Catastrophe in Burma

My eyes have been glued to the news lately, both internet and television. The scope of the disaster is starting to become more and more apparent as the days go by. I thought they were mad when they estimated that 100,000 people might have perished in Yangon, yet with the discovery of all the deceased and the thousands more missing it the reality is starting to sink in. They say that a wall of water 25 feet in height washed ashore along with the devastating 120 Miles per hour winds, obliterating everything in it's path. I remembered hurricane Andrew when I was younger, and the destruction it caused to South Florida, imagine a hurricane more powerful than Andrew striking poor unprepared people living in shanties. This disaster is almost as great as the Tsunami, in terms of lives lost, but concentrated in one heavily populated province of Myanmar.

Entire villages have been shredded, and entire families lost. The survivors are living with little food and fetid water, barely better than mud.

http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2008/05/cyclone-nargis.html

A new low for Juan Manual Marquez

Barely two weeks after his close DEFEAT at the hands of Pinoy pugilists Manny Pacquiao, Marquez recently flew to Manila to appear at ringside on the Invasion Card promoted by Golden Boy Promotions. Though Marquez was received with enthusiasm and friendship from the filipinos and even Pacquiao himself, Marquez proceeded to insists that he won the fight and pressed for a rematch on National Television. This little bit of gamesmanship was nothing but a cheap shot by Marquez and Golden Boy Promotions, there is already a clamor amongst fight fans for a rematch, and all Marquez accomplished was make himself out to be a whiner and an extremely sore loser. It's like Oscar De la Hoya showing up at dancing with the stars and demanding that Floyd Mayweather rematch him, or Ricky Hatton showing up at Wrestlemania to do the same. Marquez, have some class, Marco and Erik would have never acted like this.

The Guns of General Santos

The 13th Round was heralded by the rabid chants of thousands of Filipino and Mexican fans as the two wary protagonists met in the center of the ring. Juan Manuel Marquez gracefully held stance, like the bull fighter from A Sun Also Rises, while Manny Pacquiao played the bull to Marquez's matador. This fight is brilliant because of the stark contrast in styles, unless you're a boxing purest it would be difficult for you to enjoy some of Marquez's other bouts due to his counter punching nature. However, when he gets in the Ring with Manny Pacquiao, he meets a fighter who is unafraid of Marquez's snapping counters, who believes that his power will blast through Marquez's defenses.

It's a pleasure to watch both men succeed in their particular styles, Marquez often had Pacquiao baffled and hesitant, yet Marquez would hit the canvas hard, clutch at the ropes desperately and buckle several times from the force of Pacman's blows. At the end of the night, after 24 hellish rounds, only a mere point separated these two great super featherweights. Clearly Marquez won most of those rounds, but the picture of him picking himself off of the floor time and time again eventually decided this rivalry.

Gone Fishing

Had a great weekend, Jimmy, Pao and I went to a Hmong Youth Group Picnic at Fort De Soto Park. We showed up kind of late; either because we were deathly afraid of meeting a fiery and violent death at the hands of Jimmy's rotor warping brakes, or because of the weekend traffic. Luckily there was still some food left, and we had two or three pieces of Hmong chicken, just like Brenda Song would cook. After that we took our fishing poles and went over to the pier and promptly hooked a few pelicans and some species of aquatic birds, we also caught a mussel and a strange looking crab. With our bait shrimp quickly vanishing and the sun beginning to dip in the horizon, little 4,'9" Pao managed to muscle in a blue runner. After making our lone catch, we called it a day and downed the few beers we had left before going home.

Canon S3 IS

I couldn't abide simply buying a mere point and click camera; so the first ever Digital Camera that I gave in and purchased, was the Canon S3 IS. Not a bad offering from Canon, though I think the mega pixels aren't enough to handle the 12X Optical Zoom of this sweet little camera. This is a picture of my niece playing with some bubbles =).

Life of the Spirit

Sparked by an odd request from an online buddy, I recently put pen to paper writing a short essay about my personal philosophy. This is not as easy as it sounds, for we don't often dwell on what lenses we see the world through, more difficult still is crafting the right words to describe these thoughts. As I speak today, I feel it more as a yearning, a calling, a gentle whisper upon my ears, a place where I would someday like to be. The Philosophy that calls to me, is that of living a life of the spirit, an existence dedicated to learning, devoted to compassion, and of deep spiritual growth. In a way, I've always known I was like though it was never as clear to me then as it is now. Always I've thought, why does evil exist, who or what is God, and what is my place in the world? When I could not find the answers, I railed against the fleetingness of life, it's almost purposeless rhythm.

