China: Where iPhone Nano Happens

From the makers of the popular TV Phones here in the Philippines, the Chinese mobile phone makers, CECT brings you, the iPhone Nano-t. The m188 looks really similar to the popular iPhone but in a shell measuring 3.5 x 1.9 x 04 inches (roughly the size of a credit card). You can't brush this not-an-iPhone phone too with it's 2.6 inch touch screen, GPRS connectivity, an MP3/video player, an FM tuner with scheduled recording (now you can listen to Mo Twisters rants and crazy ramblings on the radio any given time) and a cheap little 640 x 480 resolution camera. You can also use your postpaid plans and your Sun cellular unlimited capabilities on this one since, unlike the iPhone, this one has dual SIM card slots. We can just wait for our friends over in Greenhills to get their shipment and for probably something around Php 4,800 or 5,000 ($100 in BigBoxStore) you can smirk at your friends who's carrying a wider iPhone with your inferior rip-off.

And of course... to get the most out of this deal, I have to quote DJ Tado on this one... "lower your expectations." [via Gearcrave via Technabob]

Where Tabachoy Happens

Well... It's a two day work week sandwhiched by holidays... and what does one person do when theres no work? Go Bananas with food! And since I just wanna blog about anything for a change... here's a detailed list of what I ate throughout the day... get ready to get bored.

Breakfast...

Since this is the first meal of the day... I always look forward to kicking a day off with a bang... and by bang I mean a kingly meal.

The table was prepared with fried rice, scrambled eggs, sweet ham paired with hot choco and puto maya on the side.
Sidenote: when my mom gets busy in the kitchen... expect magic. My belly could be presented as evidence for that.

How can you go wrong with that? I had two runs at it. As always... breakfast = awesome.

Lunch...

Twas a bit different since my mom wants to dial the meat down today so she went with sweet and sour fish, mixed veggies (twas the innards of a fresh lumpia without the wrapper) salad with her own sauce to boot, and lumpiang shanghai for the non seafood eaters at home.

Meryenda...

We we're having a movie day with my dad on the room when sandwhiches (with the left overs from this morning) came up the room. Me, my dad and my brother had a piece each when we we're still craving for more... Enter Lucky Me Pansit Canton and toasted bread.

I missed eating Pansit Canton... it's been a while since I last had those...

Dinner...

Oh dinner was something... My mom made grilled garlic chicken, and cream of corn soup.
I had two servings for dinner... but then again... it's vacation so... guilt is turned off.

Long weekends: Where Tabachoy Happens.

When in Rome...

do as the Roman does...

When in the Philippines?
... do as the Pinoy does... piss your neighbors.

Today I've experienced my most stressful drive ever coming home from Eagle Ridge to home.

This is from General Trias Cavite to Las Pinas and I passed through Amadeo Road then Aguinaldo Highway then more roads that eventually lead me to Marcos Alvarez... otherwise known as the road to Moonwalk.

And seriously, I've never been stressed out with driving... I'd rather drive along EDSA than go through all those crap again.

And this is typical road behavior by our countrymen... Here's the detailed list of my stress elements.

#1. Jeepneys stopping in the middle of the road with broken tail lights.
- Consider that the road is a two lane road, that would usually make you run from about 40-60 kmph and right in front of you... a jeep would suddenly stop without warning! since his tail lights aren't functioning... So what would you do? scream at the top of my lungs (of course the windows are down... but it felt gooood) and flick a finger at the driver.

#2. Bicycle riders who are uungas ungasing themselves on the road.
- first define uungas ungas... uungas ungas is when these riders couldnt regain balance so they'd swing their handlebars from left to right... and they'd look like ungasses on the road. In my scenario... a two lane road (one per direction) and you have an uungas ungas biker on the side that takes away half of the road since you can't really go fast beside him... kasi nga uungas ungas eh... sumemplang pa siya... so kelangan ko pa siyang sundan... kasi d din ako maka overtake... leche.

#3. People that walk on the road.. not the sidewalk.
- so pano ako dadaan? punyemas! masagi ko pa yung grocery niya. lente!

#4. Bike na cuma-counterflow...
- HELLO!!!!!

