Halaga ng bandila sa kotse

Ang komentaryong ito ay pag-sagot sa sulat sa pinaka-ibaba:

Para sa kung sino man iyun na “mas higit na nakaka-alam”,

Una, hindi ako nagsasabi na burahin ang Plate Number ko sa computer ng mga pobre nating kababayan na nagtatrabaho sa tanggapan na nagbabantay ng lansangan. Bakit nga ba nila binubura? Pinagtatakpan ba nila ang mga pagkakamali ng iba nating mga kababayan na hindi sumusunod sa batas? Mali naman iyun. Mali sila dun. Kung sino ang nagkamali, siya ang managot.

Pangalawa, hindi kasalanan ng bandila ng ating bansa ang pagkakamaling ito. Walang kinalaman ito sa pagkakamali ng ilan nating mga kababayan. Inilagay ko ang bandila sa likod ng aking sasakyan upang ipakita sa buong mundo na ako ay galing sa “Lupang Hinirang”. Hindi ko ninais at ayaw kong maghari-harian sa mga kalye dito. Gusto ko lamang makarating ng payapa at matiwasay sa aking pupuntahan. Magkarerahan sa Sheikh Zayed? Ipaubaya mo na lang iyun sa mga taga-rito kung gusto nila.

Hindi nyo ba alam kung ano ang ibinuwis ng ating mga ninuno noong panahon nang Himagsikan? Binili ang ating kalayaan nang Dugo! Ang bandilang ito ang sagisag nang kabayanihan ng mga nagmahal sa ating bansa. Tapos sino ka na magsasabi na tanggalin ko ang bandilang ito sa kadahilanang may mga tukmol na tao na gumagawa ng mga kalokohan para ikahiya ko ang sagisag ng aking bayan?

Tama ang pamahalaang ito na palayasin ang mga napatunayang gumawa nang kasalanan. Khallas!!!

At kung nasa aking kamay ang kanilang buhay, baka bitay pa ang hatol ko sa kanila. Ano pa ba ang hatol sa nakakahiyan na ginawa nila? Hara-kiri? Sayang lang, hindi tayo Hapon.

Kayong mga kababayan ko, hindi kayo naparito sa gitnang silangan upang magtarantado at maghari-harian. Lumugar naman kayo. Mga panauhin lamang tayo rito. Kumilos kayo nang nararapat.

Magising sana kayo sa katotohanan.

Mabuhay tayong lahat! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

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Ang sulat na pinagmulan ng isyu na ito.

Paki inform mga kabayan natin,

> > Kelan lang ay may naglabasang balita na pag may FLAG sticker ng > Pilipinas ang kotse mo ay ligtas kana sa mga violation sa kalsada > katulad ng overspeeding at beating the red light, dahil diumano'y ang > mga kababayan nating Pilipino ang kumukuha or nagda-download nito sa > mga nagkalat na camera sa kalsada at intersection. > >

Ang mga bali-balitang ito po ay nakarating nasa kinauukulan ng > Ministry of Interior at pilit na pinagpapaliwanag ang mga pobre nating > kababayan na nagtata-trabaho doon, ang ilan sa kanila ngyo'y under > surveillance at ang iba naman ay napauwi na. Marami sa mga kababayan > natin ang galit dahil ang iba sa knila'y nawalan ng trabaho at ito'y > ipinararating nila sa karamihan na kung pwede sana paki-tanggal na ang > mga sticker ng Philippine flag sa inyong mga sasakyan at kung gusto > nyo naman eh pwede nyong ilipat ng location ang sticker wag lang po sa > likod or wag malapit sa Registration Number. > >

Para maiwasan po ang kahit na anong problema na ating kakaharapin sa > kalsada ay sumunod na lamang po raw tyo. Ang sabi nila'y nasa watch > list ng MOI ang mga sasakyan na may flag ng bansa natin. Eto po ay > pawing transmitted message lamang ng mga taong mas may higit na > kaalaman.

> > Maraming salamat poh!

