The Other Side Of Pinoy Big Brother

I've been browsing through the net and found a link to the song from which the theme song of the show has been allegedly ripped off, “Chandeliers” by Care. After hearing it, there was no doubt about it. It was a reflection of one of pinoy’s worst traits- copying or stealing. Orange and Lemons cannot be singled out for this crime because other local bands are guilty of that as well. There’s Cueshes’ “Stay”, from Silverchair’s “The Greatest View” and Session Road’s "Leaving You" from "Garmonbozia" by the Superdrag. But the "Chandeliers" to "Pinoy Ako" rip- off is the most obvious. Apart from discovering the embarrassing fact on the show’s theme song, I skimmed over other alarming aspects of the show. There are really sleazy pictures of the Pinoy Big Brother housemates circulating in the net. Scenes which were not aired on tv. Pictures included the resident pokpok, Chx (pardon again for that word but I couldn't find a more suitable word for her except slut) doing a lap dance on Sam and kissing him lewdly. The more outrageous pic featured Chx again, this time giving a grubby lip service to another female, Cass, while Uma, JB and Sam watched. Major Eeeoww! Wherever Chx is, indecency follows, or is it the other way around or vice versa? If you’re a Chx fan and you applaud the woman’s being real about giving in to her impulses, then good luck. Some people have a slightly different idea of reality and giving in to impulses all the time wastes your rational self. Sometimes I do pity her, thoughts of her suffering a traumatic or unhappy childhood to end up like that pops up, but then she’s old enough to take responsibilities for her actions.

Cass is a personal favorite because of her candidness and evident kindness which makes up for whatever she lacks in the IQ department. Yet seeing her doing those deeds disgusted me big time. Those scenes took place in the earlier part of PBB when the housemates were obviously trying to catch attention by shocking the viewers. They probably were trying to move along the the idea of the foreign version of the show in which housemates were as vulgar as having sex inside the house, aware of the cameras around and the rules that prohibited the act. Apparently, they caught the ire of Filipino viewers and drew violent reactions which lead the show's brief suspension by the MTRCB.

I only started following the show after Chx's eviction. I have been hearing comments about the un-pinoy actions and liberated implications of the show that's why it never caught my interest. The management should take credit though, for listening to the viewers' reactions. Big brother reprimanded Chx by not allowing her to come close to Sam within 3 meters for a few days after the incident. Obviously, she didn't learn much from the experience coz on her eviction night, she gave the surprised Sam a smack once more before leaving (humirit pa ang gaga). They toned down on any adult material that the public may find repulsive and focused on assigning the housemates tasks that will benefit the less fortunate pinoys. Staying inside the house also polished most of the housemates' character. It sends the message that change or improvement is possible, as long as the person is willing to learn. Sometimes the punishments can get out of hand but the persons (save for Franzen, maybe) on the receiving end of the penalties learn, nonetheless. Franzen, the resident rule breaker had to learn his lesson the hard way, through forced eviction. It was fair enough.

I still favor Cass among the housemates despite that incident or even if she’s a smoker and have less of the gray mater because she's sincere and open to change. Uma is still as interestingly blunt as ever. I like Say’s fashion sense, her being on the conservative side and being smart enough, but she tends to be overly maarte sometimes and touchy when she was warned by Cass once. My bet for the big winner, may be Nene or Jason. Nene is the most efficient among the housemates and takes on her tasks without much protest unlike Say or Uma. Jason draws the public's sympathy because his financial status. With Franzen now out of the race, he may possibly bring home the bacon through Franzen’s support crowd. We’ll see. Kara, the founder of our cancer support group who’s a broadcast journalist by profession has been tasked to work on a documentary about the said show when it ends. If I were anywhere near her, I’d volunteer as an intern. (Digression: Meeting Sam would be nice but learning the ropes in documentary production would be cooler. It will save me from the headaches which I encountered in our Radiology Department docu which I "attempted" to produce, direct and edit 3 months ago. More on that in another blog entry later, say 10 years from now, hehe.)

Let The Games Begin

As of writing, the Philippines has snagged 4 golds. Two were from dance sport, an event which the Filipinos have dominated. One was from long jump, and another from diving. Malaysia is at the top position in the medal count with five golds.

I watched the opening ceremonies at the Luneta grandstand earlier tonight on IBC 13 and I could only wish I was there to be a part of this momentous occasion. But then,even if I were in Manila at this time, there wouldn't be anyone I know interested as much with the events as I am and besides, it is much more comfy watching it at home. Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski, one of the women I highly regard, was the Philippine delegates' flag bearer. She also lead the athletes' oath. Toni Leviste, a champion equestrienne like Mikee carried the torch riding her horse and passed it on to taekwondo olympian Antoniette Rivero who took it all the way from the Rizal Monument to the grandstand, passing through the crowd, reminscent of the red sea parting.

