Para Kay Nai, Isang Alon

 

Pag-ibig

sa panahong

digmaan

ang palaging

iniisip, sinasambit, ginagawa.

Sana naman

nagkaroon,

kahit saglit,

ng panahong umibig

bago ka nila pinaslang.

Hindi sa atin

ang digmaang

ito.

Ngunit inangkin

mo, inalagaan, inalayan

ng buhay.

Digmaan,

panahon lamang

ang

sa iyo.

Digmaan,

ipinagkait mo

ang buhay ng

isang kaibigan

ko.

 

----------------------------

Enero 13, 2010

Sapagkat naalala ko ang isang pag-uusap natin tungkol sa isang kasamang marikit.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view/20100111-246729/UP-student-pal-killed-in-clash-with-troops

This was e-mailed to me by my mom -- something heartwarming for every mom and mom-to-be. :-)

A Newborn's Conversation with God  
 
 A baby asked God, "They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow,  
but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?"  
 God said, "Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you."  
The child further inquired, "But tell me, here in heaven I don't have  
to do anything but sing and smile to be happy."  
 God said, "Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you.  
And you will feel your angel's love and be very happy."  
 Again the small child asked, "And how am I going to be able to understand  
when people talk to me if I don't know the language?"  
 God said, "Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words  
you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will  
teach you how to speak."  
 "And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?"  
 God said, "Your angel will place your hands together and will teach  
you how to pray."  
 "Who will protect me?"  
 God said, "Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life."  
 "But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore."  
 God said, "Your angel will always talk to you about Me and will teach  
you the way to come back to Me, even though I will always be next to you."  
 At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from Earth  
could be heard and the child hurriedly asked, "God, if I am to leave  
now, please tell me my angel's name."  
 God said, You will simply call her, "Mom."  
 
-------
Thank you to my angel on Earth, Fatima Salih Verzosa. She's the most unconventional, precognitive and profoundly inspiring person I have ever known. We may disagree at times but I would always find my way by basking in the light of her maternal halo.

2 Dozen Roses for my little Ségolène from our really cool uncle, Lon Barash. :-)

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Maraming salamat sa lahat ng nanalangin, bumati, dumalaw, nagregalo, at kung anu-ano pa noong Enero 20, 2009 sa St. Luke's Medical Center noong ako ay nanganak, at sa bahay sa Marikina habang nagpapahinga, pati sa Ilang-Ilang para sa Baby Shower noong Enero 10!

Nagagalak si
ROSWITHA SÉGOLÈNE URDUJA VERZOSA NUYLES
na makilala kayo, matapos ang 24 oras na paghihilab at pag-ire.

Isang matagumpay na pagbati mula sa amin ni Christophe! :-)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sa Aking Panganay

Huwag kang mabalisa, anak ko,
Tuwing umaalingawngaw ang mga paputok ng Tsino
Sila’y pawang bulalakaw sa langit ng Enero
Binabati ka sa maluwalhating pagsilang mo.

Huwag mong alintanain, anak ko,
Ang ingay ng pagdiriwang sa telebisyon at radyo
Sa pag-upo ng Pangulo ng mga Amerikano
Nakatadhana rin na ika’y maging simbolo ng pagbabago

Kaya halina, aking mahal na prinsesa,
Makipaglaro sa mga kapwa mong anghel at diwata
Ligaya ko ang iyong ngiti sa bawat panaginip
Pagdurusa ko ang bawat panaghoy na luha ang kalakip.

Tahan na, aking matamis na tagumpay,
Bunga ng marubdob at malikhaing paglalakbay
Tugon sa dalangin at katuparan ng pangarap
Ikaw, anak, ang tanglaw sa pag-asang hinaharap.

--------------------

Vida Soraya Verzosa
Enero 25, 2009
Lungsod ng Marikina

Every year, our family troops to the Good Shepherd Convent in Baguio City to buy several jars of Alfajor cookies, an absolutely sinful Latin-American dessert that makes you want to seek culinary penance long after the holidays. None of the other Good Shepherd convents make it and I've never seen a patisserie in Manila offering Alfajores. It's basically like melt-in-your-mouth butter cookies with a caramel filling and confectionery sugar coating. Below, I'm reposting 2 versions of recipes from both Wikicookbooks and Foodnetwork.com. Thank you very much to Mattbites and Pip in the City for the photos.

Alfajores Recipe (Wiki)

• 1/2 cup butter,
• 1 cup sugar,
• 1 egg,
• 2 egg yolks,
• 1 tsp. vanilla,
• 2 tsp. lemon rind, grated,
• 1 1/2 cup cornstarch,
• 1/2 cup flour,
• 1 tsp. baking powder, and
• 1/4 tsp. salt.

