Noon at Ngayon, bow!

Haayyy, ang bilis talaga ng panahon. Parang kailan lang wala kong ginawa kundi maglaro, maglaro at maglaro. Ang oras di mo namamalayan na nauubos. Noon pag magbebirthday, tuwang-tuwa ka. Pero sa paglipas ng panahon, kada birthday mo feeling mo tumatanda ka. Dumadami wrinkles, pumuputi ang buhok, sumasakit ang gulugod at worst nauubos ang buhok. Aray! Kapag ganito ka na, sarap ng sariwain ang iyong kabataan. Minsan sa iyong pag-iisa, subukan mong gunitain ito at malamang na matawa ka. Hayaan mong tulungan kita at gabayan sa paggunita sa nakaraan.

Noon... hihiram ka ng betamax tape para makapanood ng pelikula.
Ngayon... kinabukasan yung pelikula, nasa Quiapo na.

Noon... inabot ko ang chickenjoy na P 25.00 lang.
Ngayon...yung bente singko pesos mo, sakay ka LRT ng two way, kulang.

Noon.... hirap magpakabit ng telepono.
Ngayon... kahit pre-paid meron nito kahit saang kanto.

Noon... kapag summer, sa Baguio masarap tumambay.
Ngayon... lahat nandun sa Boracay.

Noon... pag sinabi ng magulang mo na uwi, uuwi ka na.
Ngayon... pag sinabi ng magulang mo na uwi, malamang mapaos ang boses ng nanay mo sa tigas ng ulo mo.

Noon... nasubukan kong manood ng double picture sa sinehan, minsan triple picture pa.
Ngayon... pagkatapos ng pelikula, palalabasin ka na.

Noon...pag may game & watch ka, sikat ka.
Ngayon... kahit naka gameboy ka pa, laos ka. Dapat mag PSP na.

Noon...kapag magkikita kayo ng gf o bf mo sa ganitong oras at lugar, dapat dun ka lang.
Ngayon... dahil sa cellphone, kahit bigla mo ikansel ang date nyo, ok lang.

Noon... ganda ng porma kapag islander o beachwalk ang tsinelas.
Ngayon...ipon ka ng isang libo para makabili ng havainas.

Noon...pag showbiz balita, nag-iisa lang ang Inday Badiday.
Ngayon... magsasawa ka sa pagmumukha nila mula kay Boy Abunda hanggang kay Tetay.

Noon... si Superman ang hero ko.
Ngayon... si Totoy Bato.

Noon... piko, taguan, base to base at patintero lang solve ka na.
Ngayon... 5 oras ka na sa computer shop, nagrereklamo ka pa.

Noon... ang magsyota nagmimit sa simbahan.
Ngayon... sa motel na nagkikitaan.

Noon... para makapagsuot ng hikaw, nagpapabutas ng tenga.
Ngayon... anng mga !*#@, di pa nakuntento sa isa!

Noon... Lolit Solis, Gabby Concepcion, Ruffa Gutierrez, Gretchen Barreto, Filmfest Scandal.
Ngayon... Ethel Booba, Criselda Volks, Katrina Halili, Sex Scandal.

Noon...kabataan daw ang pag-asa ng bayan.
Ngayon... sagot sa kahirapan, lotto ang kailangan.


Noon... pag nagbabasa ka ng ganito, corny.
Ngayon...sasabihin mo sa gumawa nito, galing mo, grabe!

Kabayan back in the limelight!

Last Friday, during our weekly meeting at Kabayan Headquarters, our adviser Sgt. Lim relayed to us what happened in the meeting with new Northern Police District Director, Chief Superintendent Samuel Pagdilao. The former PNP Spokesman arranged a meeting with all the NGO’s of Camanava to discuss his plan of forming one solid team out of all the volunteer groups in Camanava. He also wants to issue uniform which is similar to what the PNP personnel are using, the blue shirt. That makes our Chairman wonder if the plan will push through since we all know the reason why PNP replaced their old uniform. But Pagdilao said that an I.D. will be given along with the proposed uniform. Coronel Pagdilao is so accommodating like all of the former officers who were assigned to handle the NPD top post. Bataoil, Druja and Tango were some of his colleagues whom we worked hand in hand for the past several years.

Before the meeting was adjourned, a surprised visitor came. No less than Col. Jack Ramos, Station Commander of PCP 4 in Malabon, asked for our assistance for their saturation drive on Sunday. He was so concern about the increase in crime rate involving minors. He even mentioned the law passed by Senator Francis Pangilinan pertaining to minors. The law states that if a 15 yrs.old or below commits a crime, he will be absolve. Confusing since curfew takes effect on 18 yrs. old and below.

The recent developments were again morale booster for the group where two high ranking officials recognized the existence of Kabayan, being the most active crime buster group in Camanava.

I'll keep you updated with our activities next time.

Rare Breed

Couple of days ago, U.S. President Barrack Obama and his Vice-President Joe Biden were on their way to Virginia when they decided to stop in a hamburger chain. Craving for burger, the two walked over the counter and lined up at the cashier. After ordering, they went straight on one table and waited to be called.

Do I really heard it right? Two of the most powerful people in the world acting like an ordinary individual? It may sound absurd but it’s a real thing. Maybe I’m just so attached to Filipino culture that this news caught me in awe.

Here in the Philippines, government officials were treated like they owned the country. From local to national officials, everybody wants a special kind of treatment. While driving on a busy road like Edsa or Roxas Boulevard, a loud siren will disturb you. Naturally you’ll give way knowing that “emergency” is approaching. But no, it’s a long convoy, escorting a plate number 8 car or any marked vehicle of the government.