The void it left in my soul almost dragged me under, until I realized that the only thing that can really fill this restlessness is spirituality, gained through living a life of the spirit. This is not me yet, it may not ever be me, our material world shackles me with its' trappings of wealth, it's temporary allure beckoning to my eyes. Yet I know where I should be, though I know not what bends in the river my journey will take.

Pacquiao Looking Fit for Marquez showdown.

With just twelve short days to go before Manny Pacquiao steps into the ring to settle some unfinished business with Juan Manuel Marquez, Manny is a trim 133 pounds and looks sharp as he hits the mitts. There doesn't seem to be any weight issues for the Gensan bomber unlike his previous preparations against Marco Antonio Barrera.

The past Saturday, saw a magnificent battle between former Pacquiao stable mate and sparring partner Israel Vasquez winning a brutal war against Rafael Marquez, the younger brother of Juan Manuel Marquez. The Marquez brothers have switched up their usually defensive counter-punching styles resulting in some spectacular bouts. If Pacquiao vs Marquez turns out to be half as entertaining as that fight, then it will be well worth the Payperview buys or a at least a trip to the local watering hole showing the fight.

Youtube vid of the Pacman in Training.

Steamy Bowl of Pho

Went to Pho Quyen last night, and ordered some beef spring rolls and of course a steaming bowl of Pho. The rolls are amazing, they serve the wrap on top of plastic dishes stacked on top of each other, meanwhile the meat and the vegetables come in this huge dish. You take a one of the wet rice paper wraps and fill it with beef, noodles, vegetables and top it with some fish sauce and viola. Pho, as always, was excellent, although I thought this particular Pho Quyen had a limited menu of Pho. This soup is one of those food that is rather complicated to make, but it's so affordable at the restaurant that I'd rather not be bothered trying to make it at home. Anyways when the food arrived I whipped out my big fatty Rebel Xti camera and took a nice blurry picture of it! LoLs I'm not sure, but the autofocus on the 18-55mm lens is a little off. Either that, or I don't know what I'm doing, probably, I don't know what I'm doing. Anyways, hopefully I'll get better, and I can take better pictures the foods I stuff myself.

Filipinos Protests GMA, again.....

Braving a slight drizzle and hapless embarrassment, a 15,000 strong coalition of angry Catholics, miffed Evangelicals, and unemployed leftists, marched towards the President's palace demanding that GMA tar and feather herself. Surprisingly, the leaders of this rather pathetic protest were Joseph Estrada, a prominent actor, and Corazon Aquino a cousin of that guy who owned San Miguel Beer Corporation. Other than that, I don't know what their claim to fame is. Filipinos have it in their head, that as soon as the next GMA scandal makes front page news, they are going to protest and demand her resignation.

I'm not a big fan of GMA, I think she's too short to be a real President, plus she has a thing against Rice Smugglers, ( I wrote a famous article about it) but isn't this a bit silly? You have Catholics standing next to Evangelicals, holding "Luckiest Bitch" protest signs. Jerry Falwell is probably tossing and turning in his grave, Evangelicals, and what would Cardinal Sin say Catholics?

Then apparently in Iligan, you have Muslim Guerrillas protesting Arroyo also. This is like Al Qaeda protesting George Bush in Dearborn Michigan. I don't know what all the fuss is about, let's say GMA does step down, who would take over? Estrada? Homeboi?

Filipinos need a real leader, a man who can lead the proud Pinoy people to the promised land, Filipinos need Freddie Roach!!! Cmon Freddie, run for president, nobody has lead more Filipinos to success as Freddie Roach!

Mula Sa 'Puso'

Puso or "hanging rice" is a staple of Cebu's vibrant barbecue culture. It's easy to find this prefabricated boiled rice all along Cebu's towns, where there are barbecue stands. I didn't realize this before, but apparently puso has a Malay equivalent, packaged in the same palm leaves and served in the same manner.