Cream butter; add sugar and beat until fluffy. Add egg and egg yolks, one at a time, beating well. Beat in vanilla and lemon rind. Sift together cornstarch, flour, baking powder and salt. Add to mixture and mix well. Drop batter by small spoonfuls onto well buttered baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Remove immediately. Sandwich the cookies together with (dulce de leche) sweet milk dessert. Makes 40 cookies. [I think this is the one that the Good Shepherd nuns use, gotta pester my aunt about it during the next family reunion]

Ways to Keep Christ in Christmas
By Mary Fairchild, About.com

Keeping Christ in Christmas:
The number one way to keep Jesus Christ in your Christmas celebrations is to have him present in your daily life. If you're not sure what it means to become a believer in Christ, check out this article on "How to Become a Christian." If you've already accepted Jesus as your Savior and made him the center of your life, keeping Christ in Christmas is more about the way you live your life than the things you say—such as "Merry Christmas" versus "Happy Holidays."

Keeping Christ in Christmas means daily revealing the character, love and spirit of Christ that dwells in you, by allowing these traits to shine through your actions. Here are simple ways to keep Christ the central focus of your life this Christmas season.

1) Give God one very special gift just from you to him:
Let this gift be something personal that no one else needs to know about, and let it be a sacrifice. David said in 2 Samuel 24 that he would not offer a sacrifice to God that cost him nothing.

Maybe your gift to God will be to forgive someone you've needed to forgive for a long time. You may discover that you've given a gift back to yourself.

Corrie Ten Boom, a Christian who survived extreme brutality in a German concentration camp after rescuing many Jews from certain death during the Nazi Holocaust, was later able to say, "Forgiveness is to set a prisoner free, and to realize the prisoner was you."

Perhaps your gift will be to commit to spending time with God daily. Or maybe there is something God has asked you to give up, like last New Year's resolution. Make this your most important gift of the season.

2) Set aside a special time to read the Christmas story in Luke 1:5-56 through 2:1-20:
Consider reading this account with your family and discussing it together.
• The Christmas Story
• More Christmas Bible Verses

3) Set up a Nativity scene in your home:
If you don't have a Nativity, here are ideas to help you make your own Nativity scene:
• Nativity Related Crafts

4) Plan a project of good will this Christmas:
A few years ago we "adopted" a single mom. My friend was barely making ends meet and didn't have money to buy gifts for her small child. Together with my husband's family we bought gifts for both of them and replaced her broken down washing machine the week of Christmas. Do you have an elderly neighbor in need of home repairs or yard work? Find someone with a genuine need, involve your whole family and see how happy you can make someone this Christmas.
• Top Christmas Charity Projects

5) Take a group Christmas caroling in a nursing home or a children's hospital:
One year the staff at the office where I worked decided to incorporate Christmas caroling at a nearby nursing home into our yearly staff Christmas party plans. We all met first at the nursing home and toured the facility while singing Christmas carols. Afterwards, we headed back to our party with our hearts full of tenderness. It was the best staff Christmas party we'd ever had.

6) Give a surprise gift of service to each member of your family:
Jesus taught us to serve by washing the disciples feet. He also taught us that it is "more blessed to give than to receive." Acts 20:35 (NIV) The idea of giving an unexpected gift of service to members of your family is to demonstrate Christ-like love and service. You might consider giving a back rub to your spouse, running an errand for your brother, or cleaning out a closet for your mother. Make it personal and meaningful and watch the blessings multiply.

7) Set aside a time of family devotions on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning:
Before opening the gifts, take a few minutes to gather together as a family in prayer and devotions. Read a few Bible verses and discuss as a family the true meaning of Christmas.
• Christmas Bible Verses
• Christmas Prayers and Poems
• The Christmas Story
• Christmas Devotionals

8) Attend a Christmas church service together with your family:
If you are alone this Christmas or don't have family living near you, invite a friend or a neighbor to join you.

9) Send Christmas cards that convey a spiritual message:
This is an easy way to share your faith at Christmastime. If you've already bought the reindeer cards—no problem! Just write a Bible verse and include a personal message with each card.
• Select Christmas Bible Verses

10) Write a Christmas letter to a missionary:
This idea is dear to my heart because I spent four years on the mission field. Receiving a letter always felt like opening a priceless gift on Christmas morning, no matter what day it was. Many missionaries are unable to travel home for the holidays, so it can be a very lonely time for them. Write a special Christmas letter to a missionary of your choice, thanking them for giving their life in service to the Lord. Trust me—it will mean more than you can imagine!

