The Cagbalete Experience (Intro): How to getaway from the great getaway

Diego Corrales must be trembling in his grave. In what was supposed to be a nice, clean, friendly and social weekend, the exact opposite happened. Some time between Day One and Day Three, Ron and Noel took care of being not nice and dirty and i took care of being unfriendly and anti-social. The latter is rather easy to understand but we'll have to extrapolate on that one however uninteresting in the later part (or later entries) of this blog but first we go back to the two gentlemen and one dead man, Chico.
Meet Diego "Chico" Corrales, former world lightweight champion and meet Ron (controls the buttons) and Noel (controls Ron, well tries to give advice anyway) --- all of them involved for the weekend's Fight Night competition via Jester's PSP! The main card was Manny Pacquiao vs. Corrales with the Pacman climbing up one division to challenge Corrales at the lightweight division (Yes, a la next month's Pac-Diaz fight). However, Ron and Noel suddenly realized that "Chico" was not easy pickings especially as Pacquiao is listed as featherweight in this game console... Despite Packy's power, Chico was just too strong and too tough as Ron and Noel heard and felt every stiff right hook to Pacquiao's head not to mention cracking left uppercuts in the Filipino hero's ribs. (Picture: Corrales vs. Pacquiao in action in EA SPORTS FIGHT NIGHT)

The result: a bloodied Manny Pacquiao in between rounds and a disappointing (Well, Ron and Noel were not just disappointed, they were angry.) loss against a dead man. (Note: Corrales died last year in a motorcycle accident)... That was the beginning of the end for Corrales. For if you know Ron and Noel... you don't want them to get angry; for one way AND the other, they WILL get back at you.

Using Fight Night Total Control Skills and some dirty and unfair tactics, the pair pitted Corrales against a slew of opponents the rest of the way: a (b)low-blowing, head-butting Pacquiao (dirty); Muhammad Ali and Roberto Duran among other heavyweight contenders (unfair); plus a combination of both with Ali in kickboxing mode--- elbows and knees to Chico's private and not-so-private parts. (Picture: Ron, in white and Noel, in blue)

The result: a totally tormented and battered Chico. (Ron wasn't contented though as just earlier today he sent me a text message saying, "he dusted off his PS2 so he could beat on Chico some more...")

Forgive me, that's a rather very strange and far-off introduction for the The Great Getaway to Cagbalete Island (Formerly "escape", as the alliteration escaped me in an earlier entry). But maybe in a remote and weird kind of way that describes my personal getaway from this getaway. To join the escape to escape some more. Or, the out and out of the outing.

Playstation at the beach, how apathetic and anti-social can that be? No offense to Ron and Noel, because after all it's not just PSP that they attended to: they also talked, conversed and socialized with the other guests, so it's not them i meant to describe.

Me? i really enjoyed the six or eight short stories in Neil Gaiman's Smoke and Mirrors; and oh i also quite enjoyed speaking 5 paragraphs (Totaled, outside conversations with Ron, Noel and Jester) in the three-day weekend excursion.

Gahd, i had the most endearing personality in the entire island. And maybe if i can do this some more, master the anti-social skills and muster some more apathy, i will be the most interesting, most exciting, well loved person in the entire world.

The Great Escape: Off to Ron's Isle

All set for weekend's grand outing. (Which is three years in the making as former Solar boss Ron Regis invited me since Year One.)

The things that i might need or not but will bring anyway;
1 bag -
5 t-shirts
4 shorts.
4 undies.
A couple of Bioflu for the headaches.
A couple of Mefenamic acid for the toothache.
1 book, Neil Gaiman's Smoke and Mirrors--- i don't know really if i'll have time to read but...
Cellphone, freshly uploaded with Maya songs (the new album, might as well listen to it again and see if my opinion changes) + Ben Folds Five music.
Some cash --- Noel Old Man says to prepare for the poker games; i agree, obviously.
Newly-bought shades at a cheap 250 pesos - Hmmm. If a tidal wave hits, at least i look a little bit better?
Borrowed digital camera for obvious purposes (Among them probably, for this blog...)

And the memory of you sitting in front of your PC at Floor Number Ten.

i think i am going to enjoy this getaway after all. Praytell, the escape would be doubly better if i am with you.

Pressing the right buttons

This is not at all funny. Suddenly all the buttons necessary for formatting are gone from the "create message/edit posts" page in this site. i tried to look for solutions across the net and in the help pages here but i can't seem to solve the problem. So from hereon out i have to study the HTML codes so i can learn how to post pictures and various formatting needs (quote, link, etc.)