#5. Taong biglang tatawid sa highway.
- these people don't know that it's hard to see them when its dark and youre eyes are catching the headlights of the vehicles coming from the opposite direction... ang bwisit pa dito... makikipag tanggo pasila sayo... pag aandar ka na... saka pa sila tatawid.

#6. Tricycles on the highway.
- as far as i know these guys shouldnt be allowed to run there... so I don't know what theyre doing there... stopping on a no left turn intersection... to turn left.

So these are the stress elements that I encountered on the road... and some of them went one after the other.

And I know that these things happen everytime to everyone... so...

When in the Philippines?
do as the Pinoy does...

I love the Philippines... but the people living in this country is the best ones that I know in pissing off their neighbors... Traffic palang to.

Daily Musings

"Evening was a shimmer in your hair,
Time was just a button in your gown
Memory's a torture that I'm going through...
She's not you..."

-Spin Doctors

Life

Life... in all that it is... can be quite punishing to a person. And to this we ask if it really is a gift? Why were we thrown into this world that doesn't seem to play the way we want it to work. It works on it's own... and most of the time we run under it. Life... is a gift... others... it's more of a punishment. A test of our own strength, our own will and a test of the grounds we all step on.

To some... that ground is just an inch and everywhere you look it's nothing but pain and suffering. And to those who view life that way... there's no way to live it, so we decide to end it ourselves. And they may be viewed as selfish people... but on the contrary, they're just tormented by the very thing they try to hold on to.

This morning I was rocked by the news that my good friend Jov Kalinga decided to push himself towards the end to stop the pain that he may be feeling emotionally. He decided to give up his ghosts.

He was a good friend, and a great musician. He was a happy spirit, so it was really shocking to hear the news that he leapt towards his freedom.

For what it's worth... Here's a toast to you. May you find what you were seeking, and hopefully... against all teachings and beliefs... you're in our Creators arms.

You are loved by those of whom you left.

Rest in peace Jov.

The Most Intelligent Conversation I've Heard

Youtube Link

This is the infamous video capture of a drunk Bayani Agbayani...
give yourself a peso everytime you hear the word "Settle" come up in this video...
you'll end up having a fortune after watching this.

warning: Profanity and Obscene language comes up here. so keep the volume down.

Unfairness

New job = nothing coming until the 25th.
Old Job = still owes me about 75% of my whole Feb salary that I worked for them.

Present = 40 bucks in my wallet.

I clearly squeezed out all of my January savings and some of my previous savings from my past earnings... my other friends in the old office collected their salary for Feb already, sad part is mine wasn't included in their distribution. I know they're on tough times... but who isn't?

Is it just fair that I get what I'm supposed to receive?...

Farewell to an Icon

March 6, 2009 around 12:00 pm one of the Philippines music Icon and a new-age nationalist, Francis "Kiko" Magalona passed away.

I'd surely miss this man, for the things he did with our music industry and mostly one of the guys who strongly urged our young Filipinos to gain pride in our country.

Farewell idol!
... You're now truly a Freeman.

MUSIC IS LIFE.

I was vocalizing to the new track that we did with Ely B. and THE NEW BAND. Yup, we will have a new band. An album of music, a documentary movie, a foundation, yes all of these will happen. AND I WAS VOCALIZING WHILE TRANSFUSING A PACK OF RBC,

I still hear the voices of Elvis Presley, John Lennon, Tupac Shakur, Kurt Cobain, The Notorious B.I.G. and Frank Sinatra to name a few. And their voices rise from their graves.

I am lucky to have been a recording artist and one day when I leave this world, just like the names I mentioned, my voice will be heard. Always. At a touch of a button or switch, I am "alive" again.

In essence music is life. Music is immortality.

-Francis Magalona
1964-2009

while you're at it... check some of his videos out...
Francis M. - Kaleidoscope World from the album Freeman

His personal Website
Francis M. Clothing

The Edge of Twenty Three

Here I am... hours before I close this year out for me... the edge of twenty-three.

So I hang thee up thy rafters... along with the great years of my life. With a new job waiting for me next week and a great golf week ahead... Real Madrid is just 4 points behind La Liga winners and rivals Barcelona... Phoenix are on a roll (over those B-teams)... I could not ask for more.

well maybe a Canon 50D won't hurt :)

In a few hours I say good bye to the number 23 and say hello to 24.
MDJ24 anyone?