This About.com page has been optimized for print. To view this page in its original form, please visit: http://christianity.about.com/od/holidaytips/p/keepchristmas.htm
©2008 About.com, Inc., a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.
________________________________________

Links in this article:
1.    http://christianity.about.com/od/newtestamentpeople/p/jesuschrist.htm
2.    http://christianity.about.com/od/conversion/ht/becomechristian.htm
3.    http://christianity.about.com/od/whatdoesthebiblesay/a/bibleforgivenes.htm
4.    http://christianity.about.com/c/ec/1.htm
5.    http://christianity.about.com/od/biblestorysummaries/p/christmasstory.htm
6.    http://christianity.about.com/od/holidaytips/a/christmasbible.htm
7.    http://familycrafts.about.com/od/nativityrelatedcrafts/
8.    http://christianity.about.com/od/holidaytips/tp/christmascharit.htm
9.    http://christianity.about.com/od/faqhelpdesk/p/newinternationa.htm
10.    http://christianity.about.com/od/holidaytips/a/christmasbible.htm
11.    http://christianity.about.com/od/prayersverses/a/christmasprayer.htm
12.    http://christianity.about.com/od/biblestorysummaries/p/christmasstory.htm
13.    http://christianity.about.com/od/christmasdevotionals/Christmas_Devotionals.htm
14.    http://christianity.about.com/od/holidaytips/a/christmasbible.htm

One sunny day in August, 2010 an old man approached the Malacañang Palace
gate. He spoke to the Philippine Marine standing guard and said, "I would like to go in and meet with President GMA."

The Marine looked at the man and said, "Sir, GMA is no longer president and no longer resides here." The old man said, "Okay", and walked away.

The following day, the same man approached Malacanang again and said to the same Marine, "I would like to go in and meet with President GMA.

The Marine again told the man, "Sir, as I said yesterday, GMA is no longer president and no longer resides here."

The man thanked him and, again, just walked away.

The third day, the same man approached Malacanang Palace and spoke to the very same Philippine Marine, saying "I would like to go in and meet with President GMA."

The Marine, understandably agitated at this point, looked at the man and said, "Sir, this is the third day in a row you have been here asking to speak to GMA.  I've told you already that GMA
is no longer the president and no longer resides here. Don't you understand?"

The old man looked at the Marine and said, "Oh, I understand.  I just love hearing it."

The Marine snapped to attention, saluted, and said, "See you tomorrow, Sir."

[From Atty. Gidor's e-mail]

[N.B. First Published in Barkada Magazine (a Catholic Mass Media Awardee for High School Literature) November Issue]

His heart beats faster, pulse racing and palms sweating, he clicks the mouse with a fierce intensity and navigates through the map with his left hand. He glances at the screen and sees the enemy hordes approaching. Quickly, he sends a message to the rest of the team on their attack strategy. He monitors his gold resources and the strength of his electronic Hero. In a few seconds, a triple kill combo decimates the rest of the enemy team. He looks up and whoops out a congratulatory yell as his team’s winning statistics flash on the screen.

Sounds familiar? 

For the typical massive multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) fanatic, it sounds like another electronic victory out of several rounds of creating a virtual world of computer network battles. Is such a campaign really worth all the time and effort? Does winning a computer game an indicator of real life triumph?

According to an IBM study, the average time spent on online role-playing games per week is 22 hours, and 7.5M people currently play one title – World of Warcraft. That figure doesn’t even include those who indulge in other types of computer games, like local area network (LAN) games, emulation games, real time strategy games, action games and sports games. In the Philippines, any computer shop worth its salt would surely have young customers intently focused on these games they’ve installed, be they original copies or pirated versions. 

Thus, it is no surprise that most authority figures such as parents and school officials react negatively to these games and the gaming culture. As Richard Halverson found in his study on Leadership and Gaming, “video games are regarded as diversionary threats to the integrity of schooling (at best) or as destructive, compelling activities that simultaneously corrupt moral capacity and create a sedentary, motivation-destroying life-style.” In fact, these games have had lots of controversies attached to it, such as the debate on the violent themes, explicit graphics, and the effect of game addiction on the social development of minors. The American Psychological Association even concluded that violent computer games can contribute to children’s aggressive behavior. It is also observed that games sometimes exaggerate certain perceptions while the player does not rationalize the difference between real life and game behavior.

On the other hand, there are studies, such as the IBM research conducted by Reeves, confirming that there are both negative and positive psychological effects of games on developing leadership skills. He found that computer games can:

1.        Reward the player with a feeling of success that is more interesting than other tasks like learning. It becomes a challenge to raise motivation for other learning goals.

