“Nuwebe” Inside The Sleep Cave

Posted on August 4, 2013 by heavenliner

CCP Little Theater

For me, few of the most sleep-inducing places on earth are the theaters of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). It has autumn-like indoor temperature that makes you want to hibernate. It also have super soft comfy seats, an easy-to-the-ear acoustics as well as relaxing lighting facilities which would make you drift off faster. It is one big sleep cave!!

Therefore, if I watch a show in CCP it needs to be very good, interesting, entertaining and/or thought provoking for me to stay awake.

nuwebe

With this thought, I actually almost fell asleep while I was watching the Cinemalaya 2013 New Breed entry entitled Nuwebe. It has an interesting plot but the director seemed to have missed on how to impart and expound on the attention-grabbing material. It was a lame creation. Some loopholes of the movie were actually being laughed at by the audience. The only redeeming quality of the movie was the superb acting by the lead character played by Jake Cuenca.

I was about to fall asleep when credits at the end of the film started rolling. I did not clap my hands and I simply stepped out of the CCP theatre… silently snoring.

Kaantok… Zzzz…

Bustling Bus-less Busted Manila

Posted on July 28, 2013 by heavenliner

city buses around the metro

I am a daily witness to the decaying City of Manila through the swarming and infestation of mendicants and homeless people on its streets as well as the unforgiving traffic jam you would encounter daily. Going to your destination via roads of City of Manila would agonizingly be delayed because of traffic. I am so sure that the speed of rumor is faster than the speed of your car’s speedometer when you are to drive on the streets of Manila.

But guess what? Last Friday it only took me 30 minutes to go to Manila Post Office building from my office in Malate to get a personal parcel then back. Within that 30-minute period, I was even able to shoot a few photos of the iconic Manila Post Office building. Going right at the center of City of Manila was a breeze. This is because of the new local government’s tightfisted drive and stingy ordinance of no longer allowing bedlam-causing buses in the city.

inside the majestic facade of manila post office

the soon-to-be-extinct profession

To further substantiate this surprising development, when I and my family went yesterday up north to Manaoag, Pangasinan, we decided to pass through the City of Manila. We passed the often-vehicle-filled Roxas Boulevard, the panic-infusing Lawton area, the traffic-choke-point Quiapo, the chaotic jumble streets of Dimasalang, Dangwa and La Loma. To our amazement, we were out of Manila and reached the north express way in less than 30 minutes.

Still further, when we came back to Metro Manila later in the day, we decided to pass through the often-dreadful and jaywalker-infested Taft Avenue. And still, we passed through Taft Avenue with so much ease. My sister could not contain herself and asked how much buses were eliminated for such a road to move vehicles at an unexpectedly speedy pace.

This truly is a very welcome development. Congratulations to the new City Mayor Joseph ‘Erap’ Estrada and his Vice-Mayor Isko Moreno for growing some balls in disallowing those monstrous buses in the city.

May pramis… Pramis…

Casssaaavvvaaa Caaakkkeee

Posted on July 20, 2013 by heavenliner

Tasting for the first time the best cassava cake in the universe was so out of place. It is so odd and strange that I was able to experience such an enormous gastronomic pleasure while in a wake.

This was roughly about a month ago when I and my workmates paid a visit and express our condolences to a co-employee whose dad passed away. The wake was in the provincial town of Magalang in Pampanga. While in the wake, we were served with knickknacks and refreshments including boxes of freshly baked cassava cakes.

When I go to a wake, I would traditionally just nibble on salty chips and snacks (like the all-time favorite burol-snack: Butong Pakwan) which is usually served in a Filipino memorial service. I rarely eat and munch on main meals while in a wake. But when we were served with the mouth-watering and sinful looking cassava cake, I broke my own personal tradition. I simply helped myself to a bite of rich taste of perfection.

That cassava cake had the seamless velvety texture mixed with the perfect harmony of flavors. Good thing I was able to control myself because I wanted to clap my hands, celebrate the happy moment and jump for joy due to the enormous palatal experience I just had.

ralo’s cassava cake. fattening? yes… but such a small price to pay for pleasure

Yesterday, I had the chance to go again in Magalang, Pampanga for an official business. I thought I have forgotten the great gastronomic experience but I was dead wrong. The search for the same experience I had was on! It is no longer the mere experience of great texture and flavor but more of a lingering voice engraved on my mind.

Like some curious addiction, I texted my co-employee and inquired where in Magalang did they bought the cassava cake his family served during his father’s wake. He messaged back telling me the spot somewhere in Angeles, Pampanga. And, after doing some office-required stuff in Magalang, I asked the driver to bring me to Ralo’s where these rich cakes can be purchased.

we were laughing when we tried reading "Sooobbbrrraaanngg Saaaaaarrrrrrapppp" on their sign board.

we were laughing when we tried reading “Sssooobbbrrraanngg Sssaaaarrrrapppp” on their sign board.

I bought two large boxes! I was so happy I even bought and treated the driver and my co-workers with their own box of this cassava cake.

Warning though for those who bumped onto this post and gets curious about this cake, be careful. Because once you’re hooked all of your senses and even your soul will never be able to forget its rich taste of perfection. Kasi nga… Soooobrang Sarrrraaaap!!!

Uulitin kooo… sooobbbrrraaang sarrraaappp!!!

World War Z and the Philippine Zombie

Posted on June 30, 2013 by heavenliner

pile of zombies going up the israeli wall in the movie World War Z

Zombies are not counted in traditional Filipino mythical world as well as folklores of the ghoulish variant. There is actually no Filipino-Tagalog translation for a Zombie. And to further prove this point, the old Filipino letters actually does not have a letter Z in it. Thus, zombies are non-existent in the Philippines and that it is a product of a western mind.

With this underpinning thought, I am confident that in the zombie-movie World War Z, the bug did not originate from the Philippines. But the movie made me anxious and curious if zombies would be able to reach the Philippines. Like Japan and Indonesia, the Philippines is an archipelago. Thus, to reach and cross its borders you can only enter either via air or water never by land.

I am not a fan of zombie-genre-movies but World War Z ranks right up in my list in terms of making me stunned and jolt right on my seat. Though the movie was intensely entertaining, it is regrettable that it did not illustrate if the Philippines was infected or was in the clear. But with the depiction that the infection will alter a person’s appearance and behavior in just 12 seconds, I presupposed that the Philippines was indeed spared. Why? A zombie characterized to have poor dexterity can’t fly an airplane or sail a boat. And with an extreme aggressiveness and severe hunger for human flesh all passengers of an airplane or a ship would easily be infected before its engine can even start.

When Brad Pitt decided to go to Israel being one of the countries that have kept the zombies at bay because of their construction of a wall, I was shouting “Go to the Philippines!!! You will be safe here!!!” inside the cinema hoping he would hear me. And when the zombies were able to go over the wall of Israel and infected its citizens depicted in a visually astonishing style, I was again shouting inside the movie house “I told you Brad!!! I told you!!!”

a usual occurrence in zombie-filled manila

Maybe the reason why there is no zombie here is because we Pinoys already have so much to deal with. Like having the same equation in different dimension, the zombies of the Philippines are in the form of car thefts, kidnappers, pickpockets, armed robbers and atrocious taxi drivers. These are the on-going catastrophe of Philippine society.

I no doubt enjoyed the compelling World War Z movie and I just hope, similar to what Brad Pitt and those scientist/doctors did in the movie, we finally discover a cure or antidote that would put an end to the pandemic Philippine zombies.

Maging mabuti. Hwag maging sombi.

Adoring Japan / Envying Thailand / Questioning Philippines

Posted on June 25, 2013 by heavenliner

A lot of my friends as well as those who follow my blog know that I love Japan. I adore their food, their weather and the strong and powerful yet charming-to-the ear language. People know that I admire their culture, their technology, their fashion and their being so organized. I have high regard to the people of Japan. They are just so nice and gracious.

i even fancy japan's vendo machines. hahaha

i even fancy japan’s vendo machines. LOL!!!

along dotonbori… fashion ba kamo? love my doc martens!!!

Too bad I can’t just go there and spend a nice vacation every time I feel like going there. Being a Pinoy citizen, I am required to process and undergo those tiresome procedures of applying for a visit visa. Being a Filipino citizen, I am not allowed to simply go there and enjoy the awesome weather. The Philippines is not one of those rich auspicious countries with visa exemption arrangements with Japan.

Well I guess, some people are fortunate enough to be born into the right nationality while others have to find their own way. Don’t get me wrong here. I love the Philippines because if I don’t I could have hopped on a plane, gone the hell out and never return. Or if I can’t have that access, I could have packed my bags, join a secluded monastery and never go out.

I am articulating on this because the recent news made me so envious with the Thais. According to news, the Thailand Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that effective July 1, 2013 Japan will give Thai nationals with visa exemptions that would be good for up to 15 days.

amazing thailand… i can feel that i will soon be visiting this country again…

With this news, Thailand obviously beat and thumped the Philippines big time! While Thais can go and visit Japan with much ease, us Pinoys will have to settle with the wearisome and mind-numbing processing of visa applications.

I just hope and pray that Japan will grant the same to the Filipinos. But I guess Japan has their reasons. And such reasons are actually in the hands of the Pinoys themselves. Is it the Pinoy culture, the Pinoy urbanity, or the Pinoy civility? While I endlessly adore Japan and start being jealous of Thailand, I guess only us Pinoys can answer this question.

Pagka-sabmit ng rekwayrments diretcho novena para humiling na bigyan ng visa. Bakit Lord?! Bakit???

A Piece of Heaven At The Gates Of Hell

Posted on May 25, 2013 by heavenliner

It was eleven thirty in the evening. I woke up drenched in sweat for I forgot to switch on the air conditioning unit before I fell asleep. It’s already the third week of May and yet the scorching summer heat still lingers here in Metro Manila. With this roasting temperature, I am starting to believe Dan Brown when he wrote in his latest novel Inferno that found in Metro Manila are the gates of hell.

I tried but could no longer go back to sleep, I slipped into my old blue jeans and put on a freshly laundered singlet. I proceeded outside the streets of “the gates of hell” to find anything that will cease the torridity off my body.

About a hundred meters away from my flat while walking through Vito Cruz Street I found an eatery. It’s about to close but I begged the attendant to let me in for I want to order, guess what? Answer: Halo-Halo.

Yeah! There is a new Teresita’s branch here in hell-gate Vito Cruz!!! It’s no longer just in the far away hell-gate Tomas Morato!!!

teresita’s in vito cruz street, manila

alone inside this refreshment parlor, i did not hesitate taking these photos

these ladies must be canonized not as saints

these ladies must be canonized as saints or angels by the vatican

Of course I ordered the “Special” version, i.e. with “minatamis na langka” (sweetened jackfruit) only worth Php 95. It’s not the generic Filipino halo-halo neither the typical Razon’s halo-halo. Instead it’s of a grandeur version, that is, with heaps of chunky-to-the-bite banana, brutal portions of glutinous macapuno, the sweet viscous lumps of tasty langka, smooth shaved ice with super generous amount of the vicious and sinful leche flan. I swear to God they have the tastiest halo-halo in all face of heaven, purgatory and hell.

don't be fooled by the lucid and incomplex look of this halo-halo. heaven is lodged beneath those shaved ice

don’t be fooled by the lucid and incomplex look of this halo-halo. astonishing heaven is lodged beneath those shaved ice

After paying my bill and start to walk back to my unit, I realized that Tesesita’s Halo Halo is something that can be compared to a piece of heaven and that I am actually glad to be living here in the “gates of hell”.

Makasalanan sa sobrang sarap!

Happy Election Day

Posted on May 13, 2013 by heavenliner

done voting.
used my power today.

If you would notice only a handful of people would greet Happy Election Day. Election-day cliché does not include an expression of happy greeting. It’s usually a reminder to “exercise your right” “vote wisely” or broadcast to “let the fire of democracy burning” because “together, we build our future”.

I love elections especially national/general elections. This is because it is the day when there is a total shift of power. All of a sudden, ordinary people at this important day become more powerful than those who hold an electoral position. The power is in their hands/votes. Also, during election day all people’s individual power are in equal standing. The 1 vote power of a poor bloke is as equal as that of the 1 vote power of a rich dude.

With this plain thought of having the power (even only for a day), people must feel at least “happy”. So let me greet everybody a Happy Election Day!

Namnamin ang pawers mo ngayon…

My First Visita Iglesia

Posted on March 29, 2013 by heavenliner

I have been to Bangkok, Thailand three times. And in all those times I with friends tour their well known Buddhist temples in a day. I even coined it Visita Buddhista. This made a tinge of guilt because in my homeland and with my very own religion, I’m too lazy to pull off the Filipino Catholic Lenten tradition known as Visita Iglesia (Seven Churches Visitation).

But I’m guilty no more because in this year’s Holy Thursday, I have completed my very first Visita Iglesia. I did this pious tradition not with friends but with my family. We did not chose the grandest and tour-worthy churches and cathedrals found in Metro Manila but instead we settled on visiting the houses of prayers that are in a way close and connected to our hearts. Five of which are located in Pasay City, 1 in Makati and 1 in Manila.

Here they are…

The Shrine of Jesus, The Way, The Truth and The Life

Located near SM Mall of Asia, my family calls this MOA Church. It’s literally is close to our family because it is the nearest church to Nengkoy’s house. That is why it is so obvious that it is the first church we visited.

Our Lady of Sorrows Parish Church

This church is very special to me and my siblings. We consider this place of worship as the “Binyag Church” (Church of Baptism) because all of our catholic baptism rites when we were still infants were held in this very church.

San Rafael Parish Church

This is my family’s Parish Church. In 1962, this was the very church where the glorious wedding ceremony of my parents was held. Nengkoy was all smile when she entered and left this very quaint church, she feels like she’s so part of it. Also, this was the very church that I was scolded by a priest (mind you, it was during the homily) for wearing shorts when I heard a Holy Mass one early morning a couple of years back.

Sta. Clara De Montefalco Parish Church

This is the house of prayers of Nengkoy when she was a young girl studying in St Mary’s Academy.

San Isidro Labrador Parish Church

This one is the personal favorite of my nephew Luis. The adjacent catholic school is where he studied in high school. Anyway, I personally like the drama of this church… the holy cross was placed outdoor and visible indoor through a clear glass wall.

St. John Bosco Parish Church

This is the church where my elder sister and her husband claimed to have first met. Ewww super cheesy! As for me, I always wonder why every time I pray inside this church my prayers are in straight English. Is it the location, is it the minimalist modern interiors or is it the stylish well-dressed church goers? I don’t know why. (I think it’s the “pa-sosyal” in me. hahaha!)

Our Lady of Remedies Parish Church

This very old yet majestic church was the venue of my elder sister’s wedding. This church is a very popular church for Visita Iglesia aficionados. It was full packed! That is why when we entered to say our prayers the first thing I uttered was “Wow blockbuster!” Anyway, Our Lady of Remedies otherwise known as Malate Church is a special church for me. It is a stone throw away from my office. That is why this is the church I go to for me to say my morning prayer every time I came too early for work.

Nanikip ang dibdib ko sa bisitang yan hah! Muntik na ko matunaw!

Dilemma On Quaresma: The Modernized Pabasa

Posted on March 28, 2013 by heavenliner

Its Maundy Thursday today and the traditional Pabasa Ng Pasyon (Chanting of Christ’s Passion) literally kept me up all night. Not because I joined the bandwagon this year of chanting in monotonous tone the narratives of the life, passion, death and resurrection of Lord Jesus but because a community right beside the building where I live chose to chant the Pasyon in loud and proud manner utilizing a microphone with humongous sets of speakers.

I know Pabasa Ng Pasyon is considered to be a unique Filipino communal tradition which would run during the whole span of the Holy Week. But do devotees today really have to use a microphone to fulfill this religious meditation? What about those who opted to follow the tradition of shutting their mouth and ears to find peace and serenity during the observance of the Holy Week?

I am not saying that Pabasa should be stopped in all corners of the land what I am trying to point out is that this tradition should be kept and observed in the traditional manner, that is, speaker-less, microphone-less with merely raw, genuine and unprocessed chants.

In my personal opinion, using microphones and speakers in Pabasa denotes artless, insincere and contrived expression and profession of the Catholic faith. It no longer sounds the way I used to hear it – exotic, bizarre and mysterious. For me, using these modern technological equipments turns the “modernized” Pabasa into nothing but a thoughtless, vain and immodest show.

It’s the Holy Week no one should be playing or making loud music for Pete’s sake! I just hope the ear fatiguing sound from the nearby colony of human beings would stop while I write this post otherwise this week is turning out to be one unholy week.

Mataimtim na kwaresma para sa lahat…

Panlakad

Posted on February 20, 2013 by heavenliner

I don’t know what’s the English translation for the Tagalog word panlakad. Maybe there is no single English word for it. With my limited English know-how, the best translation I can give is that panlakad are social clothes and apparels worn for an occasion, an event or by simply being out of the house and in a public place.

sporting my nengkoy shirt. di ko pa napang simba yan!

Back in the days when table salts are not yet iodized, inhabitants in the Philippines would make sure that their newly sewn or purchased panlakad must first be worn to attend a Holy Sunday Mass. Although this rare custom and tradition has long been gone, I can still remember people’s line of questioning to folks they saw sporting new clothes. They would ask, “Pinang simba mo na ba ‘yan?” (“Have you worn those in a Mass?”) It’s as if wearing new clothes that has not initially been worn in a Sunday Mass celebration is such an abomination and is a wicked habit of the devil.

The socio-anthropologist in me dictates that this not-so-ancient unorthodox yet dissipated belief may be a progeny of Filipino’s robust Catholic faith that owning and wearing new clothing is a gift from heaven, thus, it would be most appropriate to first wear it inside the house of God. Or this belief has been generated from Filipino’s long running tradition that they should wear new clothes during Christmas Day and it is a must to go hear a Holy Mass during this Holy day.

I don’t know if I should be thankful or resentful that this tradition is no longer observed. Thankful because with the volume of clothes I own, I cannot imagine how many times in a year would I be required to attend the Holy Mass. Resentful because this tradition could have at least given me another reason to attend and hear the Holy Mass.

‘Yang suot mo ngayon, Pinang Simba Mo Na Ba Yan?

Nengkoy

ruminations & travesties of the favorite yet naughty son of Nengkoy

Tag Archives: philippines