During trips to different cities all over the country, President Gloria Arroyo was heavily guarded by PSG. Just last week, a cabinet secretary went to his province to visit his family. A throng of escort cars surround the officer from Manila to his destination. I remember watching on television the former President Joseph Estrada eating with the people at squatter area, like saying he’s one of them. His act earned him the adulation of the poor masses but in the contrary, his real motive was just to get the sympathy of them. There are also a lot of story about people who visit the office of our beloved Senators to ask for financial help but most of the times their secretary were the one talking with them. Worse, they always go home empty handed.

Obama and Biden are endangered species already. During campaign and election period, the candidates extend themselves to the people. But after elected, they distanced themselves and didn’t even bother to give back what the people deserve. But if you’re a Manny Pacquiao, that’s a different story.

Piece of Advise

What is respect? According to Webster Dictionary, it is something considered as a manifestation of a personal quality or trait. In a simple term, respect is to treat people considerately.

Sometimes or most of the times, we tend to forget respecting other people. It varies in different forms like respecting his way of life, his religion preference, his knowledge and ideas and even his free time. Real respect is hard to attain. You go to office, spend 8 or 10 hours even without doing anything and you earn money. But to earn respect is a totally different story.

On a personal note, I started working in 1997 as a marshal (crew) in the first “play care center of the Philippines”, Kids at Work. There, I did everything my boss wants me to do. From mopping the floor, “washing “the comfort room and even worse cleaning the unpleasant “mess” of kids, name it and I’ll do it. That is beside the usual task assigned on me. But I considered those experiences as the foundation of my mindset in treating others. When I was promoted as the store supervisor, I always look at my subordinates as myself, when I was like them starting. During their free time, I always find time to converse with them to uplift their moral a notch higher. I never ask them to do me a favour without making “pasuyo”. Even up to now with my present work at Pagcor where I’m back as a rank and file employee, I always see to it that I will not hurt the feelings of my co-employees and even my superiors. Sad to say, some of our co-employees whom are just at par with your level were acting like they are the captain of the ship. Just learn how to co-exist more importantly with the people down there. Just always remind yourself where to stand. Small workers had egos too and if both prides collide, your office will turn into your personal battleground.

Lastly, it still boils down to how are you raise by your parents. But if you’re aware about this and didn’t act to overturn it, it’s now your fault. Respect doesn’t earn overnight. It’s something even money can’t buy and something you will get if you truly deserves it.

Salute to the King!

I just like to give a little of my precious time to pay tribute to somebody who made a big impact this year in the NBA. Lebron James was awarded the Most Valuable Player trophy for the monstrous season he had with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Aside from leading his team to its best ever finish in the regular season, King James was the only player this season to average 28.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg and 7.0 asp. He also registered his career high in field goal and free-throw percentage with 48.9% & 78.0% respectively. He also had the most free-throw shot made at 594. Likewise Bron led the league with the most number of triple-doubles this year with 7.



This space is not enough to glorify his greatness. It’s quite frightening to know he’s just on his 6th year in the NBA. There still a lot to achieve for this phenomenal kid who never played college basketball. After Michael Jordan, I’ve became an instant fan of Lebron James. No wonder, I patterned the name of my only son to him.

Congratulations! The throne is yours!

Just 2 Rounds for the Best Pound-for-Pound!

“London bridge is falling down, falling down, falling down!” This is the chant you will hear inside the dug-out of the newly crowned IBO junior welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao right after disposing Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton in MGM Grand Las Vegas yesterday. True to his monicker, Hatton was “hit” numerous times before referee Kenny Bayless stop the fight before the 2nd round ends.
It was one of the most spectacular knock-out ever recorded by Pacman, even better than the two Morales’ stoppage. His victory extended his winning streak to 10 dating back to 2005. Pacquiao also entered the record books by winning his 5th world title since started campaigning as a light flyweight in 1995.

I’ve watched the fight in pay-per-view at Casino-Pavilion with my wife and officemates. We arrived at around 10:00 a.m. about 3 more undercards before the Pacquiao fight. I have some doubts if Manny can really beat the Manchester kid. Doubt, not of his skills but the many “firsts” associated with this fight. It will be the first time that a male singer, Martin Nievera, was tapped by Team Pacquiao to sing our National Anthem. Second, Manny’s mother Dionisia will watch the encounter right at the venue and not in the Philippines (It was reported that she wasn’t present at the MGM Grand). It was also the first time that WWE superstar Batista will be part of Manny’s entourage since he was volunteering for Pacman, 2 years ago. It was also the first time that he will be campaigning at the 140 lbs. where the Briton was considered untouchable being undefeated in 45 fights in that division. Also, this is the first time Manny will go not for a WBC belt but for the less heralded IBO title.

His devastating victory not only earned him the Ring Magazine award nor maintained his status as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world today but also cemented his name in the history of boxing. In the post-fight interview Top Rank promoter Bob Arum has this to say, “You’re seeing something that is developing. I really believed that when the full story was written, this man will be considered as the greatest fighter who ever lived”.

But where will Manny Pacquiao go after this? Does he still need to prove himself to the world? Is there any worthy opponent that could excite Manny to continue wearing his gloves? Is there any attractive pay-per-view match that could make Manny’s take bigger? Am I hearing the name Floyd Mayweather Jr.?