Long, Long Driving

Long drives from Al Ain to Dubai would take approximately 2 hours, and could be a daunting task because you are looking forward into the next couple of hours driving alone in the middle of nowhere. Furthermore, it could just be outright boring.
That is unless you do something about it. He3!!! Actually, you can do many things to keep you busy. Herein listed below are some suggestions to consider:
1. Listen to the Radio. Music can keep you company during long driving. Singing with your favorite hits or maybe shouting with it as if there is no tomorrow bro! However, you can only do that when you leave Al Ain town proper because it is difficult to catch english radio station frequencies there. I dunno if it is intentional or somethin’ b’coz even if the digital radio’s frequency is fixed in an english dubai channel, there is still a bellowing habibi comes thru the car radio. But that is just temporary. When you get to the fringes of the town, radio channels are back to normal. Keep on rollin’ baby!!!! Haya-haya habibi!!!! Nyeek!!!
2. Race. Yup, you’ve read it right, race. That four letter word that most people fear. I am not actually encouraging people out there to do careless drag-racing in the Dubai-Al Ain Highway. Nope, not that kind of race. Then, what the heck am I driving at? Well, let me explain it like this, play and imagine that you are in the Grand Prix. Thunderin’ motor-noise and cars passing at high speed. Whow! Adrenaline pumpin’ dude! Get the Tokyo Drift? Then continue, choose a competitor; there are many ways to find one. Observe the traffic population. Nope not that new shiny 4WD that sped past you, its waaaay outta your league. How about that wretched looking ancient dirty-white hatchback that is screeching thru the road on your left side? Nope. Mismatch. Look at the front-right side, there booming a 10-year-old Gringo 4WD. This is the competition? Why not? And then, Bang!!! Shot Fired!!! And the race is on!!! Run in full speed past the Gringo to challenge him, he will get what you mean. “Days of Thunder” is here!
3. Speed-Cam Watching. Out there in the desolate desert wasteland, in the wild high highway (he3! Similar to “the wild high seas”, get it?), where you thought you could have peace and tranquility and speed-up to your whim. It is just you, sand, breeze, rustle of grass, stars in the sky, WELL YOUR WRON-G! There are these loathed, evil devices called speed-cameras to harass you and make your life miserable. You would be forced to slow down and drive at 139 km/hr (a hairline below the speed limit) especially when you see a speedometer a few meters ahead. If you had just passed that hated device, immediately zoom above 150 or more and stay on guard for the next one at the left side of the road.
4. Speed Lane Hugging. The left-most lane near the road-island is the “speed lane”. Where all the newly minted, high-powered, bombastic and flashy automobiles speed-by, leaving you green with envy. They run to 200 and with headlights full-blast (sometimes light flashing), telling anybody blocking their way; “get the hell out of my way”. Since many people do not want to be bothered by these “show-offs”, the second lane is the popular choice for peaceful driving. But then again, who wants a peaceful-boring drive? Not me! He3! Wait for you chance to get inside the first lane, coast is clear? Go with headlights in full-blast too! Run to the limit. Chase away slow cars and make the sheep go to the second lane. However, when a much faster car approaches your rear, sway to the second lane, as the alpha passes, then spring back again to the first. Be persistent, consistently harass the sheep, mind you, you are a fine shepherd breed! Ruff!!! Ruff!!! You’ll be reaching the emirate-border in no time!
5. Pick a fight. No, not the actual physical thing, you rascal. Look for something unusual. How about a car with light in-full-blast but it not running fast enough? Good sport! He3! Go in swing in front of him and step on the ciliñador amigo! He will eat smoke and be humiliated for sure. The bloke would try to out-maneuver you and retaliate. Thus, you have your dog-fight. Several twists and turns would happen in the contest. And before you know it, you are in sight of the glittering Dubai Business Bay over-passes. Argh pirates! Land ahoy!!!
Please be noted that these written above are only suggestions that may relieve you of your boredom and are not intended in anyway; in getting you killed. Caution must be undertaken not to overdo any said tips and considerations.
Remember to drive safely (talking about U-Turn, he3!!!).
Khallas!