The rice has a distinct taste, apart from regular boiled rice, probably a product of the colorful eco friendly wrapping. Puso, tastes heavenly with some soy sauce and chili, grab a stick of barbecued pork or chicken, wash it down with some Red Horse and you're all set.

Working out the kinks on my new DSLR

Just bought a new lens for my Canon Digital Rebel Xti, and tested it out on one of my favorite photo subjects, my cute mestiza niece. Hailey's not at all camera shy, and loves to pose for pictures, like a true Filipino lol.

This Picture is taken with a Quantaray 55-200mm Autofocus Telephoto Lens, at maximum Aperture setting. I'm just learning to take shots like this, hopefully I can figure out how to work the kinks out.

Looking ahead to Pacquiao vs Marquez II

I've been waiting for this fight since 2004, Marquez is the last of Mexico's three-headed monster who hasn't been taken down by the Pacman whirlwind. The last time around, Pacquiao knocked down Marquez three times in the first round, but with a lot of heart and skill Marquez managed to convince the Judges, though not this blogger, that it was a draw. Marquez is older now, but doesn't have that much "ring" age, it should still be a great fight and I can hardly wait till the middle of March for the fight! Go pac!

Check out the Honey Pot

A nice new club just opened up in Ybor City, it has a burlesque theme, which sets it apart from many of the other night spots in the historic Ybor District. Tonight, was an 18 and up night, and honestly the place was kind of empty, though with my clubber's eyes I can tell that this place has potential to more.

Lunar Eclipse

Apparently tonight is the last chance to catch a glimpse of a Full Lunar Eclipse, 7:00 P.M Pacific Time and 10:00 Atlantic Time. Because of how the Earth bends the reflected light, the Moon will not appear black, but rather Orange! Amazing, I've seen these once or twice in my life, and it's an eerie feeling staring at the glowing red/orange moon.

Its serene after the storm

Its Serene after the Storm:

I’ve met nights’ acquaintance; and like Frost I too know the feeling of being lost.

Your voice, like so much incandescent noise, cries in a song for Lithium to cure your incessant delirium.

Up and down, in your roller coaster view where thoughts of darkness and light accrue, you tried to weave your life anew.

You long to be reborn in Dawn’s fiery sunrise, yet a phoenix can only arise, until after it dies,

I’ve been where you’ve been; I’ve seen what you’ve seen.

A peaceful calm the storm can allude, yet this is but a teasing prelude to the force of the coming delude,

Even amidst the worse of the maelstroms wrecking bloody havoc within my mind’s sea, I had my Island of Serenity, a sunlit haven from the insanity.

Into the tempests’ grim obsidian skies, your life has gone terribly awry, and we who love you are left painfully asking, why?

Through this late introspection and though they wrapped themselves in many layers of deception, I saw your inner-demons from their very first inception.

I should have stepped-in, and fought them from within,

I should have broken down your crenellated defensive walls, and then maybe I would not have to sit idly by as a star falls.

Now you founder at the mercy of a pagan God’s turbulent sea, the waves battering your sanity, the anger of the wind snuffing out your vitality.

Leaving me at a lost and unable to inform; that it truly is serene after the storm.

Lithium Dreams

I hear light footfalls coming from the hall and cruel sibilant indecipherable words bringing the promise to consume all.

These night wraiths have shaken my faith, for beyond white washed door hanging from only its hinges my death awaits.

The frosted windows foretold, of a witching hour of bitter cold, derelict remnants of a grim winter’s harsh foothold

A thing borne of nightmares most black, reared up on shapely legs to a most unusual method of attack, a rake of a sanguine painted finger nail across my bare back.

A voice full of pleasure and soft as velvet, purred bidding me sweetly not yet, for we are just but recently met.

I dared gaze into those beautiful expectant eyes, but her heart was as chill as winter's ice, sweet lethal allure that was the device.

Stabbing tendrils of pain meshed with ecstasy came from a touch of those full silk lips, only to dance away with a mere sway of those curvaceous hips, a flick of a wrist produced an assorted coterie of wicked whips.

A lusty smile served to hide bared ivory fangs, I wailed both from horror and from my uncontrollable angst, induced with pleasure my head rang.

I felt like Lu Bu staring at beautiful Diao Chan, as she revealed wings like that of a swan, Zeus came to Leda in this form and so I rose and ran.

