Señor Enrique at 6:24 AM | 29 comments

Life in Manila as observed by a former New Yorker who with a laptop and camera has reinvented himself as a storyteller. Winner of the PHILIPPINE BLOG AWARDS: Best Photo Blog in 2007 and three Best Single Post awards in 2008.

 

Designed by The Dubai Chronicles.
All rights and lefts reserved.