A promising nine year old Julie Abueva sang the SEA games theme song penned by Jose Mari Chan. Bayang Barrios performed well-choreogaphed numbers which showcased the rich Filipino culture while Ryan Cayabyab conducted the San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra. Of course, who could miss Rivermaya's rendition of their hit songs with the orchestra on the background. Coolness. Rock and orchestra do mix. The last time I went to Philippine Philharmonic orchestra's concert, listening to the Philippine anthem played live gave me goose bumps. I once fantasized about inviting an orchestra to play music on my wedding but of course that would be a remote possibility in this lifetime (the wedding, more than the idea of the orchestra, that is). Listening to a rock band playing good music with the orchestra was refreshing.

My blog about the 1991 SEA games is yet to be written. In the coming days, I wish to hear the national anthem played frequently as our flag is being raised to signify another gold streak. Long live our athletes!

What Your birthday Says About You

click this. Mine says I'm still chasing cats.I don't know if I should be happy or worried about my life path.

Your birth tree is:

Beech, the Creative

Has good taste, concerned about its looks, materialist, good organisation of life and career, economical, good leader, takes no unnecessary risks, reasonable, splendid lifetime companion, keen on keeping fit (diets, sports, etc.).


Life Path Number:
11

The number 11 Life Path has the connotation of illumination describing its general focus. This is the number associated with spiritual awareness. As one of the two master numbers, the 11 yields understanding and knowledge beyond the grasp of others. The attitude toward life of those possessing this Life Path is somewhat extreme; extremely intuitive, avant-garde, idealistic, visionary, and cultured. These extremes make you an interesting, if unusual person, with much to offer society. The Life Path 11 person is deep-thinking, and you are no doubt interested in understanding many of life's mysteries and more intriguing facets. Your inventive mind and broad-minded views will permit you to succeed in life in any number of ventures. You can best serve society, however, in those endeavors utilizing your skills of counseling and guidance. Much of your idealism is people oriented and quite humanitarian in nature. You expect a great deal of yourself and of those to whom you are close.

On the negative side, there is a lot of nervous tension associated with the 11 life path, and you can be a difficult person to deal with because of this. For this reason, relationships, at times, can be difficult. This is a Life Path that seems to feature broad mood swings between the elation and depression. You are likely to have trouble making decisions and getting your life in gear, so to speak. There is a tendency for the 11 to harbor feelings of uneasiness, and dissatisfaction with accomplishments and personal progress in life. Your grandiose schemes usually make sense, but you can get off the track and they can be very impractical. You have a very distinct side that lacks common sense, and you are quite often unable to distinguish between fantasy and reality. In this regard, you are perhaps more of a dreamer than a doer. When you do get on target, your ideas seem to have been inspired on high. Perhaps you are not a leader, but you are a visionary and a very talented idea person.

Go Philippine Team!

6 days to go before the opening of the 23rd SEA games. The last time the country sponsored this event was in 1991. No, I'm not posting this because of this cute and smart guy named Ernest Dee (younger brother of model AJ Dee) who's competing in the swimming events. My passion for the SEA games started way back in 1991 when I went as far as having my dad buy this expensive coffee table book by Jaime Zobel de Ayala which featured the athletes who participated in that event. Will blog about that soon. I just had a bout of fever and I'm going back to work again tomorrow. Got to rest. Til Then!

Yayness

Yay! Marco, my dream guy has added photos to his friendster. He looks kinda old in his new pic, his wrinkles are showing. I wanted to message him and ask what camera he used coz the photo came out really crisp and clear.Of course I didn't do it. It's been a long time since I last interacted with him and I wouldn't want him to remember my blue eagles stalker days. Thinking of him reminded me that I used to have a fine taste in men. Whatever happened to that. Darn.

By the way, I just got back from hell for the 3rd time. From chemo, that is. Sorry is due to my dear friends who have been texting me during those hell days, to no avail. Sorry if I seemed impolite. I've been dead to the world and I was forcing myself to sleep in an attempt to escape that horrible feeling brought about by chemo. God, I hate cancer. Nobody deserves to go through such hell. Not even my loathers. I couldn't explain the feeling. It's like wanting to throw up all the time and ncthing comes out. That and the metallic taste in your mouth gives you an aversion to food. But it's not just that. There seemed to be something going on inside your body and not being able to understand what was exactly wrong with it. All I knew was that it was disgusting. The worst part of it is knowing I'll have to keep coming back to hell every 21 days for 3 more cycles. This gets me thinking if this is really worth all the trouble. I can only hope it is.

Mama Fe, my next chemo schedule will be on December 2. Schedule your depression any day but that or a few days after that. It will be tough putting back senses into your head with me traversing hell at those times. Hearing your love affairs with monsters made me want to puke all the more. Things will get better, just believe.

Alex, thanks for the nice thoughts. For the first time at least I wasn't waiting for the text or call that I knew would never come. Not that it came, maybe I was just too sick and too tired to care. I'll be going back to work tomorrow. Speaking of work, it really shames me that I have to be absent for a long time everytime I undergo chemo.But I don't want to go back to work in a very pathetic state either, with a vomit bag around me all the time. I'm just thankful that my bosses and colleagues are understanding enough of my condition. They have arranged that I don't go on 24 hrs while on chemo. I really hope this ordeal will be over soon so I'd stop being a burden to my co-workers.