Paranoia says its the admin again blocking features of certain sites... If that is the real issue... Damn it, they just pressed the right buttons and destroyed whatever momentum i had in this writing thing. Adjust and adjust--- that's the only logical thing to do.

Avoiding Confrontations

... Instead of another day (or 1-minute) of: Hello,gpgmvdmvmdvml;amvl;admvalvalfnvlnvlndaklvnavnl
aknvlnvlnvlnadlkvnalvnalnvlandvlanlvnaldvnladnvlandvlandvlnadvlnadl
vnadlvnaldvnaldvna, i chose to be far far away from you. Far far far away as Floor Number Ten can allow...

That is avoiding confrontation, my friends. And it sucks.

Hornets' and Magic's Growing Pains

The New Orleans Hornets need to grow up while the Orlando Magic are in dire need to search for an identity. Both teams need a crucial victory today to stay in the best-of-seven series against their respective opponents.

Hornets are actually in a better situation as losing today would only mean that they will give the series lead to the San Antonio Spurs at 2-3 before visiting Texas for what could be the clinching Game Six for the Spurs on Saturday--- Of course, that's a virtual L already, especially against these defending champions. The Magic are in dire straits. They trail the Pistons by 1-3 in their own conference semifinals and need a victory today, on the road, to stay in the game. As of this writing they can't seem to find the magic at Detroit as they trail the Pistons by 5 in the middle of the 3rd quarter.

Both teams are led by their young stars, Chris Paul for New Orleans and Dwight Howard for Orlando. But only one is mature enough to handle the pressure of a must-win and the challenge of these poised former champions. And it' not superman. It's the little guy who is playing superb the entire year. Nobody, and i mean nobody wants a Spurs and Pistons best of seven NBA Finals. Do your part. Look at the schedule. Cheer for the Spurs' and Pistons' opponents from hereon out. Starting today, cheer for the Hornets and Magic. We need a buzz. We need a miracle.

Bypassing Fate

i have a confession to make: i don't believe in fate. It's not an attempt to be normal or special. It's not an attempt to be the same as others or be different from most. It's just a conscious effort let life be and be like life: a series of random events boxed by people and defined by what you do with such events and such people. i do despise movies and books about fate; about how a single incident is just a part of a bigger picture; that everything is predestined and how destiny controls everything. Despicable as they are, i do watch and read them because once i believed in their magic. The accidents that you wish could happen to you. The preconceived notion of the unknown being expected... After all, after everything is said and done it all boils down to what happened and what did not happen--- either way, you live. And you are back to the randomness of fate.

i have a confession to make; i don't believe in anything anymore. What i know is that they just happen. Fate, random. Random fate. (Ill?)-fated random. Fate. Random. Fate. Random. Random. Random. Fate. Fate. Random.

Game-prod gig, rekindling Heroes-addiction

Fresh meat. That was what in their minds most probably. They. The veterans of the OB van. OB meaning outside broadcasting---basically the mobile studio of a production suit. So there i was at the parking area of Starmall Alabang where the OB van set up. i was beside the graphics guy (Edwin) and just at the back of the technical crew (basically, these are the veterans) including the director (Freddie P.) inside the OB van doing my job as the game producer.

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While i spent some time as a game prod during our Sports Desk days this one was entirely a different monster. The event was the 1st Manny Villar Cup Billiards Cup (Yes, the writer in me says that the name is too long; why not just Manny Villar Cup? Or how about the Manny Villards Cup? Nyak. Nyak.) and obviously it involves the game of billiards or pool. Among the competitors were high-profile pool players like Efren "Bata" Reyes, Ronnie Alcano, Lee Van Corteza and the eventual champion Warren Kiamco among others....

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It was not an easy task, and as i've said i was fresh meat. i did know that i was assigned to when the graphics (Running scores, balls left, etc...) would come out. i did not know that even the slow-motion replay was to be decided by myself. Moreover, i did not have the slightest idea about the latter and that i could actually "order" some of the "veteran" about the slomo-replays and when they should come out.

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Despite the obvious struggle i thought that last Saturday's coverage was a good start for me. Not sure if i'll be assigned again as the game producer in future events but probability says that this is just the beginning of a new phase for me as a member of the production team. i remember three months into this Solar-Antipolo stint i told my new friends officemates/Anti-friends that all i want was, "just to play basketball and to..." (In a semi-drunken state most probably.)...

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But fate has intervened. Now i just don't write and just don't "play" one sport--- i now also do jobs meant for the "producers" and not just anymore about the my first love, basketball. Fret not, i am not whining. Time to explore other things in this job. Researcher/Writer/Segment Producer/Game Producer. The slash just keeps adding up but all i can say is... BRING IT ON.