Habby Pirthday to me.

Unexpected Flattery

Before ending the day today, I had a funny experience down at 7-11.

My brother asked me to buy something for him so after dropping off my friend to her destination I headed off to do my brother a favor and buy something for him at 7-11.

While I was paying for that pack of cigarettes the clerk asked me, with a smile, "Sir, ilang taon na po kayo?"... I then relied with a strange look to my friend, a laugh and a high five to the clerk before answering his question. While I was paying I even thanked the man...

An unexpected flattery in an unexpected time... haha I guess being 23 (turning 24 in days time) isn't that bad when you're mistaken to be under 18 hahaha...

off topic: I saw what probably could be one of the baffling sight I've seen this week.
Kids probably at a high school grad ball? prom? or a debut wearing suits and gowns eating hotdogs, siopao and chips inside 711 with alot more of their peers waiting in line.

The event location was just next door... how sad could the food at that event be?

One Week of Unemployment

As of yesterday... 5:00 pm... I, Marco de Jesus, is officially unemployed.

This certain status message caused some activity on my facebook wall asking me what happened and such... to those who did, I thank you for your concern. But starting March 9, 2009 I'd be a part of another organization as a Documentation Specialist.

I was supposed to kick off this week with a round of golf with my dad and some of his friends when colds kicked in... again. And I hate it... I was supposed to be out there, swinging those balls out of the fairway... into mostly patches of rough and having fun... instead I'm stuck with my sweat pants and tissue beside me. Woe... is... me...

I have officially gained weight... thank you very much. And I plan to lose em again, by methods of I have yet to figure out. I'm living with a brother who's trying to gain weight and It's just pure temptation to watch him down one burger after another. It's gonna be one tough ride.

Tough I say... tough.

Searching for that Happy Pill

Birthday's coming up, and one of my close friends asked me something I've never heard before... any plans for it? Thinking about my past birthdays, I've never really wanted to do anything special there... But maybe, just maybe something special happens.

Right off the bat, I just said that I don't have anyone to really spend it with right now... and so I began ranting about singleness... I guess One really is the loneliest number.

So I think I'd just have to ask my dad to spend the day with me on the golf course and practice for my first ever tournament on the 7th.

After that conversation I found it hard to keep a smile, temporarily I've never really thought what's wrong... I just know something is...

Is it so tough to be noticed?

I wish I could fly
From this building, from this wall
And if I should try,
Would you catch me if I fall?
--When I Fall by the Barenaked Ladies

This is how *SOME* public servants "SERVE" the public

I read this over a blog I got from a blog.
A horrible incident that happened in the golf course involving some public officials who have their balls bigger than their minds.

Blog Link

Is these the guys we vote for? Or are these the guys that force themselves into office so they can act like these? The Philippines is lovable my friends, there's much to love, much to hope... It's just guys like these that makes the Philippines, the Filipino's look bad.

Tsk.

When The Country Is Torn Again

How much is enough? Apparently nothing is enough when one has delved deep into greed.

Today the country again is torn into two, those who are fighting for whatever dignity this country has, and those powerful few that wouldn't give a flying f*** what happens to their people. Public servants my ass.

Rumors around the news lines and the local interwebs have been buzzing about the immenent change of the 1987 Constitution that would allow current President Arroyo to stay in power way past the year 2010. Thus forcing people to step out of their circles just to display their protest and their disapproval of this ruckus. 

How much more will this country bleed into submission?

I refuse to believe that this country will remain at its current stature as the 2nd most corrupt country in the whole friggin world. No, this country deserves better. I refuse to accept the fact that this country will remain as a 3rd world country... 

From the outside looking in, our big ass tax percentage, VAT, and E-VAT should be enough to keep this country out of the fritz. Maybe as far as out of it's debt. How many people eat at Jolibee and McDonalds everyday? take out 10% (VAT) of it and see how much money should be spent on our country...

Then enter our natural resources, we have alot of Gold mines out there, Silver, Nickel and Copper too (according to my Tito who basically knows alot about mining), but then again I don't think we own these mines anymore, this country is being sold out to others... Bled... out of its life. Again this is from someone outside looking into more details.