2.        Suppress socialization by limiting inter-action to virtual communication.

3.        Promote an attitude of fitting together “building blocks” or every feature of the game for a specific purpose.

4.        Encourage a bias towards competition and egoistic goals, instead of cooperation.

However, this must be balanced by the findings that on a positive note, the types of skills learned in an MMORPG, when used in the real world, are also essential for leadership success. Some of these are:

1.        Being a good communicator (in explaining to team members the raid strategy);

2.        Must be able to delegate tasks (to divide the attack among different players);

3.        Should be effective in multi-tasking (to use various functions in navigating and fighting);

4.        Must be competent in tactics and techniques (creatively using opponent’s disadvantages and maximizing the MMORPG team’s resources);

5.        Having confidence in the leader’s and the team’s playing abilities.

As a game psychology researcher found, “online gaming is a way for a person to take baby steps into learning how to lead. Someone who is shy in real life may have more confidence in a game and eventually that in-game confidence will translate to more out-of-game confidence.” In a game situation, one develops a strong foundation out of learning how to be a good follower (teamwork and obeying directions) and eventually emerging to be a good team leader (empathy and creative strategizing). Psychological studies have discovered that this young generation of gamers also follow patterns of various leadership models in the complexity of game strategy with management of virtual economies (how much gold is left to buy a weapon) and inter-group communication (chat programs that promote camaraderie and quick planning). Since it is a fast-paced approach, leadership is often emergent, encourages risk-taking, but promotes temporary, rather than permanent leadership roles (after the game, the players resume their normal selves).

The most important conclusion is that game environments make leadership easier, even for those with shy personalities in real life. Even if there are various opportunities for leadership practice as players try out more game tactics, parents and school officials must not be afraid to temper the time spent on games with building real life relationships and making academic pursuits more interesting. As we increasingly move towards a digital generation, the challenge is to channel the adrenaline rush and mental stimulation of gaming into something sustainable in real life leadership scenarios. 

References:

Reeves, B. “Leadership in Games and at Work: Implications for the Enterprise of Massively Multiplayer Online Role-playing Games.” June 11, 2007. Found at: <http://www.seriosity.com/downloads/Leadership_In_Games_Seriosity_and_IBM.pdf> Date Accessed: September 23, 2008

Wiki-One Laptop per Child Project. “Game Psychology.” June 11, 2008. Found at: <http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Game_psychology> Date Accessed: September 23, 2008 

Halverson, R. “What Can K-12 School Leaders Learn from Video Games and Gaming?” ___. Found at:

<http://www.education.wisc.edu/elpa/people/faculty/halverson/LeadersLearningFromVideoGames.pdf> Date Accessed: September 23, 2008

[Hayyyy, miss ko na mag-DoTA with my Sweetheart. Hehe]

This was unearthed from my dad's files, in a note from my grandmother, a traditional dish that I've never found anywhere else but in the Verzosa hometown, Vigan, Ilocos Sur. The flavor is indescribable, there's nothing else quite like it. I can't wait to go home to the province and ask our cucinera at Villa Angela to make Pipian!

A Google search describes Pipian as something of Mexican origin but the Vigan version looks so much better. A similar recipe can also be found in Wyatt's Kitchen: Pipian Manok. Thank you to Mr. Wyatt Belmonte for the Pipian photo.

"When I took a look at it, it was in script written by Manang Aca from Lola Puring [Dra. Purificacion Lahoz-Verzosa]'s dictation for a certain Mrs. Tiongson....I will therefore key it in as is in order to preserve the flavor....

PIPIAN VIGAN

I think this food originated as a delicacy from the people of Vigan. The truth is that it is special because it is only in Vigan where you find the herb called "al pasotes" which is known by the old families of Vigan who appreciate the dish. [note: "al pasotes" is also known as Epazote or Herba Sancti Mariæ (Chenopodium ambrosioides)]

Ingredients and procedure:
1. Rice is browned and is ground very finely in those places in the market. It is placed in a glass container and kept in the freezer to preserve it for many uses. Stainless steel container is also ok.

2. 1/2 kilo of the internal organs of the cow, cleaned very very well and boiled. The first boiling is to be eliminated and thrown out and then new water is put in the entrails and boiled until soft. This could last for 2 hours. Then cut in two inch squares. Usually tripe is used.

3. Add chicken cut in two inch squares. Preferably use the breasts and the legs. The neck,  wings,  and back may be used but is cumbersome to eat, although tasty. About 1/2 kilo pork, or better still bagnet should be cut in 2 inch squares also and set aside.

4. Wash 15 big pieces of Kamias. Sliced crosswise like small circles and set aside.

5. About 1/2 handful of achuete should be soaked in warm water and masticated by hand so that the red-orange colored juice comes out and should be done about 3 to 4 times until there is no more coloring.

6. Mix the achuete juice to about 2 to 3 cups of ground browned rice until well blended, depending on the volume you want to serve.

7. For the main cooking, put a little oil in the wok and saute garlic  and onions and when slightly browned...

8. Add the main ingredients... the chicken, the bagnet, the tripe and brown a little and adding some patis and little ground pepper to taste.

9. Add 2 cups water and the browned ground rice and the kamias and boil and boil until the rice is cooked, and mixing the lower portion of the wok with a ladle to make sure the rice will not stick and get burned.

10. Lastly, add the al pasotes leaves....but not too much because it has a strong flavor. And if you like, you may add cooked longanizang Vigan also. Watch the complete Pipian boil and boil until the consistency is a little bit thicker than Kare-kare. If it is too thick, slowly add hot water up to the thickness you want. Make sure this is served hot to enjoy the full flavor and aroma."

This was e-mailed by Atty. Gerthie Mayo-Anda of the Environmental Legal Assistance Center, where I spent my Summer 2007 Legal Internship. Since we spent our entire 1st semester '08-'09 on exploring the nuances of creating a mining moratorium ordinance, the developments in Palawan seems like welcome news to those who're hoping for more changes in environmental regulation. A minor victory, but a triumph nevertheless. Yay!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear colleagues and friends,

I just want to share some news ----
Last November 18, 2008, our Provincial Board passed a RESOLUTION
"Declaring a 25-year Moratorium in the Issuance of Indorsements for New
Applications for Small Scale Mining Activities in the Province of Palawan
and Declaring further its Firm Resolve to Oppose at any time any New Large
Scale Mining Application or to Press for the Nullification of existing
mineral agreements and the cessation of their mining operations for
incompatibility with the Strategic Environmental Plan (SEP) for Palawan".
The Resolution does not cover pending applications before the provincial
board and the provincial mining regulatory board.

Following civil society's interfaith rally last February and other
mobilizations in northern and southern Palawan, two of our board members
proposed an ordinance pushing for moratorium on mining. For almost nine
months, we participated in several meetings and public hearings and
engaged our provincial board members in discussions on this issue. The
Palawan NGO Network, Inc. (PNNI)- Bantay Mina group has been
advocating for an ordinance since early this year.

The provincial board, guided by the opinion of the provincial legal
officer (based on DOJ and DILG opinions), has maintained the position that
they have no legal basis to impose a moratorium on large-scale mining and
to pass an ordinance of this nature. We tried to broaden their perspective
by, among others, submitting several petitions, position papers (with
legal opinions) and furnished them copies of the provincial ordinances of
Capiz, Mindoro, Samar and Marinduque, but they stood pat on their
position. Hence, what they decided to pass was a Resolution focusing
primarily on new small-scale mining applications.

While the Resolution may not be the ordinance we aimed for, we would like
to view this as a victory - a first step in our effort to engage our local
officials, together with our community partners, towards a moratorium on
mining in the province. The provincial board has partially changed its
perspective on mining and has appreciated some of our arguments.

But we have more work to do in Palawan. We need to ensure that the
moratorium is faithfully observed and complied with. We need to intensify
our monitoring of several pending applications before the PMRB and
provincial board and make sure that any endorsements which contravene the
SEP law and other laws are not made. We also need to make sure that the
Resolution is not set aside or its provisions modified in favor of mining.
We also need to push for the immediate rehabilitation of destroyed forest
and biodiversity areas in southern Palawan where mining operations have
stopped (Narra, Espanola and Quezon) in the last few months as a result of
the steep decline in world metal prices.

Cheers,
Gerthie

--
Atty. Grizelda "Gerthie" Mayo-Anda
Area Manager for Palawan and Assistant Executive Director
Environmental Legal Assistance Center, Inc. (ELAC)
Carlos P. Sayang Compound, Mitra Road
Barangay Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa City
5300 Palawan, Philippines
tel. (0648)4335183 (telefax), 7230241 (wireless)

Editorial 

Astute hunters in 19th century Europe matched their cunning against wolves using an ingenious tool–sharpened knives dipped in layer upon layer of blood and frozen in snow. The unwary wolf, ears pricked and hungry, licks the edge of the blood-covered knife until it melts. As the wolf licks more urgently, it cuts its voracious tongue and spills its own blood. The wolf continues to lick, not knowing that it is feasting on its own blood. Eventually, the wolf dies from blood loss as it feeds its insatiable appetite, its entrails dried out by its own greed.

Such is the case of how the Philippines is slowly killing itself through ingenious traps that prey upon a propensity to be greedy. Greed, a rapacious desire for wealth and possessions while denying the legitimate needs of others, is a necessary foundation of the laissez faire capitalist system. How greed presently manifests is a reflection of why, as a deadly sin, it kills not just the impoverished souls of every victim of socio-economic inequality, but also the troubled consciences of those who have resigned their fate to cynicism.

Structural weaknesses of the economy such as high unemployment, tax collection woes, and rising poverty, display this wolf-like syndrome. All these indicators betray the government’s claim of 5.4% GDP growth this year. In fact, the Gini coefficient (a statistical measure of inequality of wealth distribution) remains high at 0.45, evidencing the gap between the dirt poor and the extravagantly rich, whether greed-motivated or otherwise. Rice prices surged to 7.7%, oil prices are rolling back and forth, amidst an exchange of ideologically-charged gunfire over a “mere scrap of paper” rendered moot by the Court of last resort.

Thomas Aquinas metaphorically described the sin of Avarice as “Mammon [the false god of riches and avarice] being carried up from Hell by a wolf, coming to inflame the human heart with Greed”. Greed, as the selfish deity behind the problems besetting our nation, rears its head through land-grabbing, highly disputed agreements over power and control, displacement of cultural minorities, allegations of corruption in the judiciary, escalating inflation rates, and an overall milieu of despair.

Amidst all this, one cannot help but ask if there is wisdom behind De Venecia’s admonition during the Lozada controversy: “Moderate your Greed.” Can the crisis be held at bay through tempering covetousness? Can Ateneans continue to espouse the “Men for Others” dictum while living in a world with so many predilections for greed?

Perhaps, in this time when the Atenean is plagued with controversy and surrounded by the obsession with having more, with virtue in question and motives held suspect, a simple reminder: the Ignatian creed is a prudent salve against the scars left by greed on our souls, tongues, and minds. This is something that we should all take to heart.

Greed, in whatever name or number, ends where the Ignatian philosophy begins.

[First published: ThePalladium (Ateneo De Manila School of Law's Official Student Publication), September 2007 issue;
reposted from ThePalladium Online] Last updated Nov-09-08; 7:59

This December... let's join THE BLACK CHRISTMAS PROJECT!
[reposted from the Philmusic forums; I know, I'm such a fangirl. But I've been such a diehard Wolfgang loyalist since 5th grade so I really can't help but plug this. Hehe. All my best gig memories have involved Wolfgang at one point or another so, to all fellow aficionados: see you there! :-P ]

featuring WOLFGANG
(with line-up Basti Artadi, Mon Legaspi, Manuel Legarda and drummer Francis Aquino)
special guest, RAZORBACK!
introducing POWERSPOONZ!
It is also the album launch of Wolfgang's 6th album, VILLAINS.
Gig Dates:

MANILA- Dec. 10 2008 @ Eastwood City, Libis, Quezon City
    
Copies of Wolfgang's VI LLAINS, the VI th album ...released VI years after Black Mantra & Wolfgang merchandise will be ON SALE at the venue.

Tickets ARE NOW ON SALE  via TicketNet (Dial 911-5555)
Ticket prices are at P1000 (50 tickets only)/ P800 / P500 (plus 5% tax.)

Stay tuned... keep your ears and eyes here at Philmusic for more hot news about the most anticipated Pinoy hard rock concert of 2008!
While we await.... YOU CAN NOW LISTEN TO THE NEW WOLFGANG SINGLE, IBRAHIM at the following FM radio stations (to those overseas, you can listen to these stations via eradioportal.com):
1) NU 107.5
2) JAM 88.3
3) DWRT 99.5
4) MAX FM 103.5

And yes, we can send Wolfgang to the no.1 spot at the NU 107 & JAM 88.3 HIT CHARTS! Here's how:

for NU 107:
A) Register first by texting this to 29107:
   NUREG(space)(type-in your nickname)
B) Vote for IBRAHIM by texting this to 29107
   NUVOTE(space)IBRAHIM
for JAM 88.3:
Text this to 2868
JAM(space)883(space)PLS. PLAY IBRAHIM (your nickname)

Time to DESTROY! Let us howl in unison... WOLFGANG!

Don't you just hate it when some people can't seem to control the little subconscious fillers in between their sentences? Anyway, here are some of those verbal tics (I mean this not in the sense of people with Tourette's Syndrome, whom I sympathize with, nor the Japanese anime pa-cute catch phrases, but the "normal" expressions we often take for granted):

3. "Po" - Using "Po" and "Opo" is understood as a Tagalog trait, since Filipinos from other regions aren't really trained to use "Po" and "Opo" in their native dialects. It's an important sign of respect to the elderly or to persons in authority. However, when people my age or older than me start using "po" and "opo" as a pa-cute or a sarcastic gesture, it really makes me want to hurl. It comes out sounding more disrespectful and totally inappropriate.

For example: "Hu u po?" "Kasi po, miss ko na po kayo, eh." "Opo, señorita, parating na po."

2. "Ano" - How many times have you encountered people who punctuate their sentences with "Ano"? My mom says, using "Ano" instead of the exact word is a sign of an unsharp mind. It's a harmless little word which eventually sounds so abrasive if used repetitively. As if you're talking to a broken record.

For example: "Yung ano, kunin mo yung ano!" "Nagpunta kami sa ano nung, kwan, ano"

1. "No, Kasi..." - People who start their sentences with "Hindi, kasi..." or, if they're more comfy in English, "No, Kasi..." are perpetual pet peeves. Why in the world would you start with a negative phrase when you've actually got a positive statement?! As if the person you're talking with has a statement that you'd automatically want to render nugatory with your own retort. Instead of encouraging open dialogue and two-way communication, it's like being on the defensive side all the time.

For example: "No, kasi, I already texted you." "Hindi, kasi, yung sisig mo masarap!"

Do it once or twice, it's fine. Easy to overlook, forgivable as a minor lapse of the brain. But the more I run into people who're so not conscious of how powerful language can be, the more I feel like I want to blurt out how annoying they are. I know there's always room for improvement for everybody (me included) but I just wish we would be more sensitive with how words, even the littlest ones, can be tools for both hurting and healing.

Five years ago, I posted a quote by Barack Obama on my LiveJournal blog, not knowing that he would eventually become the first black President of the United States of America. Then again, Nostradamus didn't know if his predictions would really come true, either. Of course, the Democrats really deserve all the back-patting and blue-pennant waving but in terms of how this makes an impact on the Philippines, I'm honestly of the opinion that things would remain the same.

President Obama's victory speech in Iowa can be watched here, as posted in www.newfreemedia.com:

Just like what the Communist Party of the Philippines said in a press statement (which I don't necessarily agree with 100% on all points): "Whoever will receive the mantle of succession from Bush, we should not expect any substantial change in US foreign policy and treatment in regard to the Philippines. This early, Senator Obama is already showing that essentially he stands no differently from the current international terrorist regime of George W. Bush or his clone in Republican candidate John McCain, with regard to the policy of US hegemonism and military interventionism in other countries, especially in semicolonies of the US like the Philippines." The CPP noted Obama essentially echoed Bush who is fond of referring to the Philippines as "the second front of the international war against terror" because of its puppet regime's all-too-willing role as a platform for US interventionism in the Asia-Pacific region.

On January 20, 2009, the world would just have to watch and wait if Obama would prove the CPP wrong or merely echo this prophecy in terms of increasing human rights violations in the Philippines due to military intervention. Congratulations, nevertheless!

Electoral victories are always happy times for those who rest their hopes on the promise of long-awaited change.

Dahl Recipe
From: "Pete" (International Vegetarian Union)

[N.B. My favorite is really the one made by Dolly Chotrani's family but I also enjoyed the Dahl served at the International Rice Research Institute's cafeteria. I cooked a 500gram batch of Dahl for Papa's birthday following this recipe and it was a hit! The modifications I made included adding more salt, since American versions of recipes are generally bland (sorry!), and Assad Store sold yellow, not red lentils. I didn't skin the tomatoes, either, but I added butter instead of margarine. Enjoy!]

Don't know how 'Indian' it is, but here is my favourite. Haven't met a person yet who doesn't like it.

• 200 g red lentils
• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 2 potatoes, peeled and diced
• 4 tomatoes, skinned and chopped
• 900 ml water (4 cups)
• 1 tsp coriander
• 4 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 onion, diced
• 25 g margarine
• 1 tsp garam masala

Cook lentils, turmeric, cumin, potatoes and tomatoes in the water for 15 minutes- until potatoes are cooked.
Add coriander.

Saute chopped onion and garlic in margarine until golden.
Add garam masala and saute a further 2 minutes.
Add to lentils and mix well. Serve with rice.

Nang tanungin ko ang aking asawa kung saan nakalathala ang kanyang tula,

sa bubong ng tren na kulay dilaw o sa dingding ng tren na kulay ube,

sumagot siyang nakangiti:

Nariyan, sa loob ng sinapupunan mo.

Title: Pinoy Music through the Years

Author: Vida Soraya Verzosa

First Published: Barkada Magazine, September 2008 (A publication of the Communications Foundation for Asia)

Indeed, if, as St. Augustine said, “singing is praying twice,” then Filipinos are doubly blessed in being such a musical nation. As a rare hybrid of Eastern and Western cultures, the Philippines has melodic roots in some of the greatest civilizations. These roots have in turn strengthened a rich heritage of artistry that continuously evolves across musical genres, from the indigenous to the avant garde.

 

As a former radio station DJ back in the University, my love affair with this Filipino auditory heritage was fueled by various radio programs, my parents’ cassette tapes and 33/45rpm vinyl gramophone records, local concerts, chamber and chorale performances, Philippine operas, borrowed songhits, videoke night-outs, and even the garage gigs in dingy bars with indie musicians. When the time came for me to go on the air for my regular broadcast, I would be toting bags of CDs from my personal collection (either demos of unsigned bands, burned from someone’s computer, or new releases from recording companies) to make an original playlist for my discriminating listeners. Sometimes, I would get callers who would inquire if the new track I played was a foreign act. Chest swelling with pride, I would explain how I discovered this new local band playing at a run-down school gymnasium in a provincial Battle of the Bands tour. Sometimes, I would feature folk artists who would perform live in the FM studio to the astonishment of our aging technicians. Up to now, the radio, together with television and the Internet, are becoming wonderful channels for Filipinos to showcase their innate musicality.

For instance, twisting the dial on your FM radio to DZFE 98.7KHz during the heat of noontime would bring on a refreshing breeze of the radio program, “Bravo Filipino,” which features the best classical maestros and internationally-acclaimed opera divas of our nation. An afternoon of Turandot with the lilting voice of soprano Rachelle Gerodias can be surprisingly followed by the International Rondalla Festival. Tenor Jonathan Badon can cap off his medley of Broadway crowd-pleasers with an Italian aria, back to back with symphonies played by the Bolipata brothers and the Kabayao family. A Ruben Tagalog kundiman is given a fresh twist by younger chorale ensembles under the tutelage of the most esteemed music professors.

 

Moving on from classical music and opera to the blue notes and syncopated rhythms of jazz, did you know that the Philippines also has its own jazz masters? Before Sitti and Sofia wooed the airwaves with their Filipinized bossa nova renditions, the late Angel M. Peña was already the premiere jazz composer from as early as pre-World War II. Even the famous Duke Ellington was impressed with our homegrown talents in the 1930s. From the early exposure to music of African-American soldiers during the war to the present fusions with modern instruments and even spoken word Beat generation-inspired poetry like the Radioactive Sago Project’s, Filipinos have been creating a unique sound that delves deep into a colonial past and the struggle for liberation.

Crossover 105.1Khz on FM radio has been featuring smooth jazz and little segments like “Understanding Bossa Nova”,”Soul in Motion”, “New Standards”, and “Crossover Classic Sundays” that never fail to impress. Filipino smooth jazz as featured on these segments make listeners realize that we have our own George Gershwins and Anita Franklins, too. There is even a “Jazz Discoveries” hour where new talents are invited to send in their audio-CD demos of standards, fusion, mainstream, contemporary, acid, samba and jazz- based chill – vocal or instrumental tracks for airplay. It’s a sign of the growing need for musicians to be granted more opportunities for airplay and exposure.

In the aftermath of World War II, the American occupation left the Philippines reeling in debris and rock and roll music. As early as the 1950s, Pinoys were writing Tagalog lyrics for popular American rock songs and developing their own versions of the tongue-in-cheek genre. They even used instruments like bongos, maracas, and other unconventional objects. The 1960s also roared in with the Beatles, an admitted influence of many local rock groups, the “combos” of that generation. That era of free love and Anti-Vietnam war sentiment spilled over to the Philippines in bringing a Woodstock-feel to the bands. Juan Dela Cruz band, the cradle of drummer Pepe Smith and guitarist Mike Hanopol, was an example of the Filipino brand of rocking out against the so-called “Establishment.” A young, impressionable generation of free-thinkers and thrill-seekers embraced the loud, rebellious sound of rock, and continues to make its impact felt on today’s rock acts.

The 1970s showed how Pinoy rock became a medium for self-expression against Martial Law. Bands like Asin made it possible to record vocal harmonies with socio-political and environmentalist themes. On the flipside, it also birthed the “Manila Sound” like Hotdog, VST & Co., Cinderella, and Hagibis as an effort to mask a depressing era with humor and radio-friendly hits. 

Pinoy rock in the 1980s became more socially relevant as a reaction to the political milieu. Buklod and Gary Granada infused their lyrics with the ideology of protest. In fact, many activists are still presently singing their anthems in the picketlines and rallies up to now. 

However, not everyone embraced this brand of political folk music, so the 1980s also geared into punk rock with the Wuds and Betrayed creating our own London underground scene. The Pinoy punk subculture even has present-day manifestations in events like Oi!Attack, an underground gathering of punk rockers from all over the country and several variations of more mainstream acts with the same “working class hero” attitude. New Wave, its distant relative, also sprung out in the 1980s with The Dawn, which started with independently released singles.

Another offspring of 1980s Pinoy rock is the ethnic or world music genre, with Joey Ayala and Bayang Barrios utilizing indigenous instruments from Northern and Southern regions of the Philippines. For example, Bayang Barrios sings: “Traysikel, bilisan mo ang harurot. Baka di ako umabot / at maiwan niya ako…” while African djembes, a Mangyan kubing and a Lumad kudyapi punctuate the background, evoking nationalistic fervor and a nostalgic romanticism.

Growing up in the 1990s, the FM radio stations constantly blaring in the house were NU 107.5 Khz and LA 105.9 Khz with noisy playlists that kept on annoying the neighbors but was music to my generation’s ears, nonetheless. Who can forget Eraserheads, with its catchy tunes and witty lyrics? Yano also wrote political lyrics which poked satire at the State University and the government’s inefficiencies. My favorite metal/classic rock band at that time was Wolfgang, which, together with Razorback, wrote intense lyrics and heavy guitar riffs which spawned a new generation of loud, grungey rock bands.

By year 2000 and up, Pinoy rock started to mellow down with the entry of hip-hop, rap, acoustic and RnB acts. Despite this, the Internet and digital music composition software is bringing on a new generation of Pinoy indie rockers and cross-genre musicians that are continually, locally, loudly and proudly, making the musical blessings of the Philippines worthy of psalms.