Styx and the gang, thanks for being there. You be good as you always are, alright?

Pong2x, thanks for the vcds you lent me. It really helped fight off depression while I was recuperating.

To the rest of the angels who walk on earth to help me keep going, I thank God for you!

To Let Go

To "let go" does not mean to stop caring, it means I can't do
it for someone else.

To "let go" is not to cut myself off, it's the realization I
can't control another.

To "let go" is not to enable, but to allow learning from natural
consequences.

To "let go" is to admit powerlessness, which means the outcome
is not in my hands.

To "let go" is not to try to change or blame another, it's to
make the most of myself.

To "let go" is not to care for, but to care about.

To "let go" is not to fix, but to be supportive.

To "let go" is not to judge, but to allow another to be a human
being.

To "let go" is not to be in the middle arranging all the outcomes,
but to allow others to effect their destinies.

To "let go" is not to be protective, it's to permit another to
face reality.

To "let go" is not to deny, but to accept.

To "let go" is not to nag, scold, or argue, but instead to search
out my own shortcomings and correct them.

To "let go" is not to adjust everything to my desires, but to
take each day as it comes, and cherish myself in it.

To "let go" is not to criticize and regulate anybody, but to try
to become what I dream I can be.

To "let go" is not to regret the past, but to grow and live for
the future.

To "let go" is to fear less, and love more.

-- Unknown

Sam-one Has Been Evicted

Sam Milby, that handsome housemate from the show "Pinoy Big Brother" has been evicted last night. I find it amusing watching that show because it allows you to observe human behavior on the boob tube. Of course, there's that nosy nature of people who want to pry into other people's lives especially when it's there for viewing. I'm no exception to that. Among my favorite characters besides Sam, are Uma and Cass. I enjoy Uma's bluntness and his opinions make sense. Although Cass comes off as a dumb blonde, despite her vixen image, she is in fact a naive person unmindful of her actions and words. That makes her spontaneous and at times, funny. I wonder about the psychological impact on the housemates being stuck in a house for 100 days that deprives them of connection from the outside world. Would it have any traumatic bearing on their psyche? The management of the show are aware of this hence they hired a resident psychologist to check on the housemates from time to time.


Watching Sam frequently silent inside the house because of the language barrier lead him into being misunderstood as someone distant, with a world of his own. But then he is an artist (he's a good singer, song writer, guitarist, gymnast, figure skater among other things) and artists tend to have eccentricities that others fail to comprehend.I should know, coz I charge my attacks of "topak" to my artistic temperament. Scapegoat.


Tina, di kita inaagawan sa Papa Sam mo ha! It's just that it's nice to find some people who seem to have everything yet know how to keep their feet on the ground. Yes, this guy's so humble and I hope his fame doesn' change that. The downside to him (besides borrowing Uma's briefs) is that he tends to get easily tempted by aggressive girls. I just hope that he stays away from Chx now that they've been both evicted.I have nothing personal against that girl but I have an enormous digust over slutty girls. Oh pardon that word. That's being harsh. I admire her honesty and guts but let's just say I abhor women who can't accord themselves due respect. I don't think honesty, guts and respect can't come together. They're the women who give us women, a bad name. Well before this post turns into an anti-Chx-type-of-girls entry, I can only hope that Sam's star will shine in the real world. This guy is too talented to be cute. His good looks remind me of my partner in our grad ball in med school. Sigh.

I Remember The Days I Knew What Happiness Was

Wearing my first halter, I didn't
know a thing about cancer







Before Pia Guanio, I looked like Bert Marcelo

Breakfast With Styx

Styx was just in time when she texted me that she was back in town for a short break from her internship in Dumaguete. I was already packing my things, ready to head home from my 24h duty when my phone beeped. It's been a while since I last saw her and it was the first time she saw me in a wig. Despite my dropping blood count, we went to a restaraunt that served an eat all you can meal and tried to catch up with the latest events in our lives. The look of love was all over her face as I asked her about the love of her life. She couldn't wipe off the grin as she talked about him. Sigh. I was happy as well to know that she and her classmates were doing well in Siliman and making a good impression on their colleagues and seniors. Of course, like I told them before, the hard work at Xavier especially during senior clerkship really pays off in the end. It was fun having you around again, Styx. Study well for the boards next year! Give my Regards to our "bandmates" Melissa and Taweng. :)

Remembering Rico

It must be horrible dying with a broken heart. I can imagine the pain of it all. I know you're in a better place now, Rico. We'll be seeing each other soon.





Ricardo Carlos Yan
March 14, 1975- March 29 2002

Vanity Speaks Unplugged

You have the option to plug your ears, though, coz I'm putting up a concert here at my site. Just because I can't go out for videoke doesn't mean I'll stop howling, err..singing. My blog has been a perfect venue for my frustrations in life.I don't know how to make the built-in player on this blog work with mozilla firefox so I'm providing a link to the song, instead. However, if you're using internet explorer, you have to turn off the player when you decide to listen to my concert.

Ladies and gentlemen, I dedicate this song to myself. I hope I like it.

This would be perfect in a piano bar, not necessarily sang on top of the piano.Click here.