Christmastime carol

This morning, just after Pacquiao won his match with Dela Hoya, my teenaged daughter Meg and I wrote together lyrics for a carol in a Yahoo Messenger chatbox.

The carol was an assignment for her English class. She was to come up with the lyrics and her groupmates were to compose the music. She said she didn't know how to do it and asked me to help. In around 1 and half hours of chatting, we wrote lines, argued, filled in missing words, argued, searched an online rhyming dictionary, argued, rewrote and rearranged the lines and reargued. Here are the final lyrics of the carol, which she titled "Christmastime".

It's Christmastime.
I stop and think of love that heaven sent.
It's Christmastime.
I thank God that you took me as your friend
and I wish you a wonderful time,
my buddy, my mate, my pal.

It's Christmastime.
I think of all the days that we've been through.
It's Christmastime.
I'm thankful that I have a friend in you
and I wish you a wonderful time,
as wonderful as you are!

Merry Christmas!

Rakrakan raks

I went to the Rakrakan Fest 2008 last night with my friends at the Dubai Festival City. The concert, sponsored by The Filipino Channel, featured Pupil, Kamikaze, Dawn and Bamboo.



Pupil, with former Eraserheads frontman Ely Buendia, opened the show at around 7:00pm. Their sound was a bit raw, reminding you of the Rolling Stones. It's OK because the songs are good. Towards the end, they sang Eraserheads songs, including “Pare Ko” and “Alapaap”, in new arrangements. The crowd roared with approval as soon as they recognized the songs and sang along. Their finale number “Ang Huling El Bimbo”, I think, was one of the highlights of the concert. Buendia's Eraserheads bandmate Buddy Zabala, who is now with the Dawn, joined Pupil in this song.

Kamikaze played next. I'm not really into their kind of music but I enjoyed their set because the lead singer Jay Contreras was very funny with his confessional talks, dance steps and circus acts. Ang saya!

The Dawn, who's been around since the 80s, followed with “Iisang Banka” as opener. Their sound seemed to me the most polished. Vocalist Jett Pangan is still good. And Francis Reyes is still one of the best guitarists we have around. Their closing number “Salamat” was probably the highlight of the evening. It seemed that everyone was charged up and danced and sang along.



Bamboo was the last to perform. The band started with Rivermaya songs followed by their new ones that I'm not familiar with. They did “Noypi” in the middle of the set. “Here's our song”, former Rivermaya vocalist Bamboo Manalac introduced it. For me, “Noypi” is one of the best Pinoy rock songs ever written, along with “Ang Huling El Bimbo” and “Salamat” and some others. Yup, it's our song. Manalac did well in most of the songs. The surprise for me was the guitarist. I enjoyed his solos which bordered on jazz. They closed the concert with the Rivermaya song “Kisap Mata”.

Just before the first song of the evening, Pupil's Yan Yuzon proclaimed, “Ngayong gabi, nasa-Pilipinas tayo! (Tonight, we are in the Philippines!)”. He was right. For 5 hours, I felt I was, rocking with my friends and around 15,000 other Pinoys.

The mall

The Dubai Mall opened 2 days ago. At the moment, it is THE mall. It is what everybody is talking about. It is where everybody is going. It is the new center of the earth. (Teka, where did I read that one?)

The mall was the reason why I came here to Dubai 3 years ago. Its completion will not be a reason to leave, I hope. Despite the difficulties, masarap pa ring magtrabaho rito.

See you at The mall.

In a Wink of an Eye

“Kirat” is the Tagalog word for “wink”. We did some celebration in a popular hang-out bar among the Pinoys here in Dubai, the name is “Ratsky”, when reverse is “Kirat”. A famous Filipino singer-artist conceptualized the name of his bar with this franchise in Dubai.

By the time we arrived, the place is only half full then after an hour the ladies group we invited came, the place is already jam-packed. After some free appetizers, we have ordered our foods and drinks. Jovial mood fills the place.

