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Wednesday, September 29, 2004

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An "Evil" Day



My feet were itching from bites by mosquitoes hovering under the lavatory while washing my clothes I wore at the gym. I put some "Off" lotion and I guess the biting was gone. Anyway, exactly an hour and a half ago, I watched the ass-kicking, butt-busting sequel to Resident Evil which is Resident Evil:Apocalypse. The story continues from the previous movie where the virus has spread throughout the entire Raccoon City. Alice (Mila Jovovich) awakes from slumber with astonishing superhuman powers, and finds herself doing awesome combat techniques against zombie-like, virus-infested people (and dogs) all over the city. Yeah! She's really cool doing a Terminator thing with guns in both of her hands. Alice has become one of my favorite action heroes! Did you know that Mila trained for four months to prepare for this role? She has learned the intense Brazilian combat technique and the "in" thing nowadays replacing Tang Soo Do which is "Capoeira". And I'm sure it did prepare her for this movie. If you like Alice, you'd also like Jill Valentine, the heroine in the Resident Evil Game played by Sienna Guillory, and I thought she was Lara Flynn-Boyle with that anorexic body of hers but anyway, this babe really is equally ass-kicking and butt-busting but with only nearly human powers unlike Alice. Anyway, Umbrella (the organization who operated the Hive) had planned to "sanitized" the whole city by using a nuclear weapon and it's up to Alice, Jill, and their allies to fight for their survival against the threat from Umbrella and from the "infected" ones.

If you want some adrenaline-rushing, less mind thinking and full of shocking, heart-attack inducing movie to watch these days then I recommend you this. It'll never disappoint you.

But have you wondered why it's called an "Evil" day? It's not because of Resident Evil. Prior to that, I had my facial check-up at "Let's Face It". The "facial expert" who does the pricking and let's name her "Sleeping Beauty" has done the entire pricking in less than 10 minutes! In fairness she was nice like a saleslady, but I was really disappointed with the less than 10 minutes pricking and take note without much effort. I'd rather cry from pain if it's worth it! In my disappointment, I decided to cancel the mask I had arranged with her earlier but she has already mixed it so I did not argue anymore. And again, she irked me this time, she was too careless that her sleeves were brushing the mask away as she moved her hands across my face. So after the mask, I decided to report this incident to the supervisor and I did. The supervisor apologized and told me that she would deal with "Sleeping Beauty" later on. I hope, she has to learn a lesson the hard way. It's a good thing I'm a frequent client. What if it happens to a new customer? She/He probably would never come back.

Tuesday, September 28, 2004

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Reading "After Eden"



Butch, my roommate often tell me how hilarious "After Eden" is. I have been into Powerbooks many times but the comic novel by Arnold Arre did not interest me quite a bit until today. Being tired of reading "Rich Dad, Poor Dad", I was looking for some reading material that would tickle my funny bone, so I came across with "After Eden". Although I found Arre's drawing "too cramped", the story was so good and I suggest that you should read it too. It's a story mixed with mild humor, drama, and cheesy-romantic scenes as well as profusive language. It made me laugh too loud and somehow makes me cry. Anyway to give you an overview, "After Eden" is a symbolic phase in what happens to a relationship when the lovers "fall out love" - the term is, Eden, the place where the first man-woman love story began and what happened after they are banished, termed otherwise when the love story ended, according to the author. The story tells of two old childhood friends Celine and Jon, who, after 21 years, met during those "loneliest" times of their lives and found solace into each other. However, as their relationship blossomed, their relationships with their respective friends start to fall apart. Lea, and Gregg who are close friends of Celine and Jon respectively have formulated a mischievious plot to break the two apart - to have them realized that "love" is just an illusion, an escape from reality, an addictive drug to cure temporarily the loneliness inside of us. Sooner, the planned work perfectly but instead of building the relationship back, everyone was in despair. Jon's shop filed for bankruptcy, Celine resigned from her ad agency, friends do not talk and go on with each other's lives. However good and bad destiny personified by the cops, who represented "evil" and the cupid ladies who personified "good" battled each other to get the two back again or separate both forever. The ending is for you to find out. "After Eden" is like an animé styled comic novel sold for 315 pesos all over National Bookstores and Powerbooks in GMA area.

