Friday, November 21, 2008

di umaakyat ang pagong sa puno

laurie: "...hindi namamatay. umaakyat sa puno."

joni: "e hindi naman umaakyat yung pagong sa puno e."

laurie: "nagju-jump..."

joni: "hindi rin...hindi din juma-jump yung pagong e. lumalakad lang yun!"

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ganitong klaseng rasyonal na pag-iisip ang nakasisira sa imahinasyon ng bata. kaya siguro di na ako makapagsulat ng magandang istorya, masyadong cause & effect, 1+1=2, black or white na ang takbo ng utak ko. hehehe. olats.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

so that's why the titles are all in lowercase

remember when you were being taught to write, how the big letters differed from the small ones? remember the blue-red-blue lines that guided your hand to form the proper height of the letters, telling you not to go beyond the red when making baby a's? write properly, said teacher, start your sentences and proper nouns with capitals.

recall your writing exercises, when you were made to write rows upon rows of letters, until you got it right. your grandmother used to make the outlines of the letters using a very light-colored pencil, so that you wouldn't have to measure too much. at the end of the year you were awarded the 'best in penmanship' star, the red one. you grew up being known to be one of the best spelling-and-grammar rules followers in class. you know what doesn't belong in a sentence. you know when an 'h' is silent.

capitalization is serious business. all german nouns are capitalized. on government forms, you use block letters. you are quite good at doing big letters, except for one: your capital j looks like an s, so you always put a small serif at the top.

the literary people, you find out, are really the ones who break the rules. remember the numerous small i's and the not-capitalizing-at-the-beginning-of-sentences thing? they must be really great, you think, to be exempted from the rule. they are even praised and labelled geniuses for thinking of such a witty way to write 'i have something to say, but i am really insignificant' with that small i. postmodern, they say, postmodern.

capitalization is serious business. small letters are cute, fun, mellow, and easy on the eyes.

it's such a cool, unpretentious, humble way to write, you learn. the word processor automatically capitalizes all i's, and it annoys you. you go back and write it properly: "i". i, i, i. i am small. i is small. i am insignificant, but i have something to say.


a lesson in big & small

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Deflate is on detable.

thursday morning

this is what happens when many blog-worthy events in my life occur at the same time: they don't make their way into my blog. i get overwhelmed by the sheer volume of what i want to say, and often my hands can't catch up with my mind, so i just say "it was ok". i'm not very good at summarizing really; as much as possible i include details ("show don't tell"), and i disappoint myself when i forget to say something. so it's either i babble a lot or i don't say much at all. sometimes i wish i could just stick a flash drive in my ear, upload narratives (and expletives if need be), and transfer to the computer. i guess no one's invented the technology yet. the cure for lazy writers who can't filter.

yes, there's makiling, ust, sigwada, home, cubicle, sigwada, and back home again. reports, encoding, walking, coffee, documentation, guessing, exhibits, waiting, cab rides, and thursdays.


hang up

"The place smelled of coffee, but he wasn't there, the coffee wasn't his."

tad boXed up

"After confessing this she was sure his response would begin with a T."

Monday, November 10, 2008

Bunch Garcia at the Sigwada Gallery

A Cup of Memory: From Angono to the heart of Manila.

Bunch Garcia's works as an artist-in-residence of the Neo-Angono Artists Collective will grace the newly-opened Sigwada Gallery!

November 14, 2008, 6PM
Sigwada Gallery
#1921 Oroquieta Street, Sta. Cruz, Manila
http://sigwadagallery.multiply.com
http://hannahbunch.multiply.com

kitakits.


Sunday, November 9, 2008

Commonwealth-Fairview traffic on a Sunday

Probably the worst one I had been in--on a Sunday.

I was northbound, on my way home from fieldwork. The traffic started to slow down when I got to Litex, just as I was nearing our subdivision. I started to take a nap, thinking what the heck I'm tired, until my mind toinked my consciousness with the words "carbon monoxide."

Three Counting Crows songs later, I noticed vehicles turning to the southbound lane for a counterflow. There must be a collision, I thought. Four Beatles songs later, I noticed people walking on the road. Bumaha na naman siguro sa may Winston, I thought. I was around 500 kilometers away from our subdivision gate so I decided to wait it out a bit--after all, I wasn't in a hurry to go home. Three Turtles songs later I got impatient; and, dizzy with exhaust fumes, I got out the jeepney and crossed Commonwealth.