Jack of all Trades, King of None. The story of my life.

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Also over the weekend, half of Barranca went to Power Books looking for some covers of interest. Engineer Don Gallardo was looking for a CISCO book which he will use for his "review" so he can pass a "license test" in his line of work. i don't know how many licenses these engineers need... Considering they had a big one already right after graduation right? But it could only mean an additional 10,000 pesos in his salary if and when he passes so i guess Don needs to take that test... Certified Public Accountant Che Sereno meanwhile was just looking for random titles. Maybe because she doesn't need another 10,000-peso increase because she just had one as of late. While myself was specifically looking for any Terry Pratchett book because i want a quick follow up for the Good Omens and see if Pratchett is consistently good or if it's just that single title that he was good at.

We were disappointed to find out that the books we were looking for were not available (So much for Power Books i said, Book Sale actually had a Pratchett!)... But not to say we were completely disappointed...Because as we attempted to exit the store, Don/Che saw a HEROES GRAPHIC NOVEL (Season One) and that literally ended our cravings for a new title to read... No arguments, no questions, not even a little consideration of the price of the hard-bound book... We immediately bought it. After all, this is HEROES we are talking about... i'd like to write more about Peter and Nathan and Hiro and Claire and the rest of the Heroes characters (book and series) but i'd like to be a hero today and do my job as a segment producer (ehem.) and talk about stopping an exploding man next time.

i am JPQZ a.k.a. neuroticism

i can not quite remember when this personal craze began... All i remember was that i was visiting this site: just click more often than normal middle of last year. Not that i only discovered this play with words and letters lately because i did, in one form or another, rearrange letters/words/phrases to make new thoughts/words/sentences in the past--- probably as early as high school. But of course, i did not look much into it other the pun being fun.

So anyway, here i am a bit older, a bit wiser and now a bit more interested in this anagramming thing. So much so that i spent (wasted) a lot of office hours anagramming anything and everything that crosses my eyes. So so much so that me and a friend even had an anagramming contest (See earlier entry this week)... By the first month of this anagramming hobby, i came upon another site, the anagrammy.com forums. This was a good and bad thing. The latter because i realized how amateurish my efforts were compared to these word-geniuses. Suddenly, what i did was really just for the fun and heck of it even as the real "anagrammers" showed me what real anagramming is all about. But still, it's an addictive thing and it's all good that i realize that i am real bad at this (Compared to 'em pro's...) In the spirit of fun, and in the spirit of anagramming i continue doing it for leisure and at times incorporating it in my writing. Doble entendres and subliminal messages, and this writer feels right at home, thanks to such thing called anagramming.

Without further ado here are some of random anagrams from past word files. Credit to Enteng and Che for helping me out on some.

The places:
Boni Barranaca ~ Barbarian con!
Mandaluyong ~ A man, ungodly! ~ A god, unmanly!
Philippines ~ i ship nipple.

The vices:
San Mig Strong Ice = stones grimacing
San Mig Light ~ might lasing
Red Horse Beer = err... sobered, eh?
Cigarettes and alcohol = Collect a soaring death!

Others:
Jesus Christ = Just's riches
Sports Desk = Dork's pests
My Chemical Romance ~ m' comical archenemy
Snow Patrol ~ O! Worst Plan!
Princess of Disguise = Professing Suicides

And my favorite, the names (of friends):
Fielnino Casano = a facile son = an online fiasco = O! Life is a cannon
David Emmanuel Alano = A lead animal unmoved!
Reynaldo Canlas = Don's arcane ally ~ 's clean and ro
Christian Castillo ~ is local antichrist!
Che Sereno = Scene Hero
James Patrick Quizon = Major Pain, Quick Zest! = Quick Pain, Major Zest! = JPQZ a.k.a. neuroticism

On a final note... i wanted to anagram a certain name of a certain person. But i was warned earlier by a certain old man that mentioning her (or at least referring...) in this spot of a blog (at times, after we chat for five minutes i "report" it on my blog though i never named names and i won't do that ever my dear... and that, probably, just probably i can't tell you upfront some of the things so i just write it here...) could probably hurt my chances of those five-minute chats ever happening again.

And so, i won't anagram your name. i'll just keep it to myself just to keep those five-minute chats. Heck, i'd even delete this entire thing if that means dinner with you. i won't do that, no dear ally, i won't.

The Mailman didn't deliver this time

Athletes always get a free pass. Great athletes get more than that... In this article, Karl Malone falls short, as a father, it shows how modern times have changed family values. Correction; it shows how other cultures (In this case, the American culture) and values are very much different from the Philippines way of life.

A few excerpts, first;

"I treat it as if my mother went to the sperm bank. I don't hate him for [not being in my life]. It made me a better person." - Demetrius Bell, illegitimate son of Karl Malone, one of the greatest power forwards in NBA history.

Then...

Bell isn't the only Malone child to fall victim to this rather heinous pick-and-roll. Bell is one of three children Malone has fathered outside of wedlock, although he is the only one who Malone has apparently refused to have a relationship with. Malone's other two children outside his marriage are fraternal twins Daryl and Cheryl Ford. Both of them played basketball at Louisiana Tech, like their father, and Cheryl is a forward for the WNBA's Detroit Shock.

And the last one, eerilly funny i might add...

According to Bell, Malone told him it was too late for him to be his father, and he'd have to make it on his own. Nice to meet you too, Dad.

Now, i never really liked Karl Malone as a player and it never really mattered to me what these athletes do with their personal life... But news such as this makes you care a little bit. i do not follow the National Football League much as i am only interested in knowing the winner of the Superbowl--- i mentioned the NFL because Bell was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the 7th round and this piece of news just give me one more reason to follow the american football league and see how Mr. Bell pans out as a professional athlete. Maybe, i can cheer for him too.
i am not singling out Malone as many other high-profile pro athletes are on the same boat. Heck even Air 21's Arwind Santos has had his time in the rumormill. True or not, it's already out in the public and that makes you lose a little bit of respect.

So much for the unselfish pick-and-rolls, Mr. Malone.

Maya's New Album: Rico Blanco on Steroids

Before i get burned, might as well put the disclaimer on the first line. Excuse above all, explain later: i am not a music expert; nor i admit i know my music as much as the next real musician. What i am though is a music fan; what i once was was a big-big-big Rivermaya fan since the yellow self-titled album in 1994. Quick rationale on that last line: Out of 48 students in our second year high school class roughly five were Rivermaya fans; the rest were Eraserheads fanboys--- you have to be there to understand how a 14-year-old defended his favorite band, which he thought was the best in the Philippines (Try telling that to 'heads supporters...) In short, i don't believe i know my music like the any expert or average music fan. What i know is i know what it's like to be a 'maya fan over the years. Over the seemingly constant band roster changes... Over the evolution of the 'maya music which i dearly love. And all that said, here's a review of Rivermaya's latest album.

Rivermaya's Buhay (2008)

Rico Blanco on steroids. Squeeze the juice up because that's what first came to mind. In rather normal terms the effort is too much of an attempt to retain the Rivermaya identity rather than create one of its own. A poorman's version of any Rivermaya album of the past, especially the Blanco-fronted years.

Just a little revisionist history; when Bamboo left Rivermaya in 1998, i pretty much gave up and gave in to the idea that my favorite band would never be the same again. That what was left behind was just a collection of musicians, which will be good but not as great in the long term as i hoped they would. (Actually, going a little further back, i never had these worries when Perf left 3-4 years earlier) i was correct on the first thought that they would never be the same again... But was wrong on the next; the 1998-2001 Rivermaya actually matched if not was even better (Don't get us started on this one for this will turn out to be another Rico vs. Bamboo debate) considering the changes that was happening to the band.

Why and how could the triumvirate of Rico, Nathan and Mark match/outdo the foursome which includes the vocal power of a Bamboo? Simple. When Bamboo left, Rico did not miss a beat and just started doing what he do best; Create music with reckless abandon, fuck-the-critics-and-forget-about-the-fans because i am here to experiment and just make MY music.

This raw passion was clearly seen on the freedom of a Nathan and a Mark; both guys clearly HAD their freedom to input their genre of music (Nathan's funk and Mark's jazz) This raw passion and very honest take on their music resulted in Rivermaya's best albums to date post-Bamboo era: It's Not Easy Being Green featuring Nerbyoso as it's carrier single (Worst song of the album by the way) and the classic Free album.

Why and how could the triumvirate of Rico, Nathan and Mark match/outdo the foursome which includes the vocal power of a Bamboo? Simple. Rico, Nathan and Mark did not try to duplicate their previous attempts rather they tried to create a sound that could be unique between the three of them and which they can call their own. Not to say they created their own genre but rather that they redefined a Rivermaya sound--- ultimately as fans, we can adapt to roster changes especially when we see what changed.

This is where my criticism of Rivermaya's new album comes in. The five new guys (Yes, including Mark unfortunately) did not attempt to make new music rather rehash what they knew as Rivermaya. Sure sure, maybe they want to respect the Rivermaya tradition and all, but where does that put you as a musician? What does that tell you about being an artist?

And if we want to get too technical here, the real Rivermaya tradition is being able to welcome change and risk it all to create a new sound--- a new identity. What is missing is the reckless abandon attitude that made Rivermaya... Well, Rivermaya.

Buhay came way, way too lifeless for that basic requirement. It's simply Rico Blanco on steroids, you might get a few good performances here or there but in the long run the real product will show itself.

Maybe i just have to listen to it another 30-40 times like i already have? Will it change a thing? What happens to MY band now; is it still MY band? Well, like a good old Rivermaya fan, i'll probably just hang around and see what happens with this Rivermaya. Who knows, i might even watch a live performance and maybe that could change a thing... or could make the criticism even worse.)

After all, we 'maya fans know the word, "change."

Until then i delay my personal wish for the band to drop the name, Rivermaya because where's justice in using the name if you are just squeezing up the juice?

Foe Outworn ~ Two One Four

A fun, yet stupid competition--- the phrase an easy anagram of a stupid (yet fun) competition--- that's the title for a blog entry of my friend, who takes the saying "life is a game" way too seriously. Too serious that the word "game" for him is replaceable with the word "competition" thus, that "life is a competition." So much competitive bones that i had to make an anagram of the 90's Rivermaya song, 214...

Sure, it was me who was either late (or absent) for work (or school) because i was down, 0-2 in our little Playstation2 NBA Live battles (Hey, a best-of-five wouldn't hurt, right?) Sure, i may have requested another round of beer or two during the drinking sprees because no one is freaking drunk yet (Come to think of it, at these times everyone's competitive spirit is just at an all-time high) just to prove that, well, no one is freaking drunk yet which is the same as proving nothing. Sure, i bet on sports, friendly and not-so-friendly wagers , losing half the time and winning some of it.

Sure, sure i may be a bit passionate about arguing how i don't believe in competition. i hate it, despise it. i don't think human beings are made that way. When challenged to a duel, a man just lie down and play dead. When summoned to a fight, a man just run and go far, far away.

(And about this time an officemate challenges me to a Fight Night, PSP network battle. Excuse me, i have to get this one.)

And oh, click on the link above and read my friend's post--- the anagrammed piece he made is posted there and was made to go up against my piece (Posted image above) Basically, it's an anagrammed lyrics of our favorite bands songs. i hated doing that too--- anagramming lyrics just for competition? Gahd.

B. I. Newsbreakers: Forebeer and ebeer

Fine, fine! The title above is lame but hey, i had to make a reference one lame way or the other... Here's another very interesting article i found over the net...

From beer to eternity

A Chicago man has had a custom-built coffin made to resemble a giant can of his favourite beer.Bill Bramanti, 67, doesn't plan on using it for its intended purpose any time soon, reports the Southtown Star. Meanwhile, he has filled the blue-and-red coffin with ice and beer - and is using it as a cooler.

Mr Bramanti paid £1,000 to have the coffin painted like a can of Pabst Blue Ribbon beer.
"I'm going to use it as a cooler until I really need it," he said. "You see, I'm going to get my money's worth. Hopefully I get to use it many times."

Mr Bramanti said he revealed the unusual coffin to his family during a mock-wake at his house. He said the event featured family members drinking cans of Pabst from the ice-filled casket. "I wouldn't expect anything less for my dad," said his daughter, Cathy, 42. "He's a man that loves to entertain. He likes it when people are happy. This is what he does."

Hmmm.. More Don Gallardo reference needed? i guess not as Don would argue that Enteng would be needing that coffin even as the latter in turn would argue that i would be needing that same design for my byebye-box. Of course, all three of us understand that should any of us decide to do so it would be patterned to a different brand of beer: It's colored red not blue; and the one with the horse not a ribbon. Jumbo or otherwise would not matter much...

"Kras" of Rhinos

Another day. Another Magic: The Gathering reference. (Plus am enjoying this too much really as the possibilities of a Magic-life Magic-love Magic-anything analogies are endless...)
(Quick little note: Did you know that the anagram of anything is ___-thing?)

Last time it was about the card name and card (dis)abilities. For this entry we go to another Magic card feature this time about their flavor text. Flavor texts are basically quotes written in some Magic cards just below the card abilities. They don't have an effect to the game-play, but they sure have an effect to the player and how they like the card. (Like even if the card has bad abilities and too much casting cost, they still will keep it because of the humorous or witty flavor text)

Crash of Rhinos, a green creature card has this one for its flavor text (Better yet, read the card):

"Love is like a rhino, short-sighted and hasty; if it cannot find a way, it will make a way."

No explanation needed really. Read between the lines. Or better yet, read between the flavor text.