Friday, September 24, 2004

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A Couple of Interviews, An Exam, A Job Offer



I'm so glad today is Friday because tomorrow is Saturday and the day after Saturday is Sunday. Starting last Monday, I was constantly reminded or rather advised by my father regarding my job application at Pacific Online. I have called May, the patient lady from HR, twice already starting last week. If I make a call to her again, that would make her furious but to my surprise on Tuesday afternoon, she called me to confirm my availability for an exam this Friday. Of course I said yes, and my dilemma was solved.

Minutes after that, someone called me again and it was Ram, the HR guy in Astec. For everyone's information, Tuesday last week, I was invited for an exam and initial interview afterwhich I was told to wait for their call. Well, Ram told me to come into their office tomorrow for an exam again and interview at 10 AM . Waking up 5:30, I get dressed and prepare the 4-hour travel to EPZA in Rosario, Cavite. At 9:00, I arrived at Gate 4 but the guard refused to let me in because applicants should are supposed to enter Gate 1... It was a hassle really, I have to make a circular route around the place which consists of two rides. I got there by 9:20. Anyway, the exam was unusual ... the instruction was follow the instructions. Anyway, I got 10/14, which I think was quite good. I waited for a very long time for the interview, too many people interviewed me and it was finished at 4:30 PM. After that I waited for the HR's instruction for an hour, only to be told that I can go home and wait for their call. Duh! Anyway, while I was on my home particularly in Bacoor, Ram called me and told me to come for the final interview tomorrow that day at 8:00. What!? 8? Taht is too early! Anyway, I said yes. I was really planning to sleep that night until the sunlight will make me up. I was really tired when I got in Pasig at 8:00 PM so I decided to lift weights in the gym and it felt really good! I went home, took a bath, set the alarm clock at 4:00 AM and went to sleep.

I arrived 10 minutes late at Astec but it was okay. Ram called me and do his interview thing, psyching me. Duh! I'm used to be being psyched, he should've known I've been psyching myself every moment in my life. (Mahilig kasi ako magmumuni-muni)... so I think I was calm during the process yet noticed beads of sweat have formed around my forehead. Hehehe ... Anyway, I was instrcuted to wait again I don't know for how long again for my interview with the "Biggest Boss". To kill the time waiting, it's a good thing a fellow applicant started a conversation with me and we really got absorbed into each other's topics that I haven't noticed I was called to be interviewed. The biggest boss was the most intimidating interviewer ... maybe he's doing it to flaunt his authority. Duh! Anyway, I waited at the HR again for the results. My fellow applicant and I continued talking until it was his turn to be intrviewed. Around 11:15, Ram called each of us individually. I was called last. He told me that I was hired and advised me to look for a room or a house near EPZA. They will call me next week. I was hired! Yet, I did not feel estatic about it. Quite ironic really... I was too tired, my eyes were stinging and I went home looking forward for my exam tomorrow ... which happened today.

To be continued...



Tuesday, September 14, 2004

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Lost! and Almost



Yesterday was the most frenzied day of my life. At lunch, I went to Ever Gotesco Ortigas, the mall near my place to eat my lunch. I was going to eat at McDonalds but when I passed by Greenwich, I decided to eat there instead. I thought it's been a while that I've tasted Chicken ala King. So I ate there, I texted my father what time will he be coming over in Manila. After eating, I went to McDonalds to buy Sundae, then I proceeded downstairs and go to the gym. As soon as I got to the front door, I realized that my cellphone is not in my pocket. Hurriedly, I went back to Greenwich and approached the guy who cleaned my mess and asked me if he has seen any N2100 cell... He said he did not. He searched the trash bin but couldn't find it so I asked him if he has his own cellphone and that I could borrow it to miss call my phone. Instead he called his manager and let him deal with me so I asked the manager if he could give my phone a ring. He did but it said, "The phone is either out of reach or out of coverage area"... he did it again same answer. The verdict: Someone got my phone ... removed the SIM card and I'm sure it will never be returned... Bless him ... It's been barely 10 minutes when I left Greenwich and the most bizaare thing is .. it's not really crowded in there. We were only less than 10 people and very far apart from each other. The closest person I suspected was the guy who cleaned my mess... I don't know... but whoever got my cellphone, God will deal with his life. Well anyway, now I've got a new phone. It's a good thing really my dad came over yesterday, and it's good thing I kept the numbers in my Spiderman notebook that I had contacted him.]