And now politics, our crazy politics. Sure economy rised after the fall of former President Estrada, but we could've been more. If expenses of certain projects are trimmed from their "extra crap". Based on the fertilizer crap and the former ZTE deal... which amounts to billions of friggin dollars are spent properly on this country then improvements would certainly be felt and seen.

I want my taxes seen!!!!! not just on asphalt patches on our streets!!!! F###!!!!!!!

Next thing you'll know you're going to see the assitant secretary of Defense and the Vice President of the Philippines in the ring beside Manny Pacquiao. For crying out loud? Do you have to display yourselves there? Isn't it enough that you guys saw the fight? You just have to shout yehey in the ring that you don't have anything to do with...

And then your First Gentleman is rumored to be denied of entry in the United States because of undergoing investigation on Money Laundering of which he "could" be involved.

And yet... Economy is improved from previous Governments... F### ME! Too much shame has this current administration have given this country. So far this current administration have seen so many demonstrations and coup de etat attempts compared to the other ones... 

GET A CLUE F###ERS!!!!

I mean... We could have more reasons than Pacquiao to be proud of...

Jason Richardson -> Phoenix

The trade wires began buzzing again this morning (Manila Time) as the Phoenix Suns traded two familiar faces in Raja Bell and Boris Diaw to Charlotte for Jason Richardson. Sean Singletary of the Suns is also included in the trade along with Jared Dudley and future 2nd round pick going to Phoenix.

On paper, I'd be happy with the trade, this trade would certainly boost their ratings in either NBA 2K9 or NBA Live 09, I'm just not sure what it would do to the franchise. The Suns basically gave up a little bit of their depth of the bench and their most tenacious defender in Bell. But honestly, what would you do with a player who's not thriving in the new system that Coach Porter is using. 

Jason Richardson, a 2 time slam dunk champion, capable of shooting threes and basically an entertaining player to see on court, will be able to help the Phoenix Suns get more points but will he really answer the very thing that Suns GM Steve Kerr, and coach Terry Porter wanted to improve? Defense?

... at least Kerr did something good to this team... will reserve my comments later on.

When I Hear You Call

Gary Valenciano - When I Hear You Call
another homer right here... made me say hello to subtle tears pa... ok ok i cried... not a big deal.

Video Link

and here's the lyrics of the song

When I
Look into those bright eyes
So young
Always so ready to run
Then I
See your change when fun subsides
And new colors start to arise
There's a hidden picture
That wasn't seen outside

When you run, don't tire
Keep on reaching, higher
Even when the pain and trouble bring you down, sometimes
I will see you through
I'm forever right here with you
Even when you feel you don't need me around

I will be your friend, forever
I will be your one, big brother
Even when I see you fall
I will be your father
When I hear you call

Don't cry
This is not the end, nor goodbye
But begin
To know I'm with you 'til the end
And when you pray
I will hear every word you say
And so with all my promises made
For one like you
Someone who's especially made

When you run, don't tire
Keep on reaching, higher
Even if the pain and trouble bring you down, sometimes
I will see you through
I'm forever right here with you
Even if you feel you don't need me around

I will be your friend, forever
I will be your one, big brother
Even when I see you fall
I will be your father
Yeah

I will be your friend, forever
I will be your big brother
Even when I see you fall
I will be your father
Yeah

I will be your friend, forever
I will be your big brother
Even when I see you fall
I will be your father
Be your friend, your brother
When I hear you call
Lift you when you fall
When I hear you call

The Need to Get IT Together

At this point, being 23 years old and all, I got to stop thinking that I'm still young, because I'm not. I need to think about what I'm going to do for the next following X years. Right now I'm lost and have no idea where to go to, and hopefully this is where I begin.

I got lost along the way, losing hope and all, oh and if you don't have a clue on what I'm talking about, It's about saving my professional career. I got lost along the way, no clue on what to do, and too hopeless to start doing what needs to be done. And right now, at this second, at 1:56 am on the 7th of November of the year 2008, something needs to be done. I need to finish what I have started.

I know my shit, and have been too complacent on it. Just had a reality check with my big brother that if I stay like this for two more years... I'll be next to useless. As of now that's how I feel.