After holding my glass of drink for an hour and tasted the “crispy pata” and ‘’sisig’’, I was teased by Froilan that I have passed already the “leak test”. I become conscious since I am enjoying listening some of my favorite songs from cover band performing songs from “Journey” and others, I finally dip my lips to my drink with my dummy glass beside to show that I finished my drink, I never really enjoy the drinking except only the songs the cover bands are playing.

The band played so well with lead singers and musicians interchange covering popular male and female hit songs.

During intermission, the dance floor was filled, we were invited by Raissa and her group for a dance and just to accept her invitation we followed them to the dance floor and by that time they were there we were suddenly out of sight, Rey and Froilan excused themselves and go straight to the gents room while me I preferred just to have a snapshots of them I told her instead. The truth we were just afraid that when we dance they will discover that our feet are both left.

When the band returned, dancing stopped and we have now depended ourselves from Raissa’s group why we suddenly got lost from the dance floor. To cap up the night, we were challenge for “bottoms up”, that’s the time I failed the “leak test”.

The following morning, we were satisfied that at least we have shared the reward weve got after working so hard with our project. The group we invited at least has their slice of fun in Dubai’s night life, washing away some hardship and loneliness they are experiencing being far from their families. So are our “Kabayans” in clusters of tables that night.

Resort to Convergence (Taste of an Island Resort)

A fresh adventure started when Edbert and Bong, our project site QA/QC invited us for a picnic. Then Dante again repeat the invitation to us, what will transpires are still hazy for me. After some details and amount of overall cost (100 aed plus) were confirmed by what I know who was the main organizer, Ms. Ro, I joined this summer affair months ago.

Destination. An Island Resort famous for fishing and crabbing they have told us.

What I have experienced. Convergence of adventure loving Pinoys about a hundred and I get to know and have some chitchat with some of them, I thought initially we are only a few groups of totaling at least 20. The transport vehicles are composed of 1 coaster, for me similar to a small plane flying to a rugged route because of how our Patan driver drove is a kind of dangerous adventure itself and a number of vans and cars.

What I have learned. That the place attract so many visitors with words such as Island Resort good for Fishing, that we will cross for about 15-20 minutes thru a speedboat occupied by batch of 10-15 persons with Hermie, Cresh and husband, William seating beside me, that night tide is high , it almost bury the island.

What I have done. About 4 hours of overnight fishing and I catch nothing. Possibilities are, the fish are already full because they are having their own party, some are already asleep, we are on boat landing part of the pier that fish got scared away and lastly, they are tired of eating my bait and they don’t like it. Lucky for Dante who come earlier to the fishing spot, he got a catch of some at least, maybe those who are not able to join the water world grand party somewhere.

What I have discovered. Manny, my colleague in Project Market Market in my previous firm was there and we have nice sort of short reunion. Second, I occupied and slept on a very big open cottage all by myself on a carpet. The breeze of the air compensate the humid environment, I was able to take a short nap although frustrated with my fishing expedition.

What I have seen and heard. In the evening, the food nicely prepared by Ro and her housemates, the way I have roasted the fish, the dimly mile long coast across the island using a powerful telescope brought by Marvin, the loud voice of Edbert while sharing some story, the Arabic dance music in the background, the rising wave and my wasted/useless fishing gear.

What I have viewed in the morning. Whole island previously covered by water was revealed, the trees/scrubs, the sunrise, the birds, a boat model, the different color of banners, tents brought and set up by some couples and groups, the schools of fish who did not cooperate the night before and some guys in their trunks still sleeping, emptied bottles and still lots of foods.
What are the surprises in the shore. We go back to the shore and found more structures waited the whole night to take our snaps. Pyramids, statues, cozy coffee shop etc…

What I have lost. My mobile account number to a taxi driver during my return to my villa from the drop off point and eventually he got two months of outside the country free call perhaps. And about a kilo of shrimp that I eventually throw to the school of fish the following morning in surrender…

What an event…