Today, I went to Astec in Rosario, Cavite for an exam and interview. The factory reminded me of ROHM Apollo (for ROHM Apollo stories click here), however it's obvious that it's quite old unlike the brand new, high-tech building of ROHM Apollo. The exam went quite well and I was very bored waiting for my turn to be interviewed. It turned out I was 3rd to the last. But it went well, and it's obvious that the supervisor or manager who interviewed me was impressed with my answers... (Naks! Bukhad ang atay...) and he told me directly I was one of his shortlisted candidates (it turned out na dalawa lang kami)... so apart from interview, he had me tested with my AutoCAD and Visual Basic skills. U-oh! Danger... anyway, I kept my cool and focused everything I learned from Sir George Tujan... It's a good thing the AutoCAD software they had is not working so I got to be tested in VB. What they asked me to do first is very difficult. They want me to make a VB interface to be linked with a database which is in Microsoft Access... Although I made a program like that before, but then, I have books and notes at that time... so I told them I can't do it. Instead they asked me to make a calculator ... very easy. Anyway, I got with the hurly-burly of what commands to use ... I need a refresher! That's what's going on in my head... I haven't finished making the calculator ... Sir whatever his name is, ushered me back to HR, where I was advised to wait for the call.

Saturday, September 11, 2004

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In One Month



Last September 1 was the 3rd monthsary of my stay here in Manila. So what has haappened so far to your dear bloggie. Well, he has rejected two job offers already in the hope of getting the job in Cebu, which unfortunately froze its hiring until December .. well, all I can say God's plans are mysterious in ways humans just can't imagine or comprehend.
Anyway, starting last week, SM Megamall hosts a variety of Europe's best films for FREE... so why not make use of it. The best things in this world are free. Anyway, the event's called "Cinema Europa" and scheduled different films from UK, Portugal, France, Germany, etc in among 2:00, 4:30, 7:00 and 9:30 times slots.

Last Wednesday, I was looking forward to see a film from France called "Les Choristes", in English, "The Choir". So after having my dinner some time in 8:30, I proceeded to Mega A, 3rd floor. When I got there, several people lined up already so I looked for the end of the line and found myself, two cinemas away. More people came until the whole cinema hall was filled with a snakelike line (parang snake sa Nokia) ... By 9:00 the guards let us enter the cinema...

"Les Choristes", is a simple, yet touching story that tells us how music can change the life of a person. Pierre Morhange is a well-renowned musical composer of his time when he got a call from France that prompted him to back there since his mother died. After the funeral, an old man knocked on his door and introduced himself as Pepinot. It took him for a while to remember him, afterwhich he recognized him as his very little classmate at Fond L'etang, were they used to go to school. While they talked, they reminisced the their old times at Fond L'etang and of course the teacher who changed their lives. Pepinot drew out a diary meant for Pierre. It was the teacher's diary. Clement Matthieu's.

Clement Mathieu arrived at Fond L'etang just to answer the call of his teaching services. When he arrived there, he came upon a small boy by the gate. Asking him why he was there, the boy said that he was waiting for his parents to come on Saturday. The boy was Pepinot. As Clement had known later, he was in a state of denial believing that his parents would take him someday on Saturday but in reality his parents are already dead. Since it's not Saturday yet, Clement took the boy with him. Clement was greeted by a huge culture shock and it took quite a little while for him that he is indeed in a school of juvenile delinquent boys, who set dangerous pranks upon their teachers. To retaliate against their behavior, the principal, Monsieur Rachin, developed his radical method of disciplining the students, called as "Action-Reaction". It's like what you saw is what you reap.