No seraphim was she, but a stalker of the night that must be, the embodiment of unabridged ecstatic joy with your soul currency as a fee.

A mocking avarice grin framed by a shock of perfumed raven hair, did nothing to dispel her face so fair, but I was reminded of the caveat telling me to beware.

Her hazel eyes burned with unearthly anger, as her body quivered with terrible hunger, demonic and full of lust she came at me with talon fingers froth with danger.

Her upswept nephilim wings shattered the night’s oppressive silence, beating the air with a maelstrom of lurid violence.

I ran on filled with dark primal fears, as her anguished tortured voice filled my riveted ears, as the nightmare drew ever near.

You never hear the sound that wakes you, but with heart fluttering and careening I awoke from Midnight’s Lithium dreaming.

Japanese Create "female" android..

The Apocalypse is here, didn't these Jap proffessors watch Terminator? and DARYL?? and BattleStar Galactica?? It's the end of the World; I just don't understand the Japanese fixation on robots, last year they built a mech that looked like a walker from Star Wars, now they are attempting to build a robot that mimicks human behavior... She has soft silicone, for skin instead of hard plastic and a number of motors that allow "her" to mimick human gestures. Proffessor Ishiguro the creator of Android 18 says that one day humans will be fooled by these androids into believeing that they are human beings rather than machines...

"Android 18 can interact with people, it can respond to people touching it,. It's very satisfying.." I bet it is you perv Japanese professor..

Hmm Silicone? Mimicking Human movements??OMG!!! I think I've been fooled by an Android Before... I was on a date once, and I swear this girl was dumb as a box of rocks and she definately had silicone, in fact she had alot of silicone... and silly simplistic gestures.. I can't believe I was fooled!!! I've been had!! I was really on a date with an android..

As a matter of fact there's a lot of female androids walking around Cebu City... I mean they look like girls, "chest, butt" and long hair, however there was always something awry with how they looked and honestly they kind of freaked me out... Either they were too tall to be real human females, or their voice recorder servos inside their necks were too prominent for them to be real women, but from a cursory glance they looked like real women.. The androids are so real looking that they even fooled a lot of the sexpats walking around Cebu into believing they were seeing real humans.. I'm too smart for that though; I always use the patented "android" test on each woman I talk to there..

It takes a lonely, lonely, lonely man to create a female android.. Why would you want to sit around making a female android...?? There's only one answer to that, a normal human being would make Astroboy or something, not a strangely attractive looking female android. Might as well hold a press conference about how perverted you are. I think Sam Milby is an android, I think some perverted Japanese Proffessor created him in a lab so he could have a little filipino boi to play with.. but Sam Milby the android escaped and secretly became a T.V Star.. An actor with such wooden talents, and plastic skills, has to be an android..

I Hate Sam Milby!!

If you didn't know Sam Milby is a famous Hot Dog Vendor in the Philippines, girls swoon and certain guys walking around Ayala salivate at the thought of biting into a Sam Milby Hot Dog.. This is a prime example of 15 mins of fame being extrapolated into a quasi career that somehow manages to malignantly insinuate itself into every fiber of existence.. Everywhere you look this Zolander, can't turn left, Blue Steel nitwit is prominently displayed on Bill Boards, T. V shows, Movies, and coming soon Cereal Boxes.. Is there anything he doesn't endorse? Does he endorse Ichiban Japanese Condoms sold at Watson's?? Look I'm sure he's a nice guy in person blah blah, but do we have to saturate him all over Filipino Culture? The guy can't even speak any Filipino Dialects, and when he does scenes on "Homeboi" he just sits there and looks like a goofy idiot while the Actors and Actresses are speaking Tagalog.. They just picked scenes where he doesn't say anything because he's a moron..

I bet every Balikbayan probably comes home and says to themselves, WTF?????? I'm sorry, but him peddling Bench Clothing does not in any way make me want to go purchase clothes at Bench, eventhough I actually like Bench.. In fact, I'm boycotting Bench and refuse to buy anything from Bench untill I return to the Phils.........I'm also not consuming whatever bottled water or hotdog he is endorsing. For the love of God, I just want to eat a hotdog, drink some water, shop at Bench, get some load without having to look at Sam Milby's Idiotic Mug... I mean the guy has two looks, he has that plastic smile which he probably sits around and practices everyday, then he has that "Hey I'm Sam Milby, I don't understand a word that's coming out of your mouth because my dad was a fat old sexpat," look.