When I got out the jeep, what scared and amused me at the same time was the sheer monstrosity of the traffic going into Fairview: the counterflow left just one lane southbound, there were cars trying to make a left turn but couldn't, there were people who fled the area in droves. Something I haven't seen before in that part of Commonwealth going to Fairview on a Sunday.

Then, I was glad I didn't go home earlier.

Fieldwork finished early. We got back to UST at around 4:15-4:30, and I headed straight for home, only I couldn't get a ride to Fairview along Espana. I waited around thirty minutes until I decided to just take two rides. So, I took a jeep to SM West, embarked at Timog, and waited for anything Fairview. An SM Fairview FX neared. I hailed it. It slowed down. Then this schmuck tears past me and makes for the door. I saw the driver look at me apologetically. Kung mainit lang ulo ko nu'n, hinila ko na 'yung tarantado palabas ng FX at tinadyakan ko pa sa balls. Anyway. I took it as a sign na di pa ako dapat umuwi. Lingon-lingon. Uy, Red Ribbon.

A hundred and twenty pesos poorer but with a happy stomach, I sat by my lonesome and read what I haven't finished of Ambeth Ocampo's Bonifacio's Bolo. Other thoughts: I was struggling whether to text him or not, about the historical facts I've learned, about the downpour that greeted us on our way back to Manila. Man this cake sucks. Looked at the clock. 7ish. Okay, I can go now.

Where the H have all the Fairview rides gone?! As I waited by a building with a "barbershop with private rooms", I watched a couple of bonggang-bonggang performers rehearse a dance number at a talent/event agency twenty paces away. Okay, let's try this 'waiting for a ride home' again. Finally, an empty jeep to Almar. Two minutes later it was full. The ride was swift and the vroom-vroom loud. I couldn't even hear Adam Duritz shout-singing about feathers in his hand.

Ayan, Litex na, lapit na 'ko. Ayus. Then, this:


This is the southbound lane (going to Manila) that's gone northbound. That's the Fairview marker at the center. Good thing I was only three blocks away from home, and I felt sorry for those who lived farther--Lagro, Novaliches, San Jose Del Monte. 'Yung mga taga-'Greater' Fairview pwede na'ng maglakad eh.

"Ang lakas kasi ng ulan," said my sister when I showed her the photos and the videos I took. Pero kanina pa 'yun, di ba? I commented, still with disbelief. "Pero sobrang lakas, as in, sooobra..."

* * * * * * * * *

Tungkol sa ulan, recently

Pag nakakapanood ako ng pelikula o palabas na may eksenang umuulan, parang nararamdaman ko na rin ang mga patak sa aking balat. Parang nababasa rin ang aking mga paa. Parang kulang na lang, nandu'n din siya.

Saturday, November 8, 2008

wala lang.

60 Things You Possibly Didn't Know About Me

Nakuha ko kay berniii sa Multiply. Wala pa akong maisulat na iba eh. Basta masaya ako.

1. What is in the back seat of your car right now?
- Dust.

2. When was the last time you threw up?
- After a beer night out with Martin. It was the peanuts that did it, I think.

3. What's your favorite curse word?
- Shit. On very very special occasions it would be the F-word.

4. Name 3 people who made you smile today.
- Dahil maaga pa (8:47 AM pa lang) at wala pa akong kinakausap masyado, si Miel pa lang. Yung daga ko pala. Pupunta kami ni Gypsy sa vet mamaya. Check-up.

5. What were you doing at 8 am this morning?
- Nanonood ng special features ng Saturday Night Fever habang nagche-check ng e-mail.

6. What were you doing 30 minutes ago?
- Upload ng The Byrds video sa Youtube, singing to Belle & Sebastian.

7. What will you be doing 3 hours from now?
- Nag-aalaga ng daga.

8. Have you ever been to a strip club?
- Nope.

9. What is the last thing you said aloud?
- chorus ng "Hey Mr. Tambourine Man"

10. What is the best ice cream flavor?
- Choco Hazelnut.

11. What was the last thing you had to drink?
- Propel (susyal!).

12. What are you wearing right now?
- Sampageti sando na may hearts, at shorts na brown na may teepee prints.

13. What was the last thing you ate?
- Keebler Soft Batch choco chip cookies.

14. Have you bought any new clothing items this week?
- Dehins.

15. When was the last time you ran?
- As in takbo? Matagal na, mga 3 weeks ago, with Fitch. Pero sumayaw naman ako kagabi.