Anyway, Clement Matthieu couldn't just subdue the boys' behavior ... so if you can't beat them, join them (in a subtle manner)... Apart from being rowdy all the time, he observed that the boys love to sing and compose really nasty lyrics about their teachers. So being a retired composer himself he experimented on teaching the students to sing as a choir... Morhange was a boy who tried to be tough by being delinquent. In fact he's just a lonely boy who misses his mother dearly and pretended to hate her so much. When the choir started practicing he couldn't join since he had detentions to do. However, when the practice was over, he would rehearse by himself what he just heard... and he's got a very pure voice, very awesome voice. Anyway, Clement caught him singing by himself one time and asked him to join them after his detention... he just shrugged. Meanwhile, Clement fell in love with Pierre's mother. Pierre's mother has been frequently visiting him but couldn't find the right time to talk to him since he was in detention so it was Clement who entertained her more often ... telling her how good her son is and so y'know the drill. When, finally Pierre get to talk to his mother, he felt safe and followed her advice to join Clement's choir. And so the choir practiced more and they sound very beautifully... all was quite well in Fond L'etang even Rachin noticed it... until Modain came. He was a student from almost pyschotic school for boys, and was recommended to Fond L'etang for his improved behavior. This guy was threatening everybody, even the little Pepinot. He was put into punishments more often until he was accused of stealing the school's money that he was sent back to his old school. Meanwhile, Morhange became suspicious of Clement's behavior towards his mother that he back again to his bad boy behavior and refused to sing his solo in the choir. Clement Matthieu took notice of this and told him that he's not to sing anymore. Morhange was hurt since he did not really intend to go that far. Anyway, the school's benefactor heard of the choir and requested them to sing when she visits there. All were assembled and Clement start to conduct. Pierre was standing on one corner. His eyes full of longing to be in there. However when his solo part came, Mattieu turned toward his direction and conducted his solo for him. Pierre was happy and so bati na sila. One hot summer day, Clement noticed that the boys are restless. And while Rachin was off to central Lyon, he decided to bring the boys in the woods to play and explore. When they came back, they found out that the boy classrooms are burning. Rachin was frantic when he got a call to go back since parents have come, screaming. However, Clement came out from the woods with the boys and with their utility man, Maxence from their stroll. All sighed a cry of relief, knowing that the children are safe. However Rachin was so angry and he fired Clement and that he was not allowed to talk to the boys when he leaves. Clement left the school, however out from the window, the boys sent their letters by improvising it into a paper plane, thanking him for all that he's done to them. At a distance, when Clement was about to board a bus, Pepinot came running after him, asking him to take him with him. Clement shooed him away but Pepinot did not move. However, Clement took pity and he got on with Pepinot with him... and by the way, Pepinot's wish came true... that day was Saturday.

Later on as narrated, Pierre's mother enrolled him into a musical school in Lyon. Rachin was fired upon testimonies of the teachers of his radical disciplinary methods. Pepinot grew up with Clement Mattieu. Clement continues to teach music for ordinary people. Before I forgot, it was Modain who burned the school.

Sunday, September 05, 2004

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Heart of Worship



Here I stand, outside your sanctuary
I came with a heart, wounded, tired and weary
With a heavy spirit, I burst out a song for you
And the music played outside ...
For your word said to give thanks in good or bad times
So I opened my mouth and start to sing
Of words not enough for what you've done
Of your loving mercy and grace ...
I closed my eyes and thought of you
Even when things are rough, I can see you through
Hope springs from my lonely heart
And filled my heart with gladness and joy
My soul is yearning and I lift up my hands...
Oh, what a sweet sweet surrender, only thinking about you
Declaring who you are and of your immeasurable greatness
Tears stream from my eyes and felt you wiped them away...
How I wish I could go on forever this way
And in this world, I'm biding my time...
Until you come back someday ...
And repeat this moment far greater and forevermore.