I just don't understand Filipinos sometimes, is it truly necessary to over expose these glorified reality T.V show stars to the point where they have their own Albums, their faces are on Hotdog Wrappers, and they are on T.V variety and gameshows EVERY FREAKING DAY??? It's like we take, the worse of Western Comercialism and Materialism and multiply it by 10; eventhough most Filipinos aren't even like this.. Sam Milby is the epitome of Filipinos mimicking Annoying American Pop, Fast Food Culture ,which is awful on its' own, and somehow managing to make it even more awful. This kind of shameless marketing ticks me off in the States but drives me nuts in the Phils, somehow I thought I was getting a break from "The Real World, Laguna Beach" mentality only to have it Highlighted in the Philippines. The Phils can be such a beautiful place sometimes, free from this choking cancer of postmodernism and relativism, but then Sam Milby a.k.a The Son of Sam, Jezebel, and Judas all rolled into one comes along and ruins your rosy picture, not to mention your hotdog....

The Flight Back:

Well my flight back home was boring and uneventful, just the way I like it! One way I can tell I'm in America; other than the hordes of "foreigners" walking around; is by how ugly the flight attendants become.. One moment I'm in blissful heaven being catered to by tall, nice complexioned young sirens working for that Airlines of Airlines Cathay Pacific, the next I'm being handed crappy peanuts by some old behemoth on American Airlines.. I mean "Ngheee", the "women" and I use the term loosely working for American Airlines had manish haircuts and build, and reminded me of Roz from Nightcourt, its like any bum off the street can just stroll up and become a flight attendant in this country! It's a bit of a shock to go from Statuesque Idealized looking oriental women to Ross from Nightcourt.. Just another example of Unions run amok.. Please DeUnionize the United States Flight Attendants, for the love of God., go Cathay and Eva Airlines! I mean, seriously would you rather fly Northwest or Cathay? or Eva?? It's a no brainer.

No Erik Estradas on my plane this time! Well Im in Dallas Fort Worth Airport, using a comp at the Gate, I'm very bored and paying .25 cents a min to blog, which is like 13.2 pesos per min, that sux this is no Netopia that's for sure I miss Netopia I pay like two dollars and hang out for 2 hours. Yes Im still converting dollars to pesos, I just spent 300 psos for a mcgriddle and a cup of coffee! That's bs, I could have gotten a burger and spaghetti meal with unlimited Iced Tea at Jolibee! Then I spent 200 Pesos on a coin operated massager, which is painful, especially since I could have gotten a full body massage at that Thai place in SM! Urggh reality is hitting me here, and I can't convince some person to give me a massage for 10 bucks I have to settle for coin operated ones.

I feel weird being almost home, I was starting to enjoy my vac and coming around from the culture shock when suddenly I have to jump on some plane and get my ass home, my karaoke voice was starting to come around too! I spent my precious last few hours in Cebu delivering pizza and chocolate to an office building near Ayala, lol, not what I imagined I'd be doing but I'm not a total sap, there was at least some good looking girls there, my perpetually hungry pregnant cousin and one old lady, I think she's a nurse, I wonder if she's single??? Probably not perish the thought, its surprising that with the two million tranvestites frolicking around Cebu City that there aren't any single girls in Cebu! I've only met a few, but they have "textmates" which apparently is some person you send barely sensible messages to like "Vre, cst 25 to Mol," "Tre r no tlt ppr n da CR" My Text Messaging skills are slightly below my Badminton skills which is to say not very good, the TextWizzes in Cebu can sing Karaoke, and Txt somebody at the same time while not even breaking tune and being completely understandble to their txtmates! I've seen in happen! Even the Vhire Drivers Txts and deftly avoids pedecabs and jeepneys with ease.

I think one month is not enough in the Phils, just when ur bisaya accent becomes less alien enough to the point where Taxi Drivers and Pedecab drivers aren't trying to rip u off every time you ride, you have to head back home. I was genuinely sad, leaving Cebu on Friday, I think another 3 weeks would have been close to perfect. Anyways, this comp port is eating up my bills, lol, I have two more hours in this stupid airport, which is cold as hell by the way....