16. What's the last sporting event you watched?
- Opening ng Beijing Olympics sa DVD.

17. What is one thing you could totally live without doing?
- Drugs ;)

18. Who is the last person you emailed?
- Ricci, para sa "Ano Ba Talaga ang ART?" dvd project.

19. Ever go camping?
- Ay oo.

20. Do you have a tan?
- Bilad talaga ako sa araw.

21. What is your guilty pleasure?
- Late nights.

22. What kind of foundation do you use?
- Powder lang ako eh.

23. Who is your cell phone service provider?
- Globe.

24. Do you drink your soda from a straw?
- Oo, na kina-cut down ko na (ang paggamit ng straw).

25. What did your last IM say?
- "babye"

26. Are you someone's best friend?
- I hope so!

27. What are you doing tomorrow?
- Aga gising, puntang uste, chaperone ng mga bata, puntang pampanga akyat bundok, outreach, baba ng bundok, stopover, balik uste, uwi sa bahay.

28. Where is your mom right now?
- Nasa isang review center, doing her thing.

29. Look to your left, what do you see?
- three shelves of dvds.

30. What color is your watch?
- Di na ako nag-watch eh. Pero nung meron dati, blue na may mouse print.

31. What do you think of when you think of Australia?
- Koalas.

32. Would you consider plastic surgery?
- Nah. Pwera na lang kung kailangan (halimbawa natuklap ang kalahati ng mukha ko sa isang freak accident, at ayaw ko namang magmukhang two-face).

33. What is your birthstone?
- Aquamarine.

34. Do you go in at a fast food place or just hit the drive thru?
- Eat in.

35. How many kids do you want?
- Initially, two. ;)

36. Do you have a dog?
- Meron! Lima sila. Pusa meron din, 15 na ata sila. Isda, meron din, 13. Daga, dalawa naman.

37. Last person you talked to on the phone?
- Ross from Unang Hirit. Gusto niyo'ng malaman kung bakit?

38. Have you met anyone famous?
- Hmm sa mga gig at art events, ganun. Lolita Carbon. Nag-reply sakin sa text si Ely Buendia. Pwede na ba 'yun?

39. Any plans today?
- Puntang vet papa-checkup si Gypsy, daan ng Sigwada para i-finalize kung pwede mag-exhibit ang FDVAG dun, anticipated mass sa uste wid da pamilee, dinner dun sa Jap resto sa may Retiro, sulat ng articles para sa Academia.

40. How many states have you lived in?
- Isa lang, Pilipinas!

41. Ever go to college?
- UST Faculty of Arts and Letters at UP College of Social Sciences and Philosophy.

42. Where are you right now?
- Parents' room, mom's desk slash kitty dining table.

43. Biggest annoyance in your life right now?
- Anxiety brought about by the dvd project.

44. Last song listened to?
- Belle & Sebastian's Dirty Dream Number Two.

45. What do you wash first in the shower?
- Paa ang unang binabasa.

46. Are you allergic to anything?
- Wala na naman. Ayus nga eh.

47. Favorite pair of shoes you wear all the time?
- Tsinelas pang-harabas

48. Are you jealous of anyone?
- Naw

49. Sweet foods or Salty?
- Sweet tooth. Minsan alternate.

50. Is anyone jealous of you?
- Wala na naman siguro.

51. What time is it?
- 9:14 AM

52. Do any of your friends have children?
- Yep, mga sociobabies!

53. Do you eat healthy?
- I try to. Salads.

54. What do you usually do during the day?
- Try to work amidst the distractions in the office.

55. Do you hate anyone right now?
- No, not much of a hater.

56. Do you use the word 'hello' daily?
- Yes, and hi.

57. Favorite time of the day?
- Early morning (either mahimbing ang pagkakatulog ko or magic hour na nakakapagsulat ako).