So I guess I need to refocus on what needs to be done, drop the other stuff that gets in the way, tie my shoelaces and run towards that goal. Freak... I am indeed 23 years old and I don't want to turn out to be next to useless. It's not going to be easy living out of my comfort zone, heck nothing is really easy to begin with, but if I need to do something about this dance, I gotta buckle up my dance shoes and take a lead on this one. Life should begin at this intersection... so help me God.

So I'm going to have to put the other things aside from now... No more playing games (except for sports), and hobbies... I guess they can wait. You, my friends, will still be there, fo shizzle, or I'll be found hanging on a tree not being the proudest monkey if it wasn't for you guys, but yeah... at this point in time... I need to get IT together.

... ... so help me God

NBA League Pass Channel?

To Cablelink subscribers...

anyone know if we still have the NBA League Pass Channel? If we still have it, what channel can I find it? I haven't seen it on channel 51 lately. :(

Day 3 (frustrated)

Frustrations have been piling up on me lately.

Saturday I lost a poker night, I never even got good cards on me... I got aces, true, but with 5's or deux... how would you bank on that?

Anyway on to the quest story.

Sunday afternoon, lunch time, the family decided to go to this restaurant named Cravings first, and as I went on looking for good stuff to order on the menu, this burger picture with melted cheese resting on a thick patty dawned on me, the name beside it even made it better... I will order the Ultimate Cheeseburger... its not just any other Ultimate Cheeseburger... the menu says that it's THE Ultimate Cheeseburger.

but alas... it wasn't available, so we decided to go to Wendy's since everyone was looking forward for burgers that day. As I was looking for something similar to THE Ultimate Cheeseburger (which they dont have) I just ordered what seems to be the most expensive (hoping it's the best they have), The Big Bacon Classic Burger. I told my mom that that's what I like and I went on to bring my nephew to the toy store and get a lesson from him about the names of DC Superheroes.

When I got back the burger wasn't there yet, and I had my expectations running. I munched on some ridiculous fries (not a compliment). It took another 10 minutes and a couple of follow ups to get the staff into realizing that we're still not yet served. Rushing to the end of the story, they mistook my order of the Bacon Classic to... a... Bacon Cheeseburger... wrapped in some normal paper wrap was this maybe less than 6 inch burger that has a thin slice of burger patty, a piece of bacon and torn up cheese. It was less than appealing and it took me about 20 minutes more to realize that i'm hungry and I need to eat that burger no matter what.

I ate the zombified thing that they call a burger. I could've had something better from Burger Machine or Minute Burger. Their buns tasted old... I never even got a taste of what the patty tastes like. It was an utmost disaster and piled up more on the frustrations that has been piling me up all week.

That burger is out there... and unfortunately these zombies are too. But that BURGER is out there somewhere, waiting to be had, waiting to be appreciated, taken care of, and to be loved. She's somewhere out there... And I won't stop until I have her around my palms.

To Leave or Not To Leave

2 years have passed and enter year 2009, 5 months into it, I'd be gunning for three years working in the same company. I've held my own during that stretch, and reasons to stay have gone by. Friends went on to move to another chapter of their work life, Pay has gone from 15th/30th to weekly to guessing. As for me, I wonder with some of my friends, why am I still here?

I used to give out this answer, that I'm happy working there. I didn't mind the delayed pay that I'm getting, I get to learn software development related stuff and such. Right now I'm just full of sh... I ran out of leaves to take day offs, and honestly I don't even care if I lose a days wage just to stay in bed. The office has gone from a place where smiling places and stories come and go to... a fallout shelter with a handful of survivors. It's not the beacon of light that everyone has become accustomed to. Is it time for me to abandon ship?

I don't know where I'm going to see myself after this one though. I'm also thinking to study for a little while, but I don't really know if I can do that at home. Or I could reinsert myself in the industry by looking for another job, new office, new environment, or simply go rogue on this, freelance after studying.

As of now I'm liking the last option since I could go and have my hand on my time and I could shoot here and there with my camera every once in a while. Do the things that I really like instead of waking up everyday dragging myself from bed and put on pants and collared shirts and go to work. I used to like, I just don't know if I can say the same thing right now.

I'm giving myself two months to think about this. December 2008... To leave? or not to leave...

... ... sometimes I think why I even add the 2nd question.