Well, no more Orange Brutus, no more cheap Karaoke, cheap internet access, and roadside barbeques, I'm going to miss that cute Teddy Bear Vendor in Ayala, I won't miss the Koreans though, good God the Koreans in the US are cool what's up with the ones in Cebu.. but at least I have my car to look forward too, I'm going to drive the hell out of my car this weekend and drink a 12% belgian beer!

Dog Whisperer Mauled to Death by a Chihuahua

On the heels of Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter's untimely death, the Animal Loving World is once again shocked by the death of another of their T.V personalities. Caesar Milan also known as "The Dog Whisperer", died on Wednesday September 6, 2006 while filming an episode of his hit T.V series now available on the National Geographic Channel. Caesar is world reknowned for his uncanny ability to understand Dog Psychology and focuses skills and talents on "rehabbing" problematic canines into docile pets, as well teaching Dog Owners to become pack leaders.

Accounts of Caesar's death are still sketchy, and under investigation however Caesar's long time friend and colleague Sebastien Keyes captured footage of the tragic event while in the process of filming a new episode. Caesar was in Beveryly Hills attending to his client, Charo Velazquez a widowed woman with several unruly Chihuahuas, when apparently one of the small canines suddenly reared up and attacked Caesar.

The distraught Sebastien had this say about the death of his long time friend, "I was shocked, I've seen Caesar tame Pittbulls and Dobermans, I never would have expected him to be killed by a Chihuahua,"

Both Sebastien and Charo testified to what occured in that posh Beverly Hills Home. Caesar arrived and began in his usual manner, interviewing the Pet Owner and discussing the problems the dysfunctional canine is displaying. Mrs. Velazquez mentioned that her pet Chihuhua "Fluffy" did not like to be left alone and often cried when she left the home, another problem was "Fluffy's" fright of strangers. Next, Caesar asked to be taken to the Dog, who meakly quivered in fear in the corner of Charo's bedroom. Caesar approached the Dog in quickly attempts to assert himself using positive energy and that fansy noise he makes with his mouth, "shhhhhh". The chihuhua at first tries to flee from Caesar, but the Dog Whisper squats down next to her. What happened next, shocked everyone in the room.

The Cameraman, Sebastien attested that perhaps "fluffy" felt boxed in and threatened as he positioned himself for a shot in front of the discordant little chihuahua, but for what ever reason "fluffy" reared up and bit with her deceptively small razor sharp teeth. The first bite, on Caesar's nose, didn't seem to be fatal but Caesar emmidiately rocked upwards and started to cry like a little sissy. Caesar tried to "shhhhhhh" the angry Chihuahua, to no avail as the dog continued its' vicious attack. The famed dog whisperer ran outside of Charo's room, with "fluffy" in hot pursuit, fiery teeths of rage snapping at Caesar's Dulce Y Gabbana shoes.

Eventually "fluffy" caught and dragged down Caesar by the arm, inside Charo's posh living room where the horrified crew watched mutely and impotently as the vicious chihuaha mauled Caesar. The T.V star attempted to fend off the tiny dog with a few ineffectual slaps of his girly hands, but it only served to enrage the canine more. The crew heard Caesar crying out "Ohh Dios Mio" as 'fluffy' sank her teeth into his neck.

World reknowned chihuahua expert Don Oscar "Poncho" Villa, commented on the tragic event, " Chihuahuas are not known for their viciousness, but when they are frightened by fancy dog whisperers and his entourage of cameramen they can act out defensively"... Up untill today there has never been a recorded incident of a chihuahua mauling a human being to death.

The National Geographic Channel has expressed their sadness at Caesar's Death, yet are perflexed by the circumstances of it. National Geographic President Thomas Silas lamented on a press conference, "Caesar was loved by all, not just dogs, and his death is a grave blow to our bottom line, however I can't help but feel disgusted that he was mauled to death by a chihuahua! A chihuahua, how do you get killed by a chihuahua?"

A tribute for Caesar Milan, will be on National Geographic tommorrow night, followed by a marathon of his hit show. Caesar is survived by his friend Sebastien, his dogs , cookie, okie, doc, razor, buck, bendi, spikie, and julius..