58. How old will you be turning on your next birthday?
- 25. Quarter life! Tanda ko na pala. :)

59. Have you ever been to Six Flags?
- Nope, pero madaming flags dun sa Grotto Vista.

60. How did you get one of your scars?
- Kagat ng aso yung nasa pisngi-ulo ko. Rarr!!!

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

looking for the "awww..." factor

From an article Ambeth Ocampo wrote in February 1992, titled 'Leap year and Love Letters':

"As we move out of this month associated with love, I was able to dig up the text of a typical adolescent love letter written at the turn of the century by students of Mary H. Fee, an American schoolteacher sent to Capiz to teach English and introduce the little brown brothers to apples, Washington, stars and stripes, and the American way. She often confiscated such letters from classroom Romeos. One such letter read:


"LOVELY AND MOST RESPECTABLE LADY:
I am do me the honor to write you these few unworthy lines to tell you why you are breaking the heart and destroying the good health of my friend Pedro. Always I am going to his house every night, and I am find him weeping for you. He is not eating for love of you. He cannot sleep because he is think about your eyes which are like the stars, and your hairs which are the most beautiful of all the girls in this town. Alas! my friend must die if you do not give him a hope. Everyday he is walking in front of your house, but you do not give to him one little word of love. Even you do not love him, you can stop his weep if you like to send him one letter, telling to him that you are not angry to him or to me, his friend."

I miss writing letters like that (the emotion involved, not the grammar). Enough of the business/ secretarial letters I've been writing the past months (and years, if we include my org work since high school); enough of the terse messages one gives and receives through SMS and e-mail. Reading about 'the past' makes me nostalgic for longhand writing and postage stamps, for something that can be kept folded underneath a jacket or between the pages of a book, that can be tucked underneath the pillow before going to sleep. Something that can be seen and read without the need for electricity. Something tangible that can dramatically be thrown away or burned, and not just clicked.

Who am I kidding? Nowadays it could be better to talk to someone through a small window on the screen than attempting to speak to a person an arm's length away. Could be easier to rip the plug off the wall than to write, with shaking hands, a short note. More practical, less time-consuming, less embarrassing, more face saved.

At the end of the day though, you wonder how he writes his name.

Monday, November 3, 2008

b o X e d 2008 -- and my 100th post! yey!



boXed 2008 is about the erotic stories behind the corners of your wall…
about the sensual subconscious and the real or the unreal…
revolving, evolving and dying, decomposing and living once again.

We talk about the taboo of our inner world as we create a whole
universe of sensitivity.

A universe of stories told and untold.

opens NOVEMBER 15, 2008 (Saturday) at 6PM.

The CUBICLE ART GALLERY
40A. C. Raymundo corner Stella Maris Street
Brgy. Maybunga, Pasig City 1603, Philippines.

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Participants:
Katrina Adrias, Arkisens, Darrel Ballesteros, Allan Balisi, Elvert de la Cruz Bañares, Zeus Bascon, Serjohn Bato, Giselle Bautista, Art Bermido, Robert Besana, Bru, Con Cabrera, Miro Calderon, Buen Calubayan, Ronald Caringal, Jeff Carnay, Clint Catalan, Francis Comendador, Jigger Cruz, Don Djerassi Dalmacio, Melvin Dantes, DeformIndustry, Crisanto De Leon, Ian Del Espiritu Santo, Alon De Guzman, Fabo, Dexter Fernandez, Ging Flores, Mayang Frigillana, Dina Gadia, Angela Garrido, Sarah Gaugler, Eva Gubat, Neil Arvin Javier, Helen Jose, Vinita Karim, Lindslee, Lesley Lim, Michelle Pauline Lim, Mark Magistrado, Angelo Magno, Joseph Manata, Lotsu Manes, Hana Marasigan, Meneer Marcelo, ER Masilang, Feanne Mauricio, Jovenz Mayor, Kat Medina, Treb Monteras, Jamel Obnamia, Edrie Ocampo, Okto, AJ Omandac, Nico Orillano, J. Pacena II, Francis Pacheco, Vincent Padilla, Tad Pagaduan, Lynyrd Paras, Mervin Pimentel, Cheyenne Quintana, Julius Ramirez, Oliver Ramos, Sam Ramos, Kirby Roxas, Mark Salvatus, Jopay San Juan, Aman Santos, King Santos, Julius Sebastian, Reine Shih, Apol Sta. Maria, Mimi Tecson, Jomike Tejido, Hubert Tibi, Fernando Torres, Tatong Recheta Torres, Ige Trinidad, Wesley Valenzuela, Ulysses Veloso, Maan Villanueva, Lauren Villarama, WeAreAnalog, Ray Zapanta, and Costantino Zicarelli.

Gallery Hours:
Mondays to Fridays - 9am to 9pm
Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays - By Appointment

thecubicleartgallery@yahoo.com
+[63 2] 641-6700
+[63] 919 584 88 08 (Gallery Manager)
+[63] 915 781 01 35 (boXed organizer)


Venue map: