March Madness

Wheww! I don't know how will I start this. I'm still in the state of shock after all the happenings that transpired 3 days ago. Well, Saturday, March 21, was indeed a busy day not only for me but for the entire Pagcor family. BIDA March, a project of Chairman Genuino in cooperation with DepEd, was expected to post a new record for the most number of people participated on an Anti-drug campaign. This is definite but what we're gonna do is a big question mark. Days leading to the event, everybody were still in limbo as to what to do and where to go. It was then finalized that most of the girls will be assigned to take care of food distribution and others will be posted at the registration booths. Almost 80% of the boys composed the transport group.

Our group was tapped to dispatch vehicles from Valenzuela area. I woke up at around 5:30 a.m. since the site is closer to my homebase. AGA boys were divided into three. Notty, Jets, Dennis, Rick, Lito, Jeff, Jun & Tolits were assigned in one area. Sev, Doc and myself tooked care of another school (sorry, it's name slipped in my mind at the moment). Boyet was left all alone to supervise Wawang Pulo Elementary school. Cutting the story short, we dispatched a total of 75 buses and 18 jeepneys carrying an estimated 60 persons each (kids & adults) for bus and an average of 14 per jeepney. We have successfully done our part but what were not prepared for are the events that would follow.

The original plan is that the kids would be dropped at CCP Complex and marched towards Luneta Grandstand. The vehicles would then proceed to Dubai (site of Bagong Nayong Filipino) to wait. After the event, several buses would fetched the kids and returned them to Dubai where their assigned vehicles waited for them. But everything turned out just a plan. Confusion on where to get the drivers payment surfaced. Without food and drinks, do we expect them to politely conversed with us? As temper escalated, many of Pagcorians decided to change their shirt to protect themselves against eering drivers. A colleague who was assigned at Tondo Elementary School needed to run as angry drivers tried to put a hand on him. Another was held "hostage" as drivers wanted him to stay and will only be freed once they got their due. Navotas team, majority of whom are my close friends, can't get out of Dubai as drivers decided to park their jeepneys in front of our Dubai office. Our very own Boyet,who at passed 11:00 p.m., was still circling around MOA helping kids find their other companions. Were just thankful that we've already left Dubai before both parties clashed.

It was indeed a unique experienced for us. It may be tiring & exhausting day but the element of laughter will always be there. Take it from the words of Doc, moments after learning that his son is also missing. "San ka? Magkita tayo. Nakikita mo ba yung dyip?

He,he. Relaks Doc, relaks!

The Vienna Invasion

Our day at the office last March 13, friday, started on a wrong foot with Mr. Severino Lubigan Jr. angrily, shouted at me. Still thinking about the probable cause of his sudden outburst, I decided to distanced myself, and gave him a moment of self realization. On the other corner is Cookie having some problem in the room reservation. Minutes later, comes Notty. Relayed about the room woes, he expressed his disgusts talking with Sir Boni. On the other side is Jun Sarin explaining why he didn't set-up the training room A, which I later found out the reason why Mr. Lubigan is flaring! Mr. Calamba, upon sizing up the situation decided to attend the program of Mr. Rodriguez, our consultant. Forget about all this negative stuffs. Lets just relax a bit because this is just a prelude to a better evening ahead of us. Fast forward. 1900H. The 14 souls(me,notty,dennis,jun,sev,g.i,boni,elaine,didith,tekla,liza,thez,jane & julie)started to hit the streets. 30 minutes later, were now in front of the famous chicken house in all of Manila, "Vienna". Arriving ahead of us were Jeff & Rey (better half of Tekla, who'm I have doubts whether he could feel better after tonight). Foods were served. From tokwa't dila to chicken ass, everything that reached our table vanished in a winked of an eye. A cake surfaced intended for the birthday of Thess David & Julie Lorenzo. After Julie blew the cake, nobody dared to eat it. After picture taking, the girls decided to go home, except for Tekla & Jane. The topic now shifted to Rey. We told him that we arrived Tuesday after our stint at Pagcor Angeles. Rey said that Tekla cameback, Wednesday. That joke started it all.

It was indeed a great night for all of us. As usual, laughter filled the entire Vienna. The blowing of cake, Tekla's bowling motivation, LT And Ness look-a-like and AGA worst awards are just some of the funny topics that literally brought the house down. Of course we would like to thank the host and owner of Vienna, Mr. Bonifacio Hernandez for a warm treatment we received (plus the discount we got, kelan ang bayad?). It's already 1:00 a.m.the following day, when we signed off.

But wait, before I go, let me greet Paulo a "Happy, Happy Birthday!" That's the reason why Mam Dolly missed the night out.

Day of the Big J

As an avid Ginebra fanatic, it's uncanny for me to forget the date, March 8. Robert Jaworski, PBA's Living Legend, celebrated his 63rd birthday. I've been pre-occupied by a lot of things that this date slipped away from my senses. For those who were born only during the Daylight saving time era or worse to those people who were only introduced to PBB Housemates and Startruck Survivors, let's rewind father time, as I take you to a quick journey to one of the most popular personality in the country and one of the most colorful cager who ever wore a pair of sneakers.

Robert Salazar Jaworski's rise to stardom was not an overnight fairytale. He started his basketball career in University of the East under the tutelage of Legendary coach Virgilio Dalupan. He was a vital cog for the Red Warriors leading his team to 2 titles. A many time National Team member, "Jawo", as he was fondly called, was banned for playing basketball in 1971 with pal Big Boy Reynoso for punching a referee. But after 3 years, the two were reinstated due to immense public clamor. "The Big J", coined after the NBA's "The Big O", was already 29 years old when PBA saw it's birth in 1975. Playing alongside Ramon Fernandez at Toyota Comets, he began to carve his name and slowly rised into the leagues elites. In 1983,Toyota disbanded and management decided to give away their players. Jaworski disagreed and uttered the famous line "Ano kami, parang mga baboy na ibebenta por kilo"? He then signed, together with best friend Francis Arnaiz, with the Gilbey's Gin where his popularity blossomed. Changing the name to Ginebra in 1985, he became the first playing coach in the PBA. There, he converted the non believers to believers, proving time and again their "never-say-die" attitude, winning several championships with the Palanca franchise. As a testament to his immense contribution to the league, the PBA patterned its logo to him. In 1995, he made history by drafting son Dudut Jaworski in the Annual Draft making them the first father and son tandem in any sports history. In 1998, he ran for the Senatorial race, where he won, that forced him to retire from active basketball. In 1999, he left the game, but up to this date his famous jersey no.7 has not been officially retired.

His career in basketball is replete with intrigues, controversies and success. Love him or hate him, but he will forever be the Darling of the Crowd. Borrowing from his own statement made during the final years of his career " I can't imagine myself playing without them", pointing to the rafters where the Barangay Ginebra screamed their most famous chant "Jaworski!Jaworski!Jaworski!

Strange 8

I've been writing so much about Francis M. for the past several days, but there are several facts I want to share with you, that caught my attention. Called it a mere coincidence or just a product of creative imagination. Kiko was the 8th child of the late moviestars Pancho Magalona and Tita Duran. He was diagnosed of blood cancer widely known as LEUKEMIA (spelled in 8 letters) last August, the 8th month, of 2008. At age 44 (if added will give us no.8),Francis M (also with 8 letters) left behind his 8 kids.

Probably thinking about the curse of the number 8, the Master Rapper, decided to play the spoilers role by accepting death before the 8th month, from the date the dreaded cancer was first found out, of his disease.

These are just plain observations and shouldn't be taken seriously. GOD Bless FrancisM! May he Rest in Peace!

"Now that the end is already here
We reminisce 'bout old yells and cheers
Even if our last hurrahs were never clear"

Excerpts from the song "Farewell"

A Day In The Life

Saturday, March 7, 2009, was a very busy day for me. Waking up at around 7:00 a.m. is just like an ordinary office day. But no. Today, is more of a combination of hard labor, expenses, grieve, patience, excitement & fatigue. I've started the long day delivering my airconditioning unit to the service center. Right after, i went to Banawe to buy two sets of brake pads for my Toyota Revo. Along the way, I had to buy 20 pieces of water galons for our purified water station. Aircon service was pegged at around P1, 200.00 , brake pads costs P 700.00 and water galons are worth P 2,600.00. P 4,500.00 for the first half of the day? Hope nothing follows. I need to replace the pads quickly co'z I need to catch the Eat Bulaga Tribute for Francis M at 12 noon. The show lasted for 3 hours with some of his close friends and colleagues sharing their unforgettable moments with "The Master Rapper".

There are some touching scenes like when Gary Valenciano shared his video of his concert circa 1990 titled "Major Impact", where he and Francis M performed on the same stage to the delight of the screaming fans at Philsports Arena, formerly known as Ultra. Gloc 9 was in tears singing "Lando", his most famous song where "Kiko" sang with him.

The finale where Tito, Vic & Joey performed their version of "Kaleidescope World". At around 4:30 p.m., My Family & I decided to go to Mall of Asia for some breather. There, I have to be patient circling around the mall with my wife & 3 kids. To lessen my load, I let my 2 kids play at the ice skating rink for an hour. After the fireworks display at the back side of the mall, we then proceeded to our dinner.

It took us just 30 minutes to finished our food since we're trying to catched the Eraserheads' "The Final Set" concert at the MOA grounds, beside IMAX theater. No, we don't have any tickets or pass to watch it inside the venue, rather, we stayed outside and just had a glimpse of the E-Heads performance at the four screens located at the top of the stage and another big screen at the right side of it. We do have a great time watching the concert and eating some snacks on top of the hood of our "owner type jeep". It was passed 11:00 p.m., that time the E-Heads were playing "Pare Ko", when we decided to pack up and go back home.

It was indeed a tiring but enjoyable day not only for me but for my entire family as well. A moment you can't exchange for money, though you need some for this.

Coldest Summer Night

I was taking my lunch break when i heard the news that Francis M died. I can't believe at first but knowing his condition it is probably what the Lord Almighty wants to happen. "The Master Rapper" succumb to cancer, leukemia, the same disease who tooked away my mother from us almost 2 decades ago. Today is exactly one day before Eraserheads "The Final Set" concert at SM Mall of Asia grounds. It is believed that Francis M will have a surprise number with E-Heads frontman Ely Buendia. I hope this will not have any effect on the E-Heads concert.

I still remember Francis M during his bagets days. But for me, he will be remembered most for his songs that touches our lives. He was the God of Rap in the Philippines. He put our country into the map of music scene. He elevates underground rap artists into the mainstream. He is a class of his own.

Who can forget his songs. From "Mga Kababayan", "Man From Manila", "Ito Ang Gusto Ko" to "Kaleidescope World", "Nilamon Ng Sistema" and even his version of "Superproxy". I've bought his debut album in late-80's, in a cassette tape mode. My personal favorites were "Mga Praning", "Cold Summer Nights" & "Kaleidescope World".

He will be truly missed, but his legacy will forever be remembered!

Welcome to My Blog!

Uuuhhhmmm! Well what can I say? This is a gift for me. Having a venue to express my thoughts, share my two cents worth of idea and most of all, to fulfill my dream (to write) even on this stage. Maybe sounds cheap, just like what my friend, Sev, told me.

Anyway, Welcome to my blog, Happy reading!